In Game Pet Peeve?

[Tomcat1066]

I was curious what everyone's pet peeve in game? For me, it's metagaming. In particular, when a player says his character is walking along normally until the DM starts rolling dice. Suddenly, he stops and is alert, scanning the surroundings for danger. The sad thing is, this is a minor case I've seen.

What's yours?

[Law Dog]

"I don't need no steenking dialog". THis holds true for GMs and Players. The RP in RPG is roleplaying. As a GM, I expect players to interact with the environment. I hate it when a player just wants to roll dice and not interact with the NPCS and environment. As a player, I don't want a GM just saying you go into town, take a job with the King, book passage to Numskullia, and now you are in the dragon's lair looking eye-to-eye at the elder red. Roll initiative. I can sit at home a chuck dice against the wall by myself.

[Aidan]

Rogues who steal from the party/hold back treasure they've palmed from the split.

[Kilrex]

Rogues who steal from the party/hold back treasure they've palmed from the split.

They can Sense Motive on him, I allow in my game.

Metagaming is my pet peeve. Second is I know how to make gunpowder, so I want my char to Craft some.

[Tomcat1066]

Rogues who steal from the party/hold back treasure they've palmed from the split.

Are they doing it in character and in accordance to their character (alignment and all that)?

[Webhead]

"I don't need no steenking dialog". THis holds true for GMs and Players. The RP in RPG is roleplaying. As a GM, I expect players to interact with the environment. I hate it when a player just wants to roll dice and not interact with the NPCS and environment. As a player, I don't want a GM just saying you go into town, take a job with the King, book passage to Numskullia, and now you are in the dragon's lair looking eye-to-eye at the elder red. Roll initiative. I can sit at home a chuck dice against the wall by myself.

Rogues who steal from the party/hold back treasure they've palmed from the split.

Yes and yes. Those are two things that drive me up the wall. I also get peeved with players who demonstrate total detachment from any mental or emotional development for their characters. For example, in the midst of my heroic campaign, a player does something detestable or outright "evil" and I try to explain to the player what they have just done and how it should likely affect their state of mind and they just shrug their shoulders and say, "Whatever. What do we kill next?" :mad:

[Webhead]

Are they doing it in character and in accordance to their character (alignment and all that)?

The problem is that those players will tend to use their alignment to justify their actions. "But I was only acting in character..." :rolleyes:

That's why I don't run "evil" or "selfish" campaigns.

[Tomcat1066]

The problem is that those players will tend to use their alignment to justify their actions. "But I was only acting in character..." :rolleyes:

True, but it's a judgement call. Say he's an evil thief but usually plays good characters and wants to try something new (for example). I'm not saying it's right, and the DM is obviously free to squash the alignment, but so long as they are doing it in character, I don't see an issue.

However, my pet peeves aren't everyone elses, and I don't gotta share others either. ;)

That's why I don't run "evil" or "selfish" campaigns.

I'm with you there. To difficult for me to try and run.

[GreatMamboChicken]

The common use term for these people, at least around here, is Wanker.

Firstly, I select who I allow in my game. This has caused some hurt feelings and such, but this is an investment of time and resource for a handfull of people. If one of them doesn't mesh with the group or the style of the game, it devalues that time.

If a given person is a wanker, I don't invite them to my rpgs. "You want to play like that? Come play Munchkin with me next week."

A thief that steals from the "party loot" is, by definition, a thief. Perhaps the characters shouldn't permit a thief in their midst if they don't want to get stolen from. Think real world. If one of your friends regularly stole from the rest of the group, eventually someone is going to confront him or rally the group to boot him out. It's up to that thief to justify his value to the group. We've seen iti in many a movie or TV series where there's a "bad" person in the party, but they always end up needing him so they can't hang him just yet.

But to answer the question, my pet peeve in a gaming group is the flake.
"oh I have this great idea for a character, blah blah blah" and they make a great character, lots of background, twists, etc that the gm can tie into the adventure, use as tangent hooks, etc. So the one night it's all about their character "I'm going to the movie with my bff, play my character for me."
So as a flexible gm, I swap things around and take someone elses tangent or an old enemy shows up or whatever, but it really kinda derails me a bit.

Casual players, attention hogs, the wanderer, he who peruses books during game, the texter, etc. These all are irritants, but none of them grate more than the person that says "oh yeah, every other friday night? I'm there. I have nothing else to do on those nights and I've been yearning to play in your game" and then "oops, the Goo Goo Dolls are in concert on Friday! I have to go!"


-GMC

[tesral]

People that play their alignment, not their character (as stated above). What you do determines alignment, alignment does not determine what you do. My main reason for ditching alignment.

The mood breaker: this guy has a funny out of character moment for every circumstance, even when that destroys the mood, and derails the game. Related to the guy that has to be the center of attention.

I can't learn the game: Played for years, still doesn't know what dice to roll and when. Slows everyone down. You can play a quick round of Magic waiting out his turn in combat because the GM has to coach him through every die roll, every time. Some cannot even depend on gravity to make the die drop.

Mister Heisenberg location: His character is always close to the treasure, never close to the danger. Minis alleviate this somewhat.

I don't have anything to dooo. The whiner. That whine grates more than most. It isn't the GM's job to lead you by the hand. Some initiative on your part is required. It also usually means "My character isn't the center of attention", see above.

I've been playing a long time, I have a lot of these. Most boil down to the person that must be the center of attetion all the time.

[Anaesthesia]

The problem is that those players will tend to use their alignment to justify their actions. "But I was only acting in character..." :rolleyes:

That's one of my minor peeves, in one case I think I did have a hard time of that (consisted of an LG Wizard killing an evil NPC in coldblood).

I never had an evil character that had a sole motive of being selfish or was out to gain. In many cases that was diminshed or it was a Good or a CN aligned character that had a huge ego which turned into selfishness. Which the rest of the party "reformed" that character and got them back in line. (and no, it wasn't my idea). I think what I did to diminish the "selfish" motive, in the evil pcs for the most part was they were in an organization-and everythign had to further the organization's goals and not the indiviudals.

[Valdar]

I've got a few.

The Metagamer: Frequently uses out-of-game knowledge about monsters, because it's all about system mastery, not immersion, right? Usually foilable by tweaking the name and appearance of the monster so he can't place what I'm basing it on.

The passive-aggressive roleplayer: When asked to roleplay, gets it wrong on purpose. I've had a console game refugee (literally, he got fired from Atari) who, when told to come up with a personality concept, started playing a 19th century Englishman who kept going off about his adventures in India (fantasy D&D, not on Earth, mind you.)

The number-cruncher: This one I don't understand. Adds up every bonus for every roll, every time it's rolled. Even the character sheet has an area for adding the static bonuses up beforehand (and the player has been told to use it). Just makes for a minor slowdown, but you have to wonder...

The MMORPG gamer: This one bugs me because of the thinking and terminology they bring over, specifically "Tank" and "Nuker". This is a fantasy roleplaying game, not a contemporary wargame. I'm expecting at some point this player will kill a monster, sit down, and wait patiently for it to "respawn" so it can be killed again.

The "too good for your game" roleplayer: Doesn't have a character background or personality, but is constantly whining that the game doesn't cater to his character's "motivation", or spoils his "suspension of disbelief". Fights the plot at every turn and complains of being railroaded, then whines that the game is boring.

Compulsive Cheater: Bends rules blatantly in order to get caught and pick a fight.

There are just some pet peeves listed here that I won't put up with. Evil characters? No way, and I'll pull someone's character for it (they get to be an NPC villain then- it's a common enough trope for a friend to turn foe on you. )

I'm glad I haven't had a character who decided that they were going to invent gunpowder. I think I'd either just have that player fail (how do you extract saltpeter from bat guano, anyway?), or have the gun blow up in his face, and penalize him all the XP for the session for metagaming.

[Tomcat1066]

I'm glad I haven't had a character who decided that they were going to invent gunpowder. I think I'd either just have that player fail (how do you extract saltpeter from bat guano, anyway?), or have the gun blow up in his face, and penalize him all the XP for the session for metagaming.

I've dealt with it before. I was trying to be a laid back DM and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. It won't happen again though. Especially since his CHARACTER wouldn't have a clue what gunpowder is, so why would he want to invent it?

Yet another example of metagame thinking. Is there anyone not annoyed by this?

[Aidan]

Are they doing it in character and in accordance to their character (alignment and all that)?

I don't rare if it's in character and kosher with alignment. It's the players who do this kind of stuff that I don't really want to play with.

[Tomcat1066]

I don't rare if it's in character and kosher with alignment. It's the players who do this kind of stuff that I don't really want to play with.

It was just a personal curiousity thing, that's all.

Frankly, I haven't had to deal with that many players who would do it, so I guess my opinion isn't based on dealings like other folks'

[SpiffyBananaFoot]

Here are a few of mine:

- The guy that knows a lot about D&D and doesn't keep it separated from his pc.

- The guy who wants the whole party to base everything they do based on what his PCs personal goals and objectives are.

- When the game gets derailed by a 30-45 minute "discussion" about some nuance or disagreement about the rules.

[Webhead]

Here are a few of mine:

- The guy that knows a lot about D&D and doesn't keep it separated from his pc.

- The guy who wants the whole party to base everything they do based on what his PCs personal goals and objectives are.

- When the game gets derailed by a 30-45 minute "discussion" about some nuance or disagreement about the rules.

Yep. The Meta-Gamer, the Attention-Hogger, and the Rules-Lawyer. Three of the most commonly occuring species of gaming parasites...

[Ramzei]

My pet peve is ppl screwing over the party. I HATE it more than anything else and whatever second might be would be a distant second. I am into campaigns, so if that stuff goes on it doesnt lead to sustainable campaigns. On the other hand, if a party member feels it is acceptable to do this I would have no issue killing said party member (over and over if necessary). If I die in the process, so be it. Either way the problem is solved.

[GreatMamboChicken]

I've dealt with it before. I was trying to be a laid back DM and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. It won't happen again though. Especially since his CHARACTER wouldn't have a clue what gunpowder is, so why would he want to invent it?

Yet another example of metagame thinking. Is there anyone not annoyed by this?

I had a player that if he were thrown into a medieval world, had the knowledge, education, and experience that he could invent gunpowder. When he wanted his character to do it, I said ok, how? and he said I go to this type of mine, I get this, blah blah (I don't remember or I'd invent it myself! hahaha) and I let him spend three weeks of not being with the party while they were out accomplishing their tasks, gaining xp, meeting important npcs, etc.
When he was all done and mixed it properly... it didn't work. Guess what? Gunpowder does NOT work in my fantasy world.

How many times in real history has some crackpot had a revlation (1.21 gigawats anyone?) and they put all their resources into making their work shaking idea and then because of some fundamental law of physics, it didn't work? It's happened a lot.

needless to say, he got a little angry, and then he accepted it, and then his character never came up with some crackpot idea "from the future" again.
Of course, I only run GURPS, so I told him that if he gets another idea, he'd get a Delusion: The voices tell me how to make stuff.

[dalenvec]

My biggest annoyence is people who stack their PC's, you know the people who role 18 for every stat, or make a Uber powerful prestige class that totally unbalances the game; or have a +10 vorpal keen greatsword of Limb removal.... yeah, and this was my DM mind you.

then said Dm makes uber powerful NPC to pit you against, with the +10 greatsword. (and mind you your like level 10) and then by sheer dumb luck with a bag of 50 oil of impact/alchemist fire, you kill said npc with one shot, and the DM gets mad cuz you killed his CR 25 Npc, kills your character for no reason, Dings the rest of the party to level 20 and your stuck 10 levels behind.

dunno stuff like pisses me off, i need a new DM i tell yeah(wheres Farcaster at?)

i dunno what everyones problem with evil pc's are, i personally like playing evil chars.
just two rules to live by
-dont steal from the party
-dont screw over the party unless you plan on coming back as a bad guy to antaginize the party,(or just ask out of character if you can, to make things interesting) then die a miserable death at the hands of a paladin:(

i know some people over kill the whole evil thing, but it's easy to be civil and evil at the same time, just do bad things when no ones looking:D

[Engar]

Rule 1. If I dislike a player it will end worse for them than for me.

If I like the player I look at quirks as signs to adjust my game management. I just wish I caught on faster sometimes. This is where players can help by better explaining themselves in case I missed it.

For example, the gunpowder guy is probably telling me he would enjoy the game more if his character has a more significant role in world events. We can do that without gunpowder. If it has to be gunpowder see rule 1.

The meta-gamer is probably telling me that he would like more opportunities to use his skills and demonstrate his character's knowledge or perhaps he is trying to bring my attention to a lack of wonderment and surprise which he would prefer I work toward for him. We can do that with in game information and opportunities. If he just wants to blather out information as a player, see rule 1.

The player whose character steals from the party (rogue or not) is probably telling me they do not feel an adequate connection to the other party members (to offset their character's selfish nature) or they want to explore a dark side. We can do that by roleplaying some party bonding or conflict. Whatever they end up agreeing to: look the other way, stop stealing (from them), die (by the party), become an NPC, ocassionally be run by the player as a guest villain because it was crazy fun for a little while, etc. I want every player to understand that we are coming to a lasting resolution. Do not agree to look the other way then change your mind when he steals again. If the player breaks the agreement and is then upset that I allowed his character a miserable death at the hands of the other party members... see rule 1.

For DM's only (if only I knew how to hide it better, lol)...
In reality it will definitely come up again if they agreed to be stupid and let him steal, but at least the commitment will probably buy everyone several sessions before having to repeat the above, probably for the last time.

[cplmac]

Don't care what the actual situation is, my game pet peeve is anything that slows the game to a halt. With schedules being so hetic anymore, it is never good to have to stop and deal with something that is not progressing the story. I like to get as much gaming in as possible each time the group is together. Everyone obviously enjoys it better when not having to sit and wait for something that has nothing to do with the game. We do however make the exception for needing to use the bathroom. Would not be a pretty sight otherwise, not to mention the smell.

[Law Dog]

Now, if it was out of game, it'd be the loot braggart that I'd have the issue with. You know, the guy that wants to brag about his character, but instead of trying to tell you about his character and his great deeds and his motivations and goals instead describes his character as having a +7 flaming sword and Armor of the Mighty.

Even that, of course, pales in comparison with the wondering game store encounter with the dreaded Catpissman.

[grimwell]

The Snake in the Grass -- the person who comes and plays along nicely on the surface; but actually spends their entire time waiting for a great moment to do something that totally screws over the party. Typically this person enjoys it for the reactions and negativity that the people at the table bring.

They are sometimes hard to find before they first bite, but even then provided you snap their neck after just one bite the poison won't kill the spirit of the group.

In English that means that I make them unwelcome to my game once they are identified. I don't have time for that kind of stuff.

[Oedipussy Rex]

The guy who treats RPGs as a strategy game; always looking for the the perfect move. This wouldn't be so bad, but instead of saying, "I'm going to try to kick the monster off the cliff," (the perfect move, in his estimation, that defeats the monster without having to go through battle -one shot and done), he says, "What will happen if I try to kick the monster off the cliff?" Of course, the reply is, "Roll." "No, wait. What if I try...." Meanwhile, combat has ground to a complete halt.

Then there's the guy who waits to roll. "It's your initiative." "Okay." Picks up d20. Shakes the d20 for 5 seconds. Rolls. Reads die. Looks at character sheet to add bonuses. "17." "That's a hit." "Okay." Picks up d6. Shakes d6 for 5 seconds. Rolls. Reads die. Looks at character sheet for bonuses. "3 points." Meanwhile, everyone else had already rolled all their dice when the roll for initiative was called and are simply waiting for their initiatve to come around to state their results.

In short, it bugs me when the flow of combat is needlessly interrupted.

Even moreso than the guy who keeps making the same character because he hasn't "fully explored" his concept, because he keeps dying. Of course, what does he expect, playing a MU -- with the worst HD and attack matrix of any class -- as if he were a frontline fighter.

[dentarthur]

When the DM cares more about his world and his story than the PCs and their stor(y|ies). I had a DM (Earthdawn, not D&D) who spent more time narrating some event out of his world's history than he did with the party and what's currently happening. I'm all for a world with a solid history behind it, but when I want an extended narrative, I'll pick up a book.

[Valdar]

Guess what? Gunpowder does NOT work in my fantasy world.


In games I've run, gunpowder really does work, but the forefront wizards of the world have divined that working gunpowder would unseat them from authority eventually, so they've pooled their magics to suppress the "boom" globally. That's why it doesn't work.



i dunno what everyones problem with evil pc's are, i personally like playing evil chars.

Can o' worms. I'd be happy to discuss that in its own thread, if you're game for starting it.

[starfalconkd]

Players not thinking is one of my pet peeves.
Power gamers are another.
Another is "the role-play ruiner." The party is conversing with someone who might be a bad guy. Player: "I charge him." I hate that guy.
Lastly, people who play "combat controllers." I often tell my players to think about what they are doing in game, because if they can do it I can do it better. And still I have people who think they can "beat the game" with some use of spells/magic items/powers. These same people whine when I turn around, do it back to them (only much more sinister) and the whole party gets killed or badly beaten. I just sigh and tell them they had it coming and to blame player x. While I could just not let players use the spells/items/powers that cause problems I ask them to be responsible and not do it. One or two of them still don't get it, much to the frustration of the other party members. This is not to say I won't outright ban certain things.

[Tomcat1066]

Power gamers is definitely my number 2 pet peeve, but one that many people have fallen guilty of at one time or another. However, the people who've been playing 10-15 years or more and still powergame because it's how they think the game should be played, those are the real pains for me.

Frankly, I just don't like playing with them and generally won't do it.

[ryan973]

HUm pet peevs about gamers. Well i must say its hard for me to wine about it as my group and i are very close freands and the worst gamer i have is one of my best freands. Here is some normals for him that make us all get pissy and have to remember that he is A freand.

1. Constantly gets up from the table to blast music of Kirk and spocks fight when there is a large battle. Or small battle or just when he is bored. On a side not ei actually dont minf the music but only when its two PCs fighting. lol ;)

2. Starts playing halo when ever i go outside for a smoke. Not exactly bad if it was not a pain in the but to get him to get off of it. :confused:

3. Last game i cought him readign the monsters stats that they were fighting of his laptop. I awarded him no exp and got totally pissed. :mad:

4. He puts his nasty Dire Hobbit feet up on the table or the empty chair next to me. In his defenc we play at his house as two of my group members are roommates. :doh:

5. I have been playing with him for about three years now and he still gets his ability bonuses wrong thinks he can read five manuals of dex+1 and get a +5 out of it, and refuses to write down his exp and treasure so that someone else will keep track of it. :frusty:

6. He does not pay attention to the Role Play, so that he usually has no clue what NPC is saying what, and when he does try to get into it he falls all over his words becosue he is trying to emulate the other group member way of speech :peace:

7. he has no concept of ailainment and half the tiem the only thing that matters about his race is what bonusses do they give. :help:

But when he is not doing all of those things you can really tell that he loves the game. He gets really excited when the party overcomes something and when he does catch on and get into whats happening he jumps in head first even if what he is doing is foolish or lame he is trying his best. Its like having shrek at the table. He is funny and loud as hell wich is one of the reasones we play at his house. That and when we play at my place my wife will be proned to come down and yell the following in my face.
"PAY ATTENTION TO ME" :cheer2:

[agoraderek]

people that don't show up on time. people who never have a few bucks to put in for pizza and eat five slices.

the standard "munchkin/rules lawyer/drama queen" complaints.

oh, and people who don't bathe.

other than that, i'm pretty easy going...

[dalenvec]

Then there's the guy who waits to roll. "It's your initiative." "Okay." Picks up d20. Shakes the d20 for 5 seconds. Rolls. Reads die. Looks at character sheet to add bonuses. "17." "That's a hit." "Okay." Picks up d6. Shakes d6 for 5 seconds. Rolls. Reads die. Looks at character sheet for bonuses. "3 points." Meanwhile, everyone else had already rolled all their dice when the roll for initiative was called and are simply waiting for their initiatve to come around to state their results.
Thats why i don't play casters, cuz i cant remember spells and what they do to save my life.:rip:

Can o' worms. I'd be happy to discuss that in its own thread, if you're game for starting it.

Love too, but i wont be avalable for comments till sunday(have to work this weekend):laser:

So to clerify my rant, power-gamers, meta-gamers, and people who cantplay their alignment, or use it as a shield.
oh yeah and crappy DM's

[Stormhound]

Just to put up something a little different: people who insist on playing some strange character (often an NPC/monster race) just to try to get some special advantage out of it.

"No, Fred, you can NOT play a minotaur who had his horns surgically removed and replaced with Wands of Magic Missiles." :frusty:

[Tomcat1066]

Just to put up something a little different: people who insist on playing some strange character (often an NPC/monster race) just to try to get some special advantage out of it.

"No, Fred, you can NOT play a minotaur who had his horns surgically removed and replaced with Wands of Magic Missiles." :frusty:

Let me guess...these are often the same people who can't even play the core races, but what to play dragons?

[nijineko]

hmmmm. how to say this. i am still working out my philosophy on this, so please bear with me everyone.

i would have to say that the thing that irks me is when a dm seriously restricts what you can play. now, to qualify that statement. i realize that many dm's do this because of bad experiences. i am unusually blessed in that i've never had a bad experience of that type. i think that colors my view. it still strikes me somehow as an admission that the dm is less capable. i sometimes get the feeling that they restrict because they can't handle it.

however, i have seen perfectly good restrictions rising from a rich and detailed worldview-this is not what i'm talking about. i enjoy those very very much.

i've trolled the wotc boards for mega-combos. and i've managed to find a logical fallacy in almost every one which completely invalidates the premise. perhaps that exercise of research has given me over-much confidence... but i haven't run into any situation i couldn't beat as a dm. and without using dm fiat, either. not yet, anyway. (oh and please don't take this as an invitation to deliberately find the one i've missed either! heheheh.)

so, i guess that the combination of not having had any really bad experiences as you describe (perhaps due to pickiness about whom i play with), research into what are the worst-case-scenarios and the ways to defeat them, and a belief that if i give the players a lot of freedom with only a few minor restrictions (yes, i put some on my campaign too) that they will reciprocate with cooperation... has resulted in my not liking it when a dm seriously restricts available options from a given game system.

{here are common restrictions i place on my campaings just for the information of the curious: evil characters are npc only. exalted and vile books are not allowed (the source books, that is). all 100% wotc material is allowed, with previous exceptions already noted. (this has the effect of restricting third party material.) and that's usually about it. maybe i've just been insanely lucky, but i have yet to have any problem players using this set of rules. }

having said that, i'm not intending this as a slight against those who have restricted the players and campaigns they are running with... after all, the situation they have is almost certainly different from mine.

[Ramzei]

When the guy keeping track of undivided loot takes home the list and can't make it. Handwriting on said loot list so bad not even that individual can figure out what it says (I have some of the worst handwriting ever, but I ALWAYS know what it says). I have always kept a "second copy" of the loot list unless I am the one in charge of it. I have yet to catch someone skimming as was the intended purpose. However, in other scenarios as outlined above it can be a savior. Granted, I just pretend I can read the handwriting and never divulge I have it. :cool:

[Valdar]

i've trolled the wotc boards for mega-combos. and i've managed to find a logical fallacy in almost every one which completely invalidates the premise.

That's the rub right there. I'd like to spend my time writing plots, fleshing out settings, and crafting believable, inspiring NPCs, not closing rule loopholes. Especially when there's one of me closing loopholes and four players opening them.

It's a dilemma. On one hand, the players are supposed to make rational decisions within the rules that increase the survivability and success of their characters. On the other, come on- who really comes to the table thinking, "I'd really like to explore the roleplaying challenge of a half-ogre with a spiked chain" or somesuch.

[Stormhound]

Let me guess...these are often the same people who can't even play the core races, but what to play dragons?

Pretty much. I figure they just want to be the center of attention of the group, which is its own pet peeve. I'm not too fond of prima donnas, either.

[Tomcat1066]

Pretty much. I figure they just want to be the center of attention of the group, which is its own pet peeve. I'm not too fond of prima donnas, either.

Yeah, I've played with a few of those. They annoy me only because they're trying to play special instead of playing well.

[Thoth-Amon]

Rogues who steal from the party/hold back treasure they've palmed from the split.
I encourage players to play in character. It can get especially messy when they get caught by the rest of the party. The risks of being a rogue.

Thoth-Amon

[Thoth-Amon]

The problem is that those players will tend to use their alignment to justify their actions. "But I was only acting in character..." :rolleyes:

That's why I don't run "evil" or "selfish" campaigns.
Oh i love 'em. Been running them off and on for 30+ years.

Thoth-Amon

[Thoth-Amon]

people that don't show up on time. people who never have a few bucks to put in for pizza and eat five slices.

the standard "munchkin/rules lawyer/drama queen" complaints.

oh, and people who don't bathe.

other than that, i'm pretty easy going...
My hate when players are consistently late. I also hate the ones that eat most the food and never put any money in the pot. Ever notice they are usually the same players. Just shows a lack of respect.

Thoth-Amon

[Thoth-Amon]

hmmmm. how to say this. i am still working out my philosophy on this, so please bear with me everyone.

i would have to say that the thing that irks me is when a dm seriously restricts what you can play. now, to qualify that statement. i realize that many dm's do this because of bad experiences. i am unusually blessed in that i've never had a bad experience of that type. i think that colors my view. it still strikes me somehow as an admission that the dm is less capable. i sometimes get the feeling that they restrict because they can't handle it.

however, i have seen perfectly good restrictions rising from a rich and detailed worldview-this is not what i'm talking about. i enjoy those very very much.

i've trolled the wotc boards for mega-combos. and i've managed to find a logical fallacy in almost every one which completely invalidates the premise. perhaps that exercise of research has given me over-much confidence... but i haven't run into any situation i couldn't beat as a dm. and without using dm fiat, either. not yet, anyway. (oh and please don't take this as an invitation to deliberately find the one i've missed either! heheheh.)

so, i guess that the combination of not having had any really bad experiences as you describe (perhaps due to pickiness about whom i play with), research into what are the worst-case-scenarios and the ways to defeat them, and a belief that if i give the players a lot of freedom with only a few minor restrictions (yes, i put some on my campaign too) that they will reciprocate with cooperation... has resulted in my not liking it when a dm seriously restricts available options from a given game system.

{here are common restrictions i place on my campaings just for the information of the curious: evil characters are npc only. exalted and vile books are not allowed (the source books, that is). all 100% wotc material is allowed, with previous exceptions already noted. (this has the effect of restricting third party material.) and that's usually about it. maybe i've just been insanely lucky, but i have yet to have any problem players using this set of rules. }

having said that, i'm not intending this as a slight against those who have restricted the players and campaigns they are running with... after all, the situation they have is almost certainly different from mine.
I'm with you here. We had a Dm that was so restrictive(felt like he had to rewrite all books) that in the end, there was no game. We told him not to show and that we had found another DM.

[Webhead]

Oh i love 'em. Been running them off and on for 30+ years.

Thoth-Amon

I, on the other hand, am not really interested in "evil" games as those aren't the kinds of stories I'm interested in telling. Now, if it was a game about a bunch of "evil" characters who have to reluctantly be the heroes of the story (perhaps like the game Necessary Evil where all the super heroes are dead and now the super villains have to save the Earth from an invasion :D), that can be a lot of fun as the conflict with the characters' natures can bring some memorable role playing. But if it's just a game of "evil" characters developing their evil and selfish plans, the PCs can pretty much entertain themselves and they don't really need me there for that.

I like to tell heroic stories about selfless and heroic deeds. Where the characters come from in their backgrounds before they become thrust into the role of hero is open to as many possibilities as the players care to imagine, but in the end, they should have a distinct, tangible desire to make their world a better place or at least should be thinking beyond their own wants and desires.

[Thoth-Amon]

I, on the other hand, am not really interested in "evil" games as those aren't the kinds of stories I'm interested in telling. Now, if it was a game about a bunch of "evil" characters who have to reluctantly be the heroes of the story (perhaps like the game Necessary Evil where all the super heroes are dead and now the super villains have to save the Earth from an invasion :D), that can be a lot of fun as the conflict with the characters' natures can bring some memorable role playing. But if it's just a game of "evil" characters developing their evil and selfish plans, the PCs can pretty much entertain themselves and they don't really need me there for that.

I like to tell heroic stories about selfless and heroic deeds. Where the characters come from in their backgrounds before they become thrust into the role of hero is open to as many possibilities as the players care to imagine, but in the end, they should have a distinct, tangible desire to make their world a better place or at least should be thinking beyond their own wants and desires.
Hero games are cool but in all fairness, folks who make up their characters, with backgrounds, never seem to put in as a future goal... Hero of the community. Paladins want to fight in hell, wizards want to be all powerful, rogues want to ge rich, etc, etc.
I've read that evil games suck becasue everyone dies. I havent found this to be the case, for in evil games, evil and stupid are NOT the same. For example... and i can give examples all day, if my guy is evil and with a group of players, he wont kill any of them off for no reason. He's wise enough to know that by killing other players, he'd be killing himself. Of course, that's not to say he wont try when he is safe, but it takes advanced players to stay alive. To me, it's always been kind of a Drow campaign--except no one is playing a Drow. I realize that many out there would disagree and that is fine. I dont blame the purists for i havent even touched the surface on why it works. In truth, at least in my games, it's the fanatical LG that gets people killed first. Different strokes for different folks.

Now, i do play all kinds of games with all kinds of alignments, i just like evil the best.

Thoth-Amon

[Engar]

I've read that evil games suck becasue everyone dies. I havent found this to be the case...

It may be more of an argument between chaos and law (to define it with a traditional DnD system).

[Thoth-Amon]

It may be more of an argument between chaos and law (to define it with a traditional DnD system).
...perhaps. I'm sure it's different with everyone. Of course, this is what makes DnD great... All the different campaigns to choose from. Gotta love it... and have, since the mid '70's when i was a youngling.

Thoth-Amon

[kirksmithicus]

Part of the problem may be the alignment system itself and how it defines these concepts. In addition, how in RPG's in general, the labeling a character as "good" seems to absolves the fact that they are killing, or at the very least makes it a necessary evil, after all, those they kill are not part of the group or culture, so it's okay, it was for the greater good and such. Due to this type of reasoning we have the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". I've found that games that have no alignment systems tend to be far more interesting and introduce moral and ethical ambiguity that is more interesting than the black and white good versus evil / law vs. order type of thing. After all, is an Orc who kills humans to revenge the deaths of his family at the hands of "Adventurers" more evil than the Paladin or Knight who was part of the adventuring party who slew his wife and children?

Sometimes playing the "bad guys" can be very interesting and it need not result in the entire party killing each other. One of the coolest games I've played was based on the above concept. The party consisted of two orcs, a goblin and an ogre who banded together to avenge the deaths of their families. The world of Greyhawk through the eyes of an orc.

Our perceptions of "Good", "Evil" may be a matter of circumstances and perception and / or culturally bound.

[Engar]

After all, is an Orc who kills humans to revenge the deaths of his family at the hands of "Adventurers" more evil than the Paladin or Knight who was part of the adventuring party who slew his wife and children?

Perhaps, but a paladin involved in slaying children or non-combatants is not a traditional DnD paladin. One of the new fangled nanny pallies maybe, but not what I call a paladin.

[tesral]

Part of the problem may be the alignment system itself and how it defines these concepts. In addition, how in RPG's in general, the labeling a character as "good" seems to absolves the fact that they are killing, or at the very least makes it a necessary evil, after all, those they kill are not part of the group or culture, so it's okay, it was for the greater good and such. Due to this type of reasoning we have the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". I've found that games that have no alignment systems tend to be far more interesting and introduce moral and ethical ambiguity that is more interesting than the black and white good versus evil / law vs. order type of thing. After all, is an Orc who kills humans to revenge the deaths of his family at the hands of "Adventurers" more evil than the Paladin or Knight who was part of the adventuring party who slew his wife and children?


One of the reasons I dropped alignment like the load it was. The lack makes the game so much more intersting. I explained my Moral Compass in the Heaven and Hell thread.

[Tomcat1066]

Since I'm tooling up for a new campaign with a buttload of new house rules, I'm considering killing alignment as well, and just create a code for various deities' paladins to follow instead of "lawful good". I like the idea of their actions being far more important that what they have on a character sheet after all.

[tesral]

Since I'm tooling up for a new campaign with a buttload of new house rules, I'm considering killing alignment as well, and just create a code for various deities' paladins to follow instead of "lawful good". I like the idea of their actions being far more important that what they have on a character sheet after all.

Go for it. Not to toot my horn by check out The Greyhawke Campaign (http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com/fantasy/gs_fant.htm) under "Cultures". I have a number of Paladin codes that can be used as examples.

[Fooliobass]

"3. Last game i cought him readign the monsters stats that they were fighting of his laptop. I awarded him no exp and got totally pissed"

I had a player who had been playing DMing since 1980 AD&D. Caught him open to gargoyles while battling 4 of them on a bridge over a pit leading to the underdark. Well 1 grapple check and 2 balance checks (i was being nice) the paladin who just charged in to stand infront of the fallen barbarian was thrown off of the bridge.
Character punished because of player

[Thoth-Amon]

"3. Last game i cought him readign the monsters stats that they were fighting of his laptop. I awarded him no exp and got totally pissed"

I had a player who had been playing DMing since 1980 AD&D. Caught him open to gargoyles while battling 4 of them on a bridge over a pit leading to the underdark. Well 1 grapple check and 2 balance checks (i was being nice) the paladin who just charged in to stand infront of the fallen barbarian was thrown off of the bridge.
Character punished because of player
I will never understand cheaters. How is knowing the answer any more fun? Well, i guess if i knew that, i'd understand cheaters... Glad I Dont!

Thoth-Amon

[Tomcat1066]

Go for it. Not to toot my horn by check out The Greyhawke Campaign (http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com/fantasy/gs_fant.htm) under "Cultures". I have a number of Paladin codes that can be used as examples.

I will definitely do that! Thanks :)

[Fooliobass]

The I do everything character: The player who shouts out “I search the room” searches every inch of the 50’x50’ room. But when the barbarian flips over the bed and finds a gem specifically hidden under the mattress the player flips out “I SAID I SEARCHED”

WOW addicts: “in world of warcraft my 6000lvl blah can blah blah blah…” “
Who cares we are sitting around a table playing dungeons and dragons.”

The roll and then do: picks up dice rolls then says “19 does that hit?”
“Hit what? There are 4 monsters in the room and none of them are within your range.”
“oh, well can I move back here and drink a potion”
*smash head*

Additive bonuses: last session bull str was cast and mod never erased. This session it gets cast again and well there is another +4
“How does your 6th lvl rogue have an attack bonus of 22???”

The great implosion: The party gets stretched over a terrain knowing exactly how far apart each other is but once initiative is called for everyone magically is a bit closer to each other (unless a fire ball hits then its “oh I was over here”

Are we playing yet: The player who shows up 10 minutes before we start sits on the couch with a bag of chips waiting for the “go”. Then all of a sudden, “oh, I need to level my rogue, I need to roll a hit die, what happened last time, oh can I buy ‘fill in the blank wondrous item’”

Something else to do: a week notice, shows up and says I have to leave in two hours but somebody else can play me (note: usual session ~8 hours; game averages 7 players, nobody wants to earn another character xp especially when it detracts from your count)

I got a new book: The player comes up with a book with some amazing ability and instantly wants to play the crap out of it but gets pissed if you want to mull it over till next session to see how it would affect your world

Why do you always attack me? Well because you tried to run past my bullet, tripped at his feet and the rest of the party is still standing back information

Treasure collector: The player who picks up every piece of treasure they ever come across, then gets pissed when called on the weight. “what do you think 45lbs of coins is going to do to your move silently?”

The other DM player who has DMd in the past and now tells you how situations work out.

Wrong rules lawyer: continually announces rules as they once were but are no longer “skeletons are half damage from piercing weapons”

Also
Center of attention
Meta gamer

[Engar]

Wrong rules lawyer: continually announces rules as they once were but are no longer “skeletons are half damage from piercing weapons”

HEY! I resemble that remark! I have a hard time keeping it all straight sometimes. I hope I do not "continually announce", but I guess I might.

[tesral]

The other DM player who has DMd in the past and now tells you how situations work out.



Dude, I'm playing with a DM is the younger than my DM experience. Seriously he is 21. I always take 20 on keeping my mouth shut. His game, his way of doing things. If he wants my imput, Then I give it to him.

[Webhead]

Dude, I'm playing with a DM is the younger than my DM experience. Seriously he is 21. I always take 20 on keeping my mouth shut. His game, his way of doing things. If he wants my imput, Then I give it to him.

That's the best way to do it. If he looks like he's getting stuck or confused, a few suggestions my serve him well, but when he's going, it's best to let him do his thing.

[boulet]

It's not exactly a pet peeve, just something that itches my cortex.

What's with people writing rouge instead of rogue ? Is it because they dream of overpowdered character, some form of revlon munchkinism ? Or maybe they consider thieves to be secretly communists ? Actually Robin Wood has some similarities with Proudon... along the lines of "property is theft", but I'm pretty sure a lot of rogues are good old capitalists.

[tesral]

It's not exactly a pet peeve, just something that itches my cortex.

What's with people writing rouge instead of rogue ? Is it because they dream of overpowdered character, some form of revlon munchkinism ? Or maybe they consider thieves to be secretly communists ? Actually Robin Wood has some similarities with Proudon... along the lines of "property is theft", but I'm pretty sure a lot of rogues are good old capitalists.

Or just plain misspelling. I constantly have to watch the thing. *ogue" words are one of those "things" for me, like constantly typing "ot" and "nad". Dyslexia at Work.

[nijineko]

Go for it. Not to toot my horn by check out The Greyhawke Campaign (http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com/fantasy/gs_fant.htm) under "Cultures". I have a number of Paladin codes that can be used as examples.

justly quoting greatness and experience isn't tooting ones horn. if dungeonmastering was a class in d&d, i'd expect to see you in high double digits.

[agoraderek]

It's not exactly a pet peeve, just something that itches my cortex.

What's with people writing rouge instead of rogue ? Is it because they dream of overpowdered character, some form of revlon munchkinism ? Or maybe they consider thieves to be secretly communists ? Actually Robin Wood has some similarities with Proudon... along the lines of "property is theft", but I'm pretty sure a lot of rogues are good old capitalists.

i used to write "tounge" for "tongue" all the time when i was a kid, until my friend followed me around ALL DAY one day, mocking me with the phonetic pronunciation of how i wrote it. cured me right quick, that did...

[tesral]

justly quoting greatness and experience isn't tooting ones horn. if dungeonmastering was a class in d&d, i'd expect to see you in high double digits.

Dude, I' like my hat.

[nijineko]

i'll get you an elastic headband. kung-fu dm style. ;D

[Dragon2605]

Pet peeves....I can't stand rules lawyers, the broke a$$ that eats all the food and don't chip in, players that constantly want to go off on their own, and the DM that won't let the group get a little off course. An actual example of the last is when our last DM informs that the building we walked up to has a door we can't open because it's not part of the adventure. Made it feel like a video game.

[Thoth-Amon]

Pet peeves....I can't stand rules lawyers, the broke a$$ that eats all the food and don't chip in, players that constantly want to go off on their own, and the DM that won't let the group get a little off course. An actual example of the last is when our last DM informs that the building we walked up to has a door we can't open because it's not part of the adventure. Made it feel like a video game.
We had a DM that would get upset if you went off course. It had to be totally linear or else. In the end, he now has no players and just watches nascar all day, wondering why no one wants to play DnD with him anymore. Well, this is one of the reasons, anyway.

Thoth-Amon

[agoraderek]

We had a DM that would get upset if you went off course. It had to be totally linear or else. In the end, he now has no players and just watches nascar all day, wondering why no one wants to play DnD with him anymore. Well, this is one of the reasons, anyway.

Thoth-Amon

is it just me, or is it ironic that a dm who likes to railroad watches something that consists of nothing but going in circles fast?

[nijineko]

seems to be some thematic similarities there.

[tesral]

One would think it would be drag races. the shortest distance between A and B.

Now that we are done being catty.....:D

[Thoth-Amon]

is it just me, or is it ironic that a dm who likes to railroad watches something that consists of nothing but going in circles fast?
That's funny for it didnt even click till i read your response.

Thot-Amon

[Talmek]

Players' Bad Habits

While I could literally write an essay concerning inconsiderate, rules-lawyering, non-snack bringing, not-cleaning-up-after-themselves players, I will only submit a short diatribe for your reading pleasure.

I once had a player that heavily addicted to cigarettes. While this would normally not be a problem for me, one of my family members was allergic to cigarette smoke. I politely asked afore-mentioned player to smoke prior to the game and outside during breaks, to which his response was, "I smoke where I like." I then gently reminded him of privileges held by property owners in the state that I was living in, and penalties concerning newly-considered tresspassers on my property. Needless to say, while I was one player short yet AGAIN for my campaign, my family member was not about to suffer from breathing problems due to some <expletive deleted> who came to play a game without one of the most important tools: manners.

Consideration (or a lack thereof) would have to be at the top of my list for peeves.

[tesral]

My family member was not about to suffer from breathing problems due to some <expletive deleted> who came to play a game without one of the most important tools: manners.

Consideration (or a lack thereof) would have to be at the top of my list for peeves.

Amen preach it brother. Manners, THE tool for gamers.

[Valdar]

"I smoke where I like."

Wow... The inconsiderateness just boggles the mind... Even without the allergic family member, this guy thinks he has the right to stink up someone else's house permanently? If he lit up after I asked him not to, I'd have to turn a fire extinguisher on him.

This is why I'm glad I live in Washington- we have the strictest smoking laws in the country- no smoking in workplaces, restaurants, or 25 feet from an entrance of same. You can't even smoke in bars here. People smoking inside or next to doors is the first thing I notice that's different when I go to other states.

[Thoth-Amon]

TV on in the background. That's my pet peave. Are we here to play DnD or are we hear to watch TV?

Thoth-Amon

[Thoth-Amon]

Here's another:

Had a player that would show up 2 hours late. No matter what time the game began, he'd show up 2 hours late with excuses. So i decided to tell him the game started 2 hours earlier than it really was. He showed up on time with his excuses, as usual. Folks tried to keep their laughter to themselves. Well, eventually, he figured it out, got angry and quit. Pretty funny stuff.

Thoth-Amon

[Thoth-Amon]

Oh, here's a good one. A player that continually gets calls or texts during game time. I was playing in a game a few years ago. A cop was GM'ing and he didnt take any shit. He was a great GM but expected everyone to take the game seriously. Well, this 20-something guy wouldnt stop sending texts during the game. The GM stopped the game and told the guy to leave the table and to never come back. When the guy had to audacity to try and argue, the GM raised his voice and told the guy to get the f&^k out, Now! He got the message and scurried out. The rest of the table applauded. It was great.

Thoth-Amon

[Zeneak]

Here's another:

Had a player that would show up 2 hours late. No matter what time the game began, he'd show up 2 hours late with excuses. So i decided to tell him the game started 2 hours earlier than it really was. He showed up on time with his excuses, as usual. Folks tried to keep their laughter to themselves. Well, eventually, he figured it out, got angry and quit. Pretty funny stuff.

Thoth-Amon

I must agree that is funny as hell is painful. the fact that he was two hours late every time is a little odd though, how can you 'always' be two hours late? wouldn't it vary from time to time unless it was on purpose?

[Thoth-Amon]

I must agree that is funny as hell is painful. the fact that he was two hours late every time is a little odd though, how can you 'always' be two hours late? wouldn't it vary from time to time unless it was on purpose?
Okay, it actually varied from 1 hr 30 min(very rarely) to 2 hr 30 min, plus. I just met the numbers in the middle, to be kind.

NLP would have labeled this guy a Through-Time guy rather than an In-Time guy.

Thoth-Amon

[mrken]

I had a guy in my group that we scheduled the game two hours later so he could make it on time. Generally was two to three hours late every time. Once he called two hours late to say he wouldn't be able to get there on time. He also complained about others who would let us know weeks in advance that they would not be able to attend a certain week. Tried to explain a week or two advanced notice was different than being late or not showing up. I don't think he understands the difference yet. Too bad because he is by far the best role player I have ever known. :(

[Thoth-Amon]

I had a guy in my group that we scheduled the game two hours later so he could make it on time. Generally was two to three hours late every time. Once he called two hours late to say he wouldn't be able to get there on time. He also complained about others who would let us know weeks in advance that they would not be able to attend a certain week. Tried to explain a week or two advanced notice was different than being late or not showing up. I don't think he understands the difference yet. Too bad because he is by far the best role player I have ever known. :(
Are we talking about the same player? Our guy did the same complaining. LOL

Thoth-Amon

[agoraderek]

Players' Bad Habits

While I could literally write an essay concerning inconsiderate, rules-lawyering, non-snack bringing, not-cleaning-up-after-themselves players, I will only submit a short diatribe for your reading pleasure.

I once had a player that heavily addicted to cigarettes. While this would normally not be a problem for me, one of my family members was allergic to cigarette smoke. I politely asked afore-mentioned player to smoke prior to the game and outside during breaks, to which his response was, "I smoke where I like." I then gently reminded him of privileges held by property owners in the state that I was living in, and penalties concerning newly-considered tresspassers on my property. Needless to say, while I was one player short yet AGAIN for my campaign, my family member was not about to suffer from breathing problems due to some <expletive deleted> who came to play a game without one of the most important tools: manners.

Consideration (or a lack thereof) would have to be at the top of my list for peeves.

that's funny. heck, I smoke and when i host games the smokers all go outside during the break. i can't even fathom disrespecting someone else's house like that.

and, yeah, it is nice to be in texas when it comes to trespassers ;)

[Valdar]

I'd just have to give out the XP and treasure in the first 2 hours of the game then.

Seriously, that sounds like a psychological disorder, specifically, "Passive-Aggressive". Call it "counting coup" or whatever, these guys get off on resisting authority, even if it's the sensible authority of "show up on time, ok?".

[agoraderek]

Oh, here's a good one. A player that continually gets calls or texts during game time. I was playing in a game a few years ago. A cop was GM'ing and he didnt take any shit. He was a great GM but expected everyone to take the game seriously. Well, this 20-something guy wouldnt stop sending texts during the game. The GM stopped the game and told the guy to leave the table and to never come back. When the guy had to audacity to try and argue, the GM raised his voice and told the guy to get the f&^k out, Now! He got the message and scurried out. The rest of the table applauded. It was great.

Thoth-Amon

i did that with the last guy who dm'd for us. he kept making sexist comments, ticking off my gf (who is just learning how to play, and really doesn;t need to get a negative image of gamers), i asked him to stop a few times, and finally just told him to get the **** out of my apartment...

haven't played since (other than some game training for the gf), but my new group (myself, my gf, female neighbor, co-worker, and a married couple i met through the paizo boards) looks promising...

[Valdar]

and, yeah, it is nice to be in texas when it comes to trespassers ;)

I've heard some great things about Texas and trespassing laws- though my grandfather did cross the line. He had a place outside Manor (near Austin), and got sick of kids stealing his tools, so he rigged his shed with a shotgun to go off at a 3 foot height through the front door when it was opened (the shed had a back door). The sherrif made him take it down.

He replaced it with a box of rattlesnakes that opened when the front door opened. I do believe he kept all his tools after that.

[agoraderek]

I've heard some great things about Texas and trespassing laws- though my grandfather did cross the line. He had a place outside Manor (near Austin), and got sick of kids stealing his tools, so he rigged his shed with a shotgun to go off at a 3 foot height through the front door when it was opened (the shed had a back door). The sherrif made him take it down.

He replaced it with a box of rattlesnakes that opened when the front door opened. I do believe he kept all his tools after that.

ah, manor texas.

kinda funny story: first time i was in austin, i was looking for a friend's house on "mainer" road. kept passing Manor Rd, not knowing that it wasn't pronounced like it is spelled...

[Thoth-Amon]

i did that with the last guy who dm'd for us. he kept making sexist comments, ticking off my gf (who is just learning how to play, and really doesn;t need to get a negative image of gamers), i asked him to stop a few times, and finally just told him to get the **** out of my apartment...

haven't played since (other than some game training for the gf), but my new group (myself, my gf, female neighbor, co-worker, and a married couple i met through the paizo boards) looks promising...
Best of luck to you and rest assured, if you and your gf come by and play a session, it will be a good experience for you both.

Thoth-Amon

[mrken]

i did that with the last guy who dm'd for us. he kept making sexist comments, ticking off my gf (who is just learning how to play, and really doesn;t need to get a negative image of gamers), i asked him to stop a few times, and finally just told him to get the **** out of my apartment...

haven't played since (other than some game training for the gf), but my new group (myself, my gf, female neighbor, co-worker, and a married couple i met through the paizo boards) looks promising...


It's too bad some people are so disrespectful of others. I wonder if they know or care about others, or if it truly is all about them?

[mrken]

Are we talking about the same player? Our guy did the same complaining. LOL

Thoth-Amon


No, this is a different person I am quite sure. lol You live a very long way from us and we still live close by.

He doesn't do this on purpose I am sure. It is just that his wife thinks I am a bad influence on him and does everything in her power to side track him as he walks out the door. No, it's not like you think. She does however do some of the darnedest things. Things I would never do.

[Talmek]

<SNIP> The GM stopped the game and told the guy to leave the table and to never come back. When the guy had to audacity to try and argue, the GM raised his voice and told the guy to get the f&^k out, Now! He got the message and scurried out. The rest of the table applauded. It was great.

Thoth-Amon

I want this guy to run my game. No distractions, under penalty of lead poisoning.

[Valdar]

ah, manor texas.

kinda funny story: first time i was in austin, i was looking for a friend's house on "mainer" road. kept passing Manor Rd, not knowing that it wasn't pronounced like it is spelled...

Yep, it's Manor, with A like in Cake. Sometimes southern cities are more understandable, such as a town called:

Rolla, MO (http://www.rollacity.org/)

named after:

Raleigh, NC (http://www.raleigh-nc.org/)

How could it get clearer than that?

[mrken]

One has to almost live there to understand them. I used to go "down south" for work all the time. Loved the people, couldn't understand what they was talking about half the time, until I had been going there for awhile. And I was born down there.

[tesral]

One has to almost live there to understand them. I used to go "down south" for work all the time. Loved the people, couldn't understand what they was talking about half the time, until I had been going there for awhile. And I was born down there.

It isn't just the South. We have a few names around there. If you don't know how they are pronounced the spelling will throw you off. French run through the mouthes of British soldiers will do that. The name of the largest city is a good start. Detroit. French it is Day-twa. Outsiders usuaily sa DEE-troit. Locals, Da-troit. Lahser road is another one everyone get wrong. Schoenherr Rd is another, it's pronounced Shaner. Toss in the Indian names and it get loads of fun.

[mrken]

lol Yeah, while we are on local dialects, we can't forget the northwest. I used to work with some people from Baltimore and spend a bit of time in New York, Boston and Waterbury. Some of those guys had funny accents for a Midwestern boy. And we can't forget my cousins in Minnesota and Wisconsin, aeh!

[MythGnomer]

The player who takes an animal companion purely for the additional attacks and expects it to act as an expendable remote weapon under his complete control.

Grrr,
-MG

[mrken]

The player who takes an animal companion purely for the additional attacks and expects it to act as an expendable remote weapon under his complete control.

Grrr,
-MG


When I allow my players to have a pet, or companion, I control them. :) Take the players commands like fetch and attack like I play the extra, but when I get a paragraph of instruction a cub will just look at the PC. But I do make them remember to feed said cub or it will wander off. To find food. May or may not find the human again who is supposed to feed it.

[Briarthorn]

Holy crap! Now I'm scared to play the game...

[Briarthorn]

i used to write "tounge" for "tongue" all the time when i was a kid, until my friend followed me around ALL DAY one day, mocking me with the phonetic pronunciation of how i wrote it. cured me right quick, that did...

lol, that's horrible!

[Talmek]

Take the players commands like fetch and attack like I play the extra, but when I get a paragraph of instruction a cub will just look at the PC. But I do make them remember to feed said cub or it will wander off. To find food. May or may not find the human again who is supposed to feed it.

Quite possibly the best idea to prevent meat-shielding I've ever heard of.

Another pet peeve of mine came from one of my best friends playing the game. There were two players and myself (8-10th level campaign) running a dungeon crawl and they run *SMACK* into a Bodak.

You know what comes next...

Initiative...I go first...Death Gaze...Save Failed...and so begins the WORST temper tantrum ever. I mean he slams his fist on the table, gets up, pushes the chair out of his way to the door and slams it on his way out. I had to chase him down and remind him as he was starting his car that there was still a way to rez his character...but only if he was going to stop acting like a tool.

Hmm, I guess that turned into more of a "When good players go bad" story.

Anyways, players that can't hold their tempers when things don't go their way.

[Valdar]

Anyways, players that can't hold their tempers when things don't go their way.

There's a guy around here who had a rep as a table-flipper. Yes, if he got pissed enough, he'd been known to grab the corner of the table and flip it over as part of his tantrum.

I don't think he games anymore.

[mrken]

Wow!!! I have never seen a temper like that in public. lol Would be the last time too. arg!!!

[Thriondel Half-Elven]

my in game pet peeve would have to be metagaming. but even more so is when then continuously talk out of character and keep making stupid jokes.

[mrken]

As long as the game keeps progressing I don't mind the table talk. Part of the allure of P&P games is the social aspects. I do always hope the game is moving along well, but people have to enjoy each others company for the game to work. One group I run breaks for dinner when we play and make it an all day thing. And sometimes when we don't game we do other things. Like paint minis. lol Or other things.

[Thriondel Half-Elven]

As long as the game keeps progressing I don't mind the table talk. Part of the allure of P&P games is the social aspects. I do always hope the game is moving along well, but people have to enjoy each others company for the game to work. One group I run breaks for dinner when we play and make it an all day thing. And sometimes when we don't game we do other things. Like paint minis. lol Or other things.

ya i agree. but i hate it when they get out of control.

[Chavic]

I was curious what everyone's pet peeve in game? For me, it's metagaming. In particular, when a player says his character is walking along normally until the DM starts rolling dice. Suddenly, he stops and is alert, scanning the surroundings for danger. The sad thing is, this is a minor case I've seen.


The best advice I have heard for this problem is to roll dice all the time, for no reason. This will keep you players on their toes or they will get used to it and think nothing of it. That's when you drop a dragon on them.

[Talmek]

<SNIP> That's when you drop a dragon on them.

Classic.

[Tamerath]

My pet peeve is when I see players crashing in slumber next to me at the table. lol :P Just playin'

[Stormhound]

Yep, it's Manor, with A like in Cake. Sometimes southern cities are more understandable, such as a town called:

Rolla, MO (http://www.rollacity.org/)



Hey, that's where I went to college!

[tesral]

The best advice I have heard for this problem is to roll dice all the time, for no reason. This will keep you players on their toes or they will get used to it and think nothing of it. That's when you drop a dragon on them.

I do that, roll dice all the time. I also DM without a screen.

[Valdar]

Hey, that's where I went to college!

Cool- Had you heard of these guys?

http://4guysfromrolla.com/

[Stormhound]

Cool- Had you heard of these guys?

http://4guysfromrolla.com/

Can't say as I have, but when I was in that line of work I was a mainframer; they didn't start going PC until I was more than halfway done.

[Kalanth]

My only pet peeve is when a player thinks that dice solve everything.

[Webhead]

My only pet peeve is when a player thinks that dice solve everything.

Ayep. I've seen that happen. "But...but I rolled a natural "20" on my Charisma check! What do you mean the princess doesn't want to sleep with me? It's a freakin' "20"!" :rolleyes:

[mrken]

Ayep. I've seen that happen. "But...but I rolled a natural "20" on my Charisma check! What do you mean the princess doesn't want to sleep with me? It's a freakin' "20"!" :rolleyes:


And my answer to them would be, "And she's a freakin Princess." lol You gotta love em cause you can't shoot em. lol By the way, I never tell them that they are morons. Serves no purpose.

[tesral]

My only pet peeve is when a player thinks that dice solve everything.

Ayep. I've seen that happen. "But...but I rolled a natural "20" on my Charisma check! What do you mean the princess doesn't want to sleep with me? It's a freakin' "20"!" :rolleyes:

The roll-player who puts no effort into playing the role except to state intentions and roll the dice.

In the above example I'm just mean enough to let him. Then her Daddy catches them and he has the choice of either going on the mission so hazardous that most people die thinking about it, or an appointment with the court exceutioner, to get "fixed."

If he succeeds he gets to keep what he's tried out, period. Mind you she is a shrew and a control freak with round heels and this is the thrid time this has happened. Good luck ... sucker.

Yea, I'm that mean. :lol:

[Stormhound]

And my answer to them would be, "And she's a freakin Princess." lol You gotta love em cause you can't shoot em. lol By the way, I never tell them that they are morons. Serves no purpose.

"Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."
-- Robert Heinlein

[tesral]

"Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."
-- Robert Heinlein

Got to respect R.A.H.

[mrken]

"Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."
-- Robert Heinlein


lol