Problem Players, or Problem DM?

Aramant · Post by **Aramant** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 11:53 pm

I have a problem with my campaign, in terms of the actual players and myself (the DM), rather than anything to do with the plot or game mechanics.

You see, all of us enjoy playing the game, and enjoy each other's company, whether playing or not, but problems tend to arise during gaming sessions, and I was hoping for some insight as to whether it seemed like their fault, or my fault. Let me explain.

Now, each player in my group has some quality about them, in terms of how they play, that really annoys me.

I have one player that ALWAYS asks be if he can essentially cheat: whether it's that he wants a magic item that a character of his level shouldn't have, or that he wants free feats (example: "Can my bard be proficient with a greatsword, without taking the feat? Pleeeeease?"), or any number of other things that he feels he should be allowed to have.

Another player, whether consciously or unconsciously, always seems to simply not care about the plot. Whether he himself is not interested in it, or he roleplays his character as apathetic, he is always to some degree unconcerned with what is going on. He plays enthusiastically enough, but his characters are always independent of the story. I even give his characters motivation, ranging from being hired to take an active role in what's going on, to literally making up his background for him, and putting a hook in there. Nothing works for more than 5 minutes.

The third player is just utterly ridiculous. If allowed to do as he pleased, he would essentially make his character into a god. He has more interest in gaining experience points and getting powerful than in the game itself, and he constantly wants to change characters. Sometimes that's due to a loss of interest in the character, but more often than not it's because he isn't allowed to be, say, a werewolf that regenerates 1 hp/round, can morph into a bird, and uses dual-wields greatswords as a medium sized character, at 1st level (I use this example because that is exactly what another DM let him do. I quit that campaign before it even started, needless to say).

And finally, we have the last player, which happens to be my girlfriend. That might actually be the source of her problem, but I can't be sure. Anyway, her issue is that apparently nothing is ever fair. Ever. They could be in a fight that has an Encounter Level lower than their Party Level, and be losing it due simply to unlucky die rolls, and all of a sudden I hear from her "This is frickin' ridiculous! How are we supposed to beat this? It isn't FAIR!" Um, sorry, darling, but the rulebooks say that it most certainly is. Stop rolling threes.

Now, essentially, my question is as follows: Do you think I should just allow them to play however they want (as in, let Player 1 take whatever he wants, ignore Player 2 and his lack of interest, let Player 3 be a super mutant uber munchkin, and make all the fights easily winnable)? I know the game is supposed to be fun for the players, but isn't it also supposed to be fun for the DM? I don't mind handing out loot and experience points, but I find it hard to tolerate totally ridiculous characters mulching weak NPCs in easily conquered settings, simply because they are there at the time.

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 5:21 am

This is a hard one...

I wouldn't give in if I were you.
It will never improve the game, more likely make it less fun. It will strew things up and the whole thing won't make any sense anymore.

Besides, players always complain.
I think you should confront them with what you feel. If you tell them friendly and ask for feedback from them about you, then I think you can make the game more fun together.

But as a side note, everybody like the game for different resons.
One likes to build his character and another just likes the fights. You can't change that, so don't try. You'll just have to deal with it...

Randolph Carter · Post by **Randolph Carter** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:34 pm

Definately do not give in. You are all friends who love to game.

Take some time at the start of your next session and ask your players what they like about your campaign, their characters, and gaming in general. Take some time getting them to tell you about the things that they enjoy. Try to keep the conversation on a positive note. Ask them for suggestions on how to improve the game as a whole. Don't forget to tell them what you like and what improvements that you would like to implement. Again, keep it positive.

Then you give them what they want. If they want uber munchkins, who can bend the rules as they see fit in a campaign that is an endless string of encounters with kobolds give it to them for as long as they can stand it. They will get bored with it. Then repeat the above conversation about what everyone likes about the game, and how to improve it. You might see a different group of players.

My regular group went through a similar trial a few years back, and this is how we fixed it. Best bunch of gamers I have ever had the privilage of gaming with.

R.Carter

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 5:06 am

Everybody pretty much said what I thought, but I think I'll add one last thing. You're the DM, and you designed the campaign for a reason. Remind them that they have a story to follow and that they'll have an enjoyable ending if they follow the rules. Appeal to the sensible side.

Aramant · Post by **Aramant** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 3:38 am

Well, thank you all for your feedback.

I have tried asking what they like and don't like, and I either get "it's fine", "I don't know", or the general complaints that I listed in my original post. Constructive criticism seems to be beyond them.

I guess it isn't really an issue anymore, as after a few years of dealing with this, I've at least temporarily lost the motivation to write new stuff for my campaign.

Cheerio, and thanks again.