Yeah...I try to switch between the groups every 3-5 minutes or so...even if one is in the middle of combat.

Quote from: James McMurrayOne of the toughest challenges for running a game is splitting the party up. How do you handle it?

Two GMs help.

It depends on the nature of the split. I like multi-character campaigns, so the party can fracture and regroup a little and everyone can still keep a character with their respective groups. Sometimes you're playing your fighter and sometimes your playing your cleric.

Players that split with no rationale to bring them back, I no longer try to game it back together much. The last player that did that, I told him GM to player that he either needed to get back with the party or roll up new characters. When he and the other players fractured the group a second time, I called the campaign off. I'm, not going to play out a bunch of individual TPKs; let's just call it a day. When the players asked me to run another game, I said, fine, new campaign.

One of my core players has the frustrating habit of splitting off on his lonesome almost every session. He always plays thieves or sneaky mages, and in the middle of a combat or exploring a dungeon room, he'll often pass a note or say quietly to me "I go back to the small door in the last room." He never tells the other players what he's doing. He'll just wander off by himself - being very cautious and observant - and hope to find some secret treasure or info. Oh, and he has died pulling this solo stuff before, but that hasn't stopped him.

I know it bugs the other players, but this guy justifies it by saying he's playing in character for a thief or a selfish and eccentric mage. Anyway, I've resolved that if we ever get back playing again, I'm going to put the kibosh on his solo sidetreks. I hate to bring down the hammer over a part of the game one of my players enjoys, but it's just too distracting and annoying.

Oh man! I wish you didn't think you had to do that. Its to bad the other players don't like it. Maybe if the other players new he was going off.... and agreed to ignore your back and forth when it's his turn... and maybe he agrees to go on AHEAD of the party.

Put him on point, way out on point. I think I would appreciate that as another player... oh and lots and lots of truth serum, potions and/or spells. Or scrying,  you know, just in case he gets 'stuck'.

Quote from: HaffrungOne of my core players has the frustrating habit of splitting off on his lonesome almost every session. He always plays thieves or sneaky mages, and in the middle of a combat or exploring a dungeon room, he'll often pass a note or say quietly to me "I go back to the small door in the last room." He never tells the other players what he's doing. He'll just wander off by himself - being very cautious and observant - and hope to find some secret treasure or info. Oh, and he has died pulling this solo stuff before, but that hasn't stopped him.

I know it bugs the other players, but this guy justifies it by saying he's playing in character for a thief or a selfish and eccentric mage. Anyway, I've resolved that if we ever get back playing again, I'm going to put the kibosh on his solo sidetreks. I hate to bring down the hammer over a part of the game one of my players enjoys, but it's just too distracting and annoying.

I used to have exactly the same problem. My guy's attitude seemed was that if he didn't continually get special secret attention from the GM then he was being denied a fundamental entitlement of play. It was incredibly frustrating, especially since he wouldn't even reveal to me what his plans were, just wander around the gameworld poking at things and talking cryptically about his "plans."

Eventually I realised he was just suffering from social retardation and cut him loose. I like (and actively encourage) every PC in my group to pursue individual goals, but when every excursion into town turns into a farcical episode of scaled drainpipes and peeping through townsfolks shutters then it's time to call it a day.

Some people don't game for the group experience, pure and simple. Better to let them indulge their urges elsewhere, IMO.

Quote from: DrewMy guy's attitude seemed was that if he didn't continually get special secret attention from the GM then he was being denied a fundamental entitlement of play. It was incredibly frustrating, especially since he wouldn't even reveal to me what his plans were, just wander around the gameworld poking at things and talking cryptically about his "plans."

Eventually I realised he was just suffering from social retardation and cut him loose.

Sounds exactly like my player, but he doesn't suffer from social retardation. In fact, he's my best buddy and a good guy. The thing is, he's not a team player when it comes to games. He either DMs, or plays a PC with his own private agenda. He's also the smartest, most imaginative player in my group. So it's a tough issue.

Quote from: HaffrungSounds exactly like my player, but he doesn't suffer from social retardation. In fact, he's my best buddy and a good guy. The thing is, he's not a team player when it comes to games. He either DMs, or plays a PC with his own private agenda. He's also the smartest, most imaginative player in my group. So it's a tough issue.

That's certainly a tougher call than the one I had to make. My player was nothing more than an accquaintance outside of gaming, and had a number of other issues that made him difficult to deal with on a personal level.

Have you suggested doing some one-on-one stuff with your friend? You both may find it a more satisfying experience.

Quote from: DrewThat's certainly a tougher call than the one I had to make. My player was nothing more than an accquaintance outside of gaming, and had a number of other issues that made him difficult to deal with on a personal level.

Have you suggested doing some one-on-one stuff with your friend? You both may find it a more satisfying experience.

I may give that a try. Maybe with Ars Magica. Or Pendragon. Something where he can set his own agenda.

Quote from: James McMurrayOne of the toughest challenges for running a game is splitting the party up. How do you handle it?

No problem here. I split them physically into two rooms. I run about one hour intervals between each group until they merge again, which usually doesn't take long. Why? Because while one group is playing the other group has to sit there in another room and wait. Therefore I have found that party separation time averages about 4 hours total. I can deal with that every once in a while. I don't even mind. Plays per normal for me, and I think its fun since neither group knows what happened to the other. Which from my point of view can easiliy turn out to be entertaining.

- Mark

VB,

 That sounds like a good idea - but I don't have a spare room to do that with most of the time.
Plus, I'd need TWO tape recorders. (I audiotape my game sessions)   My group is pretty good about not acting on out-of-character knowledge.


- Ed C.

Quote from: HaffrungI know it bugs the other players, but this guy justifies it by saying he's playing in character for a thief or a selfish and eccentric mage. Anyway, I've resolved that if we ever get back playing again, I'm going to put the kibosh on his solo sidetreks. I hate to bring down the hammer over a part of the game one of my players enjoys, but it's just too distracting and annoying.

I hate it when players justify actions annoying to other players (or the GM) by saying "it's what my character would do." That just begs the question; why did they choose to play that sort of character.

Quote from: HaffrungOne of my core players has the frustrating habit of splitting off on his lonesome almost every session. He always plays thieves or sneaky mages, and in the middle of a combat or exploring a dungeon room, he'll often pass a note or say quietly to me "I go back to the small door in the last room." He never tells the other players what he's doing. He'll just wander off by himself - being very cautious and observant - and hope to find some secret treasure or info. Oh, and he has died pulling this solo stuff before, but that hasn't stopped him.

I know it bugs the other players, but this guy justifies it by saying he's playing in character for a thief or a selfish and eccentric mage. Anyway, I've resolved that if we ever get back playing again, I'm going to put the kibosh on his solo sidetreks. I hate to bring down the hammer over a part of the game one of my players enjoys, but it's just too distracting and annoying.

That's tricky, especially if you like the guy and he's a good (if not your best) role player.   One thing I would consider doing in this case is mentioning via an NPC the next time (if an NPC is available) that "someone ought to be keeping an eye on that thief - he's liable to get us into trouble, or get himself killed."   and with that hint maybe one of the other players will mention, "I keep an eye on the the thief".   At that point you're kind of ok in a lot of cases where he starts to sneak off and the PC can then say, "Hey where's the thief going now?" ... then the party has more control over that and you can kind of step back and let the party deal with it... ?  Maybe?

Quote from: VBWyrdeNo problem here. I split them physically into two rooms. I run about one hour intervals between each group until they merge again, which usually doesn't take long. Why? Because while one group is playing the other group has to sit there in another room and wait. Therefore I have found that party separation time averages about 4 hours total. I can deal with that every once in a while. I don't even mind. Plays per normal for me, and I think its fun since neither group knows what happened to the other. Which from my point of view can easiliy turn out to be entertaining.

- Mark

That wouldn't work for me. The only other available room has a big screen TV, cable, and an X-Box 360. After an hour they'd be all but gone.

Also, I don't like splitting the PCs up, but my group is good about not acting on OOC information, so it's not necessary. The only time in recent memory that the group has moved into seperate rooms is when two of the PCs were plotting to capture a third because they thought he was being controlled by a demon. They made that decision, not me.

It occurs to me that I actually do this all the time running spycraft. They always send their infiltration experts in ahead of the rest of the party.

But then, they always stay in contact with tactical radio headsets.