The harder, the better - dm

[Bran Mak Morn]

Next time I'll find a player trying to sneak the rules in order to get some pathetic advantage over monsters, other players, the environment and/or the setting, I'll do the following in the following order:

1. Ban that player from my games. IF NOT POSSIBLE (he's a friend? he owns the house? His GF is amazingly cute?), THEN 2
2. Give the other players outrages bonuses he will never have, therefore reducing any advantage he may obtain. IF NOT POSSIBLE (unbalancing ther game?), THEN 3.
3.Kill his player in the fastest way, with monsters and traps patently ataccking him way more than other players. He'll know the reason why, and even if he complains (he will), you will know you're right, letting him know that notwithstanding the incredible combos he may aschieve bending the rules at his disposal, you will always have much more power. It is like showing Frodo what a Gandalf with the Ring would be able to do (evily) because the young hobbit thinks using the Ring from time to time is not a big deal...

 

[Baumi]

How about a more mature way ... just talk with the player first?

 

[Midknightsun]

Sounds like your venting. I can certainly understand your frustration, but Baumi's right-- talk first. If the player isn't receptive to that, then maybe its time to find another player, or another group if the other players agree with him.

Getting medieval on their character only results in even more hard feelings.

 

[Oompa]

Next time I'll find a player trying to sneak the rules in order to get some pathetic advantage over monsters, other players, the environment and/or the setting, I'll do the following in the following order:

1. Ban that player from my games. IF NOT POSSIBLE (he's a friend? he owns the house? His GF is amazingly cute?), THEN 2
2. Give the other players outrages bonuses he will never have, therefore reducing any advantage he may obtain. IF NOT POSSIBLE (unbalancing ther game?), THEN 3.
3.Kill his player in the fastest way, with monsters and traps patently ataccking him way more than other players. He'll know the reason why, and even if he complains (he will), you will know you're right, letting him know that notwithstanding the incredible combos he may aschieve bending the rules at his disposal, you will always have much more power. It is like showing Frodo what a Gandalf with the Ring would be able to do (evily) because the young hobbit thinks using the Ring from time to time is not a big deal...

What is the situation, cause maybe used the rules as intented and he outsmarted you..

 

[Particle_Man]

Um....you mean kill his character, right?

 

[Blue]

What do you mean "sneak the rules"? We've had some pretty awesome combos come up in play. If they are "too good", we usually talk about them after the game. Usually it ends up with players avoiding that combo voluntarily, occasionally it ends up with a house rule.

If you've got a player intentionally trying make game-breaking combos, talk to them. Let them know that that's not the type of game you're running, and that it takes fun from other players.

I'm sure there are times when it could end up with ejection from that game, but that's a last response.

Cheers,
=Blue(23)

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

meh.

 

[Tale]

I much prefer just finding some way to abuse the rule or decision against them. If a player tries to abuse the system in a way that can make the game not fun for others, then it's only fair that the DM gets to do the same to him.

Though, yeah, talking to the player first might be the better idea. I guess. Humpf.

 

[gizmo33]

He'll know the reason why, and even if he complains (he will), you will know you're right, letting him know that notwithstanding the incredible combos he may aschieve bending the rules at his disposal, you will always have much more power. It is like showing Frodo what a Gandalf with the Ring would be able to do (evily) because the young hobbit thinks using the Ring from time to time is not a big deal...

I think you should have added a "mwa-ha-ha-ha!" at the end of this.

And I think Gandalf was actually trying to make *another* point other than how powerful he was to Frodo. In fact, I think he was actually trying to explain to Frodo why Frodo had to go through the adventure and why DM-PCs aren't allowed to be the primary character. He just had to turn giant-sized because some people aren't good listeners.

And yes, I think it's important to recognize that the DM does hold all of the cards - imagine that, the guy running the game has the "power"? Then maybe spend some of the time you would spend thinking about his GF and focus on trying to fix the hole in the rules that seems to be causing the problem. You might be able to get good advice on this board by posting the specifics.

 

[Bran Mak Morn]

Hi there,

obviously it is possible to speak with the player and YES it is the first thing to do. MAYBE.

I've been at the 4th Edition launch in Italy and there I've met some of the (archetype) players I'm referring to. People who cast Eldritch Blast on every sinlge statue, furniture and corridor they see just to be sure they'll not lose some hp in the way, who ask the DM: "When does an encounter finish?" "Well, let's say if there's at least 1 non combat round" "Ok then, what if I stun all the monsters and then I wait one round? Do I get my encounter powers back?", who don't give a s+++t if they use a rule for a purpose that was obviously not forseen by the Manual and that give some kind of odd result, perfectly consistent with the rules but not with reality. Yes I'm talking about the twin bastard swords and the ranger. The ranger? he shouldn't even know what a bastard sword is!

Anyway, don't want to bother you guys, but as long as I agree that the DM stuff is to keep things funny and enjoying, the LONG preparation, the efforts, the study beyond the 5 hours session should be repaid by players too.