Alchohol During A D&D Game?
- Thread starter Thunt
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Ralif Redhammer
Legend
I've been known to have a beer while gaming, though that can just as easily be replaced with water or tea.
In my experience, gin is completely detrimental to gaming. Bourbon, on the other hand, seems to work well; the inaugural session of Castles and Crusades was liberally christened with bourbon.
On the whole, I would not recommend hard liquor or more than a beer or two during gaming.
In my experience, gin is completely detrimental to gaming. Bourbon, on the other hand, seems to work well; the inaugural session of Castles and Crusades was liberally christened with bourbon.
On the whole, I would not recommend hard liquor or more than a beer or two during gaming.
billd91
Not your screen monkey (he/him) 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️⚧️
We pretty much always have a six-pack or two shared around the table among 4-5 people. We drink in moderation, most of us never having more than 3 beers. Interestingly enough, when I'm DMing, I tend toward the 3 beer limit more than when I'm playing. Game flows better after the 2nd beer, as far as I'm concerned.
There are only 2 times I can remember a game suffering because of alcohol. Once in college, one of the players was pretty skunked but this was during the 1st Gulf War and he had family in Israel as it was being targetted by scuds. So he was, shall I say, a little mental for a few sessions drunk or not. Great guy though under normal circumstances.
The other time was when I was in grad school and the reason the game suffered was because there were 6 of us trying to finish off a couple of cases of beer and there were other people in the room. So, basically, we were gaming and a sort of party broke out and we never really got much done on the gaming front. Had a nice party though.
There are only 2 times I can remember a game suffering because of alcohol. Once in college, one of the players was pretty skunked but this was during the 1st Gulf War and he had family in Israel as it was being targetted by scuds. So he was, shall I say, a little mental for a few sessions drunk or not. Great guy though under normal circumstances.
The other time was when I was in grad school and the reason the game suffered was because there were 6 of us trying to finish off a couple of cases of beer and there were other people in the room. So, basically, we were gaming and a sort of party broke out and we never really got much done on the gaming front. Had a nice party though.
Psion
Adventurer
Ion said:
Well, not a complicated one.
I was DMing. Having had a few, my patience might not have been quite what it should.
And having tipped back a few, everyone else had what you might call an abbreviated attention span.
When I got frustrated that people weren't listening to me, I picked up a 20-sided and used it as a projectile to get the attention of one of my players.
He turned just as I threw it. It beaned him right between the eyes.
Good thing there wasn't a d30 handy...
IronWolf
blank
I don't see anything wrong with having a drink while you play the game. It all depends on the person though and their tolerance as to how much. I certainly don't advocate getting rip roaring drunk (though even that might work for some! 
) while you play, but a beer or two shouldn't hurt. I know I have had a beer or two while DM'ing and I don't think it affected my game at all.
I wouldn't drink at someone's house if they didn't approve of course, so some of it depends on where the game is held.
) while you play, but a beer or two shouldn't hurt. I know I have had a beer or two while DM'ing and I don't think it affected my game at all.I wouldn't drink at someone's house if they didn't approve of course, so some of it depends on where the game is held.
the Jester
Legend
We're all good friends, and we combine gaming and drinking pretty well.
I do have to admit that things get pretty crazy sometimes, but I think half (at least) of the problem is the group's immense, bloated size (roughly nine players plus dm), and the fun we all have together outweighs the occasional slowdown in things. We're pretty good at staying on track, and everyone understands that being drunk (or high) won't get you any breaks from the dm.
I think it really depends on the group, though; not everyone can stay focused while drinking and/or smoking. If it ever gets to the point where there's a substantial loss of focus and I don't think it's worth continuing, I call it a night, but by the time that ever happens it's late enough that we're all pretty faded anyhow. Imho it's not worth bringing beers to the game if the game ends up falling apart.
I do have to admit that things get pretty crazy sometimes, but I think half (at least) of the problem is the group's immense, bloated size (roughly nine players plus dm), and the fun we all have together outweighs the occasional slowdown in things. We're pretty good at staying on track, and everyone understands that being drunk (or high) won't get you any breaks from the dm.
I think it really depends on the group, though; not everyone can stay focused while drinking and/or smoking. If it ever gets to the point where there's a substantial loss of focus and I don't think it's worth continuing, I call it a night, but by the time that ever happens it's late enough that we're all pretty faded anyhow. Imho it's not worth bringing beers to the game if the game ends up falling apart.
Arnwyn
First Post
I don't see anything wrong with having a drink during a game - depending on your group.
For us, we don't. I'm not particularly interested in DMing and hosting a session where the players are drinking (and, since I DM and host, that's the way it is). But then, my buddies are horrendously incompetent during the game even when completely sober, are not likely to be labeled "mature", and they all get tired and sleepy even with a bit of alcohol in them.
So that's how it is for us.
For us, we don't. I'm not particularly interested in DMing and hosting a session where the players are drinking (and, since I DM and host, that's the way it is). But then, my buddies are horrendously incompetent during the game even when completely sober, are not likely to be labeled "mature", and they all get tired and sleepy even with a bit of alcohol in them.
So that's how it is for us.
jgsugden
Legend
Drinking:
Experiment. Run a stand alone adventure with new characters. Let the players drink. If they can handle it without being buffons or getting too silly for your tastes, then let them drink during your regular game. If they can't handle it, chop off a hand.
Smoking:
I spent a year of my life at a job where I read deposition transcripts from smoking litigations, I looked at X-rays from smoker lungs and I watched videos of people living the last days of their lives due to lung cancer - some of which lived with a smoker, but had never held a cigarette in their life. Take a wild guess at how I feel about letting my players smoke at the table. I'll fight for a person's right to smoke if they want to, but I'll fight a heck of a lot harder for other people's right not to be exposed to it unless they actively desire to be a party.
Experiment. Run a stand alone adventure with new characters. Let the players drink. If they can handle it without being buffons or getting too silly for your tastes, then let them drink during your regular game. If they can't handle it, chop off a hand.
Smoking:
I spent a year of my life at a job where I read deposition transcripts from smoking litigations, I looked at X-rays from smoker lungs and I watched videos of people living the last days of their lives due to lung cancer - some of which lived with a smoker, but had never held a cigarette in their life. Take a wild guess at how I feel about letting my players smoke at the table. I'll fight for a person's right to smoke if they want to, but I'll fight a heck of a lot harder for other people's right not to be exposed to it unless they actively desire to be a party.
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