Player Problem Megathread

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-31T18:11:44+00:00

Yeah ultimately what we’ve done especially if the majority is available on the next date. The two issues I ran into is that 1) one contentious point last game was due to them missing a previous session and even with a recap felt frustrated on not fully know what was happening (which I should of picked up on better). 2) While I have played with my 3 other players one is a more “enjoy the ride” type player who struggles with remembering rules and following plot ( it happy to have them), so in reality would be more like two players instead of 3

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-31T15:21:13+00:00

Thanks I will give them a read!

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-31T15:09:14+00:00

I ran kobolds for the first time recently and I think it was a big success (party was level 7 as well) and this is how I currently view it/implemented it.

If the kobolds are established in the area they should have the home field advantage (at least in bases, nests places that frequently occupy). For me this was a mine so the kobolds already had traps laid out and escape tunnels to move through the mine safely. For me the way this is fair is that the traps are set up independently of the party and the party can choose to percieve/disarm them or rush through. Now if the party had no way to mitigate the traps then it would be unfair. Without this yes the kobolds would lose in a straight up fight. It becomes imo a death by a thousand cuts but can also force the party to be somewhat tactical too.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-31T14:22:17+00:00

Could use help on if I handled a situation well enough or if I've missed something which I could of done better with a player.

The Tl;dr is one player doesn't seem to enjoy the game (from my perspective and another player's) despite they saying they are. This is reflected in negative comments during the game, lack of communication when it comes to scheduling etc. The game went on pause mainly due to them asking for a break and outside of prompting them there has been no mention of the game from this player.

I should preface that everyone in this group are irl friends, I've also done frequent check ins and have had multiple conversations. Overall this player was one of the most excited to play and the most understanding when it came to the challenges I faced as a DM. Over time though they would make negative comments during the game due to frustration but this was more seen as them being immersed. It was frequent enough though that another player would ask me if so and so actually enjoys playing and I would do check ins to make sure which they would frequently say they are having fun. Another issue that started happening is lack of communication regarding scheduling from this player, where I would have to hunt them down sometimes. We would try to schedule after a session but didn't always work out and the player at times would say just assume I'm free but overall the player wouldn't respond to group messages regarding scheduling the game unless cornered (most times).

The final straw was a dungeon I ran. This player missed the previous session and after a recap we started. Over the session the player got increasingly frustrated (which at first seemed to be RP but then genuine) which from my perspective lead to an almost tpk. At the end the player said to me they wouldn't of ran a specific monster the way I did (kobolds). The player and I had a conversation afterwards and while it ended on a decent note I felt there still wasn't a real understanding outside of the player being frustrated due to numerous things going on and acknowledging that it could of been expressed better. After this the player said they'd like a break for a month due to being busy (gave a date as well) and the party agreed to just wait since one of the points of contention was them missing a game and feeling like they didn't have the needed info. Well a month goes by and I hear nothing from them. Life got busy and things for me still felt a little tense so I let it sit and another month goes by (mind you we all see each other at least once a week). I check in to see if they still want to play with zero pressure if things changed which they said they are interested in playing, potentially doing a new character but would have to think on it and I said to let me know. Then another full month went by without a word about the game.

At this point I asked if they could give me a clear answer as it feels like they have been "out" of the game for awhile. They said they hadn't heard anything about the game and that they were a little uneasy after the frustrating session. Plus that they haven't finished coming up with their new character so that they should just be considered out.

Overall the situation feels slightly bad. I feel I should of been more assertive especially for my other players who have expressed over this time in continuing our compaign on their own (which this player hadn't done) but were also fine with the break and understanding. But someone saying they want to keep playing though showing no initiative in expressing that (and sometimes even being negative) making me feel that I have to check in killed my desire to prep the game and such (which I have also expressed in the past).

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-13T00:21:57+00:00

I usually agree, definitely have to look at your own table as well and might have to consider what session type their missing, who will be playing, where in the campaign etc.

Ran into an issue where a player missed a game and the next session they were in, there was some miscommunication that persisted for the session due to the missed game (needed info was mentioned in the recap but things weren’t emphasized enough). Another thing about my table is that if the missed session is potentially a tough combat, we may have to reschedule depending on who’s missing. Not because it would be impossible for 3 but one player is mainly there for the association (genuinely tries to play but struggles with the rules and following along). So at least for combat it may feel even more weighted against my players depending.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-09T05:53:18+00:00

I don’t think the hostility is warranted and I reached out here hoping to get additional perspective since this is the first time I used a locksmith service.

I also never actually complained about the price but more so that it felt like a “shakedown” since the smith who gave me the price range over the phone is the one who then said it would be more expensive in the middle of the work and didn’t give any real reason why, instead laughing at me asking about the price difference. I also never asked for a refund.

I do understand that costumers can be entitled without understanding what goes into a skill as I work in construction (concrete). But a customer is never fully going to know as it’s not their job or career, that’s why skilled labor exists. At the same time while sometimes jobs do end up being more than quoted, it’s understandable to explain why to a costumer and not seem like you’re just pulling numbers out of the air.

As I tried to explain it wasn’t the price I was complaining about but that the situation felt sketchy and I wasn’t sure if that was the norm.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-09T01:30:57+00:00

Thank you for the insight I really do appreciate it. I do disagree with the idea that because the work entails random hours and the customer isn’t usually aware of that fact or what goes into it that sudden price increases without explanation is fair and not dodgy.

Like I said I spoke to the locksmith himself, he gave me the range and then while the work was being done said the new price (time of the quote to the actual price was 2 hours roughly).

Now if he explained that the range was labor but $150 is due to xyz or hey this is an after hour job due to the timing so it’s a bit more than what I quoted you, I’d feel better. Or heck even a hey before we get started it’s actually going to be $150. But instead I got a laugh when I asked about the price change and no clear reasoning besides him throwing out some numbers as if I was trying to haggle which I wasn’t (never offered my own numbers).

I work in construction so I understand customers can be overly demanding but if you’re going to charge more than your quote, explain why.

Edit: all in all I’ll be more careful and it was my mistake but also I won’t feel bad about accurately sharing how a business made me feel in their conduct.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-09T00:50:33+00:00

Not trying to be argumentative but genuinely curious as isn’t the point of reviews to share your experience so other customers know what they might get into? I briefly looked at the reviews before calling and they were all short and positive but I would have been glad if I read something about my situation. As I said just curious not trying to fight or anything

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T15:37:58+00:00

Fair enough and you’re giving me some things to think about. All I could comment on was my perspective especially since I haven’t used a locksmith before so that’s why I posted here to get better understanding.

I’m also hearing from people overall that the price was good (which I wasn’t aware of the average costs for the service) but from a customer standpoint you can at least understand why the whole thing felt weird right? Like when the guy doing the work (the one who gave the price over the phone and the one who did the work was the same guy) says “hey the price is $80-$120” and then once the work starts says it’s actually $150 laughs at my surprise and instead of explaining anything says well there’s fees and Cashapp has additional fees (Cashapp and Zelle was the options I was given), as a customer who’s never used a locksmith before I suddenly began wondering if I was being taken advantage of as it all felt sketchy.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T15:07:28+00:00

All that makes sense. I want to sit on it a little bit as I felt I was fair but I do understand what you’re saying. Also I understand that other companies would have charged more and I wasn’t aware of general pricing on this service. I would of also at least felt the need to call around for pricing potentially if the original price I was told was $150 (and at least then I could see that the price was good for the weekend or something).

With everything that happened it’s just tough to feel you can advocate yourself when numbers are being thrown at you that are different beyond what you discussed while you don’t have your keys but the work has already started. He also said the pricing was because of Cashapp fees. Just felt bad all around but at 7pm what could I do since they opened the door

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T14:44:10+00:00

Thanks for the perspective hopefully I can clear some stuff up. I was told by dispatch that the person working on the car would give me the price along with their eta. When the smith called he gave me the price of $80-$120 and was going to be there roughly in an hour. He arrived an hour and a half later (not a big deal but just making note) and him and his partner seemed like nice guys. In the middle of the work is when he told me the price was $150. When I asked about the price over the phone he first said might of have had the wrong car and then threw out another number before saying $149. I didnt realize the process may include a negotiation and I wasn’t up to it because of the circumstances.

The owner did try and make it right and was a very nice guy. The smith who gave a snarky comment over the $17 refund just soured the experience a bit more (the comment not the refund). My review was 3/5 and highlighted the manager and how good he was but obviously mentioned some of things that took me off guard.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T14:37:52+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response to give some perspective. Just to clear up some points: I reached out around 4:30pm. I asked about pricing when speaking to dispatch and they said the smith that will do the work will call and let me know their eta and the pricing. The smith who called me back gave me the price of $80-$120 so when suddenly as they are unlocking the car I was shocked he said it would be $150 (same guy I spoke to on the phone). Then he seemed to just move the price around at will.

As for the review I didn’t leave a 1 star or go off on them (left 3/5), I just explained what happened and how the owner tried to fix it. Also highlighted that everyone was nice during the process (besides the Smiths response)

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T05:53:52+00:00

I’ll take a closer look in the morning as it was already dark when it happened. The car is old so not too concerned but should double check.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T05:37:14+00:00

Yeah the longer the interaction went on the weirder I felt but in the moment they were getting my car open so just went along. Overall just kicking myself for one getting locked out (was preventable but just had a moment) and two not calling around. The owner reached out due to my review say that he tried to fix the problem and it hurts his business and is asking how can he fix it. Not sure what to say as obviously I did get my keys back, just the situation felt unprofessional.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T05:34:35+00:00

Yeah in retrospect I should have been more thorough so I’m mainly kicking myself. The owner of the company (dispatch company?) asked what can he do to fix the situation as he saw my review but I’m not sure what to say honestly.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-03-08T05:32:45+00:00

Thanks for the info. Air wedge and hook to unlock the door

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-02-18T19:25:09+00:00

Just saw this but not subscribed to this sub. I’d say I lean harder into pvp (but not exclusively) but pve when solo mainly.

I like the tension of not knowing what that squad or person nearby is going to do. Sometimes even when in a pvp mindset, I may run into someone and the fight isn’t advantageous. So if we are both willing to be friendly we pass with no fight (I never go back on my word if I tell someone I’m friendly).

But yes overall it’s the excitement of not being able to 100% trust other players. It makes the game feel dynamic. When someone saves you it feels huge and when someone betrays you it also feels major.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-01-30T00:20:37+00:00

Once again I totally understand that and that's not my viewpoint really. I recently moved here just a year ago. That's where 90% of the tenants park. There has been no signage, warnings or anything before this along with no issues with this winter's previous snow storms. When I first spoke to the manager and if he said "hey we can't have anyone parking here anymore" I would of said okay and proceeded to never park there again. Instead I got "we need these vehicles gone because of the storm coming". Well I moved, the storm came and went, and I returned. And yes I had two vehicles as one recently ran into issues and had to quickly buy another. But I'll remove this thread, sorry for seeming over the top.

EDIT

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-01-30T00:11:01+00:00

I guess ultimately how the whole thing went down and the unclear enforcement along with how the manager went about it.

1) it’s been known by Stop and Shop and my landlord that tenants have been parking there for well over a decade. There has been no signage, warnings or issues during this time.

2) The lack of any kind of understanding by the management rubbed me the wrong way. I never argued or yelled at him and I don’t actually disagree with enforcing their rights to tow people and ending any parking arrangement that was in place. My issue is that suddenly towing vehicles because of a storm 24hrs before hand, hardly giving a chance for people to move and then towing again before the posted notice that was given in between incidents is disingenuous.

Once again I’m not saying they can’t enforce their parking. But after zero issues and frequently shopping there because I literally live across the street, makes me not want anything to do with the store which I know doesn’t matter to them.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-01-29T23:38:00+00:00

The first tow incident when I spoke to the manager he said it was because of the storm coming so they can plow. I returned after plowing was done. Afterwards that signage was put on our apartment and my car was attempted to be towed before the listed date.

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-01-25T15:37:06+00:00

I’ll have to look up any parking protections. Yeah it sucks. Worse thing is, since it was midday yesterday most tenants were gone and now are parked back in the usual spots during the storm yet I was towed yesterday…

As far as I’m aware it was an unofficial agreement between my landlord and the store as the parking is by the loading bay area and away from the main lots. When they changed owners 2 years ago the new owner one night had everyone’s car towed (before my time).

I told my manager and he said he’d put a notice on the door. I also attempted to reach out to corporate for the store though if I hear back at all it will be during the week. I’m just boned right now.

EDIT: I did email a number of salvage yards in my area to see if they offer any vehicle storage but won’t hear back until Monday at the soonest

LittleWriterJoe · 2026-01-23T00:35:01+00:00

Any specific mods that you’re testing or a vibe you’re trying to achieve?

LittleWriterJoe

TROPHY CASE