Seriously, I would suggest finding a better game. One in which the player contribution to what happens in the game goes beyond rolling the occasional die in combat.Any tips about transitioning from being a GM to a "good player?"
Seriously, I would suggest finding a better game. One in which the player contribution to what happens in the game goes beyond rolling the occasional die in combat.Any tips about transitioning from being a GM to a "good player?"
So, none of the other players brought a tank-capable character… and you didn’t know this going in? Did you talk about what characters you were creating with each other?However, in many games, those play options don't come up. Recently, I created a character that could teleport around the battlefield as a very mobile fighter - it was written into his backstory in a unique way and was trying out a new class from a splat book.
As it turned out, I'm the frontline tank. I can't move. I have to stand there in heavy armor. Because of the way I built my character (which wasn't my intent), I am a worse fighter and worse at doing what I created my character to do.
… are you not coordinating your character generation with the GMs? Because in each one of those cases, the DM should have been able to help direct your build into something more useful.It's not just this game. Other games with other GMs I've had... 1) A medic in a system where you can't heal. 2) A magic user focused on identifying magic items and creatures, when the GM decides to tell us everything without rolling. 3) A wealthy celebrity in Call of Cthulhu where our group has all the money we need due to a benefactor.
It seems that in every game I've played in recent memory, I'd be better suited just being a generic warrior-type.
Yeah, but it's not as nice as the guy who has occult knowledge and able to figure out stuff. Or the mechanic who can fix stuff and break into buildings, or the private eye who can fight and sneak around. My guy - I just sort of do nothing.
You should be able to use your Credit Rating for things other than just being the moneybags. It’s also your ticket to high society. If you want to flex your social standing and privilege, Credit Rating is the stat for you.Yeah, but it's not as nice as the guy who has occult knowledge and able to figure out stuff. Or the mechanic who can fix stuff and break into buildings, or the private eye who can fight and sneak around. My guy - I just sort of do nothing.
Interestingly WFRP4e has some nifty mechanics to avoid player boredom in combat.As someone accustomed to being a "Forever GM," I find myself growing bored when I'm a player. Having one character with one action with potentially minimal impact in a combat, waiting until my turn comes around again, possibly fighting a creature immune or highly resistant to my attacks - it's just not as exciting as controlling a squad of bad guys, shaping the story and world, controlling the pace of the game, etc.
Does anybody else feel the same way? Any tips about transitioning from being a GM to a "good player?"
No. Well, at least nothing that anyone else in the party could do better. Sneaking, persuasion, opening locks, fighting - my character had no niche that someone else in the party couldn't do better. There was no mystery as far as "let's figure out what killed these guys - Doc, do you have any ideas?"There is nothing the character can do in this system except heal in downtime? The adventure needs nothing from a medic whatsoever? No knowledge/skill checks? Outside of being a medic this character has no aspirations or abilities?
That would be the idea. Unfortunately, we're in Call of Cthulhu and traveling in developing nations in the 1930s who haven't seen movies, don't recognize my famous actor, don't understand my language (so my persuasion is worthless).A celebrity would know people I assume. They would also make a really good distraction, if folks needed one. Open doors by their fame, not their mechanical skill. I think characters need to think outside the box for opportunity sake. What did you have in mind when you made a wealthy celebrity PC?
Maxing out healing skills in a system that ends up having healing checks happen during downtime - so your character might as well not go on the adventure at all.
The guy playing the tank basically checked out and didn't fulfill what he needed to do in the game. Wouldn't move into position, wouldn't take reactions to help when allies got attacked. He basically zoned out during the sessions. Eventually, he dropped the game - it was obvious he was distracted and not enjoying it.So, none of the other players brought a tank-capable character… and you didn’t know this going in? Did you talk about what characters you were creating with each other?
Yeah, we all made our characters in front of the GM, and I told him my concept. I don't know if he thought it wouldn't be relevant - or maybe that my character would be able to contribute in other ways.So, this conversation should have happened:
You: "So, in this game, I was thinking of running the moneybags of the party. Would that work?"
GM: "Well, I expect the party to end up with financial support coming from another source, so maybe that's not so great...."
You: "Okay, then I'll think of something else."
I don't know why this exchange didn't take place, but it should have.