D&D General DM Says No Powergaming?

[jmartkdr2]

What does a player need to do (or not do) to avoid being seen as a "powergamer" in the context of your decision to invite them to a long game? What specific things mark them as this type of player for you?

For myself, it’s not the specific actions but the attitude and reasoning. Basically I want to avoid players who don’t care about other players’ fun (including the dm.)

So if I feel they’re trying to dominate the table by having the highest dps, that’s bad and unlikely to get another invitation. But if they just want a cool character who hits really hard with a sword but otherwise is a team player (especially at the meta level like actively biting hooks and engaging with other pc’s backstories), they’re gold and I want to keep them. Both could be a sorcadin.

 

[payn]

To flip the OP around, do folks really think you can head a powergamer off at the start? Do you really think that will produce a good game? I long ago ditched the idea I can trick a player into the preferred play style. It never works no matter how bad you want it to. YMMV

 

[jmartkdr2]

To flip the OP around, do folks really think you can head a powergamer off at the start? Do you really think that will produce a good game? I long ago ditched the idea I can trick a player into the preferred play style. It never works no matter how bad you want it to. YMMV

Agreed: Munchkins gonna munch. If someone doesn’t care about story, you can’t make them care by changing the game balance.

 

[payn]

Agreed: Munchkins gonna munch. If someone doesn’t care about story, you can’t make them care by changing the game balance.

I don’t begrudge anyone their fun, I just don’t believe in tricking out the play you want. I know a lot of folks are stuck with the same players but I’m just over trying to make these mismatches work.

 

[Bill Zebub]

A power gamer who isn’t allowed to optimize is going to still play in a way that annoys the DM who tries to ban it.

So, as usual, the solution isn’t to try to dictate how other people play but to find people you like to play with.

 

[Bill Zebub]

So if I feel they’re trying to dominate the table by having the highest dps,

“Dominating the table” and “trying to have the highest dpr” can be mutually exclusive.

 

[overgeeked]

Agreed: Munchkins gonna munch. If someone doesn’t care about story, you can’t make them care by changing the game balance.

Exactly. The thing we all seem to be dancing around is that not every player is a good fit for every table or referee. Some preferences simply are incompatible. Nothing wrong with that.

People need to accept that just because you want to play a certain way doesn’t mean the rest of the group or referee must therefore be cool with it. No one’s obligated to enjoy the style of play you enjoy.

The referee offers a game with no power gaming and you can either accept that or walk. You’re actively being a jerk if you sit down anyway and try to “teach” the referee a lesson. The reverse is also true. The referee shouldn’t try to “correct” the players’ preferences. Just be honest up front. If anyone gets their feelings hurt by honest conversation about mismatched preferences it wasn’t likely to work out to begin with.

 

[Bill Zebub]

To flip the OP around, do folks really think you can head a powergamer off at the start? Do you really think that will produce a good game? I long ago ditched the idea I can trick a player into the preferred play style. It never works no matter how bad you want it to. YMMV

Yeah you beat me to it.

 

[Mort]

What exactly does "no powergaming mean?"

Is it strictly a know it when you see it type thing?

Because too often the definition seems to be "don't play in a way I don't like."

 

[DND_Reborn]

Oh, I know people get upset about it. It's still my stance though. If I went against my patrons interests as a warlock, I wouldn't expect to keep my power.

I'd expect to keep my power, but I would also expect my Patron to send more powerful servants to "set me straight" about the deal I made.