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Message: <blockquote data-quote="twofalls" data-source="post: 2115413" data-attributes="member: 23718">Sometimes the Shoe Just Doesn't FitI'm one of the many long time role players that post here on the boards. I've been running games and managing small groups for 26 years. People game for a lot of different reasons, and each player brings something unique to the table. I'm adamant about people playing what they want to play "within the boundaries set by my campaign proposal that everyone reads before they agree to play". I'm so intent upon folks playing what they want to play as opposed to what they perceive that the game needs at that moment that I don't even allow the players to discuss their class and race choices before the game starts. That way I know that player x isn't playing a rouge because one isn't represented in the game yet.This has resulted in situations where a rouge isn't represented, or a priest. In those cases the game is simply adjusted to allow for those absences... I use healing herbs and extra potions to make up for the lack of a priest, or dumb down the magical traps for the lack of a rouge... etc. However everyone is playing what they wanted to play. Often what happens is the first player who looses a character steps back in as the missing piece of the party and I have to readjust again.That having been said, there are some players (people who I've been gaming with for all those 26 years) who aren't suited for certain classes. I have one player who would simply find the appropriate use of spells and the complexities of the spell system to be too much of a challenge in game. What he he really enjoys is to bashing things with his dwarven war axe without having to think too much. I'd hesitate if he asked me to let him play a Mage. Would I refuse him the chance... no, I don't think so, but I would certainly adjust the game as the potency of the group as a whole would be reduced by his playing a character so alien to his experience and abilities within the game.Going back to what I opened with, everyone plays for different reasons, but the universal goal is to have fun. As GM its my responsibility to make sure everyone has as much fun as I can without stepping down too hard on any one individual. This may mean suggesting to a player that the Mage might not be the most enjoyable character class possible for them... but I've not been in a situation where I've had to say absolutely not to a player based solely on ability. Yet. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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