First off, I've been spending a few weeks hammering out a build I like, with a concept that fits something I would enjoy playing. Ok so here is what went down.
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We get there, and all of us sit down at the table (I didn't know any of them except through emails). The DM explains that we're nearing the end of the H2 Scepter tower of Spellguard, entering the room where the four traps and the demon well are. I start getting excited because Im finally going to get to test out my character for the first time. Then he spills the beans and tells us (me and the other new guy who's first time in the group was that day) that he just can't seem to figure out a way to work us into the story. He told us that instead we were to play two characters of people who had recently stopped coming. My jaw dropped. Not only did I not get to enjoy the character I spent weeks putting together, I didn't even get to choose what I was going to play.
I was handed a sheet with a warlord on it. An inspiring warlord. An inspiring warlord who was level 6, had no skills, no feats and didn't take stand the fallen. If that weren't bad enough, the third character (Battle Cleric) who quit the group, was getting run by the Paladin. I grit my teeth took it. No sense crying over spilled milk and I'd get to play him in an hour or so right? Haha...
So we set up the encounter, everything goes as well as it could, but then the paladin and the Str cleric make a wall and Im stuck 3 squares behind them with nothing to hit in melee. So, Im pretty useless, and the DM was doing a pretty terrible job playing the monsters. That was offset slightly by the Paladin who decided not to protect the wizard as two BBEG's ignore the big green thing (if you've played it you know, Im not spoiling) flank him and pulverize his face. So I stepped in and tried to protect him as best I could, but I had very little to work with as the powers taken were all Taclord stuff, and didn't work well with my ability scores.
The group is rolling and hiting and what have you, in their very best Ben Stein impressions. It was so monotone and uneventful I had to go to the bathroom several times to keep from falling asleep. Then the warlock gets asked about her eldritch blast making noise, and she says "Well it's lightning, so I guess it would make noise." Wait wait wait, rewind here. Your eldritch blast is what? Lightning? I did a triple take...even checked my book before I looked stupid. I looked at her, looked at the book and said out loud "Lightning Damage?" I showed her the page. At this point I was begining to lose faith in this group. How exactly do you get to 6th level thinking your power deals lightning damage? The Cleric (run by the paladin) was only making basic attacks. Not using at wills, not using encounters, he had him ONLY making basic attacks. When asked about it, he justified it as "All of these cleric powers suck!". I twinged in annoyance.
So we taken an extended rest and move on to the next encounter. You know, the one directly linked to the one we were just at? That encounter? Yeah, we go there. We get in there, start the battle etc etc. Finally the cleric used something other than a basic attack. He used turn undead on the big cow. The rounds go by in monotone "I attack" "...4 damage" type gameplay and then the undead is back at our face. I used the warlord power that lets me trade the enemies' space with an ally. So naturally I bring the cleric up, right next to the big undead. Next it's his turn, and what does he do? Instead of turning the undead, he (at 18 hp) opts to run up the steps and get two shotted along the way. Bam, cleric is dead. I exclaim aloud "WHY DIDN'T YOU TURN THE UNDEAD!?" He tells me he wanted the caster. I palmed my face. This group was a train wreck. The DM is still pretty bad at using the tactics provided for him, and everyone has used everything they have in their arsenal...except the paladin and of course, the dead cleric
. Finally the Paladin decides, after two rounds of everyone else using at wills, because it's all they have left, he's going to use one of his encounter powers. After about 15 or 20 more rounds of the same Ben Stein-eyness, we finally finish the encounter.
I looked down at the clock and it had been four and a half hours since we started. Four and a half hours for two encounters. I was astounded. ...Im even at a loss for words typing this. It's done, the Paladin looks at the DM and says "Is that it?". The DM tells him it's all and he says with the very first enthusiasm of the day "Ok, we leave! :D". But there was no smile for me. I couldn't believe that people got together and actually called that a game. I felt sickened.
We all packed up and were getting ready to head out and the DM had the audacity to say to the wizard and I "We can introduce your character's next week". I nodded and took down the wizard's email, because he was the only one who knew what he was doing, and he was actually a good player even though it wasn't his character. Leaving felt so good, and looking back I can only shake my head in disgust.
We get there, and all of us sit down at the table (I didn't know any of them except through emails). The DM explains that we're nearing the end of the H2 Scepter tower of Spellguard, entering the room where the four traps and the demon well are. I start getting excited because Im finally going to get to test out my character for the first time. Then he spills the beans and tells us (me and the other new guy who's first time in the group was that day) that he just can't seem to figure out a way to work us into the story. He told us that instead we were to play two characters of people who had recently stopped coming. My jaw dropped. Not only did I not get to enjoy the character I spent weeks putting together, I didn't even get to choose what I was going to play.
I was handed a sheet with a warlord on it. An inspiring warlord. An inspiring warlord who was level 6, had no skills, no feats and didn't take stand the fallen. If that weren't bad enough, the third character (Battle Cleric) who quit the group, was getting run by the Paladin. I grit my teeth took it. No sense crying over spilled milk and I'd get to play him in an hour or so right? Haha...
So we set up the encounter, everything goes as well as it could, but then the paladin and the Str cleric make a wall and Im stuck 3 squares behind them with nothing to hit in melee. So, Im pretty useless, and the DM was doing a pretty terrible job playing the monsters. That was offset slightly by the Paladin who decided not to protect the wizard as two BBEG's ignore the big green thing (if you've played it you know, Im not spoiling) flank him and pulverize his face. So I stepped in and tried to protect him as best I could, but I had very little to work with as the powers taken were all Taclord stuff, and didn't work well with my ability scores.
The group is rolling and hiting and what have you, in their very best Ben Stein impressions. It was so monotone and uneventful I had to go to the bathroom several times to keep from falling asleep. Then the warlock gets asked about her eldritch blast making noise, and she says "Well it's lightning, so I guess it would make noise." Wait wait wait, rewind here. Your eldritch blast is what? Lightning? I did a triple take...even checked my book before I looked stupid. I looked at her, looked at the book and said out loud "Lightning Damage?" I showed her the page. At this point I was begining to lose faith in this group. How exactly do you get to 6th level thinking your power deals lightning damage? The Cleric (run by the paladin) was only making basic attacks. Not using at wills, not using encounters, he had him ONLY making basic attacks. When asked about it, he justified it as "All of these cleric powers suck!". I twinged in annoyance.
So we taken an extended rest and move on to the next encounter. You know, the one directly linked to the one we were just at? That encounter? Yeah, we go there. We get in there, start the battle etc etc. Finally the cleric used something other than a basic attack. He used turn undead on the big cow. The rounds go by in monotone "I attack" "...4 damage" type gameplay and then the undead is back at our face. I used the warlord power that lets me trade the enemies' space with an ally. So naturally I bring the cleric up, right next to the big undead. Next it's his turn, and what does he do? Instead of turning the undead, he (at 18 hp) opts to run up the steps and get two shotted along the way. Bam, cleric is dead. I exclaim aloud "WHY DIDN'T YOU TURN THE UNDEAD!?" He tells me he wanted the caster. I palmed my face. This group was a train wreck. The DM is still pretty bad at using the tactics provided for him, and everyone has used everything they have in their arsenal...except the paladin and of course, the dead cleric
. Finally the Paladin decides, after two rounds of everyone else using at wills, because it's all they have left, he's going to use one of his encounter powers. After about 15 or 20 more rounds of the same Ben Stein-eyness, we finally finish the encounter. I looked down at the clock and it had been four and a half hours since we started. Four and a half hours for two encounters. I was astounded. ...Im even at a loss for words typing this. It's done, the Paladin looks at the DM and says "Is that it?". The DM tells him it's all and he says with the very first enthusiasm of the day "Ok, we leave! :D". But there was no smile for me. I couldn't believe that people got together and actually called that a game. I felt sickened.
We all packed up and were getting ready to head out and the DM had the audacity to say to the wizard and I "We can introduce your character's next week". I nodded and took down the wizard's email, because he was the only one who knew what he was doing, and he was actually a good player even though it wasn't his character. Leaving felt so good, and looking back I can only shake my head in disgust.
Fortunately, you will get to play your own character next time. Without overdoing it, you'll be able to show them how it's done ... give some description, some energy, some action, all that jazz, if you choose to return.
I'm going to guess the DM isn't someone you actually know; I've had to mention to a friend that he monotones his games as well.
Show up next time to play your character and use all the descriptions, encounter powers, tactics, and rping. They may catch on. You may even want to talk to the players about their lack of tone.
Even if you aren't an excessively cheerful person, try your best to be EXTREMELY positive, friendly, encouraging, and enthusiastic.
The Cleric runs away from the group of undead?
-"So close! That would have been GREAT if you got the caster...but it happens. Those undead will PAY for what they've done! Psst...I'd appreciate it if you didn't bleed on my shoes. Thanks."
You're given a lackluster, poorly built character to play?
-"This character is AWESOME! An Elven Taclord that dual wields daggers? What a creative idea! Of course, I'd really rather play my own PC...but this should be fun!"
The Paladin fails to use his Encounters/Dailys against an obvious boss encounter?
-"Dude, you're JUST like me! I'm always afraid I'll burn through my good powers too fast, then I'll be stuck when I really need them. Of course, that Daily you've got right there would be REALLY useful right about now...but it's your call."
The Warlock claims she does lightning damage for her eldritch blast?
-"Hey, I like the change of flavor from boring, untyped arcane damage! That adds a good bit of character to an otherwise boring ability. Does your PC have a tie to lightning stuff? I'll bet she's pretty handy when the power goes out."
Yet another round of combat goes by in Ben Stein stoicness?
-"Dude, that was a great attack! You set me up perfectly for . I'll bet if we try to coordinate our attacks a bit, we'll take out this encounter much quicker."
The DM flatout sucks?
-"Hey, thanks for taking the time to host the game! I know how much work it can be, since I've DM'd for of years. I really like the way you handled . If you ever want to bounce campaign ideas off of me, or if you ever want another view on creature strategy/etc, give me a ring."
...
Just a thought.
It sounds like these people are new to D&D, and possibly new to tactical minis combat as well. They might actually appreciate a bit of help and explanation of how to use their powers. Just do it in a friendly way, and remember that everyone's there to have fun. Don't ridicule them, but don't sit there silently either. Be courteous, but be forward about what you want as well.
Seems like you could do a better job of running it so volunteer, and take over when this game ends.
He told us that instead we were to play two characters of people who had recently stopped coming... If that weren't bad enough, the third character (Battle Cleric) who quit the group, was getting run by the Paladin.
Here's the first risk factor for a really bad group: three players recently quit. Why did such a large portion of the group--more than half, it looks like--leave the game, all at once, and right in the middle of an adventure?
There are other major problems, too. It's really easy to work new PCs into Spellgard, because there's a whole community of seekers (hello, character hook!), and a central place that many of them stay (hello, easy introduction scene!) The DM didn't pick up on that fact, which makes him inexperienced or really unimaginative.
The paladin was playing the cleric as if he were another defender, which means he has no experience, no sense, or both. He also deliberately ignored the cleric's actual powers in favor of melee attacks, which are strictly worse, which is entirely inexplicable to me.
The warlock clearly hadn't bothered reading the PH class description, and worse, no one had called him on it until you showed up. There's no reason that an eldritch blast can't be lightning, and if the group wants a big nasty lightning mage, it's an easy and flavorful change to make... but that's clearly not what happened here.
It's possible that makeshiftwings is right, and you've just stumbled upon a very inexperienced group (although somehow they made it to level 6...) that just needs some help. However, you should know that you don't have any obligation to continue playing with people who frustrate you. You are free to e-mail the DM and let him know that you don't feel like it worked out, and keep looking for a new group. That's honestly how I'd handle the situation--and have handled similar issues in the past.
Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are contagious. (cut) Just a thought.
All very good suggestions! Unfortunately I decided not to go back because my current 3.5 group who I've been running with needs to switch sunday, which is the same day they play. I will say though that Im generally a happy guy, but I am prone to an elitist attitude about games. Don't get me wrong, if you're new I don't expect you to know much, or anything and I have no problem playing with people like that. However, all of these people have been playing for a number of years, and got to level 6 from level 1, in my oppinion I guess they should have known their class and the game mechanics better. A little research goes a long way, in my oppinion.
you need to take some responsibility and speak up to make sure you're having fun too. (cut) Be courteous, but be forward about what you want as well.
The thing is, I had never met any of these people before that day, never even talked to them other than email. I did offer suggestions to get us into the story, so did the other new player and the paladin/cleric, but the DM just couldn't tie it together I guess, or he didn't want to. The other new player and I expressed our concern with playing a different character, and that we weren't exactly looking forward to it. I roleplayed the warlord to a T though. As best I could anyway. The warlord was actually my 2nd choice for a class, because I liked the idea of the roleplaying possibilities, and the commanding presence on the battlefield. I worked with them, but the Paladin/Cleric was not enthused. Not by my roleplaying or the fact that I was trying to help him play his character better. My 3.5 DM (used to play with this guy in another campaign) told me that he was like that then too, and played the same class ironically. As I said above, these people have all been playing D&D as long as, or longer than I have, which to me says they must not care very much
.Here's the first risk factor for a really bad group: three players recently quit. Why did such a large portion of the group--more than half, it looks like--leave the game, all at once, and right in the middle of an adventure? (cut) That's honestly how I'd handle the situation--and have handled similar issues in the past.
I agree with every single thing you said, and had the same idea when I found out about the other PC's quitting.
If I attended a new group for the first time and was handed a character sheet that was from a player that had just quit I might not even un-bag my dice. Another note: ask for the phone numbers for the three players that quit, find out if they want a new player for the game they may well be running.
However Sense you stayed did you even ask if you could rebuild the character if it was that badly done?
That's a really good idea Im going to check into that. Yes, I asked the DM if I could redo powers and pick some feats real quick, but he told me he wanted it left the way it was
.Even if you decide not to go back you should still talk to the DM and voice your concerns about the game. Or the DM will keep doing the same old thing and never get better. Maybe they are new to play in general and could use same pointers from pro players. I'd say go a few more times and see how it goes after you talk to the DM. (if that goes well!?)
Point taken, Im emailing the DM right now. Thanks for all the suggestions and help. A buddy of mine wants to learn to DM...but he's only played twice. What do you all suggest I do for that? Or should I post another thread? :D
I would have definatly not have un-bagged my dice, & I'd call the players that left. Maby the players that stayed could be brought along for kicks.
Why does the GM have the character in the first place? Was it a photocopy, or the orrigional? I would never give my character to the GM, they may of course have a copy, but never the orrigional.
I guess it was a filled out copy of the character, using the online character sheet, but it wasn't finished or something...Im unsure, really. I requested the phone numbers of the people who quit from the DM.