The trouble comes when the DM said that I, and only I, must use the player's handbook for the first two levels. I can't use ANYTHING from other books and supplements.
If you look in the DM's Guide it lists different types of players, and I would fit under the category of "Power-Gamer."I get the most enjoyment of using the supplements and optimizing my characters.
The only reason he is saying this is because I'm playing a Genasi Swordmage, and the first battle with him, I rolled amazingly and dominated the battle field. He thinks I shouldn't beable to use AV, FRPG, DMG, MM, or Dragon material, I think this is a load of cow manure. How should I confront him, without sounding like a total jerk?
It's not fair that only you have to be restricted to the PHB for the first two levels. If he restrivts you, everyone else should be too. However, you did say you were a powergamer. Maybe you've made some awesome characters he couldn't handle and he wants to try to eliminate that problem. Ask him (preferably privately) why you're restricted, and no one else is.
I agree. As a DM one player shouldn't be restricted when no one else is.
Sometimes it's best to have that "power gamer" in a group. They are the go-to player. The one you want up in the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, and 2 outs (so to speak).
I can see why the DM would restrict this for all players (making supplements something that is added on to the game as it advances). Hopefully you'll get some resolution on this.
Good luck.
The thing is, is if I hadn't of rolled well the first day, none of this would have happened. My DM even is using FRPG to totally upgrade the bbeg warlock.
1) approach DM and ask why you're being singled out like that. Explain how it's not fair, ect.
Here's where it diverges a bit. If he makes it to where everyone has access to the same books, VICTORY! Somehow, I feel it won't be that easy.
If the DM refuses, you could do the following.
1)Kick the DM in the nads till he 'sees things your way' *evil laugh*
2)Find a new group (LAST RESORT)
3)If you're good friends with them all and don't want to cause a rift in the group, just go with it. But he might think he can just push you around if you do this.
Just depends on the situation.
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If one player is restricted to the PHB, everyone should be. I don't care how big of a power gamer they are, fairness is fairness.
Realistically speaking, if you're as much of a power gamer as he fears, you should be able to make anything from the PHB work just as well, so there's no point to limit the books you can use more than anyone else. In fact, I would say he should help the other players optimize their characters so everyone's power level is centered a bit higher; it's much easier to build better characters and have everyone play that than to artificially limit powerful characters, since you can always add tactics, powers, etc. to get better but it's hard to play with a handicap.
In my group, in 3e and 4e my players have had access to every official WotC book, and to every official TSR book in 1e and 2e before that. Period. They can optimize, and so can I, and it works out just fine--no accusations of power gaming required. If the DM can't handle you using FR or Dragon stuff, why is he using it? He already has plenty of advantages for the BBEG; he should at least level the playing field books-wise. As long as everyone is optimized to the same degree, everyone will still have fun and there won't necessarily be any brokenness; like I said, he should help the others optimize to your level, rather than asking you to play with one hand metaphorically tied behind your back.
When you talk to your DM about loosening the restriction on you, offer to let him look over your character sheet with a list of all your spells, special abilities, etc. included as well. Don't go overboard when designing this character, or else he will reject it and you'll be sent back to square one. The only reason he is placing these restrictions on you is because he feels you're trying to take some of the power away from him. I know you're a powergamer (our party of 7 has 4, including me), but you need to show your DM you can use the supplements to make a character that isn't overpowered. Once he sees you can do that, you should be off the hook.
What? No one said "Just play a druid" yet?
I was going to. I guess you beat me to it.
Sometimes it's best to have that "power gamer" in a group. They are the go-to player. The one you want up in the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, and 2 outs (so to speak).
Or: at -9 HP, one spell left, and thirty seconds before the BBEG blows up the world. Although in that case, I suppose a Kender would work just as well.
man, your DM is a real jerk, isn't he? Limiting one player in his character options, because he can't handle all the stuff that player is capable of doing? I have to congratulate him! (sorry for ranting)
Now serious.
First let me tell how we handle it. We ban several books and have a more or less short list of allowed products. We ban things like Savage Species, Tome of Battle, Book of Exalted Deeds, to name only a few. Besides these limitations, everyone is supposed to use their common sense and not show their ambition while trying to create Pun Pun 2.0.
I am a powergamer as well. And i like to think of character concepts, that are very strong, concerning game mechanics, but also have a great roleplaying potencial.
And i have to say, limiting one player to the core rules, while allowing the rest of the group to use all the material they want to, expresses one thing, IMO: the DM has very low skills and has to learn how he can handle things, seriously.
My 2 cents
Will
Appeal to his sense of fairness, explain that you're feeling very cheated that only you are restricted. Tell him you're willing to work with him, but you don't think you should be penalized because you had one good day with the dice. (And, tell him you won't do a swordmage, if that's what has him all tweaked.)
Seriously, make a completly and totally optimized character using the PHB. Then make a not so optimized character the way you want. Ask him which he wants you to play. Profit.