Looking for some interpersonal advice for a situation that might be too complex to get into here.
The basic situation. My gf has another long running D&D game with a DM (and good friend) who is very enthusiastic about the game, but doesn't have a lot of gaming experience (both in years, different systems, and different types of players). This lack of experience sometimes manifests in what most DMs would describe as bad habits: i.e. taking away player agency, making a story driven by his DM PCs, implementing whatever advice he reads about online so they can't keep up with his house rules from session to session, trying to force Critical Roll levels of performances from his players, etc.
On the few occasions he's been a player in the group with a guest DM for a one shot or standalone adventure, he tends to be a spotlight hog and does actions against other players with the excuse "that's what my character would do" (i.e. Stealing magic items).
I've never DMed for him, but I overhear that he really respects my experience. On a personal level, he's a good guy, and I've had no problems hanging out with him.
So he wants to join my new campaign as a player. My gf thinks this will be a good experience for him and possibly improve his DMing skills (seeing another group that's not professional like Critical Roll).
I'm hesitant. I've got a borderline large group (he would be the seventh player). I'm afraid our gaming styles might clash and if there's a problem he may take it personally.
I don't have the time to devote to running another regular campaign. Running a one shot might be ok, but it's difficult to model my DMing style in one session (since he says he wants to learn from me).
How would you handle it?
The basic situation. My gf has another long running D&D game with a DM (and good friend) who is very enthusiastic about the game, but doesn't have a lot of gaming experience (both in years, different systems, and different types of players). This lack of experience sometimes manifests in what most DMs would describe as bad habits: i.e. taking away player agency, making a story driven by his DM PCs, implementing whatever advice he reads about online so they can't keep up with his house rules from session to session, trying to force Critical Roll levels of performances from his players, etc.
On the few occasions he's been a player in the group with a guest DM for a one shot or standalone adventure, he tends to be a spotlight hog and does actions against other players with the excuse "that's what my character would do" (i.e. Stealing magic items).
I've never DMed for him, but I overhear that he really respects my experience. On a personal level, he's a good guy, and I've had no problems hanging out with him.
So he wants to join my new campaign as a player. My gf thinks this will be a good experience for him and possibly improve his DMing skills (seeing another group that's not professional like Critical Roll).
I'm hesitant. I've got a borderline large group (he would be the seventh player). I'm afraid our gaming styles might clash and if there's a problem he may take it personally.
I don't have the time to devote to running another regular campaign. Running a one shot might be ok, but it's difficult to model my DMing style in one session (since he says he wants to learn from me).
How would you handle it?