Bob Jonquet wrote:
Elvis Aron Manypockets wrote:
"because that's what a 7 Int character would do"
WARNING: I am not pulling punches...
[rant]
I absolutely detest this player comment (not directed at Mr. Manypockets) and any player that uses it to justify poor gameplay is, IMO, an absolute douche. Period. Over 30+ years of gaming, I have seen, time and time again, players create characters that are at odds with their companions and/or the majority of NPC's. Personality conflicts, opposing alignments, low-Int PC's routinely screwing the party with bad tactical decisions or jumping to combat and ruining role-playing, low-Cha characters that seem to go out of their way to sabotage any attempts at role-playing, the list goes on. I love balance in my RPG, and the VAST majority of players I have encountered are the same. If you only enjoy combat and don't like role-playing, then play something else. MMORPG and console games may be more your style. If you hate combat and only enjoy the role-playing, then read a book or play Diplomacy. PFS is a game of balance with player cooperation to overcome challenges at its heart. If you are not embracing that premise, then GO AWAY! Both you and the PFS community will be better for it.
It has been said before, but demands repeating, characters are not the problem, players are. *We* are in charge of the character, from creation to the grave. I am not saying you cannot create unique and memorable characters with flaws that can define their personality, but if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, well you know the rest. If you create a character who's actions routinely seem to be in conflict with your companions, NPC's, the environment, etc. and said "conflict" is distracting or straight out reducing the fun of the players at the table, STOP FRIGGIN' BUILDING THOSE CHARACTERS!!!!
[/rant]
Sorry for the derail
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
I would just make the low INT score character roll INT checks each and every time he wanted to do something stupid and derail the party. If a player wants to be a douche to the party then I feel everyone else has the option to be a douche to them.
Now in PFS if that was going on at a table I was GMing, after the first time I would tell the player that goes against the Cooperate rule, and not to continue doing it. If they keep doing it I would just ask them to leave the table. Luckily in my area I haven't run across any players like that in PFS.
