Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GreatWyrm 10-30-06, 09:56 PM	My DM, and my whole group in general, actually, is highly opposed to anything A: Not from Wizards Books (that means no dragon magazines, no homebrew, etc), and anything not from D&D core (not even Faerun or Eberron can be adapted into it) He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. If anyone tries, he threatens that "bad things" will happen to their character in-game.
Toloran 10-30-06, 10:07 PM	My DM, and my whole group in general, actually, is highly opposed to anything A: Not from Wizards Books (that means no dragon magazines, no homebrew, etc), and anything not from D&D core (not even Faerun or Eberron can be adapted into it) He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. If anyone tries, he threatens that "bad things" will happen to their character in-game. The first part (core only) is understandable. Unless you as a DM understand what your players are playing, things can rapidly go down hill (expecially if the player misreads something). It also can slow games down if the DM has to keep checking your splat book to see if you aren't misreading something. The rest means he is just a jerk. Expecially that last part. I say ditch the DM.
PhaedrusXY 10-30-06, 11:35 PM	Tell him that "bad things" will happen to him in real life if he keeps acting like a jackass.
GreatWyrm 10-30-06, 11:39 PM	Tell him that "bad things" will happen to him in real life if he keeps acting like a jackass. Wish I could.. He's got almost a foot and at least 50 lbs on me.. And I guess I can understand the core-only, but the current problem is that I'm playing a CE Orc (partially by his choice) and have few options open to me with the character archetype I would greatly like to play for a game. (It's a mass-battle game, I'd like to be a lader-type character)
Kradlo 10-31-06, 12:15 AM	Rule Zero: The GM has full rights as to what rules he will or will not incorporate into his game. If he only wants core books, that's his call to make. Rule Minus One: Players can always vote with their feet. If the game is not to your liking, either learn to like it or find another game.
Bowmore 10-31-06, 12:16 AM	You don't have to threaten him with physical violence, y'know. Use your words. First, find out how valuable and/or important the rest of the group thinks you are to the game, then how important the DM thinks you are. If the group thinks you're important and they like you, threaten to leave unless the DM gets his act together and stops being a total dick. If the DM refuses, just convince the other players to leave with you so you guys can start your own game, where the DM and the players have a rapport and a positive relationship. It shouldn't be too difficult if the other players see that the DM is a jerk.
myusernameis 10-31-06, 12:28 AM	I had an asshat DM once, I fixed that situation two ways 1. I took up DMing to show him that I had full understanding of what was required by a DM and that my complaints were justified, 2. I found a new DM.
Clockwork_Apparition 10-31-06, 02:40 AM	Wish I could..He's got almost a foot and at least 50 lbs on me.. Friend, I'd like to introduce you to the pine baseball bat (and it sounds like this DM's introduction to said negotiating tool has been tremendously over-delayed). In all seriousness, the guy's getting off on being in-charge. If you call him on it, he'll probably get defensive, anyway. Tell him exactly what he's doing in plain, non-accusory terms, and let him decide if you're going to keep playing. And keep that baseball bat thing in the back of your mind as a happy day-dream if he starts ranting/crying/fuming/etc :twitch:
CroBob 10-31-06, 04:22 AM	Something my friends and I joke about, hijacking the campaign. If it starts sucking too bad, hijack it. That is, tell the DM what happens, and deny his authority in overruling it. You spontaniously gain two levels, as do all your friends, and you're teleported to the quasielemental plane of candy. Also, the guy doing all the bad stuff, suddenly decided to turn good, and shared his riches with the land. Oh, and your mom's alive again, and your father no longer weeps losing her to the lord who turned good and is now his best good buddy. So long as your DM is aware of your gripes, it's very effective.
Cyresss 10-31-06, 09:17 AM	We've all had this kind of Dm. If you really want to stay part of this group, you will just have to go along with it. Just make sure you make your issues known. I would say that if it is a problem for the whole group, you should all tell him together and offer to either start a new campaign where things are different, or change the current one. If you are the only objector then either find a new group or ask to play a character more in line with your goals. Of course as an evil leader, orcs know how to motivate their minions, begin to truely play your character as a tortourous taskmaster and you will either be lauded or slapped down. either way, problem solved!
Enialis Galadonels 10-31-06, 09:22 AM	My DM, and my whole group in general, actually, is highly opposed to anything A: Not from Wizards Books (that means no dragon magazines, no homebrew, etc), and anything not from D&D core (not even Faerun or Eberron can be adapted into it) He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. If anyone tries, he threatens that "bad things" will happen to their character in-game. First part indicates IMHO wise GameMaster. Dragon magazines, homebrew classes, Faerun and Eberron is nothing neccessary and should be treated with extreme care. "If you can't have fun playing simple Core human fighter, then you are not worth playing anything outside Core rulebooks. You will be too focused on numbers and cool features not on the character." words of one good GM. While you don't give examples, I can't agree that these are stupid decisions. Maybe you just don't understand them. However, they should be discussed (except if that is harmful for story). Threatening is bad. You can always vote with your feet.
mudbunny 10-31-06, 09:48 AM	My DM, and my whole group in general, actually, is highly opposed to anything A: Not from Wizards Books (that means no dragon magazines, no homebrew, etc), and anything not from D&D core (not even Faerun or Eberron can be adapted into it) There is nothing wrong with this. His game, his rules.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 10-31-06, 10:30 AM	Core only: Very well, have your character fall on his sword, axe, whatever, and make what you want. You said you wanted a leader type, well paladin, or cleric fits. And leadership is a core feat. Now if what your after is ultimate power. Then play druid, all the way. Nothing matches Codzilla for sheard destructive power, or ultility. No-one who has seen one in actions will ever argue that that core is balanced again. However do bear in mind that your DM may be banning all none core becuase h isn't comfortable with the splat books. thats fine and you should respect that. "Bad things will happen" Responce, "You mean like me leaving the game, and thus the character caesing to exsist? Yaa that would be bad. Can we please discuss this like adults, or do i have to find a new DM?" That simple. Change it, or live with it.
Bowmore 10-31-06, 11:32 AM	I really don't blame him for not allowing non-WOTC stuff in, even from magazines or Forgotten Realms or Eberron. I think it's... He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. If anyone tries, he threatens that "bad things" will happen to their character in-game. ...this part that people here are (and if they aren't, they should be) focusing on.
pita 10-31-06, 01:22 PM	Meh. My DM used to be like that. I then showed him some of my builds. He's now an obsessive powergamer with an irritating god complex characters, but his DMing has improved muchly! NOTE: this was in 3rd edition where you could take 1 level of bard, multi to fighter, then top it off with dragon disciple, and still get bardic music bonuses.
Kalli 10-31-06, 05:51 PM	The Core-only mindset isn't an issue. It's not uncommon among groups, and there's usually reasons for it (even if you disagree with them). No, the real problem here is the threats, the powermongering, and flat out refusal to communicate. You are not dealing with an inflexible DM -- you are dealing with a powertripper. Ditch him. And if the other players are feeling the same way, take them with you. Find another group or start a new game. You don't need to pander to this jerk's power fantasies.
High Octane 10-31-06, 06:01 PM	Are you having fun? Everything else is irrelevant if the answer is no.
mlund 10-31-06, 07:22 PM	Play the game and have fun or just quit and find another game. DM'ing for a group of players requires a lot of work to do well, and adjucating and balancing all the extra stuff that Wizards mills out to make extra cash on the franchise can be downright mind-numbing. Moreover, sometimes people need limits to help keep their creativity constructive and plots reasonable. Heck, some players don't want to be at a table with certain suppliments or situations. The gaming group is supposed to be a compromise where everyone finds a way to have fun without imposing unduly on one another. All that said, saying "bad things will happen to your character," is just bad DM'ing. If the DM says you can't add it to your sheet, you don't have it one your sheet and you can't use it. The DM needs to be upfront about what the rules of the table are when he's running a game for you folks, and each of the players needs to honestly consider whether he or she want to play that way. - Marty Lund
Wayett 10-31-06, 07:55 PM	Well, rule zero of DnD: the DMs always right. It is his game, but you should talk to him if ur not having fun. You should tell him that a DMs job is to make it enjoyable. He also needs to be flexable, a little new class or feat here and there is okay, like my group uses core, PHB 2, DMG 2, all the complete books, Draconimon(some days), and the Races books. When r PCs go to war we use the VP system from Heros of War and the army stuff, but thats it. And also, step up! It is hard to DM and keeping track of rules PCs, rounds NPCs both sides' spells is a handfull. If you don't like the game he is running, ask him for a turn, most DMs need a break to refuel now and again. If you have any questions comments, or just want to type really loud at me message me or e-mail, wat evr ur fav is! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Bruunwald 10-31-06, 07:57 PM	My DM, and my whole group in general, actually, is highly opposed to anything A: Not from Wizards Books (that means no dragon magazines, no homebrew, etc), and anything not from D&D core (not even Faerun or Eberron can be adapted into it). That's a matter of taste and not open to discussion or in need of a fix. It's a simple choice. If you want an Eberron game (no comment), it should be easy enough to find one without forcing one down the throats of those who (no comment) detest the setting. He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. Well, stupid is a wide-open term, ready for broad interpretation and discussion. It's easy to accuse somebody of being "stupid" when nobody else knows what they've done, and it's also easy to get a few people to side with you on faith that somebody else is stupid, despite your not presenting any example or evidence. Then again, it's also easy to misinterpret what is being presented to us as "stupid" when we don't quite understand it ourselves, only to find out later that it is we who are being stupid. On the other hand, I agree that it's thick skulled to refuse to discuss things that are boggling other people. Also stubborn. Also likely prideful. On the other other hand, maybe he knows you think he's stupid, and doesn't respect you enough to deal with you out of game. If anyone tries, he threatens that "bad things" will happen to their character in-game. There's no excuse for that. That is stupid. And arrogant. My advice? Same as that we all give to 90% of all questions posed by those who already know the answers to their dilemma: FIND A MORE COMPATIBLE GAME.
Ashok_Lal 11-01-06, 12:48 AM	Originally Posted by GreatWyrm He also likes to make stupid decisions, often-times against the RAW, then refuse to let anyone discuss it with him, even after the game. So open a statement with nothing to back it up & gets reactions like these The rest means he is just a jerk. Expecially that last part. I say ditch the DM. Tell him that "bad things" will happen to him in real life if he keeps acting like a jackass. DM gets his act together and stops being a total dick. The rest means he is just a jerk. Expecially that last part. I say ditch the DM. It shouldn't be too difficult if the other players see that the DM is a jerk. Find another group or start a new game. You don't need to pander to this jerk's power fantasies. All that said, saying "bad things will happen to your character," is just bad DM'ing. From that one line this DM is a jerk. Every one agrees. Yet all these responces there is NO perspective NO examples the OP is telling us the whole truth. It's not posible that the OP is a jerk. that his stupid interpritations of RAW & constant whining to the DM has caused him to utter the words "bad things" will happen to their character in-game." As for PhaedrusXY your coment on the baseball bat sent the reputation of D&D players back 10 years. thanks. If that is what you would do i seggest you get some help.:headexplo
Clockwork_Apparition 11-01-06, 02:28 AM	After thinking about it, maybe you and your fellow players should refrain from undermining this DM's authoritarian (and I do so hate to make something so basically fundamental to the workings of coordinating the game to have fun) guidance. After all, the DM's always right, right? That's the only way the game will be fun, right? If one guy makes all the decisions...that'd...be fun...right? I mean the very thought that allowing someone's input into the game may make the game fun is simply ludacrist! Or *gasp* allowing the player to build the character he/she wants? My goodness! That could cause the game to be unbalanced. Someone could get their feelings hurt. What's next, Greatwyrm? Dropping the affirmative action laws for picking players in a gaming group? For shame! Don't take my posts as offensive (I truly don't mean that as such). The best way to assess a situation is to do so through a humorous lens (in my example in the above paragraph, satire, or my earlier baseball bat comment). Otherwise, people start to get made about things like loosing in a game and calling one another names like jerk (which really just cements that your position is most likely as intellectually sound as said antagonist DM's). Now, that said, only using the core-rules is cool and understandable, but only if it somehow enhances the experience. I use this in my games, but allow exceptions. The DM does have a responsibility to make sure each of the players via their characters get ample time to feel good about their participation in the game. The focus of the game, much like the focus of discussing a game full of elves and wizards, should be to have fun, which is, in part, a need to feel accomplishment. Once someone begins to use the game as an outlet for some social-control need or taking such offense that they actually begin to feel negative emotions towards another, it's time to re-assess participation in that activity for either party, cause that accomplishment need is not going to be fulfilled. The DM's need should be filled after all of the players have fun. For an example of what it looks like your DM is doing: A friend regularly berating another as a form of affection ain't just doing it to say "I share a close enough personal bond with you to share a humorous observational joke with you", it's to vent some negative emotion and it's gonna screw the other friend up. The exact same thing can happen if a player uses DnD to feed some need other than social recreation, and it sounds like your DM-friend is doing just that. I'm not advocating taking the guy to anger-management, but he'll either ruin the fun, make himself feel even more helpless when everyone walks away, or end up making someone else bitter with his current course. Oh, cripe, I'm done. Tear it apart!
GreatWyrm 11-01-06, 03:09 AM	Ok, a couple of examples of the stupid rulings: Power attack isn't multiplied on critical (he was citing RAW as evidence) Javalins were themselves "ammo", and all ammo was automatically unretreivable when used. He uses the "bad things will happen" for other things as well.. for instance, if you don't go get a book for him off a table 10 feet to his left. And yeah, sorry, I guess this post was partially to rant about the really stupid stuff, and partially to see what opinions people had about the non-core stuff. You guys do bring up good points agreeing with that, though, so I'm fine with it.
crossp 11-01-06, 03:38 AM	Something my friends and I joke about, hijacking the campaign. If it starts sucking too bad, hijack it. That is, tell the DM what happens, and deny his authority in overruling it. You spontaniously gain two levels, as do all your friends, and you're teleported to the quasielemental plane of candy. Also, the guy doing all the bad stuff, suddenly decided to turn good, and shared his riches with the land. Oh, and your mom's alive again, and your father no longer weeps losing her to the lord who turned good and is now his best good buddy. So long as your DM is aware of your gripes, it's very effective. I love you CroBob. L-O-V-E Roll diplomacy. I think it's a DC 25 to change a powercrazy DM to a neutral one. (You may need to take a feat or two to get your skill bonus that high) ...or you could roleplay it out with your DM. I hear alot of DMs love that sort of thing.
MaximumPain 11-01-06, 04:58 AM	Rule Zero: The GM has full rights as to what rules he will or will not incorporate into his game. If he only wants core books, that's his call to make. Rule Minus One: Players can always vote with their feet. If the game is not to your liking, either learn to like it or find another game. Nuff said