DM Advice, Tell your players what to do!
TLDR: Add more secret roles to your games!
Hello All, Warden here!
I have ran a handful of modules a couple of times over the last couple years for a total of about 10-15 sessions, several of them repeats for different tables.
Something I noticed was my players were really confused and grasping for anything at the start that could possibly be thier objective. I think this is where the phenomenon on players trying to "beat a module " came from.
Then one day I ran Hunger of Archernar, where there was a suggestion for hidden roles each player could get. Hands down it was the session that to this day has been the one I've gotten the most praise for as a DM from my players! The engagement was through the roof and so was the palpable tension.
So Warden , why does this matter?
Well I believe that as wardens we should give our players goals, or give them enough information that a player can have a goal really before the session really starts. And if you feel your table is a little disconnected at the start this might help you. Because I have seen first hand the difference it can bring in even running the same module for 2 different tables!
So everyone if you havent run Hunger of Archnar, first off do that. Then take rhe roles and see where you can apply them to your other modules!! It works and keeps players way more engaged with your games.
Something im looking forward to trying is making hidden roles that directly align with the "Survive. Solve. Save. " motto. To really hammer in the goals for players.
I dont think this will be a cure all or apply to all tables. But the ones where players look at wardens and just try to "content speedrun"? Well this might help!