A Sucker PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Sucker PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM Aruthiat
04-02-06, 10:10 PM I have a problem peoples, and hoping that someone out there has some experiance in these matters. I have a player who is a pain. He is perhaps what one would call a powergamer, but not in the traditional sense. He understands the basic rules but not the advanced ones. He wants everything but none of the strings attached. He argues about rules that he does not understand. It cost two game sessions because we had to help him finnish his character. The excuses? "I dont have time" "I had homework" "I was lazy" (yes he said that) and "I cant decide if I want this or that, etc......." Then when we get firm he whines and complains and gets grumpy. And to top it all off, when the game fortunes go even sligthly out of his favor, he votes for new game. Althoguh sorry, kicking him out aint an asnwer, hes my best friend. Thats why I hope someone has some constructive advice other then "Tell him to STFU" Thanks. (And I did that already)
ShadowDragon8685
04-02-06, 10:24 PM Tell him to STFU, and slap him with a trout?

Seriously, your buddy is a loser. Tell him if he wants to play, get his character ready and play. Otherwise, he's the weakest link; goodbye.
Gauze Fireforge
04-02-06, 11:37 PM I have a problem peoples, and hoping that someone out there has some experiance in these matters. I have a player who is a pain. He is perhaps what one would call a powergamer, but not in the traditional sense. He understands the basic rules but not the advanced ones. He wants everything but none of the strings attached. He argues about rules that he does not understand. It cost two game sessions because we had to help him finnish his character. The excuses? "I dont have time" "I had homework" "I was lazy" (yes he said that) and "I cant decide if I want this or that, etc......." Then when we get firm he whines and complains and gets grumpy. And to top it all off, when the game fortunes go even sligthly out of his favor, he votes for new game. Althoguh sorry, kicking him out aint an asnwer, hes my best friend. Thats why I hope someone has some constructive advice other then "Tell him to STFU" Thanks. (And I did that already)

I have time to help players who are looking for ideas or advice about their character concept but this twink cant even put in the effort to do that. Wasting two game sessions includes wasting the Dm's time and the other players. Especailly if he said "I was lazy" I would be fuming.

The solution is simple, play without him until he can develop his own character and when he has done so, join him into the game. Of course he misses out on xp and loot whilst he gins around and thus the onus is on him.

Its like those tards who want to do a side mission by themselves to the exclusion of others at the table and expect the whole session to revolve around their trials and tribulations of their own (usualy self-manifested) side quest. You say "Yes, you head off to your dojo in a far away land to see your master, you may make it but then again you may not" and then continue back to the majority of the group and what they want to do whilst the tard is out galavanting over the country side.

*Disclaimer* This is providing that you actually didn't anticipate or encourage this option, merely the character decides he is going to do it come hell or high water and expects you to devote a session or a condierable piece of it dealing with his antics.
Bluewings
04-02-06, 11:40 PM If he's your best friend he'll understand if you tell him calmly that he is unbearable as a player he may or may not change his way but still you must try
kelvinaw273
04-03-06, 12:03 AM Sounds like you need to teach him how to enjoy the game with the rest of the players. I would suggest (1) forcing him to go 'in character' for an extended period, (2) getting him to role-play out problems rather than make a dice roll, (3) rewarding him for succeeding when doing so.
Shavit
04-03-06, 02:56 AM Well,
I think i have some options other then yelling at him.

I'll start with plan B since it's the easier and go to plan A, the better one.

Plan B/C
Plan B
Ask him to come ahead of time, or another day and explain some rules you think he might use and misunderstand, help him learn the "advanced" rules one-on-one.
Plan C
Tell him you want to run a solo-adventure where he will begin a few level lower and will reinterduced to the party when he has passed their level, then kill his character and let him play in the same level as the other group.
This will give you time to teach him the rules, fast and apart from the rest of the group.
Maybe let him join sessions and play verious NPCs so he can still come and laugh.
----------------------------
Plan A
from what I hear you might have an underdeveloped lawyer in your hands.
Stroke his ego, teach him the rules and ask your "best and trusted" friend to help you as a coDM where he will quickly improve his knowledge of the rules.
Likely that he will soon know the rules and want to use them in a new improved character, allow him and then your friend will know the advance rules and stop bugging you and waste the party's time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM Aruthiat 04-02-06, 10:10 PM	I have a problem peoples, and hoping that someone out there has some experiance in these matters. I have a player who is a pain. He is perhaps what one would call a powergamer, but not in the traditional sense. He understands the basic rules but not the advanced ones. He wants everything but none of the strings attached. He argues about rules that he does not understand. It cost two game sessions because we had to help him finnish his character. The excuses? "I dont have time" "I had homework" "I was lazy" (yes he said that) and "I cant decide if I want this or that, etc......." Then when we get firm he whines and complains and gets grumpy. And to top it all off, when the game fortunes go even sligthly out of his favor, he votes for new game. Althoguh sorry, kicking him out aint an asnwer, hes my best friend. Thats why I hope someone has some constructive advice other then "Tell him to STFU" Thanks. (And I did that already)
ShadowDragon8685 04-02-06, 10:24 PM	Tell him to STFU, and slap him with a trout? Seriously, your buddy is a loser. Tell him if he wants to play, get his character ready and play. Otherwise, he's the weakest link; goodbye.
Gauze Fireforge 04-02-06, 11:37 PM	I have a problem peoples, and hoping that someone out there has some experiance in these matters. I have a player who is a pain. He is perhaps what one would call a powergamer, but not in the traditional sense. He understands the basic rules but not the advanced ones. He wants everything but none of the strings attached. He argues about rules that he does not understand. It cost two game sessions because we had to help him finnish his character. The excuses? "I dont have time" "I had homework" "I was lazy" (yes he said that) and "I cant decide if I want this or that, etc......." Then when we get firm he whines and complains and gets grumpy. And to top it all off, when the game fortunes go even sligthly out of his favor, he votes for new game. Althoguh sorry, kicking him out aint an asnwer, hes my best friend. Thats why I hope someone has some constructive advice other then "Tell him to STFU" Thanks. (And I did that already) I have time to help players who are looking for ideas or advice about their character concept but this twink cant even put in the effort to do that. Wasting two game sessions includes wasting the Dm's time and the other players. Especailly if he said "I was lazy" I would be fuming. The solution is simple, play without him until he can develop his own character and when he has done so, join him into the game. Of course he misses out on xp and loot whilst he gins around and thus the onus is on him. Its like those tards who want to do a side mission by themselves to the exclusion of others at the table and expect the whole session to revolve around their trials and tribulations of their own (usualy self-manifested) side quest. You say "Yes, you head off to your dojo in a far away land to see your master, you may make it but then again you may not" and then continue back to the majority of the group and what they want to do whilst the tard is out galavanting over the country side. Disclaimer This is providing that you actually didn't anticipate or encourage this option, merely the character decides he is going to do it come hell or high water and expects you to devote a session or a condierable piece of it dealing with his antics.
Bluewings 04-02-06, 11:40 PM	If he's your best friend he'll understand if you tell him calmly that he is unbearable as a player he may or may not change his way but still you must try
kelvinaw273 04-03-06, 12:03 AM	Sounds like you need to teach him how to enjoy the game with the rest of the players. I would suggest (1) forcing him to go 'in character' for an extended period, (2) getting him to role-play out problems rather than make a dice roll, (3) rewarding him for succeeding when doing so.
Shavit 04-03-06, 02:56 AM	Well, I think i have some options other then yelling at him. I'll start with plan B since it's the easier and go to plan A, the better one. Plan B/C Plan B Ask him to come ahead of time, or another day and explain some rules you think he might use and misunderstand, help him learn the "advanced" rules one-on-one. Plan C Tell him you want to run a solo-adventure where he will begin a few level lower and will reinterduced to the party when he has passed their level, then kill his character and let him play in the same level as the other group. This will give you time to teach him the rules, fast and apart from the rest of the group. Maybe let him join sessions and play verious NPCs so he can still come and laugh. ---------------------------- Plan A from what I hear you might have an underdeveloped lawyer in your hands. Stroke his ego, teach him the rules and ask your "best and trusted" friend to help you as a coDM where he will quickly improve his knowledge of the rules. Likely that he will soon know the rules and want to use them in a new improved character, allow him and then your friend will know the advance rules and stop bugging you and waste the party's time.