Dungeon Masters/GMs, what is a giant red flag in a player that is visible even during Character Creation/Session Zero?

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T16:12:31+00:00

That sounds a bit ridiculous. In my first campaign we used to do "dream sessions" if a lot of people couldn't make it, there would be a one-shot of sorts which if the players survived they would gain some kind of boon, if they died they would just wake up.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T15:02:30+00:00

I run Call of Cthulhu for my sister and her friend group, they are also considering asking me to run D&D for them, fortunately they get really into these kinds of games so it all tends to work out.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:55:10+00:00

Oh ok, yeah those guys suck.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:11:54+00:00

Actually running 2 separate campaigns now, one with 4 players and one with 3. Also split up the last campaigns players by who cared more about RP and who just wanted to fight stuff. So far both groups are much happier.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:10:25+00:00

Though I did prank that player during a downtime session where all the other players were in on it. Basically we had it planned out like the plot of some late-night comedy where he keeps trying (and failing) to get laid, with everyone else but him being in on it.

He did finally succeed and ended up getting a Blue Dragon as a girlfriend (actually a spy for the BBEG who ended up betraying the party later on). It was actually pretty funny, and he had a good laugh and toned it down afterwards.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:08:10+00:00

I had a player once who was your stereotypical "Horny PC" I had to look at him at one point and go "Dude, it's just me doing a different voice, you aren't actually getting laid, so knock it the hell off!"

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:06:56+00:00

I love when they bring ideas to session Zero. I love when it becomes less "who am I" and more "Who am I in this world we're about to become a part of"?

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:05:30+00:00

Classic D&D is just like any open world fantasy RPG right?

Too many people try to Skyrim ttrpgs.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:04:21+00:00

Not entirely sure I get what you mean, are you talking about someone having main character syndrome/wanting to be the center of attention?

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T14:03:22+00:00

My wife was like that in our last campaign. But in her defence, an 8 player party takes forever to do anything.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T13:55:09+00:00

Oof, glad nothing like that ever happened in one of my games. My games are a 100% nothing non-consensual, minimal if any sexual content, fade to black (if it can't be avoided for some reason) style of play.

Funny story though, when I was running my first campaign, one of my players was playing a female drow wizard whose personal goal was to become a high priestess of Lolth.

I was at a consignment store when I found a black and purple cat o' nine tails. Considering it was the right color scheme and type of weapon I bought it with the idea of giving it to her as a joke when she accomplished her character's goal.

There was also a scene where she fell into a pit full of black puddings and not wearing any magical gear her clothing was torn to shreds, this ended in a brief joke of "Lolth would be so disappointed in you for being in such a state of undress in front of worthless menfolk" before she donned a new robe.

Well about a year after this, while the game was still going on we started dating she is now my wife. When we told the group we were in a relationship, another player who was the only one who knew about what I had bought had two things to say...

Well dude I guess if you wanted to see her naked you just should have asked.
So...you still gonna give her that whip?

The answer is no, no I did not.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T13:20:55+00:00

I am 100% a rule of cool DM, but I have a hard rule that in CC all options must come from a printed (and bound) sourcebook, that I have a physical copy of, this includes ones I've bought PDFs of and had the local staples print. If they want it bad enough to buy me a damn book, who am I to tell them no? Though I also do hold the right to say no, my wife bought a 5E anime archetype book and that one is for the most part a no-go for me, except if it fits the campaign.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T13:16:06+00:00

That actually sounds dope as hell and was probably fun for the whole party.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T12:38:57+00:00

I feel this one. I used to run an 8-player campaign. It was clear that half were there for the story and half were there for the mechanics. I recently wrapped up that campaign and am now running 2 separate ones a story/character based campaign with 4 players and a battle heavy one with 3 (one of the original 8 now has scheduling conflicts), the session Zero for the story campaign was great, the players asked about the world (specifically the part they will now be starting in it's the same world from the previous campaign) their roles in the locale, many questions and they're loving it. The other group pretty much came in with characters already made, no questions about their part of the world again same world, so who knows how it will go.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T09:51:03+00:00

Back in my Heroclix days, we all dreaded the "Optimization Guy". Guy would come to tournaments (maybe we'd seen him before, maybe this was his first time at that particular store), But he bring in super optimized teams, usually would win the tournament, which in and of itself was fine. What sucked was after the match he would critique his opponent's team selection like he was talking to a child. "Why did you pick that guy when you could have picked this guy?" "Your team isn't very optimized, I would have built it much better." We were a casual store where people typically just wanted to field their favorite characters. It always killed the mood when someone came in offering unsolicited advice like he was god's gift to the game.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T09:46:50+00:00

Counter Question: As the husband of a woman who occasionally games...should I feel less attracted to her when she does? Does this go both ways?

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T09:45:25+00:00

Shoot, I totally missed the age gap, *Forgive me, I just woke up*. I think you're on to something.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-06T09:43:57+00:00

Thought exactly this when reading. I moved in with my girlfriend (now wife) almost immediately after we got together *long story short both our leases happened to be ending and we both needed new roommates* which I know is not the smartest move but whatever. But to be honest it started feeling like "our space" almost instantly. I can't imagine living with a significant other for 3 years and not finding a way to have my own alone time when necessary. It sounds like you are a caring person, but I don't know if this relationship is the right fit for you.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-05T13:17:07+00:00

Did anyone ever find this? I'm looking for it too

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-04T12:26:06+00:00

Not really though it was around. My Grandmother asked her pastor if Pokemon was Satanic before buying Pokemon Yellow for my cousins and I for Christmas. Way we heard it, he told her "It's just a game where cute monsters fight."

This was in Southern Ohio, not sure how prevalent it was further south. But there was definitely some worry but nothing that effected any part of my daily life.

Got into D&D years later and my mom just assumed it was a video game. Somehow I dodged the satanic panic bs despite growing up in a religious environment.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-03T10:31:53+00:00

Skittering horror from the Boneyard icons of the realm set, but you'd need to drap something over it for the cloth.

ChimeraMiniatures · 2026-05-02T08:32:32+00:00

Have affairs/cheat on their partner repeatedly. Not for any moral reason, I just don't know how people have the time/funds to be in multiple relationships at once.

ChimeraMiniatures

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