How do I inspire a lax player?

[DDK]

I have a good group of players. I like all of them and enjoy pretty much every game we play. However, one player in particular doesn't seem to be able to really take full advantage of his character. What I mean by this is that his character could be doing many things but he just seems to stay in the background and let everyone else do stuff.
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is and I have, in subtle and not so subtle ways, tried to encourage him but all to no avail. It's not that he's not intelligent, in fact I'm almost positive he's the most intelligent of our group, and I don't think it's because he's unimaginative, he just doesn't seem to want to DO anything.
One example is when he was held in a web and couldn't get out. He could've cast spells or fire his bow at enemies but he did nothing. Playing a bard character meant that he could've at least sung to help his comrades but all he did was struggle fruitlessly against the web for over ten rounds!
Another example was when it was patently obvious that there was a secret door in a wall but nobody could find the trigger mechanism (the Search DC was too high) and if he'd just have inspired someone and thus given them a +2 bonus, the players would've found a 10,000gp diamond! It's SOOO frustrating to see this kind of thing happen and not be able to just shout, "DO SOMETHING!"
His character is far from useless and there are dozens of times when I think to myself, "If he'd only do this, then it could help the entire party..." but he just never takes advantage of his character. He just sits back and lets everyone else do everything.
What can I do to inspire him? Like I said, I don't think it's because he's stupid or unimaginative, but he just doesn't seem to get involved very much. I've asked if he enjoys playing and if he's bored and he said he does and he isn't but that's about the only thing I can think of that it could be.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

What can I do to inspire him? Like I said, I don't think it's because he's stupid or unimaginative, but he just doesn't seem to get involved very much. I've asked if he enjoys playing and if he's bored and he said he does and he isn't but that's about the only thing I can think of that it could be.

I have a player like this, and had a similar situation.

He just made it clear he likes to play the way he likes to play. He gets very uncomfortable if I push him into the spotlight- so I don't.

Just be sure to never design encounters that hinge on him for success, and let him have fun.

FD

 

[Crothian]

I had this one player that just sat around and did nothing. I couldn't figure out how to inspire him until I talked to his wife. She told me that he talked about the gaming sessions all the time and was actually having a really fun time. It's just he didn't seem to express it during the game.

So, unless you specifically have a problem with this, find out if there is a problem before you invent one.

 

[DDK]

Re: Re: How do I inspire a lax player?

He just made it clear he likes to play the way he likes to play. He gets very uncomfortable if I push him into the spotlight- so I don't.

The problem with that is that his inaction affects the rest of the party and the game. Like I said, the party missed out on a 10,000gp diamond because he didn't use his ability. That's only one of many things that happen where he could be useful but isn't.

Essentially, he's making it harder for everyone else and everyone else is noticing and starting to get a bit annoyed.

 

[Cedric]

Well...although it's a bit intrusive and some players or parties might resent it...

You could consider having an NPC travel with the group for some time who is young and thinking of becoming a Bard. Maybe they could rescue the NPC or something.

Seeing this player as an example the NPC could ask a lot of questions about what it's like to be a bard and what bards are capable of doing.

Then if they get in a tense situation, the young NPC could ask, "Hey Mr Bard, is this one of those times you were talking about when you could sing <insert song here> and help the party?"

<shrugs> Short of dismissing someone from the group (which is really extreme unless you are SERIOUS about your group). Your hands are kind of tied. Just keep working with the player and make sure your xp awards reflect accurately how well the player plays his/her character.

Cedric

 

[Duncan Haldane]

One example is when he was held in a web and couldn't get out. He could've cast spells or fire his bow at enemies but he did nothing. Playing a bard character meant that he could've at least sung to help his comrades but all he did was struggle fruitlessly against the web for over ten rounds!
Another example was when it was patently obvious that there was a secret door in a wall but nobody could find the trigger mechanism (the Search DC was too high) and if he'd just have inspired someone and thus given them a +2 bonus, the players would've found a 10,000gp diamond! It's SOOO frustrating to see this kind of thing happen and not be able to just shout, "DO SOMETHING!"

Are you sure he realises he can do these things? Perhaps you could make occasional suggestions to him or to the group. For instance, in the searching instance, you could have said "can anyone help to increase the searcher's result?"
(btw, wouldn't Aid Another help in this circumstance?)

In case of the web I would've thought about taking him aside and telling him he can still sing/cast spells/fire arrows while in the web.

To me it sounds as though he isn't sure of what he can do

Duncan

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Re: Re: Re: How do I inspire a lax player?

The problem with that is that his inaction affects the rest of the party and the game. Like I said, the party missed out on a 10,000gp diamond because he didn't use his ability. That's only one of many things that happen where he could be useful but isn't.

Essentially, he's making it harder for everyone else and everyone else is noticing and starting to get a bit annoyed.

Err, Ok, I was being nice at first.

First- How was he supposed to know his singing would allow them to find a gem? The bard is limited to the amount of times he can sing- so perhaps he did not want to waste it on someone searching.

Second- the dm, knowing the player was like this, why would he have a DC that required the player to act differently then what is normal for the player? That seems like a pretty poor decision on the dm's part.

I don't see why a player wanting to take the backseat would be a detrimental to the group unless the DM set up such silly situations.

FD

 

[thundershot]

Most often, the other players make suggestions as to what to do. I can't imagine a group not helping each other out. If it were our group, someone would undoubtedly list some possible actions for the person...

 

[ichabod]

This sounds like a "casual gamer." Casual gamers like to sit it the background during the game, and don't necessarily care about doing stuff or being in the spotlight. They are there more to hang out with their friends.

They are not going to enjoy being pushed to be more active. If he is dragging down the other players, I'd suggest designing your adventures so he isn't necessary, and he won't drag them down.

Also, a random die roll determining whether or not they get a 10,000 gp diamond is a bit much, me thinks. You should always have two ways the players can solve a given problem. That way your players can come up with a completely unexpected third way to do it.

 

[DDK]

Re: Re: Re: Re: How do I inspire a lax player?

First- How was he supposed to know his singing would allow them to find a gem? The bard is limited to the amount of times he can sing- so perhaps he did not want to waste it on someone searching.

Second- the dm, knowing the player was like this, why would he have a DC that required the player to act differently then what is normal for the player? That seems like a pretty poor decision on the dm's part.

I don't see why a player wanting to take the backseat would be a detrimental to the group unless the DM set up such silly situations.

FD

First: It's not that he knew or didn't know, it's that he knew that there was a secret door (like I said, it was obvious), and therefore it should be obvious that whilst taking 20 on a search and nobody is finding the trigger, that they needed a bit of a boost. I mean, obviously if they can't find it, it's beyond their abilities and if that's the case, then it must be hiding something pretty important.

Second: This is RttToEE. I didn't set the DC. And even if I did, calling me a poor DM isn't exactly helping anyone...

It's detrimental to the group because the group is a group and not a bunch of individuals. The group relies on each member to pull his/her own weight so as to be effective. Anyone who doesn't, essentially weakens the party.

As for some of the other comments from other people, I'd like to point out that we've been gaming together for over a year now as a group. I don't want to get rid of him, I just want him to get involved more. His character is 8th-level and has Extra Music so he can use his bardic abilities 14 times a day! Most days he'd be lucky to use them once...