Options: when DM and Player Collide

[TheUnknownSoul]

Yes. Somebody else can DM. (That's what I offer to my players if they don't like the number of options I allow. No surprise, there has never been a taker.)

Ah, he knows better than to offer that; I'd call him on it. So would another player in our group.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Here is another question: what do you do when a PC comes to you with a nonstandard idea like a goliath or a warlock (to keep the examples)? If you allow it, why and how do you justify it (assuming neither has been given a previous place in your world) if not, why don't you?

I'd normally say no. I set out the ground rules for a campaign at the outset, and there are some circumstances when I'll review a suggestion and decide how to build it into the campaign setting, but I would never allow something in if I felt it would be out of kilter for the campaign or 'overpowered' in my eyes. This is especially true if something is being introduced after the start of the campaign, and existing players can feel a little miffed if new players get all kinds of 'cool stuff' that they didn't have available to them.

I find that a huge proportion of new 'options' are powerups in disguise (or not). the book of Nine Swords sounded interesting, but having looked at it there is no way that I could integrate it into an existing campaign. I could use it as the centrepiece of a new campaign with a wuxia/anime feel to it, but it just wouldn't fit into my current campaign.

Some people are happy letting everything in and trusting that it will all work out, and that's fine. It is also fine if the DM (who is putting in most of the work!) gets to set the ground rules for a particular campaign.

So that's how I work as a DM. I'll have a dialog about options , but ultimately I make the decisions for my campaign (just as the other guys make the decisions for their own campaigns).

Cheers

 

[Stalker0]

Try having him think outside the box instead of a bigger box.

With a little rules tweaking, the core is everything you need to make things interesting. Ask him if you can play a fighter with more skill points and a lower HD. Play a character with a very customizied magic item. A caster with a signature spell...same as the normal spell but in your hands its just plain better, etc. You don't need more books to get more options.

 

[Umbran]

Here is another question: what do you do when a PC comes to you with a nonstandard idea like a goliath or a warlock (to keep the examples)? If you allow it, why and how do you justify it (assuming neither has been given a previous place in your world) if not, why don't you?

It is entirely dependant upon the case - the player in question, the character design, the group, and the campaign and world involved.

In general, I try to be accommodating, but the new thing does have to fit with what else is already in play. The new design must be balanced with what we're already using. I have to find a way to work it into the pre-existing campaign world. And, I have to think that it'll not clash horribly with the other characters. It is usually not hard to find something that'll fit within those parameters, but sometimes a particular choice won't.

 

[Nyaricus]

Sounds liek DM Burnout to me. If he's constantly switching campaigns, that's a big sign of the need to try something new.

My suggestions are to:

(1) talk to him as a friend and mutual D&D particpant and explain you are not satisfyed with the games right now and that you want a change, due to his too-tight hold on the game and the constant switching of settings, et al.
(2) try your hand at DMing! There's nothing wrong with this, and frankly it's fun to do When you DM, try somehting like "anything goes" and see what happens - you may find it fun, and your DM pal may find it eye-opening

 

[Gold Roger]

That you DM yourself and have other games changes a lot. In that case my advice would be to still talk it out first. Calmly explain why his game just doesn't give you what you want from a RPG these days. If he doesn't change much explain again and explain that's the reason you're then leaving his game-it just isn't for you anymore and a player that doesn't have fun doesn't do the game any good. If he's reasonable this shouldn't be a problem.