Do close friends make less-effective players?

[Mark CMG]

I don't usually gauge my players or friends by how well they game so much as by how often they keep their word, which (for players) often boils down to being there to game when they say they will be there to game, and their willingness take responsibility for their end of gaming, which (for players) often boils down to being able to commit to gaming in advance enough of the game for me to be able to put together a good game for all of the players - and - for them to show up with their character sheet, books, dice and enthusiasm. How successful they are at the table is their own business and that of the other players, although I do like to seem them being more-often-than-not successful.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

There are one or two good friends that I no longer game with. That is due to style differences that have gotten more distinct over the years. However, they are still good players. The vast majority of my friends are folks I've met through RPing. They are all some of the most effective players I know.

 

[Crysmalon]

quite the opposite. my group of friends seems to game well together and have become more effective players over the years.

 

[pogre]

The opposite for me as well. Close friends are never a problem in game for me. I do have some very close friends I do not RPG with but it is not on account of an authority issue.

 

[LogicsFate]

What about when you are NOT on of the close friends?
I've seen extreme DM favorism with his close friend.

That aside, I've been one of the "close friend" duo in the party, looking back it seemed we'd often steal the show, two characters working in unison seemed to over shadow the weaker? players.
Truely we were more effective working off each others strengths and weeknesses knowing the others plans without passing notes, But... I feel bad about it now... it was still a blast.

 

[Sejs]

I wouldn't want to play D&D with people I'm not on friendly terms with.

Effectiveness be damned. I play D&D to do something I like with people I like.

 

[Sound of Azure]

I really don't understand the question. What possible correlation is there between the status of a person's relationship with someone, and that person's gaming ability?

Are you suggesting a DM is easier on their friends than with people they are not close to, therefore they don't develop proper tactics?

Very odd. :\

I guess my answer is "no" then.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Definitely not.

 

[Shadowslayer]

Generally I find that to be true, but its worth mentioning that making new friends through gaming is (for me, anyhow) even more rewarding than simply having fun with old friends.

True enough. Some of my best pals were once anonymous replies to an online want ad for a game. Met lots of nice people gaming with strangers.

In answer to the OPs question: I couldn't say best friends are less effective. I find the better the friendship, the easier it is to understand one another and have faith in one another....enough that you don't need to be authoritarian.

On the other hand, just about everyone has one weird friend. If he gets invited in and starts causing a problem, the results can be devastating to a game. No one wants to throw a buddy out of a game.

The guy who was best man at my wedding is a great guy and I love him dearly...but he doesn't get within 50 feet of my game table. Its a Jekyll and Hyde thing. Normally he's fine. Put a d20 in his hand and he turns into a creep. I quit trying to understand it a long time ago.

 

[Umbran]

Friends trust each other, and that helps a great deal.

When I'm playing with good friends, I know exactly what plots to present, and exactly what will yank a given player's chain and make the game compelling. I just don't have the same ability to guess what a stranger will find fun.