D&D General I want to fire a player.

[Ancalagon]

Ok, I guess it depends on the VTT. To cast a spell, I simply click one "button" next to a listed spell on my D&D Beyond character sheet, and it automatically rolls the damage, and the DM deducts HP from the targeted monster on his end, and then moves to the next PC. The process takes maybe 15 seconds.

Oh that's the conclusion of the process. There is a lot of decision making that goes in beforehand - what spell are you casting? what's the target? Is there an area? When is the damage inflicted (for some spells, it is not on your turn!) etc etc etc.

 

[beancounter]

Oh that's the conclusion of the process. There is a lot of decision making that goes in beforehand - what spell are you casting? what's the target? Is there an area? When is the damage inflicted (for some spells, it is not on your turn!) etc etc etc.

Yea, if the player isn't thinking about which spell to cast while other players are taking their turns, that's a problem - with or without a VTT.

 

[TwoSix]

Ok, I guess it depends on the VTT. To cast a spell, I simply click one "button" next to a listed spell on my D&D Beyond character sheet, and it automatically rolls the damage, and the DM deducts HP from the targeted monster on his end, and then moves to the next PC. The process takes maybe 15 seconds.

There are a lot of spells that don't do damage.

I'm sure there are ways to alleviate some of the concerns (I know how to use a VTT, but am certainly not an expert), but I don't think it's a major point of contention that playing on a VTT adds an extra layer of complexity to play, as opposed to just TotM or minis on a table.

VTT is more convenient than in-person play, to my mind, with games with lots of floating modifiers so the VTT can handle the math load.

 

[Reynard]

I appreciate all the supportive comments.

I have decided it isn't worth "firing" him because I don't think I am going to maintain the campaign much longer. I am busier than I expected and I am burning out on 5E, so I am going to find a place to end it soon. The next thing I run will be something light and no prep, which he won't be interested in anyway.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Gaming group chemistry is an important thing, and when it's been off for a while, you definitely notice when it's righted. Especially after dealing with it for too long.

That has also been my experience as well. It's never fun, but it's always the right call. One person really can spoil the fun for everyone else.

 

[Seramus]

It's rare that your friends are great players.

Find great players and become friends with them.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I love the player. We have been friends for literal decades. He brings creativity to the game.

But -- with that creativity he brings all kinds of problems. First of all, due to personal issues he randomly doesn't show up (we play VTT) but even worse when he doesn't the game is better.

He is slow with the VTT and always must build the most complex character possible so it's always a chore when his turn comes up.

It's so hard. Ugh.

Wait a minute, do you PAY your players!?! (j/k)

One of my players on Saturday we had to drop from the VTT during COVID. He was using his phone and didn't have a great connection--it was very annoying.

So, talk to him, tell him how much you appreciate his contribution, but explain about the issues with overly complex PCs, taking too much time, etc. Give him the chance to alter his style for VTT, and if it doesn't work for everyone, you'll have to let him go. It's a shame, but these things happen from time to time.

 

[DarkCrisis]

I've fired like half the group once (cause it got to like 12 players) and recommended they start their own game. Do what ya have to do.

 

[Hex08]

I appreciate all the supportive comments.

I have decided it isn't worth "firing" him because I don't think I am going to maintain the campaign much longer. I am busier than I expected and I am burning out on 5E, so I am going to find a place to end it soon. The next thing I run will be something light and no prep, which he won't be interested in anyway.

I get that. The first player I "fired" had developed a serious drinking problem and since we were no longer playing in person (I moved about 12 years ago) he started drinking while gaming and would get wasted. It sucked for everyone, but I decided to let it go because the end of the campaign (Pathfinder RIse of the Runelords) wasn't far off. Once it ended I had to take some time off to prep the next game, about two months or so I think, so I just didn't invite him back. He hit rock bottom pretty bad but is now sober and back playing and is my best role-player and we now split GM duties.

 

[Blue]

The DM asked a player to leave a campaign I was playing in, after talking to the rest of us. We had a steady weekly game, and a year+ into play that player started running a game every other week - on the same night. It was because he wanted to get his wife back into the game and that was the only night she was available, but that meant both him and his adult son who was also part of our game were gone every other week. That swing of two players was too much, and when we couldn't find a day to move our game to we asked him to drop out of that game. He then completely severed contact with everyone in the group, sad as he was a fun guy.