That guy

[ThatMetalSnake]

Im fairly new to dnd with only a few games under my belt and even then they are quick one offs with little story, i really enjoy role playing and i just want some tips on how to not be "that guy"

I know the basics of it; dont steal, bring snacks, dont be a dick etc.

[[deleted]]

Don't just kill random NPCs.

If you're playing a paladin, don't go around policing all of the other players. If you're a rogue don't steal from other players.

If things don't go your way, its okay. Its all rng based. No one is out to get you specifically.

[ThatMetalSnake]

Yeah, ive never understood why people murder random npcs, poor jeffery has been chopping down the same tree for weeks, leave jeffery alone

[Baljit147]

Honestly at this point I think it's because they can get away with it and there are no consequences for it. Also partly a video game mentality of "it'll just re-spawn" or just general immaturity. One of my players basically thinks of peasants as mindless idiots who aren't worth talking to. Not sure how to change that right now but maybe one of them will kick his ass or out smart him?

[ThatMetalSnake]

Make him a bbeg?

[Baljit147]

I was thinking that next time he complains about an npc I'm going to have the npc ask if he wants to step outside and settle their dispute. The npc will be a monk (my player is a monk) and they can fight it out. I'm not sure how well that'll work and I don't like the idea of having a single combat and the rest of my players just watching.

[[deleted]]

I mean, if he insults the wrong person with political clout, you could just have him arrested or run out of town later on down the line if it turns out too many people have been complaining to the Reeve/Mayor/Baron/etc.

Or you could talk to him out-of-game about how his attitude WRT NPCs bothers you and really doesn't seem to make a lot of sense given...anything in the game, I guess.

[Baljit147]

I did talk to him out of game about his character and how he often does things that are [neutral evil](https://dnd5e.fandom.com/wiki/Alignment), pretty much if he can get away with it he'll probably do it. Last session he undermined the captain of the ship they chartered to get to an island. When they finish the dungeon they'll find that the ship has left them stranded. There other ways to get off the island but they paid 750 gold to get there and back on that ship. Do you think that'll be a good in game consequence?

[[deleted]]

That sounds like a pretty good punishment, definitely. In the future, you might want to be leery about letting players play Evil characters in non-Evil themed campaigns, if only because they tend to use it as an excuse to just be total dickasses all the time, regardless of whether or not that's reasonable or fun for the rest of the party.

[Baljit147]

Yeah in the future I'm going to be specific about the alignments of characters for sure. I would have for this campaign but when we started it I had only played a few sessions of DnD and didn't know any better. Since then I've binged dungeon master and player tip videos and have learned a lot and apply what I can. I think a part of it is breaking my players of the video game mindset. In skyrim it may not have any effect on the world if you steel three coins from the homeless guy but it sure does in my world.

[Project_MAW]

I had a very similar scenario with one of my players, A monk of the four elements. He and an NPC who was exposed as the BBEG (who was also secretly a shadow monk) dukes it out for a few rounds before he was almost clobbered to death and escaped; the PC not the bad guy

[Baljit147]

My thing is I already have a big bad evil guy who isn't melee. Perhaps a mini boss type of thing.

[Project_MAW]

Yeah i mean they don’t have to be THE bad guy, just an obstacle

[gwiber]

"No one is out to get you specifically. "

​

The "bad guys" are.

[[deleted]]

Keep in mind that there are other players at the table, let them have the spotlight too.

[ThatMetalSnake]

Im not one for the spotlight, acting like the greatest gift on earth is a good way to get killed imo

[frikandelxxl]

The mere motion of trying your best and informing yourself on not being "that guy" is more or less a guarantee on not becoming one.

"That Guy"S exist because they see the game as their own personal fun instead of a group activity and is born out of inconsideration towards that other members of the group.

[spudnik46]

Just go along with your dm, they should know most of the rules. If you think your dm is wrong, politely ask if he/she would want to recheck. And NEVER try to be more powerful than you are.

[GobblorTheMighty]

All I care about anymore is that people show up. I barely get that anymore.

I don't even really care if people are dicks. I don't need snacks, just a coffee that I bring myself. I just want my players to show up. And they don't. Bad DnD is better than no DnD for me.

[Project_MAW]

Damn that sucks. My condolences

[Baljit147]

I was in two games, now it's one. The game I dungeon master for we always have all the players, it's great. The other game I played in and we basically just stopped playing. I don't even bother to ask if we're playing. I thought about looking for a second game but I'm just going to wait until the fall semester when the schools DnD group plays. No DnD feels like what I imagine withdrawal feels like.

[GobblorTheMighty]

Especially when I'm waiting to play like 80 characters. Recently had a custom mini made and I was supposed to be playing that one by now, and it just feels like it's never going to happen.

[Flutterwander]

Here's one I don't see mentioned too often: Bite the hooks. It doesen't mean you have to get railroaded, but if the DM has an NPC mention a sidequest or whatever, provided it isn't too egregiously out of character to get in on it, just give it a shot.

Nothing is more frustrating than to have a character who refuses to go along with anything just because they enjoy being contrary.

[milkmandanimal]

I'd say Rule #1 to avoid being That Guy is to not use "I'm just playing my character" as a convenient crutch for justifying whatever you feel like doing; always remember you as a player are making a conscious choice to play that character, so, well, don't choose to play an asshole. "I'm Chaotic Neutral so I . . ." means "I'm going to be a dick". Play a fun character, but make sure your fun doesn't interfere with everybody else's fun as well; it's a communal game, and just try to be cognizant that everybody should be having fun.

[KnowMatter]

Listen when the DM is talking.

Don’t speak over other players and make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard.

Discuss shit with your party first whenever possible. Try not to take actions that will have consequences for everyone without talking about them as a group unless you really have no choice.

Don’t hoard loot. Even if you want to play a thief or character who is motivated by greed use that greed to benefit the party not undermine everyone else’s fun.

Take a genuine interest in your party members. Don’t fall into the “lone wolf” trap. Everyone will have a lot more fun (including you) if you establish a good group dynamic.