a big fat metagaming jerk who goes too far. [Archive] - Wizards Community

a big fat metagaming jerk who goes too far. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sedriis
07-31-05, 03:56 AM Okay. I'm running a semi-evil campaign...
the problem is one guy (player 1) isn't really very evil and the other (player 2) is a sicko, who kills whoever he wants and thinks he is the greatest in the world. He also is a complete moron because he bought a used second edition psionics book and demanded to use it in our 3e game (he wants to change characters for no reason other then because he's an ass doesn't even know the rules well enough.

Hes a complete pig in role-playing and in real life. He demands to "conceive" a child with some NPC...and railroads the game by saying he waits 9 months for the baby (railroading the quest). He is Disrespectful in some aspects but not flagrantly (save for the one time he put his damn feet on my computer tower; my computer, the computer i built that is worth $1,500.) My problem with him is he thinks he runs the show. I need to be able to remind him that he doesn’t.

My house is basically the primary playing place though sometimes we play at his. In my house everyone is fed. No one goes home hungry..ever. No exception.
He never contributes to the food cause. He has us come over and starves everyone. Feeds us the worst food you could find (corn chips and warm water) and acts spoiled to his family(i think they could afford somthing decent to feed us). And if that wasn’t enough the other players and I fork over the money for food EVERY TIME. He seems to be a hooray for me F*** you type person.

I’m close to telling him to take a long jog off a short cliff….
but if i canned him I will be down another player. One player is out of town already, the other is my best friend..and then we have the a selfish pig.

How do you DMs Lay down the law.
Garrinol
07-31-05, 04:00 AM Tell him to tone his actions down right now or he's out, that kind of stuff's unnacceptable.
20goingon1232
07-31-05, 04:54 AM I'd have told him to take that jog a long time ago. Sorry that I can't help you more.
Venom of the Yuan Ti
07-31-05, 05:04 AM Standard speach.

Atention <insert git's name>,
Do anything like that again and your booted.

Anyting else is too leanient.
EvilDuck
07-31-05, 05:04 AM Tell him to stick that 2E psionics book in a random orifice, then hobble out the door.
Antioch
07-31-05, 05:15 AM Okay. I'm running a semi-evil campaign...
the problem is one guy (player 1) isn't really very evil and the other (player 2) is a sicko, who kills whoever he wants and thinks he is the greatest in the world. He also is a complete moron because he bought a used second edition psionics book and demanded to use it in our 3e game (he wants to change characters for no reason other then because he's an ass doesn't even know the rules well enough.

2nd Edition material is useless without first undergoing a conversion process. Luckily for him, its already been done for you. If he is truly interested in playing a psionic character, have him go pick up the Expanded Psionics Handbook.
Rather than have him simply switch gears, allow him to multiclass into a psionic class, or start up a new game if need be. From the sounds of things this current game is going nowhere fast.
If you are running an evil campaign as well, dont forget that evil actions wont go unpunished and that if one wants to wanton slaughter everyone in sight, officials will come knocking, bounties could be placed, and if it continues, heroes far too powerful for him to defeat might appear to dish out their particular brand of justice (which I'm told does not include tea).

Hes a complete pig in role-playing and in real life. He demands to "conceive" a child with some NPC...and railroads the game by saying he waits 9 months for the baby (railroading the quest). He is Disrespectful in some aspects but not flagrantly (save for the one time he put his damn feet on my computer tower; my computer, the computer i built that is worth $1,500.) My problem with him is he thinks he runs the show. I need to be able to remind him that he doesn’t.

This is as simple as putting your foot down and telling him what needs to change, otherwise he will not be allowed to play anymore. This issue also appears to extend into real-life, in which case you also need to tell him what he can and cannot do in your house. The other option is to leave. This situation demands your personal conviction and action as based on what I would do.

My house is basically the primary playing place though sometimes we play at his. In my house everyone is fed. No one goes home hungry..ever. No exception.

Despite being the DM, and thus doing the lion's share of the work, its still important to play a good host.

He never contributes to the food cause. He has us come over and starves everyone. Feeds us the worst food you could find (corn chips and warm water) and acts spoiled to his family(i think they could afford somthing decent to feed us). And if that wasn’t enough the other players and I fork over the money for food EVERY TIME. He seems to be a hooray for me F*** you type person.

Simple solution: bring your own food. You do not have to share it, and if you want to give him a clear lesson, have everyone bring their own. If you want to pitch in for a food run, my group gives one person the cash and a list with all the goods. If you cant pay then you dont eat.

I’m close to telling him to take a long jog off a short cliff….
but if i canned him I will be down another player. One player is out of town already, the other is my best friend..and then we have the a selfish pig.

Sounds like you would be better off running solo games than no game.
Fading away
07-31-05, 05:37 AM There is nothing wrong with a one on one game, the truth is, they can be really fun.

Because you don't have to play with a jerk like that! If he wants the game to go the way he wants, let him! Let see how far he goes without a DM and other players!

As for punishing evil characters, there is nothing better then a group of (average character level + 5)th level paladins.
Antioch
07-31-05, 05:41 AM If possible, talk to him first. If need be, flat out tell him what needs to stop doing, and what he had better start doing, especially in regards to how he is acting in your house.
EvilDuck
07-31-05, 05:53 AM As for punishing evil characters, there is nothing better then a group of (average character level + 5)th level paladins.

It's an evil campaign. They're not supposed to be uber-NPC'd into oblivion.
Orcmonk89
07-31-05, 06:42 AM I've never DM'ed but..........
Couldn't you leave him with his 'baby'?
Or kill him off?
Or get the players to shun him completely?
ShadowDragon8685
07-31-05, 08:50 AM I think threads like this aren't so much a "Okay... What do I do."

You KNOW what to do. You're just too chicken to do it. Like quitting drinking and such, you don't have the willpower to do it, so you look to DMA - Dungeon Master's Anonamous. :)

So yeah. Kick his ass to the curb, and stomp on it a couple good twenty times, to make sure he gets the hint.
Ut-Napishtim
07-31-05, 11:38 AM There are other players in the sea. I agree with the posters who feel you should stop playing with this dude. If you can't bring yourself to do that, ya'll should definitely start bringing your own food to his place when you go. Paying this dude money for stale corn chips and warm tap water if ludicrous. If he asks you can always tell him you're tired of paying for his crappy food.
tharivol266
07-31-05, 11:57 AM i personally would talk directly to the other players and conspire with them then let him get his baby then just leave him there and not come back. ever. have the town get hit by a meteor or something and be completly gone from the map. then have him make a new character and "give" more forceful "suggestions". and as for him sticking his feet on ur tower. well just getting something long and sharp and jam it into his feet whenever he does it. pain is a good motivator u no
celtredleg
07-31-05, 12:39 PM Dont try to solve this IC..Its a RW problem, solve it there. Lay down the law, you cant do these things. Do it again, and you are out. Address the food issue as well. I would say, just dont go back to his place.

Also start looking around for other players. No game, or solo is definately better than playing with somebody like that.
Carn Vandoril
07-31-05, 02:12 PM Have an OOG talk about the game, lay down the rules.
This is how I dm:
rule #0 "When in doubt, I'm allways right."
rule #1...... etc.
Write these down upfront, so you wont have to pillage your brain when reciting them.
Give him just 1 more chance, if you think he's still worth it. Gaming should be fun, if he's no fun, :bump: "next player please!".

Collect money for the next session, this works.
Carn Vandoril
07-31-05, 02:15 PM i personally would talk directly to the other players and conspire with them then let him get his baby then just leave him there and not come back. ever. have the town get hit by a meteor or something and be completly gone from the map. then have him make a new character and "give" more forceful "suggestions". and as for him sticking his feet on ur tower. well just getting something long and sharp and jam it into his feet whenever he does it. pain is a good motivator u no
What's he going to learn from that?? That the group are ****s too??
"Rocks fall, but only your char is dead"????

Why not just tell him in the face, like you should. It's fair, it's direct and it's instanteneous.

Greetings.
Sedriis
07-31-05, 02:23 PM His fat ass ate most of it. Sad thing was it was a pizza and it was frozen (had to use his oven)..(My friend brought it) and i brought drinks and candy...which he also consumed most of...I really hate his house..it's like a third world country...because not only do they not have food but they hate Americans, so i get to listen to their opinions on how horrible our country is.

Worst comes to worst his character deserves to have the baby force fed to him. Anyhow the more i think about this the more i want to can him and find more players.
obrysii
07-31-05, 02:50 PM When at your house: Your house, your rules. If he can't respect that, just tell him it is not acceptable behavior and that until he can respect your rules, he is gone.

When at his house: tell him flat out to save some for others, that he doesn't have to be such a glutton.
Siduakal
07-31-05, 02:51 PM I'd warn him once, if he doesn't change.. Boot him.

You'd be amazed how fun solo or two player campaigns can be. More cooperation usually.
Sedriis
07-31-05, 02:57 PM i've done solo ones the most. However i imagine that i'm going to need atleast two players.
EvilDuck
07-31-05, 03:17 PM His fat ass ate most of it. Sad thing was it was a pizza and it was frozen (had to use his oven)..(My friend brought it) and i brought drinks and candy...which he also consumed most of...I really hate his house..it's like a third world country...because not only do they not have food but they hate Americans, so i get to listen to their opinions on how horrible our country is.

Worst comes to worst his character deserves to have the baby force fed to him. Anyhow the more i think about this the more i want to can him and find more players.
Why'd you share? You should have just told him that he had his own food (the stale chips and tap water) to eat. Anyways, kick his ass to the curb.
Sildatorak
07-31-05, 03:22 PM Perhaps you should run a solo campaign and use the gestalt variant found in Unearthed Arcana. Basically it lets each player take 2 classes every time they level and they get whatever is better from each class. So a barbarian/sorcerer would get d12 hp, 4+int skill points (treating both classes' lists as class skills), good will and fort saves, spellcasting, raging, and all the other class features of both classes.

It tends to produce more powerful characters, but that is probably not a bad thing in a 1 or 2 person game.
olshanski_home
07-31-05, 03:32 PM Great chefs always use the best ingredients when cooking.
As a DM, in order to have really great gaming sessions, you cannot have a bad player.

If a chef has a rotton potato, he doesn't use any recipe that calls for potato. If you have a bad player, you have to dump him.

If you think your game will suffer, you are wrong, and here is why:
1. The problem of gaming with fewer players is offeset by how much more fun everyone will have now that the jerk is gone.
2. You never know how much having that Jerk around is causing you to NOT HAVE another great player... Perhaps with the jerk you are not trying as hard to receruit someone new. Perhaps someone new who might be interested has declined on account of the jerk. and possibly the fact that you have booted someone will make your game seem more appealing, since people know you are discriminating (in a good way).
EvilDuck
07-31-05, 04:03 PM As a tool of negotiation, you could show him this thread and see how many other DMs would boot him.
Sedriis
07-31-05, 04:16 PM everytime he rolls up a character sheet...
He somehow ends up with...
A human Wizard
9 str
15 dex
16 con
18 int
12 wis
17 cha
Why do i get the feeling he didn't really roll those?
his so called new character...had litteraly Nothing under 12.
the average scores were 15. Case in point i cut them down to size because he rolled over the phone after demanding to change his character.

Metagamer and powergamer.
The guy also asks me constantly to burn him some movies off my harddrive...this guy is toast.
Tedly224
07-31-05, 04:30 PM Being a Dungeon Master for a game should at all times be something that is fun, enjoyable, and rewarding for you. This is not to say that there will not be times where you will feel a bit of stress, feel under the gun in running a game decision, or feel that you may have to dredge up a bit of patience to handle a player's question or desire. Those considerations should only prove *minor* in comparison to the already mentioned fun/enjoyable/rewarding part you should be getting from the game.

If at any point you encounter a situation with one or more players that is proving to be too great a problem to your own personal fun with the game, do the following. Bring the game to a gentle pause or ending for the night if possible. Speak with the players who are a part of the situation in a relaxed and friendly manner. Explain your current difficulties with what is going on. Do NOT explain, or have to defend your position on your feelings. You are the DM. The fact that you are NOT having fun is reason enough that something has to be changed or at least compromised with.

If the players aren't willing to understand and adapt to your viewpoint and insist that you are wrong and they are right - Kick them out. Give them their chance but wash your hands of it. Period.

That's pretty much all I have to say on the matter. A game is a shared effort between players and DM and it is far, FAR too easy for one or more selfish players to just care less about your enjoyment and hard work with what they do. Don't put up with it.
EvilDuck
07-31-05, 04:33 PM powergamer
Nothing wrong with this at all, 'cept he seems to be going about it dishonorably.
hobbit for hire
07-31-05, 05:23 PM Tell him to suck it. Then kick him out.
Antioch
07-31-05, 11:08 PM Okay seriously, stop posting here to whine about additional crap he levies at you. Now its gone from "what should I do" to "getting it off of your chest" to dumping more drama. You asked, we told you. It doesnt really matter what character he always comes up with, or that his family hates Americans. Frankly, I'm not sure why you still play with him.

Do you like getting your teeth pulled out with a rusty wrench? From the sounds of it, you also like to have a swarm of bees in your mouth while your friend does the operation, spiking your groin with a pair of cleats and singing off-key songs that include disparaging comments about your mother.

So surmise; just stop. If its this bad, dont even give him the benefit of the doubt. Just stop playing with him.
Ut-Napishtim
07-31-05, 11:29 PM If you think your game will suffer, you are wrong, and here is why:
1. The problem of gaming with fewer players is offeset by how much more fun everyone will have now that the jerk is gone.
2. You never know how much having that Jerk around is causing you to NOT HAVE another great player... Perhaps with the jerk you are not trying as hard to receruit someone new. Perhaps someone new who might be interested has declined on account of the jerk. and possibly the fact that you have booted someone will make your game seem more appealing, since people know you are discriminating (in a good way).

Excellent points.
Running a game with two players can be great. Usually it's easier to get everyone on the same page, and each player gets more individual attention. I wouldn't have a problem running for just two, in fact I cap my games out at six for that exact quality control purpose.
smaugchow
08-01-05, 10:52 AM iT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE NO REASONS TO KEEP HIM AROUND. (oops - sorry.) If he brings nothing to the game but "another player," why are you even hesitating?

Throw his American-hating butt out! Call the Secret Service on him and have him deported for illegally copying movies/CDs. Claim you heard him threaten to strap on a Semtex vest and skip on down to city hall. The guy is useless and should be removed from your game and your list of friends as soon as apossible. Trust me on this - having bad friends is worse than having few friends.
jasper
08-01-05, 11:16 AM Since you let jerks walk over you just to play a game. Give me your lunch money. Tell the jerk to walk unless you like being walked on.
SeidonVanDolf
08-02-05, 05:11 AM Serious question for you: If you don't like him, and judging from the harsh tone from you and the lousy treatment from him, then why do you play the game with him? You could hike it down to the local comic shop with an ad for a new player for 3rd ed and get some yokel who can't possibly be worse than this guy. I make it appoint not to play with people I can't stand to hang out with when I'm not gaming. Maybe we aren't the best of friends but if I can honestly say that I don't like him then I won't run a game with him. The only exception is if he is chums with the rest of the group. Then I will tolerate him for them but if he acted the way you describe this jerk is acting well I would lay it down straight forward. Cut it out and clean up the act or take your out of date psionics handbook and store it up your ass until you can find someone willing to put up with your bull****.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sedriis 07-31-05, 03:56 AM	Okay. I'm running a semi-evil campaign... the problem is one guy (player 1) isn't really very evil and the other (player 2) is a sicko, who kills whoever he wants and thinks he is the greatest in the world. He also is a complete moron because he bought a used second edition psionics book and demanded to use it in our 3e game (he wants to change characters for no reason other then because he's an ass doesn't even know the rules well enough. Hes a complete pig in role-playing and in real life. He demands to "conceive" a child with some NPC...and railroads the game by saying he waits 9 months for the baby (railroading the quest). He is Disrespectful in some aspects but not flagrantly (save for the one time he put his damn feet on my computer tower; my computer, the computer i built that is worth $1,500.) My problem with him is he thinks he runs the show. I need to be able to remind him that he doesn’t. My house is basically the primary playing place though sometimes we play at his. In my house everyone is fed. No one goes home hungry..ever. No exception. He never contributes to the food cause. He has us come over and starves everyone. Feeds us the worst food you could find (corn chips and warm water) and acts spoiled to his family(i think they could afford somthing decent to feed us). And if that wasn’t enough the other players and I fork over the money for food EVERY TIME. He seems to be a hooray for me F*** you type person. I’m close to telling him to take a long jog off a short cliff…. but if i canned him I will be down another player. One player is out of town already, the other is my best friend..and then we have the a selfish pig. How do you DMs Lay down the law.
Garrinol 07-31-05, 04:00 AM	Tell him to tone his actions down right now or he's out, that kind of stuff's unnacceptable.
20goingon1232 07-31-05, 04:54 AM	I'd have told him to take that jog a long time ago. Sorry that I can't help you more.
Venom of the Yuan Ti 07-31-05, 05:04 AM	Standard speach. Atention <insert git's name>, Do anything like that again and your booted. Anyting else is too leanient.
EvilDuck 07-31-05, 05:04 AM	Tell him to stick that 2E psionics book in a random orifice, then hobble out the door.
Antioch 07-31-05, 05:15 AM	Okay. I'm running a semi-evil campaign... the problem is one guy (player 1) isn't really very evil and the other (player 2) is a sicko, who kills whoever he wants and thinks he is the greatest in the world. He also is a complete moron because he bought a used second edition psionics book and demanded to use it in our 3e game (he wants to change characters for no reason other then because he's an ass doesn't even know the rules well enough. 2nd Edition material is useless without first undergoing a conversion process. Luckily for him, its already been done for you. If he is truly interested in playing a psionic character, have him go pick up the Expanded Psionics Handbook. Rather than have him simply switch gears, allow him to multiclass into a psionic class, or start up a new game if need be. From the sounds of things this current game is going nowhere fast. If you are running an evil campaign as well, dont forget that evil actions wont go unpunished and that if one wants to wanton slaughter everyone in sight, officials will come knocking, bounties could be placed, and if it continues, heroes far too powerful for him to defeat might appear to dish out their particular brand of justice (which I'm told does not include tea). Hes a complete pig in role-playing and in real life. He demands to "conceive" a child with some NPC...and railroads the game by saying he waits 9 months for the baby (railroading the quest). He is Disrespectful in some aspects but not flagrantly (save for the one time he put his damn feet on my computer tower; my computer, the computer i built that is worth $1,500.) My problem with him is he thinks he runs the show. I need to be able to remind him that he doesn’t. This is as simple as putting your foot down and telling him what needs to change, otherwise he will not be allowed to play anymore. This issue also appears to extend into real-life, in which case you also need to tell him what he can and cannot do in your house. The other option is to leave. This situation demands your personal conviction and action as based on what I would do. My house is basically the primary playing place though sometimes we play at his. In my house everyone is fed. No one goes home hungry..ever. No exception. Despite being the DM, and thus doing the lion's share of the work, its still important to play a good host. He never contributes to the food cause. He has us come over and starves everyone. Feeds us the worst food you could find (corn chips and warm water) and acts spoiled to his family(i think they could afford somthing decent to feed us). And if that wasn’t enough the other players and I fork over the money for food EVERY TIME. He seems to be a hooray for me F*** you type person. Simple solution: bring your own food. You do not have to share it, and if you want to give him a clear lesson, have everyone bring their own. If you want to pitch in for a food run, my group gives one person the cash and a list with all the goods. If you cant pay then you dont eat. I’m close to telling him to take a long jog off a short cliff…. but if i canned him I will be down another player. One player is out of town already, the other is my best friend..and then we have the a selfish pig. Sounds like you would be better off running solo games than no game.
Fading away 07-31-05, 05:37 AM	There is nothing wrong with a one on one game, the truth is, they can be really fun. Because you don't have to play with a jerk like that! If he wants the game to go the way he wants, let him! Let see how far he goes without a DM and other players! As for punishing evil characters, there is nothing better then a group of (average character level + 5)th level paladins.
Antioch 07-31-05, 05:41 AM	If possible, talk to him first. If need be, flat out tell him what needs to stop doing, and what he had better start doing, especially in regards to how he is acting in your house.
EvilDuck 07-31-05, 05:53 AM	As for punishing evil characters, there is nothing better then a group of (average character level + 5)th level paladins. It's an evil campaign. They're not supposed to be uber-NPC'd into oblivion.
Orcmonk89 07-31-05, 06:42 AM	I've never DM'ed but.......... Couldn't you leave him with his 'baby'? Or kill him off? Or get the players to shun him completely?
ShadowDragon8685 07-31-05, 08:50 AM	I think threads like this aren't so much a "Okay... What do I do." You KNOW what to do. You're just too chicken to do it. Like quitting drinking and such, you don't have the willpower to do it, so you look to DMA - Dungeon Master's Anonamous. :) So yeah. Kick his ass to the curb, and stomp on it a couple good twenty times, to make sure he gets the hint.
Ut-Napishtim 07-31-05, 11:38 AM	There are other players in the sea. I agree with the posters who feel you should stop playing with this dude. If you can't bring yourself to do that, ya'll should definitely start bringing your own food to his place when you go. Paying this dude money for stale corn chips and warm tap water if ludicrous. If he asks you can always tell him you're tired of paying for his crappy food.
tharivol266 07-31-05, 11:57 AM	i personally would talk directly to the other players and conspire with them then let him get his baby then just leave him there and not come back. ever. have the town get hit by a meteor or something and be completly gone from the map. then have him make a new character and "give" more forceful "suggestions". and as for him sticking his feet on ur tower. well just getting something long and sharp and jam it into his feet whenever he does it. pain is a good motivator u no
celtredleg 07-31-05, 12:39 PM	Dont try to solve this IC..Its a RW problem, solve it there. Lay down the law, you cant do these things. Do it again, and you are out. Address the food issue as well. I would say, just dont go back to his place. Also start looking around for other players. No game, or solo is definately better than playing with somebody like that.
Carn Vandoril 07-31-05, 02:12 PM	Have an OOG talk about the game, lay down the rules. This is how I dm: rule #0 "When in doubt, I'm allways right." rule #1...... etc. Write these down upfront, so you wont have to pillage your brain when reciting them. Give him just 1 more chance, if you think he's still worth it. Gaming should be fun, if he's no fun, :bump: "next player please!". Collect money for the next session, this works.
Carn Vandoril 07-31-05, 02:15 PM	i personally would talk directly to the other players and conspire with them then let him get his baby then just leave him there and not come back. ever. have the town get hit by a meteor or something and be completly gone from the map. then have him make a new character and "give" more forceful "suggestions". and as for him sticking his feet on ur tower. well just getting something long and sharp and jam it into his feet whenever he does it. pain is a good motivator u no What's he going to learn from that?? That the group are ****s too?? "Rocks fall, but only your char is dead"???? Why not just tell him in the face, like you should. It's fair, it's direct and it's instanteneous. Greetings.
Sedriis 07-31-05, 02:23 PM	His fat ass ate most of it. Sad thing was it was a pizza and it was frozen (had to use his oven)..(My friend brought it) and i brought drinks and candy...which he also consumed most of...I really hate his house..it's like a third world country...because not only do they not have food but they hate Americans, so i get to listen to their opinions on how horrible our country is. Worst comes to worst his character deserves to have the baby force fed to him. Anyhow the more i think about this the more i want to can him and find more players.
obrysii 07-31-05, 02:50 PM	When at your house: Your house, your rules. If he can't respect that, just tell him it is not acceptable behavior and that until he can respect your rules, he is gone. When at his house: tell him flat out to save some for others, that he doesn't have to be such a glutton.
Siduakal 07-31-05, 02:51 PM	I'd warn him once, if he doesn't change.. Boot him. You'd be amazed how fun solo or two player campaigns can be. More cooperation usually.
Sedriis 07-31-05, 02:57 PM	i've done solo ones the most. However i imagine that i'm going to need atleast two players.
EvilDuck 07-31-05, 03:17 PM	His fat ass ate most of it. Sad thing was it was a pizza and it was frozen (had to use his oven)..(My friend brought it) and i brought drinks and candy...which he also consumed most of...I really hate his house..it's like a third world country...because not only do they not have food but they hate Americans, so i get to listen to their opinions on how horrible our country is. Worst comes to worst his character deserves to have the baby force fed to him. Anyhow the more i think about this the more i want to can him and find more players. Why'd you share? You should have just told him that he had his own food (the stale chips and tap water) to eat. Anyways, kick his ass to the curb.
Sildatorak 07-31-05, 03:22 PM	Perhaps you should run a solo campaign and use the gestalt variant found in Unearthed Arcana. Basically it lets each player take 2 classes every time they level and they get whatever is better from each class. So a barbarian/sorcerer would get d12 hp, 4+int skill points (treating both classes' lists as class skills), good will and fort saves, spellcasting, raging, and all the other class features of both classes. It tends to produce more powerful characters, but that is probably not a bad thing in a 1 or 2 person game.
olshanski_home 07-31-05, 03:32 PM	Great chefs always use the best ingredients when cooking. As a DM, in order to have really great gaming sessions, you cannot have a bad player. If a chef has a rotton potato, he doesn't use any recipe that calls for potato. If you have a bad player, you have to dump him. If you think your game will suffer, you are wrong, and here is why: 1. The problem of gaming with fewer players is offeset by how much more fun everyone will have now that the jerk is gone. 2. You never know how much having that Jerk around is causing you to NOT HAVE another great player... Perhaps with the jerk you are not trying as hard to receruit someone new. Perhaps someone new who might be interested has declined on account of the jerk. and possibly the fact that you have booted someone will make your game seem more appealing, since people know you are discriminating (in a good way).
EvilDuck 07-31-05, 04:03 PM	As a tool of negotiation, you could show him this thread and see how many other DMs would boot him.
Sedriis 07-31-05, 04:16 PM	everytime he rolls up a character sheet... He somehow ends up with... A human Wizard 9 str 15 dex 16 con 18 int 12 wis 17 cha Why do i get the feeling he didn't really roll those? his so called new character...had litteraly Nothing under 12. the average scores were 15. Case in point i cut them down to size because he rolled over the phone after demanding to change his character. Metagamer and powergamer. The guy also asks me constantly to burn him some movies off my harddrive...this guy is toast.
Tedly224 07-31-05, 04:30 PM	Being a Dungeon Master for a game should at all times be something that is fun, enjoyable, and rewarding for you. This is not to say that there will not be times where you will feel a bit of stress, feel under the gun in running a game decision, or feel that you may have to dredge up a bit of patience to handle a player's question or desire. Those considerations should only prove minor in comparison to the already mentioned fun/enjoyable/rewarding part you should be getting from the game. If at any point you encounter a situation with one or more players that is proving to be too great a problem to your own personal fun with the game, do the following. Bring the game to a gentle pause or ending for the night if possible. Speak with the players who are a part of the situation in a relaxed and friendly manner. Explain your current difficulties with what is going on. Do NOT explain, or have to defend your position on your feelings. You are the DM. The fact that you are NOT having fun is reason enough that something has to be changed or at least compromised with. If the players aren't willing to understand and adapt to your viewpoint and insist that you are wrong and they are right - Kick them out. Give them their chance but wash your hands of it. Period. That's pretty much all I have to say on the matter. A game is a shared effort between players and DM and it is far, FAR too easy for one or more selfish players to just care less about your enjoyment and hard work with what they do. Don't put up with it.
EvilDuck 07-31-05, 04:33 PM	powergamer Nothing wrong with this at all, 'cept he seems to be going about it dishonorably.
hobbit for hire 07-31-05, 05:23 PM	Tell him to suck it. Then kick him out.
Antioch 07-31-05, 11:08 PM	Okay seriously, stop posting here to whine about additional crap he levies at you. Now its gone from "what should I do" to "getting it off of your chest" to dumping more drama. You asked, we told you. It doesnt really matter what character he always comes up with, or that his family hates Americans. Frankly, I'm not sure why you still play with him. Do you like getting your teeth pulled out with a rusty wrench? From the sounds of it, you also like to have a swarm of bees in your mouth while your friend does the operation, spiking your groin with a pair of cleats and singing off-key songs that include disparaging comments about your mother. So surmise; just stop. If its this bad, dont even give him the benefit of the doubt. Just stop playing with him.
Ut-Napishtim 07-31-05, 11:29 PM	If you think your game will suffer, you are wrong, and here is why: 1. The problem of gaming with fewer players is offeset by how much more fun everyone will have now that the jerk is gone. 2. You never know how much having that Jerk around is causing you to NOT HAVE another great player... Perhaps with the jerk you are not trying as hard to receruit someone new. Perhaps someone new who might be interested has declined on account of the jerk. and possibly the fact that you have booted someone will make your game seem more appealing, since people know you are discriminating (in a good way). Excellent points. Running a game with two players can be great. Usually it's easier to get everyone on the same page, and each player gets more individual attention. I wouldn't have a problem running for just two, in fact I cap my games out at six for that exact quality control purpose.
smaugchow 08-01-05, 10:52 AM	iT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE NO REASONS TO KEEP HIM AROUND. (oops - sorry.) If he brings nothing to the game but "another player," why are you even hesitating? Throw his American-hating butt out! Call the Secret Service on him and have him deported for illegally copying movies/CDs. Claim you heard him threaten to strap on a Semtex vest and skip on down to city hall. The guy is useless and should be removed from your game and your list of friends as soon as apossible. Trust me on this - having bad friends is worse than having few friends.
jasper 08-01-05, 11:16 AM	Since you let jerks walk over you just to play a game. Give me your lunch money. Tell the jerk to walk unless you like being walked on.
SeidonVanDolf 08-02-05, 05:11 AM	Serious question for you: If you don't like him, and judging from the harsh tone from you and the lousy treatment from him, then why do you play the game with him? You could hike it down to the local comic shop with an ad for a new player for 3rd ed and get some yokel who can't possibly be worse than this guy. I make it appoint not to play with people I can't stand to hang out with when I'm not gaming. Maybe we aren't the best of friends but if I can honestly say that I don't like him then I won't run a game with him. The only exception is if he is chums with the rest of the group. Then I will tolerate him for them but if he acted the way you describe this jerk is acting well I would lay it down straight forward. Cut it out and clean up the act or take your out of date psionics handbook and store it up your ass until you can find someone willing to put up with your bull****.