Gut-feelings and new players

[the black knight]

I can smell a waste of time a mile away. I usually let my other players figure it out before 'unjustly' booting the guy, though.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

This whole "gaming with complete strangers" thing is alien to me. Why would you want to game with someone who isn't a friend?

Maybe because some people don't live in the same area their entire lives and have to make new friends occasionally?

 

[Old Gumphrey]

People think I'm crazy, but we still screen players with a questionaire

jh

That's high-speed, I love it.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Maybe because some people don't live in the same area their entire lives and have to make new friends occasionally?

My approach in that situation - and I will find myself in a similar situation in just over a year, when I temporarily move to the United States after my wedding - would be find local gamers and make friends with them first.

 

[reanjr]

"Look, mang, the party needs a Cleric. Are you going to play one?"
"Nope."
"Okay let's look for another player."

-- N, a guy who only has 1d4 gaming friends any given week

I think it's silly to try to get a player to play a class they don't want to. You don't need a cleric in the party. The one time I've made restriction is when I had a player new to the game who already chose a class and a veteran wanted to play the same class. I told the vet to play something else so that he wouldn't steal her thunder.

 

[Crust]

So tell me, has your gut-feeling ever been wrong about a new player?

Your gut is never wrong.

 

[Nifft]

I think it's silly to try to get a player to play a class they don't want to. You don't need a cleric in the party.

I agree. IMC, I don't require any particular classes -- and we have one Wizard, one Eldrich Knight (also mostly Wizard), a Monk/Paladin and a Ranger.

However, I'm not the only DM, and the other DM wanted to run a module (thus wanted a "normal party").

You can call us silly, but the point is: it has happened. Just sharing an experience.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Wasteland Knight]

Your're first reaction is probably going to be an excellent predictor of how well or poorly a new player is going to mesh with your group. As with any "first day" (first day on a new job, first interview for a new job, first day at a new school, etc.), the new player should be on his BEST behavior to make a good first impression. If your first impression of their best behavior isn't good, then imagine what it will be like once they've settled in and go to their normal behavior. That said, there are people out there who aren't socially very savvy, so probably a second chance is in order.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, I have had my gut reaction fail me at least once. My gut told me that the player was going to prove to be a power gaming munchkin who thought best with the point of his sword.

He wasn't. He was actually a decent role player who would try to talk the party out of situations more often than not. He moved a few years ago, after a messy divorce. I wish that Chris was still living in the area.

The Auld Grump

 

[Kae'Yoss]

So far, I never had to boot people out of my groups - the problem players didn't show up of their own accord (we got that a lot in the gaming circle where I ran my first campaign).

My current group evolved from the group I started playing 3e in. We met over one of those online player match-up services, never saw any of them before - it was a blast. Best dungeon master I ever saw. Too bad he can't play or DM any more (well, he does play in my campaign, but only between semesters) From that old group, I'm the only regular gamer: One quit after three years or so - he wasn't a bad guy to have around, but he had other interests, and two are studying and only rarely have time to play. Also, I'm the only guy who isn't from their area/school. All the newer players are from their old classes/school who joined afterwards. I didn't know any of them before we started playing together, and they're all great guys.




So, colourful one: You say that your gut is having second thoughts: What kind of second thoughts? Can you go into detail.


Personally, as long as I have space in the group, I welcome new players without anything as silly as sitting in for three whole sessions (I would not expect anyone to waste three afternoons doing nothing but watch others have fun or anything like that). Should we get someone who flips out and displays symptoms of Real Ultimate Power, I'd stop it right there:

He "As I now flank the cleric, I sneak attack him."
Me "No, your character doesn't. He helps them to the best of his abilities. He's no longer your character, at least not in my game, and you're no longer welcome. Don't you have a bus to catch?"