StalkingBlue
First Post
BiggusGeekus said:
Nice bribe.
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Slow Player
- Thread starter dreaded_beast
- Start date
Nice bribe.
derelictjay
Explorer
I had a player who couldn't keep his mind on the game, he was a really good guy, and if I got in trouble he'd help in a pinch, but he wouldn't shut up. In fact it was a common theme said around the table, "Ross Shut Up" you heard it three or four time during a session. Because of this he would lag when it came time for actions. (Of course it didn't help when he had a wizardess named Anna Nicole Smith, and size 84ddd breasts).
The solution was a simple character concept. I allowed him to play a half-orc barbarian (named Krum of all things), with the simple motto of me smash, this was when 3rd ed first came out. That simple character helped him out in later campaigns when he played more complex characters, like a bard that he was able to roleplay with and get basically the entire thieves guild to help find a kidnapped victim (made life a little easy for that adventure, that and very VERY good rolls).
The solution was a simple character concept. I allowed him to play a half-orc barbarian (named Krum of all things), with the simple motto of me smash, this was when 3rd ed first came out. That simple character helped him out in later campaigns when he played more complex characters, like a bard that he was able to roleplay with and get basically the entire thieves guild to help find a kidnapped victim (made life a little easy for that adventure, that and very VERY good rolls).
Be a little careful here. Not every decent player is such a rules-master that they can make up their mind in 30 seconds.
If this one has mastery of the rules and is spending time trying to figure out minutae such that they can squeake out an extra 0.5 points of average damage, you can break out the egg timer.
If this one does not have mastery, perhaps putting him under pressure may help him learn faster decision making. Or, it could create tension and frustration for him, making things worse, rather than better.
In general, if one has a problem with a player, it is better to talk with them about it before implementing any solution. One needs to know why a thing is happening before one can tell what solution will do the trick, and that means talking. Also, this is supposed to be a cooperative activity, and imposing solutions before talking them over is not cooperating, it's being a despot
If this one has mastery of the rules and is spending time trying to figure out minutae such that they can squeake out an extra 0.5 points of average damage, you can break out the egg timer.
If this one does not have mastery, perhaps putting him under pressure may help him learn faster decision making. Or, it could create tension and frustration for him, making things worse, rather than better.
In general, if one has a problem with a player, it is better to talk with them about it before implementing any solution. One needs to know why a thing is happening before one can tell what solution will do the trick, and that means talking. Also, this is supposed to be a cooperative activity, and imposing solutions before talking them over is not cooperating, it's being a despot
eris404
Explorer
Like the others, I am asking is this because he doesn't know the rules well (or gets bogged down in all of his choices) or because he's trying to tweak too much?
I ask because in our group we have a player who takes forever because she is a casual player and doesn't know the rules. We love her to death, so we don't want her to leave, but we also don't want to sit around and wait either. She has since learned not to play spellcasters (too many spells to chose from) and tends towards barbarians. Every session, one more experienced player in our group will be her "buddy" and remind/explain to her how a feat or other rule works. This might work well for your player if he gets stuck on rules or gets overwhelmed by choices.
I ask because in our group we have a player who takes forever because she is a casual player and doesn't know the rules. We love her to death, so we don't want her to leave, but we also don't want to sit around and wait either. She has since learned not to play spellcasters (too many spells to chose from) and tends towards barbarians. Every session, one more experienced player in our group will be her "buddy" and remind/explain to her how a feat or other rule works. This might work well for your player if he gets stuck on rules or gets overwhelmed by choices.
I allow players 10 seconds in combat to make a decision. If they were really the PC, they wouldn't have the "bird's eye" view that the player controlling the PC has. Therefore, they would not be able to scan the battlefield. Plus, it's combat. Decisions have to be made quickly or you get an axe between the eyes. 
DungeonmasterCal
First Post
I've got one of these players. If he's playing a spellcaster, send someone out for food. It'll take that long.
We've got a player like this, too. I'll agree with and echo several suggestions here. What I started doing is asking the players, after about 15 seconds, if they want to delay. That usually prompts an action. It caught on for all our games, too (I was even asked last night if I wanted to delay!). It still takes him too long to figure out his melee bonus and damage EVERY TIME HE SWINGS A SWORD, but he's getting better. Someone who has played for over 20 years and d20 for over 3 years really should know this stuff by now. It is perfectly reasonable to expect a player to know the rules of the game, epsecially their own abilities.
Also, don't get caught in the trap of explaining the rules first so the player can have his character do the most advantageous thing. Have the playter declare an action and then declare the rule. We've got another player who was King Tapback. He would do something. If it didn't work out his way, he would try to reset his caharcter and do something else by saying, "Well, if I had known that worked that way then I wouldn't have done it."
Also, don't get caught in the trap of explaining the rules first so the player can have his character do the most advantageous thing. Have the playter declare an action and then declare the rule. We've got another player who was King Tapback. He would do something. If it didn't work out his way, he would try to reset his caharcter and do something else by saying, "Well, if I had known that worked that way then I wouldn't have done it."
dreaded_beast
First Post
Thanks for all the responses everyone. I especially like the "delay" action.
Regarding the player in question, I believe he has a basic understanding of the rules, but much more of an understanding than a newbie would. This is his first time gaming with a live group, but he appears to have settled in fairly well.
The problem is that he is the type to go off on "tangents". When I first met him, he explained that he has a problem paying attention if things don't concern him or he doesn't find interesting. He explained that he would walk around or be a bit fidgity (sp?). In otherwords, he is a bit socially inept.
I didn't mind because we are all people and just because someone is socially inept doesn't mean that can't play DND.
Anyways, when it is his turn at combat I believe it is a mixture of having the spotlight on him, not being sure what he wants to do, the amount of options available, and the pressure of have to make a decision.
Last session, when it was his turn, his character was surrounded. Basically, he could have either attacked or withdrew. He started going of another "tangent" talking about this or that. Everyone at the table gave hints on what he could do, like withdraw. A few minutes had already passed at this point. Finally, I got fed up when he started talking about "I think we need a net" when there was no way that were going to get a net at the very moment in time. That is when I skipped his turn.
Regarding the player in question, I believe he has a basic understanding of the rules, but much more of an understanding than a newbie would. This is his first time gaming with a live group, but he appears to have settled in fairly well.
The problem is that he is the type to go off on "tangents". When I first met him, he explained that he has a problem paying attention if things don't concern him or he doesn't find interesting. He explained that he would walk around or be a bit fidgity (sp?). In otherwords, he is a bit socially inept.
I didn't mind because we are all people and just because someone is socially inept doesn't mean that can't play DND.
Anyways, when it is his turn at combat I believe it is a mixture of having the spotlight on him, not being sure what he wants to do, the amount of options available, and the pressure of have to make a decision.
Last session, when it was his turn, his character was surrounded. Basically, he could have either attacked or withdrew. He started going of another "tangent" talking about this or that. Everyone at the table gave hints on what he could do, like withdraw. A few minutes had already passed at this point. Finally, I got fed up when he started talking about "I think we need a net" when there was no way that were going to get a net at the very moment in time. That is when I skipped his turn.
dreaded_beast said:
Social ineptitude is one possibility. A bit of patience and teaching can probably deal with this.
I am not a doctor, but it also sounds like classic symptoms of a touch of ADHD. Yes, it is overdiagnosed, and sometimes used by adults as an excuse, but that doesn't mean this guy doesn't have a mild case of it. If so, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it, because it isn't a matter of him simply choosing to learn to behave diffeently.
Darklone
Registered User
My players are no rulesgurus (most of them), so they usually need 10 seconds to say what they want to do, then they gotta check the rules and their bonuses... Doesn't matter. But if one takes too long, I use the abovementioned count down method. Works.
Another possibility Sayburr at the Kenzerboards uses: Everyone states in one sentence at the beginning of the round what he plans to do. If he wants to do something else when it's his turn, he gets a -2 to everything.
Another possibility Sayburr at the Kenzerboards uses: Everyone states in one sentence at the beginning of the round what he plans to do. If he wants to do something else when it's his turn, he gets a -2 to everything.
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