D&D 5E What to do about a player... A little advice please

[Chaos965]

Well, i've been running an on and off, and often setting shifting DnD game the last two years, and well i'm needing advice on one of my players. He's the near defintion of power gaming, and has a strange tendency for his characters. He likes to build them all wanting to "Conquer the hearts and minds of the masses." and is becoming a problem. He knows I run a Hero campaign, but has seemed determined to bring discord to the party, ranging from selling chaos phage under the belief he could force a thieves guild to ally for him for the "Betterment of the city.", planning to create a cult of followers willing to sacrifice their lives in his name as that's how much his people love him, and often rights his characters having power and connections they shouldn't have at start.

Personally, i'm all for backstory but when you start claiming you start arguing in that backstory person you know every session for knowledge on everything... and as a bonus he claims these charters are LAWFUL GOOD. Somehow I doubt that's how your moral alignment would act.

I've been friends with the guy as we got along in a previous game where we were both players but his disruptions or these insane trying to shift the party away from the story ideas are getting irritating. Any advice on how to handle this would be much appreciated.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Make conquering hearts and minds part of the adventure. Not everything need be related to killing monsters.

 

[Phion]

Is he basing his character on a character called Iskander from fate zero (who is based on Alexander the great)? My advice is to just give it to him straight and tell him that his character needs to earn his status. And it's not always about class abilities. I myself have made characters that were intended to be leaders but have ended up hated because they attempt to encourage players to see them this way; ironically it is my silly characters that have got other characters/ players to fall in love with them and willing to make sacrifices to save them.

 

[abirdcall]

Step 1: Have a friendly discussion where you let him know what you want out of the game, what makes it fun for you, and how his characters don't line up with that.
Step 2a: He makes a new character who will fit in better with the game
Step 2b: He finds a different game
Step 2c: He ignores you and keeps playing the same way. You ask him to find a different game.

Treat it like any other social situation. Don't do anything in game, this is entirely an out of game issue. I have friends who I only play certain types of games with (or no games at all). That's okay.

 

[iserith]

I recommend being direct and polite in sharing your concerns with him. Tell him exactly what you want and ask for his help in making that happen. When he does the things you want, give positive feedback.

^ This works in more than just gaming situations.

 

[Chaos965]

Actually he based this character of Mengsk from Starcraft

 

[Coroc]

Lawful what? roflmao

I am so holy my cult is doing a mass self sacrifice lol, ahm is this guy delusional in rl also?

This is perfect rp for a chaotic evil alignment, change his alignment to CE and give him an inspiration point for good RP maybe he gets the hint...

 

[Sunseeker]

Make conquering hearts and minds part of the adventure. Not everything need be related to killing monsters.

As much as I enjoy politics in campaigns, it's hard to run. I would not advise it if the DM doesn't A: really enjoy it or B: is just strangely good at it.

 

[Ganymede81]

I have a player whose previously Chaotic Neutral character was magically cursed to be Lawful Good by an unlucky draw of the Deck of Many Things. Other than being new at the game, she had a lot of trouble actually roleplaying as her new alignment; she continued to threaten barkeeps for discounts, shoot crossbow bolts at random animals, and other various sociopathic shenanigans.

I have not solved this particular situation, but it isn't too dire as it isn't as much of a distraction to the game as a cult-leader paladin.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

You are his friend and DM.

If you don't want to adapt to their style of play then, if they respect your role as DM, then you're going to need to learn how to say 'No.' It's not something I'd hope a DM aims for, but it is an option and part of the role. Be firm. Explain as much as they need to hear and make it clear that this is your call. As a friend I'd hope they can respect your call.

If they can't then.. you could ask them to DM, ask them to leave or find another table. Players have expectations, DMs have expectations - there needs to be a commonly shared consensus as to what type of D&D folks want to play at the table. If that can't be reached, then you haven't got a game - you've got stress.

Failing all this, I can vouch for defenestration.