Why punish a player if they can't come to the game?

[Arravis]

In another thread an issue got brought up that I've never had (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=146556). It seems many DM's do not give full XP (or non) if a player can't make it to the game. I don't understand why.

The game is supposed to be about fun, and as a DM, I always saw it as my job to make it fun. Why would I want characters to be left behind? How does it increase the fun? I'm not there to judge the players or be their parents. If they can't make it, they can't make it. Life happens, why would I add an in-game punishment to their problems?

I'm just trying to understand the reasons why this is done. I've always assumed that it was one of those things that goes back to the 70's where the players were competitive with each other and the DM's role was adversarial. It's been a very long time since those days and it just doesn't fit D&D in the way it's been since as far back as I've played (1983).

 

[GlassJaw]

I have to agree with you on this one. Punishing players for something they may not have any control over (i.e. real life) isn't fun. Gaming is supposed to be a fun activity, not a chore.

Rules that penalize players potentially end up penalizing the other players since there may be a character or characters that are behind in power level.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

In another thread an issue got brought up that I've never had (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=146556). It seems many DM's do not give full XP (or non) if a player can't make it to the game. I don't understand why.

The game is supposed to be about fun, and as a DM, I always saw it as my job to make it fun. Why would I want characters to be left behind? How does it increase the fun? I'm not there to judge the players or be their parents. If they can't make it, they can't make it. Life happens, why would I add an in-game punishment to their problems?

Speaking for myself only, as a player, what's fun for me is earning my own rewards. I don't think it's "fun" to miss a game, yet have my character advance along with everyone else who was actually there. If that were "fun," why would I ever need to actually show up and play? You could just call me on the phone and tell me how my character keeps advancing without any input from me at all!

Now, there's an argument to be made that falling too far behind the other PCs will so seriously disadvantage you that the game is no longer fun, either...but honestly, if you're missing that many sessions, you must not think the game is all that much fun in the first place. (The one exception to this would obviously be if you had to miss several sessions in a row, but are otherwise very committed to the game; in that case, a one-time "catch-up" award of XP is probably merited.)

As for not awarding unearned XP being a "punishment," that's just silly. If I don't go to work, I don't get paid; my employer isn't "punishing" me for skipping work. (And yeah, I know D&D is a game, not "work." That doesn't negate the point.)

 

[Blue_Kryptonite]

When my Great-Uncle didn't show up to bowl, he paid a penalty into the team fund. When my nephew misses baseball, he loses his standings in the leauge. No one bats for him. I personally don't penalize my players, but that's because I have several backup games to run. I do, however, see the precedent.

 

[farscapesg1]

All I can do is give an example from the group that I currently gaming with.

If someone is going to miss the game session, that is fine. All we ask is that they provide their character information to be ran by another player or the DM, and to let the DM or myself know that they are not going to be there. If they do this, then they get full XP for the session.

My DM awards attendance by handing out "beads" (those little class things from the Pente game) that can be used for certain things (a +1 to attack or damage, +1 percent XP, automatically stabalize if in the negative hit points, etc.). This provides an incentive to be at the game every time, but if you can't make it you don't loose out on too much.

Now, if the player doesn't have the decency to let anyone know that they are not going to be there, but the DM still has the character information, they usually get full XP. I disagree with this because in today's society it is very simple to make a phone call or email someone. There is no excuse, not even an emergency, that you can't make a quick phone call to cancel on plans that you have made two weeks in advance (we only play every two weeks or so). I think that they should get 1/2 XP in this circumstance, but it is his game

If the player doesn't provide the character information, then we handle it in two different ways. If there is no way to let the character just fall into the background, then they are treated as if they have 10's in every stat, which means they are basically worthless to the party. If they can fade into the background, then they do so (have to run some errands, get called to perform some service, etc.). Either way, they don't get any XP from the session.

 

[Jdvn1]

I don't punish players for missing games, I reward them for coming to games. It's not the same.

 

[domino]

Why should the player be awarded for not showing up?

 

[Pseudonym]

Our DM for our Eberron game keep all of the PCs at the same amount of xp, even those who fail to appear for wahtever reason and have to be run as NPC. It makes bookkeeping easier and keep the part on an even keel CR wise.

We have other incentives that are non-XP related for people who show up to the session, but we understand that we are all adults with work and family and lives that get in the way of gaming sessions, so no-one gets an xp "punishment" for not appearing.

 

[shilsen]

I was discussing this subject this morning with Mallus, whose group I am joining as a player. Neither of us penalize PCs in any way for the player being absent. The way I figure it, getting to miss out on a presumably enjoyable session of gaming is penalty enough.

As for what I do if a player is absent, I run the PC as an NPC. Simple.

 

[Crothian]

So, instead I should punish the people who actually make it by giving them the same award of those that don't? That doesn't make sense. I give XP to those that make it. Its not about punishing people who don't.