Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="ForceUser" data-source="post: 2404293" data-attributes="member: 2785">The situation: A long-time player who is a gaming buddy is a terrible roleplayer who tends to focus on number-crunching rather than story. The rest of the group, DM included, are much more story-driven and given to "deep immersion" style role-playing. While not all Academy Award winners, they "get" that story concerns are more important than game mechanics. This player, we'll call him Bob, is a life-long friend of another player, and has been generous to the DM outside of game. In game, he drives everyone else at the table nuts, and is the favorite topic of conversation out of game ("Did you hear what Bob did this time? Man!") In general, Bob is argumentative and used to getting his way. He is also a coworker of several other players, and a loyal friend to them.The problem is that Bob gravitates toward the classes that, in the view of the rest of us, require more role-playing and dedication--the priestly characters. In our games, DMs generally expect an exalted (as in, Book of Exalted Deeds exalted) perspective from those who choose to play priests. Bob likes to play priest characters because they become quite powerful at high levels, and to him it's all about the numbers ("If I have buffs A, B, C, & D going all at once, I will RULE! Buwahaha! Oh, you need a heal? Wait until after combat, I'm killin' stuff here.") Bob's perspective has led to many frustrating moments for DMs, who often like to set up epic storylines around religious affairs, and for players, who sometimes find their own characters in jeparody because of Bob's perspective on the role of priests (which we'll call "self-buffing fighter"). This has been going on for years.In the past, DMs have sometimes deflected his inclination toward priests to less religion-focused classes: favored souls (ironically), mage blades, and psychic warriors. But now Bob is determined--in the new campaign, he will play a priestly character, despite the fact that two other players are also doing so. Nobody wants Bob to play a priest, and the DM has told him 'no' and explained his reasons, but he is incensed. Unfortunately, Bob can't be kicked from the group without damaging friendships, and possibly work relationships. There's no doubt, however, that when he plays it makes games less fun for everyone else, who simply have different priorities (I've no doubt he'd get along just fine in a 'beer & pretzels" group).Telling Bob 'no' has already caused drama. What would you, as DM, do or have done in the above situation? Suck it up and let him have his way to keep the peace? Be firm, and risk a falling out? I'm curious to hear your responses.</blockquote>

Verification