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Is a DM ever justified in the imposition of a double standard (concerning the prosecution of rules and materials available for character creation/development) on his players?
Specifically, if a player is a known (or historically has been known to be) a game breaker, is it preferable (both morally and philosophically) to simply ban a player (knowing they would have little or no chance of finding an alternate game in the area, due to both a dearth of players and the person's "foibles") or to impose a stricter ruleset upon him in order to ameliorate his less desirable traits?
Additionally, if allowing the player is the route to take, would it more appropriate to inform the player beforehand of his handicap, or to allow him to figure things out after he has joined the game (i.e., tell him up front he is a suspected cheater, or break the news to him after he has realized he is being treated differently (of course I understand that either way, the topic should be broached tactfully))?
Perhaps I'm overthinking this, but comments would be appreciated.
What sort of game breaking are you talking about?
I simply wouldn't play with a cheating player but that is also a matter of philosophy...I don't much care for powergaming so there is little to be won with cheating. So if someone insists on cheating, he/she just doesn't in the way that suits me.
I know some players who have rather disruptive ways of playing...somehow always managing to play really annoying characters. But as I am a big advocate for in-party conflicts those are welcome (if in moderation).
If someone insists on repeatedly creating anti-paladins who try to kill rest of the party (haven't come up but I've read reports of these players in Dragon...) I would start by having limitations on character creation but if still these mannerisms wouldn't go away either I would drop this gamer from the group or let the players do it (there was this one mini-campaign of three or four sessions where one character was unconscious almost all the time...every time he woke up it took about 15 minutes until some other character had beaten him up for something he did...).
Hmm, maybe this is why I tend to find those level recommendations in Dungeon adventures too high...our adventurer groups are never well-oiled killing machines working for maximum efficiency.
I wouldn't like to ban one player from using certain options while making those same options available to other players (or, conversely, allowing one player to use more options than others). In the case of new players, I strongly encourage them to stick with the basics, but if they're determined to do otherwise then that's their prerogative.
So, if you play in my games, you get all the same options as the other players.
However, I have no problem whatsoever in the DM using a fuller set of options than is available to the players. For example, I might run a "Core Rules Only" game, but reserve the right, as DM, to make use of whatever monsters, PrCs and other materials I feel are appropriate. (This is especially important when using pre-generated adventures, of course.) Naturally, if the PCs defeat an NPC who is making use of a non-standard item, then they get to keep and use that item. (If I'm not the DM, I have no problem with whoever is DM doing the same.)
There are many people I just can't game with, one of them being a very good friend of mine. Our game styles clash severely. I've told him that I can't game with him because it turns into a competetive game, instead of something that is a fun get-together with friends. Again...two different game styles.
If, as a DM, inviting someone to play in my game will make the game less fun for me, the person doesn't get an invite. If, as a player, playing in someone's game will be more of a chore than fun, even if it is the only game in town, I'll pass.
I game to have fun and socialize with friends. Other people game to win.
As for inviting them but imposing different rules on them than the other players, there you are really asking for trouble, especially if you don't tell them. Just tell them up front that you don't think their play-style would mesh well with the group.
I don't think a double standard is ever a good idea. He will figure it out, and will not be happy. A couple of years ago we had a guy in our group who was both a munchkin and a rules lawyer. I can remember nights when we'd spend half of our 4-5 hour game time paging through books to satisfy this player and make sure he got every single little plus this or plus that due his character...and the DM allowed it! Eventually, the rest of us had a discussion with the DM, and the disruptive player was asked to leave. I felt kind of bad about that because I don't think he was able to find another game to get into. But on the other hand, he was making game time a major bore for the other four players. It's a tough call. But the point of the game is to have fun, and if no one's having fun, something needs to change. Maybe you need to talk privately with the rest of the players and see what they think.
--Fang
It's not a double standard to simply deny a player the game if they're making it no fun for the other players. On the contrary. This is a game and anyone who makes it not fun if foiling the basic premise of the game. This isn't a double standard, it's a core premise of playing a game with a group.
Taking the intermediate solution of denying the player access to some options is more likely to just annoy people and not work. If you must to it, you should do it up front. Don't spring it on the player during the game, let him know in advance. And if you're going to accuse a player of cheating, have some evidence. But if a player finds cheating appealing, this has very little to do with which feats he selects from, or whatever other aspect of the game you're thinking of restricting for the player.
I completely agree with Baudot's post. I think your best bet is to bite the bullet (endure being the "bad guy") and simply inform the player that he/she is no longer welcome in your game. As DM you have somewhat of a responsibility to establish/maintain a comfortable and fun playing environment for all your players. One player should not be allowed to spoil things for everyone else (yourself included). Cheating would not be tolerated in my game, but, hey, that's just me!
My only suggestion is, whether you ultimately decide to keep this player or not, you should discuss it privately (and perferably one-on-one) with each of the other players in your group. Make sure they approve of your decision to evict this player or if they don't, find out what their suggestions are to how you should handle the situation.
If you ignore my advice and choose to keep the player in the game and instead impose stricter rules (which I agree with earlier posters, is not likely to fix this player's disruptive and unfair playing behavior), then at the very least be upfront and honest about it. Trust is the cornerstone to the whole DM - player relationship and sets the tone for the whole game; not just for you and the troublesome player but for you and the rest of your "good" players too.
Either way, I don't envy you your position. Courage, friend! Know that your actions are for the best for everyone involved (including the troublesome player who might just learn a valuable lesson!).
Specifically, if a player is a known (or historically has been known to be) a game breaker, is it preferable (both morally and philosophically) to simply ban a player (knowing they would have little or no chance of finding an alternate game in the area, due to both a dearth of players and the person's "foibles")... ?
Yeah... and... so what? If the only reason that you're considering keeping this person in your game is that they don't have another gaming opportunity.... boot 'em out!
It's not your responsibility to ensure that all players in your geographic region have a gaming opportunity. ESPECIALLY if the person's options are limited because of their own behavior. Tough love.
I have had a few really disruptive players over the years. In my current group, I have one player who has trouble getting along with my sister and brother-in-law when we play. So I stopped inviting this player when they are over. I play this game to relax and I don't want Drama at the gaming table.
I had another incident a couple of years ago with a player who was a huge pain in the ass. He was threatening other players, dominating the game and deliberatly working against the plot of the game for his own ends. after about a month of this (Four gaming sessions) One of the other players and I pulled him aside and told him to straighten up or get out. He quit playing shortly after.
My point is, that you aren't there to babysit some dunce who wants to mess with your game. If they can't find a game because of their own habbits, tough! If you want to let them play in your game, feel free to go over their character at the start of every game (Maybe even making notes on what the character can do and what their roles are.) Tell them up front that you have heard that they are known for cheating in the game and that you won't put up with that crap in your game. Don't hem and haw around the subject, be direct and be honest. that way if you do throw the person out, they can't act like it's a big surprise.
Act like adults. If you don't want them in the game, tell them to their face why you don't want them in. If you allow them to play with you, confront them directly about your misgivings and give everyone the same restrictions from the beginning. I think it causes more problems to leave something unsaid than to just face it head-on, handle the confrontation and move on with your game.
Hmm; we just have some basic rules at our table; such as game size meaning number of players; you gotta bath, roles not witness arent valid, gm character sheet is right - it is your responsibility to ensure the gm has a current copy of your character, no smoking, show up on time and call beforehand if your not going to be able to come; be polite and friendly. We havent really had to many problems; only double standard is nobody looks at the gm's dice in general and everyone expects that anyway. Negative behavior is not tolerated at all and if you creep out my wife; your gone.