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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 9:42AM
#1
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Date Joined:
Nov 23, 2009
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I recently discovered one of my players was cheating. I have a few ideas, but nothing definite of how I will handle it, while thinking about it I thought it would make for an interesting thread to hear stories of cheaters and how other DMs have, or would have handled any cheating in their games. So, the question I guess is how do you guys (or how WOULD you) deal with cheating in your games?
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 10:26AM
#2
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In private:
"You're cheating. Specifically, you're (list of offenses). Do it again, and you are no longer welcome in my games. End of discussion."
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 10:26AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Sep 21, 2007
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I recently discovered one of my players was cheating. I have a few ideas, but nothing definite of how I will handle it, while thinking about it I thought it would make for an interesting thread to hear stories of cheaters and how other DMs have, or would have handled any cheating in their games. So, the question I guess is how do you guys (or how WOULD you) deal with cheating in your games?
I'd mention to him\her that you seem to have noticed a few mistakes when he's been (adding up, rolling dice or whatever they've been doing) and that they need to take more time to get their result right.
Basically 'I've seen you cheating but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, knock it off' is the barely hidden message.
If they continue with the cheating then you may need to be more direct, "look i'm sorry to say that it looked like you (state the action) which was clearly wrong, this wasn't the first time I noticed it either, it's a game so please keep things correct so everyone can enjoy the game."
Again trying to keep things as nice as possible but getting more to the point.
If it continues then you may need to consider an ultimatum unless you can live with them cheating.
I did have a player doing this kind of thing and I aimed enemies at them that would stump them.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 10:49AM
#4
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Date Joined:
Nov 30, 2005
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I would ask the other players "Hey how do you feel about one of the other players cheating" (leaving it anon as to who exactly, I might even ask him) if they care I would tell him in private "You are cheating. Stop or you are gone".
I personally don't care anymore, and if they feel like they need to cheat to enjoy the game have at it. My primary group is of the same opinion, but some of my others are very paticular.
5e comments and thoughts all in one place. Check it out to provide feedback, mock, or steal ideas.
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/28835423/Krusks_5e_Design_Goals?sdb=1
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 2:44PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Mar 15, 2008
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I would ask the other players "Hey how do you feel about one of the other players cheating" (leaving it anon as to who exactly, I might even ask him)
I dislike this. 99% of the time a cheater knows they're cheating, and at least 75% of the time, so do other players. Address the player personally, in private, outside of game. Don't give them any wiggle room, make your expectations clear, and if they don't fall in line immediately, excuse them from the group.
"Not only are you wrong, but I even created an Excel spreadsheet to show you how wrong you are." --James Wyatt, May 2006
Dilige, et quod vis fac
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 3:34PM
#6
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My only real question is this: What exactly is this player doing that's cheating?
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 8:52PM
#7
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Date Joined:
Dec 13, 2010
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Setrin is right: What did the cheating player do?
I've over looked dice fluffing in character creation when players had their hearts set on being a wizard and rolled a 10 for INT. I've also allowed characters to make a hit when clearly it was another miss after a series of misses to keep the players sprits up.
However when that same player stopped using the rules regarding their spells. A Wizard who started picking spells from their spell book as needed instead of preparing them each morning. I had to lay down the law.
As DM you have to say what is allowed and what isn't allowed. I feel its best to mention it on the spot as soon as you notice it or find out about the rule breaking.
Just in case I failed to mention; I am playing D&D 3.5e.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 10:35PM
#8
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Date Joined:
Dec 28, 2008
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I think how you handle it all depends on what the cheating they are doing and what your relationship with that person is. Either way do so in private.
When I first approach the person I would avoid using the word cheating. Just tell them exactly what you have seen them do. It would be even better if you had specific examples of this happening. Then explain that you want them to stop doing that and its not fair to the other players they are doing it.
At this point if things haven't gone badly and both of you are capable of being civil, I would suggest asking them why they feel they need to cheat (This would probably go better if you are friends). There might be a reason why. If they are fudging their rolls they might feel that their character isn't being effective without cheating. They may need to adjust their character. You could help them make some changes.
Then there is always the chance you be throwing encounters that are too hard or challenges that their character can't do well at. Maybe they have a character with a lot of knowledge skills but all the challenges the characters face are social and physical so they are always doing badly.
In the end just make sure to get the point across that cheating isn't acceptable and if they can't play without cheating they are no longer welcome at the table.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 11:31PM
#9
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Setrin is right: What did the cheating player do?
I've over looked dice fluffing in character creation when players had their hearts set on being a wizard and rolled a 10 for INT. I've also allowed characters to make a hit when clearly it was another miss after a series of misses to keep the players sprits up.
However when that same player stopped using the rules regarding their spells. A Wizard who started picking spells from their spell book as needed instead of preparing them each morning. I had to lay down the law.
As DM you have to say what is allowed and what isn't allowed. I feel its best to mention it on the spot as soon as you notice it or find out about the rule breaking.
I had exactly the same problem with a wizard in one of my groups. We just pointed out what he was doing wasn't going by the rules and he straightened up.
If you just talk to him about what he's doing you shouldn't have any problems with it- in theory anyway. Still, we can't know what's going on until you explain just what he's doing wrong.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 26, 2011 - 11:39PM
#10
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Date Joined:
Nov 19, 2007
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I don't have cheaters at my table is how I handle it. Anyone who's trying to cheat in a table top RPG is missing the point entirely, so they don't usually last long.
Depending on what they're doing, I'd either make them roll my giant die, if they're trying to conceal dice rolls, ask them to show me the math if they are doing funny numbers, or look over their character sheet. If I'm running a module and they've read it over, I'd change the location of traps, items, monsters, or even totally alter an NPC so that knowing the module could actually be a greater hindrance than help.
Each of these solutions addresses the problem head on, covertly and avoids confrontation. If the offence is large enough I'd pull the player aside and explain why I think cheating is silly in an RPG, I wouldn't present them with a list of occurances or offenses, just have a talk with them over tea about what they like about RPGs, and get their view.
If all of these methods fail, then there's little else for me to do and I drop them from the group. Some players just aren't worth keeping sadly, and I'm only willing to try so hard to keep them.
My game time is rare and it is valuable, players that ruin it or make it un-fun have no place at my table.
Tolkein was a jerk. Seriously, what DM sends 9 Wraith Lords at a Lvl 2 party of Halflings.
The only 'correct' way to play D&D is by whatever method is making the group you have at that session, have the most fun.
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