How do I handle: 2 players want same game, but won't play with each other?

[S'mon]

If I understand this correctly, player A doesn't like player B, but player B has no issues with player A.

If that's correct, I'd say run the game, invite them both, and let player A decide if he's going to get over his issues or not.

Life's too short for drama.

The Wisdom of Solomon!

BTW my experience has been that the kind of person who says "I have issues with B" is inherently disruptive and in the longer term will either have issues with you too, or will behave in such an annoying way that you'll end up having issues with them. This may not apply if they're both good friends but my strong inclination would be to drop A and go with B.

 

[Thandren]

I was playing in a game and myself and one of the other players was not on particularly friendly terms.

The other player decided to leave the game stating to the other players the reason for it was that I hadn't invited him to my wedding!

Both myself and my wife did not like that player for good reasons I won't go into here, so I felt I couldn't invite him to the wedding.

I don't play in that game anyone either as now I'm at home baby sitting in the evenings when my wife works in the evenings.

My point is, sometimes people just get moody and there is not a lot that can be done. Perhaps I would suggest if someone wants to leave the group then just let them and play with who ever wants to stay.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Rewatch (or watch if, for some odd reason, you haven't seen the movie yet) the scene from the Dark Knight where the Joker "recruits" Gambol's men, then go on an "aggressive recruitment drive."

Problem solved. ;-D

Seriously, that's a toughie. I've had that happen in my own group and had to make the hard decision of which person I enjoyed gaming with more. It sucked having to not game with one of my friends, but making them both play in the same room together would have caused more drama and friction than it was worth.

 

[Umbran]

EDIT: Just to add to the discussion, I will ask: Has anyone ever actually been in this situation? If so, how did you handle it?

Had a couple potential players that didn't like each other? Sure, that's happened.

Honestly, I don't go all that far to patch things up between people for a game. If they really don't like each other, I am unlikely to be able to fix it - I'm a GM, not a relationship counselor. If isn't fixed, it will do ugly things at the table.

 

[Gilladian]

Another option I have not seen mentioned - ask the OTHER players in the group what their opinions are!

Ask them if player A is being overly sensitive or dramatic? Or does he really have a gripe with B that everyone (or at least a couple others) agrees is a real problem? If nobody else dislikes B, but A's oversensitivity annoys them, then he's the "drop".

Ask them if player B is a nuisance? Do the things A hates about him bother them? Or does he have other bad habits? Do THEY want to game with him?

I was in a situation where I as DM had no problem with player B. But player A really disliked him. And when I finally asked them, players C and D were barely putting up with B for the sake of the game. B got cut.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

EDIT: Just to add to the discussion, I will ask: Has anyone ever actually been in this situation? If so, how did you handle it?

Twice.

Back in the high school/early college days two friends already in the game came to hate each other over out-of-game reasons (a woman). They still sat across the table from each other every Friday looking like they wanted to strangle each other. I think we did have to hold the big guy back one time when things got too heated. Our solution: Ignore the problem.

The more recent event also involved two people already in the game. Both have "social issues" and when one suggested therapy to the other they both got into how much the other was screwed up. Neither wanted to play with the other anymore. I tried smoothing things over between the two to no avail. Our solution: The game is on Friday, show up if you wish.

So I geuss my advice is to just run your game and let whoever will show up, show up.

 

[Raven Crowking]

I have a problem, and would like your advise. I am starting a new game. Both player A and player B want to play, but player A said he has problems with, and will not play in the same game as, player B. Both of these people are my friends.

How do I handle this?

Thank you.

Have a meeting with them. Bring a pool cue. Break the pool cue. Tell them "Who wants to play for me? Now I only have one spot available so we're gonna have tryouts."

Later on, you can light their money on fire.


RC

 

[Nightchilde-2]

have a meeting with them. Bring a pool cue. Break the pool cue. Tell them "who wants to play for me? Now i only have one spot available so we're gonna have tryouts."

later on, you can light their money on fire.

gmta. ;-)

 

[twilsemail]

EDIT: Just to add to the discussion, I will ask: Has anyone ever actually been in this situation? If so, how did you handle it?

I've actually spent the past couple of months being Player A (not this particular player A mind you, but a similar case). I can't stand a player in one of our local games. Every Monday night that gets hung up at the door and we have a blast RPing. Our problems are personal, not game related. She's an exceptional RPer and I don't think the game would be anywhere near as good as it is without her.

We don't chat afterwards and we don't run side scenes, but that's neither here nor there. For the few hours where game culminates, we're fine.

Edit: Also, we've avoided major interaction between our PCs. Her's and mine just don't have issues in which they really need to react in any vested way. IC I've got a hate on for another PC and have formed friendships with two others. We both know that neither of these circumstances will work out for the better in our case.

 

[Blizzardb]

As I see it, it is very simple: Player A has some requirements towards the group, Player B has none. Looks to me that the fair thing to do would be to invite Player B and let Player A either overcome his issues or skip the game.

That being said, if you prefer Player A for some reason (close friend, exceptional player, etc.), you have the right to invite him instead.

As a side note, I can put myself in the shoes of Player A - there are several persons I know that I would not like as a teammates (because of a vast difference in playstyles and game expectations or just because they are jerks).