DM anger managment tricks, got any?
- Thread starter Warlock
- Start date
KidCthulhu
First Post
Inform them. Start the game by telling them you've had a bad day, and that your fuse is short. Appologize in advance, and ask them to try to be cooperative.
Just getting the bad day off your chest should reduce your anger level some. And if your players are at all inclined to be nice to you, they'll try to behave if you ask them. If they think that jumping on you when you're down is fun, you've got other issues, I'm afraid.
Good luck.
Just getting the bad day off your chest should reduce your anger level some. And if your players are at all inclined to be nice to you, they'll try to behave if you ask them. If they think that jumping on you when you're down is fun, you've got other issues, I'm afraid.
Good luck.
Rune
Once A Fool
Never ever, EVER...
Never run a game when you are angry!
Just call the game off. Tell the players why you can't do it and let it go. If someone else wants to run a game, and you feel you can do that, that's fine, but don't run it yourself when you're disgruntled. If the problem persists, (and the players are aware of it) drop the game entirely.
[edit] Oh, and follow KidCthulhu's advice; it's sound.
Never run a game when you are angry!
Just call the game off. Tell the players why you can't do it and let it go. If someone else wants to run a game, and you feel you can do that, that's fine, but don't run it yourself when you're disgruntled. If the problem persists, (and the players are aware of it) drop the game entirely.
[edit] Oh, and follow KidCthulhu's advice; it's sound.
Last edited:
RogueJK
It's not "Rouge"... That's makeup.
[Wise Man]
Violence is not the answer, Grasshopper.
[/Wise Man]
A Total Party Kill, on the other hand, is a viable option. As are Ethereal Filchers stealing all their magical items while they sleep.
Perhaps if you explain the situation, we could give you some more specific advice.
I agree that you should start by talking it over with them in a civilized manner.
If all else fails, institute a rule that everything said is "In Character." That way, if a player cracks a joke or throws out a Simpsons quote in the middle of the game, the King or Tribal Leader that they were negotiating with at the time might be offended. You also might try giving XP penalties or other negative effects for disruptive behavior.
Just remember that OOC banter is, and always will be, part of the game. It shouldn't interfere with the game, however.
Violence is not the answer, Grasshopper.
[/Wise Man]
A Total Party Kill, on the other hand, is a viable option. As are Ethereal Filchers stealing all their magical items while they sleep.
Perhaps if you explain the situation, we could give you some more specific advice.
I agree that you should start by talking it over with them in a civilized manner.
If all else fails, institute a rule that everything said is "In Character." That way, if a player cracks a joke or throws out a Simpsons quote in the middle of the game, the King or Tribal Leader that they were negotiating with at the time might be offended. You also might try giving XP penalties or other negative effects for disruptive behavior.
Just remember that OOC banter is, and always will be, part of the game. It shouldn't interfere with the game, however.
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adndgamer
First Post
I beg to differ...
I think that you should go on with the game (The game MUST go on!), but give them all fair warning. If they're idiots after you've warned them, you can't be held accountable for what happens. It's their own fault.
But I would definitely give them a warning about how you've had a bad day, and what you expect (or don't expect) from them.
I think that you should go on with the game (The game MUST go on!), but give them all fair warning. If they're idiots after you've warned them, you can't be held accountable for what happens. It's their own fault.
But I would definitely give them a warning about how you've had a bad day, and what you expect (or don't expect) from them.
SteelDraco
First Post
Honestly... don't. If you're in a bad mood and don't feel like running an RPG session, just take a board game or something. That way, you can relax for a while, you won't have to worry about running a fun game for everybody, and things can cool down. Running a game when you're in a bad mood is never fun, for you or the players. Since the whole point is to have fun... just don't do it.
Gaming is supposed to be fun. If it's not fun, don't play the game. Wait until you're likley to have fun.
Some folks here sound like they think exacting vengeance, or teaching a lesson through events in-game is a good idea. I don't. I favor talking to your players like reasonable people. You're supposed to be sitting down with tehse people to have a good time, not to take your frustrations out on them, even if they are the cause of the frustration.
Some folks here sound like they think exacting vengeance, or teaching a lesson through events in-game is a good idea. I don't. I favor talking to your players like reasonable people. You're supposed to be sitting down with tehse people to have a good time, not to take your frustrations out on them, even if they are the cause of the frustration.
Furn_Darkside
First Post
Salutations,
The best advice has already been given- explain to your party.. and if it continues, then stop dm'ng and let someone else.
Not all dm's are for all players.
My joke advice-
I tell my players I have my own zero-rule.
If they irritate me, then I add a zero behind either:
a) The number of creatures
b) The hit points of one creature
c) The penalty taken from curse/poison/etc
I only actually did it once, when I was a youngin.
Good Luck!
FD
The best advice has already been given- explain to your party.. and if it continues, then stop dm'ng and let someone else.
Not all dm's are for all players.
My joke advice-
I tell my players I have my own zero-rule.
If they irritate me, then I add a zero behind either:
a) The number of creatures
b) The hit points of one creature
c) The penalty taken from curse/poison/etc
I only actually did it once, when I was a youngin.
Good Luck!
FD
Dave G
First Post
I don't know if it's viable in your case, but today might be a good time to play a one-off or a card game or something different. If you already know your anger could prove to be problematic, then this might be the best answer.
If you are going to proceed with the game, I might suggest that you do whatever is possible to throw a little wackiness into the game... one time when I started a game in a bad mood, I added a random encounter with halfling who was stuck with his head in a bucket... I really played up the insane titterings of the little fellow and soon the whole room was laughing, and we moved on to the rest of the session without incident.
good luck! and don't ever be afraid to tell your players: "I don't feel up to running tonight, anyone want to try something different?"
If you are going to proceed with the game, I might suggest that you do whatever is possible to throw a little wackiness into the game... one time when I started a game in a bad mood, I added a random encounter with halfling who was stuck with his head in a bucket... I really played up the insane titterings of the little fellow and soon the whole room was laughing, and we moved on to the rest of the session without incident.
good luck! and don't ever be afraid to tell your players: "I don't feel up to running tonight, anyone want to try something different?"
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