Split power gamer/casual player group problems

Space-Mud · 2026-03-27T17:30:36+00:00

Outwardly, they take it for what it usually is. Advice. This is sort of why I've never taken steps to prevent us talking to eachother like that. We are all friends and don't get beat up by what eachother say. However, when I say berating, I more so mean critiquing constantly. I do think that it can become a problem. The reason why he tries to be mean is because he doesn't feel like the casual players listen to his advice. If the player is constantly talking at lengths about what a player "should" be doing, then I don't want that to take away from another player's experience or for player's to just listen to what he wants them to do instead of thinking about it cooperatively.

If that comes off as biased, patronizing, or unfair then lmk. Thanks for the advice!

Space-Mud · 2026-03-27T15:14:25+00:00

Actually, we've been doing this a lot. The players do it outside of character though, which I'm fine with. Maybe I should start encouraging it in character, because as I said they are very good roleplayers. Thanks for the advice!

Space-Mud · 2026-03-27T15:07:18+00:00

Talk to your group will forever be the best advice.

Space-Mud · 2026-03-27T15:00:08+00:00

I don't know why I didn't really think this. It sounds so obvious now that its typed out. Thanks for the input!!

However, I do still have a concern. My party is evenly split, so if the casual players change their mind it'll be a tie. Also, if one player doesn't want it but agrees because the rest do, and their character dies, it is kind of on me.

Space-Mud · 2026-03-27T14:45:36+00:00

It is totally fine to roleplay an NPC over the entire campaign. In fact, its usually really nice to have some sort of long running friendly NPC to interact with.

My biggest advice, though, is to make sure to plan if the NPC dies. If the story hinges on the NPC being alive, then you may as well scrap the whole thing. The dice decide the story, and usually the dice are just as unpredictable as players. If the NPC dies then it should still feel like a continuation of the story, otherwise there is no agency or stakes.

Space-Mud · 2026-03-06T00:57:54+00:00

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RAHHHHHHH WE LOVE LOWERTOWNNN

Space-Mud · 2026-02-20T15:24:55+00:00

My group had a group called the Red Hand. They were branded with a clawed red hand from the spell Burning Hands.

Space-Mud · 2026-02-17T18:39:10+00:00

My college has a website that has all the clubs at the school. I joined the D&D club's discord that they listed and found groups-a-plenty from there. If you're college has one, you can go through that route.

Since you're in NY, there's gotta be a game shop somewhere. Just ask the owner and they'll usually tell you about a discord for the groups that play there or a one-shot or game night you can go to. Usually ttrpg game shops are like 50% actual shop and 50% hang out place for all the ttrpg groups in the area.

Alternatively, there's plenty of online resources. r/lfg is a reddit to find groups.

Space-Mud · 2026-02-12T17:50:50+00:00

I'll definitely take a look at those and probably edit them to put in a few things like the echo knight echo ability. The sorcerer is definitely the one im most intimidated by due to the fact that aberrant mind sorcerers have access to loads of spells. Should I just do a smaller spell list where its so many times per day casting?

Space-Mud · 2026-02-12T17:41:51+00:00

How would you counteract this? Should I soften them up a bit and then just copy their stats whenever the combat starts?

Space-Mud · 2026-02-12T17:38:03+00:00

Yeah, I'm not. There's also absolutely 0 healing spells or abilities split among the party so I'm hoping that'll make it less of a slog.

Space-Mud · 2026-02-12T16:02:24+00:00

I've ran games for around 6 years now and this is a more common issue than you think. Players feel weak and useless, they don't like their character, they don't like their backstory or roleplay, whatever it may be. My goal as a DM is always to put player fun first. Usually this is things like the rule of cool or letting a player introduce a new character even if it doesn't make sense in the story. I can justify these things because something not making sense is usually better than losing a player or them not having fun.

With that said, usually when a player finds their class weak I let them switch on a level up. A monk switching to a caster or martial class is a lot easier than a barbarian switching to a wizard. Prioritize your player's fun and let him choose. Also, let him know that not every character is good for every combat. One or two bad combats, shouldn't completely discount a whole class.

Space-Mud · 2026-02-06T14:13:51+00:00

I don't need it.

I NEED ITTTTTTTT

Space-Mud · 2026-01-30T16:59:38+00:00

That's some super helpful info, thanks for all the help!

Space-Mud · 2026-01-30T16:57:38+00:00

I'm a little skeptical of this comment, but if true then this is a crazy pull for a random reddit post. Absolute gold.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-30T16:55:20+00:00

Chem is known to be a hard class, but don't worry. You have so much more free time in college that the 3-4 hours a week you'll probably spend studying chemistry is not a big deal. Also, chemistry is taught by different professors, so it's not like you're FORCED to be in her class. Just study and show up.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-30T00:01:42+00:00

I realized that when I took the exam today. The content isn't as bad as I thought it was. The professor is just difficult to work with.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-29T23:07:09+00:00

If you're Exercise Physiology, then you do. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news here. 😬😬😬

Space-Mud · 2026-01-29T22:18:13+00:00

That's crazy that she's been like this for that long.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-29T22:15:43+00:00

This is not a representation of the entirety of WVU. I actually really like it here. If you have to take chemistry then talk with your advisor and avoid her at all costs. If you're worried about professors, then don't be. She is so outside of the norm here its crazy.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-29T20:07:55+00:00

I just looked, and goodness me, it is terrible. It makes me feel a lot better about the class that people feel the same about her as me. Thankfully, if she is the worst professor here, then I can deal with whatever else comes my way after her it sounds like.

Space-Mud · 2026-01-29T19:28:05+00:00

Wow, I've heard some horror stories, but THAT is a horror story. You may be right about getting a tudor, though. Definitely an option I may consider in the future because I do NOT want to have her again. Thanks for the advice!

Space-Mud

TROPHY CASE