Meta-Knowledge: Useful & Not

Jared(Martel)

Hello RPGers

Meta-Knowledge is the bane and blessing of GM’s. First, let us define what meta-knowledge is in the TTRPG context. Meta-knowledge is information that a player or GM gains not through their character’s experience, but through the player or GM’s research or life experience. The use of this type of knowledge is generally called “Meta-Gaming”, and is generally frowned upon as it sometimes becomes a nuisance within a game and can also ruin immersion in the game world.

In this article I will show how it is perceived generally as a nuisance but also how it can be helpful and possible examples about how it can overcome the negative connotation of its use. 

To begin with, lets see an example of each; a level of ‘abuse’ of Meta-Knowledge and of it being helpful. An example that comes to mind is when a player tells the other players that they should all take the left door in the dungeon, not the right because the right only leads to a deadend, based on the last time they played in this same module or dungeon. Because this is knowledge the player knows, not necessarily their character, this can be frustrating to the GM. It gives away a key plot point and can take away the experience of the module or dungeon. The frustration can also extend beyond the disruption of the plot by the player using their non-character knowledge to meta-game, but also that they are breaking character to actively use that knowledge and therefore disrupting the ambiance and the immersion of the players in the setting. 

It can also manifest as a player building a minimum/maximum (min/max) character that is extremely specialized for the main plot in a module of which the player is already familiar. Again this is using “in-real-life” (IRL) knowledge that the character technically doesn’t know and shouldn’t be acting on. 

Where Meta-knowledge can be helpful is in character creation. If a more experienced player can help a less experienced player be more careful where they put their stats and which skills they choose to help make their character more functional in the game, that can help a new player feel more useful in the party dynamic. It also is a way for the more experienced player to be more invested in other players and their characters in the party. As covered in a previous article by Dennis published in June 2023¹. 

It can also be helpful to the GM if a player knows enough of the game mechanics to provide sensible information to the party on behalf of – and with permission – from the GM, to ease the GM’s load. As stated before, though, this can be overdone and give away too much of the plot or thesetting that the characters are meant to discover rather than being told ahead of time. This delves into the communication and trust between the players and the GM.

Meta-knowledge and meta-gaming then can be seen as both good and bad. Good, if used to the appropriate amount to aid the GM, help the progression of the game, and encourage new players in the development of their characters in the game. Without those key elements though of a desire to be helpful not know-it-all. The use of Meta-knowledge outside of these elements can be, at best, disruptive in the moment, and at worst, disruptive of the game as a whole. 

As an experienced player or GM, you may know things others don’t. My advice is that if you want to use that knowledge in a constructive way, ask the GM of ways that your character or another character in the party might know what you want to communicate. In this way you are respecting the GM and working to maintain the immersion of the game setting. Then, you are turning Meta-knowledge into character knowledge. 

Here is an example from my own experience regarding the construction use of meta-knowledge in a game. I was engaged in a new game with a new group whom I don’t play with often and I made an Eldritch Knight Fighter with a soldier background. We encountered Trolls. I asked the GM if the background of my Fighter would allow my character to know what I knew as a player, that Trolls are weak to acid and fire. He said that with my background, I could know the fire but not the acid. We agreed and we moved on into the combat. 

A respectful exchange occurred and we came to an agreement that made sense in-story, of how my character might know something that I, the player, knew very well. This also goes back to the clear communication and willingness to agree and play the game, run the story, in a constructive way. Sometimes you will disagree with the GM. Sometimes the GM makes no sense in what they don’t allow to be known in-character. Sometimes your players think their character should know something that there is no way for their character to reasonably know. It would be better to discuss disagreements privately and outside of the game, but it should be discussed and come to an amicable agreement  in order for the group to have fun as a whole. Conflict resolution between GMs and players is beyond the scope of this article, but the use of meta-gaming can certainly cause friction in a group, if not resolved.

I hope all this helped GMs and players alike to better understand Meta-knowledge, when and how it can be used constructively and to the betterment and the enjoyment of your gaming table. 

So, until next time: Game On!

About the Author

Jared “Martel” B has been GMing and playing in several TTRPG’s since late 2013. Enjoys the challenge of bringing his players worlds and stories straight from his mind in the moment that it happens. He is one of the Founders of RPGCounterpoint, happy husband to an active historian wife, and father to two puppers and newborn!

References:
¹ Article in RPGCounterPoint.com “Player Advice: Other Characters are Important Too” By Dennis “Okayest DM” Fleming Accessed 7/11/23 https://rpgcounterpoint.com/2023/06/20/player-advice-other-characters-are-important-too/