|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 9:59AM
#1
|
|
|
Question: How do you get your disruptive player to calm down?
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:02AM
#2
|
|
|
First, examine my DMing approach to see if I am exacerbating the problem by creating a boring game.
Then, talk to him or her calmly outside of the context of the game in a mature, respectful fashion. Ask for his or her help in making the gameplay as smooth as possible. Ask if there's something about the game I can change that will encourage the player to be less disruptive.
A simple conversation between two adults really is the best solution.
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:05AM
#3
|
Date Joined:
Nov 28, 2012
|
Depends on what the disruptive behavior is.
Care to give an example?
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:31AM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Jul 21, 2004
|
I talk to them, outside of the game. This isn't a game issue (unless the game is boring the player), it's more of a personal issue, and those should be discussed with the people involved.
[N]o difference is less easily overcome than the difference of opinion about semi-abstract questions. - L. Tolstoy
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:43AM
#5
|
Date Joined:
Jun 20, 2012
|
First, examine my DMing approach to see if I am exacerbating the problem by creating a boring game.
Then, talk to him or her calmly outside of the context of the game in a mature, respectful fashion. Ask for his or her help in making the gameplay as smooth as possible. Ask if there's something about the game I can change that will encourage the player to be less disruptive.
A simple conversation between two adults really is the best solution.
Using boredom as an excuse to be rude doesn't sound like adult behavior, but GageEndal should still try to talk to the player.
Having played with a group of varying levels of maturity, here is a good response for a player who is being disruptive:
DM: Hey little buddy, we're playing a game. If you want to play you have to try to be quiet until it's your turn. I'll let you know when it's your turn. When you grow up, there will be times when you'll have to sit still and there will be other times when it's appropriate to speak up. If you're not ready to do that, you can go to your room and play your video games until we're done playing. Can you be a quiet mouse for 1 whole minute?
(Formerly) Disruptive Player: (Moves his thumb and index finger to his lips and imitates the twisting motion of sealing his lips shut, then nods in the affirmative).
Or maybe he's more mature than that..
DM: Dude...
(Formerly) Disruptive Adult Player: Sorry.
A rogue with a bowl of slop can be a controller.
WIZARD PC: Can I substitute Celestial Roc Guano for my fireball spells?
DM: Awesome. Yes.
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:47AM
#6
|
Date Joined:
Apr 27, 2010
|
There needs to be a sticky at the top of the DM Forum that says "How To Deal With Problem Players" so we don't keep getting 40,000 of the same threads...especially since the question/problem is usually the same, as are the answers. People dont seem to take the time to y'know, actually 'search' for their issue, so I think it kinda needs to be spelled out for them in big, shiny letters.
RIP George! 4-21-11
RIP Abie! 1-2-13 Funny Forum Quotes
Show
 "You notice a large piece of mold clinging to your toothbrush. What do you do?"
 "I cast Fireball."
 "I run like hell!
The standard d4 is somewhat (SOMEWHAT) rounded on the top, the older models are even flat. The Lego is shaped in such a way that in an emergency, you can use one as a makeshift surgical knife.
My wife asked me if her pants made her look fat. What do you think I said?
Wife: Do these pants make me look fat?
RedSiegfried: I just killed a bunch of orc women and children.
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:49AM
#7
|
|
|
Using boredom as an excuse to be rude doesn't sound like adult behavior, but GageEndal should still try to talk to the player.
Players don't get a pass for being jerks simply because the DM's game sucks. Still, whenever there's a problem with a given game or with a player or players, it does not hurt to look within in addition to discussing it frankly, out of game. Many DMs like to blame the other when really there's often plenty of blame to go around - the player for being disruptive, the DM for making it worse.
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 10:58AM
#8
|
Date Joined:
Jul 21, 2004
|
Using boredom as an excuse to be rude doesn't sound like adult behavior, but GageEndal should still try to talk to the player.
Players don't get a pass for being jerks simply because the DM's game sucks. Still, whenever there's a problem with a given game or with a player or players, it does not hurt to look within in addition to discussing it frankly, out of game. Many DMs like to blame the other when really there's often plenty of blame to go around - the player for being disruptive, the DM for making it worse.
The player might not even know why they're being disruptive, let alone be using it as an excuse. But a good presenter knows when their material is losing the attention of the audience. Since there's mandate for someone to sit and absorb what's being presented, or to engage in it, there's no way to force a disruptive player to play along. It seems safe to assume that asking them to leave isn't an option, and one hopes that they've been asked politely not to be disruptive, so the DM's presentation should be looked to, as it's what a DM has control over.
I'd still like a better understanding of what is meant here. Is this "burning-down-a-brothel" disruptive or "quoting-Monty-Python" disruptive?
[N]o difference is less easily overcome than the difference of opinion about semi-abstract questions. - L. Tolstoy
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 11:03AM
#9
|
Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
|
I find that upending the table and giving them a good backhand usually does the trick.
Otherwise, talk to the player. In front of everyone the first time. In private the second time. If it goes past that, player gets das boot.
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
|
|
|
|
4 months ago ::
Jan 22, 2013 - 11:38AM
#10
|
Date Joined:
Dec 10, 2012
|
I find that upending the table and giving them a good backhand usually does the trick.
Otherwise, talk to the player. In front of everyone the first time. In private the second time. If it goes past that, player gets das boot.
That's a good idea. I usually stick to a Zangief-style spinning piledriver, myself. Maybe I'm being too hard on them. In all seriousness, it depends on what sort of disruption. A friendly talk outside the game, "It's not a big deal, but could you try not to interrupt me quite so much? It's hard to focus" or something to that effect usually does the trick. I also second the exasperated look followed by "Dude...". That does the trick with friends 95% of the time.
|
|
|
