D&D 5E So Was That Z Fellow right?

[Oofta]

Different Dams could handle it different ways: it makes a difference, it just isn't "overpowered."

I'd gun for the PC to make an example on principle, not because it "breaks" the game: no min-max cheese at my table, thanks. You cheese the game, game cheeses you.

Or instead of being passive aggressive you could just, I don't know, sit down with the player and discuss the issues that you have with their build. Maybe create some house rules together to come to a compromise.

Upping the difficulty to ensure that the party is challenged? Sure. Part of being a DM. Deciding you're going to kill a character because they're named Bob and you really hate characters named Bob? Bozo No-No.

Saying "they wouldn't make it to level 10" if they did something you don't like to "prove a point" ... no. Just no.

 

[Parmandur]

Or instead of being passive aggressive you could just, I don't know, sit down with the player and discuss the issues that you have with their build. Maybe create some house rules together to come to a compromise.

Upping the difficulty to ensure that the party is challenged? Sure. Part of being a DM. Deciding you're going to kill a character because they're named Bob and you really hate characters named Bob? Bozo No-No.

Saying "they wouldn't make it to level 10" if they did something you don't like to "prove a point" ... no. Just no.

Nothing passive about my aggression, I'd let them know the score. Then, as I said, I don't allow Feats to begin with in the game: problem, solved.

 

[Caliban]

Or instead of being passive aggressive you could just, I don't know, sit down with the player and discuss the issues that you have with their build. Maybe create some house rules together to come to a compromise.

Upping the difficulty to ensure that the party is challenged? Sure. Part of being a DM. Deciding you're going to kill a character because they're named Bob and you really hate characters named Bob? Bozo No-No.

Saying "they wouldn't make it to level 10" if they did something you don't like to "prove a point" ... no. Just no.

That's not even being passive/aggressive. That's just aggressively being a jerk.

 

[Parmandur]

That's not even being passive/aggressive. That's just aggressively being a jerk.

I mean, the game does consist of consenting adults, and there aren't any secrets on that score.

 

[Caliban]

I mean, the game does consist of consenting adults, and there aren't any secrets on that score.

So you make sure they all know you are an adversarial DM who will kill their characters if they step out of line before the game starts.

I guess that's a good thing?

 

[Oofta]

Nothing passive about my aggression, I'd let them know the score. Then, as I said, I don't allow Feats to begin with in the game: problem, solved.

So if you have a problem with certain builds, just ask people for approval or state it in your session 0. For example, I'm probably going to change the way warlock spells are shared with other spellcasting classes in my next campaign because of game and thematic reasons.

But I'll tell people that right up front. None of this "I'll just kill off the characters I don't like" BS.

Just like you've told people no feats.

 

[Parmandur]

So you make sure they all know you are an adversarial DM who will kill their characters if they step out of line before the game starts.

I guess that's a good thing?

My secondary RPG is Dungeon Crawl Classics. Serious risk of death is part of the fun.

 

[Parmandur]

You say "adversarial DM" like that's a bad thing.

My secondary RPG is Dungeon Crawl Classics. Serious risk of death is part of the fun.

So you make sure they all know you are an adversarial DM who will kill their characters if they step out of line before the game starts.

I guess that's a good thing?

 

[Parmandur]

So if you have a problem with certain builds, just ask people for approval or state it in your session 0. For example, I'm probably going to change the way warlock spells are shared with other spellcasting classes in my next campaign because of game and thematic reasons.

But I'll tell people that right up front. None of this "I'll just kill off the characters I don't like" BS.

Just like you've told people no feats.

Well, killing characters is already part of the process.

 

[Caliban]

My secondary RPG is Dungeon Crawl Classics. Serious risk of death is part of the fun.

Doesn't sound like a risk, sounds like a certainty. "Make a character in a way I don't like, and they will die during play."

The way you describe doing it sounds like the opposite of fun. But whatever floats your boat. Just glad I don't have to deal with it.