About their character sheets.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

About their character sheets.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DarkLord93
04-04-06, 09:34 AM Hello fellow DM's.... I'm a new Dm and I DM'd a few sessions. And I noticed that instead of paying attention to the game they sometimes put aside the game and study their character sheets... or sometimes they don't even pay attention to their character sheets they don't even know what their characters can do. One player asked " Hey DM... Whats in my bag." or
"What have we got?" isn't that kind of dumb to ask me? How should I solve this. Oh yeah... and one thing more. The most frustrating stuff is that the PC's can't even read their character sheets. i taught them over and over, but they still have some problems. The last one is when the PC's gain a level their character sheets change with the level right? Well I know what goes up and stuff but every time I check it over and over again I feel that I'm missing something even though I'm not. Thanks for reading... It would be great it someone answered it.
Neverwrong
04-04-06, 09:37 AM Copy the stuff from the PHB. They have some rubbish that fits ya?
Any blanks in the character sheets? If no, ye probably all right.
FireOpal
04-04-06, 02:40 PM One player asked " Hey DM... Whats in my bag." or
"What have we got?" isn't that kind of dumb to ask me? How should I solve this.

I have solved this problem by telling them to be sure to write down what they find, earn, whatever. If they don't, and then ask me that question above, I ask them what they have written down. If it isnt written on their character sheet, then it doesnt exist. :rolleye2: Period.

My group learned quickly to track treasure, purchases, items that their characters have, and I no longer get asked this annoying question. :)

I am still struggling with a couple players on helping them understand their own character sheets. Depending on your group, delegate another on the ball player to help out the confused ones. I know this wouldn't work in all situations, but it does help take the burden off you.

As for leveling, check the PHB, as Neverwrong advises. That will help you remember to change everything that needs changing.
Bruunwald
04-04-06, 04:00 PM Most of this is pretty simple to solve. The problem of them reading their sheets and becoming distracted is the same as them reading the books at the table. Generally, we have a rule in our game that it's only allowed when they are looking something up quickly while waiting for their turn in combat, or when they are deciding some other course of action in-game - provided they are ready to go when their turn comes up. Just let them know - kindly but firmly - that it is for their own good that they pay attention so that they know what is going on and don't have to ask all the time.

If they have questions about their characters, the proper time to ask is before the session begins, and after it ends. They, of all people, ought to know their inventory. Have them write what they have on the back of the sheet, or on a separate piece of paper, and tell them before you do anything else, that they only have what is written down. No suddenly pulling out a rope if they didn't previously have one.

Provide time in town to buy supplies so that there is no question. Everyone should say what they are buying in front of everyone else, write it down and immediately subtract the gold.

Now, if you have new players, it's going to be normal for them to not immediately know how to use everything their characters have. If that's the case, cut them some slack and give them some time. Go over those things with them and maybe play an "un-official" game to train them to use their abilities. Or go easy on them during combat and point out the situations where the stuff that's giving them trouble would work best.

As for keeping track of the sheets, I scan them into my computer when we level up. I keep an up-to-date print out in my folder, and keep track of the PCs along with the NPCs during game play with reference cards. I don't keep detailed records of any inventory on the cards, or anyplace but the scanned sheets, but I don't have a problem with trust in that regard.

The most important thing I do, is to get to know their characters intimately. I am involved in their generation, and I spend time with the sheets between sessions, determining what might be a good challenge for them. This familiarity allows me to help the players find the right formula to what they want to do when they are lost, and speeds up the game.
Missing Minds
04-04-06, 04:45 PM One thing I'm a little loath to suggest is to give them tests. Make up a test, such as a question sheet about a character you create. All the answers are on the character sheet they just get to learn how to read it.

*waits for people to complain about that suggestion and won't argue it* What can I say, I taught for a few years. However, you should also make it worth their while. How to do that? XP, treasure, etc. If they as a whole score low the first time, don't count it. (I did that trick often just to find out what my students actually knew coming into the class) Give them the answers afterwards on another sheet, then say the actual test will happen next time first off for the actual rewards (and tell them what the rewards are). Then next game give them time to try to answer it individually, then at the very end let them help out each other. Teach each other is a great way to learn and re enforce what you've learned.

you can also ask them for their stats or what they have on occassion to help reenforce where to look up. like "Matt, quick question. what is your strengh bonus?" It also makes them freak out if they think something is about to happen. ;)

Also, I agree with people above. If they don't know and its not written down, it doesn't exist.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DarkLord93 04-04-06, 09:34 AM	Hello fellow DM's.... I'm a new Dm and I DM'd a few sessions. And I noticed that instead of paying attention to the game they sometimes put aside the game and study their character sheets... or sometimes they don't even pay attention to their character sheets they don't even know what their characters can do. One player asked " Hey DM... Whats in my bag." or "What have we got?" isn't that kind of dumb to ask me? How should I solve this. Oh yeah... and one thing more. The most frustrating stuff is that the PC's can't even read their character sheets. i taught them over and over, but they still have some problems. The last one is when the PC's gain a level their character sheets change with the level right? Well I know what goes up and stuff but every time I check it over and over again I feel that I'm missing something even though I'm not. Thanks for reading... It would be great it someone answered it.
Neverwrong 04-04-06, 09:37 AM	Copy the stuff from the PHB. They have some rubbish that fits ya? Any blanks in the character sheets? If no, ye probably all right.
FireOpal 04-04-06, 02:40 PM	One player asked " Hey DM... Whats in my bag." or "What have we got?" isn't that kind of dumb to ask me? How should I solve this. I have solved this problem by telling them to be sure to write down what they find, earn, whatever. If they don't, and then ask me that question above, I ask them what they have written down. If it isnt written on their character sheet, then it doesnt exist. :rolleye2: Period. My group learned quickly to track treasure, purchases, items that their characters have, and I no longer get asked this annoying question. :) I am still struggling with a couple players on helping them understand their own character sheets. Depending on your group, delegate another on the ball player to help out the confused ones. I know this wouldn't work in all situations, but it does help take the burden off you. As for leveling, check the PHB, as Neverwrong advises. That will help you remember to change everything that needs changing.
Bruunwald 04-04-06, 04:00 PM	Most of this is pretty simple to solve. The problem of them reading their sheets and becoming distracted is the same as them reading the books at the table. Generally, we have a rule in our game that it's only allowed when they are looking something up quickly while waiting for their turn in combat, or when they are deciding some other course of action in-game - provided they are ready to go when their turn comes up. Just let them know - kindly but firmly - that it is for their own good that they pay attention so that they know what is going on and don't have to ask all the time. If they have questions about their characters, the proper time to ask is before the session begins, and after it ends. They, of all people, ought to know their inventory. Have them write what they have on the back of the sheet, or on a separate piece of paper, and tell them before you do anything else, that they only have what is written down. No suddenly pulling out a rope if they didn't previously have one. Provide time in town to buy supplies so that there is no question. Everyone should say what they are buying in front of everyone else, write it down and immediately subtract the gold. Now, if you have new players, it's going to be normal for them to not immediately know how to use everything their characters have. If that's the case, cut them some slack and give them some time. Go over those things with them and maybe play an "un-official" game to train them to use their abilities. Or go easy on them during combat and point out the situations where the stuff that's giving them trouble would work best. As for keeping track of the sheets, I scan them into my computer when we level up. I keep an up-to-date print out in my folder, and keep track of the PCs along with the NPCs during game play with reference cards. I don't keep detailed records of any inventory on the cards, or anyplace but the scanned sheets, but I don't have a problem with trust in that regard. The most important thing I do, is to get to know their characters intimately. I am involved in their generation, and I spend time with the sheets between sessions, determining what might be a good challenge for them. This familiarity allows me to help the players find the right formula to what they want to do when they are lost, and speeds up the game.
Missing Minds 04-04-06, 04:45 PM	One thing I'm a little loath to suggest is to give them tests. Make up a test, such as a question sheet about a character you create. All the answers are on the character sheet they just get to learn how to read it. waits for people to complain about that suggestion and won't argue it What can I say, I taught for a few years. However, you should also make it worth their while. How to do that? XP, treasure, etc. If they as a whole score low the first time, don't count it. (I did that trick often just to find out what my students actually knew coming into the class) Give them the answers afterwards on another sheet, then say the actual test will happen next time first off for the actual rewards (and tell them what the rewards are). Then next game give them time to try to answer it individually, then at the very end let them help out each other. Teach each other is a great way to learn and re enforce what you've learned. you can also ask them for their stats or what they have on occassion to help reenforce where to look up. like "Matt, quick question. what is your strengh bonus?" It also makes them freak out if they think something is about to happen. ;) Also, I agree with people above. If they don't know and its not written down, it doesn't exist.