I'm more intelligent than my co-workers and it doesn't mean that they listen to me. Just because he is playing a character with high intelligence, doesn't mean that that gives him any kind of authority. Just be stubborn and do what you want to do and ignore him. If he backhands you, you can attack him back or get the group to sanction him in some way i.e. refuse to heal him until he behaves etc. Ultimately, if he is a true problem player you can choose not to play with him.
In that specific instance, I think the most logical thing regardless of INT score would be for the whole party to stop the "batshit crazy" artificer from walking up and fiddling with a large, unknown magical device, until more was learned.
Devil's Advocate here: What does he try to stop you from doing routinely? Is it always what rash people would consider "crazy"? If so, he's not just doing it for his own sake necessarily but the whole party, and his character would likely feel the same.
And a lot of Players would go along with letting their characters be stopped, at least temporarily, if there was some kind of roleplaying dynamic between group members.
Also as a game concession because even the Player of the crazy PC knows some things are bad ideas, and while the PC may not think there's any real danger (or doesn't care) the Player would still want his character to survive, so allowing group intervention in particularly (potentially) dangerous ideas works for everyone.
I can certainly see how being "backhanded" would be annoying on several levels. It's possible the person thinks it's a comedic campaign so "slapstick" would be fine, even though that kind of thing still grates on character interaction and probably makes even the Player of the receiving PC feel a bit insulted.
For that you just talk to the player as a fellow player and tell him it's really bothering you for him to keep doing that, and you can even say your PC won't put up with it any longer if the player continues.
If he comes across as a "control freak" over all, and tells everyone what to do, there are different possibilities.
Some people are used to being vocal, so they are. In their mind, if nobody is saying something firmly (and perhaps loudly), giving an action or a game-related question, then nothing is being done at all -- so they feel compelled to drive the session forward rather than the PCs dawdling. It might be more common with also-DMs, I couldn't really say.
I fall into that sometimes too as a player, often when I'm pretty tired, but I try to keep it in check.
If that's the case, he's not doing it intentionally, but in the perception that it's a vacuum if the game doesn't keep moving, and he wants it to keep moving so people have fun. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be him giving opinions and actions, and he would be perfectly happy if the other players would voice their opinions just as loudly. Which of course is not always a feasible option, because people are different.
To "fix" that, the best way is probably to talk to him one on one and say that you feel you are unable to interact with the game world as you'd like, because his character is coming across as overbearing and you can't get a word in edgewise.
Or, he may just be overexcited and constantly coming up with the next way of interacting with the world, but while the other players are still thinking about or discussing what to do next. This would be an issue of asking him to give the other players a chance to give input first.
Or, he might actually *be* a "control freak," and think he has the best ideas all of the time, and everything works so well because of his efforts. Which is pretty annoying for everyone.
To try and fix that you would need to talk to him about it, how it's bothering you and such. Maybe a few times, or just reminders during a session, because for some people its a very ingrained trait, though otherwise they're fine.
Of course if you're talking about 3.5 or such, I don't remember exactly if there was a feat to just change the ability score to an attack other than Weapon Finesse, so whether it's a problem or not I couldn't say.
When he says it does not work, then state that having to listen to him because of his int high char does not work either, especially since its YOUR character.
Alternatively, when he comes up with plan XYZ and begins to execute it, suddenly become a coward and run away. State that your character has a phobia of monster X. When he wants you to do the next plan, say that no, your character is too cowardly to be involved in danger unless he, the wizard, tanks for the party (you can use a missile weapon)
Another way is to make fun of his actions. When he says you must do XYZ, hold your hands out and use a zombie voice saying "Yes, master", then laugh and tell him you're not his zombie. Then move as you want. Repeat this with an hand rubbing motion and Igor voice "Yeesh, mauster" and similar
INT=knowledge
WIS=common sense
CHA=leadership ability
He may have a high INT, but that doesn't mean he has a high enough WIS to tell you that it is common sense to wait and examine it from afar first. And unless his CHA is high, he doesn't have the leadership ability to tell you to stop. This looks like, to me, that this person likes to create and roleplay bullies. Discuss with the leader of the group on how to deal with this bully through roleplay. If he backhands you, it is up to the leader to do something about it (unless the leader is also ambivalent about it and don't want to get involved, which makes him/her a poor leader).
What I think he's doing here is trying to assert himself as the party's leader in-game. Having the highest INT score, he would naturally think he's the best choice; however, if he has a low WIS score, his character could just have delusions of leadership.
Either way, there are plenty of things you can do in-game to ensure he stays in line, the biggest being...well, just ignore his character. From the sound of it, his character is making empty threats, and if he does strike you, you are well within your right to attack him back. Make sure, though, that whatever you decide to do in-game won't affect the way he plays the game. It could end up having the reverse effect you want.
Outside of the game, I would talk to your DM about the problem. See what he thinks you should do, and maybe he will talk to the player about it.
So here's the beef, i play with a group every week and i'm having a minor problem. One of our members is very difficult. He is a good friend of mine and i really don't want to come out and say that he is a "dick", but he is a lot and doesn't realize it. When we play, no matter what he is playing, he maxes out his Int, then burns the Melee feat in order to use Int for his attacks. I don't have a problem with that, but everytime a situation comes up that involves either strategy, or a role playing traight of a character, he tries to take command of the situation. As an example, my artificer is batshit crazy, he is an engineer that enjoys creating new things, and improving other things constantly. He has a really high Int but can't resist new mechanical devices found in our campaign. In a dungeon we found a device in a room floating with a light arua around it. Seeing the new device my character immediately went for it to inspect this new item. His character told me not to touch it, and i said i was going to grab it anyway. He then proceded to say that his character would backhand my character in game. He has done this over and over with his characters in game and i'm kinda sick of it. When any one contests his character he always plays the Int card. Give me some tips to catch him off guard so i can play my character the way i want.
I don't see a problem with him making his int and use a feat to use int instead of str on BMA. I find it odd that you mention it.
Part of the problem is your roleplaying(which we all do encourage) maybe causing some problems in game. He may thought it was a trap, but your "roleplaying" could have triggered.
Don't forget DnD is a team sport. You want to play the way you want to which is great. At the same time you have to play for the team. I don't how to balance, but pick your time to roleplay and pick your time to be part of the team. Even if that means you would contradic what your PC would do.
... As an example, my artificer is batshit crazy, he is an engineer that enjoys creating new things, and improving other things constantly. ... Seeing the new device my character immediately went for it to inspect this new item. His character told me not to touch it, and i said i was going to grab it anyway. ...
Are you sure this is about the other guy? You come across as quite the dick yourself.
-DF
But it's the Charisma in my personality they listen to.
The same WILL apply to your friend whether HE is smart or his PC is smart.
People don't listen to you because you are right or inherently smart, they listen because they are convinced they want to, and that is a function of personality.
What's your friend's player's PC Charisma stat? Because if it sucks, then it's time he was told, in game, 'no one cares what you think'.
My real world IQ is a great deal higher than ALL my friends IQs.
It sounds like someone had a bowl full of ego flakes for breakfast today.
My real world IQ is a great deal higher than ALL my friends IQs.
It sounds like someone had a bowl full of ego flakes for breakfast today.
Isn't weird how a person can claim aaaaaaany other trait as being above the norm, and it doesn't generate half as much disbelief
My IQ though actually is extremely high. Didn't prevent me from getting this physical disability though.
Isn't weird how a person can claim aaaaaaany other trait as being above the norm, and it doesn't generate half as much disbelief
My IQ though actually is extremely high. Didn't prevent me from getting this physical disability though.
There is a (male only) trait that no one is going to believe your boasting about ;)
I remember seeing an opinion that high IQ score means you're good at solving IQ tests. The person with World Record IQ was brought up to back it up, but I don't recall any details.
Isn't weird how a person can claim aaaaaaany other trait as being above the norm, and it doesn't generate half as much disbelief
My IQ though actually is extremely high. Didn't prevent me from getting this physical disability though.
There is a (male only) trait that no one is going to believe your boasting about ;)
I remember seeing an opinion that high IQ score means you're good at solving IQ tests. The person with World Record IQ was brought up to back it up, but I don't recall any details.
There was no disbelief generated, just more of a "so what?" attitude as it came off more as tooting your own horn then anything else since it wasn't really relevent to the conversation, it'd be like if my first line of this response was "I can benchpress 900 pounds, *logical reason for why INT and CHA don't go hand in hand*
I think it was just poorly worded...the emphasis on ALL really came off as braggy.
Well if someone claims to be able to bench 300 on here we can't disprove it, but someone claiming to be intelligent often contradicts themselves by saying something dumb.
Which isn't really a contradiction, as even the smartest person says something dumb every once in a while. It's the people who consistently say dumb things that probably aren't as smart as they like to think.
He only said his IQ was higher than his friends', so you shouldn't potentially be offended unless you are a part of that group.
My real world IQ is a great deal higher than ALL my friends IQs.
It sounds like someone had a bowl full of ego flakes for breakfast today.
I think he needs a piece of humble pie for dessert
Try looking at what you're doing before you think that he's doing that just to be in control. If the thing looks potentially dangerous then possibly the best course of action would be to be careful around it [although, that does not mean "DON'T TOUCH THAT IT COULD BE BAD"]
Sometimes your characters traits will get them into some sort of trouble, occasionally it will happen regularly. Take your party into consideration when you do these things. If your character would want to examine it, then tell your party to take cover and be ready for anything, and respond to whatever they try to do afterwards. In the end, don't let you yourself affect what your character ends up doing, let the party members, to the extent that they're not controlling you.
My real world IQ is a great deal higher than ALL my friends IQs.
It sounds like someone had a bowl full of ego flakes for breakfast today.
Isn't weird how a person can claim aaaaaaany other trait as being above the norm, and it doesn't generate half as much disbelief
My IQ though actually is extremely high. Didn't prevent me from getting this physical disability though.
Yeah, but he didn't say he didn't belive you, just that you are being egotisical about it. Two different things, that your high IQ should have realized.
Besides, saying you IQ is way higher then ALL your friends, well, what is your friends IQs? They could be pretty low, and you can be average.
I remember seeing an opinion that high IQ score means you're good at solving IQ tests. The person with World Record IQ was brought up to back it up, but I don't recall any details.
When I was younger, if I took a test, then saw the correct answers to the questions I got wrong, and then several weeks later took the test, I would get a 100%. My memory doesn't work as well now as it did then, but it's still pretty good.
Two options:
1. Settle it out of game. Tell him he is being an ass and unless he stops you'll stop playing with him. Optional "kick him out of the party" threat depending on how the group feels. However, you said you don't really want this, so on to:
2. You play a crazy engineer. Play to that. How long do you think it would take you to create a device that blocks his backhands and proceeds to kick him in the groin for you? To be worn on your chest, beneath your robes. Maybe add a voice that counts the number of times he has been kicked and calculates the chances on how the kicks influence his chance to have kids.
You could also build an "Intelligence seeking" Arrow, to be tested in camp. "Darn, I'm so sorry, I thought we might shoot it at the enemy army and it would automatically take out their general. I mean, he has to be the biggest smartass (pun intended) around. I never thought it might go for YOU!"
You could also "improve" his gear occasionally, and by improve I mean sabotage to fall apart in combat. "So sorry my friend. Normaly this never would have happened, but lately I have had such a headache I cant seem to concentrate."
Long story short, solve the issue in-game by showing his character that messing with you is a bad idea. He maybe smart, but you have the mechanics (again, pun intended) on your side to back your brain up. And as long as you do not resort to outright murder, I forsee a broadly grinning GM and a bunch of giggling players that keep him from ripping out your spine for messing with him.
Strange, normaly I'm a big fan of option 1, but right now I have way more fun imagining option 2. Time for another artificer NPC for my party to meet I think.
P.S. As mentioned before, Meele Training does not work the way he seems to think it does. It allows you to use a different stat for basic attacks only, not powers. So unless he is an INT based class, you might have very bad news for him.
Why is it that no one can talk about his IQ without getting beaten down on the internet? For all we know, he could be the next Einstein. Back to the Topic.
Two options:
1. Settle it out of game. Tell him he is being an ass and unless he stops you'll stop playing with him. Optional "kick him out of the party" threat depending on how the group feels. However, you said you don't really want this, so on to:
2. You play a crazy engineer. Play to that. How long do you think it would take you to create a device that blocks his backhands and proceeds to kick him in the groin for you? To be worn on your chest, beneath your robes. Maybe add a voice that counts the number of times he has been kicked and calculates the chances on how the kicks influence his chance to have kids.
You could also build an "Intelligence seeking" Arrow, to be tested in camp. "Darn, I'm so sorry, I thought we might shoot it at the enemy army and it would automatically take out their general. I mean, he has to be the biggest smartass (pun intended) around. I never thought it might go for YOU!"
You could also "improve" his gear occasionally, and by improve I mean sabotage to fall apart in combat. "So sorry my friend. Normaly this never would have happened, but lately I have had such a headache I cant seem to concentrate."
Long story short, solve the issue in-game by showing his character that messing with you is a bad idea. He maybe smart, but you have the mechanics (again, pun intended) on your side to back your brain up. And as long as you do not resort to outright murder, I forsee a broadly grinning GM and a bunch of giggling players that keep him from ripping out your spine for messing with him.
Strange, normaly I'm a big fan of option 1, but right now I have way more fun imagining option 2. Time for another artificer NPC for my party to meet I think.
P.S. As mentioned before, Meele Training does not work the way he seems to think it does. It allows you to use a different stat for basic attacks only, not powers. So unless he is an INT based class, you might have very bad news for him.
Very amusing suggestions!
I don't allow PvP in my games - some groups are okay with it. I do allow pranks so long as we rule that they don't do any actual damage. I'd be inclined to allow most of the above, with the exception of sabotaging his armor, which causes a problem in combat. Of course some groups are okay with PvP. *shrug*
But I'm not sure we should be encouraging the OP to start more trouble with the other player.
As I see it, there are two problems here.
1) The other player is trying to lord it over the other players.
2) The OP is playing a character that is admittedly "batshit crazy" and dangerous to the party.
Neither of these are good for the long-term survival of either the group or the party.
Probably the best idea is for the OP to make a bargain with the other player OOC. "I'll stop endangering the party (or will let folks stop me from doing something stupid that might do so) if you'll stop trying to tell me that I should obey you because of your INT."
Meanwhile it's been 3 weeks since the OPs last post. Any chance we can get an update?