Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kanchelsis17 04-12-05, 03:30 AM	Okay, I've got a fairly serious problem confronting me. But first: credentials. I'm an experienced DM and own/can use (I'm also a partner at a gaming store) most of the WOTC and Mongoose books. I recently joined a game here (I'm in college) with a DM we shall call "Matt" to protect his identity. Matt has played/DMed for a while, but has a few house rules and encounter styles that are drving me up the wall. First off, we are being railroaded in a big way. I feel like a Marvel superhero. We've just finished saving the world, turn around, and BOOM! some other superbaddy is 24 hours away from ending it. Personally, I don't see why they're so devoted to destroying the world they live in, but that's neither here nor there. Second problem: In his campaign world, weapons really only go up to +3. A couple of characters own +4 weapons, which he considers epic weapons for the purposes of damage reduction. However, our chief damage dealer does not own such weapons. At 19th-21st level, this is a problem. But it gets worse. He uses MMII, and simply uses the listed damage reduction. Facing a monster that has DR 30/+5? He simply considers it 30/epic. Ouch. Third problem: I play a 20th level cleric (still think that I should've gone true necromancer). I have my minions of doom (spectres and a marilith skeleton). The corpsecrafter, destruction retribution, and Deathly Chill feats from Libris Mortis beef them up quite a bit, but I'm figuring that Matt is disliking the spectres taking 2 levels/hit every encounter. I say this because the last 16 creatures that we've killed not only inexplicibly had cast death ward on themselves, but their bodies were reduced to irraisable scrap. Four of these creatures were mind flayer sorcerers; the others were 20th level drow priestesses. Which segues nicely into problem 4. Problem 4: Our opponents' ELs are terrifying. The 8 20th level priestesses were ONE freaking encounter. One. Out of six people, we lost 3 (and all the undead except for my marilith). I have no problem fighting this kind of thing, but I am limited by problem 5. Problem 5: At first, Matt was happy to allow me to draw spells and magic items from non-core books. Since I am a new player and didn't want to anger the DM right off the bat, I have limited myself to WOTC products, and have not even opened the Book of Vile Darkness, tempting as it is. And believe me, its sweet corruption beckons me. After the first few spell selections (they were, I believe, divine agility, dragon's breath, and that one spell that prevents you from taking ability damage/drain and negative levels), he has begun nerfing spells I present to him, weakening them so that they become nearly useless. Example: Revenence, from Libris Mortis, is an extremely cool spell that fits perfectly with my character. It is 4th level, and allows you to restore to life (as per raise dead) a fallen character for 1 minute per level. It has no exp cost and no material component. He decided the spell was okay, but only if the character paid 100 exp/lvl for the raising. I'd be better off raising them as spectres, then killing and resurrecting them after the fight. Destruction retribution, which makes undead created/raised by my spells explode upon death, dealing negative energy became bludgeoning (for the skeletons), 1/2 negative and 1/2 cold (spectres and wraiths), and god knows what for devourers, morhgs, etc. I can deal with it, but it weakens a tight fighting formation. Overall, I enjoy the game. I haven't found any other games that I would care to join at the university, and like the other players. But I know that 2 weeks from now is our final showdown, and it will involve more 20th level drow priestesses, and the high priestess (somewhere between level 25 and 29). Suggestions?
SnowbearK 04-12-05, 03:50 AM	Mix 2 parts styrofoam to 3 parts kerosene in your DM's toilet. Break light. Advise no one else to use the bathroom. Ply DM with drinks and refried beans. Advise DM light a candle when he finally has to go. :D Aside from that, yeah, you're doomed. Personally, I'd never join an Epic game with a DM I didn't 100% trust to make it the best game ever -- and of the DMs I know, there's only one I would trust with that.
Black Kitten 04-12-05, 04:10 AM	What he said. I wouldn't have joined a (pre-)epic game unless I fully trust that DM. And I'd not join a DM that nerfed things all the time on his own account. We discuss those things in our group.
Szat 04-12-05, 05:11 AM	Your title pretty much says it all. However, as is the wont of PC's, talk. Talk to your DM and express to him your displeasures. If that doesn't work tell him that he is effectively lowering your characters ability. Thus reducing your productivity in combat. If he insists on doing this then he has to lower the Encounter Level or just come off as a jerk. Honestly, try talking if that doesn't work. Play a straight fighter and use just the PHB. Go TN and swing your sword. Oh, and name yourself Regdar.............and have no personality. Sorry, as a DM I despise railroading and creatures who "just so happen" to have the EXACT thing needed to defend against a nifty combat trick. I also cast my vote into, don't play Epic with a DM who A. Doesn't know the rules and B. Likes NERF
Kanchelsis17 04-12-05, 05:21 AM	The worst part of it is, he's the best of a poor selection of DMs available where I am. Seriously. I had one DM who would roll a percentile whenever you said "I wish..." to see if it happened in game. Irregardless of OOG or IG.
Szat 04-12-05, 05:27 AM	Where do you game out of?
Kanchelsis17 04-12-05, 05:35 AM	Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Kanchelsis17 04-12-05, 05:37 AM	Is my hypertext working now?
Szat 04-12-05, 05:48 PM	Why do ALL the people game out of NOT my hometown. It's very frustrating.