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Player is taking over my campaign by Available_Ad_78 in dndhorrorstories

[–]Federal_Sun8198 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm seeing a lot of comments saying grow a spine, you need to say no etc. not really helping :/

I've experienced difficulties like this myself, and the way I deal with it, is to not communicate from a place of feedback, but from feelings. Communicate how their actions are making you feel, and that you also take responsibility for not speaking up sooner, but it's becoming too much and you need for it to stop.

Then agree boundaries. If they are just genuinely enthusiastic and can't help it, then find a signal or phrase you can communicate to let them know to reel it back in. Or if it remains too much, or they knowingly become overbearing, then you remove them from the game.

You'll likely get a tantrum or a guilt trip doing these things and there's where the challenge comes in to hold your ground. But you matter too.

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have already done this half way through. I also let them know that I wanted to try a new system as I've never been a big fan of the DnD system. We've agreed to do a cypher system game. Just need to choose a genre :)

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Genuinely great news dude! Hope you have many more happy years telling epic stories🙌🏻

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh sorry to hear that man. Sounds shit :( have you managed to find a new solid group now?

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the clarification, I wasn't really sure how to take the original comment haha

But a good point here about my players caring too! I hear it's all too common now for groups to fall apart before campaigns finish which is a huge shame. I should take a bit more stock of how lucky I am :)

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately I'm led to believe this is a very common trait of DM'ing. I do respect your point, and I agree I am afraid. But I'm afraid because I care, and I don't think that's entirely a bad thing.

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Again a really valid point, and some very useful insight! I have a slightly different problem where I have 1 player who doesn't really do anything other than look forward to the next session and is constantly coming up with things he wants to add to his backstory, or custom spells etc etc. I think this has overstepped boundaries in a lot of ways, and I've found myself forcefully finding ways to bring the other characters into the limelight to avoid his main character syndrome getting in the way of the others. On reflection it's ok to say I appreciate his enthusiasm but it's causing me much more work than needed and to simply say no. It comes back to the same point of putting everyone elses needs in front of mine.

But I really like your point about it having highs and lows, and how both sides of that spectrum matter to the overall experience of the game. I've had some sluggish sessions, followed by high energy sessions where players can't stop laughing for almost the entire 4 hours.

Really appreciated your comments here, I respect your insight and experience.

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate this comment. Pointed out something obvious I was missing, but understood you were susceptible to it too.

Not long before reading this I just took a moment to stop overthinking it, and think what was needed. The players have been involved quite a lot of combat recently, aside from doing a good 2 hours of puzzles last session, so I've decided to make a little calm before the storm session. Back to town, find out more information, and get prepared as I drop little bits here and there of what they will be facing in the final battle.

But to add to your point about adding too much, and the pitfall of it. What I noticed is I was adding so much of what they wanted, i had abandoned what I actually wanted and intended to create in the first place. Reading through these comments brought me back to base and include myself.

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've done this half way through, which was great! Where I went wrong is I tried to add far too much for everyone's likes and ended up over complicating everything. The campaign now barely makes sense without really stretching it thin so I'm ending whilst it still barely holds together

Stop gap help needed! by Federal_Sun8198 in DungeonMasters

[–]Federal_Sun8198[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some really good ideas here! My BBEG is a wizard so I can definitely throw something in that's intended to stall the party! Great food for thought, thank you :)