The interaction in Dungeons & Dragons is not always easy. But when a single player plays by their own rules, it becomes particularly complicated, as a user on Reddit demonstrates.
What situation does the user describe? As Reddit user StickyLoner4404 explains in her thread, her group is struggling with a problem. One of their fellow players is playing by their own rules and twisting the game to suit themselves, giving them advantages.
She notes that the player is using the 2024 rule set, while the group is otherwise using the 2014 rules. While this is annoying, it is not the core problem. Additionally, the player would indirectly declare their character a god.
He always has the necessary spell slots available, always sufficient hit points, and enough gold for any situation. His supply of healing potions, too, would magically never run out. If he rolls poorly, he simply rolls again if the game master isn’t paying close enough attention.
If confronted, he would respond with things like “I get it, but it’s just too funny” or “It’s just how it is that I always have _____ at hand, I can’t stop now” or even a classic that many might recognize (often more as a joke) “oh, that wasn’t the real roll, it was a practice roll.”
In this way, he not only grants his character god-like powers but also ruins the enjoyment of the game for his fellow players, as they consider it unfair. The group consists of 5, and it is divided—2 find the behavior inappropriate, 2 others don’t care much, and the game master is caught in between.
For this reason, the user reaches out to the community, as she doesn’t know how to resolve the situation without being a killjoy. And the community has a clear opinion on this.
Shared fun in the game is the top priority
What does the community say about his problem? Many users in the comments can empathize with his problem and see the behavior of the fellow player as cheating. They would also feel unfairly treated and wish for a game with clear rules, as there is a rule set for that.
User ProdiasKaj points out in his comment what the main problem is here: It seems there are two camps in the group, who either need to come together or go their separate ways if everyone wants to have fun. Therefore, it’s important that the game master serves as a mediator when in doubt and encourages the group to find a compromise.
Ignoring rules leads, just like in his case, to an imbalance between the players, and the game master would have extreme difficulty leading the game fairly and making decisions. While there are situations where rules can be adjusted or omitted, these are very specific and require considerable sensitivity.
They advise the user to sit down with the group and discuss whether the players’ expectations for the sessions really align or what reason the player has for cheating so much. If the situation is not resolved in the long run, it could lead to the campaign ending or players dropping out because they are no longer having fun. The aim is to ensure that everyone gets a turn and can experience their enjoyment in the game.
Other users directly advise her to leave the table, as she seems to have already brought it up multiple times. Others suggest that the player should be asked to leave the group for not adhering to the rules. Some also propose to reciprocate and see if the concerned player still finds it funny to bend the rules if everyone does it.
However, the majority of the community advocates for working together to find a solution, as there was also an initial reason why the group came together, as it is now.
In another group, a player also behaves differently than the fellow players and especially the game master would like—however, as a part of his character’s concept. Despite multiple notes, he insists on his approach and reacts in dismay when his behavior actually has consequences: Player faces consequences for his actions in Dungeons & Dragons, receives no important reward as the only one, and causes despair for the game master
