Powergaming as a DM?

[Adlon]

The question you should ask yourself: Would you want that item in your game, used by a PC?

anytime you place an item in the game, even on an NPC, you must figure it's going to fall into the PC's hands at some point. If it doesn't, then you're all set. but if the PC's have a lucky day, they might just own that item.

So, do you want it in your game?

 

[Eldragon]

As a DM, I powergame, a lot. Why? Because my players powergame like dittle little munchkins. They know I powergame. In fact, some of them have stopped looking for powergaming combos on their own, and just wait until I use something nasty on them. They then pick up on that idea and use it for their next character.

A key aspect to remember about DM powergaming is that it is much more likly to kill a PC. My players are fine with PCs dropping left and right. In fact, they start getting annoyed if no one has died after about 5 sessions. Why? cause if no-one is getting killed, they don't view the game as challenging enough.

So it is good to powergame, but you just need to know what you players like in a game.

 

[geezerjoe]

IM(NS)HO I think the DM should design some NPCs in a powergamer fashion and some not ... basically the DM gets to "play" with the full gambit of character desing types and all ... its the really fun part of DMing (since its a part of the creation and story telling aspects)

Gamers also have to realize that there are consiquences to their actions. Its funny when you try to teach a player this and then run in their game at a later time and they are harsher than you were. Hehehe .. that's strange and fun to see

l8r

Joe2Old

 

[BlackMoria]

Based on what you said, I think you have a 'problem player' issue more that whether the DM should or should not powergame like the players.

The player in question seems to lack maturity and doesn't have a good handle on game related 'cause and effect' outcomes.

Personally, if a player of mine acted like that, I would explain a few things about cause and effect and thinking things through. And if they continue to have chip on their shoulder or a tantrum about it, I would kick him to the curb.

But that is me - after being a DM for over 25 years, I am know to be long in the tooth and crotchy to my players and not likely to be too forgiving of acts of immaturity and lack of social graces.

YMMV.

 

[omnimpotent]

I think Black Moria hit it on the head.

Power gamers will try to get lots of powerful magic items, but only Problem gamers will "get dramatic" about it when they don't get what they want.

I also agree that you have to power game to match the PC's, more or less. Really, that way the players get the game they were expecting to play in.

Now, I've only been a GM for about 19 years now, and I am long in the tooth, and crotchety to my players. How you get them to the table when you're being CROTCHY to them is a trick I wouldn't mind hearing about...

 

[Drawmack]

First, if my players attacked high level anything they would do it becuase they didn't like their character and were trying to die so I'd have them turned into mind controled slaves instead.

Second, should a DM powergame? Well it depends. I personally don't like power gaming as it draws away from the versimilitude of the game. I will do it if I must to challenge my PCs. My favorite trick is to make photocopies of the PCs sheets changes the names and sometimes the races then have them fight themselves without even knowing it. This catches the powergamers every time.

 

[JoeGKushner]

For me, powergaming depends on the PC and situation.

There are times when the PCs clearly encounter a bad ass. For example, I was basing one NPC in my old Scarred Lands campaign off of Lady from the Black Company. In my campaign, 'Bliss' was a powerful 20th level sorcerer, 10th level fighter with lots of unique spells, magic items, and even a relic or two.

She was there for background effect and the players knew it.

Some however, didn't take kindly to her so they started building themselves up for a final confrontation.

Game ended before that happened but I was willing to provide all the tools they needed to get up to that power level as long as they realized that nothing is free and that she was a tough foe.

Now if the first time they meet her and they started attacking, they'd be dead. It'd be like attacking a high powered Thayian Mage who came fully bluffed to chat with the party.