D&D 5E Requiring players to know their character

[kyuss]

Not to bury the lede: Is it okay as DM to put pressure on some players to know their character enough not to slow the game unnecessarily by delaying super-rapid advancement from the party.

Absolutely. As the DM, you put more time and effort into running the game than the players do running their characters. The absolute least a player can do is be competent at the game/running their character. I would find it extremely disrespectful towards me as a person and the time and effort that i put into running the game if, after 2 YEARS!, of 'playing' that a person still didn't know how to calculate a hit bonus or figure out their damage. I would go so far as to stop inviting these people to the game.

but i can be prickly and don't tolerate people wasting my time...

 

[5atbu]

I am relaxed.
Bit crumbly meself as a player.
It's all about the fun for me.
Apply the same tolerance to others.

 

[Jaeger]

...One group I play with has been asking for me to run for them. Everyone is a lot of fun to game with and comes up with interesting characters that they roleplay well. Except in the case of two players who regularly need help with their characters.

Anyway, we've done Tier 1 several times as a group, ...

...But I don't want to lose them by going to fast, ...

Actually, you do want to lose them.

Especially as they have played several times already with the group.

You may not want the drama, but may need to go through it anyway, because but you do want to lose them.

Why?

Here's why:

...it is perfectly reasonable for the DM to set the expectation for the players to understand their own characters and abilities well enough to run them without slowing down play. After all, the expectation is on the DM to know literally everything else about the game world and rules well enough to run the game at a reasonable pace, so I’d say it’s a relatively small ask. ...

... I understand and try to be patient with newer players, but I've played with veterans that just don't bother, which I feel is disrespectful to me and the rest of the players who do put the time into the game.

Those two players are being incredibly disrespectful.

Life is too short to be disrespected.

Also, no Phone apps or otherwise for actual play.

Everyone has a physical paper character sheet at the table.

Use whatever phone/tablet app PC generator to make you character. But print it out, record it on paper!

I have found this to make a big difference in speed of play at the table.

 

[BookBarbarian]

While I would talk to someone I thought was not playing in good faith. I do have some players that are giving their all, but are slow. I encourage them to play simple characters but sometimes they want to be a druid. So we let them figure out which animals they want to conjure, and pull them up, and run them.

It takes a while, but a little exercise in patience is sometimes good for the soul.

 

[Blue]

Actually, you do want to lose them.

Especially as they have played several times already with the group.

You may not want the drama, but may need to go through it anyway, because but you do want to lose them.

Both are excellent roleplayers. No, I really don't want to lose them.

Yes, they slow down combat. They bring joy to the table at other times.

Those two players are being incredibly disrespectful.

Life is too short to be disrespected.

The most disrespectful thing here is your suggestion that I toss players for being slow at mechanics.

 

[Campbell]

I do not expect you to know exactly what every spell you can cast does off the top of your head, but I expect you to learn how spells work and have a general idea of the options available. Same goes if you are playing a martial character. I expect you to take an active interest in learning, but do not expect perfect knowledge.

 

[Warforged DK]

Have you seen the alternate Character sheets, specific for each class?
Here's the link on DM's Guild: Class Character Sheets - The Bundle - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild They are form-fillable PDF's, and most of the magic classes have a section for most often used spells, so the to hit calculations are already there.
I second the use of paper sheets over Tablet or phone access for character sheet. Having it on paper is really helpful and use your own shorthand when needed.
I'm teaching 2 newer players myself, and for one, I'm seriously considering writing up some small index cards that he can play- with each type of action he can use. Color coded for Move, Action and Bonus.
For a spell caster, I'd differentiate Cantrip Action spells from leveled spells, because of the action economy. For spell slots, you could use tokens. I also have a giant d20 that I use for inspiration. you know when you have it, roll it and hand it back when done. That's worked well so far.

 

[R_J_K75]

It takes a while, but a little exercise in patience is sometimes good for the soul

Sometimes a swift kick in the ass works too.

 

[Jaeger]

Both are excellent roleplayers. No, I really don't want to lose them.

Yes, they slow down combat. They bring joy to the table at other times.

The most disrespectful thing here is your suggestion that I toss players for being slow at mechanics.

Slow at mechanics?

Two Players, who have been through more than one campaign, and can still not be tossed to learn the basics about their PC's abilities and basic combat rules.

That's disrespectful to the table. And the GM. Any table; any GM.

As long as you are willing to put up with that; nothing anyone can say here will help you.

Because you seem unwilling to address the real problem.

Those two will just keep doing what they are doing, and you're just gonna keep taking it.

Have you even tried being straight-up with them?

"Hey dudes, ya' know single digit math, and the basics of your PC's abilities really shouldn't be a constant thing by now. Can you get on top of it? It's impacting the game."

Or some variation. See what they say.

If the answer is anything less than some version of this:

"Sorry bro, yeah it's a bit embarrassing, my bad. I'm on it dude, no worries next session. Can I borrow the players guide to brush up?"

You should see immediate change - with the players making an honest effort to be better.

If you don't, then FYI: All those two players are seeing is that one is born every minute. And you're it.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Slow at mechanics?

Two Players, who have been through more than one campaign, and can still not be tossed to learn the basics about their PC's abilities and basic combat rules.

That's disrespectful to the table. And the GM. Any table; any GM.

As long as you are willing to put up with that; nothing anyone can say here will help you.

Because you seem unwilling to address the real problem.

Those two will just keep doing what they are doing, and you're just gonna keep taking it.

Have you even tried being straight-up with them?

"Hey dudes, ya' know single digit math, and the basics of your PC's abilities really shouldn't be a constant thing by now. Can you get on top of it? It's impacting the game."

Or some variation. See what they say.

If the answer is anything less than some version of this:

"Sorry bro, yeah it's a bit embarrassing, my bad. I'm on it dude, no worries next session. Can I borrow the players guide to brush up?"

You should see immediate change - with the players making an honest effort to be better.

If you don't, then FYI: All those two players are seeing is that one is born every minute. And you're it.

This ain’t it.

This sort of cynical suspicion of everyone and constant worry about ever seeming to be open to anyone getting one over on you is...not especially insightful or helpful.

OP has two friends who have a hard time with the mechanics of the game. That’s it. Stop trying to make a mountain out of it.