Hating Puzzles is a Stab at the Heart of Roleplaying Games

In the realm of roleplaying games (RPGs), where imagination reigns and collaborative storytelling thrives, a troubling refrain echoes: “I hate puzzles.” It’s not just a passing complaint—it’s a rejection of one of the genre’s foundational joys: creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual challenge.

I first encountered this sentiment after posting a meme about a wizard casting Disintegrate on a magical puzzle door. The responses flooded in: “I hate puzzles.” “I brute force every puzzle I see.” “Why should we bother with puzzles when we have spells and swords?” I walked away from the thread wondering: when did puzzles, once a cornerstone of RPGs, become the enemy?

Before we go one step further, let us acknowledge the wisdom of our tavern troll Old Gnashtooth, veteran adventurer, puzzle-solver, and philosopher who provides us the perspective necessary to recognize why puzzles can make a difference to an adventuring party. Get your coins ready, Master Gnashtooth has quite a thirst…

“Aye, puzzles. Nothin’ quite like ‘em. They’re the spice of an adventurer’s life. Sure, you can swing yer sword or mutter yer magic words, but where’s the fun in that? A good puzzle’s got layers, like an onion. Peel ‘em wrong, and all you get is tears.”

Why Problem-Solving Matters in RPGs

At its heart, a roleplaying game is a collaborative, iterative, and recursive experience — a group mental exercise where the players and the game master (GM) work together to tell a story. Puzzles, riddles, and challenges are integral to that process. They aren’t just obstacles; they’re opportunities for creativity, teamwork, and immersion.

Imagine the quintessential fantasy scenario: a sprawling dungeon filled with traps, riddles, and hidden treasures. These aren’t distractions—they’re part of the genre’s DNA. From Tolkien’s riddles in The Hobbit to the intricate mazes of Labyrinth, problem-solving has always been a hallmark of fantasy storytelling.

When we reduce RPGs to combat simulations—brute force over brains—we lose something essential: the joy of discovery and the satisfaction of thinking our way out of a tough situation.

Puzzles as the GM’s Secret Weapon

As a GM, you wear many hats: writer, director, cinematographer, and improvisational actor. Your goal is to create an engaging world that your players can explore and shape. Puzzles are one of your most versatile tools for achieving this. Let’s explore why puzzles matter in a well-developed game.

A GM is more than just a referee for dice rolls—you’re the architect of an entire world. You build the dungeons, populate the taverns, voice the non-player characters (NPCs), and breathe life into every corner of the story. It’s an exhausting, exhilarating job, one that requires a balance of creativity, preparation, and adaptability. Puzzles are one of the GM’s most versatile tools, offering a unique way to challenge players, enhance immersion, and create memorable moments.

Puzzles Foster Collaboration

Roleplaying games thrive on teamwork. Combat mechanics already push players to work together tactically, but puzzles elevate this dynamic by encouraging intellectual collaboration. A riddle, a cryptic map, or a strange artifact forces the party to pool their knowledge, brainstorm solutions, and think creatively.

Example: Imagine a puzzle where each character’s background or skillset provides a vital clue. The rogue spots a hidden compartment, the wizard deciphers arcane runes, and the bard recalls a forgotten legend. Together, they solve the mystery, creating a moment of shared triumph.

Puzzles Create Tension and Payoff

A well-placed puzzle slows the pace, building anticipation and suspense. This break in the action allows players to refocus on the story and environment, heightening the impact of what comes next. When they finally solve the puzzle, the satisfaction is palpable—it feels earned.

Example: A magical portal refuses to open until the players align a series of glowing symbols. Every failed attempt causes a shadowy figure to edge closer from the hallway behind them. When they finally unlock the door just as the shadow attacks, it’s a moment they’ll never forget.

Puzzles Deepen the Worldbuilding

Puzzles are an opportunity to weave lore and mystery into the setting. A locked door isn’t just an obstacle—it’s a piece of the world’s history, tied to the culture, magic, or mythology of the realm. Solving the puzzle isn’t just about gaining entry—it’s about uncovering the story behind it.

Example: The players find an ancient sarcophagus inscribed with riddles. Each answer reveals a line of prophecy about the villain they’re chasing. By the time they unlock the sarcophagus, they’ve pieced together a crucial part of the narrative, adding weight and context to the adventure.

Puzzles Reward Creativity and Ingenuity

Players love to feel clever. A good puzzle rewards them for thinking outside the box, reinforcing the idea that their choices and ideas shape the world. This sense of agency is crucial to immersive gameplay.

Example: A cursed bridge blocks the party’s path, collapsing under any weight. The party decides to fashion a makeshift pulley system using rope and grappling hooks to ferry themselves across. They bypass the puzzle in an unexpected way, and the GM rewards their ingenuity with extra loot—or a hint of what lies ahead.

Puzzles Offer Flexible Design

Not all challenges need to involve combat. Puzzles can fit any tone or genre, from lighthearted logic games to dark, eldritch enigmas. They allow GMs to vary the pacing and tone of a session, providing moments of levity, intrigue, or horror.

In a lighthearted campaign, the players must rearrange statues of animals to match a child’s nursery rhyme. In a darker setting, the same mechanic could involve solving a murder by aligning corpses to reflect a grim prophecy.

Puzzles Adapt to Player Choices

A good puzzle isn’t static—it responds to the players’ actions, turning even failures into meaningful story beats. If the players try to brute-force their way through, the puzzle can shift, escalate, or reveal consequences that deepen the narrative.

Example: If the wizard casts Disintegrate on a magical door, the door activates a hidden mechanism, releasing a swarm of spectral guardians. The players realize that force isn’t always the answer and must adapt their approach.

The GM’s Balancing Act

While puzzles are a powerful tool, they require careful balance. A poorly designed puzzle can frustrate players or grind the game to a halt. As a GM, you must:

• Ensure the puzzle aligns with the story and tone.
• Provide hints or context to guide players without hand-holding.
• Be flexible, rewarding creative solutions even if they bypass the intended answer.

Puzzles, when used thoughtfully, elevate the gaming experience. They challenge players to think like their characters, collaborate as a team, and immerse themselves in the world you’ve created. For a GM, they’re not just obstacles—they’re storytelling tools that transform a good campaign into a great one.

Here’s an example of what you don’t want to happen in your game. Consider the Disintegrate meme:

Me: The door has five symbols and five animal engravings —

Wizard: I cast Ray of Disintegration.

Me: …What?

Wizard: I disintegrate the door.

Me: …But… puzzle.

Wizard: I solved your puzzle. With magic.

Me: …

Sure, the wizard “solved” the problem, but a creative GM might turn that spell into a new challenge. The door shimmers as one rune activates. A glowing lion’s face emerges, growling:

“You thought to pass by magic’s might,

But spells alone won’t win this fight.

To claim the prize and cross this hall,

You must give more, or lose it all.”

Suddenly, the puzzle becomes dynamic—a living challenge that adapts to the players’ choices.

In my game, that is exactly what might happen. But I prefer to not just let magic undermine my game. In a world where magic exists, magical defenses preventing people from bypassing them just make sense.

The Rise of the “Murder-Hobo” Mindset

So, why do so many players hate puzzles? A lot of it comes down to how RPGs have evolved. Early tabletop games were built on problem-solving, strategy, and exploration. But as media like movies, video games, and streaming shows shaped modern sensibilities, the focus shifted to instant gratification: kill the monster, loot the treasure, move on.

This “murder-hobo” mentality—where players solve every problem with violence—reduces the game to a series of fights with no room for intellectual engagement. It’s easier to smash a door than to think about what it represents. But at what cost?

Blame Pop Culture? The Hollywood Effect

Modern media rarely values intellectual engagement. Complex narratives are replaced with flashy set pieces, and riddles are either spoon-fed or omitted entirely. Think about the last big-budget fantasy movie you saw—how often were you asked to think, rather than simply watch?

RPGs reflect the culture they exist in. When players are conditioned by media to expect instant rewards and low-stakes storytelling, puzzles feel out of place. But this isn’t a reason to abandon them—it’s a call to reclaim what makes RPGs unique. Puzzles don’t have to be boring or frustrating. With the right approach, they can enrich the game and captivate even skeptical players. Here’s how:

Make Puzzles Meaningful:

• Tie puzzles to the story. A magical door isn’t just a barrier—it’s a clue to the villain’s identity or a key to understanding the world.
• Reward Creativity: If players find unconventional solutions, reward them! A disintegration spell might open the door—but what if it also triggers a magical trap, creating a new challenge?
• Balance the Challenge: Not every puzzle needs to be a brain-buster. Mix in simple riddles, environmental challenges, and collaborative tasks to keep the experience fresh.
• Collaborate with Players: Know your group’s preferences. If they hate riddles but love tactical combat, design puzzles that incorporate battle strategy or teamwork.

Players: Engage With the Story

RPGs are a partnership between the GM and the players. By rejecting puzzles, players miss out on a key aspect of the game: the opportunity to shape the story through their choices. Remember:

• Trust Your GM: They’re not trying to frustrate you—they’re creating a world for you to explore.
• Think Like Your Character: How would they approach the problem? What would they notice that you might not?
• Embrace the Challenge: Solving a puzzle isn’t just about winning—it’s about immersion, creativity, and fun.

Reclaiming the Magic of RPGs

Roleplaying games are more than combat simulations—they’re a celebration of imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving. By rejecting puzzles, we risk losing what makes them special.

And if all else fails, just remember Gnashtooth’s drunken but sage advice: “When in doubt, pour ale on the runes. Works half the time. The other half, well… run faster than the cleric. Remember, if yer still stumped, bring me a pint, and I’ll have yer puzzle sorted faster than a bard charms a tavern maid.”

So, the next time you hear “I hate puzzles,” lean into the challenge. Because the best adventures are the ones that make you think—and the best stories are the ones you create together.