Designing an Absent Player Cheat Sheet

[Tormenet]

I’m designing a DM sheet for when player’s are absent. An ideal finished product would remove my having to think about the PC’s actions or calculations. It would also be concise and easy to take in at a glance.

So far, I know I want a combat section that goes something like the combat descriptions in the MM.

In general, in the first three rounds of combat Bob the Blade will do the following:
Round 1: Advance to the nearest enemy threatening Joe the Wimp and attack with Longsword (+15 Melee, dmg 2d6+6 ). Designate nearest opponent for Dodge.
Round 2: Full Attack same opponent (+15/+10 melee, dmg 2d6+6)
Round 3: Continue with Full Attack or move to next foe.

The three things Bob the Blade will generally do in combat are:
Always protect Joe the Wimp.
Drink a healing potion when he is reduced to 15 hp.
Stay within twenty feet of Heidi the Healer.

After that, I’m stumped. What else would you find useful?

Thanks,
Corey

 

[Salad Shooter]

I'm thinking some roleplaying tips for outside of combat, like...when confronted with a new person that is friendly looking, I react this way, if not friendly looking, but not unfriendly looking, I react this way, etc.

A list of items I would like to purchase given the opportunity

Some basic tips on how my character acts in general

Things along that train of thought

 

[alsih2o]

After that, I’m stumped. What else would you find useful?

Thanks,
Corey

EVERYTHING the character is carrying, the party might need it. Or, more realistically, he may be swallowed whole.

When/if he retreats.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Things that he will never do. (No sir, never negotioate with a goblin, ain't worth it, no sir.)

Feats that he will use regularly (Spring attck, any metamagic feets, etc.)

Consumable items he is willing to use when his player is not present. (Charged items, potions and scrolls, etc.)

The Auld Grump

 

[Old One]

Other thoughts...

* Items he/she would willingly share with the party (potions/scrolls/back-up weapons). That eases any arguments like "Hey, Bob has that heal potion squirrled away..."

* Situations where the PC might surrender, flee or otherwise break contact

* List of any taboos

~ Oldie

 

[jmucchiello]

First, I always have another player play the character. As DM i have enough on my plate.
Second, as a semi-NPC, the character doesn't do anything unless he has to.
Third, everyone at the table is allowed to pipe up if they think the missing character is being played incorrectly. A group consensus (or DM fiat) of what the character would actually do is then created. Since everyone there has seen the character in action with the character's player, this is usually pretty easy.
Fourth, all of the other suggestions in the thread are basically stuff I request on all character sheets. And as DM I should always have an up-to-date copy of your sheet, short of the current session's updates.

Is this really a problem in other groups?

 

[JVisgaitis]

Is this really a problem in other groups?

Not so much of a problem, but it is a great idea to give DMs or even Players a guideline when the player isn't around. Being a lazier DM, I used to favor the magic bathroom or tending the horses rule. Players are just behind the scenes till they are back. Just keeps things easier on my end because of disagreements that arose with absent players before. Though I would use something like this.

 

[scourger]

It's been an issue in every game I've played or run. Sometimes, it's a problem. My current solution as a DM is that the characters of the player who isn't there for the game aren't there in the game either. It's just easier than some other player trying to run the character, use the character's abilities/stuff, etc.

 

[Silveras]

It's been an issue in every game I've played or run. Sometimes, it's a problem. My current solution as a DM is that the characters of the player who isn't there for the game aren't there in the game either. It's just easier than some other player trying to run the character, use the character's abilities/stuff, etc.

As a player, I find that solution incredibly annoying.

I play in a chat-based game. The DM uses that method: if the player cannot make the session, the character effectively vanishes. Now, this happens in the middle of combat, sometimes. It is quite frustrating to try to come up with workable tactics, only to have them fall apart because "Bert" is suddenly not there anymore.

Granted, what I just described is a more extreme case than most table-top groups will ever have to deal with. However, keep in mind that the encounter that was "just a little tough" when you put the adventure together can become a TPK if the party Tank can't make the session, and his/her character vanishes in the middle of the dungeon.

 

[hrafnagud]

It is quite frustrating to try to come up with workable tactics, only to have them fall apart because "Bert" is suddenly not there anymore.

LOL! Reminds me of my Dark Age of Camelot days....