How Accommodating to Player Preferences Should the GM Be?

[Reynard]

It is my policy to start out with the assumption a player is making a good faith effort to create a character within the parameters set forth by the campaign. Those assumptions have tested my faith at times. As a GM, I try to make a good faith effort of my own to accommodate players though it isn't always possible. Each case needs to be examined individually.

When I player asks to play something at the margins or outside of those parameters, i think it can be useful to re-examine the parameters as GM and ask if they are really necessary.

 

[payn]

One thing that springs to mind is how things have really changed for me in the last 10 or so years. In the past, the group I had was the group I had. If their wheelhouse is a bored of the rings type strict fantasy over and over, my chances for playing something outside that box are slim. I get wanting to shoehorn that in for variety reasons. Though, since the net and social media, game groups have been getting created with more singular purpose than ragtag group that just likes RPGs. Its easier to find a proper wheelhouse than its been in the past. YMMV.

 

[Professor Murder]

Does it harm the fidelity of the setting?
Is it a concept that inherently creates more work for the rest of the table?
Are they the only player that wants to do this?

If the first two are no and the third one is yes, then you can probably proceed. You may find that some negotiation may smooth over more jarring elements of a character concept so it more seamlessly fits into what you intended. Just as the player should not be intractable in their vision, neither should you.

 

[Faolyn]

I'd say ask them why. The reason may be something that could be redirected into something more genre-appropriate--they may like a particular aesthetic or class ability, for instance. If the reason is "because it's cool," ask for a reason more in-depth then that.

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

I am reasonably accommodating. If the request is okay with the other players and I or the requestor has an idea of how it would work in the campaign then I will be okay with it.

 

[Reynard]

I'd say ask them why. The reason may be something that could be redirected into something more genre-appropriate--they may like a particular aesthetic or class ability, for instance. If the reason is "because it's cool," ask for a reason more in-depth then that.

Out of curiosity, why? Is "it's cool" not a good enough reason?

 

[Umbran]

In your opinion, how accomodating should the GM be to the player with the unusual request? Does it depend on the player? What if the other players, seeing the possibility, also have unsual character ideas?

So, a few thoughts:

First off, play has not begun, so this is a potential player. I feel the GM has more responsibilities to players once play has begun. Prior to that, how accommodating the GM should be is mostly a question of how much they want this player at the table.

This campaign doesn't sound like it is particularly heavy on interaction with the society of the setting. It sounds more like mega-dungeon/ruin crawling. If that's true, then socially, nobody's going to care much if the character is a big old weirdo from another planet.

I would want to know why the player wants this non-standard character., and check whether the game I'm planning will get them what they think this non-standard character will bring.

If everyone wants to play big old weirdos from another planet... maybe I would adjust my plans to accommodate a "big old weirdos from another planet" game. Like, they are exploring the ruins to find artifacts that make portals to get them home, or something.

 

[Umbran]

Out of curiosity, why? Is "it's cool" not a good enough reason?

Well, it is non-specific. What about it is cool? If that same cool going to be realized in a different situation? Is the cool sustainable in the new setting?

Folks often don't realize how much of the coolness of a character comes from their interaction with their origin setting, and that outside that setting, the cool kind of evaporates.

Batman is cool in his comics. He stands out as a different kind of person in Gotham. In a dungeon crawl... he's just another rogue, really.

 

[Professor Murder]

Well, it is non-specific. What about it is cool? If that same cool going to be realized in a different situation? Is the cool sustainable in the new setting?

Folks often don't realize how much of the coolness of a character comes from their interaction with their origin setting, and that outside that setting, the cool kind of evaporates.

Batman is cool in his comics. He stands out as a different kind of person in Gotham. In a dungeon crawl... he's just another rogue, really.

Also, "It's cool" does have the issue of what is cool is subjective. What some people feel is cool others may feel is trite. It's kinda similar to why I am warry of people wanting to play joke/comedic concepts in an otherwise non comedic game. Most people aren't consistently funny. What may feel cool may only be so briefly. Will it still be interesting say session 8?

 

[aco175]

I tend to go back and forth with the player, but try to say yes. In this situation, the campaign is in more of a borderland rather than the center of civilization, so if the player wanted to play a goblin instead of a dwarf, then we could make that work. It might develop into more of a problem if they traveled to the 'civilized' lands instead of the frontier.