Ok, so I'm DMing a D&D homebrew campaign with a certain level of depth (different world, created a pantheon, cities, etc) and the quests are very character oriented (both NPC and PC). So depending on the choices that the PCs make, serious consequences, like death of an important NPC, can happen if they are not paying attention or not communicating well. The problem I'm having is that in the group of 5 players, about 2 are really interested in the story, 2 are just going yolo, and 1 is going with the motions. So when push comes to shove, either each one takes a different action and no one really gets what they want, or if they do, it's through the most bumpy and uncertain way possible, or the yolo ones (who speak more often) decide and sh*t hits the fan super fast.
What do I do when I have a group of serious and chaotic stupid players at the same table? As things stand, the serious players are getting frustrated and the yolo players justify their actions regardless of the consequences. I can't really split the group into two (it would be awkward and people probably wouldn't agree), but I don't want this to go on through a whole campaign. If all players didn't care, I could go with the flow and stop worrying, but it makes me sad that some people leave the session frustrated or unsatisfied.
Have you tried just speaking to the yolo players? You could just say that it isn't fun for people who want to play seriously. I had this problem with a game I was running, and even if they still aren't interested in the story, they can just go along with it. Also, combat is a good time for chaotic things to happen, just let them do what they want there.
This! Just talk to the players. Be casual and don't sound angry, but just a simple "hey guys, can we let the others make some actual plans? It's not as fun for them when you rush ahead or do crazy stuff" can work wonders. Nobody (or almost nobody) wants to be disruptive, so they may not realize their action are affecting the others. Give them a chance to fix the problem.
If you've been clear, and they're still doing it, then they're being jerks. But that's a whole different issue.
Have you tried just speaking to the yolo players? You could just say that it isn't fun for people who want to play seriously. I had this problem with a game I was running, and even if they still aren't interested in the story, they can just go along with it. Also, combat is a good time for chaotic things to happen, just let them do what they want there.
This, except I’d say talk to all the players; the implication above is that the yolos are doing it wrong and need to change. Maybe the yolos need to be more serious, maybe the serious ones need to lighten up. Neither group is objectively more correct than the other. Have a session 0, and get everyone to come to some kind of agreement.
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Ok, so I'm DMing a D&D homebrew campaign with a certain level of depth (different world, created a pantheon, cities, etc) and the quests are very character oriented (both NPC and PC). So depending on the choices that the PCs make, serious consequences, like death of an important NPC, can happen if they are not paying attention or not communicating well. The problem I'm having is that in the group of 5 players, about 2 are really interested in the story, 2 are just going yolo, and 1 is going with the motions. So when push comes to shove, either each one takes a different action and no one really gets what they want, or if they do, it's through the most bumpy and uncertain way possible, or the yolo ones (who speak more often) decide and sh*t hits the fan super fast.
What do I do when I have a group of serious and chaotic stupid players at the same table? As things stand, the serious players are getting frustrated and the yolo players justify their actions regardless of the consequences. I can't really split the group into two (it would be awkward and people probably wouldn't agree), but I don't want this to go on through a whole campaign. If all players didn't care, I could go with the flow and stop worrying, but it makes me sad that some people leave the session frustrated or unsatisfied.
Any ideas?
This! Just talk to the players. Be casual and don't sound angry, but just a simple "hey guys, can we let the others make some actual plans? It's not as fun for them when you rush ahead or do crazy stuff" can work wonders. Nobody (or almost nobody) wants to be disruptive, so they may not realize their action are affecting the others. Give them a chance to fix the problem.
If you've been clear, and they're still doing it, then they're being jerks. But that's a whole different issue.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
This, except I’d say talk to all the players; the implication above is that the yolos are doing it wrong and need to change. Maybe the yolos need to be more serious, maybe the serious ones need to lighten up. Neither group is objectively more correct than the other. Have a session 0, and get everyone to come to some kind of agreement.