TOPIC: Ideal to help players not feel pressured/help with player behavior

In another thread, someone posted a comment we've likely all heard before. They were newer players and were pressured by a vet with high end builds to do the run at a higher difficulty (sometimes with help on builds, sometimes without.)

I think most of us agree that we want the experience to be comfortable for all players and for new people's experience to be something that grows the game. I had an idea that might help but it would change the flow of how we move into coaching.

If we had a transition room/area (even taped off where bracelets are given out) before all the players got together in coaching, players would get a "Rules of the Dungeon" orientation or video. This replaces a few elements from the transition room with video as it is important these be said before the players sit down together.

The orientation would be given once per con for each player - once you complete it, you get a ribbon or something similar where you can just walk through without it from check in to coaching. Once people check in, if they don't have the ribbon, they go to the marked off area to get a 5 minute orientation. These run every 10 minutes or so.

The orientation would cover:
1. Treat everyone with respect - other players and the volunteers. If you harass or are inappropriate with a volunteer or another player, you are ejected and cannot return and get no refund. Depending on severity or if the person does this more than once, they may be banned from TD for the convention and TD may ask the convention to revoke their badge.
2. Nobody should feel pressured to do a difficulty they aren't comfortable with and should be reminded that the difficulty setting is the lowest level everyone agrees upon. (It is important that this be done prior to coaching because by the time the coach arrives, a bad seed may have had 10+ minutes with some of the other players and may have already pressured them to move up in difficulty.)
3. Basic respect for the sets - same as what the video currently says.
4. The remainder of the video info that isn't specific to the adventure.

This would have, oddly, an added benefit of moving coaching faster. We spend a few minutes on the video in the transition room repeating the same info that isn't tied to the adventure. This would make it a single time per con and allow that transition video to be much shorter.

If prior to sitting down, everyone knows the ground rules and that TD will enforce them, I think new players may stand their ground a bit more on difficulty levels. And, although it won't stop rude people from harassing the actors, it will arm the other players with the info that pointing out the bad behavior for TD to respond is a good thing. I think some people watch it happen thinking this is just how things are - and it doesn't have to be. Last - the set bit, I'm not sure reminding people not to abuse the props will change much but if that section had a visual example and was funny, it might make people think twice.

The last note gives me a thought - if the video examples were memorable, it would have more impact. Humor gets us there. Have a dooffy player (I'd be happy to volunteer as the victim) - whenever he breaks one of the rules, Grunnel comes out from the darkness after them. For example, maybe a player yanking on a chain until it comes off a wall then Grunnel hitting him with a comedically big hammer then dragging him off into the darkness. The bad egg player harassing an actor then dragged away with Grunnel later returning with a bag over his shoulder labeled "player meat." Grunnel dropping a foam anvil on the player pressuring people to play at a higher difficulty level, etc..

Fred

I hate to add another "thing" to the process, but I really like the idea. I think this helps set the tone ahead of time. I think it will also help with new players who walk in and have no idea what to do or where to start (especially if they are first into the room).

...a bad seed may have had 10+ minutes with some of the other players and may have already pressured them to move up in difficulty...

I know there are difficulties with volunteers, timing, etc. but I do wish the coach could be there for a more substantial amount of time. I think that would help smooth things out when there are conflicts.

Michael S wrote: I do wish the coach could be there for a more substantial amount of time.

A coach can spend as much as 24 minutes with each party. It is extraordinarily unlikely that this fact is going to change. However, if players want more "quality time" with their coach, arriving to the coaching room fully prepared (tokens neatly organized and pre-made character stats) is the most effective thing one can do to achieve that goal.

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Now before anyone feels compelled to chime in with, "But I already do that!", please know you're not the target of this suggestion. For the most part, TD forumites are already in-the-know when it comes to getting their 💩 together. What you can do is encourage your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to get their 💩 together. TDHQ can only do so much to get the word out.

And to the players who feel compelled to badger lesser-equipped players into playing at a higher difficulty level than that want to--even if you're "happy to lend them tokens": please stop. Seriously, knock it off. Politely making a zero-pressure* offer ONCE is fine. But if they decline, put your extra tokens away and just enjoy the run. Wheaton's Law, people! Wheaton's Law. 🤬

*If you are unfamiliar with how to make a zero-pressure offer, DM me. I'll gladly offer some suggestions. We can even voice-chat if you'd find that helpful. I am making this offer with total sincerity. I'm not being sarcastic. We gamers are a neuro-diverse lot and not everyone is familiar with navigating these waters. I will gladly assist you if you would like me to.

P.S. Happy birthday, Wil. 🎂🖖

Druegar wrote:

Michael S wrote: I do wish the coach could be there for a more substantial amount of time.

A coach can spend as much as 24 minutes with each party.

Wow, I don't think I've ever had a coach in there that long!

Druegar wrote:
P.S. Happy birthday, Wil. 🎂🖖

TIL I (and many others) share a birthday with Wil Wheaton

I’m sure most the people reading this do similar, but I have had very good experiences with coaches letting me “nerf” my stats for normal runs, and new players appreciate not having a powerhouse in the group. Easy enough to say “just write down 7’s for all my stats” and go from there.

On the flip side, as a new player, I didn’t really get into TD until a friendly bard convinced us to try HC and lent us a few UR’s. It really helped show what fun things can be done such as turning in an elemental, +1 level, casting extra spells, bard instruments that allow attacks, and getting bonus actions.

It’s a fine balance and every group is different.

Wade Schwendemann (Dr. Uid) wrote:

Druegar wrote:
P.S. Happy birthday, Wil. 🎂🖖

TIL I (and many others) share a birthday with Wil Wheaton

Happy Birthday to you!

Limitless wrote: I didn’t really get into TD until a friendly bard convinced us to try HC and lent us a few UR’s. It really helped show what fun things can be done such as turning in an elemental, +1 level, casting extra spells, bard instruments that allow attacks, and getting bonus actions.

There's nothing wrong with a token-rich person making one polite offer. Lots of folks have had a wonderful experience with borrowed tokens. We think that's delightful.

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(Not directed an any specific person) What I was/am pleading for is for people not to nag, badger, cajole, threaten, or intimidate reluctant players into doing something they don't want to do. When it comes to offering to loan your tokens, "one and done" should be your mantra. If they don't accept the first time, stop offering. You may not think you're bullying them, but they might perceive it that way. Don't take the chance. If they decline, Stand Tall For Unity and focus on your own character, not anyone else's.

Limitless wrote: I’m sure most the people reading this do similar, but I have had very good experiences with coaches letting me “nerf” my stats for normal runs, and new players appreciate not having a powerhouse in the group. Easy enough to say “just write down 7’s for all my stats” and go from there.

That's a great idea! I've "nerfed" myself by taking a "sneak" round that I didn't need to, or sliding to the back wall early in combat. I think your approach might make it more fun so I can still participate more fully!

People notice if you do nothing.

Play cleric and heal, bless, prayer, etc
Use your off atrack mode
Buff with potions/spells
Bardsong


Virtually every class has a way to nerf.

I like to take away the 10s digit on my stats for normal