Chaotic Player [Archive] - Wizards Community

Chaotic Player [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Deacon Liadon
10-05-05, 05:39 PM I will shortly be starting a new campaign and one of the players has a tendency (or so I've heard from numorous sources) to be slightly chaotic in his actions. Generally provoking conflict among the party and suchlike. I've had no experience playing with him personally except for a one-off game of Munchkin d20.

I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to deal with this sort of behavior, for preference without asking him to leave the group.
Vestigial_Thumb
10-05-05, 06:29 PM Random and chaotic people just spice up the game. However if it starts being problematic (like I did, now I'm the DM :evillaugh ) just talk to him, explain to him that you want a little more consistency and less impulsiveness (my middle name, ask X-Codes, I offended him with a reply 30 seconds after he posted his) from his character.

If he repeatedly behaves like that, just do what my former DM (now my player :evillaugh ) did: Control his actions, pit him against an NPC even more chaotic than he is. Also, giving him a cursed item that smacks him in the face whenever he is about to do something he should think about first.
Talonz
10-05-05, 06:41 PM Talk to him. Explain your concerns. Also explain that as long as his actions are in game and further the story and fun for everyone, there will be no problem. Make it clear that you are not interested in interparty conflict as that tends not to further the story or fun level.
UmbraLux
10-05-05, 08:17 PM Use the game itself to control the character. In a lawful society you'll have access to guards and police all the way up to the army if necessary. Chaotic societies may rely on bounties and bounty hunters. And those are just the 'big sticks' in a DM's arsenal. Reputation is a powerful thing and can be used very subtly. What will the character do if no one in the town will sell anything to him because of some former infraction? Or possibly jack up the price, look the other way when he is cheated / robbed, and even set him up for things he didn't do. You could have lots of fun with him trying to convince others of his innocence after he's gained a poor reputation...do it right and even the other PCs may be convinced. :schemes:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Deacon Liadon 10-05-05, 05:39 PM	I will shortly be starting a new campaign and one of the players has a tendency (or so I've heard from numorous sources) to be slightly chaotic in his actions. Generally provoking conflict among the party and suchlike. I've had no experience playing with him personally except for a one-off game of Munchkin d20. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to deal with this sort of behavior, for preference without asking him to leave the group.
Vestigial_Thumb 10-05-05, 06:29 PM	Random and chaotic people just spice up the game. However if it starts being problematic (like I did, now I'm the DM :evillaugh ) just talk to him, explain to him that you want a little more consistency and less impulsiveness (my middle name, ask X-Codes, I offended him with a reply 30 seconds after he posted his) from his character. If he repeatedly behaves like that, just do what my former DM (now my player :evillaugh ) did: Control his actions, pit him against an NPC even more chaotic than he is. Also, giving him a cursed item that smacks him in the face whenever he is about to do something he should think about first.
Talonz 10-05-05, 06:41 PM	Talk to him. Explain your concerns. Also explain that as long as his actions are in game and further the story and fun for everyone, there will be no problem. Make it clear that you are not interested in interparty conflict as that tends not to further the story or fun level.
UmbraLux 10-05-05, 08:17 PM	Use the game itself to control the character. In a lawful society you'll have access to guards and police all the way up to the army if necessary. Chaotic societies may rely on bounties and bounty hunters. And those are just the 'big sticks' in a DM's arsenal. Reputation is a powerful thing and can be used very subtly. What will the character do if no one in the town will sell anything to him because of some former infraction? Or possibly jack up the price, look the other way when he is cheated / robbed, and even set him up for things he didn't do. You could have lots of fun with him trying to convince others of his innocence after he's gained a poor reputation...do it right and even the other PCs may be convinced. :schemes: