Hi all, so I have a bit of a problem player, possible dice roll cheating for initial stats, possible dice rolls cheats for actual play (they have never roller below a 15, and often roll above a 20), when they sent me their initial character sheet I approved it, they then sent me twenty plus grammar revisions to the same sheet to the point I told them that unless they had changed their backstory significantly they didn't need to keep me abreast of the small changes. My mistake, because the player took this to mean they could add a High Level companion creature (Giant Owl) and a handbag of holding to their characters backstory. Now this player had asked something similar about having access to high level spells (a level 4 druids spell) at level one and I said while their character could have knowledge of it, they would not know how to cast it or even be able to cast that spell until the appropriate character level was achieved.
So I took care of the high level pet issue early on, I kidnapped it for plot, the characters goal is to rescue it. I just found out about the bag of holding last night when the character was bragging that they could store all their items in their fathers bag of holding. I haven't talked to the player yet, because the last time I tried to talk to them about their way too high stat rolls they had a bit of a meltdown on me. They have also complained of a newer player (Ranger) having a pet they say is regionally inappropriate ; the player in question did ask permission and was very cool about a backstory we mutually worked on to explain the animal, I'm not a jerk I just want the players to talk to me about stuff in their backstory.
Any advice for a new DM dealing with this so very frustrating issue, my plan was just to have the main bad guy abscond with the bag at the end of the campaign and for it never to be seen again. I had plans to give the group a Handy Haversack at the end of this story but now I'm second guessing myself thanks to this player.
Start requesting that all players start rolling where you can see for consistency sake. If a roll and the end score sound out of place, ask your players to explain the roll. From there remind your players that YOU are the DM. It's key that you make sure your group understands that while the point is to have fun, fun goes out the window when cheating and rule breaking begins. I would also set up a situation in which the handbag is damaged or altered to nerf it a little.
Note that by trying to level the playing field in game, the player will feel targeted and probably worse than if you simply talk to them about it. You did the right thing, but you need to talk to them again. Make it clear that you feel duped and that the new player was aboveboard.
If the player really feels underpowered compared to the rest of the group, figure out why and then address it in game, usually by giving them a magic item.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I haven't talked to the player yet, because the last time I tried to talk to them about their way too high stat rolls they had a bit of a meltdown on me.
How old is this player? It sounds like they're very immature. Honestly, if I couldn't have an adult conversation about issues like this with a player, I'd kick them out. More trouble than they're worth. Sometimes, as a DM, you have to set boundaries and enforce them when players cross the line.
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"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
Note that by trying to level the playing field in game, the player will feel targeted and probably worse than if you simply talk to them about it. You did the right thing, but you need to talk to them again. Make it clear that you feel duped and that the new player was aboveboard.
If the player really feels underpowered compared to the rest of the group, figure out why and then address it in game, usually by giving them a magic item.
The thing is, they don't have a stat below 16, their highest stat is twenty this was the source of the original meltdown when I asked them to use standard array or point buy. Their argument was I hadn't asked another player who had also rolled a bit high; but the difference in that situation was the other player had asked me about their rolls in a panic. It turned out okay because that player has always been straightforward with all questions and answers etc, and they also roll pretty average for attacks. I could never get the problem player to agree to re-roll and from advice gained in this forum people said it wouldn't make a huge difference in play. The problem player also lied about having darkvision in game, due to the fact it's a custom race character (Ghostwise Halfling/ Woof Elf) I told the player I was still new to this (first game in a long time) and I wasn't comfortable making a custom race yet so they could have that as their background but they would have to choose either Ghostwise Halfling Stats or Wood Elf stats for that character. It's honestly becoming a huge mess for me and I'm getting close to throwing in the towel at the end of game.
I haven't talked to the player yet, because the last time I tried to talk to them about their way too high stat rolls they had a bit of a meltdown on me.
How old is this player? It sounds like they're very immature. Honestly, if I couldn't have an adult conversation about issues like this with a player, I'd kick them out. More trouble than they're worth. Sometimes, as a DM, you have to set boundaries and enforce them when players cross the line.
A year older than myself, and I am 37. I don't want to cause strife in the group, the player is well liked by everyone except maybe 3 players (my group is huge).
I haven't talked to the player yet, because the last time I tried to talk to them about their way too high stat rolls they had a bit of a meltdown on me.
How old is this player? It sounds like they're very immature. Honestly, if I couldn't have an adult conversation about issues like this with a player, I'd kick them out. More trouble than they're worth. Sometimes, as a DM, you have to set boundaries and enforce them when players cross the line.
I have to say I agree with this. This player needs to remember this is YOUR game and he's a part of the story, not running the show. And it's stuff like this that makes the game not as much fun for the other players. It sucks being the bad guy (in the Outside Cannon Context, being a villain in story is fun), but at the same time, you have to make sure you're playing on a level playingfield so everyone can enjoy themselves. Not just one player who is throwing a fit for not getting their way. Remember, especially in the case of D&D, the game rarely goes the way all the players want it to. So what, when someone else gets epic loot he can harass the players? You have to shut that nonsense down. Even if it means being the big meanie.
They have also complained of a newer player (Ranger) having a pet they say is regionally inappropriate ; the player in question did ask permission and was very cool about a backstory we mutually worked on to explain the animal, I'm not a jerk I just want the players to talk to me about stuff in their backstory.
Okay, this! I had a BIG problem with this and I'm not even playing the campaign. First and foremost, that's not his call and you need to remind him of that. This is between you and the player with the animal, if he doesn't like it, remind him he doesn't have to play. This to me, is the biggest no-no of the game, if the DM approves it, it's all good, end of story!
Ultimately, I would suggest trying to talk to him again - possibly in private, if he melts down again, maybe he is not ready to play.
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I pick on no one. I leave everything to the fate of dice. -rolls 1- Dah, crap.
So I talked to said player, and they told me their character was just lying because they were looking for group approval, it was all complete character braggadocio and I am now just a highly relieved and embarrassed DM.
I will just keep my eye on the dice thing. Thanks for all the great advice!
So I talked to said player, and they told me their character was just lying because they were looking for group approval, it was all complete character braggadocio and I am now just a highly relieved and embarrassed DM.
I will just keep my eye on the dice thing. Thanks for all the great advice!
Glad to hear it :) , but don't be embarrassed. I feel like every DM has that moment where red flags go off like crazy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I pick on no one. I leave everything to the fate of dice. -rolls 1- Dah, crap.
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Hi all, so I have a bit of a problem player, possible dice roll cheating for initial stats, possible dice rolls cheats for actual play (they have never roller below a 15, and often roll above a 20), when they sent me their initial character sheet I approved it, they then sent me twenty plus grammar revisions to the same sheet to the point I told them that unless they had changed their backstory significantly they didn't need to keep me abreast of the small changes. My mistake, because the player took this to mean they could add a High Level companion creature (Giant Owl) and a handbag of holding to their characters backstory. Now this player had asked something similar about having access to high level spells (a level 4 druids spell) at level one and I said while their character could have knowledge of it, they would not know how to cast it or even be able to cast that spell until the appropriate character level was achieved.
So I took care of the high level pet issue early on, I kidnapped it for plot, the characters goal is to rescue it. I just found out about the bag of holding last night when the character was bragging that they could store all their items in their fathers bag of holding. I haven't talked to the player yet, because the last time I tried to talk to them about their way too high stat rolls they had a bit of a meltdown on me. They have also complained of a newer player (Ranger) having a pet they say is regionally inappropriate ; the player in question did ask permission and was very cool about a backstory we mutually worked on to explain the animal, I'm not a jerk I just want the players to talk to me about stuff in their backstory.
Any advice for a new DM dealing with this so very frustrating issue, my plan was just to have the main bad guy abscond with the bag at the end of the campaign and for it never to be seen again. I had plans to give the group a Handy Haversack at the end of this story but now I'm second guessing myself thanks to this player.
Start requesting that all players start rolling where you can see for consistency sake. If a roll and the end score sound out of place, ask your players to explain the roll. From there remind your players that YOU are the DM. It's key that you make sure your group understands that while the point is to have fun, fun goes out the window when cheating and rule breaking begins. I would also set up a situation in which the handbag is damaged or altered to nerf it a little.
Note that by trying to level the playing field in game, the player will feel targeted and probably worse than if you simply talk to them about it. You did the right thing, but you need to talk to them again. Make it clear that you feel duped and that the new player was aboveboard.
If the player really feels underpowered compared to the rest of the group, figure out why and then address it in game, usually by giving them a magic item.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
I pick on no one. I leave everything to the fate of dice.
-rolls 1-
Dah, crap.
Give the bag of holding the size limitations of a RAW (rules as written) bag of holding and (maybe) make them track it. Or just have it stolen.
Alternatively, have a calm, reasonable conversation with them and see what happens.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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So I talked to said player, and they told me their character was just lying because they were looking for group approval, it was all complete character braggadocio and I am now just a highly relieved and embarrassed DM.
I will just keep my eye on the dice thing. Thanks for all the great advice!
I pick on no one. I leave everything to the fate of dice.
-rolls 1-
Dah, crap.