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

[swrushing]

Simple, to me it is about role playing. Characters get XP for getting actual combat experience. That's what it's for. They learn more about combat through actually using it. That's why they slowly learn to develop what they know into new, better abilities.

gotcha.. and from this and the rest of your post, since its about the character and not the player etc...

if when a player is out his character is played by either me the gm or one of the other players, then it should follow that the character gets xp, right? the character was on the adventure, was fighting,m was using skills, etc... so he should get xp, and not go contrary to the sense of it just because a different hand moved his figure and a different voice gave his speeches... right?

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

I'm really starting to think that people in this thread are upset because they are seeing people getting XP without playing, and they feel it cheapens their hard earned XP which they've gained in their own games. It's really starting to sound like they feel threatened by the idea of someone else on a message board gaining XP for "free."

Is this accurate?

I'd say partially. I endevour to show up for every game without fail, I've cancelled on people to do other things when it fell on my role playing day so I could show up and I've made other sacrifices to make sure I'm always there.

It's not always easy, but I do it because I love to play and I know how disruptive it is when someone doesn't show.

It does sting a little bit the couple of times I've had to miss, didn't get XP and then someone else was bragging about their new spell or new ability and I wanted MINE. I would have got it to if it wasn't for missing. But I'm not annoyed at the DM for not giving me XP, I didn't deserve it. I'm mad at whatever situation caused me to miss.

So, yes, when I go through all of this to get to the game and some other people cancel the game for any reason at all and still get XP, it does kind of annoy me. Not that I care that much, they aren't in my campaign and everyone follows the same rules in it.

 

[swrushing]

Obtuse is right! Maybe this is a generational thing.

Rich

may be. i started dming in 1981. are we of the same or different generations?

 

[molonel]

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.

If a player falls TOO far behind, I can see granting some sort of XP make-up where they are no more than one level behind the rest of the party.

But, on the other hand, I have to ask: why should there be no in-game REWARD for people who do show up, who do make the time to play, and who are always there?

I don't believe in punishing people for real-life interfering. But I also believe there should be a reward for those who DO show up, and yes, while I'm aware that the game itself is rewarding, I also believe in granting in-game benefits for those who actually play.

 

[Mallus]

I guess I see a D&D game a commitment thing.

I guess I don't.

 

[ThirdWizard]

may be. i started dming in 1981. are we of the same or different generations?

I started DMing circa 1991, so I'm about 10 years off of you.

I see it as a commitment thing such that if you say you'll show up in one week, then you'll show up. Not that you'll show up to every gaming session. If I held people to that, I wouldn't play D&D.

 

[el-remmen]

I started DMing circa 1991, so I'm about 10 years off of you.

I see it as a commitment thing such that if you say you'll show up in one week, then you'll show up. Not that you'll show up to every gaming session. If I held people to that, I wouldn't play D&D.

I'll split the difference - I started in '85. . . oh wait, scratch that. . . '84

 

[Abraxas]

But, on the other hand, I have to ask: why should there be no in-game REWARD for people who do show up, who do make the time to play, and who are always there?

There is - these people get to have a say in the the direction and tone of the game by their actions while they are there.

 

[el-remmen]

I guess I don't.

I know the analogies don't always work, but this isn't really one:

I see being a D&D game I run like being in a softball team. You might get together with your friends to have fun and play some softball, but if a player kept missining games to the detriment of the team (let' say in the case of softball, losing*) I would want to replace them with someone who could make it - even if it were my best friend, my brother or my girlfriend.


* The D&D equivalent to me would be, having to deal with an extra character's actions, what they might reasonably do or not do in a given situation, forgetting an ability they have mid-game that could have made a huge difference, having to ignore or delay a plot point that hinges on that character, etc. . .

 

[rgard]

You tell me. It was your example. If I were to venture a guess, it would be because he enjoys playing D&D even if he doesn't have a whole lot of time to devote to it as some other people.



Even if that is true, how does your XP total demonstrate your ability to roleplay effectively based on a total of the 5 or 6 campaigns and who knows how many one-offs that I've run with my core group? You keep saying playing more makes you a better player, and I don't agree, but I'm willing to work with that. So, how does your Wizard's XP total reflect your X years of gaming experience up to that point?

Now this is getting silly. About the player with the 2nd level wizard:

Ok, a gaming group agrees to meet once a week. Then player A only shows up 5 times in a 3 month period of time. Players B, C, D, and E show up 90% of the time. I would suggest to player A that he or she find a campaign that meets once a month. Also if the other players wanted, we could do a separate campaign that meets once a month while running the original campaign with players B thru E weekly.

Ok, next point. Didn't your players get good at what they do rpg-wise, by actually playing the game? Add up all the experience they ever earned by actually playing the game. I'll bet that is a big number.

Thanks,
Rich