One of the players in my group wanted to change his character because it didn't turn out the way he wanted. The rest of the group don't know this, and i thought about surprising them with the help of the player.

I was thinking to set up his old character up against the rest of the group and then have the new character come into the fight and rescue them. I don't want to split the group or anything. Only to have a bit of fun along the way.

So all you experienced players: is this a good or a bad idea? Is there anything a should be aware of before doing this?

IMHO, bad.

I try never to have PC vs PC or exPC.

I lean towards having the player die a glorious death, something heroic so he feels good about bringing in a new PC.

I don't think it's a problem, so long as the player doesn't play his old PC. You might have the old PC allied for a while, but acting demonstrably twitchy...IOW, give the other players a chance to understand the shift before you spring it on them.

Yeah, convert the current PC stats to a Nemesis NPC's stats and the GM runs it while the players runs the new character. It's just better for everyone that way.

Having new PC arrive to rescue the PCs is not something I like. I also don't like having the new PC being someone that is introduced by being rescued either.

As for having the old PC become a villain, I'm OK with it, but it's not the only answer. This game has Obligation, so rather than shooting the characters in the back literally, maybe the old PC stops hanging with the group and then causes problems through some type of Obligation.

Have fun, that's my advice.

The real question I would have is: whats the temperament of the group? Are they mature players who could separate in game the bad feelings and betrayal from the Real Life "I'm gunning for you" feelings? If they can leave the baggage at the table or can appreciate the good story that would develop as a result, go for it. If this is going to be disruptive, then don't.

Honestly, depending on how the Face/Heel turn goes down, I might just have Old Player leave the group and start causing trouble from behind the scenes for them. One character, no matter how good, will always be outmatched by several players when face-to-face.

Thanks for the advice! Appreciate it, being my first post and all!

My group should be able to handle it without any hard feelings. I also talked it over with the player that want to change character and he was also fine with it. I'll guess I will go for it, but set a limit for how much dmg he can do before he is wiped out. And for the rescuing, i'm not sure. Maybe his new character comes into the story some other way.

I really don't think it's a good idea. What if they don't need rescuing, and get an amazing critical hit in the first round? What if the old character beats the party and the rescuer to boot? What if the old character scores a major critical hit and actually kills somebody? If you're going to limit the damage he does, aren't you also limiting his potential as a bad guy?

It sounds as though you really want to do this, and some things are hot stoves you have to burn your own self on before you don't touch them again. Maybe this is one of your hot stoves in life?

I think it depends on how the PC left the group. I have a player that just wanted a change of pace because he felt that he could never participate in combat (Smuggler: Thief). The old PC has become an NPC under my control and will act as a plot motivator and future point of contact/confrontation depending on their actions.

What if the player doesn't like his new character and wants to go back to his old?

The GM should be reluctant to make an NPC of a PC, in theory at least a group of PC's are good friends. Would they really turn on each other?

I think there is a trust aspect to the GM/Player relationship, this just creates mistrust. The players from this day on will second guess your intentions.

What if the player doesn't like his new character and wants to go back to his old?

My player said that he didn't like his old character and by the 3rd session forgot all about his background and purpose.

What if the player doesn't like his new character and wants to go back to his old?

My player said that he didn't like his old character and by the 3rd session forgot all about his background and purpose.

Prior to the third session he liked the character (or you expect he did as he created it and played it for two sessions), so he does have a track record of changing his mind.

I don't think it's a problem, so long as the player doesn't play his old PC. You might have the old PC allied for a while, but acting demonstrably twitchy...IOW, give the other players a chance to understand the shift before you spring it on them.

Scene 1: PC touches evil Sith Holocron, his eyes start glowing red, and he becomes an NPC. Exit, stage right.

Scene 2: Whatever.

Scene 3: New PC enters, stage left.

IMO, so long as there is a very clear break, and both GM and player(s) make it clear to everyone that this is what they had worked out as a solution to the problem, then you’re probably okay.

In our case, the other PCs in the group didn’t find out that this had been worked out between GM and the PCs in question, and some of us got … seriously upset … as a result of the way that fight turned out. If we had been given some advance warning, then I think there would have been a lot less hurt feelings. As it was, I think it nearly broke up the group. Fortunately, we survived.