D&D 5E Sidelining Players- the Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Poll

[Demetrios1453]

Aye. But from what I've seen some posters say in the past, there seem to be tables that frown on out of character talk, where a sidelined player providing commentary would be seen as disruptive. Indeed, I recall someone (Though I haven't a clue who) saying a player speaking up when his character's not in the spotlight would be bad form.

Well, I can see why someone who would play at such a table might find having their character sidelined to be a major detriment. As for myself, I wouldn't just find it detrimental, I would be looking for another table at that point. Commentary from a sidelined player, as long as it doesn't take the spotlight away from the activities of the still-present characters and their players, shouldn't been seen as a detriment, but simply a fun part of the game...

 

[Lanefan]

Well, I can see why someone who would play at such a table might find having their character sidelined to be a major detriment. As for myself, I wouldn't just find it detrimental, I would be looking for another table at that point. Commentary from a sidelined player, as long as it doesn't take the spotlight away from the activities of the still-present characters and their players, shouldn't been seen as a detriment, but simply a fun part of the game...

Kibbitzing and joking around are fine (within reason), as long as it doesn't cross the line into metagame suggestions and ideas for what said active characters should be doing; as all this does is interfere with the ongoing game.

 

[Sadras]

So my complaint wasn't "I couldn't survive the trap" or "I was too weak" because multi games later when his Archmage NPC freed me I had gotten a Dwarven Fighter/CLeric up to like 4/5 or 5/4 and still choose my mage over him as my main PC (I had to next session start a new PC with no xp)

You had to start at 1st level again?
Did you never ask him what did he expect you to do after being trapped there until his NPC got the spotlight again?

 

[Sadras]

This discussion reminds me of a quote from someones significant other observing that 'DnD is 30 minutes of fun packed into 4 hours'

That is a brilliant definition of what sometimes I feel happens at our table, where the jesting gets out of control, that's why we usually play longer to at least squeeze in an hour of D&D

 

[S'mon]

I have a hard time believing that 60% of the folks answering the poll would be a-ok sidelining a player, possibly for hours.

I feel it's an undesirable thing to happen, but intervening to stop it happening may have worse long term consequences.

We could do with a different thread on GM best practice when PCs are taken out of play.

 

[Teemu]

I feel it's an undesirable thing to happen, but intervening to stop it happening may have worse long term consequences.

We could do with a different thread on GM best practice when PCs are taken out of play.

But wouldn't you say that most DMs would then try to let the player participate in other ways -- not force them to spectate?

From this thread, I've gotten the impression that even those who favor the "all bets are off, bad things can happen" side would tend to allow other forms of participation, whether that be taking over NPCs, monsters, or just flat-out creating a temporary PC -- or maybe helping the DM or the players in some other capacity. And that would seem to be option #2 in the poll, but the whole thing is ambiguously and badly worded.

 

[S'mon]

But wouldn't you say that most DMs would then try to let the player participate in other ways -- not force them to spectate?

From this thread, I've gotten the impression that even those who favor the "all bets are off, bad things can happen" side would tend to allow other forms of participation, whether that be taking over NPCs, monsters, or just flat-out creating a temporary PC -- or maybe helping the DM or the players in some other capacity.

I think that's best practice. But as GM I can't always think of stuff for players to do, I'm probably very busy running the fight etc. It helps if players make suggestions of ways to participate.

 

[Sadras]

I think that's best practice. But as GM I can't always think of stuff for players to do, I'm probably very busy running the fight etc. It helps if players make suggestions of ways to participate.

Usually I'm always hosting and providing the grub with the players responsible for getting drinks and snacks (our sessions are long 6-8 hours), so besides in-game participation there is always the - making coffee or getting drinks for everyone to prepping the food for when we break which assists in 'killing the time' and latter activity relieves me of having to do it later.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

You had to start at 1st level again?
Did you never ask him what did he expect you to do after being trapped there until his NPC got the spotlight again?

yes his rule since he started and still today is "If you need a new PC for any reason you come in with 0xp and no magic items" it gets worse since he isn't that creative really he almost always puts the character in chains captured as part of an encounter mid dungeon...so you start with no equipment. Over the years my own games and a few of my friends have picked up new players because people loose a PC in his game, and the player wont come into a level X game as level 1...

the funniest thing is somehow he is almost more likely then any of us to find new players. He always has 3+ new players even now...but his games also have more turn over then any other game I have ever seen.


and yes, he is very clear on what he expected me to do (not just me, but anyone in that postion)... Sit and only interact with other players who are not playing, and even then we shouldn't discuss the game. One of his 'metagaming' rules is if he thinks you get help out of game (even inbetween weeks), or if he thinks you looked up an adventure, or monster manual, then everyone gets 1/2xp for that encounter.... yes the whole party is penilized for 1 person.


Edit: I believe the only player who was playing in 98 who still played with the DM when 3.5 came out was the woman he married about that time... and the only player who still plays today who was playing when 4e came out is still his wife, like I said high turn over rate, I don't think he has ever in his life ended a campaign with all the players still playing that started

 

[Sadras]

yes his rule since he started and still today is "If you need a new PC for any reason you come in with 0xp and no magic items" it gets worse since he isn't that creative really he almost always puts the character in chains captured as part of an encounter mid dungeon...so you start with no equipment.

(snip)

and yes, he is very clear on what he expected me to do (not just me, but anyone in that postion)... Sit and only interact with other players who are not playing, and even then we shouldn't discuss the game. One of his 'metagaming' rules is if he thinks you get help out of game (even inbetween weeks), or if he thinks you looked up an adventure, or monster manual, then everyone gets 1/2xp for that encounter.... yes the whole party is penilized for 1 person.

It's just not cricket!