How do you tell a fellow player he can't pick a particular feat for his PC?

[Driddle]

We looked askance at our party wizard (player) when he picked Animal Affinity for one of his 1st level feats. Gave him the benefit of the doubt, however, figuring maybe he had some concept planned to make best use of a +2 to his ride and handle animal checks. But nope. Hasn't even put a full five ranks in the latter to get a synergy bonus!

As he approaches third level, now he's talking about taking the Acrobatic feat. Not a darned good reason for it, as far as I can tell. He's not a jumper or tumbler -- he's a frippin' mage! Another feat thrown to the wind when he should be picking something spell related to help the team.

He's obviously intent on wasting feats on a badly planned character. What's the best way to tell him it won't be allowed?

 

[Mouseferatu]

He's obviously intent on wasting feats on a badly planned character. What's the best way to tell him it won't be allowed?

You don't.

You can certainly tell him you think it's a bad idea, and suggest he do otherwise. But the only person at the table with the right to disallow options is the DM, and even that right is subject to the Player's Veto (i.e. the right to walk away from the table).

 

[theredrobedwizard]

Maybe, um... he's just trying to make his character more flavorful?

I have no idea. I'm just making excuses. Seriously, ask him why he picked those feats. Don't be condescending, just ask the bloke what possessed him to do such a thing.

Maybe he honestly doesn't understand how the magic/spellcaster related feats work, and needs some help.

Edit: Also, this...

... he's a frippin' mage ...

Maybe he really wants to be a flipping mage. *rimshot*

-TRRW

 

[DerHauptman]

Are you kidding....

Not your character...not your fun - nuf said.

This is a game, not a math problem, there are no right answers, only fun...just because the character seems poorly planned to you, does not mean the player has no plan...its just not your plan - maybe that's the issue right there, its not your plan so you think its a bad one....?

 

[Numion]

He's obviously intent on wasting feats on a badly planned character. What's the best way to tell him it won't be allowed?

What gives, Dirddle? Just a few days ago you were of the opinion that it would be ridiculous for a group to have any say on what someone plays. And now you're asking advice how to micromanage someones feat selection?

 

[Hunter In Darkness]

he can pick anything the dm allows hes the one playing it sounds odd to me but its his call not the other players..u can talk to him about it but in the end his call just go with it your there to have fun after all and he looks to be enjoying himself so let it be

 

[Driddle]

What gives, Dirddle? Just a few days ago you were of the opinion that it would be ridiculous for a group to have any say on what someone plays. And now you're asking advice how to micromanage someones feat selection?

Yeah. Ridiculous, aint it?

So ya with me or not? This is OUR team after all. He should be considering how frittering away valuable magic resources (his character's feats) affects US.

 

[frankthedm]

Are you kidding....

Not your character...not your fun - nuf said.

This is a game, not a math problem, there are no right answers, only fun...just because the character seems poorly planned to you, does not mean the player has no plan...its just not your plan - maybe that's the issue right there, its not your plan so you think its a bad one....?

When this lackluster wizard can't hold up his share of the responsibility in the Field / Dungeon, the whole party suffers. Do you expect foes to get weaker when PCs make poor build choices? A player should not feel pressure to min-max /optimize, but basically throwing away feats is tantamount to trying to trying to kill your own party. It would be like a firefighter activly trying, so to speak, to gain 80 pounds of fat.

 

[Mouseferatu]

When this lackluster wizard can't hold up his share of the responsibility in the Field / Dungeon, the whole party suffers. Do you expect foes to get weaker when PCs make poor build choices? A player should not feel pressure to min-max /optimize, but basically throwing away feats is tantamount to trying to trying to kill your own party. It would be like a firefighter actively trying, so to speak, to gain 80 pounds of fat.

I agree, it's a bad idea. And the solution is to explain one's position to the "problem player," and suggest otherwise. But no player has the right to demand or disallow in a situation like this.

 

[Numion]

So ya with me or not? This is OUR team after all. He should be considering how frittering away valuable magic resources (his character's feats) affects US.

I just wanted to be the first to call BS