Dealing with trouble players?

[Wootz]

Just do your best to explain that his "play-style" isnt what you (as DM) and the Group are enjoying. Emphasise that the decision has nothing to do with your friendship with him (if you still want to be his friend). If you're feeling generous, and he really seems repentant, then you might give him a second chance but I suspect that he has burned his bridges at this stage...

I had to face off against a former player in my group in the early 90s (the players told me that if I didnt confront the guy and tell him to go, then they would all walk out!). It was a very difficult thing to do but it was for the best as far as my game was concerned.....

How'd you go about doing this? Because I don't really want to tell him that the group is tired of him, otherwise he'll come after them, and I want to keep the rest of the group out of it (but at the same time, I don't want to look like the bad guy)

 

[Obryn]

I want to keep the rest of the group out of it (but at the same time, I don't want to look like the bad guy)

These are incompatible goals.

Either you make the calls, or the group makes the calls.

I understand not wanting to be confrontational. I'm rather non-confrontational in person myself, and I like to find the smoothest, least-disruptive way to solve most problems. But if you're motivated to act, it has to be you acting - not passing the buck to the group. Which might make you the bad guy.

-O

 

[Wootz]

These are incompatible goals.

Either you make the calls, or the group makes the calls.

I understand not wanting to be confrontational. I'm rather non-confrontational in person myself, and I like to find the smoothest, least-disruptive way to solve most problems. But if you're motivated to act, it has to be you acting - not passing the buck to the group. Which might make you the bad guy.

-O

hmm. I suppose anything I try will make me invariably the bad guy, unless I put the blame on the group, but that's not something I'm going to do. I guess I'm just going to have to say it, but the problem is doing it in a way he'll actually listen to. I know how I can, but I don't want to be too brash and meaniefased.

 

[Mark]

I'm wondering how to go about this

Send an email saying that you have come to the conclusion that he and the group have incompatible playing styles. Let him know that if you ever feel that you are running a game where his playing style would fit in, you will be sure to let him know. If he protests, tell him that you have thought long and hard about the decision, consulted with the rest of the group, and determined it is the only course of action. If he continues to protest, tell him that his continued attitude will only make you uncomfortable being friends with him at all or ever spending time with him in the future. Likely, at some point during this break he will either calm down and try to change before the next time you begin a campaign or he will write you off showing that you were right to make the break and probably should have done so a bit sooner. The upside of all this is that you will have a better group and better games for it. Good luck.