Kicking a player out of the group.

[Alynnalizza]

Greetings,

I'm in a situation that I would like your thoughts upon. My group consists of myself as DM and 3 players. I am debating in kicking one of the players out. He is friend of 20 years who has, in all honestly, stunk up the joint in the last year or so role-playing wise.
My questions are:

1. How well do groups of 2 pc's do in 3rd Edition? Neither have a desire to play another character.
2. How much scaling back, if any, should I do?
(The remaining PC's are: Fighter2/Rogue5, Paladin3/Fighter2/Sorceror2)

The two remaining players are okay with the scenario of just themselves, and actually look forward to being able to blend combat and rp'ing more.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Crothian]

Running a game with 2 PCs is not as bad as you might think. As you have been DMing them for some time at least you should havea good feel on what they can do. Of course you will need to scale things back some and combats with many opponents will be much tougher, but use your best judgement.

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

2 pcs are fine

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

have you talked to the guy your consitering kicking out about the problem

 

[Alzrius]

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but a party of two PCs sounds optimal for using the gestalt classes described in Unearthed Arcana.

 

[GSHamster]

Sometimes I don't understand how people can so easily kick people out of gaming groups. I can barely conceive of having a friend for 20 years, and I'd probably stop role-playing rather than hurt the feelings of my oldest friends in such a manner, even if they weren't the best roleplayers.

Maybe I'm reading your situation wrong, but I recently saw a very similar thread that read the exact same way.

 

[Knoxgamer]

I've had to kick friends out of gaming groups twice during my time as a GM. I'd like to think I did so with a maximum of tact, but in both cases it terminated the friendship I had with the player.

Two players is a fine group to have, and i'm sure you could recruit another one or two if you really wanted to. Keep in mind, however, that a friendship that has endured that long is likely more valuable than the current campaign (or roleplaying at all).

You may want to consider other possibilties, perhaps even including ending your current game and looking to join a new gaming group.

 

[Vanuslux]

Maybe I have a different idea of friendship than most people, but frankly just knowing someone for a long time does not make them my friend. If the bond of friendship can be broken over a disagreement about a roleplaying game then it's not much of a friendship.

 

[Talon5]

This hits rather close to home as I have a friend and player that I have known for 24 yrs, her RPing has slid considerablely in the last few years. I am considering my own approuch on how to speak with her, as I am unwilling to sacrifice my friendship for my gaming.

Few questions regarding your situation- How has this player and friend of 20 yrs stunk up your group? Poor RPing or does he just need a shower? Are the other players pushing to rid the group of him?

Talking to The Stink might solve your problem. Letting him know the problems that your having, if he's a good friend then perhaps he would prefer to know there is a problem rather then just being booted.

Take it easy and let us know how it turned out

 

[Alynnalizza]

Thanks for the responses.

Another player (a friend also of 20 years) and myself have tried to talk to the player in question. Ultimately it seems to vanish about 10 minutes into the game. I think as time has gone my DM style and his play style have widen in flavor. He has become strictly a numbers person, where I have become more story integrated. Neither one is better, just the gap as grown from workable to frustration at times.

I might mention I have DM'd for approx. 22 years and up until a year ago have never even thought of anything like this happening. I was blessed by having 5 or 6 great role-players. Some of this is my fault. I think sometimes I overlooked his style of play, though trying my best to accomodate everyones style throughout the game. Pleasing everyone is not always easy, and I'm sure he was the one I left behind on more than one occassion.

As far as our friendship goes, I'm sure for a least 6 months it will be rough, but we are both adults. I am hopeful as well that a group he has joined recently (which IMO is part of the more recent problems, getting the two games confused and the like) will bear more fruition towards his style of play and we can rejoice over an adult beverage about each others group.