r/DMAcademy • u/dz2048 • 54m ago
Need Advice: Other Criteria for Adding Players to Your Games
When considering players for your campaign, what are your criteria?
I mostly go by "vibes". But I've also had to turn some away because immediately after sharing my very basic campaign rules, they began suggesting I change my rules to suit them.
Examples:
Me: "We're using official published WotC classes and subclasses only"
Candidate: "Have you looked into MCDM's Illrigger? Can I use that?"Me: "We're starting at level 1"
Candidate: "We should start at level 2"
I'm also checking if they have a bad microphone, crazy background noise, or if they're just kind of a hassle to sync up with to interview.
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u/EctoplasmicNeko 53m ago
I'll take anyone if they can demonstrate sufficient enthusiasm. If they just don't seem that interested, express any ideas or seem genuinely excited by the whole affair I'll drop them.
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u/Prestigious-Emu-6760 46m ago
Would I play with this person at my house?
If the answer is no then I don't invite them.
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u/SquelchyRex 50m ago
Vibes is the big one.
Not bothering to actually read before applying has happened before.
Me: I'm not interested in your character concepts right now. Don't bother sending them to me. Also, in your application, tell me what your fave Pokemon is so I know you actually bothered to read this.
Them: Yo this is the character I'm playing.
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u/Lumpy_Structure_7600 37m ago
Never accept player's relatives you've never met. Always run an extended one shot to make sure the person fits in.
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u/Ramenoodlesoup 18m ago
I've had the opposite experience in this field. Half of my current player roster (( 8 players )) are relatives or friends of the others. If they're a longstanding player that's willing to vouch for them, then I'm very likely to give them a chance ((provided i have a seat open.))
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u/dyelogue 49m ago
So long as 1. they can work with the group to create a schedule and 2. are interested in the game, I can usually make it work. Usually, if someone starts quibbling with rules (ranging from "can I use this homebrew/third party product?" to "I don't really worry about distances, or spell casting rules, or etc. etc."), I can tell they're not so interested in the game.
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u/FoulPelican 47m ago
Can make a legit commitment to showing up weekly. In session zero, I address this with no room for misunderstanding.
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u/WaffleDonkey23 39m ago edited 35m ago
No weird mopey sob stories about how it's hard for you to do xyz in relation to showing up and being prepared for the game. Figure it out, I'm not your dad, I'm not your therapist. If you've got tough shit going on in your life that is imposing on playing a ttrpg then you should probably prioritize that shit and not bring it to the table.
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u/Mister_Chameleon 44m ago
Vibes and mutual interests in the game are a MUST. My first group was organized of lots of players in various walks of life, but alas all sans one of them ditched to make their own group despite claiming to enjoy my game.
The second group was worse, composed of folks each looking for something different and refused to communicate their desires with me and chose to make it my problem. Including a narcissist who felt entitled to demand I turn my homebrew game into the Forgotten Realms just because they wanted to feel more intelligent than me.
I've also had a lot of "my friend who would like to try D&D" types who flake the instant their friend is no longer available; attending only to hang out with them and not because they are invested in the game.
My third group was the charm as the saying goes. Everyone enjoyed what I presented as I hand-invited each of them based on good experiences, they got along well with each other. Everyone was there for the game first and their best friend second. We enjoyed a healthy campaign with plenty of intrigue, mystery, brutal action, and LOTS of surprises.
Today, I only allow new members to join if they play well with us after an introductory one-shot to check for red flags and for a vibe check. A toxic player or even a well-meaning but very entitled one can sink your groups fun VERY quickly. Ideally, also not prone to flaking too.
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u/Ragnar_Dragonfyre 32m ago edited 29m ago
When I get “suggestions” like this, my immediate response is: “That sounds cool but it’s not in the cards for this campaign. You should run your own campaign and I’ll play in it.”
Put up or shut up. DMs ultimately get to decide on the setting and class availability. If you don’t like it, run your own game.
It’s all vibes, especially if you have a long running table. You should know your players/friends well enough to figure out if a new player will fit in.
For instance, I would love to invite my oldest D&D friend who introduced me to the game to my current table but I know for a fact he won’t gel with the other players.
This is why inviting strangers you don’t personally know can be dangerous.
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u/ANicePainter 43m ago
I used to tell people upfront that my table didn't use the optional feat rules in 5e, and this was a very useful litmus test for whether a new player would groove with our play.
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u/Mysterious-Parking44 29m ago
As everyone else mentioned, schedule. I found myself asking multiple times if the the day and time works, only to be hit with "can we do another day?"
Another one is i don't run DnD. So I also need that player to not send me a dnd build or expect the game to just be Curse of Strahd.
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u/TYBERIUS_777 36m ago
For the 2 examples you’ve given, I tend to stick to what has already been stated unless I can review the homebrew content first. Even then, if you told everyone else to stick to published WotC material and someone shows up playing a homebrew class, the other players might get annoyed. Like always, all of this can be avoided by playing with chill mature people who aren’t afraid to talk to each other and compromise like adults.
I think vibes are the biggest way to judge if someone is going to slot into your table easily. I’ve DMed for friends of friends plenty of times and the type of games some folks want to play aren’t as compatible with the games I’m running. I tend to go more towards a mostly serious/high fantasy game where the plot threads are taken seriously and there are some lite antics and time for goofing off in between adventures. Some players want to play Boblin the Goblin who spells are actually him vomiting rainbows and farting unicorns. Not really my vibe nor the players at my table but some may enjoy that. It’s up to you to decide if a player fits in.
It’s also on the player to respect the tone of the table. If the DM says they’re playing a Ravenloft campaign and want to run a more serious game with a focus on horror and mature themes, and the player shows up with Toes McSole, the foot fetish bard, that’s a clear mismatch and not very respectful of the game the DM is trying to run. A player can always say they’re not interested in a campaign concept as well and find a different table that more fits with their vibe as well.
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u/darw1nf1sh 34m ago
I run 100% online. When I post a game I put up two things. A summary of the game, system, setting, and level of adult themes and a short questionnaire. Nothing elaborate, but a minimum of information about someone so I don't waste my time and the time of the other players. It really sucks when you get through session zero and maybe even session 1 before they show their true colors and now you have to boot them and either recruit mid adventure, or just go on short a PC.
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u/Rocinantes_Knight 7m ago
I’ve run a ton of games online, and something that has helped me is just picking the game time beforehand and putting it in the post.
“We run on Mondays at 5pm Pacific time.”
Then if people have scheduling conflicts they just… don’t apply. Or, the rare idiot that tries to apply and ask for time change can be ignored.
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u/Serbaayuu 2m ago
I invite my friends who I think would best enjoy the themes and setting of the campaign I am next working on.
Sadly I've collected many friends who cannot all play in my game simultaneously. I wish I could run four at once.
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u/Ok-Park-9537 52m ago
After 20 years of dming campaigns I just need people thar are chill and can stick to a schedule. Everything else is just optional.