Should Dumb Players Be Slapped?

[TarionzCousin]

Dumb players are already being punished by doing dumb things in and out of game. Their characters die more often than smart players' characters do. They screw up the plot and blurt out the wrong thing at the wrong time. They kill the helpful, friendly NPC because they are suspicious when he/she is so helpful.

In short, they make their gameplay more difficult and probably less fun for themselves and everyone else involved.

But is that enough?

Should a DM have the right/obligation to slap a dumb player?

How dumb must they be before slapping occurs?

Do they need to sign a waiver first?

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[Dannyalcatraz]

Nah- let 'em play dumb. Dumb is a vital resource. Who else will play a PC willing to strap on alchemical explosives and go on point into the dragon's lair?

 

[amerigoV]

Dumb players are already being punished by doing dumb things in and out of game. Their characters die more often than smart players' characters do.

...

Should a DM have the right/obligation to slap a dumb player?

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In a semi-serious response - yes they should. I disagree with your statement quoted above -- for some reason the character of dumb players have a BETTER survival rate. Its the characters of us smart players that suffer since we tried to do the right thing and the dumb player did not come through.

 

[Crothian]

Not by the DM. The other players though are free to slap on another for stupid mistakes.

 

[Flatus Maximus]

You know there's something wrong in [insert your favorite country] when dumb players can't be slapped...

I'm Flatus Maximus, and I approve this message.

 

[Dykstrav]

Should a DM have the right/obligation to slap a dumb player?

How dumb must they be before slapping occurs?

In a word--yes. In my view, the DM has an obligation to "slap" dumb players, at least in a metaphorical sense.

The "slap" for a dumb player? Those are called "consequences." Let 'em try whatever they want, but don't give them a free ride because they're PCs. Hero or not, physics and NPC reactions will only bend so far.

"You approach the fortress of Njoff, Jarl of the Northlands. A pair of burly guards with keen axes block your passage."

"I stop in front of the guards and yell for Njoff to present himself before me."

"A wizened, old man dressed in thick furs totters out on a gnarled staff. He addresses you, 'Who seeks audience with the Jarl?' He stops in front of you and glares."

"I push the old man aside and scream past him, 'Show yourself! I will not waste time with your weak servants!"

"Your push stumbles the old man into the snow. The guards look aghast. One of them rushes to help up the old man to his feet. He snarls at you."

"Take it easy, grandpa. I've got a title--maybe you heard how I killed the trolls of Fog Mountain--and I'll have the Jarl flog you for making me wait to see him."

"The little old man grumbles and his countenance darkens. He snaps at the guards, 'Take this fool to the rocks by the river and show him why the lowlanders fear me--perform the blood eagle on this one as the moon rises."

"Wait, what? Are you saying that the old man is the Jarl? You didn't say that."

"Well, no, he's not wearing a name tag or a gold chain with his name on it or anything. It's not like you know what the Jarl looks like--you've never met him personally and he doesn't have a Facebook page. Why didn't you introduce yourself to the old man or ask who he was?"

"...oops."

Yes, that's happened in one of my games before. After that character got his lungs removed, the Jarl was glad to converse with the rest of the party... And the player learned to ask questions before deciding on a course of action.

 

[The Shaman]

Dumb players should be struck regularly, like gongs.

 

[Stormonu]

I prefer to kneecap them with hammers. Or, supply the hammers to the other players.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Nar, no slapping - I just ridicule them on internet forums....

The Auld Grump - did I tell you about the near TPK when most of the party decided to try swimming the Rhine in flood? The only one that lived was also the only one with the swim skill....

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

It must be said that being "dumb" is its own punishment, and it just keeps on giving.