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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SteveC" data-source="post: 9880607" data-attributes="member: 9053">I think this is a really good question, but it's also so far outside of the skillset that most people have, that it takes a lot of effort.The thing I would recommend most is reading management books (okay, subscribe to a management YouTuber or TikTok ... whatever they are in 2026). I will give you what I have used in the past. During the session, you have to manage things to keep a problem player under wraps. That means using transitions and seques away from problematic stuff, and calm refocusing to keep things civil at the very least. If that can't happen, time for a break in the session!I would talk to someone personally, one-on-one in a relaxed atmosphere. Like over lunch. And then say "hey, you seemed to be under some stress in the game, what's going on?" And then listen.The example I have used on these very boards is where a player was cheating. It got the rest of the group really annoyed so I had to deal with it. It turns out he had a world of complicated problems going on (some serious stuff) and just couldn't handle failing in the game too. So we talked about that, and I helped him with those issues where I could. And he cheated much less.I told the group "Bob is going through a rough patch, and I think that's why this is going on." And they were okay with it. And they were supportive of Bob (and that wasn't his name...)Each situation is different, but it starts with a conversation. Is the person neurodivergent? If so, is there some calming technique they can use? Can I present the game differently to be more direct?If the person is just being a jerk, and you can't decide on a reason for it, it's time to ask, "Are you having fun? Is this game really for you?" And maybe a mutual disconnect is the only thing to handle it.But listening, coaching, and adjusting what you can to accommodate different needs is the key.</blockquote>

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