Points We Never Spend - Part 2: Improving Inflow

How to get Inspiration flowing while leading your 5E table

By Lemon Baardsen

Getting the flow of Inspiration going both ways can make DMing more fun and
fulfilling. Inspiration cycling out and in, granting it to players and the
players using it to gain Advantage, can make for a more energized table
with players who bring their all to the game. We took a look at improving
outflow last time, now let’s take on the challenge of improving inflow.

There is little I find more frustrating as a DM than seeing Inspiration go
unspent. Watching players failing checks but forgetting they have
Inspiration or clinging on to it as if it were a scarce resource gets me
down. Being excited by a player making a bold choice, getting deep into
their character, doing something generous for someone else at the table, or
even giving the table a great laugh and not being able to give Inspiration
because they haven’t used what was previously given is even worse. Inflow
can feel as though it’s out of your hands, the players are the ones who
decide to use it - not you, but you can create an environment in which
players start seeing Inspiration as a resource they can comfortably spend.

Some of the methods for getting your players to spend their Inspiration, or
improving inflow, will look familiar as they are the flip side of those
improving outflow. Physical tokens, talking up Inspiration, and giving
Inspiration early all have a role to play in inflow as well as outflow.

How to get Inspiration flowing while leading your 5E table

By Lemon Baardsen

Getting the flow of Inspiration going both ways can make DMing more fun and fulfilling. Inspiration cycling out and in, granting it to players and the players using it to gain Advantage, can make for a more energized table with players who bring their all to the game. We took a look at improving outflow last time, now let’s take on the challenge of improving inflow. 

There is little I find more frustrating as a DM than seeing Inspiration go unspent. Watching players failing checks but forgetting they have Inspiration or clinging on to it as if it were a scarce resource gets me down. Being excited by a player making a bold choice, getting deep into their character, doing something generous for someone else at the table, or even giving the table a great laugh and not being able to give Inspiration because they haven’t used what was previously given is even worse. Inflow can feel as though it’s out of your hands, the players are the ones who decide to use it - not you, but you can create an environment in which players start seeing Inspiration as a resource they can comfortably spend. 

Some of the methods for getting your players to spend their Inspiration, or improving inflow, will look familiar as they are the flip side of those improving outflow. Physical tokens, talking up Inspiration, and giving Inspiration early all have a role to play in inflow as well as outflow. 

Physical tokens

Just as physical tokens are a good reminder for a DM to give out Inspiration, having a physical token is a good way to keep Inspiration top of mind for players. They don’t have to be fancy but something high visibility that’s easy to differentiate from the player’s dice will remind your players that they have a resource to use. 

Talk up Inspiration 

Starting the session talking about how you’re looking forward to giving out lots of Inspiration and how excited you are to see all the different ways they’ll earn Inspiration this session isn’t just a way to get yourself ready to give Inspiration. It assures players that the first Inspiration they receive isn’t good to be the last and helps wear away at that “precious” feeling players can have toward it. 

Give Inspiration early

Giving Inspiration early reinforces in players the idea that yes, they can and will earn Inspiration. It also alleviates the feeling of a time crunch that some players experience - “If I spend this is there enough time left to earn more?”

Use it or lose it

Some players dread the time crunch, others are incentivized by it. Most DMs don’t allow Inspiration to last between sessions. If your table responds well to increased pressure and you want to crank up the urgency to get players to turn in their inspiration, try having Inspiration expire at the end of a long rest. 

Gifting Inspiration

When challenging situations arise, encourage players to give their Inspiration to each other to use on key rolls. Everyone will want to be the hero who gives their Inspiration away for someone’s DC 20 saving throw.

Party Inspiration

Party Inspiration is similar to Gifting Inspiration but more flexible. When someone earns Inspiration, place the token into a bowl or tray to bank the Inspiration for the whole party. The bank can hold up to the number of character’s worth of Inspiration and can be added to by anyone multiple times until the maximum is reached. Anyone can use the Inspiration in the bank at any time. Seeing a pile of Inspiration available rather than just their own single point can make it easier for some players to spend it. 

Bribery

As silly as it sounds, a big turning point for Inspiration flow at my tables was when I decided to give out lollipops in addition to Advantage on the roll when people turned in their Inspiration. I chose lollipops because I was able to find some that came in a variety of flavors and met a great deal of dietary restrictions, giving them broad appeal, but there are plenty of snacks and trinkets that you might find motivate your players to turn their Inspiration back in.

Dungeons & Dragons can be fun even without Inspiration, but getting a steady flow of Inspiration going in both directions can make for a table that is more engaged and invested, more generous with and appreciative of each other, and more ready to take the bold risks that heroes take. I hope you find your flow and that your next game is only ever eclipsed by the one after.