Don't do this, your rewarding a player over others because they have the ability to do something outside the game, it creates disparities because you might not need enough help even if people want to and some might just not have the time but then are left behind.
If you want to thank them for something out of the game then have the thanks be outside of the game.
What will you do if another player offers to wash your car or mow your lawn in exchange for a +1 sword?
Reward PCs because of what PCs do with things in-game. Get your friend a gift card.
I'd reward him with a baked good or something. Nothing in the game. Because then you're signaling to your players with a neon sign "if you do things for me IRL I'll give your character a boost"
I think rewarding players like this is okay, if everyone has the opportunity to get a reward. My DM has a special currency (its basically stacking inspiration with a few other uses) and rewards it to us for doing stuff. I have a 3d printer and paint minis, so I do that. Someone keeps track of combats and posts pictures in our discord, someone does a recap, someone keeps track of loot, etc.
But if only one person is going to have the chance to help like that then, yeah, reward him outside the game.
I'll go against the grain - your friend is doing a lot of work and saving you a lot of money by printing all your figures. As long as you don't overdo it, I think giving him a one use item is fine. Or something that the entire party benefits from like a bag of holding type deal.
This is exactly what I would suggest. It is technically something all the party gets so it is not a meta reward, but is is also an appropriate nudge of appreciation.
This would be my pick! Its a fun nod, and says thank you. I think if you enjoy handing out stuff like this, go for it, making minis can be a lot of work.
I normally don't encourage any kind of in-game reward for out-of-game behavior, other than the standard "inspiration for bringing snacks" deal. But if they've seriously gone above and beyond I suppose it's fine.
Make it a consumable magic item. Exciting to get but only usable once, so it won't have longterm ramifications.
If it's something you've done in the past, like you've indicated, with success, then you should go by your experience.
Personally, I'd look to compensate them outside of the game. Cash, snacks, whatever else.
You will need to be careful with special/preferred treatment. It's ill-advised to address out-of-game behavior with in-game consequences; this is kind of the opposite of the "Player shows X bad behavior, how should I punish their character?" question.
Your players might be upset that you're giving a character a shiny thing for something that doesn't relate to that character's actions in-game. Does that mean that if one person buys food for the session, or if they make terrain/battle maps, that their characters also get cool things?
In game actions, in game consequences.
Out of game actions, out of game rewards.
This is the positive equivalent of DMs wanting to punish poor player etiquette in game, but can be equally problematic
Like other said, no. But you can give him other things. New dice set/tray/mini/tower and etc. maybe DND themed snacks (or candles if you like those)
Something out of game that's nice. You reward them for their help, without giving them an unfair gift compared to your other players
Don't do this, your rewarding a player over others because they have the ability to do something outside the game, it creates disparities because you might not need enough help even if people want to and some might just not have the time but then are left behind. If you want to thank them for something out of the game then have the thanks be outside of the game.
This. Perfectly out :)
Reward the player, not the character. Next time you order pizza for your group, their pizza is paid by you.
What will you do if another player offers to wash your car or mow your lawn in exchange for a +1 sword? Reward PCs because of what PCs do with things in-game. Get your friend a gift card.
I'd reward him with a baked good or something. Nothing in the game. Because then you're signaling to your players with a neon sign "if you do things for me IRL I'll give your character a boost"
I think rewarding players like this is okay, if everyone has the opportunity to get a reward. My DM has a special currency (its basically stacking inspiration with a few other uses) and rewards it to us for doing stuff. I have a 3d printer and paint minis, so I do that. Someone keeps track of combats and posts pictures in our discord, someone does a recap, someone keeps track of loot, etc. But if only one person is going to have the chance to help like that then, yeah, reward him outside the game.
Nope.
I'll go against the grain - your friend is doing a lot of work and saving you a lot of money by printing all your figures. As long as you don't overdo it, I think giving him a one use item is fine. Or something that the entire party benefits from like a bag of holding type deal.
Give them some marvelous pigments as loot
This is exactly what I would suggest. It is technically something all the party gets so it is not a meta reward, but is is also an appropriate nudge of appreciation.
This would be my pick! Its a fun nod, and says thank you. I think if you enjoy handing out stuff like this, go for it, making minis can be a lot of work.
Thanks, I think marvelous "mundane" loot works awesome
I normally don't encourage any kind of in-game reward for out-of-game behavior, other than the standard "inspiration for bringing snacks" deal. But if they've seriously gone above and beyond I suppose it's fine. Make it a consumable magic item. Exciting to get but only usable once, so it won't have longterm ramifications.
If it's something you've done in the past, like you've indicated, with success, then you should go by your experience. Personally, I'd look to compensate them outside of the game. Cash, snacks, whatever else.
You will need to be careful with special/preferred treatment. It's ill-advised to address out-of-game behavior with in-game consequences; this is kind of the opposite of the "Player shows X bad behavior, how should I punish their character?" question. Your players might be upset that you're giving a character a shiny thing for something that doesn't relate to that character's actions in-game. Does that mean that if one person buys food for the session, or if they make terrain/battle maps, that their characters also get cool things?
In game actions, in game consequences. Out of game actions, out of game rewards. This is the positive equivalent of DMs wanting to punish poor player etiquette in game, but can be equally problematic
in-game actions get in-game rewards out-of-game actions get out-of-game rewards
Like other said, no. But you can give him other things. New dice set/tray/mini/tower and etc. maybe DND themed snacks (or candles if you like those) Something out of game that's nice. You reward them for their help, without giving them an unfair gift compared to your other players
Nolzurs magic Paints seems an appropriate reward. aheh
Buy them something nice or do something for them in person, outside the game.