How to tell if it is time to leave

[Elf Witch]

I have read several threads on DM burn out but very little on player burn out. I think I may be suffering from some of it. I like the guys I play with they are good people I have been playing with some of them for about six years. I also looked forward to game day and afterwards I was psyched to write 12 page journals.

But lately writing journals is a chore I only do it for the XP. I have had several very unhappy sessions that when I left the game I swore to my roommate who also plays that I was not going to come back. The rules arguing has totally got on my nerves when it starts I just want to get up walk away and go home.

My character recently was killed and I was trying to build a new one in case reincarnate didn't work out and as I was building the character the only concept I could come up with was a spy to ultimately mess with and destroy the party.

Okay so maybe it is time I took a break from this group but I am wondering if I need a break from gaming period. I am not sure what lead to me feeling this way and I don't want to join a new group and bring my issues into it if itmis me that is the problem.

 

[Radiant]

take a break. I needed one for a year too.

 

[Emiricol]

You could try a new gaming system. Sometimes the process of having to learn a new system can revitalize the ol' juices I mostly DM, so playing is a mere dream...

 

[Nightfall]

Try different genres as well. Or better yet something REALLY alternative like Midnight and AU. That's what kept me going. (That and my completely unhealthy obssession of being the Scarred Lands Guru. )

 

[Elf Witch]

You could try a new gaming system. Sometimes the process of having to learn a new system can revitalize the ol' juices I mostly DM, so playing is a mere dream...

I have been thinking of maybe trying to find some one in my area running Shadowrun or maybe a white wolf table top game. I think a little part of the problem is DnD with its focus on combat, skills and feats. I think a lot of the skills and what is considered class and what is cross class makes no sense. For example why can't any class be good at diplomacy?

I want to have more role playing what ever that means. I read some great story hours and I am like man I would love to do that. Part of the problem is that for most of my group character development consists of feat trees and magic items. This never bothered me that much before I felt that I got enough role playing to keep me happy and enough combat to keep them happy.

I don't know how to put in words exactly what I mean and I know I have frustrated the players who have tried to understand my point of view. They don't want me to leave.

 

[Nightfall]

*chants* Midnight!! Midnight!!

 

[Darkness]

I don't know how to put in words exactly what I mean and I know I have frustrated the players who have tried to understand my point of view. They don't want me to leave.

You could tell them this:

I want to have more role playing what ever that means. I read some great story hours and I am like man I would love to do that. Part of the problem is that for most of my group character development consists of feat trees and magic items. This never bothered me that much before I felt that I got enough role playing to keep me happy and enough combat to keep them happy.

You could use it as a starting point, at least.

 

[The Spectrum Rider]

Nothing the matter with taking a break. If you think it'll help, do it.

But you might want to talk with the DM, and have him talk to the other players. You may not be the only one feeling some dissatisfaction with the current style of play, and if that's the case, maybe the game itself will change.

The Spectrum Rider

 

[Nightfall]

Or another way of expressing it goes something like this:

Elf Witch: "Guys I really want do something different."
Gamer 1 "Ooh! I know! Let's make an all halfling party...and we'll torment some gnomes!"
Gamer 2 "Nah! Let's make ourselves epic level goths! That way we can be evil AND cool!"
DM "Nope we are not doing any of those! We are making a normal D&D party...and I expect you all to bow to my whim!"
*Elf witch takes out a 12 gauge, double barrelled sawed off shot gun*
Elf Witch "I say you all shut up and listen to me! Or my friend here is going to be quite upset!"

Of course that's just me...

 

[Darkness]

Gamer 2 "Nah! Let's make ourselves epic level goths! That way we can be evil AND cool!"

/me has flashbacks of some people he met at Vampire LARPs.
/me faints.