So I guess I'm writing this partially to vent, partially to see what other people have done in this situation.
About half a year ago, I joined a table, for awhile it was actually really fun, our first campaign went off really great. However, our second campaign has been feeling very difficult for me, for a number of reasons, and now I'm basically just showing up because I feel obligated to. I can't even really pin down a distinct cause because, now that I think about it, there's a lot of issues.
I'll try to keep it down to a tl;dr version.
1. We got two new players who are off putting. One isn't so bad but has no concept of self control, he'll literally threaten to murder an NPC in the middle of a conversion without considering the social context. The other is much worse, is constantly making sex jokes and toilet humor (which was funny at first but is now extremely excessive) and his character is poorly built while usually doing nothing helpful in battle. Worse, the GM seems to reward his bad behavior (my character is dying, his character is literally waving his dick at the bad guy). When I complain about this guy not pulling his weight, I'm the bad guy.
2. The campaign hasn't been very engaging, I can't really connect with my character because we're leveling so fast (2 sessions per level) and we're splitting the party a lot too so we all have to wait for some people to do their thing while others wait. I find myself spending a lot of time on laptop just because I'm bored and I get tons of passive aggressive s*#+ from a third player for missing stuff, which just makes me care about the campaign even less.
(Part of the problem with that last bit is that the GM is really 3.5 and we're playing Pathfinder, so I am constantly confused when he does something that breaks Pathfinder rules. When I ask for clarity, the third player gives me s$@@ for "not listening" despite the fact I've explained constantly that no, I WAS listening, but the DM did something confusing).
3. The GM is splicing 3.5 and Pathfinder a ton and the rules are really confusing. Plus, he handwaves stuff all the time. His way of doing loot is also really frustrating because he only ever gives out custom things that have no price value and not a lot of gold, so building a character is hard. I think the worst thing is that the party introduced Fumble rules despite the fact I said I really hated fumble mechanics and they just decided to anyways.
I mean, at this point, I think quitting might just be for the best but I don't even know what to say. I guess I could just not show up but that feels like a dick move.
What would you do?
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Sounds like you're not enjoying playing with them and it's not a fixable situation. If I were you I'd leave and try to find another game.
As for how to leave, don't just not show up. Send the GM a IM or text and just let them know that the group play style is no longer fun for you and that you'll be leaving the group. That's a super low drama and cordial way to leave.
This is normally where I tell you to talk to the GM and other players, and figure out a solution. However, in this case, the issues boil down to personality differences. There isn't really much you can say that is going to make someone change their personality.
I think it sounds like you are ready to quit, but perhaps talking to the GM might help you get the same fun out of this campaign that you got out of the last campaign. Maybe he is thinking the same thing, and has the same issues with the new players as you do.
I would take a short break to make sure you are looking at things clearly, then talk to the GM. If you are not on the same page, it is probably best to respectfully bow out. Don't blame anyone, or set up an "unless this, I'm leaving" situation. Just figure out if you are all looking for a compatible experience, and if not, part ways on good terms.
From the tenor of your comments, you know what you want to do. I would advise you to excuse yourself politely, explaining that you just haven't been into the game as much lately and would prefer to do some other activities for a while.
There's no need to be negative or accusatory, but you might want to (privately) clarify your concerns with the gamemaster. Phrase things politely with him: "I'm not sure that my style meshes well with some of the other guys in the group. Since you seem to be having fun, I thought that I'd just bow out."
"I think we should adventure with other people."
From the tenor of your comments, you know what you want to do. I would advise you to excuse yourself politely, explaining that you just haven't been into the game as much lately and would prefer to do some other activities for a while.
Yeah I guess I just felt super bummed that I had a bunch of fun last campaign and this one is bombing so hard for me. I was considering trying to ride out the rest of the campaign, but last session was just particularly bad.
Thanks for the advice. It's a lot better idea than just letting myself vent on him and get angry about everything.
This is normally where I tell you to talk to the GM and other players, and figure out a solution. However, in this case, the issues boil down to personality differences. There isn't really much you can say that is going to make someone change their personality.
Yeah you're pretty much right. The two new players are just really grating on me and I can't really just ask the DM to boot two players on my account.
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I know what I'd do...
I've had the 3.5 DM thing and the not so much fumble rules as he would randomly add fumbles into the game for comedy value on any role below 5.
The former was particularly problematic as we were playing with 2 people who'd never played either system before and constantly got confused looking for spot on their character sheet and various other things.
The latter was just annoying and I called him on it, he apologized and then did it again, and again ... you get the gist.
In the end everyone in the group left because the GM was a control freak, this included anything from randomly screaming at people sitting next to him, for sitting next to him, because they were "reading monster stat blocks from behind the board". This was
A) after the guy had been sitting there for 2 hours
B) a guy who'd been playing for 2 sessions and couldn't read a stat block even if he wanted to.
to telling a guy not to show up to the campaign because he missed a week and didn't give the DM advanced warning. The player in question was suffering migraines and physically couldn't get out of bed or turn on anything electronic to communicate because of the screens lighting.
One of those players also played a character that threatened to murder people in-appropriately but I'm either very accepting of people playing disruptive characters (all adventurers are a little crazy right?) or was distracted by bigger issues at the time.
If you're not having fun, leave, if there is someone in the group you wanna stay friends with, try to. Id stayed friends with two of the people in that campaign.
Leave, yeah. The best answer is to leave and start your own game as GM, and show them how it can be done better IMO.
I would play the "I'm really busy right now, hopefully my schedule will open up later" card and then keep in contact with the GM and see if the next campaign is up your alley. It keeps things friendly and keeps your future options open. You had fun with the first campaign, so maybe you'll have fun with the third campaign.
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Drink up the GMs milk on your way out.
Yeah, leaving the table is your best option.
Showing up just because you feel like you have to is not a healthy gaming habit. You show up and play a game to have fun; when that game stops being fun, that's when it's time to stop playing it.
What you should be asking yourself is whether the game is no longer fun for you, and if you should either simply find another, more fun game, or just stop altogether.
I know what I'd do...Calmly express to them your hang ups in a reasonable manner?
Precisely. That is exactly what I'd d--HRRRRGGGHHH!!!!
Gotcha.
It may be that the GM changed his/her style of game for this particular campaign in order to make it more friendly for the two additional players? Sadly, it sounds like they did so without consulting with the original players (namely, you OP).
If you're truly miserable then you should politely remove yourself from the situation (original advice, no?). As someone previously mentioned, beg off for "too busy" reasons and keep in touch with the GM. It sounds like they can run games you like when they have the mind to do so. Good luck!
The last time I played 3.5, I played a reach cleric with Combat Reflexes, a Domain/Turning feat, and a Reserve Spell feat, and used pretty basic tactics to dominate the table. And I was super rusty at 3.5! I can't imagine what it would be like to have PF's number of feats, with 3.5's crazy variety of feat types. It was in a campaign where I didn't particularly like or respect the DM (he wasn't very bright, was kind of lazy, and over explained things) and they didn't have a lot of RAW rules knowledge (they used so many houserules they got really confused and just hand-waved a lot of stuff).