Ways to stop a powergamer

[StalkingBlue]

I´ve been reading all the posts, and reached this conclusion: Oscar (well his pc) is not an ubber character, but only a very good one played very effectively. The problem comes when he plays his character along the others. He created the character at level 20, something I thing is better than playing 20 levels, in some aspects. I gave him about 500.000 gp in magic objects (I know standard is 760k more or less), but all the objects were optimal for his character, while the other pc´s have a lot of items that they dont use (Klaga for example still carries his +2 shocking two handed sword she used for the first levels) or that they have never used, as in our group we dont buy/sell magic items with the exception of potions and scrolls (but not potions of divine might, girallons blessing, scrolls of shapechange, etc) mainly potions of healing, and spells like teleport, fireball, etc.

Ah, here is the root of your problem. A PC created at 20th level is bound to be a great deal more streamlined than one played up from low levels - in character build as well as for items.

In the future, I suggest limiting a new PC at these levels to 1/3 standard wealth to start with, and keeping a tight rein on item purchases - a single-item value cap and close review of the player's desired items list help.

For now, maybe find a way in game to have NPCs appreciate the party's deeds with rewards of the kind that will make the other PCs stronger - items especially for their use would be fine for example. If Oscar is fine with it, a single heap of gifts leaving his PC out (or short) will solve your problems quickly, otherwise think of reasons for _different_ NPCs to give individual PCs special gifts.

At these levels people might also get awarded titles, for example - heck, PC are getting positions at a noble's court at around 12th-14th level in one combat-heavy game I play in, and one who's been set on it forever just got himself elected king of a northern country. Surely a paladin might be a candidate for some wonderful title (not related to land or wealth) if he's left out of the items shower?

 

[Halivar]

Agreed, Stalkingblue. One might make the argument that you can drop him into the game with no equipment whatsoever. I'm sure you can find a roleplaying reason. The point is, if he wants to get equipment from there, he can go and fight all the same lower level thingies his buddies did, clean up quick, and sort through the loot. I'm almost positive he'll be up to snuff in little to no time.

 

[Oscar carramiñana]

Like a lot of the other posters here, I really don't see a problem here... Epic melee experts SHOULD be able to do 200 damage on a good round, IMHO.

However, you obviously know a lot more about what's going on in your own campaign than we do. If this one character outshines the others, then my advise would be to help the rest of the party catch up with Oscar. Allow them to just HAPPEN to find some items that boost the abilities of the rest of the party. If magic items are rare (as you say they are), then finding just the right item can make a big difference for a character.

Hi
I think the real problem was: my group don't have a real first line fighter and he demands me to build one.
I do 3 Pcs a Brb6/Fgt4/FB10 was deleted by DM
a 20lvl Druid because I like use polymorf was deleted by DM
a Pal4/Sor6/EK10 was modified by DM to Pal4/Sor6/EK5/SS5 even change some spells,give to me some items and I was ready to play.
If a first line fighter cannot do over 200points of damage at 20 lvl in a full attack are a bad fighter IMHO.

Wujenta have anothers characters of epic level a barbarian/ranger, in a fullattack she can do over 200 PofD i'm absolutely convinced of this.
I don't know what's the problem about my PC.To evade problems I retired the Paladin.
Now at least I have the XPH and I can play with my better Pc a 20lvl dwarf PW he are more overpowered sorry
already about magic items the only restriction are we cannot buy it(I don't know why not but this is another problem)

 

[Oscar carramiñana]

You've got to be kidding. On the face of it, this strikes me as a vindictive response to the player, and patently unfair.

The reason why "warrior" is an NPC class only is because fighters without feats suck. That is to say, they are utterly, completely useless to everyone. Fighters are one-trick ponies (did I steal that from someone?). If they are not the primary damage dealers in combat, then just take the fighter class out all together, because they have no other use. Of course, that won't be the end. Eventually you'll have to ban any other melee class he'd cheese, like the paladin or ranger. In the end, bards will be the closest thing to a melee class you've got.

Rest is not to Dannyalcatraz, but to DM's in the audience:

That said, any DM who chases a powergamer around, banning every core class, core feat, or core skill he may want to take (because he will eventually find something else that's powerful, such is the way of the powergamer) ought to spare himself the grief, and the player the frustration, by simply not DM'ing for that player. Let the player join a different campaign where the DM can handle (and prepare for) that player's style of play without ruining the fun for him.

So, in summation: if you ban a core class, feat, or skill because of anything other than campaign setting relevance (i.e. no monks in Middle-Earth), then you need to seriously consider whether or not you are merely trying to overcome an inability to match the players in terms of playing ability. I'm not syaing that's what it is; you just need to consider it, that's all.

So, in summation of my summation: chopping down core rules = not fun = bad. Don't do it.

I agree with all you said