Veteran player in with n00b groups

[Herobizkit]

Twice now, I've found myself joining a gaming group where all of the players and the DM have only been playing the game for 2 years or less; many of those people have JUST started their first ever character.

When I joined the 4e group, this was fine, as I was familiar with the system but hadn't actually played a game, and the DM was running Keep on the Shadowfell for at least a second time. That group was cool, and we had fun.

The new group I've joined is... well... disjointed. We're playing 3.5 rules. The DM has re-started his homebrew game that's been on hiatus for nearly a year. His 'main' players (the ones that are most often available) have advanced to level 5; he has 3-4 interim players that are randomly available. He's currently running us through a randomly generated dungeon, getting us to check every door for traps, and the new players are still struggling with what their characters can do or how to work as a group.

The 'main' characters are a Tiefling Psion (with a rich background), a real-life couple playing a Rogue and a Warrior, and a make 1 mod 0 newbie who's been given a 3rd level Cleric to figure out (he's doing it well but he's too low a level to really help us out). Myself, I've opted for a comparatively complex character as the DM is pretty laid back when it comes to character design and changes. I'm playing a Warforged Warlock/Paladin of Freedom who is pretty much a Swiss army knife of abilities.

I feel guilty for using my advanced knowledge of the game to tweak my character. He's not power-gamed, but he IS exceptionally well-rounded to tackle most in-game issues.

a) He's got a magic ranged touch attack.
b) He's got a +1 spiked chain.
c) He's got the Shatter invocation (which makes short work of all doors, including the randomly generated locked doors with the DCs ranging from 10-40).
d) He's got the spider climb invocation and a ring of feather falling.
e) He's got a wand of cure light wounds, building towards the ability to use any magic item through Use Magic Device.

Basically, I came prepared for any situation. I'm only going to be with the group until September, then my character will be gone.

I'm going to be playing my second session tomorrow, and the DM is allowing a handful of interim characters to join in.

I guess I'm rambling, but what I'd like to know is, what have (or what would) you other player/DM's do in such a situation? I feel like I have all the "power" and it's hard watching others struggle... but I don't want to dictate everyone's actions, either.

 

[Gilladian]

How about ASKING the other players (especially the newbies) how much help they'd like from you. Tell them you've got a couple of options; you can offer NO advice, offer one or two pieces of advice when directly asked, or you can freely offer a lot of advice. See how they feel about it.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I guess I'm rambling, but what I'd like to know is, what have (or what would) you other player/DM's do in such a situation? I feel like I have all the "power" and it's hard watching others struggle... but I don't want to dictate everyone's actions, either.

Be humble, avoid bragging.
Don't showboat your knowledge, but explain clearly when asked.
Let them make tactical mistakes, and less optimal choices. D&D doesn't come undone when they do.
Unfailingly point out that a highly optimized character isn't the goal of D&D, but putting together an optimized character is part of the fun for you.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Well, calling them noobs is probably not winning you any friends.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As Uncle Ben might have said, were he a gamer: "With great powergaming comes great responsibilities."

1) Don't showboat, but play your PC as he's supposed to be played.

2) If others ask for tips, give them tips...including directing them here!

3) If nobody asks for help, don't volunteer it...but do feel free to act in ways to help minimize their "mistakes" as they arise.

4) If someone is REALLY driving you nuts, take up some of the table talk time to tell stories about "this guy you used to game with who had a similar character..." and how that person would do things. With a chuckle and a smile.

Or in short: teach by example.

 

[Herobizkit]

I do enjoy being a mentor, and I admittedly did showboat a bit, if only to show what my character is capable of *sheepish grin*.

My concerns are thus:

a) my shatter power completely invalidates the Rogue's open locks ability, so I opt to use it sparingly. This may cause the DM to re-think how often he uses locked doors. It's also a power that requires DM adjudication. This is one of those 'responsible' powers I won't let get out of hand.

b) I feel like the game is going to be too 'basic' with no real focus on character development. This may change. To be fair, I've chosen a race that doesn't require a complicated back story; players assume he's a 'robot' and assume he's going to be portrayed as such. I do that fairly well, but I also throw in the rationale of a child when making decisions (yay low WIS) and a general "do what he's told" and "say exactly what's on his mind" personality.

b2) ... and I guess, because my guy is so 'tricked out' I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb. The DM is completely happy with my character, and would also be completely happy if I completely changed it so long as I was playing what I wanted to play. I debated on changing Paladin to Cleric and work toward Eldritch Disciple... I should discuss it with him today. Our shiny new player is also playing cleric, so I don't want to step on his toes, but more healing = more better. PLUS, you know... I don't mind being a heal-bot. Hur hur hur. Of course, I'll have to re-tool my dang WIS... hmm...

 

[Oryan77]

It sounds more like you just want to brag about your awesome PC & how good you are at making PCs more than the fact that you are concerned about outshining anyone.

I mean really, if you feel there is some dilemma here and you are concerned about these "noobs", then why exactly are you using your advanced knowledge to play a spiked chain wielding warforged that can tackle any in game situation? It really isn't that hard to figure out how to deal with this issue if you really give a crap.

If you don't want to step on anyone's toes, then get rid of the shatter ability so the rogue can pick some locks. You'll never even need to worry about the power "getting out of hand" if you don't have it.

Don't make a cleric so you won't use your advanced knowledge to make the new cleric player aware of how much his PC is going to suck compared to yours.

If any of your other abilities may be in direct competition with another players PC, then switch it out for something else that will still help the group but not be stepping on anyone's toes.

Or, if everyone was cool with it, you could help people tweak out their PCs and do it in a way where nobody is taking the spotlight away from any other character.

That should pretty much do it. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the point of this thread is besides to brag and show how lame new players are.

what have (or what would) you other player/DM's do in such a situation? I feel like I have all the "power" and it's hard watching others struggle.

I'm really not trying to be a prick here. I'm just answering honestly based on the info you provided and hoping that you are wanting an honest answer to your post. To answer this question, the way I'd really deal with it is that I wouldn't invite you back to the game. I'd rather play with the "noobs" as you call them because new players can be a lot of fun for a DM. A DM also doesn't have to deal with BS from most new players (like making a tricked out PC that will take all the spotlight from others every chance he gets). Even though you don't consider it a powergamed PC, you made a powergamed PC compared to what the other players are playing.

 

[Herobizkit]

Even though you don't consider it a powergamed PC, you made a powergamed PC compared to what the other players are playing.

This. This is the issue I'm having. I realize that it's an "Advanced" character based on what everyone else is playing, so I feel like I'm taking advantage of a situation to play the kind of character I want.

No one seems to care other than me, though.

With some quick re-jigging, I could easily have a Paladin of Freedom 5. They are decidely short on Warrior types.

 

[OnlineDM]

I'll reply by pointing to a blog post that I seem to keep coming back to: Balanced power parties are ideal.

This is the first time I've heard of the person who's sticking out like a sore thumb being the one to ask for input. But if you genuinely want input on what to do, here's mine:

Rebuild your character to be at a similar power level to the other characters in the party. Then play him to the best of your abilities.

It sounds like you know the system well enough to judge the more-or-less objective power level of each character, and your character is far above the curve. I'd say bring him onto the curve, then.

It might be anathema to someone who really enjoys building very strong characters to intentionally make "suboptimal" choices with a character, but if those choices make the character's power level match the rest of the party, it's my belief that this will lead to a more fun game for everybody (including you).

On an unrelated note to the main question, it sounds like you should probably also look for a different group. It doesn't sound like this group's game is the kind of game that's fun for you. Maybe you could take a turn in the DM chair and have more fun, but if it's really the case that they enjoy a totally different style of game than you do, you might be happier if you found other players whose play styles matched your own more closely.

 

[Oryan77]

I realize that it's an "Advanced" character based on what everyone else is playing, so I feel like I'm taking advantage of a situation to play the kind of character I want.

I'm sure it sucks since obviously making a PC like this is how you enjoy playing D&D. And you may not even have a real powergamed PC. So it would suck even more not playing this PC.

If nobody seems to care, then it doesn't sound like you have an issue here. If nobody in the group cares that you are playing this PC, then I see no reason to change it.

If you are being honest and you do feel guilty about playing this PC, then wouldn't the simple thing to do is not play this PC so you won't feel guilty? Or dumb him down to the same level as the other PCs?

Hell, ask one of the other players to make you a PC if you want to make sure you are not taking advantage of the situation.