When Bob wants to play a female PC

[takyris]

The idea doesn't bother me, but specific instances of execution certainly could. I've been lucky in having mostly very good players, so I've never run into a real problem with it. And the few problem players I've had haven't had that as one of their problems.

Bottom line: It's your game. It's not my game, so my opinion of it doesn't matter that much. If it's going to wig you out, then whether or not it's silly, it's not good for the game. If you think that the players can't do it in a mature and reasonable fashion, or if you are just icked out by the idea, then say as much and close the door on the discussion.

If you want to give it a try, give it a try in a short game -- a 3 or 4 night mini-game that will let people play with new characters (and letting the dude run a female PC). If after 4 sessions, it still irks you, then just say so. You're not DMing to expand your boundaries and challenge yourself. You're DMing to have fun and help other folks have fun. If, though, it seems okay after 4 sessions, maybe you could let him bring the PC in -- with the understanding that you'll write "her" out of the story in a hot second if you become uncomfortable.

If I was a new player in a game with a DM who felt that way, and I really wanted to play a female PC, that'd be acceptible as a reasonable compromise. And if I was a new player and a DM had a strict "No Cross-Gender" rule (ie, Teflon Billy, who's been burned often enough that he doesn't want to get burned no more), I'd shrug and be fine with it. I've got a lot of character concepts I'd like to play -- for me, it's fun exploration of a character, not a chance to work out deep emotional issues.

 

[JimAde]

I've seen plenty of cross-gender characters over the years. They fell into two of the categories Crothian mentioned. They were either:

1) played okay or
2) insulting sterotypes.

But in the latter case all the non-crossing characters were ALSO insulting sterotypes, so I think it was fine.

 

[S'mon]

FWIW In my current game there's 1 female player out of 6 and 2 female PCs out of 6, I kind of like having the 2 female PCs rather than just 1, it makes the group seem more balanced I guess, and the dynamic is more interesting.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

I'm with S'mon on this one. Seems kinda ridiculous to me telling a player what gender he can or cannot play without a very campaign-specific reason. I mean this is D&D we are talking about, right? Sounds to me like playing house and someone has to be the daddy LOL no offense but seems incredibly juvenile to me.

 

[Ravellion]

I'd be okay with it really. Although none of my players are comfortable with it, funnily enough (apart from one person who occasionaly games with us). When someone else DMed and I wanted to play a female character (moslty becasue I found a cool picture), everyone thought it weird.

Rav

 

[Angel Tarragon]

In any campaign I run or am a part of, that has players under the age of 21, I find that a common house rule is that 'Thou shalt roleplay thine own dender'.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

In any campaign I run or am a part of, that has players under the age of 21, I find that a common house rule is that 'Thou shalt roleplay thine own dender'.

LMAO 21????

Jeez

Old enough to die for our country, old enough to pretend to be anyone he damn well pleases, as far as I am concerned.

 

[kenobi65]

I doubt you're alone in this feeling...but I can't say I agree with it.

I've played a few female characters over the years. I don't *think* I've played them as stereotypes; then again, I hope I'm not playing my male PCs stereotypically, either. Why do I play females? Probably for the same reason I play half-orcs, halflings, etc....to try different archetypes as characters. There are some character concepts I come up with that just feel right as females.

Most of the players I've played with over the years don't have hang-ups about this kind of thing. I know a fair number of guys who've played female PCs...and yeah, a few of them are gay. But, most of them aren't.

That said, there *is* one group I play with, where it's a "guy's guy" sort of group. I started a female character in that group...and I know it made some of them a little wiggy.

To put the shoe on the other foot...if there were a female player in your group, and she wanted to play a male PC, would you have the same issue? (And, do you even have any female players in your group?)

 

[IronWolf]

I guess I wouldn't have an issue with. Though I think some of this depends on the reasons the male wants to play a female character. I would hope I could pick this up through the background of the character and get a rough idea of were the player wanted to go with this character. Maybe I'm too trusting.... (though I have rarely heard that comment about me before, usually its quite the opposite).

 

[the Jester]

Wow- I have no problem with male players playing female characters (and vice-versa). As a player, I play about half female characters (I am a male irl).

I dunno, man, I've never understood why some people have problems with this, either as players or as dms. Makes no sense to me.

>shrug< Whatever melts your snow.