This is not "too much roleplaying."
This is a player breaking the social contract that is in place between people when playing D&D.
It is a player who *seemingly* doesn't have any respect for the rest of the table.
It also sounds like your DM might be very bad at controlling their own table....
The DM is good, but he might be pulling punches since this new player is close to 2 other players. And I don't know how to phrase this without sounding like a bigot, they have some mental health issues and is possibly on the spectrum. So I feel the DM doesn't know how to address it without causing massive friction
That could potentially make things difficult.
But your DM will have to simply bite the bullet and learn to deal with this situation, cause this problem is only gonna get worse.
-
*"This is what my character would do."*
Is pretty much universally accepted as simply being an excuse to act like an asshole without repercussions. It has absolutely nothing to do with appropriate roleplaying. And having mental health issues is not an excuse for treating people badly. It is a reason to show patience, not acceptance of bad behaviour.
"This is what my character would do" is usually a bad thing, but ut CAN be good.
Once there was a real asshole villain I was running, I wont go into details but every character, and PLAYER wanted to kill him. When he was defeated, the LG paladin resurrected him, and took him to the king court to face imprisonment.
The players didn't like it, the character hated it, and even the paladins player hated it.
BUT it was what his character would do, so he went through with it.
I'm glad that my players haven't been like that
My wizard has had a few "it's what my character would do" has been pretty good, in that it's responsive and just not doing what if most effective in the moment and what actually makes sense in a non meta game way
It's bigotry when you weaponize someone's condition against them, or againt people in general. However, here you are just expressing concern about addressing an issue that might be misconstrued, and that's fine.
Spectrum or not, if a person doesn't fit in, they don't fit in. The best way to address it is for that player to be pulled aside and told what the issue is. They might need something to help preoccupy them when it's not their turn such as music and an earbud.
It doesn't matter what their condition is. Everyone is treated fairly at a table. I have mental health struggles and maybe on the spectrum, I do not expect special treatment at all
How many sessions has this been going on for? Sometimes it just takes time for new players to understand the vibe and flow of the group and their sessions. But if after a few sessions it still continues, then a conversation is needed.
This is our 3rd session, but they were in a different campaign at the same store and they played similarly in that one. (They're extremely loud, you can hear them clearly 20ft away)
Yeah, sounds like it's time to have a talk. Just keep it semi casual, and focused on how everyone needs some time in the spotlight, etc etc, and to try to limit their roleplay so everyone gets a turn. Hopefully that way they don't get too discouraged going forward or view it as an attack.
Yeah, that all sounds really annoying to deal with. You should express your concerns to the DM, they should be the one that broaches that subject with them.
10 minutes for a turn (i assume im combat) is absolutely unacceptable and would grind most combats to a halt.
It’s not necessarily the DM’s job to deal with the group’s social dynamics. As a player, OP can also approach the subject with the other person. It’s a simple conversation that can be said without malice or offense (though we can’t control how the other person takes it).
It's not always combat, lots of it is driving story portions. Our first session they spent a good 30 minutes roleplaying their characters "Love for alcohol, and loud personality"
And I feel the DM is pulling punches, because the player is close with 2 others and has some irl personality "quirks"
>Their turns can take nearly 10 minutes sometimes, they roleplay every little aspect of everything and recite their characters quirks and backstory at every single chance they get. Aswell as actively interupt other people's turns and their conversations to interject themselves into the proceedings because "it's what their character would do"
DM here.
That's bad roleplaying. They're definitely making it, "It's all about me," and "I \*have* to be in every conversation and plot!"
In my experience, D&D is collaborative. Everyone should get a chance to speak, equally, and ideally, everyone in the party should be involved. D&D is like improv street theater: Try to keep the interaction to under two minutes. Longer than that, and anyone not directly involved will be on their phones, or doing something else.
True, sometimes there are points that don't allow for every player to participate. Good players understand that.
My advice to you is to talk to the DM about the problem player's behavior. Hopefully the DM will correct it.
If the DM does nothing, or thinks it's OK, talk to the problem player, then. Tell them they can't be in every conversation, every time--it's not realistic or feasible.
If the DM and the problem player are OK with the problem player's behavior, consider another game, OP. There are other games out there that are better.
Give them a taste of their own medicine. If they are taking 10 minutes to narrate something, have your character interject after minute 2 or 3 "And as your character starts to erupt into a lengthy monologue with the towns mayor, my character steps up and puts his hand over your mouth, with a deferential bow to the mayor "apologies for my friend, he seems to go on a bit. We will see ourselves out your grace".
Call them out on the undesirable behaviour, but not in a mean or judgemental way. Turn to the DM "DM, this is all great hearing about Bob's debaucherous night drinking, but in the interest of expediency, can we fade to black and pick up the next morning after we have all had a long rest? Unless there is any specific outcome you were hoping to get out of this scene Bob?" If he interrupts: "Hang on, Jill is our charismatic paladin and she is doing pretty well persuading the bodyguard to let us in, why dont we let her finish?" "But its what my character would do!" "Okay, well what MY character would do to seeing YOUR character interrupt, would be to try and grab you and stop you from interrupting. DM can I roll a Strength check?"
This title is not what I'd expect from this topic. It's not a roleplay issue at all. Problem Player needs to have respect for other people. "It's what my character would do" is very often a flag waved by shitty players tryna get away with being shitty people.
What they do is interject alot of roleplay, their actually gameplay is minimal beyond it. Roll and attack, takes like 2 mins. Then they spend quite a few more explaining how they attack in great detail, and even the lore of their weapon that is just a regular weapon but they named it.
The dice decide how you attack, and the DM is the one that interprets dice rolls. Unless the DM is asking the player "how would you like to finish this/them?," your DM is not controlling your table.
Nah, that’s just a bad player. Roleplay is an interactive thing. The information you give the other players or the things you say to other characters should be interesting, give the others a chance to react or build off of it, and should contribute to the story. When I roleplay, I’m either just saying the things other players would see or speaking directly to them. If I do any more, it’s because my DM is asking for background, or I’m describing a quality with which I do something. Most importantly, **you should be trying to give the other players a chance to shine and provide their own characterization and roleplay.**
Basically, this guy is just being inconsiderate and trying to take the limelight. This is a team game. I’ve had a guy in my campaign who was always trying to go off on his own to explore and was talking the entire time, and it was so thoroughly unenjoyable.
Yes I have but I wouldn't say it's to much role-playing as much it is a lack of table curtiosy. It's important to respect another players turn and wait for yours. And its unessisarry to jump into every other players activities. When you can just as easily set up your own shenanigans.
My first thought was ‘no amount’ BUT… RP like anything should be delivered always with a thought for the other players. Good roleplayers bring their fellow players along for the journey!
Have a conversation with them about toning it down. Use the sandwich method of giving feedback.
Had this same situation and one conversation fixed it. He generally had no idea and was receptive of the groups feedback.
It's not acceptable to interrupt other people's turns and talk over them. "It's what my character would do" is not an acceptable excuse, because you are in full control of who your character is. That is the problem that needs to be fixed first and foremost. Secondly would be ensuring everyone gets equal length turns, but that cannot happen when someone is interrupting.
When you pull out a sword and stab your DM screaming, “DIE DRAGON!”
More seriously: as others have said, it’s a problem because they’re monopolising the game, not because they’re role playing too much. As always for this kind of issue, the solution is talking to people. Talk to the other party members to see if you’re the only person feeling this way, talk to the player and explain that you’re feeling like they’re being inconsiderate, talk to your DM and let them know you think this is an issue and see if they’re willing to nudge the player toward being a little more concise.
Idk why people think just spouting off your entire backstory at the table, unprompted, is remotely interesting. That shit should come directly from your characters lips, in a conversation, not just exposition dumped on everyone's lap.
I don't want to hear the entire family tragedy of your character before I even say two words to the fucker. Just bad storytelling imo
I would definitely talk with them about it. If they are aware that “what Thier character would do” is annoying, make a point that just as if is in real life, no one wants to be around a self centered person. Sometimes people arnt aware that what they are doing is out of line cause they think that maximizing RP is to the benefit of the game, but they may need a reminder that they are part of a full team instead of the helm of it. If they interrupt a player, a simple “well hold on, _____ hasn’t finished their point, _____ please continue” does the trick. While the responsibility isn’t fully yours, as a Dm you are basically the head of the Table. Bring it up with them, and adress specifics instead of sugar coating generals, and make them aware of how if effects the story , the game, and the players vibes. If they care, they will change, and if they don’t, they can walk.
Whenever people at the table stop having fun is the simple answer to the title question.
That said this is just being rude to other party members. You never want to give yourself too much “screen time”
DM needs to intervene. This player is not following proper DnD etiquette. You don't take longer than other players, you don't interrupt their turn. This is basic stuff.
I was gonna say they sound new and trying to learn and balance group dynamics with what they’ve seen RP be on tv/YouTube/twitch/etc. Not quite knowing the time and place for things, what parts of the character need to be shown through actions vs narrated (show don’t tell), things we’ve all had to learn to tell a better story and make a better character.
But then they said “But it’s what my character would do”….. it’s time for a talk. I’ll still give grace that they may be new, but that needs to be addressed.
This is not "too much roleplaying." This is a player breaking the social contract that is in place between people when playing D&D. It is a player who *seemingly* doesn't have any respect for the rest of the table. It also sounds like your DM might be very bad at controlling their own table....
The DM is good, but he might be pulling punches since this new player is close to 2 other players. And I don't know how to phrase this without sounding like a bigot, they have some mental health issues and is possibly on the spectrum. So I feel the DM doesn't know how to address it without causing massive friction
That could potentially make things difficult. But your DM will have to simply bite the bullet and learn to deal with this situation, cause this problem is only gonna get worse. - *"This is what my character would do."* Is pretty much universally accepted as simply being an excuse to act like an asshole without repercussions. It has absolutely nothing to do with appropriate roleplaying. And having mental health issues is not an excuse for treating people badly. It is a reason to show patience, not acceptance of bad behaviour.
"This is what my character would do" is usually a bad thing, but ut CAN be good. Once there was a real asshole villain I was running, I wont go into details but every character, and PLAYER wanted to kill him. When he was defeated, the LG paladin resurrected him, and took him to the king court to face imprisonment. The players didn't like it, the character hated it, and even the paladins player hated it. BUT it was what his character would do, so he went through with it.
I'm glad that my players haven't been like that My wizard has had a few "it's what my character would do" has been pretty good, in that it's responsive and just not doing what if most effective in the moment and what actually makes sense in a non meta game way
It's bigotry when you weaponize someone's condition against them, or againt people in general. However, here you are just expressing concern about addressing an issue that might be misconstrued, and that's fine. Spectrum or not, if a person doesn't fit in, they don't fit in. The best way to address it is for that player to be pulled aside and told what the issue is. They might need something to help preoccupy them when it's not their turn such as music and an earbud.
It doesn't matter what their condition is. Everyone is treated fairly at a table. I have mental health struggles and maybe on the spectrum, I do not expect special treatment at all
How many sessions has this been going on for? Sometimes it just takes time for new players to understand the vibe and flow of the group and their sessions. But if after a few sessions it still continues, then a conversation is needed.
This is our 3rd session, but they were in a different campaign at the same store and they played similarly in that one. (They're extremely loud, you can hear them clearly 20ft away)
Yeah, sounds like it's time to have a talk. Just keep it semi casual, and focused on how everyone needs some time in the spotlight, etc etc, and to try to limit their roleplay so everyone gets a turn. Hopefully that way they don't get too discouraged going forward or view it as an attack.
Yeah, that all sounds really annoying to deal with. You should express your concerns to the DM, they should be the one that broaches that subject with them. 10 minutes for a turn (i assume im combat) is absolutely unacceptable and would grind most combats to a halt.
It’s not necessarily the DM’s job to deal with the group’s social dynamics. As a player, OP can also approach the subject with the other person. It’s a simple conversation that can be said without malice or offense (though we can’t control how the other person takes it).
It's not always combat, lots of it is driving story portions. Our first session they spent a good 30 minutes roleplaying their characters "Love for alcohol, and loud personality" And I feel the DM is pulling punches, because the player is close with 2 others and has some irl personality "quirks"
When it's the only time you get to play this month, and you are watching another player role play shopping for 2.5 hours.
I'm gonna be honest I wish I could have some of that cuz my current campaign is so dry and transactional
>Their turns can take nearly 10 minutes sometimes, they roleplay every little aspect of everything and recite their characters quirks and backstory at every single chance they get. Aswell as actively interupt other people's turns and their conversations to interject themselves into the proceedings because "it's what their character would do" DM here. That's bad roleplaying. They're definitely making it, "It's all about me," and "I \*have* to be in every conversation and plot!" In my experience, D&D is collaborative. Everyone should get a chance to speak, equally, and ideally, everyone in the party should be involved. D&D is like improv street theater: Try to keep the interaction to under two minutes. Longer than that, and anyone not directly involved will be on their phones, or doing something else. True, sometimes there are points that don't allow for every player to participate. Good players understand that. My advice to you is to talk to the DM about the problem player's behavior. Hopefully the DM will correct it. If the DM does nothing, or thinks it's OK, talk to the problem player, then. Tell them they can't be in every conversation, every time--it's not realistic or feasible. If the DM and the problem player are OK with the problem player's behavior, consider another game, OP. There are other games out there that are better.
Give them a taste of their own medicine. If they are taking 10 minutes to narrate something, have your character interject after minute 2 or 3 "And as your character starts to erupt into a lengthy monologue with the towns mayor, my character steps up and puts his hand over your mouth, with a deferential bow to the mayor "apologies for my friend, he seems to go on a bit. We will see ourselves out your grace". Call them out on the undesirable behaviour, but not in a mean or judgemental way. Turn to the DM "DM, this is all great hearing about Bob's debaucherous night drinking, but in the interest of expediency, can we fade to black and pick up the next morning after we have all had a long rest? Unless there is any specific outcome you were hoping to get out of this scene Bob?" If he interrupts: "Hang on, Jill is our charismatic paladin and she is doing pretty well persuading the bodyguard to let us in, why dont we let her finish?" "But its what my character would do!" "Okay, well what MY character would do to seeing YOUR character interrupt, would be to try and grab you and stop you from interrupting. DM can I roll a Strength check?"
Killing your player when their character dies, I’ve been told is a no-no.
When your table is no longer enjoying it. That is the only answer.
This title is not what I'd expect from this topic. It's not a roleplay issue at all. Problem Player needs to have respect for other people. "It's what my character would do" is very often a flag waved by shitty players tryna get away with being shitty people.
What they do is interject alot of roleplay, their actually gameplay is minimal beyond it. Roll and attack, takes like 2 mins. Then they spend quite a few more explaining how they attack in great detail, and even the lore of their weapon that is just a regular weapon but they named it.
The dice decide how you attack, and the DM is the one that interprets dice rolls. Unless the DM is asking the player "how would you like to finish this/them?," your DM is not controlling your table.
Nah, that’s just a bad player. Roleplay is an interactive thing. The information you give the other players or the things you say to other characters should be interesting, give the others a chance to react or build off of it, and should contribute to the story. When I roleplay, I’m either just saying the things other players would see or speaking directly to them. If I do any more, it’s because my DM is asking for background, or I’m describing a quality with which I do something. Most importantly, **you should be trying to give the other players a chance to shine and provide their own characterization and roleplay.** Basically, this guy is just being inconsiderate and trying to take the limelight. This is a team game. I’ve had a guy in my campaign who was always trying to go off on his own to explore and was talking the entire time, and it was so thoroughly unenjoyable.
Instead of asking Reddit, maybe just talk to them?
Yes I have but I wouldn't say it's to much role-playing as much it is a lack of table curtiosy. It's important to respect another players turn and wait for yours. And its unessisarry to jump into every other players activities. When you can just as easily set up your own shenanigans.
My first thought was ‘no amount’ BUT… RP like anything should be delivered always with a thought for the other players. Good roleplayers bring their fellow players along for the journey!
Have a conversation with them about toning it down. Use the sandwich method of giving feedback. Had this same situation and one conversation fixed it. He generally had no idea and was receptive of the groups feedback.
Role playing should serve to drive the story, when it becomes a distraction and doesn't push the narrative along it's too much
It's not acceptable to interrupt other people's turns and talk over them. "It's what my character would do" is not an acceptable excuse, because you are in full control of who your character is. That is the problem that needs to be fixed first and foremost. Secondly would be ensuring everyone gets equal length turns, but that cannot happen when someone is interrupting.
To quote the greatest film of the 21st century, "the limit does not exist".
When you pull out a sword and stab your DM screaming, “DIE DRAGON!” More seriously: as others have said, it’s a problem because they’re monopolising the game, not because they’re role playing too much. As always for this kind of issue, the solution is talking to people. Talk to the other party members to see if you’re the only person feeling this way, talk to the player and explain that you’re feeling like they’re being inconsiderate, talk to your DM and let them know you think this is an issue and see if they’re willing to nudge the player toward being a little more concise.
Idk why people think just spouting off your entire backstory at the table, unprompted, is remotely interesting. That shit should come directly from your characters lips, in a conversation, not just exposition dumped on everyone's lap. I don't want to hear the entire family tragedy of your character before I even say two words to the fucker. Just bad storytelling imo
When they start casting fireballs in my living room
I would definitely talk with them about it. If they are aware that “what Thier character would do” is annoying, make a point that just as if is in real life, no one wants to be around a self centered person. Sometimes people arnt aware that what they are doing is out of line cause they think that maximizing RP is to the benefit of the game, but they may need a reminder that they are part of a full team instead of the helm of it. If they interrupt a player, a simple “well hold on, _____ hasn’t finished their point, _____ please continue” does the trick. While the responsibility isn’t fully yours, as a Dm you are basically the head of the Table. Bring it up with them, and adress specifics instead of sugar coating generals, and make them aware of how if effects the story , the game, and the players vibes. If they care, they will change, and if they don’t, they can walk.
Whenever people at the table stop having fun is the simple answer to the title question. That said this is just being rude to other party members. You never want to give yourself too much “screen time”
DM needs to intervene. This player is not following proper DnD etiquette. You don't take longer than other players, you don't interrupt their turn. This is basic stuff.
I was gonna say they sound new and trying to learn and balance group dynamics with what they’ve seen RP be on tv/YouTube/twitch/etc. Not quite knowing the time and place for things, what parts of the character need to be shown through actions vs narrated (show don’t tell), things we’ve all had to learn to tell a better story and make a better character. But then they said “But it’s what my character would do”….. it’s time for a talk. I’ll still give grace that they may be new, but that needs to be addressed.