Need help; problem player

That Darn DM

First Post
Alright, I'm in a game and I love it. It's my first time playing legend of the 5 rings, and after much trouble. I found the type of character I am most suited for with a bit of trial and error. I'm what my DM calls a "Tier 2 character" which means I'm not the best in combat, but I am a big help in many roleplaying situations.

The problem is that we have a "Tier 1" character who is exceptional in combat. I don't mind not doing the most damage, but the guy who plays this character has become sort of a problem. He openly calls anyone who doesn't run into combat a coward and even gets so into the game he is rude to the players that run away from combat situations.

Now, I know that might seem odd, but for anyone who knows the system, these characters are Rank 1 Courtiers. They are not meant for combat. They are meant for the political aspect of the game.

Secondly, I play a Monk and wish to find peaceful resolution in every way we can, which is heavily smiled upon. The problem is the problem player has better reflexes and always gets first turn and always just attacks first without considering any other form of resolution.

Then he belittles everyone for not doing as good as he does.

These are far from his only flaws, the lack of respect was spoken about and we decided to let the game go on, as long as he is not rude. Hopefully, that solved the problem.

My problem is that he will continue to dictate combat as we go through the game with little thought of the team. There has been several theories to stop this and I love playing in this game except for this one little problem.

I don't want to just let him die, as that's not my character and role-playing is huge in the game. We don't get XP for killing enemies, usually just 3 xp per session, so there really is no gain for pulling through us terrible combat scenarios. He doesn't role-play with anyone but the DM, which he is an excellent role-player, but he refuses to acknowledge the party.

Basically, he's still in a very D&D mentality and to hell with anyone else's fun, as it is all about his own gain.

I decided that I would just play the game and merely enjoy myself, ignoring his rudeness and whatnot. No need to get worked up over his immaturity, but I also don't want to let him just have his way with our game. We've all brought it up to the DM, who is as equally sick of his rudeness and decided to try and fix it. The real problem is that our DM is just the nicest, soft-spoken guy around. He doesn't like to put his foot down on people and I have mad respect for him, but I just don't see him intervening.

My question is: does anyone, who is familiar with Rokugan, know any possible in character solutions that we as players may plan out to restrain his character from attacking every little thing he sees? He's not a horrible guy, honestly, just very overzealous about the game. He plays a Mantis Archer.

We're looking to have him learn a lesson without having to pull him aside, it's a bit of a fragile situation, and don't worry; if it gets terrible, I will pull him and talk about his behavior myself. I just want to see if anyone can think of a more colorful, subtle, and in-game solution before I throw down the "Bad player card".
 

log in or register to remove this ad



Sorry, I really DON'T see a nice, equitable solution. This guy is due for a DM-led intervention that amounts to a serious awakening.

You, and the other players, should lay out your complaints against this player (who sounds difficult to game with) to him and notify him that they have to stop.

The DM is not doing his job. If there are meant to be consequences for behaving in this manner, then the DM should start applying those penalties to this Archer character. He should start developing a reputation for being the "bad egg" around the region. Perhaps when there is a roleplay discussion to be had -- some mandarin or important official (sorry, not familiar w/ the system) wants to talk to the party -- he is ordered to leave the room, and the remainder of the party, who act as they should, conduct the discussion.

There's not going to be a change in his behavior without repercussions, and without the DM putting his foot down.

Your DM's asleep at the wheel. If that doesn't change ... things won't get better till you find a new group. Sorry.
 

Yeah, I was seeing it pretty bleak as well. There are some things that will be happening next game about it, but I was just seeing if I could find a nicey-nice alternative. Ah well.
 

An alternative to a DM intervention is a player-led one. If you can get broad group agreement, get the characters together and once you get back to somewhere safe, tell his character that you are splitting any outstanding party assets and leaving his character behind. The group will no longer support and aid his bloodthirsty antics as they threaten to bring dishonor on you all.
 

This is a people problem and should be handled out of game. Hold a group meeting where everyone can openly discuss the issues. Make sure this individual understands that he is steering the game in directions that are ruining the fun for other players and tell him that the behavior must stop. If he understands what he is doing and continues then you need to boot him, leave the group, or suffer playing with an ass.

Anyone who continues to knowingly do things that ruin the fun for others isn't worth gaming with.
 

He openly calls anyone who doesn't run into combat a coward and even gets so into the game he is rude to the players that run away from combat situations.

...he is an excellent role-player...

My first thought was that he could be really roleplaying the culture. One tenant of the code of bushido is courage, so maybe he was trying to exhibit his character's dedication to bushido through some roleplay.

Then he belittles everyone for not doing as good as he does.

But belittling other players sounds like the player is a jerk, not the character.

Basically, he's still in a very D&D mentality and to hell with anyone else's fun, as it is all about his own gain.

I know when my group went from D&D to L5R it took a while to shift our roleplaying styles to fit the setting. The thing that helped the most was a GM who wouldn't let us get away with D&D actions (looting bodies, disrespecting more prestigious characters, solving everything with a fight).

Another thing that helped was the GM forcing the characters into situations outside of their expertise. If everyone is expected to be in court and in social situations, you learn to temper making all out combat characters lest you're okay with the consequences from your poor social interaction. (And the opposite goes for the fully social characters who get forced into combat situations.) I think the character creation and advancement rules in L5R encourage this but if the GM focuses on keeping everyone out of their character's comfort zone, one character is not going to dominate as often.

My question is: does anyone, who is familiar with Rokugan, know any possible in character solutions that we as players may plan out to restrain his character from attacking every little thing he sees? He's not a horrible guy, honestly, just very overzealous about the game. He plays a Mantis Archer.

We're looking to have him learn a lesson without having to pull him aside, it's a bit of a fragile situation, and don't worry; if it gets terrible, I will pull him and talk about his behavior myself. I just want to see if anyone can think of a more colorful, subtle, and in-game solution before I throw down the "Bad player card".

My advice above may help somewhat but it's really general advice on what I think makes for good L5R games. When a player is being inconsiderate or rude, I don't think an in-game solution will improve anything.

I think your best bet is to talk to the player and explain how you feel. Hopefully that'll open the player's eyes to how they've been acting and give you insight into why they were playing that way. If a frank discussion about how he plays does not change anything it's probably time to consider whether someone (you or he) should leave the group.
 


Trick him into insulting a Crane NPC. Iaijutsu duel for the win.

Or, take a position in a city. Shooting whatever moves is not an option. A part of me questions how the GM is running the campaign.
 

Remove ads

Top