Problems at the gaming table

[Ogre Mage]

One of the players in our game (who I will call Gus) runs a PC who shows a total lack of sense i.e. running ahead in the dungeon when the rest of the party is not ready to do so and acting very defiant when other PCs ask him to stop doing this. Things have gotten bad enough that some of the other PCs want to kick the character out of the group. They did not want to get rid of Gus, however, they just want him to make a new (more agreeable) character.

In the midst of this, one of the players now says they saw Gus cheat on a die roll in combat.

What are your impressions? Should anything be done? (Note: I am not the DM, just a player).

 

[heimdall]

Has any of the players (and the DM for that matter) tried to talk to Gus off-line about the situation?

 

[Ogre Mage]

Has any of the players (and the DM for that matter) tried to talk to Gus off-line about the situation?

The player who saw the cheated die roll says he confronted Gus about it privately. Supposedly Gus denied it.

As for the character problem, that has not been discussed with him yet.

 

[ph34r]

First, is he a kender? This would explain the crazy in game behavior!

As for the second part. I'm not real sure what to do.

Edit: The beauty of being slow to post a response....

 

[Hypersmurf]

... a PC who shows a total lack of sense i.e. running ahead in the dungeon when the rest of the party is not ready to do so...

Hey, we got your back, man...

... non-dairy creamer?

Seriously, people who run ahead in dungeons, if it's spoiling the fun for the rest of the party, should fall into a sheer pit that's home to a nest of stirges.

No big deal to a party that acts as a team - someone can Sleep the stirges while someone else lowers a rope, or whatever.

Damned nasty if you're by yourself.

And spoiling other people's fun warrants stirges. Lots of 'em.

-Hyp.

 

[heimdall]

I prefer a pit of melted marshmallows (filled to the top) to make the point.

This is how I've handled it in the past as a DM.

About the first, the group probably needs to have the most diplomatic of the lot, and failing that (none of you are feeling particularly diplomatic), the DM should have a talk with old Gus. Preferably, help Gus develop a character concept that doesn't involve rushing headlong into trouble. If he persists, the DM should have a "modification" prepared to geek him and him alone once or twice to see if he gets the point.

As far as #2, unfortunately it's one player's word against another. Probably the easiest way to handle this is for the DM to rule that all player rolls need to be rolled in the open to remove any chance of impropriety. The DM's rolls, of course, remain hidden (if pressed, DMs can fudge dice rolls in favor of the players and rolling in the open means he can't).

If he doesn't heed #1, especially after getting geeked, or if he gets indignant after #2, then ask him to take a few weeks off. If he wants to come back and "play by the rules" give him one more chance. DM should have the "geek him traps" still handy, however. If he falls immediately back into his old pattern, it's time to say goodbye. It's hard, but necessary. We had to ask a guy we were all friends with not to play anymore because, well, he was sabotaging the fun of the rest of the party. And after all, we play to enjoy the game... apologies to the Jets head coach.

 

[Mark]

If you're willing to just ignore the false die-rolling, which I suggest you do unless he is caught in the act and called on it right then, I'd say let the group work it out. Be sure to let them know that they have options. Let the group know, if anyone brings it up at the table, that no one has a character that has to be tolerated just because everyone likes the player. When you think about it, if a group is out risking their lives all of the time and someone is making those risks much, much higher, it is not out of the question that the group might pack up and leave without him the next time they are resting in a town...if not eliminate him in some other manner in keeping with their alignments.

 

[Hypersmurf]

"Of course it's safe to pet him. You saw me cast the spell, didn't you?"

-Hyp.

 

[ForceUser]

One of the players in our game (who I will call Gus) runs a PC who shows a total lack of sense i.e. running ahead in the dungeon when the rest of the party is not ready to do so and acting very defiant when other PCs ask him to stop doing this. Things have gotten bad enough that some of the other PCs want to kick the character out of the group. They did not want to get rid of Gus, however, they just want him to make a new (more agreeable) character.

In the midst of this, one of the players now says they saw Gus cheat on a die roll in combat.

What are your impressions? Should anything be done? (Note: I am not the DM, just a player).

First, watch his die rolls attentively. Second, a character that stupid is bound to die; just let it happen. Maybe the player will learn to work as a team player. Finally, if nobody likes him, boot him from the group.

 

[pogre]

I would tell him openly that the way he is playing his character is taking away from your fun. Be cordial and friendly with an open ear to why he is doing this.

As for the cheating - let it go with a mention to the DM that it might be nice if everybody rolled in the open with witnesses, because you think some of the other players might question your rolls. Why bring it on yourself? It's safe, non-accusatory, and most likely to get the DM to agree with no friction in the group.