The “keep the prep time short” rule is interesting. Since my in person dm is mostly interested in building sets - that’s a huge reason he enjoys running games - we so try to keep on course when we know he’s like deliberately made an enormous swamp or something.
Clear boundaries. I have only two hard rules that would make me act immediately: no player-versus-player behaviour and no sexual violence. I repeat these two rules to each new player. I state them in a direct, no chance to misunderstand, manner.
I had something similar. It went like: No r?pe, no necrophilia, no needless child murdering, or other overly edgy shit. There is no debating this. I will immediately call you out and start a fight over that.
Never forbid Player vs Player, tho. As long as both sides were ok with that they could bash each others heads in. They constantly beat each other or kindled their clothes on. But miraculously never killed each other.
Never forbid Player vs Player, tho.
I would consider banning this as a GM, because it makes me uncomfortable. I’ve had bad experiences in the past, and I want to enjoy the game too.
I see the Player vs Player more as a mindset than an actual fight between players.
Tension and fighting between players are fun and can lead to interesting character development, if there’s a narrative reason for them to exist, and for as long as the players are okay with it.
What I forbid is, the mindset. The players are a team and they need to stay together, act together, and rely on each other. No splitting the party if it’s not necessary, no fights over loot, no backstabbing, or anything of that sort. Everyone is entitled to have fun.
Player vs player? No deal.
Character vs character? Fair game, assuming everyone is in on it. The moment it turns into something personal, it gets stomped.Couldnt agree more.
It is a roleplaying game after all. Conflict resolution can even be fun if the players are into it.
For longer campaings with a set group of friends we dont even start the campaing with “all PCs are friends”. I just make them meet and tie their interests together so they kinda have to work together. Friendships develop over time.
But I would never, under any circumstance, allow for bullying or teasing even among characters.
Yeah. That’s kind of a no brainer for me. As soon as someone hasn’t having fun with that, it stops immediately.
I’d say “character vs character” is fine as long as as the “players” are both fine.
