D&D General D&D Evolutions You Like and Dislike [+]

[Necropolitan]

I don't think post is being made in good faith. Would you care to reframe?

They've claimed that setting boundaries is the same as treating players as disposable this entire time.

 

[GrimCo]

My main group are also my closest and best friends. We are playing together since 2008. At one point in time, i got burnout from fantasy and D&D. I sat down with them, asked if we could switch to something else, even offered to run something else, just not D&D fantasy. Rest of the guys had blast playing that campaign, we finally hit teen levels, so they said no, they aren't willing to switch in last leg of the campaign ( cause most times, campaigns that are put on hold, fizzle out). So i took brake from gaming for a year. We were still friends, we hang out, i just didn't play in that campaign. One of the guys in our group only plays D&D. That's it. Anything else, he is out. Still our friend. When we play other systems, he politely declines invite to games.

Players aren't disposable. But sometimes, preferences don't match. If half want to play h&s casual beer and pretzel, half want to play serious role play heavy character driven game, and DM is up for both, if schedule alows, splitting group in two is option. If DM is inclined to run one, but not other, well, DM runs what he's interested in running with half, other half join in if they have change of mind or they join in for next campaign. It has 0 impact on friendship.

 

[TwoSix]

This was my solution to the "what races should I allow in this campaign" situation:

D&D 5E (2014) Post in thread 'DM imposed restrictions to the game (+)'

Jan 8, 2024

I use something called "The Players Decide" when setting up a new campaign. It works pretty well for me (and it definitely won't work for everyone.)

First, I tell everyone to roll up a 1st level character. I tell the players that they can use whatever ancestries, backgrounds, classes, etc. that they want, from any official WotC sourcebook, wholesale, no restrictions. But! I make sure that everyone understands: once they've made their choices, all other ancestries, backgrounds, classes, etc. will be removed from the game. That way, the players always get to play exactly...

• CleverNickName

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I wouldn't do it myself (I like having a lot of options), but I do something similar in that I'll shape the demography of the setting around the races the players pick. Like, when I had 3 players pick half-orc for their race, I made orcs a much more prominent part of the setting, and several NPCs that were important became orcs or half-orcs.

 

[TwoSix]

My main group are also my closest and best friends. We are playing together since 2008. At one point in time, i got burnout from fantasy and D&D. I sat down with them, asked if we could switch to something else, even offered to run something else, just not D&D fantasy. Rest of the guys had blast playing that campaign, we finally hit teen levels, so they said no, they aren't willing to switch in last leg of the campaign ( cause most times, campaigns that are put on hold, fizzle out). So i took brake from gaming for a year. We were still friends, we hang out, i just didn't play in that campaign. One of the guys in our group only plays D&D. That's it. Anything else, he is out. Still our friend. When we play other systems, he politely declines invite to games.

Players aren't disposable. But sometimes, preferences don't match. If half want to play h&s casual beer and pretzel, half want to play serious role play heavy character driven game, and DM is up for both, if schedule alows, splitting group in two is option. If DM is inclined to run one, but not other, well, DM runs what he's interested in running with half, other half join in if they have change of mind or they join in for next campaign. It has 0 impact on friendship.

Playing or not playing shouldn't impact your friendships, obviously. There shouldn't be any hard feelings or anything. I'm just saying that if I had a situation like your second paragraph, with half-casuals and half-serious, I would look for a game that could split the difference. If there truly is no compromise, then maybe that friend group is better off as a board game group or just hang out and chat group. Organize a separate game night with the people who are interested in a certain style.

 

[Remathilis]

And your friendships are so weak that telling your players 'No' or running a campaign for some but not all of them will end those friendships?

Is the game so important that you would forsake your friends for it?

D&D: Serious Business indeed!

 

[Zardnaar]

Is the game so important that you would forsake your friends for it?

D&D: Serious Business indeed!

My friends basically trust me to run it. I usually spitball stuff im keen on and between them.

If everyone can't decide its default FR basically DMs choice.

Get with the program is more for new players joining. My groups essentially closed and I haven't recruited since 2024.

Basically I have a waiting list. I'll run one offs. Word tends to get around and a lot of groups fall apart.

A year long campaign seems a raety now but its what I offer. Here's the theme level 1-10, 1-12 or whatever.

Last campaign lasted 15 months BG3 inspired. New ones Bastions near Cormyr and Dalelands. Next ones Eberron or FR if I cant get buy in.

Hypothetically if they dont like FR or Eberron thats what's gonna be on offer. Very small ban list beyond that fill your boots.

 

[Necropolitan]

Is the game so important that you would forsake your friends for it?

D&D: Serious Business indeed!

You're the one trying to dictate how everyone else should DM and claiming that anyone who does things differently lacks empathy and treats players as disposable.

 

[Zardnaar]

You're the one trying to dictate how everyone else should DM and claiming that anyone who does things differently lacks empathy and treats players as disposable.

Yeah fair bit of strawmanning. Generally my players seen to appreciate it they don't have to DM.

And I xan keep a long term campaign running.

Scored a few free books out of it. Free alt art Infinite Staircase.

They also pay for printing. In effect i keep poster sized maps later full colour.

 

[Necropolitan]

Yeah fair bit of strawmanning.

It's not, they've been continually insulting people.

 

[Zardnaar]

Yeah fair bit of strawmanning. Generally my players seen to appreciate it they don't have to DM.

And I xan keep a long term campaign running.

Scored a few free books out of it. Free alt art Infinite Staircase.

They also pay for printing. In effect i keep poster sized maps later full colour.

O

It's not, they've been continually insulting people.

Above my paygrade/mods job.

IRL it doesnt matter. A lot don't seem to be playing either so theres that as well.