Putting up with him... Or simply not playing?

[Ahnehnois]

In my early DMing days, I used to have some players who didn't have much variety. I instituted a rule that each new character a player made had to be substantially different than everything they'd played before (as determined by me). There was a little grumbling, but not too much; it seemed to help in the long run.

Of course if a person is truly obstinate and unresponsive to the rest of the group after repeated and creative attempts to change this, there's not much to do but let the player go and move on.

 

[Elf Witch]

If it is going to drive you crazy and ruin your fun then maybe he should not play with you.

I would like to add that the fact that he likes to play the same type of character all the time is not a bad thing. Some players just do that. It is common enough that it is recognized as a play style. That fact that it bugs you is more your issue than his.

I can get how irritating it gets to listen to someone go on and on about their perfect system. I have a friend who is like this over the Hero system. Every time a game we are playing doesn't do what he thinks it should do he trots out "if this was Hero we fill in the blank" I either point out well we are not playing Hero or I ignore it.

The last thing is something that should be addressed. It should be pointed out to him that if he is not DMing he should keep quiet. Let him know it is annoying and distracting.

 

[Doug McCrae]

I hear you. Players who always play the same character annoy me also.

Ab3's rpg horror stories feature a player, 'El Disgusto', who always plays a ninja, no matter what. In a Call of Cthulhu game where all the PCs were academics he wanted to be a professor of ninja studies.

Achy Breaky Mythos

 

[Raven Crowking]

Life is too short for games you are not enjoying. That doesn't mean everything has to be hippety-ho all the time, but if your overall experience is that you are not enjoying the game, you should make a change.


RC

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

In a Call of Cthulhu game where all the PCs were academics he wanted to be a professor of ninja studies.

I want to see that course catalog.

N101/PE122: Introduction to Ninjitsu
N102: Foundations of Ninjology
N103/H110: World History of Ninjas
N104/Dra111/Engl123: Ninjas in Fiction and Pop Culture
N105/Phi107: Ninja Ethics

N201: Applied Micro-Ninjology
N202: Applied Macro-Ninjology
N203/PE222: Advanced Ninjitsu: Schools, Paths and Ways
N204/Engr224: Ninja Technology
N277: Ninjology Seminar
N288: Self-Studies in Ninjology

 

[ExploderWizard]

I want to see that course catalog.

N101/PE122: Introduction to Ninjitsu
N102: Foundations of Ninjology
N103/H110: World History of Ninjas
N104/Dra111/Engl123: Ninjas in Fiction and Pop Culture
N105/Phi107: Ninja Ethics

N201: Applied Micro-Ninjology
N202: Applied Macro-Ninjology
N203/PE222: Advanced Ninjitsu: Schools, Paths and Ways
N204/Engr224: Ninja Technology
N277: Ninjology Seminar
N288: Self-Studies in Ninjology

Can't XP you again right now. Class, your new vocabulary word of the day is Ninjology. Can you say Ninjology? I knew you could.

Knowing this personality type though it would probably be more of an applied ninjutsu course rather than theory.

N101 Rin
N102 Poh
N103 Koh
N104 Sha
N105 Kai
N106 Retsu
N107 Jin
N108 Zai
N109 Zen

 

[Mark CMG]

(. . .) but he's had years of experience with various RPGs. I've only played a few different games with him so far and already his characters are beginning to wear thin. He NEVER plays anything else.

(. . .)

What's annoying is that every other player and GM among my friends is either less experienced, or for a reason I can't understand, puts up with him. (. . .) What do you guys think?

I'm not sure just how to handle the situation but I will point out that someone who plays virtually the same character/style, no matter the systems, games or campaigns, doesn't actually have "years of experience with various RPGs" but rather very limited experience accumulated over many years. I'd be prone to suggest rethinking and reapproaching this situation as if dealing with someone who is a lot less experienced than suggested by the many years. Best of luck!

 

[Raven Crowking]

Ninjology

Can you use that word in Scrabble?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Can you use that word in Scrabble?

I'm sure you can...but best be prepared for a challenge!

"Ninjology? Please- that's not even a..."
*shingswooshthwop*
"worrrgguggle"

(Study your iajutsu, kiddies!)

 

[Janx]

I'm not sure just how to handle the situation but I will point out that someone who plays virtually the same character/style, no matter the systems, games or campaigns, doesn't actually have "years of experience with various RPGs" but rather very limited experience accumulated over many years. I'd be prone to suggest rethinking and reapproaching this situation as if dealing with someone who is a lot less experienced than suggested by the many years. Best of luck!

I think it isn't a crime to play the same character over and over. It's not like he's crapping in your books and eating your cheetos.

The annoying factors as describe by the OP seem to be:
yammering about his favorite game that the group isn't playing right now
over-explaining that which is the DM's domain
playing Lone Jerk PC stereotype.

The first two are solveable with a STFU, no outside game talk and don't get in the GM's way ruling.

The last one is a meta game problem. If the PCs are expected to form a cohesive unit for the purpose of adventuring together, anybody NOT building a team player is violating the group rule.

Once again, usually solved by the GM.

If the OP just doesn't like that he always plays the same PC, would he have a problem if it was always a team player cleric who was always supportive and willing to heal him?

I suspect the problem ain't the PC.