Hi, was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to deal with a player who overthinks every single problem.
The campaign has been running for over a year now, and the party consists of my brother, my cousin, my girlfriend and my lifelong best friend. Everyone gets on great and the game has brought us all so much closer together.
The issue is that my best friend overthinks and plans for every situation and it really slows the game down. He’ll spend half of each game thinking of how to overcome every possible outcome, and will always insist that his plan is the best way to go, even to the point of stopping other players when they want to do something because he doesn’t think it will go well. Whenever he finishes explaining his ideas, he’ll ask what the others think but will then debate their suggestions.
I can tell that the others are getting bored, but no matter how much I try and say that it really won’t matter, get him to roll a skill check to guide his train of thought to an obvious answer or direct attention to another player, he’ll just interrupt again with his ‘suggestions.’
I’m not opposed to taking him to one side and having a word if people think it’s the the only solution, but he takes things to heart very quickly and if possible I’d like to try some new DM tricks to see if that works first.
The other players need to step up as well if they aren’t engaged or challenge his assumptions. It’s a role playing game and he’s making an attempt. Alternatively you can have them be ambushed mid sentence or just say “roll initiative” and force action to start.
Thanks, those are some good ideas that I’ll have to try and use! I think the other players are just a bit tired of being shut down, but if I speak to them all individually and suggest sticking to their guns, maybe even supporting one another (not to shut him out but to make their voices heard), they may feel more involved again.
Have the conversation kept in-character and let all the players know this, as it takes place in 'real time'. As mentioned above, you could have game events continue to take place while they discuss or strong-willed NPCs make the choice for them and resume carrying on the mission. It may be advisable to condition the group to come up with a vote after only small bouts of debate so that the night isn't spent deliberating.
I've always been a fan of just rolling the dice behind my board when they start taking too long. Let the paranoia set in and get em moving. ; )
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Hi, was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to deal with a player who overthinks every single problem.
The campaign has been running for over a year now, and the party consists of my brother, my cousin, my girlfriend and my lifelong best friend. Everyone gets on great and the game has brought us all so much closer together.
The issue is that my best friend overthinks and plans for every situation and it really slows the game down. He’ll spend half of each game thinking of how to overcome every possible outcome, and will always insist that his plan is the best way to go, even to the point of stopping other players when they want to do something because he doesn’t think it will go well. Whenever he finishes explaining his ideas, he’ll ask what the others think but will then debate their suggestions.
I can tell that the others are getting bored, but no matter how much I try and say that it really won’t matter, get him to roll a skill check to guide his train of thought to an obvious answer or direct attention to another player, he’ll just interrupt again with his ‘suggestions.’
I’m not opposed to taking him to one side and having a word if people think it’s the the only solution, but he takes things to heart very quickly and if possible I’d like to try some new DM tricks to see if that works first.
Thanks,
Larkin’s Taint
The other players need to step up as well if they aren’t engaged or challenge his assumptions. It’s a role playing game and he’s making an attempt. Alternatively you can have them be ambushed mid sentence or just say “roll initiative” and force action to start.
Thanks, those are some good ideas that I’ll have to try and use! I think the other players are just a bit tired of being shut down, but if I speak to them all individually and suggest sticking to their guns, maybe even supporting one another (not to shut him out but to make their voices heard), they may feel more involved again.
Have the conversation kept in-character and let all the players know this, as it takes place in 'real time'. As mentioned above, you could have game events continue to take place while they discuss or strong-willed NPCs make the choice for them and resume carrying on the mission. It may be advisable to condition the group to come up with a vote after only small bouts of debate so that the night isn't spent deliberating.
I've always been a fan of just rolling the dice behind my board when they start taking too long. Let the paranoia set in and get em moving. ; )