A problem player [Archive] - Wizards Community

A problem player [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cozmo
01-31-04, 02:56 PM I have an issue with a problem player.

Unfortunately, it can't be solved without breaking up the game. He is close friends with everybody. He is a great guy but he just derails the game constantly.

Example:

"Well, Gannon( attempting to only address him as his character), what are you doing here?" [the half-elf wants to know what he is doing in this part of town]

Bob(Gannon): Half-elf? What is the other half? Where is the other half? I am afraid of half-things! [Bob laughs like a maniac]

These things are nearly constant. I have tried addressing him in character and I have tried the "live table" everything you say, your character says. If this happens, he just derails it further by taking up the next hour on tangents, dirty jokes, etc.

I can't kick him out. Everybody loves him. They will leave.

The only solution I can see is to not DM or play myself. I want to play, whether as a DM or player. I want to get things done.

Other players have tried their hand at it, but they have all stepped down from the duties. Bob kills it for them.

I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him.
Ack'noth Necrom
01-31-04, 03:19 PM Run with it, if he wants to behave like a maniac in character then someones going to take notice and call the patty wagon. Have him incaserated for a few months, rest of the group goes off to do whatever while he sits in his cell listening to the ranting of mad pete. After being torn away from the group once or twice he should get the idea. Everytime he asks "well whats happening with my character?" tell him mad pete is ranting about something and he has little choice but to sit there and listen to it, as the employees dont care about him or anyone else in there.

Other than that i cant think of much you can do except talk to him and try to make him realize what hes doing isnt cool or you could talk to your other players and get their opinions on it, which could help.

Hope that helps ya out
tonkounakaki
01-31-04, 03:21 PM To understand it, a player in your game, is acting in a manner so as to not make the game enjoyable for yourself?

And the other players, have all tried DMing, but stepped down because of Bob's antics?

And the other players GARUNTEED 100% will leave if you kick Bob out?

You have 3 options:
1.) Stop DMing. You're obviously not having fun. Why play the game if you're not having fun?

2.) Get a new group.

3.) Make Bob WANT to leave. If Bob leaves of his own free will, then the other players won't leave (I'm assuming here) Continually have the monsters target his character, for no apparent reason. Have the Barkeep that Bob is harrassing turn out to be a lv 19 Fighter. Have said Barkeep teach Bob a lesson. Have Bob's items targetted by a Mordenkainen's Disjunction. Or, if your party is of lower levels, a 2 enemy duo of a Cleric, and a Wizard. Wizard Dispel's the magic on the item, Cleric Shatters it.
Bye bye +5 Vorpal Longsword of doom. (Or any other magic item)

Seriously, it's YOUR game. You run the show, you call the shots. I believe that you're over-esstimating the likely hood of the rest of the group leaving if you kick Bob out. Bob has ticked each of them off when they DMed, so they should know what it's like. Talk to Bob out of character, one-on-one, and tell him bluntly and face to face how much his behavior is ruining the game for you. Tell Bob to stop being an ass, or it's over. It's Ultimatum Time with this guy, and you need to stop playing Mr. Nice Guy.
Ilanthe
01-31-04, 03:49 PM I don't quite get this ... everyone loves him, but everyone has given up trying to DM for him?

Do they enjoy the dirty jokes etc and not mind that the game is at a stand still while he hogs the limelight?

I'm not sure about a creative solution - but I think it's time for Bob to be DM. That might give him enough to think about that he stops some of the larking around.
halzmar of geoff
01-31-04, 06:06 PM Originally posted by Ilanthe
I'm not sure about a creative solution - but I think it's time for Bob to be DM. That might give him enough to think about that he stops some of the larking around.

Sounds like a good solution. Beware of the wight dwarves though.
Entropy
01-31-04, 06:19 PM MAKE BOB DM!

Sorry for the shout. But make this idiot put the work into creating a good adventure for the rest of you. He will either make crappy adventures and no one will want to game with him or he will see that there is some work involved in DM'ing and may show you some more respect as a person.

I would not want to waste my gaming time on hoping this guy will "see the light" any time soon though. Invite him to leave. If the others go with him, then find a new group. You will be better off because you will soon be having FUN again. That is what roleplaying is all about. At least it was when I started gaming.
Autosponge
01-31-04, 08:44 PM Figure out a way to separate the party. Basically everyone goes one way and Bob goes the other. Ask Bob a question pertaining to his part of the adventure, when he starts ranting, switch to the others. Let the time you spend on the other group get longer and longer till Bob is completely frustrated then kill his character.

BTW, I don't take lightly to someone hijacking a game I spent months preparing for their own whacky antics. I'd just as soon make his list (in game) a living hell then give any ground to the jackass.
Inadequate
02-01-04, 08:30 AM well... my opinion is that if a player does a thing like that then he should be kicked out. If the other players cant accept this then they are not worth your time.'

Now if you really want to keep him then try punishing him on XP. when dealing out this XP lower his XP substantiously.
Or simply have som NPC get really offended by his jokes and then kill him (a strong NPC). Though killing him would maybe result in the group killing the NPC you have still killed him (take care that the NPC doesn´t kill any other than the disturbing player).
Kaya Kenobi
02-01-04, 12:11 PM Either (a) Make Bob DM or (b) Just get a new group or (c) kick Bob out. Those are your choices. If the game isn't fun for you then you need a break.
Cozmo
02-01-04, 05:50 PM Well,

I like the sound of the plan that would separate him and deal with him that way. Also the serious XP penalties. That might speak his language. I think the rest of the group just never tried that.

It is a very hard position to be in because;

A) We all love to play.

B) We live in an area without any other groups that I know of. We have each tried advertising at the closest game store( about 40 miles away) but we have never found other players so unless one of us moves, we either paly togther or don't play at all.

I envy all you guys with lots of people to pick from.
We have Me, Bob, and 3 others.

Thanks for all your help, guys. I needed other opinions but I think I also needed to vent a little.
Cozmo
02-01-04, 05:53 PM Oh, and making Bob a Dm has been tried. That was a nightmare. If anything he was worse.

When he was a player, at least somethings got done if he wasn't involved. But when he was incharge, NOTHING got done. It didn't even last a session.
thalious
02-01-04, 05:55 PM Originally posted by Cozmo
I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him.

Solution: Duct tape, a sock, a chair, and a rubber hose filled with ball bearings should put "Bob's" B.S. in check, or at least he'll be in too much pain to derail the game.
Escef
02-02-04, 02:59 AM If Bob is everybody's buddy just find some other time to hang out with him. Play video games or something. But if everyone agrees he's a disruption to the group don't let him play. Or, since everybody is friends, have folks take turns whacking him when he misbehaives. He might calm down once half his arm is black and blue. Worked on... er, ah... for me. Yeah... Umm... I'll go now. :embarrass

;)
Joe Khol
02-02-04, 07:40 AM Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else.
Mr. VanderMeer
02-02-04, 07:46 AM In my campaign I always give out xp for good roleplaying. A guy like Bob would quickly be lagging behind a few levels. That would make a normal person shape up or leave. (But then again, how normal is bob?)
Bacon and Eggs
02-02-04, 11:02 AM Originally posted by Cozmo
I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him.

A spray bottle. It works to train pets, sounds similar to me.

Next time if somebody gets out of hand, issue a warning, like a stern "NO". If it persists, shoot him in the face with a blast of healthy clensing water.

I don't know if it works, just trying to combine creative and training into one solution.
danielinthewolvesden
02-02-04, 12:39 PM Originally posted by Joe Khol
Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else.

Right. Except for if that doesn't work, inform Bob he's out. Then find out if the other players will leave. I don't think they will.
CrippleMrOnion
02-02-04, 02:44 PM Kick his butt out. Your players won't leave. They might think he's a laugh riot while he's there, but once he's not, they'll realize/remember what a distraction he was and appreciate your action.
paolung
02-02-04, 02:49 PM Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else.

that about sums it up...
NinjaHedge
02-02-04, 07:03 PM consider a few things.

Does everyone *actually* love this guy? Maybe not, and if they don't, talk to him, maybe kick him out.

If everyone does really love this guy, then how is he a problem player? Problem players make the game unenjoyable, and if everyone is happy but you, you might just have a problem DM.

That's not to say that you're really a bad DM or a bad person. Like other people have suggested, maybe it's just not the group for you or whatever. However, recognize that he can't be both loved by everyone and a problem. It's one or the other.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cozmo 01-31-04, 02:56 PM	I have an issue with a problem player. Unfortunately, it can't be solved without breaking up the game. He is close friends with everybody. He is a great guy but he just derails the game constantly. Example: "Well, Gannon( attempting to only address him as his character), what are you doing here?" [the half-elf wants to know what he is doing in this part of town] Bob(Gannon): Half-elf? What is the other half? Where is the other half? I am afraid of half-things! [Bob laughs like a maniac] These things are nearly constant. I have tried addressing him in character and I have tried the "live table" everything you say, your character says. If this happens, he just derails it further by taking up the next hour on tangents, dirty jokes, etc. I can't kick him out. Everybody loves him. They will leave. The only solution I can see is to not DM or play myself. I want to play, whether as a DM or player. I want to get things done. Other players have tried their hand at it, but they have all stepped down from the duties. Bob kills it for them. I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him.
Ack'noth Necrom 01-31-04, 03:19 PM	Run with it, if he wants to behave like a maniac in character then someones going to take notice and call the patty wagon. Have him incaserated for a few months, rest of the group goes off to do whatever while he sits in his cell listening to the ranting of mad pete. After being torn away from the group once or twice he should get the idea. Everytime he asks "well whats happening with my character?" tell him mad pete is ranting about something and he has little choice but to sit there and listen to it, as the employees dont care about him or anyone else in there. Other than that i cant think of much you can do except talk to him and try to make him realize what hes doing isnt cool or you could talk to your other players and get their opinions on it, which could help. Hope that helps ya out
tonkounakaki 01-31-04, 03:21 PM	To understand it, a player in your game, is acting in a manner so as to not make the game enjoyable for yourself? And the other players, have all tried DMing, but stepped down because of Bob's antics? And the other players GARUNTEED 100% will leave if you kick Bob out? You have 3 options: 1.) Stop DMing. You're obviously not having fun. Why play the game if you're not having fun? 2.) Get a new group. 3.) Make Bob WANT to leave. If Bob leaves of his own free will, then the other players won't leave (I'm assuming here) Continually have the monsters target his character, for no apparent reason. Have the Barkeep that Bob is harrassing turn out to be a lv 19 Fighter. Have said Barkeep teach Bob a lesson. Have Bob's items targetted by a Mordenkainen's Disjunction. Or, if your party is of lower levels, a 2 enemy duo of a Cleric, and a Wizard. Wizard Dispel's the magic on the item, Cleric Shatters it. Bye bye +5 Vorpal Longsword of doom. (Or any other magic item) Seriously, it's YOUR game. You run the show, you call the shots. I believe that you're over-esstimating the likely hood of the rest of the group leaving if you kick Bob out. Bob has ticked each of them off when they DMed, so they should know what it's like. Talk to Bob out of character, one-on-one, and tell him bluntly and face to face how much his behavior is ruining the game for you. Tell Bob to stop being an ass, or it's over. It's Ultimatum Time with this guy, and you need to stop playing Mr. Nice Guy.
Ilanthe 01-31-04, 03:49 PM	I don't quite get this ... everyone loves him, but everyone has given up trying to DM for him? Do they enjoy the dirty jokes etc and not mind that the game is at a stand still while he hogs the limelight? I'm not sure about a creative solution - but I think it's time for Bob to be DM. That might give him enough to think about that he stops some of the larking around.
halzmar of geoff 01-31-04, 06:06 PM	Originally posted by Ilanthe I'm not sure about a creative solution - but I think it's time for Bob to be DM. That might give him enough to think about that he stops some of the larking around. Sounds like a good solution. Beware of the wight dwarves though.
Entropy 01-31-04, 06:19 PM	MAKE BOB DM! Sorry for the shout. But make this idiot put the work into creating a good adventure for the rest of you. He will either make crappy adventures and no one will want to game with him or he will see that there is some work involved in DM'ing and may show you some more respect as a person. I would not want to waste my gaming time on hoping this guy will "see the light" any time soon though. Invite him to leave. If the others go with him, then find a new group. You will be better off because you will soon be having FUN again. That is what roleplaying is all about. At least it was when I started gaming.
Autosponge 01-31-04, 08:44 PM	Figure out a way to separate the party. Basically everyone goes one way and Bob goes the other. Ask Bob a question pertaining to his part of the adventure, when he starts ranting, switch to the others. Let the time you spend on the other group get longer and longer till Bob is completely frustrated then kill his character. BTW, I don't take lightly to someone hijacking a game I spent months preparing for their own whacky antics. I'd just as soon make his list (in game) a living hell then give any ground to the jackass.
Inadequate 02-01-04, 08:30 AM	well... my opinion is that if a player does a thing like that then he should be kicked out. If the other players cant accept this then they are not worth your time.' Now if you really want to keep him then try punishing him on XP. when dealing out this XP lower his XP substantiously. Or simply have som NPC get really offended by his jokes and then kill him (a strong NPC). Though killing him would maybe result in the group killing the NPC you have still killed him (take care that the NPC doesn´t kill any other than the disturbing player).
Kaya Kenobi 02-01-04, 12:11 PM	Either (a) Make Bob DM or (b) Just get a new group or (c) kick Bob out. Those are your choices. If the game isn't fun for you then you need a break.
Cozmo 02-01-04, 05:50 PM	Well, I like the sound of the plan that would separate him and deal with him that way. Also the serious XP penalties. That might speak his language. I think the rest of the group just never tried that. It is a very hard position to be in because; A) We all love to play. B) We live in an area without any other groups that I know of. We have each tried advertising at the closest game store( about 40 miles away) but we have never found other players so unless one of us moves, we either paly togther or don't play at all. I envy all you guys with lots of people to pick from. We have Me, Bob, and 3 others. Thanks for all your help, guys. I needed other opinions but I think I also needed to vent a little.
Cozmo 02-01-04, 05:53 PM	Oh, and making Bob a Dm has been tried. That was a nightmare. If anything he was worse. When he was a player, at least somethings got done if he wasn't involved. But when he was incharge, NOTHING got done. It didn't even last a session.
thalious 02-01-04, 05:55 PM	Originally posted by Cozmo I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him. Solution: Duct tape, a sock, a chair, and a rubber hose filled with ball bearings should put "Bob's" B.S. in check, or at least he'll be in too much pain to derail the game.
Escef 02-02-04, 02:59 AM	If Bob is everybody's buddy just find some other time to hang out with him. Play video games or something. But if everyone agrees he's a disruption to the group don't let him play. Or, since everybody is friends, have folks take turns whacking him when he misbehaives. He might calm down once half his arm is black and blue. Worked on... er, ah... for me. Yeah... Umm... I'll go now. :embarrass ;)
Joe Khol 02-02-04, 07:40 AM	Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else.
Mr. VanderMeer 02-02-04, 07:46 AM	In my campaign I always give out xp for good roleplaying. A guy like Bob would quickly be lagging behind a few levels. That would make a normal person shape up or leave. (But then again, how normal is bob?)
Bacon and Eggs 02-02-04, 11:02 AM	Originally posted by Cozmo I would love it if someone could come up with a really creative solution to this guy. One that might satisfy everybody, even him. A spray bottle. It works to train pets, sounds similar to me. Next time if somebody gets out of hand, issue a warning, like a stern "NO". If it persists, shoot him in the face with a blast of healthy clensing water. I don't know if it works, just trying to combine creative and training into one solution.
danielinthewolvesden 02-02-04, 12:39 PM	Originally posted by Joe Khol Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else. Right. Except for if that doesn't work, inform Bob he's out. Then find out if the other players will leave. I don't think they will.
CrippleMrOnion 02-02-04, 02:44 PM	Kick his butt out. Your players won't leave. They might think he's a laugh riot while he's there, but once he's not, they'll realize/remember what a distraction he was and appreciate your action.
paolung 02-02-04, 02:49 PM	Have you actually tried talking to the guy? Sit him down and tell him all the jokes and tangents are fun but you can have too much of a good thing. Tell him he is derailing the game and ask him to cut back on the joking about a little. Leave it at that. Only if after that he doesn't get the message should you consider anything else. that about sums it up...
NinjaHedge 02-02-04, 07:03 PM	consider a few things. Does everyone actually love this guy? Maybe not, and if they don't, talk to him, maybe kick him out. If everyone does really love this guy, then how is he a problem player? Problem players make the game unenjoyable, and if everyone is happy but you, you might just have a problem DM. That's not to say that you're really a bad DM or a bad person. Like other people have suggested, maybe it's just not the group for you or whatever. However, recognize that he can't be both loved by everyone and a problem. It's one or the other.