For DMs: Ticked off players and funky d20's

[sam500]

You're taking this too hard.

This guy is past the puberty stage so shouldn't behave like a child.
That's the end of it.
You're the DM, you made a ruling.
If he can't deal with that then let him leave, the rest of the group will understand.
If they don't then show them this thread
You shouldn't leave the group just because he's throwing a tantrum. Don't sacrifice your gaming enjoyment.

As a DM I understand the amount of work and preparation the DM puts into a game. As a player I appreciate and respect this and so try and make his job as easy as possible. So should all players. After all, if it weren't for the DM sacrificing his time, there would be no game.

Chin up. You are not in the wrong.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

It has all pretty much run it's course..

My group has either gotten tired of the tirade or has sided with him. Either way, one member said it wasn't right for a DM to dictate what dice a player is to use and another just wants to forget the whole thing happened and continue on as before. I'm tempted to keep that e-mail so that when that particular player runs a game I can bring some obviously weighted d6's I have to the game for character creation but then again that would be just rude. :\

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Either way, one member said it wasn't right for a DM to dictate what dice a player is to use

I think that's a pile of pony. The DM can dictate anything he likes.

and another just wants to forget the whole thing happened and continue on as before.

That, on the other hand, is understandable.


My advise: Track his rolls. If you have the stamina for it, note down his 400 next rolls, and calculate the average roll. If it is indeed significantly over 10.5, grant the difference as an unnamed bonus to all rolls enemies make against him. He averages on 14? All enemies get +4 on attacks, damage, saves, checks, whatever. Don't pull the punches with the guy if you come to the conclusion that he's cheating.

 

[smootrk]

My thoughts are still to minimize the player/character's impact on the game. Go out of your way to have him not be in combat, not be a part of traps, not be included in any dialoge.... not be interesting at all.

Giving him more hits/damage/ or otherwise any type of extra attention only increases the excitement for the character (excitement = interest and incentive to continue the behavior). It is quite a blow to Ego to feel unnecessary or useless. Minimize the character's chances to even roll his dice, thus minimizing his opportunities to cheat at all. Do this and keep track of his rolls for future reference.

But above all, I think this group's mentality stinks, and it is not worth your efforts. Start your own group, and if some of the players are OK, allow them to join if they want to...

From what I see, you are the mature one, and you will be more happy with more like-minded individuals.

 

[Old One]

I can empathize...

When I DM, one of my sacrosanct table rules is that all players use high-contrast 1-20 dice and that all player dice rolls are made in plain view. This rule - which I call the "Scott Rule" - was implemented years ago because of a player who used undecipherable dice, rolled "close to the vest" and quickly picked up the dice (especially after high rolls in critical situations).

He had a long history as cheater in a group I joined as DM. The other player/DMs just kind of tolerated it, but I put the hammer down on him. He groused about it a bit...but sucked it up...since we were about the only game in town.

It turned out that everyone else was mildly amused/relieved that someone finally called him on it.

~ OO

 

[SweeneyTodd]

Honestly, at this point I wouldn't do anything. It'll be entertaining to note how rarely he rolls under an 11, but really I'd just let it slide.

So he cheats, big deal. Compared to the other dysfunction the player and the group seem to have, cheating seems pretty minor. If you put up with the big stuff, this is just background noise.

(Personally, I'd never play with people who acted like this, but that's not helpful advice. If you can have a good time despite the issues, then do!)

 

[werk]

Tell him to quit crying, buy a real d20, and STFU.



I'm not kidding.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I've said my players can't use certain dice, they're like these little color blind test dice and I'm colorblind. I can't read a number on them. They understand. I don't think they'll cheat, and I normally don't even look at their rolls, but they arn't allowed to use them because I can't read them. Noone thinks I'm accusing them of cheating. Trust has to go both ways.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

LMAO...

He just sent an e-mail to me telling me I have "serious brass balls" because an Epic Wizard I made for a campaign I played in wasn't as effective in combat as his Epic Cleric. I have no idea how this other campaign came into the picture. I'm 32 and this guy is older than me. Can you believe this?

*sniffs air* I smell cheater and loser rolled into one.

You're the DM. You have every right to dictate the rules of the table. If he refuses to change dice, he can take a hike.

 

[S'mon]

Tell him to quit crying, buy a real d20, and STFU.
I'm not kidding.

On reflection I think this is really good advice. It would have been better done at table though, in front of his mates. Polite version:

"Oh, John? Next time you come to the table, bring a real d20. I'm not using those d10 ones in this game."

If he doesn't oblige:

"Er, I said real d20s only. Here, take this one..."

I thinking casting aspersions on his manh-, on his d20, is the right way to go. Not any of those namby-pamby passive aggressive tactics above.