Case in point, I was playing a melee character that had invested some feats on exotic weapon proficiency and weapon spec so that I could use my weapon of choice (spiked chain) and use it well.
Anyways, we find this greatsword that apparently has "special plot power", and since I'm the only one in the party that can use it, everyone expects me to ditch my spiked chain for this greatsword.
I refuse to use the thing. My whole character is based around the spiked chain, and now everyone essentially wants me to throw away an aspect of my character just so we can get by. That being said, I've even fubar'd a few battles so far because I won't use it.
Anyways, yeah, I've talked to the DM to sort the issue out, but this has happened on more than one occasion in multiple games.
Does anyone else get bugged by this? Or just in general, when the DM (and perhaps rest of the party) have a different idea than you as to what your character's role is?
but i really hate getting railroaded like that. i dont mind being forced down an avenue every now and then (heck, we dont get there very quickly otherwise) but stuff like that is lame
Why can't you use both of them?
If I want to be a monk that beats people to a pulp with his fists, don't give me a quarterstaff and expect me to use it. I don't mind be railroaded when it comes to who to fight, where to go, or any of that, but as soon as you impose on my character's style, that gets me.
As a player:
[INDENT]That sucks. Not simply because the DM is basically requiring you to not make use of your specialty, but also because it is a "violation" of your character's concept. The DM has effectively grabbed your character sheet, looked over where it says "Spiked Chain" and said "no, I don't think so." The DM has indirectly scribbled all over your equipment list, and put little "frownies" beside any feat that doesn't use a greatsword. Bad form.
I can't help but think that this tactic may be a passive-aggressive means of nerfing your character a little. (I'll admit, there are some mean spiked-chain builds out there.) Still, that's not a good thing for any DM to do. If he had a power-issue with your character, he should have discussed it with you, not handed you a "wet-noodle" to smite foes with.[/INDENT]
As a DM:
[INDENT]Well... now we come to the DM's concept of the game. In this DM's concept, the key item to "save the world" or "defeat Bad Guy #1" (which may even be an artifact) just happens to be a greatsword. Perhaps there is a NPC history behind this, perhaps the DM just "likes greatswords," perhaps the adventure was just written before the spiked-chain-weilder came into being... who knows. The real issue is, should he change it?
As a DM, I can't blame him for sticking with his guns (or Greatswords as the case may be). Swapping it out for a spiked chain, while certainly optimal for your PC, might have thrown a huge thematic wrench into the gears. Thematically, greatsword use is a lot more common than spiked chain use (barring oriental settings perhaps). There's a reason why exotic weapons don't show up in treasure tables as often as typical weapons do. Most folks just don't use spiked chains; Can you really imagine the item's creator saying: "I'll use an uncommon weapon to make it harder for a hero to use it well!" Not likely.[/INDENT]
Now, if the DM was smart, he would have stuck with a simpler weapon, like a longsword, a shortsword, or even a dagger. That way, more than one character could make effective use of it. I mean, what would happen if your character (the only greatsword-weilder) went down in the fight? Should that equal a TPK? I think not.
I've never been a fan of hinging the success of any adventure on only one coarse of action (case in point: a single magic weapon saves the day). As a DM, I would rather design something where using the special item would make things much easier, but not necessarily be required for success. Maybe that's just me though.
The fact that you've "fubar'd a few battles" so far, tells me that this DM has put way too much emphasis on the greatsword's use. Final battle: Yeah sure, one powerful special item to save the day. Nothing wrong with that. But requiring it's use for most (or even all) battles? That's not good adventure design IMO. Methinks this is a case of a DM who is a little "too proud" of the special item and/or storyline he concocted.
He is the sort of guy who is obsessed with three things: Lawful Good, Wolves, and Vikings. I resembled none of these, and he remedied to make me either become affiliated with at least one of these or the campaign would fail.
I think I walked out about when he tried referencing Mjolnir as a weapon necessary to our campaign's fights from then on and that anyone who was evil or chaotic would suffer from holding it.
Unless, of course, the sword was turned to your particular character's frequency, making you the "chosen one".
Either way, I'd call bull on this one.
*Yes, I mean any. Including the primary casters.
I misread the last part of your post and it sounds like you already worked it out with your DM, so there's no point in suggesting what you should do. However, for anyone, the best way to fix situations like these where you disagree strongly with something and the rest of the people you play with don't, work out a compromise. If you get a super special plot device sword, have your character keep it on hand for when the time comes to use it, but he uses his normal weapons and only takes out plot device sword when the time REALLY calls for it.
Is when a DM gives out a particular item as loot and expects the party (especially me) to use it.
Case in point, I was playing a melee character that had invested some feats on exotic weapon proficiency and weapon spec so that I could use my weapon of choice (spiked chain) and use it well.
Anyways, we find this greatsword that apparently has "special plot power", and since I'm the only one in the party that can use it, everyone expects me to ditch my spiked chain for this greatsword.
I refuse to use the thing. My whole character is based around the spiked chain, and now everyone essentially wants me to throw away an aspect of my character just so we can get by. That being said, I've even fubar'd a few battles so far because I won't use it.
Anyways, yeah, I've talked to the DM to sort the issue out, but this has happened on more than one occasion in multiple games.
Does anyone else get bugged by this? Or just in general, when the DM (and perhaps rest of the party) have a different idea than you as to what your character's role is?
I noticed you resolved your conflict, but I am curious;
How are you the "only one in the party that can use it"? Is everybody else druids (restricted by druid oath) or have they all taken vow's of poverty? (unlikely)
Or do you mean, you're the one who can most effectively use it? (probably)
What kind of "special plot power"?
Why were a few battles fubar'd when you refused to use it? (1 ok, many ?)
How did it get sorted out?
I have a friend who likes to do similar things. He will tempt the elven ranger/archer (with all his feats in archery and FE orcs) with a cool magical sword (of orc slaying) that to use effectively requires power attack and cleave (melee feats). He will tempt the players with off-character-focus stuff, but it is their choice to let themselves be distracted from their character focus. The temptations are not usually of the "central-to-the-plot" variety. The problem I have with it is, he does it intentionally. He is trying to make the character lose focus.
...imagines bards scrambling for their rhyming dictionaries*
Funny,
So what rhymes with Guisarme? Better yet, how do you pronounce Guisarme?
Hahaha
Does it require a separate feet (webbed) to use?
Is it migratory?
The campaign world has to have a certain amount of integrity, independent of the characters. If you were a spellcaster fighting a series of fire creatures, and all you had was fire spells, so the DM just ruled arbitrarily that fire can hurt fire creatures from now on, wouldn't you feel that the DM was pandering to you?
There's a certain amount of give and take on this, of course. I'm not criticizing every DM who drops extra healing potions in a campaign with no healers: but a campaign world meant to seem real will have details like this one that just aren't convenient.
How do you work around these details? Well, you've got a freakin' spiked chain and it can do a lot of tricks. Use your chain to administer trips and/or disarms, then drop it, draw the Chosen Whatzit, and use it while your enemy's at a disadvantage. (Better if one of the other party members were willing to use the Chosen Whatzit so you can keep the enemy prone and disarmed, but apparently they can't/won't.)
How are you the "only one in the party that can use it"? Is everybody else druids (restricted by druid oath)
As a side note, druids were only (inexplicably and ridiculously) hosed on metal armor. They could wield any weapon they felt like.
Odds are, Mr. Chain is the only character proficient with the Greatsword in the group.
Anyway, to the OP, stick to your guns. If the DM TPK's you all because you won't submit to railroading, such is life.
Even if you don't have the book, any halfway reasonable DM would let you work it out somehow.
As a DM:
As a DM, I can't blame him for sticking with his guns (or Greatswords as the case may be). Swapping it out for a spiked chain, while certainly optimal for your PC, might have thrown a huge thematic wrench into the gears. Thematically, greatsword use is a lot more common than spiked chain use (barring oriental settings perhaps). There's a reason why exotic weapons don't show up in treasure tables as often as typical weapons do. Most folks just don't use spiked chains; Can you really imagine the item's creator saying: "I'll use an uncommon weapon to make it harder for a hero to use it well!" Not likely.
Well, the BBEG wouldn't see that one coming, would he?
Hmm, just a thought but intentionally ******* the DM off is a great way to make sure no one at the table has fun from that point on.... Is the DM some great unapproachable beast of a human?
umm... i'm pretty sure i Know the DM rpjesus is talking about... and yeah he is unapproachable about this stuff. He's obstinate, unreasonable, and in most cases I try and avoid him altogether...
Transfer Enchantment, level 4 ritual. Adventurer's Vault page 199.
Even if you don't have the book, any halfway reasonable DM would let you work it out somehow.
Psssst. He's playing 3e.
Well, the BBEG wouldn't see that one coming, would he?
Sure wouldn't. But given the lack of capable people being able to weild such a weapon proficiently, he would certainly approve (lesser of two goods and all).
Since for the most part magical weapons are simply oriented toward weapons in general in 4e. I can make a talisman containing spirits, alchemical properties, whatever that when tied to a item gives it that magical property.
As such, I don't need to worry about this since my party can simply untie and tie onto their weapons and items the talismans that were on the other weapon or item or left by itself.
It also makes it easier for myself as a DM since don't have to worry as much about making sure to have some weapons for each character's weapon type all the time.
Psssst. He's playing 3e.
Ah, Exotic Weapon proficiency I guess you mean?
I'm not really seeing a problem with snagging a character with Enchant Magic Arms and Armor and just having him switch it with the power of NPC-ness + 1,000gp or whatever.
Ah, Exotic Weapon proficiency I guess you mean?
I'm not really seeing a problem with snagging a character with Enchant Magic Arms and Armor and just having him switch it with the power of NPC-ness + 1,000gp or whatever.
Well, actually the mention of the Weapon Specialization feat as well... plus, this thread was moved from the Previous Editions General forum*.
I completely agree... it shouldn't be that big a deal for the PC to find some means of transferring the enchantment over to a new weapon. A reasonable DM should allow it with a bit of simple houseruling.
If it happens to be an artifact, OTOH, I can see why the DM would say no.
*Where it really should have stayed, IMO. Too much potential for cross-edition confusion moving it here. Oh well.
Hmmm... Perhaps switch to 4E. You would not have this dilemma in 4E.
I have been telling lepers the same thing for months, but will they listen? Noo!
Hmmm... Perhaps switch to 4E. You would not have this dilemma in 4E.
HAH!
I'm an Avenger and that made me laugh.
At any rate there are a few things to remember.
Why is this about you? Maybe the DM designed the adventure before creating your character. Is a mighty greatsword being part of a DM's idea for an adventure such a wild thought? Onl the mighty sword of truthiness can defeat the evil dragon of....falsiness!
Sure you might have been the one ending up with the artifact, but is that such a handicap? All you have to do is carry the 15 odd pound slab of steel. You don't have to use it until it becomes necessary.
Now if the DM suddenly becomes insistent on it for multiple battles thats one thing, but otherwise you just happen to be carrying the equivilent of say, the one amulet that can destroy Dracula, or the one rock that will purify the well of eternity, or the one ring you gotta drop in some volcano.
Was making it a weapon a bad move? Arguable. But don't take it as some attack or railroad on your character because guess what, it wasn't made FOR YOU. (Most likely)
Hmmm... Perhaps switch to 4E. You would not have this dilemma in 4E.
Hmmm... Maybe because it's not what he's playing.
As a DM, the way I'd do this is to give the special plot weapon some extra "punch" so the player has enough incentive to use it instead of his prefered weapon. A high level weapon with some juicy properties and powers should make up for the lack of specialization in using it. Or I could make it a similar weapon to the PC's prefered one, i.e. a weapon from the same group, like a heavy flail instead of the spiked chain. This way, the PC does not forfeit all of his training when using it.
I could also make it an artifact, so it can "move on" after this particular plotline ends. This way, I can offer a weapon that is more powerful that what the PCs could hope for at their level, and I have the option to make it go away instead of leaving it in their hands when the plot no longer requires it.
Also, when designing the adventure, I could make sure that only a few of the encounters (or a few creatures, or a "boss") really required (or became significantly easier when) using the weapon. This would give the PC a chance to use his prefered weapon most of the time.
This does not have to feel like the players are being punished.
give it the ability to take the shape of the weapon the PC is most comfortable with, maybe with some unlock-able transforming abilities in the weapon.
Have it take one of the secondary slots that have redundant magic items, such as a cloak or ambulate, maybe a single bracer/bracelet.
AND with either I would inform the players before character creation that there is a McGuffin and it will be of slot X, and good for class/role Y so that they can keep that in mind.
Sure wouldn't. But given the lack of capable people being able to weild such a weapon proficiently, he would certainly approve (lesser of two goods and all).
Well, see, it was a greatsword before, but some guy with a spiked chained acted like it was the chosen weapon and rushed the BBEG. So while he was distracted with chainy being "honorable" and warning him about the deus ex machina infused into his weapon, somebody else comes behind him and kills him with a greatsword. The heroes then reforged the great sword into a chain, and there's no way the reincarnated BBEG is gonna let himself be fooled into thinking a chain is a deus ex machina weapon again :D.
As a DM, the way I'd do this is to give the special plot weapon some extra "punch" so the player has enough incentive to use it instead of his prefered weapon. A high level weapon with some juicy properties and powers should make up for the lack of specialization in using it. Or I could make it a similar weapon to the PC's prefered one, i.e. a weapon from the same group, like a heavy flail instead of the spiked chain. This way, the PC does not forfeit all of his training when using it.
I think the issue is that he had a badass character concept and the DM just decided to do COC violating things to the flavor of his character. Now I don't know what that tastes like, but if my character lost his shovel, he would raze the earth trying to get it back.
I think the issue is that he had a badass character concept and the DM just decided to do COC violating things to the flavor of his character. Now I don't know what that tastes like, but if my character lost his shovel, he would raze the earth trying to get it back.
Yes, that's the... "reasonable" thing to do.
Yes, that's the... "reasonable" thing to do.
You're bringing reason into a discussion about a grave robbing half vampire hengeyokai who's a weapon master with shovels (The fact that my shovel happens to be a frost enhanced masterwork keen shovel only adding to my affection.)?
:D
But yeah, I for one like my zany character, and while I try to be as serious as the DM asks me to, I can see how it would suck for the DM to just shanghai your character.
I've been blessed thus far in not having any particularly bad experiences, but the least enjoyable was prolly the one where the DM just handed me a character sheet and was like "This is you". I mean, I still had fun (convinced some goblins I was their god), but it wasn't nearly as fun as the campaigns with my own charries.
You're bringing reason into a discussion about a grave robbing half vampire hengeyokai who's a weapon master with shovels (The fact that my shovel happens to be a frost enhanced masterwork keen shovel only adding to my affection.)?
:D
But yeah, I for one like my zany character, and while I try to be as serious as the DM asks me to, I can see how it would suck for the DM to just shanghai your character.
I've been blessed thus far in not having any particularly bad experiences, but the least enjoyable was prolly the one where the DM just handed me a character sheet and was like "This is you". I mean, I still had fun (convinced some goblins I was their god), but it wasn't nearly as fun as the campaigns with my own charries.
Err... I think I just completely failed to make sense of your previous post. In particular, the humor was lost on me.
Thanks for making it clearer.
I agree that being too heavy handed when using McGuffins can cramp the players' style and be unfunny. I was just suggesting ways for the DM to do it without it feeling like punishment.
Or be non interfering.
Exotic weapons are exatly that, EXOTIC!!! They are weapons that are rare, and seldom used, and even more seldom does anyone have any particular skill with them either as they are often weapons that require very specialized training to use as they are complicated and difficult to use. Hence the Exotic Weapons Feats, specialized training for a specific and rare weapon that requires specialized handling.
A Spiked Chain is a very difficult weapon to use with any proficency without alot of specialized training. Unlike a sword where a few simple moves (block, stab, slice) can be learnt with ease. As such it would be a rare weapon, and it's extremely unlikely for the special relic to be a spiked chain.
When you take exotic weapon proficiencies and design your character around the concept, you must be aware that you are severely limiting yourself as far as upgrading your weapon is concerned. It's unrealistic to expect constant upgrades to be found in the treasure with exotic weapons. As a player you have chosen to paint yourself into a corner with your selection and the DM and other players shouldn't be forced into an unrealistic world simply to pander to your character's choices.
Seriously, what if your weapon of choice was the Jawbone of an Ass, Complete with the Exotic Sampson Weapon Feat? Would you still be complaining the the anceint, plot specific weapon was a greatsword and not a jawbone? Really how many Jawbones of Power do you expect to be out there?
Why should the game be railroaded to pander to your PC?
If you want to make the spikeed chain concept to work for you, then it is you who will have to compromise. You are also going to have to realize the DM probably doesn't want to deal with the, I trip all the opponents, or attack and leap back and make AoO every round, which is the main reason the Chain concept is used for, and thus isn't going to pander to this and will drop weapon types that are more realistic to exepect in the treasure (a spiked chain would be rare indeed)
When you take exotic weapon proficiencies and design your character around the concept, you must be aware that you are severely limiting yourself as far as upgrading your weapon is concerned. It's unrealistic to expect constant upgrades to be found in the treasure with exotic weapons. As a player you have chosen to paint yourself into a corner with your selection and the DM and other players shouldn't be forced into an unrealistic world simply to pander to your character's choices.
I'm sure he'd be happy to keep the spiked chain he starts with,
the issue is that the DM is basically forcing him to use the greatsword. Once again speaking from my own love of shenanigans, I've only been able to rob like one grave so far, and only got a new shovel once since I needed a masterwork one to become a weapon master (admittedly, my DM piled on some bonuses cause he's awesome :D), but I really don't care as long as I get to be a shovel master. However if the DM were to have me lose my shovel and find a conspicuously placed longsword, I'd be more than slightly annoyed.
Have a spiked chain attached to the hilt of the Greatsword in question, you can use the spiked chain to attack opponents 10' away or drop it and use the Greatsword, and grab the chain again when you desire. The only weakness is that you cannot use the Spiked chain with both hands at once, and that you must drop it to use the Great Sword since both hands would be needed.
It would still be useful to use the chain to trip an enemy, and then charge them and smash them with the greatsword.
I'm sure he'd be happy to keep the spiked chain he starts with,
the issue is that the DM is basically forcing him to use the greatsword.
It sounds like this is only due to the DM not pandering to his PC and littering the world with ancient enchanted Spiked Chains. He is being forced to use a greatsword because, not suprisingly, greatswords are ultimately a better weapon and his chain is starting to suck, and the DM isn't going to rewrite the Holy Avenger as a 2-bit chain instead of a sword.
I don't think the DM is at fault because his PC is a one trick pony, who's entire concept is based upon the Spiked Chain, Combat Reflexes and Spring Attack. Clever concept, but tiresome to DMs sinces it's difficult to counter without seeming trite, especially if the PC uses trip attacks heavily.
It sounds like this is only due to the DM not pandering to his PC and littering the world with ancient enchanted Spiked Chains. He is being forced to use a greatsword because, not suprisingly, greatswords are ultimately a better weapon and his chain is starting to suck, and the DM isn't going to rewrite the Holy Avenger as a 2-bit chain instead of a sword.
Anyways, we find this greatsword that apparently has "special plot power", and since I'm the only one in the party that can use it, everyone expects me to ditch my spiked chain for this greatsword.
Seems to me the DM is actually pandering to him anyway, he's just doin it wrong.
And as you said, it doesn't make sense as a chain because
It sounds like this is only due to the DM not pandering to his PC and littering the world with ancient enchanted Spiked Chains. He is being forced to use a greatsword because, not suprisingly, greatswords are ultimately a better weapon and his chain is starting to suck, and the DM isn't going to rewrite the Holy Avenger as a 2-bit chain instead of a sword.
I don't think the DM is at fault because his PC is a one trick pony, who's entire concept is based upon the Spiked Chain, Combat Reflexes and Spring Attack. Clever concept, but tiresome to DMs sinces it's difficult to counter without seeming trite, especially if the PC uses trip attacks heavily.
Uh, no. He's perfectly happy with his spiked chain. The DM is saying that he *must* use this Plot Device Greatsword or the party will suffer.
And countering the spiked chain fighter is easy. Use things that aren't medium-sized humanoids.
As a DM:
[INDENT]Well... now we come to the DM's concept of the game. In this DM's concept, the key item to "save the world" or "defeat Bad Guy #1" (which may even be an artifact) just happens to be a greatsword. Perhaps there is a NPC history behind this, perhaps the DM just "likes greatswords," perhaps the adventure was just written before the spiked-chain-weilder came into being... who knows. The real issue is, should he change it?
As a DM, I can't blame him for sticking with his guns (or Greatswords as the case may be). Swapping it out for a spiked chain, while certainly optimal for your PC, might have thrown a huge thematic wrench into the gears. Thematically, greatsword use is a lot more common than spiked chain use (barring oriental settings perhaps). There's a reason why exotic weapons don't show up in treasure tables as often as typical weapons do. Most folks just don't use spiked chains; Can you really imagine the item's creator saying: "I'll use an uncommon weapon to make it harder for a hero to use it well!" Not likely.[/INDENT]
Well, there does come a point were the DM looks at the consept of the character. Like my Rogue was a Bountyhunter, but my DM made it so he pused me to be the Thief of the party. I kinda Hated it. I know it is different, but the DM has got to look at the consept as well. I have not yet made the Hero weapons for my Campain yet, but that is because I do not want to railroad my Players. I am willing to wait until the first campain setion, look at there characters and get to know what they want and then make the rest of the story.
For example, if a player wishes to use the Spiked Chain, well, there just so happens to be a Hero that used the Spike Chain for there weapon. That what I think I DM should do, not have to force him to use weapons he or she wishes not to use.
For example, if a player wishes to use the Spiked Chain, well, there just so happens to be a Hero that used the Spike Chain for there weapon. That what I think I DM should do, not have to force him to use weapons he or she wishes not to use.
Fair enough. But, at what point does it become contrived? I'm all for a DM to be mutable when it comes to character concepts, but is there not a point where it simply strains credulity that there just happens to be a hero in the past who's potent magic item ideally fits a current party member? That can work well enough if you're a DM who's into the whole "heroic destiny" or "history repeats itself" thing... but it does get old fast. When it happens too much, it not only erodes verisimilitude, but it gives players the feeling that their destinies aren't really in their control.
That's all I'm saying: The DM can't be completely flexible all the time. Sometimes there's a story, and magic items that go with it. A player can't expect the DM to bend for every character build the party might throw at him.
I currently play with a DM who used to have a bad habit of linking old parties together with new ones, by explaining that the new party is actually a reincarnation of an old party. That was an amusing concept through a couple campaigns... but after a while it got old. His campaigns lost credibility. I chaffed at that, and started switching characters mid-campaign, with a backstory that specifically mentions he had no prior affliations to any other party (reincarnated souls or otherwise). Just goes to show that some DMs can do too many backflips to accommodate a player, hitting a negative extreme in doing so.
The thing is, I want to play my character the way I want to play him, not play him as to how someone else thinks I should play him.
Then take the swords and sell them and buy a better spiked chain.
Well...
And countering the spiked chain fighter is easy. Use things that aren't medium-sized humanoids.
And the counter to that is to make sure your chain fighter is not a medium sized creature. The only chain fighter I ever made was a half-giant paladin/psychic warrior/kensei with the expansion ability. The chain would get to have a reach of 25' if I remember correctly.
I have some sympathy for the DM in this instance, but I would be very reluctant to regularly force a player to use a specific weapon that went directly against his character concept. I would either make the weapon fit the character or I would only require him to use it on very rare occasions.
The one time I made an intelligent weapon for a campaign the only character that used melee weapons had a very specific exotic weapon: the great hammer. I did not pick what type of weapon it was until after he had told me his character concept since I knew he would be attached to it. Sure there are probably not that many talking great hammers floating around, but why not since it made him happy and did not disrupt the plot at all.
Fair enough. But, at what point does it become contrived?
Around the time he says "Everything sucks but this 'magic' greatsword and only you can wield it!"?
Let the world get destroyed. As it burns, proudly exclaim to any who will listen, "And the gods didn't push me around! No Siree! Boy we sure did show them!"
Good luck.
Uh, no. He's perfectly happy with his spiked chain. The DM is saying that he *must* use this Plot Device Greatsword or the party will suffer.
And countering the spiked chain fighter is easy. Use things that aren't medium-sized humanoids.
oh, yes and using things that aren't medium sized humanoids and that are imune to the chain (can't be tripped etc) for each and every fight doesn't get suspicious in the least. Not to mention can also spoil the story if there are other creatures that are supposed to be there. (ie the story focuses around say Goblins)
If the sword is such a huge upgrade that you are pretty well forced to use it, then that is as much the PC's problem as it is the DMs. The DM is not obligated to make the world full of chain upgrades to your specialized weapon choice, so the player has to do his part in securing upgrades, that is buying them or having them made for him. He can't rely on random treasure tables to upkeep his specific weapons.
RPJesus
Around the time he says "Everything sucks but this 'magic' greatsword and only you can wield it!"?
Since he hasn't mentioned any special properties of this sword (such as all the enemies being immune to all other damage from other melee weapons, I persume the reason why the Entire Party wants him to use the sword is because his Chain weapon is hopelessly outdated. If this is the case, then the DM isn't at fault because the player neglected to secure proper upgrades for his weapon.
Really if he is still using a Master Worked chain from level 5 at level 15, then the DM is hardly at fault if this sword turns out to be so significant an upgrade that his chain sucks in comparison.
Since he hasn't mentioned any special properties of this sword
Anyways, we find this greatsword that apparently has "special plot power", and since I'm the only one in the party that can use it, everyone expects me to ditch my spiked chain for this greatsword.
Really if he is still using a Master Worked chain from level 5 at level 15, then the DM is hardly at fault if this sword turns out to be so significant an upgrade that his chain sucks in comparison.
To borrow one of my favorite quotes "I don't care how unoptimized I am, I look cool."
To borrow one of my favorite quotes "I don't care how unoptimized I am, I look cool."
The very next time I play my half-elf paragon 3/human paragon 3/warlock 3/mindbender 1/evangelist 1, I'm going to use that line!
oh, yes and using things that aren't medium sized humanoids and that are imune to the chain (can't be tripped etc) for each and every fight doesn't get suspicious in the least. Not to mention can also spoil the story if there are other creatures that are supposed to be there. (ie the story focuses around say Goblins)
Did I say each and every fight? NO. PAY ATTENTION.
If the sword is such a huge upgrade that you are pretty well forced to use it, then that is as much the PC's problem as it is the DMs. The DM is not obligated to make the world full of chain upgrades to your specialized weapon choice, so the player has to do his part in securing upgrades, that is buying them or having them made for him. He can't rely on random treasure tables to upkeep his specific weapons.
He's not asking for a spiked chain upgrade. He's asking for the DM to not hose the party because he doesn't want to use the DM's Deus Ex Machina. Are you even READING this thread?