Players that dont fit in a group

[Stormonu]

One other technique I've seen when one (or more than one) player is dictating the actions of another is to rule that any time you want to suggest of course of action to another player, you have to do it in-character. It's harder for someone to backseat drive when they have to do it in a way that their character can actually do, especially if their character isn't next to the "controlled" character and doesn't know all of the capabilities of the other PC.

Especially if it takes their character's action to perform said "backseat driving".

 

[Dice4Hire]

Especially if it takes their character's action to perform said "backseat driving".

Yeah, I only let me players make 'suggestions' in their own turn with a minor action. It helps cut down on this kind of thing, or second-guessing, which annoys me also.

 

[korjik]

I would institute a rule where anyone tried to tell the young guy what to do, they would get a hammer to the face.

Out of character



Seriously tho, Hector, it seems like the kid is the most mature player you have. I would start having a rule where if anyone told another player what to do, they would lose their next turn. The adults in your party need to start being adults, instead of driving someone out of gaming cause they are overgrown teenage morons.

 

[Hector_mayagoitia]

Thanks for the advice guys, i knew i could count on enworld

I'll try and talk with my young player to speed his turns, and posibly eliminate some of his shyness and dependence on the others, i'll rearrange sitting places so his brother is not next to him.

And of course i'll make a new rule to always consider "backseat driving" as in-character and apply a -2 AC distraction penalty for focusing in another character's actions, and give in game advantage to the enemies when aplicable. (i considered the "lose your turn" aproach but i don't want complete silence).

I will also talk to everyone and see if i can make them change that image they have about him.

But .... this are some stubborn overgrown teenage morons i call friends. And if his inclusion still causes trouble with everyone else i'll have to let go of a genuinely good player, and i dont want to ruin gaming for the kid, what should be my plan B?

 

[Zhaleskra]

Ask your other players how they think their actions make the younger feel. Chances are he doesn't like the rest of the group implying things about his intelligence.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Keep the good player; let the morons run their own game.

It'll give you a chance to play.

RC

 

[pawsplay]

But .... this are some stubborn overgrown teenage morons i call friends. And if his inclusion still causes trouble with everyone else i'll have to let go of a genuinely good player, and i dont want to ruin gaming for the kid, what should be my plan B?

Assess whether your friends are ACTING like friends in this situation.

 

[redboxrazor]

If, as you say, the younger player is attentive, social, and reliable, why isn't he considered one of your friends, as well? Is it because of his age? If so, wouldn't that also imply that you don't see him as an equal, either?

If you do consider him a friend, then please think about how awful it would be to remove him from the group because of the shortcomings of your other friends. That's about as unfair as it gets.

I would do as others have suggested, and speak to the group about it as a whole.

 

[El Mahdi]

Try this: Everytime one of the players makes a decision for the kids character, or tells him what to do, give the kids character, and only the kids character, bonus XP. When the kids character starts to exceed all of the other characters in levels, maybe they'll stop telling the kid what to do...

Serously though, just have the kid sit closer to you at the table (away from his brother), so that it's easier for you to answer his questions more directly. And when one of the other players at the table starts saying something like "...what you should do is...", or "...let me see your character sheet", or "...don't do that, that's a bad idea" - immediately interject yourself and say "Unh Unh! Let him make his own decisions. If he has a question he can ask me." Try that for a few sessions and see if they start changing their approach to the kid playing. Just remember though, when adjudicating his actions, that he is only twelve. Try not to punish him or the group for less than optimal decisions or action.

 

[S'mon]

I would (and have, in similar circumstances) come down hard on the older brother and other players when they're being dicks. Their behaviour is not acceptable in any group, and is the kind of thing which makes me quite angry.