So I know there've been several threads about difficulties with players lately, and there's been a fair amount of advice floating around, most of it good. I just thought I'd share my own personal source of endless grief.

First of all, I have to say a couple of things about the guy: He is partially deaf, so he doesn't hear to well, especially when many people are talking at once, as often seems to occur during my sessions. He also lives in the same apartment as most of my other players, and myself.

Now, when we first started the campaign, I had my worries. I've GMed with this group before, and had some difficulties with our friend. However, in the pre-session work, he came up with such a great character background story that I felt my worries were unfounded. And indeed, that seemed to be the case, until a few sessions in. The character remains one of my favorites, in theory, but the player insists on being antagonistical towards the rest of the players (not even their characters, but the players themselves!) He seems to have difficulty separating the actions and motives and attitudes of players from characters, which is kind of crucial, as we have a pretty cut-throat crew.

Then it came to my attention that he was cheating on his dice rolls. Now, I have not necessarily seen this first hand, and I've been busy handling a crew of half a dozen, so I don't pay too much attention to individual player's rolls, but some of my other players pointed out after a while that he never seemed to fail a roll, ever. This seems to be the case, I have found. I'm still working out how best to approach the problem. I don't want to boot him from the game, as he lives with us, and it would be extremely awkward to have him moping around every session.

Sugestions are welcome, but not really necessary. I'm rather disappointed that he seems to be set on ruining a very fine character for the rest of the group.

Point him to this forum and possibly this thread...

Well you seam to have a problem with is RP stile or that he is generally trying to pick on the other members RL member of your group?

It looks like the guys is having issues with the group IRL not in the game I may have not understood all the subtilty of your post but that is what I gather. If that is the case maybe you should bring this out with him (if he is a good friend), else antagonised players should be encouraged to react.

A good TPK can root out a few issue and mean the new characters are subordinate to the surviving ones streamlining everything for a while at least. It's encourage that a TEAM should be formed between you and your players to make a interesting game.

Make a little speach on how each failure as individuals bring out success as a group and forms a bound between you all, that cheating this is basically cheating you all out of a good fun and a bounding experience both IRL and in the RPG.

You must hate the guy cause you live with him, he seams to havea good RP concept if you love is character so with an open convo you can probably bring out something out of him.

Also ask him always for degree of success for any roll, never tell him before the required number of success. Also creatures will dodge is shot more often too. Have a central dice rolling rule, a serving tray with edges you players must roll in. (you don't have to watch, all the other players will at that point) and be sure you have support for this from a few members.

Honestly, I'd just tell him what you told us in the OP. He's got a great character, but he's taking things too personally. Tell him that his rolls have been a bit dodgy so you'd like him (and everyone else!) to start rolling where everyone can see. If you emphasise to him how much you like his character as much as you made it clear to us, hopefully he won't take too much offense!

I'll be honest, this one is a tricky situation. I've played with people of a similar bent before (ie: people who are antagonistic to the rest of the group) and usually it ends up with that player leaving the game, one way or another. Normally my advice for this situation would be to lay down an ultimatum and if he can't abide it, try to part ways on as friendly terms as possible. Unfortunately, the whole "he lives with you" thing makes that a lot more difficult to do.

Probably the best way to approach it is as others have suggested - be honest about everything. Heck, print out this (your) post and read it to him if you have to, I think you've explained yourself very well here. I would go one step further, however, and suggest you have this conversation in private. You and him only. If everyone else who lives with you two are there at the same time, they will no doubt chime in, and then he'll end up feeling like he's being ganged up on (and based on how he acts in game you should have a fair idea of how he'll handle that.) Of course, the whole half deaf thing would only compound such a scenario if everyone starts talking at once about his play style.

Lay it all on the line, then ask him if he can identify some of the things the other players are doing that make him so antagonistic. I'm guessing he'll have at least a few complaints. Listen to them, try to understand them from his point of view, and if need be promise to have a talk with some of the other players about what they might to do stop pissing him off so much.

The cheating thing might be a result of him feeling left out or beat up by the others, and if you can resolve those issues maybe he'll stop. Maybe he won't, but let's take this one step at a time.

"Then it came to my attention that he was cheating on his dice rolls. Now, I have not necessarily seen this first hand, and I've been busy handling a crew of half a dozen, so I don't pay too much attention to individual player's rolls, but some of my other players pointed out after a while that he never seemed to fail a roll, ever. This seems to be the case, I have found. I'm still working out how best to approach the problem. I don't want to boot him from the game, as he lives with us, and it would be extremely awkward to have him moping around every session.

"Sugestions are welcome, but not really necessary. I'm rather disappointed that he seems to be set on ruining a very fine character for the rest of the group."

Hiyas:

My 2 thrones.

I always tell this at each session's beginning: "Anyone who points a blatant cheat gets an extra Fate Point (usable only on this session) & or more xps". This quieted down the cheating.

L

LETE said:

Has cheating really been that big a problem in your group? Personally I wouldn't be inclined to continue playing with people who cheat so much I have to offer a bounty to make them stop.

LETE said:

I likes it!

Steve-O said:

It has never happened again!

L

The solution to this is quite simple. Sit down with the guy and have an honest and open discussion in an adult fashion. Explain your position and concerns and ask him about his. Tell him what he's doing is not fun for you or the others. Ask him what he's doing and why.

Do not try to solve this problem through game play. You will fail. Trying to resolve real-life issues with people in-game never works out favorably or well. Your relationship with him and maybe the other members of your your group will be affected (if not damaged).

Talk it out like adults. This is the only way to solve the issue, or at least to clear the air between you.