A problem player


GM Discussion

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Sovereign Court 5/5

There is a regular at one of the local PFS venues who has become a problem. Some of the issues this person has ...

1) This person often interrupts others, including the GM (usually me).
2) Everything has to be about him, I.E. if someone makes a knowledge check, he has to make the check too. He sulks if he doesn't feel like the most important person in a combat.
3) He "mysteriously" gets over 20 on his initiative check on a highly regular basis. (anecdotal, I know)

I had hoped to nip this thing in the bud a few weeks ago by sending a very politely worded e-mail to him pointing out that interrupting is rude and that he needs to give every player their fair chance. I got a verbal apology but no change in behavior. At this point in time other players are dropping slots he signs up in, or at the very least switching tables. Some of the players that remain openly mock him.

I'm at a bit of a loss on how to address this, if it were a "normal" person I'd simply point out that people are avoiding him and he needs to shape up or ship out, but I strongly suspect this person to be somewhere on the Asperger's scale (besides the other issues, he's exceptionally clumsy and shows very limited coping behavior to negative feedback).

Does the good of the many outweigh the good of the few ... or the one? How do I handle this?

Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/5

Do you have a local VC or VL that's aware of the situation?

Maybe give him a final warning: make it clear that you've not seen any real change since your last warning, and that he needs to adjust his behaviour in the areas mentioned, or be uninvited from the PFS tables at the venue. I understand that if he has a diagnosed medical condition this makes things more difficult, but it sounds like it's seriously impacting the long-term health of your sessions.

5/5

It's better to talk to the local gamday coordinator and let them tactfully deal with it... if that is you ..

Talk to the guy ... there could be underlying causes and he may just need a trigger to calm him down. Once the coordinator or you know that trigger then he can settle in and play.

He may not have an underlying issue and not realize that his actions are disruptive ... talking to him saying hey ya know when you do X it's really hard for people to concentrate ... and he can stop ... or make the choice to leave the gameday himself.

Sczarni 4/5

Hello fellow GM,

To be honest, neither of those things really qualify for someone to be very problematic. Players tend to interrupt GMs sometimes and pretty much everyone loves to be in the center of attention, but if you are making a post about it, it must be more severe case.

The fact that he apologized probably means that he is aware of issues but is either lazy or can't solve them anyway. We had a player in early days who had similar behavior. He is really sweet and good guy, but at gaming table he was something different. I guess you could say that he was "I have to Win" person.

It's hard to say really, but you and other GM's (and VC) should know best how problematic he is. He has to be given a face to face conversation and he needs to clearly understand that he is creating problems. If his behavior persists, do what you think you must.

The good of many outweigh the good of few, at least in PFS. You could be losing some valuable good players just for a chance of shaping up one player. I would personally love if we could all get along and would personally love to help the player out, but GM's have already limited time in PFS and we aren't made to correct people's social behavior.

That's about what I think at the moment,

Adam

Dark Archive 4/5

I have personally GMed for, and played with this person, GMing for them is quite a challenge, as he does try to monopolize the GM's time, as well as taking every chance possible to argue with the GM. When I brought this up to him, he proudly told me that he argues with every GM and seemed surprised when I told him that this was not a good thing, and I did not appreciate it. This failed to change his behaviour as well.

As a player, he tends to wheedle on the one thing that really sets me off, as he is constantly trying to play everyone else's character, even at tables his isn't actually playing at. I mentioned a spell my Witch was thinking about casting, and he immediately looked it up in a rulebook, and tried to tell me I couldn't do it, and what I was "supposed" to be doing. Needless to say, I activated Rage as a swift action, and told him in no uncertain terms that he would not be playing my character and since he wasn't even playing at this table, he needed to be quiet and let us finish our game. He was very contrite afterwards and apologized, after which I told him it was ok, but he was not to do that again, but I'm 99% certain that it'll happen again.

I've talked to a few players from the store he frequents, and many have said they will not play with him for any reason, and since there are quite a few game stores in the area, that could hurt. We have a really good group of people at these sessions, so I'd hate to see the game days damaged by a player who won't correct his errors.

5/5

Ahh ...

See with more description, this sounds (to me at least) like the typicial problem player that needs the attention ..

Playing others characters: If the players don't feel comfortable saying anything, then it falls to the GM to remind him that the player is capable of playing their own character and that he needs to let them.

Arguing with the GM: I personally try to never let it get to far.. but I've found a good shut down is : This is my interpretation of the ruling and in the interest of moving gameplay this is how I'm going to rule. If there is an issue the coordinator is over there (point to coordinator), feel free to discuss it with him and myself after the game. But for now we are going to move on. If he continues then simply ask him to leave the table if he can't move on.

Double gaming: When he's butting into a table he's not on, the GM of that table should simply ask if he would like to sit down and join the game, when he says no because he's involved in another game, the GM could just simply state that then the player should go back to his table and leave these players alone.

Sczarni 4/5

I must admit also that I hate if other people distract my players at session and I typically shove them away, but I believe that every GM hates that.

In either case, like PFCBG (gosh you have a long nick) said, if he continues then simply ask him to leave the table. He might change attitude after that.

Adam

1/5

Paz wrote:
Maybe give him a final warning: make it clear that you've not seen any real change since your last warning, and that he needs to adjust his behaviour in the areas mentioned, or be uninvited from the PFS tables at the venue. I understand that if he has a diagnosed medical condition this makes things more difficult, but it sounds like it's seriously impacting the long-term health of your sessions.

Agreed. It sounds like the player is either hard of learning, or lacks the ability to restrain himself (based on the apology which Dresden10589 describes, I lean towards the latter). In either case, it does seem like it's time to let him know that he has to change, or he will no longer be welcome.

4/5 *

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Set a firm expectation of what is not acceptable so there is no wiggle-room or grey area.

Also, if he tells everyone else what to do, when it's his turn in the initiative, inform him that he spent a full-round action directing the battle, and so can only do a 5-foot-step and a free action now.

I'm not a fan of banning people, but one person like this can often give tacit permission for other borderline behaviours to come out of other people as well. You don't want to have this going on for too long.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

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Handling situations like this take finesse, patience, and compassion.

Things that I have found helpful are:
- Setting a frame before the game even begins about what is acceptable and what is not. Once you get agreement to things before the game it is much easier when you are in the game to direct people back to this original agreement and move on. An example would be if you before the game starts say "We have a limited time to get through this game and in light of that I will not debate rules at the table unless it is going to get you killed or destroy your stuff. You are welcome to talk to me about things after the game. In the game I will make a call and we will move on. Is anyone not okay with that?" (The last part being the piece where you get implicit buyin).

- Not allowing a player who wants to hog the spotlight to have more spotlight time than anyone else. It is a learned skill to acknowledge the spotlight hog, gently shut them down, and return focus to another player.

- If your problem person is a valued member of your community, you absolutely have to have a face-to-face talk with them in private about what is happening, why it is a problem, what might be the future outcome if they don't change, and see if they really want to change.

- Sometimes you have to "scrape the barnacles off your boat". If the problem person is not a contributing member of your community, and if they are driving people out of your community or causing other problems, and they are not willing or able to change then I would suggest inviting them to have their fun elsewhere. This is a final option when you have done the legwork to insure that they know there is an issue that they need to deal with.

The trick in all of this is to stay compassionate and kind in all interactions. With practice this gets easier.

Best of luck in defusing this issue.

3/5

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I have had a problem player that was very similar, add in the fact he is physical with players sometimes too.

I just said everytime I caught him being a jerk. If you do X one more time at my table you will never be welcome at it again.

He tried the "you can not stop me from coming to a public event" and my answer was I do not care. I just will not DM if you force yourself on us.

For minor offense I shut down people right away and am assetive about it. A polite but firm wait your turn, let him play his character, you are at that table, and such usually shuts them down.

Now a bully will keep pushing at you, but if you are assertive and firm they usually give up. If not that is when I take things further.

What it comes down to is someone wrecking someone elses fun because of their own issues it is unacceptable.

1/5

Finlanderboy wrote:
He tried the "you can not stop me from coming to a public event"

This is a commonly-held belief (probably especially among the "problem children" of our community), but it's nearly never actually true. "Public event" =/= "you absolutely must admit everyone, without exception".

Even if you, personally, are only the GM, you should be able to escalate the issue to the event organizer, or the owner / manager of the location where your event is being held. If you have a disruptive or abusive player who can't (or won't) control himself / herself, the organizer or the location owner are well within their rights to ban said player from further participation. (Probably the only exception to this would be if that player is buddies with the organizer or owner, and that person is willing to let their buddy's behavior slide.)

It's no different from running a business. At least in the U.S., as long as you aren't turning someone away from your business because of their membership in a "protected class" (such as age, sex, or race), you have the right to choose to not do business with someone. At least the last time I looked, "abusive jerk" is not a protected class.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

I am hoping that one day the "abusive jerk" will become an endangered species.

Also it is good to remember that we choose to play and judge and we can always choose to go have our fun elsewhere.

Sovereign Court 5/5

Mike Mistele wrote:
Even if you, personally, are only the GM, you should be able to escalate the issue to the event organizer, or the owner / manager of the location where your event is being held. If you have a disruptive or abusive player who can't (or won't) control himself / herself, the organizer or the location owner are well within their rights to ban said player from further participation. (Probably the only exception to this would be if that player is buddies with the organizer or owner, and that person is willing to let their buddy's behavior slide.)

I'm the event organizer as well. >.>

Dark Archive 2/5

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

Sounds like the person the OP is talking about is not one of the above individuals. That is the sort of thing that requires a firm but polite hand; if that approach fails, contacting a coordinator or venture officer is all but required for the sake of others that may want to be at that table. The fact that the banhammer feels so heavy in someone's hand means they are qualified to use it. It's when the thing becomes easy to wield that you should probably stop running PFS for a while.

Edit: ... And evidently the OP is also the coordinator. Well man, guess that means you need to escalate it to a venture officer.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

The Beard wrote:

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

snippage and emphasis, mine.

What should we call these fine folks? Glory hogs? meMeME'ers?

5/5 5/55/55/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

snippage and emphasis, mine.

What should we call these fine folks? Glory hogs? meMeME'ers?

Moderately optimized.

Sovereign Court

We've had a couple at our local lodge. Some have shaped up (one quickly shaped up when he tried his hand at GMing and saw it from the other side of the screen ... which may work for this player as a lot of the behavior issues you describe are similar to what he was doing), others have left. We've not had to level the banhammer as yet to anyone (though the temptation has been present).

Best option: as others have said, talk with the problem player. Let them know that their behavior is causing issues and the behavior issue needs to be rectified immediately. If the problem player has a medical issue that is causing the behavior issue, that is trickier, but it's still possible to deal with the behavior issue in most instances.

One thing I would recommend you put a kibosh on immediately is the mocking from other players at the table towards the problem player. If you want him to shape up, you cannot have others behaving in such a fashion towards him. It is hypocritical at best and can be a basis for arguing that any ban or other punishment is selective retribution rather than upholding a standard of behavior. Tell everyone to take the high road.

4/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.

If you honestly think he's willing to change but doesn't know how, you can try "training" him out of his bad habits. Some examples:

When he interrupts, calmly tell him that this is not his turn to speak and you will tell him when it's his turn. Then, when you finish the interaction, turn to him and say, "Now, it's your turn: what do you want to say/do?" And do that each and every time. If he's actually trying, you can probably get the reminder down to just a look or holding up a hand in less than two sessions.

If he gets distracted, simply tell him you can't continue until he pays attention. If he is he talking to someone at another table, tell him "Please focus on this game. If you don't want to focus on this game, please leave."

Give the other players a standard phrase to use for when they feel he's taking over their characters, something like, "Excuse me, but I would like to run my character my way."

All of these kinds of interactions have to be clear and straightforward: assume he's not capable of picking up on subtle clues (since he hasn't picked up on them yet), and just explicitly, politely tell him what the problem is and what you want him to do. Don't make it judgmental or confrontational, just casual, consistent, and calm.

Essentially what you're doing is treating him like the age he's acting, not the age you want him to be. We have a bad cultural image of "treating someone like a kid" that usually involves bullying and spanking and such. But child psychology says that there are certain behaviors that are common in kids at specific ages, and parents and teachers need techniques to show kids that these behaviors are not acceptable without freaking out and beating them. Use some of those techniques. (And consider taking a 5 minute break if his behavior degrades though the session: recess was invented for a reason.)

Above all else, be fair: if he's not the only one interrupting, call out the other players, also. It may well be that he interrupts the most, but you're trying to address the act of interrupting itself. If you come down on him for a behavior but let someone else get away with it, you're just going to confuse him, or even piss him off if he thinks you're playing favorites.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

snippage and emphasis, mine.

What should we call these fine folks? Glory hogs? meMeME'ers?
Moderately optimized.

Is that a very subtle jab at these types of folks or a not-quite-so-subtle endorsement of their play style?

5/5 5/55/55/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
talbanus wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

snippage and emphasis, mine.

What should we call these fine folks? Glory hogs? meMeME'ers?
Moderately optimized.
Is that a very subtle jab at these types of folks or a not-quite-so-subtle endorsement of their play style?

Yes

:)

Liberty's Edge 3/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
talbanus wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:

The abusive jerk is already an endangered species. There are just a lot of people that get accused of being one when in reality they're only playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act.

snippage and emphasis, mine.

What should we call these fine folks? Glory hogs? meMeME'ers?
Moderately optimized.
Is that a very subtle jab at these types of folks or a not-quite-so-subtle endorsement of their play style?

Yes

:)

1.) Sadly, in my experience, your subtlety would be lost on most of these fine human beings.

2.) Please don't feed the animals?

Dark Archive 2/5

Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

No comment.

(I kid, I kid.)

Liberty's Edge 3/5

The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

If your optimization does NOT lead to playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act. , then cool. If it does, then my original question remains. /end highjack

EDiTED: to fix quote / new post separation

Dark Archive 2/5

talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

If your optimization does NOT lead to playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act. , then cool. If it does, then my original question remains. /end highjack

EDiTED: to fix quote / new post separation

... Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

The Beard wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

If your optimization does NOT lead to playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act. , then cool. If it does, then my original question remains. /end highjack

EDiTED: to fix quote / new post separation

... Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Sometimes?

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Netopalis wrote:
The Beard wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

If your optimization does NOT lead to playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act. , then cool. If it does, then my original question remains. /end highjack

EDiTED: to fix quote / new post separation

... Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*
Sometimes?

Hey, it's okay. My Magus occasionally rolls a 1. You might get a turn.

Grand Lodge 4/5

I think the general consensus here is that the behavior should be addressed in person privately, which i absolutely agree with.

In my experience with similar issues is if the behavior continues after several warnings and then a final warning (explaining that they stand to be banned/suspended from future play at your events), then the player should be banned or suspended from participation in future events. I have had to resort to this in the past and on those rare occasions a 2 or 3 event suspension has made a significant difference.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Beard, Morph,

I don't really want to start a whole new thread/discussion about what I perceive is a different type of problem (read: anti-social) behavior, but at the risk of that, I ask you:

HOW IS:

Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Hey, it's okay. My Magus occasionally rolls a 1. You might get a turn.

FUN FOR THE REST OF THE TABLE?

P.S.: (If you're playing PFS with same group of like-minded individuals all the time, disregard my question).

5/5

talbanus wrote:

Beard, Morph,

I don't really want to start a whole new thread/discussion about what I perceive is a different type of problem (read: anti-social) behavior, but at the risk of that, I ask you:

HOW IS:

Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Hey, it's okay. My Magus occasionally rolls a 1. You might get a turn.

FUN FOR THE REST OF THE TABLE?

P.S.: (If you're playing PFS with same group of like-minded individuals all the time, disregard my question).

I think for the most part take some of that with a grain of sand ... I've noticed that attitudes and actions are a LOT bigger online.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
talbanus wrote:

Beard, Morph,

I don't really want to start a whole new thread/discussion about what I perceive is a different type of problem (read: anti-social) behavior, but at the risk of that, I ask you:

HOW IS:

Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Hey, it's okay. My Magus occasionally rolls a 1. You might get a turn.

FUN FOR THE REST OF THE TABLE?

P.S.: (If you're playing PFS with same group of like-minded individuals all the time, disregard my question).

I think for the most part take some of that with a grain of sand ... I've noticed that attitudes and actions are a LOT bigger online.

PFCGB,

Are you saying they wouldn't dare tell me I have 'a case of the Monday's' to my face?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guv5LUT1AFw

:-p

5/5

talbanus wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
talbanus wrote:

Beard, Morph,

I don't really want to start a whole new thread/discussion about what I perceive is a different type of problem (read: anti-social) behavior, but at the risk of that, I ask you:

HOW IS:

Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*

Hey, it's okay. My Magus occasionally rolls a 1. You might get a turn.

FUN FOR THE REST OF THE TABLE?

P.S.: (If you're playing PFS with same group of like-minded individuals all the time, disregard my question).

I think for the most part take some of that with a grain of sand ... I've noticed that attitudes and actions are a LOT bigger online.

PFCGB,

Are you saying they wouldn't dare tell me I have 'a case of the Monday's' to my face?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guv5LUT1AFw

:-p

Lol ..

all I'm saying is that the vehemence behind what they post on the boards could in all honesty be joking between people that know each other (which is what is sounds like to me) or just talk for the boards.

And btw ... Netopalis might just kick your butt.. .just saying.. he's scarey

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

5/5

Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Dark Archive 2/5

Netopalis wrote:
The Beard wrote:
talbanus wrote:
The Beard wrote:
Whelp, if optimizing makes someone a jerk then I guess I better quit PFS. =P

If your optimization does NOT lead to playing an ungodly OP character that will A.) win initiative every time; and B.) probably end combat in the first round before anyone else gets to act. , then cool. If it does, then my original question remains. /end highjack

EDiTED: to fix quote / new post separation

... Well, boss fights do sometimes tend to end in the round that I get to act. *whistles innocently*
Sometimes?

Okay fine, maybe I was exaggerating a little. >_> The fights end if I don't roll a 1. But shhhhh.

But yeah, my attitude is the same on the boards that it is through other venues, sadly. :P I fully support optimization and in no way believe it makes someone a jerk. They should simply choose to dial it back sometimes, if like me, they had an experimental sorcerer build wind up with a +12 initiative and ludicrously powerful magic. It's all in knowing when to go, "I feel like using prestidigitation to make dog feces appear on the BBEG's head" instead of blowing them the eff up.

Anywho, back to the topic at hand. OP is definitely going to have to address this matter with a VC if the other listed approaches don't work. The person doesn't exactly sound like the sort that'll turn over a new leaf too easily anyway.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Fluffy CatBunnyGnome Goldilocks?

4/5

Sanctimonious powergaming derail:
The Beard wrote:
It's all in knowing when to go, "I feel like using prestidigitation to make dog feces appear on the BBEG's head" instead of blowing them the eff up.

I'm not sure whether you're just joking here, but a quick word on this. I have no problem with power gamers and power builds as long as they are willing to share the spotlight. But there's a difference between sharing the spotlight and patronizing your fellow players.

Intentionally wasting your turn with a non-action sends a message to everyone else at the table: "this is all beneath me. I'll let you people deal with it and bail you out if you get in over your head."

Maybe drop a Haste to give your melee friends some help. Or Arcane Concordance to give the other casters a boost. Or anything else that shows you're a team player engaged in the combat.

I'm all for having fun, but trivializing the danger around the rest of your party because you built a god is a bit condescending.

Dark Archive 2/5

redward wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

The Game:

Spoiler:
The people I play with do not find my actions to be condescending; my sorcerer also can't cast haste yet. It's hard to cast a spell you don't have. :P All my other characters are low initiative melee builds. Everyone usually gets to act before one of the enemies bites the dust.

Anyway, I can think of one more question regarding the OP's problem. Exactly what steps must be taken if the person is acting that way due to some kind of mental disorder--that is to say, their behavior is not what they want to be doing, but what they are force some reason compelled to do. That's a hard line to walk, I've noticed, and I do imagine I'll run across it as a DM one day. Seems to me like it's a lose-lose situation; if you do wind up having to give them the boot, ya look like a jackass. ... You will also look like a jackass if you don't give'em the boot. Sure, that's the kind of thing that should go to a VC, but the reporting party might wind up having to be the one to hand out the VC's decision on it I'd imagine. If not, you may still look like a jackass.

5/5

talbanus wrote:
Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Fluffy CatBunnyGnome Goldilocks?

All the other beds were toooooooooooooooooo hard

4/5

The Beard wrote:
redward wrote:
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
That was not meant to be an exhaustive list. If all you've got are encounter-ending options, you can always delay or ready an action.

And then pick up some non-encounter ending options at the next available opportunity.

3/5

Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Let me get this straight? You were scared a female was in your bed?

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
talbanus wrote:
Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Fluffy CatBunnyGnome Goldilocks?
All the other beds were toooooooooooooooooo hard

And somehow this response caused my mind to go to a dirty place. I am officially 'a bad person'. May I be written into a future scenario as a BBEG?

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Finlanderboy wrote:
Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Let me get this straight? You were scared a female was in your bed?

If he's married, engaged, or has a long time significant other of some type, he damn well better have been scared! Those are the types of happenings that get a guy dismembered!

Dark Archive 2/5

I don't think so. It sounds like the beginning of a lot of fine independent movies that are filmed in the San Fernando Valley.

5/5 5/55/55/5

Finlanderboy wrote:

Let me get this straight? You were scared a female was in your bed?

Definitely. Would mean I'd walked into an alternate universe.

5/5

talbanus wrote:
Finlanderboy wrote:
Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Let me get this straight? You were scared a female was in your bed?
If he's married, engaged, or has a long time significant other of some type, he damn well better have been scared! Those are the types of happenings that get a guy dismembered!

hehe ... nothing out of the ordinary happened.. and it was alll innocent

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

It's a long story. Basically, a roommate let her take a nap in there between sessions, and I didn't get the text. It was more that I was surprised there was *anybody* in my room when I got there.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
talbanus wrote:
Finlanderboy wrote:
Netopalis wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Netopalis wrote:

Heh, Beardy is one of my players. It's all joking between friends. :P

And I'm not scary. At least, not until the scenario gives me an elder lightning elemental. Then...well, let's just say that there were 4 BOL scrolls used and one Raise Dead spell used at the end of the scenario.

Hey you were scary waking me up from a nap at Gencon!!!!!!

No, YOU were the scary one! I walked into my hotel room and there was somebody I didn't know (or actually did, but didn't know who it was) asleep in my bed! I'd say that'd give anybody a start.

Let me get this straight? You were scared a female was in your bed?
If he's married, engaged, or has a long time significant other of some type, he damn well better have been scared! Those are the types of happenings that get a guy dismembered!
hehe ... nothing out of the ordinary happened.. and it was alll innocent

Yeah, so many of my ex's would have believed that coming from the mouth of 'the other woman'. XD

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