Let’s talk about the “woke” X gesture

a tool player’s can use when they don’t feel safe while playing Dungeons and Dragons (or any TTRPG for that matter). 

First off, let me say I find the “woke” claims made about new rule books pretty crazy and definitely a stretch. In my opinion, the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG) is solid and provides many useful rules that are just straight helpful, not woke. All the safety tips and playing suggestions are just that, SUGGESTIONS, not law. No one is going to kick down your door and tell you how to play D&D or take your old books away. 

I always say this: The Dungeon Master’s Guide is a toolbox. You might not need every tool for every game, but you’ll be glad to have them when they are needed. When discussing things like the “X Card” or “X Gesture” or the idea of creating a "safe space," personally, I wouldn’t want to play a long campaign with a group that relies on this tool. I know my friends’ boundaries and understand what’s okay and not okay to joke about or include in gameplay. Even when playing with new acquaintances, I know how to behave in public and avoid making dumb or tasteless comments. Just be a decent person! 

However, this tool does seem useful for people new to D&D, people who frequently rotate D&D groups, and people who play paid games online or at local game shops. It’s impossible to know everyone’s comfort zones at a table full of strangers, so a simple nod or gesture is a great way to address issues without derailing the game. I enjoy dark-themed games with serious undertones and tough challenges. As a hero, I want to overcome those challenges, save the world, or guide my players to do so. That’s my idea of fun, so, I don’t mind experiencing touchy, sad, or difficult topics. But not everyone is like that. Some people don’t care for certain subject matters, have gone through trauma they don’t want to re-live, or just plainly aren’t sure how to navigate difficult conversations. In that case, a tool like the X gesture could be incredibly helpful. It allows players to subtly indicate a problem without disrupting the flow of the game.  

Let’s take a look at the new rule, you can find this rule named “Limits In Play” under the “Mutual Respect” section of the book in chapter 1 in the DMG. “Since D&D is improvisational, the game can go in unexpected directions. It’s helpful to have an agreed-on signal that players can use to communicate that a limit has been violated, allowing you to adjust quickly. That signal might be a gesture (such as crossing the arms in an X or raising a palm in a “stop” gesture), a code word or phrase…” The passage continues to list other ideas of gestures you can use. If I were to implement this rule into my own games, it would probably be while playing with people of all ages at a local game shop. There have been several times where I would DM for kids, around the age of 13 or 14 years old, and their parents would stay to watch. While telling a story, there might be subject matter that I find harmless, but that the parents find problematic or inappropriate. A parent could then stop me from touching on subject matter they don’t want their kids to be a part of with a quick gesture. This way, the game can continue fluidly and the kid is less likely to feel embarrassed or singled out. This tool is a simple idea that is worth mentioning to any new DM, especially in a book that is supposed to teach you about a role that leads a group of people. Just remember, a power button may be easy and obvious to find, but the manual will still tell you how to press it.  

“But, Tony, why does WotC HAVE to mention it AT ALL? Aren’t they catering to the woke mob and ruining the game?” 

Short Answer – no. 

There are so many things you could poke at that could be considered “woke” and there are probably some I would agree are too “hand-holdy,” but it doesn’t matter, because, again, these are SUGGESTIONS not LAWS!  

  When it comes to the wokeness topic in general, there’s so much that I could say, but those are conversations, or possible blog posts, for another time. This X Gesture controversy was initially sparked by Gary Gygax being trashed after one of the anniversary books came out and Elon Musk toying with the idea of buying Hasbro. More D&D is a good thing for the community, so if Wizards of the Coast continues to produce more books like the 2024 DMG and PHB that contain actually-useful information, tools, and fun story direction, then they can put as many more “woke” rules as they want.  

That’s all I have to say about the X Gesture! Thanks for taking the time to read and please forgive my shotty writing. I am new to blogging. Thank you for the love, support and everything in between! See you next time. 

~ Tony