Ellie_the_Elf
First Post
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At my wit's end! Looking for advice on problem players...
- Thread starter Ellie_the_Elf
- Start date
HeapThaumaturgist
First Post
Just be honest.
Stop. Say: "Okay, this is the problem I'm having. Some of the stuff that's going on is impacting everybody's ability to have fun and annoying one of the hosts. We need to chill on certain aspects that are only fun for one person so we can maximise things that are fun for everybody."
Do it with some humor. Be wry. Smile, show that the whole thing isn't a BIG deal, just something that needs to be changed.
--fje
Stop. Say: "Okay, this is the problem I'm having. Some of the stuff that's going on is impacting everybody's ability to have fun and annoying one of the hosts. We need to chill on certain aspects that are only fun for one person so we can maximise things that are fun for everybody."
Do it with some humor. Be wry. Smile, show that the whole thing isn't a BIG deal, just something that needs to be changed.
--fje
the Jester
Legend
If you aren't interested in giving anyone the boot, I would have a real sit-down discussion with the group about what kind of game you are trying to run. Tell p4 and p5 that you don't want to kick 'em out but if they can't play nice with others (and avoid irritating your hostess!- I presume she lives there?) they may need to reconsider their choice of pcs. Be polite but firm. "Play nice or make a pc that can."
Also, let the psion know that, if he can't read the rules thoroughly enough to play by them, he needs to make a new character. Alternatively, you could rule that every time he makes a mistake and does things more powerful than he should, he will go one session without being allowed any augmented power use. In my experience letting a pc use rules the dm's not familiar with is potentially a game-breaking mistake, especially if nobody else at the table knows that set of rules well either. Be polite but firm. "Play by the rules or, if you aren't willing to make the effort to do so with this type of character, make one where you can."
Finally, don't play p4's game- when he tries to interrupt while you're running other players, cut him off with "I'll get back to you, wait your turn, you aren't there." Be polite but firm. "Play when it's your turn. If your pc needs more attention than anyone else, modify his personality or make one that doesn't."
You'll notice that 'polite but firm' is a refrain here.
Also, let the psion know that, if he can't read the rules thoroughly enough to play by them, he needs to make a new character. Alternatively, you could rule that every time he makes a mistake and does things more powerful than he should, he will go one session without being allowed any augmented power use. In my experience letting a pc use rules the dm's not familiar with is potentially a game-breaking mistake, especially if nobody else at the table knows that set of rules well either. Be polite but firm. "Play by the rules or, if you aren't willing to make the effort to do so with this type of character, make one where you can."
Finally, don't play p4's game- when he tries to interrupt while you're running other players, cut him off with "I'll get back to you, wait your turn, you aren't there." Be polite but firm. "Play when it's your turn. If your pc needs more attention than anyone else, modify his personality or make one that doesn't."
You'll notice that 'polite but firm' is a refrain here.
Templeton580
Explorer
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Arnwyn
First Post
All good advice.
I've also found that if someone is being disruptive by trying to "roleplay with NPCs" (namely, the DM), then the DM should never enable such behavior. They require your input, and a dismissive "blah blah blah nothing interesting happens" (yes, in those words) has IME shut them up real quick (as the disruptive player realizes he'll be getting nowhere fast).
And, as others have alluded to, never ever allow players to play something that you're not intimately familiar with (unless you're willing to deal with the inevitable consequences).
I've also found that if someone is being disruptive by trying to "roleplay with NPCs" (namely, the DM), then the DM should never enable such behavior. They require your input, and a dismissive "blah blah blah nothing interesting happens" (yes, in those words) has IME shut them up real quick (as the disruptive player realizes he'll be getting nowhere fast).
And, as others have alluded to, never ever allow players to play something that you're not intimately familiar with (unless you're willing to deal with the inevitable consequences).
Ellie_the_Elf
First Post
Thanks all
The psion thing- I probably should explain that I originally said I'd allow it because another one of my players wanted to play one- this other player is somebody who I trust 100% to play his PC by the rules and not take advantage of my not knowing much about psionics. But he changed his mind, and the other player, who had told me he was making a wizard , showed up on the first game night with a psion- which it was difficult to disallow after I'd already told another player it was okay when everyone was there.
I've talked to two of my players about all this tonight and we're trying to figure out a diplomatic way to persuade p5 to change his psion into a type of caster we're all familiar with.
As for the other problems, we'll talk about it next week before we play, when everyone's there.
Ellie.
The psion thing- I probably should explain that I originally said I'd allow it because another one of my players wanted to play one- this other player is somebody who I trust 100% to play his PC by the rules and not take advantage of my not knowing much about psionics. But he changed his mind, and the other player, who had told me he was making a wizard , showed up on the first game night with a psion- which it was difficult to disallow after I'd already told another player it was okay when everyone was there.
I've talked to two of my players about all this tonight and we're trying to figure out a diplomatic way to persuade p5 to change his psion into a type of caster we're all familiar with.
As for the other problems, we'll talk about it next week before we play, when everyone's there.
Ellie.
Ogrork the Mighty
Explorer
Sometimes you, as a DM, will get players who want to stir up a lot of crap. The key is knowing if they're doing it as something their character would do, of it they're doing it just to tick you off or b/c they just don't care.
If it's the latter, you need to respond swiftly and decisively. Ignore their antics and move on. Don't let the campaign revolve around their silly behaviour. Either they'll get bored and stop or they'll quit. Either way you win. The key mistake is playing into their hands by letting their disruptive behaviour derail the adventure. If you let the adventure revolve around them, it will. So put a stop to it early.
In the extreme, this can involve you simply saying "Yeah, yeah, you burn down the village and slaughter the villagers. No one resists. No authorities respond. In fact, nothing happens. Guess what? Next village!". Pretty soon they'll realize nothing interesting is going to come of their antics and they'll stop.
If it's the latter, you need to respond swiftly and decisively. Ignore their antics and move on. Don't let the campaign revolve around their silly behaviour. Either they'll get bored and stop or they'll quit. Either way you win. The key mistake is playing into their hands by letting their disruptive behaviour derail the adventure. If you let the adventure revolve around them, it will. So put a stop to it early.
In the extreme, this can involve you simply saying "Yeah, yeah, you burn down the village and slaughter the villagers. No one resists. No authorities respond. In fact, nothing happens. Guess what? Next village!". Pretty soon they'll realize nothing interesting is going to come of their antics and they'll stop.
The player of the Psion has given you a perfectly acceptable reason for removing the PC... You told everyone to create heroic PCs, and he didn't. Tell him that, ASAP, before the next game, and that you want a new, Non-Psionic PC to join the party at the next game. Then stick to it. If (s)he shows up without one, let them sit and roll up the new one.
For the player who always interrupts, tell him/her to wait their turn, as others have suggested. If that doesn't work, try telling them that they're being rude, then go back to talking to the other PCs, coming back to them only when you're done with the first group. In all cases, let everyone know that being talked over is a problem for YOU.
If that STILL doesn't work, have angry NPCs start telling the PC "You're the loudest, rudest person I've ever met! Get out of my shop! We don't need patrons like you!" When the other PCs come in to take care of business FOR them, have the NPCs ask them "Why do you hang out with a rude guy like him?" If the PCs give a responce, have the NPCs shrug and reply "Birds of a feather flock together!", and start shunning the companion PCs, too... The peer-pressure from the other PCs might work, eventually, as more and more doors close to them. Have NPCs point to the loud, rude PC as he passes, whisper, and more and more NPCs shun him/her.
If all else fails, eventually have the Mayor, or whatever, come to the PCs, backed up with the Militia, and insist that they leave his town... When it starts up in the next town, the other PCs will probably solve the problem, for you, not wanted to be associated with the "rude dude" who gets them kicked out of towns!
Of course, if the loud interrupter changes his/her play-style at any prior point, this won't need to occur!
For the player who always interrupts, tell him/her to wait their turn, as others have suggested. If that doesn't work, try telling them that they're being rude, then go back to talking to the other PCs, coming back to them only when you're done with the first group. In all cases, let everyone know that being talked over is a problem for YOU.
If that STILL doesn't work, have angry NPCs start telling the PC "You're the loudest, rudest person I've ever met! Get out of my shop! We don't need patrons like you!" When the other PCs come in to take care of business FOR them, have the NPCs ask them "Why do you hang out with a rude guy like him?" If the PCs give a responce, have the NPCs shrug and reply "Birds of a feather flock together!", and start shunning the companion PCs, too... The peer-pressure from the other PCs might work, eventually, as more and more doors close to them. Have NPCs point to the loud, rude PC as he passes, whisper, and more and more NPCs shun him/her.
If all else fails, eventually have the Mayor, or whatever, come to the PCs, backed up with the Militia, and insist that they leave his town... When it starts up in the next town, the other PCs will probably solve the problem, for you, not wanted to be associated with the "rude dude" who gets them kicked out of towns!
Of course, if the loud interrupter changes his/her play-style at any prior point, this won't need to occur!
The Thayan Menace
First Post
Be Firm
To paraphrase the infamous DAGGER:
"Life is short."
"The time to game is even shorter."
"You know what to do ...."
To paraphrase the infamous DAGGER:
"Life is short."
"The time to game is even shorter."
"You know what to do ...."
