Online GMs, how do you like to vet potential candidates for your games?
you talk to them, you autist
if you like them and they seem reasonable, you let them in
then you assemble the group
then, some players flake, either because they don't like your DMing style (and you could be genuinely bad, you have to accept this notion) or because times don't work our or due to unrelated reason
then you take on another players, preferrably recommended by your existing 'cool' players
it works. nowadays, my campaigns are sort of closed club, not because we're elitist, but because it's easier to source a new player from a pool of people somebody knows
Better question:
Tabletop GMs, how do you like to vet potential candidates for your games?And how do you get away with it without looking like a jerk?
>>44449799
How about you tell OP what questions to ask exactly you shithead?
>>44449799
>How do you like to vet potential candidates for your games?
>YOU JUST TALK TO THEM OBVIOUSLY YOU MUST BE AUTISTIC
Looks like the Summerfags are confused by this warm weather (^:
>>44449836
>I know this might seem a little extreme, but I already lost two players to prostate issues and want to make sure you'll be okay going the distance.
>>44449745
Bump for interest.
>>44449745
>Set up a garbage email account
>Tell people that if they want to join that they just email you at that address for information
>Talk to them, answer all of their questions, so on
>Most importantly: Ask them to make a character sheet before accepting them
The last step is the absolute most important.
Seeing what they make will tell you if they are a shit player or not.
>>44449932
you can't be that socially inept. Do you think this is a math test?
You find the questions important for you yourself. It's not that hard, really. Here, I'll get you started
>Hey, X, thanks for writing. Are you familiar with the TTRPGs in general/the system?
>What kind of character do you have in mind?
>Are you available on [game day]?
>Do you have any questions to me?
It's not that hard. Set of very basic questions can tell you lots about what kind of person you're dealing with.
>>44450876
>calls other people autists
>behaves like a fucking autist
>>44449745
I ask them about a thorough character concept, what powers they're looking for, then I talk with them on skype about what they want out of a game and what their strengths as a player are. Then I bring them into the group and instigate conversation to reveal whether they're a sperg or something.
>>44451222
How is he behaving like an autist? Do you even know what it means?
>>44449836
>>44449745
Ask some simple "interview" questions with some more specific ones pertaining to your game then get the group together for a simple game you can play in a couple of hours like Everyone is John so you can gauge how the new guy works with the group and get an idea of how he handles roleplaying.
>>44451297
>immediately responds to a cordial inquiry with an insult instead of answering the question
>when challenged for being a shitlord the anon doubles down on being hostile, calling an anon socially inept for wanting an actual contribution
>>44449745
Have I known them for at least 5 years?
If not, they can fuck off. I don't take chances with randoms anymore.
Fuck you all, none of you have lives go outside for once in your forsaken lives
>>44453979
>>44453979
you can fuck off too
>>44449799
How can you say that when you are literally Chris-chan right now.
>>44453979
What is "Swole Beta Cucks"?
Like a mecha game or something?
I prefer fantasy games.
>>44453979
>>44454029
This guy is going to get banned before I even finish typing this.
nha i love that pic send more plz
>>44454097
Mods only go by amount of reports received.
They care nothing for rule violations.
it's not enough to simply talk to them. a lot of internet autists pass the "holding a conversation" test. I do all of the following:
-Interview: I ask questions about what the player thinks their role is, the GM's role, and how they plan to fit in the party. I also ask them how they'd respond to hypothetical situations. this interview is conducted in the form of an application form. if they can't be bothered to fill it out, they can't be bothered to play.
-Char sheet with character background: now you've gotten inside their head. is this guy making special snow flakes? is he going to be That Guy?
-meet and greet: the other players also have a go chatting with the new guy, and a consensus is reached.
sure, players are harder to find, but it's worth the effort. my group is going on 3 years now, still strong.
>>44452464
>>44451222
>"autists" think you *don't* need explicit, line-by-line instructions on how to introduce yourself to someone and start getting to know them
>>44454491
No, that would be the opposite.
>>44454491
it's okay anon, knowing how to talk to people is autism now.
welcome to /tg/
>>44455341
nah responding to an honest inquiry with hostile bullshit is autism kek
>>44449745
Watch for keywords.
>waifu
>monster girls
>interspecies breeding
Watch for phrases.
>my character is gay
>can I use a katana
>i once intimated a wall
If any of the above is said, the player is a freak and you don't want them in your group.
>>44455627
I understand the others, but what's so bad about a gay character?
>>44455798
Nothing. But if they lead off with it or make it a point to mention it unsolicited, you're in for a shitty gimmick character, same as the "hurr durr nat20 i intimidate gravity" guy.
Obviously if the group is actually talking about character orientations because they're relevant or interested, that's another thing altogether.
>>44455798
The type of players that want that are usually trying to push buttons.
If they weren't, orientation may not even come up in game.
Unless sex is a major factor in the setting. In which case, its a fetish quest for ttrpg.
Imvho
>>44455849
Exactly anon.
>this guy gets it.
>>44455849
I dunno. I've led off with stuff like "my character left his wife to go adventuring" before.
Plenty of people do the whole "my bard is a womanizer" thing.
"My character is gay" says nothing about their personality, but I don't think it's inherently a gimmick.
>>44455798
To make it fair, I wouldn't want a guy who introduced himself by declaring that he wants to fuck bitches. Or started out by saying " my character is totally not gay".
Do your sexshit in someone else's game.
>>44455957
>bard womanizer
>implying bards are mainly male
Fuck right off Mr or ms bard...we're here to be heroes or villains. Not to play TT "sim dating".
>>44449745
How does one vet for potential online games to take part in? All the people who used to play have moved, and I wish to continue playing, but have no idea about how to do it online.
What should I avoid, an what should I look for?
I'm up for anything as long as it's halfway decent.
>>44449836
I just invite people that I've known for a while, think will be good at it, and if we have a spot open for it. This doesn't happen often. I don't really do anything special to "vet" them for the game, but I'm essentially doing it throughout our relationship.
>>44449745
Ask their opinion on some of arguments in the fandom. I.e. exalted ask his opinion on Sidereals, Perfect of Paragon, Lunars, Dragonblooded, Solar overpoweredness... D&D ask what he thinks about caster supremacy and class tiers...
Then give him a shit with MY answers to the same questions and ask him if he thinks we are going to fit together.
Then tell him the group has a list of shows that somebody absolutely hates and thus referencing them is banned and if he has anything he'd like to add. Show the list. Vehement disagreement a-la "but its totally awesome why do you ban it" means falling out.
That takes care of hot button topics that would potentially linger for a long time before blowing up, so with that we can move on to talk about specific game and so on.
>>44449745
If you got time, DM a short half hour-1 hour scenario with them. Doesn't need to end in success, but ask beforehand what sort of character they like playing and try rolling with it.
You'll filer most shitters this way, though not many hve experience in 1 person RPs, so be sure to know such beforehand.
>>44457392
>baits wrong thread
Kek
>>44455627
>i once intimated a wall
What does this mean?
>>44457595
It means I posted from my phone.
Should be " intimidated ".
>>44457628
Oh, ok. I was getting some strange mental images.
>>44450125
>warm weather
We just had the first serious snow of the winter yesterday.
After public services all relaxed and thought they'll be free for the rest of december. HA.
>>44457595
Anyone got the pic?
Either way, a DM held a game and there was a That Guy.
He attempted to intimidate everyone.
Then it got bad.
>I intimidate the door to open.
>Seriously?
>Yes.
>Ugh, roll for it, nat 20 only.
>nat 20
>The door shys back in terror before springing up into its cubby.
This continues
He intimidates everyone, everything, etc.
They kill Big Bad and take the princess back to the Duke's castle, cause that was their quest, retrieve a duke's daughter.
>Duke offers each a reward
>Guy claims his daughter in marriage
>His character is a literal psycho in-world.
>Duke is horrified and tells the other adventurers that he will reward them for killing this ne'er do well.
>1 v 4 breaks out
>They keep trying to hit him, but he intimidates them
>They start ranging him and he intimidates their projectiles/spells
>I roll to intimidate the space time continuum
>You have got to be shitting me.
>Roll for it, nat 20, fucker.
>Nat 20 and the universe is bent into an alternate reality where Guy and his comrades adventure for the rest of time.
>>44454491
Autism is thinking that the basic and obvious
>what time are you available at
is what the OP is asking about.
It is proudly strutting that he has figured out this basic bit of interaction and having nothing else to show.
Saying
>You find the questions important for you yourself.
and then not realising that those important questions of yours is what is being asked here may be either autism or general internet fucktardedness though.
>>44457689
>this horde of goblins attempts to intimidate your heart into exploding
>roll dice until one lands on a nat20
>>44458009
>roll dice until one lands on a nat20
That's basically a WAAAAAAAAAAAAGH
A sufficient concentration of monsters can achieve anything by breaking reality.
>>44457689
Yea, that shit.
DM's that allow such crap, should be dragged into the street and beaten to death.
Players that would even consider trying it, should be burned alive.
>>44453650
Who hurt you anon?
I've played with so many randoms that I've basically got four guidelines down:
1.Do they bring up their politic opinions right off the bat? You're in for a bad time if they do. Knowing when not to discuss things with people who don't want to discuss them is pretty much a basic social skill that a lot of people lack.
2.Do they use site specific words and/or racial slurs on a regular basis? You're in for a bad time if they do. This is just a sign the person you're talking to either spends way too much time on 4chan or is just dropping right to being informal even though they're talking to random strangers.
3.Is their avatar cropped porn or some kind of graphic content? If yes, then pry; if they have a reasonable explanation like "it was a bet" you'll probably be fine. If the explanation is anything along the lines of "are you a prude?" or "why, does it make you mad?" chances are you're going to get a guy that likes to piss people off at best and an ERPer at worst.
4.Does this person have a character fully made up before you tell them the setting? Say no to the premade character even if it fits the setting out of principle. If they throw a fit then you've got another potential That Guy.
A player that doesn't bring up politics all the god damn time, talks like a normal pre-internet human being, doesn't use dumb avatars, and is willing with work with what everyone and the GM has made together for the story is the bare minimum I'll tolerate for randoms. These people are usually not hard to find as long as you stick to these guidelines yourself.
>>44459559
>3.Is their avatar cropped porn or some kind of graphic content? If yes, then pry; if they have a reasonable explanation like "it was a bet" you'll probably be fine. If the explanation is anything along the lines of "are you a prude?" or "why, does it make you mad?" chances are you're going to get a guy that likes to piss people off at best and an ERPer at worst.
What if it's "yes I know its from an absorbtion porn artist but I find the pineapple with a girl's face on it bloody hilarious"/"yes I know it's from mindcontrol porn but I just love the facial expression of mad science she's got"?
>>44459623
Normal people usually give you normal explanations for having cropped porn avatars. It's the weirdos/antagonizers who try and say something is wrong with you for asking about their avatar.
>>44459559
>>44459623
>>44459693
>Yes I like porn, I like THAT porn, but I'm not bringing it into the game. It's on my Skype avatar because it's fun to see if people recognize it.
Pass or no pass?
>>44459727
Well now you don't have the excuse the other guy had where he just has it because it's funny. You're telling a random stranger what you masturbate to regardless of whether or not you bring it into the game. That's just weird.
Legit question:
There are inbred fucktard people, probably a huge portion of /tg/'s player base, who will cry "Omg it's a game not a job interview!" because they're sad they're too shit to get into gaming groups.
Why would any DM choose NOT to heavily interview and vet players to make sure he's putting together the best possible group? What kind of supreme retard would just say "lol ok u can play" to whoever asks?
>>44459744
Some people just get desperate I guess.
>>44459743
But how do you recognize it if you don't do the same?
>>44450876
See, >>44455627 actually contributed something while you were busy shitposting and masturbating to your "oh so brilliant replies".
>>44459744
>heavily interview
>let everyone in
>There is nothing between these two extremes.
>>44459559
>4. Does this person have a character fully made up before you tell them the setting? Say no to the premade character even if it fits the setting out of principle. If they throw a fit then you've got another potential That Guy.
Holy shit, this is huge for me. ALL THE FUCKING TIME, players will come to me saying "Yeah I wanna join I'm gonna play <insert character> blah blah" before ever learning what the setting is, what content is allowed, and what the rest of the party is. I reject these people outright, specifically because when recruiting, I always make a point of saying "I do not want to hear character ideas until you've actually read the setting material", meaning they specifically ignored my request.
And if they can't be bothered to read, I can't be bothered to entertain their retardation.
>>44459764
Alright, that's a fair point. If it can't be recognized as crop porn then I guess I wouldn't know. The point of the cropped porn cut off is when it's OBVIOUSLY cropped porn, or worse some kind of gore image.
>>44459778
If a DM doesn't respect himself enough to put work into his interviews, it speaks volumes about how much he cares about his game.
>>44459744
For some you just answered yourself: a supreme retard.
For others there's just some people unable to say "no". Like in a ministory I posted in >>44458744. He was a good GM and letting the players run what they want and flesh out the setting with it was awesome, but his "allow everything" went too far and some asshats abused it.
And for the rest we have innocence and naivete.
These guys just don't know how hard randoms can fuck up the game. They think everybody is automatically friends because they're in a hobby, and that it's a collective game and the others wouldn't ruin it, riight?
>>44459785
>or worse some kind of gore image.
That's a heavy edgy fuck indicator, yeaah.
>>44449745
>Online GMs, how do you like to vet potential candidates for your games?
Ask them for a complete character sheet with 1 paragraph bio before the next game starts. You'd be surprised how this requirement alone flushes a lot of turds. Then read the bio and see if it would be a good fit for the game - make sure you outline exactly what your game is going to be like before they even get started on the character sheet (do it in a forum post they can read). If it's a bad fit, reject not just the character sheet, but the player entirely - they either didn't read/listen to what your game is going to be like or they don't care to make the effort to fit into the group. If it's a good fit, they're in.
Other things to avoid:
>player ignores DM from the start by attempting to use a class/feat from a book not in play.
>player argues that his character should be allowed even if the DM has said no
>player tries to use a premade character even after DM said "roll stats here"
>
>>44459803
I have a theory about how Roll20 DMs are created:
>Someone joins the site, they're new and stupid.
>They try and join games, sending one-line messages and applying to games with no interest or care for who or how it's being run.
>These games fail, players struggle finding groups.
>They start applying a bit more adamantly, usually shotgunning applications at games and failing interviews.
>Eventually, if they haven't left the hobby or grown up, they decide to become a DM since they can't get into a group.
>They decide that since they hated going through the interview process, they are gonna be the "cool DM" who doesn't do that, since they think it's dumb.
>The create a game and recruit random idiots like they were.
>The games fail.
>They get angry and either quit, or put more effort in.
>Eventually, they have wasted enough time that they have become the kind of DM who spends time interviewing and vetting players they insisted they didn't want to become.
>>44449745
By running GURPS games.
>>44459812
>Ask them for a complete character sheet with 1 paragraph bio before the next game starts.
Lolwhat
What the fuck does a bio mean? That should come AFTER they're in the group and AFTER they've been given the setting details and materials to reference.
Before that you need to find out:
>What they're looking for in a game
>What they expect from a group and a DM
>What they expect to bring to a group
>How comfortable they are with the ways the DM runs things, specific houserules and methods
>Familiarity with setting material and ability to read provided reference
>What specific things they consider dealbreakers for a game, to determine what they're playing to achieve
>Why past groups have failed
>And most importantly, a one-on-one call so you can determine whether they're not an autistic sperglord or someone who can't function while talking to other people.
Then, once you've chosen the people to create the group out of, THEN you sit down one on one with each player and work out a character concept that fits the setting and the campaign.
>>44459743
No shit.
Fuck that guy. I don't want an explanation. I don't want to hear why you have porn as your avatar. Just fuck off you no-class having dweeb.
>>44449745
The absolute first thing you want to do is state your expectations for the game. Absolutely tell them straight up "I want to run a fantasy, high-magic/silver age superhero/gritty, dark, serious game. What do you expect from this game?" and see if they want something similar to what you want from the game... or if they are not compatible with you and your group.
You ask them if your and their timezones are compatible: chances are that if they are americomrades and you're a europal, the game is not going to last very long.
If you use voice to play, make sure to call them and check their microphone and connection to see if there are any issues in that regard.
Ask them if they know about the system that you want to run and if they are new if they have any questions and the manual pdf/book so they can also read the rules without having to ask you all the time.
See if they have a character concept already ready. When you have a group, make sure that everybody has at least one role they're good at that doesn't overlap with the others': if the new player you're vetting is threatening to encroach into a role that's already been establish, ask them to change their character a bit. If they are willing to rethink their character or otherwise reach a compromise, they are less likely to be a that guy than someone who says "NO! I WANT TO PLAY THIS!" These are the guys you want to show the door to.
Check their grammar and spelling: if someone sends you a good applications with only few errors, it is more probable that they are actually genuinely interested in your game.
Make sure to give a good description of the setting beforehand, so that you'll be able to see who clearly didn't read all the info you worked so hard on writing: don't even consider taking those players in. If they can't be arsed to read the info you gave them, you shouldn't be arsed to have them partake in your game.
If I think of any others, I'll post them next...
I generally run my games through a forum, so generally I already have a pretty good idea what kind of people are wanting to join my game. Therefore I just pick people I think will be suitable for the game(not that there's a wealth of choice, usually - just deciding on the schedule will generally weed the group of candidates down to something reasonably sized). Helps that the said forum by nature of its content isn't infested with 13-year-olds. Rarely have I had any serious problems save for two people who, despite being on friendly terms(not to mention being acquintances if not friends IRL as well) just can't seem to game together without annoying each other.
>>44459875
>What the fuck does a bio mean? That should come AFTER they're in the group and AFTER they've been given the setting details and materials to reference.
Did you not read anything that came after that sentence?
>>44459844
I don't disagree.
I'm sure that there are some good ones. But they are as rare as roc teeth.
>>44459890
>I generally run my games through a forum
Text players please go.
You don't vet autists who hide beyond keyboards and avatars.
>>44449932
1.) If you could be an animal. Which would you be?
2.) Would you vote Trump?
3) Where do you see your character in three years?
4.) Playstation or Nintendo?
>>44459812
>>44459875
You know I was going to post the same, but then read further than 1st sentence and they DO tell to give setting materials up front.
Although frankly a lot of it should be hanging out in the open in the game description or ads for it.
What the game is about, the houserules list.
Although, that usually doesn't doffle up the current group roster with their character types, personalities and backstories, which needs to be done before
>Ask them for a complete character sheet with 1 paragraph bio before the next game starts.
in order to prevent accidentally conflicting or samey characters.
>>44459907
>>44459887
>You ask them if your and their timezones are compatible: chances are that if they are americomrades and you're a europal, the game is not going to last very long.
I've been DMing on Roll20 for almost 3 years now. If I had a dollar for every time an Australian insisted that he wanted to play and begged and pleased that he could totally make the session time even though it was 7AM in the morning on a Saturday for him, I would be fucking rich.
If I had another dollar for every time those people never made it to a session, I would buy myself a planet.
They got an anime avatar?
They don't play.
>>44459883
>>44459785
>>44459764
>>44459743
>>44459727
There's always faking it with "I don't know where its from, I just grabbed it from a random forum some time in the past."
>>44459922
Amen anon.
>>44459922
If only it were that simple. I've had anime avatars that turned out to work pretty well.
>>44459922
I have an avatar ofMY DICKand I get into plenty of games.ERP MAGICAL REALM GAMES!!!
>>44459925
>>44459925
Fuck them in their ears. Just no.
>>44459922
Whatever floats your boat anon.
>>44459937
>I don't know, I saw it on a forum some time ago and I thought it looked cool.
>>BUT IT'S PORN.
>How do you even know?!
>That character doesn't even look like she's over 18, what the fuck Anon?
Or alternatively.
>But it looks like a goddamn animal, what the fuck Anon?
>>44459922
>Two dubs
truth
>>44459922
>>44459950
>how do you know
Google. Image. Search.
>that system you want to play but attracts all kinds of shittersI want to play Ironclaw 2e without yiffing
>>44459812
>Ask them for a complete character sheet with 1 paragraph bio before the next game starts. You'd be surprised how this requirement alone flushes a lot of turds.
What about those people who would really like to play but have difficulties creating a character, because they are new, and accidentally make a shitty character to start off with?
>>44459968
>What about those people who would really like to play but have difficulties creating a character, because they are new, and accidentally make a shitty character to start off with?
I always make sure to add in "If you need any help or have any questions about the game, feel free to ask."
>>44459903
Go fuck yourself with a rake
And by "through a forum" I mean that I manage and organize the games through the forum, not that I run exclusively PbP games.
>>44459990
That is good.
>>44459959
>Google. Image. Search.
On tiny face crops, works far less often than does.
I just put several of such crops into it and the ONLY thing found was the posts from the forum.
(And in one case, posts of another guy on a different forum which is hilarious.)
Try it.
>>44460005
Ooh, it did pick up
>"yes I know its from an absorbtion porn artist but I find the pineapple with a girl's face on it bloody hilarious"
So, one hit. Out of 3 I had in recent memory.
>>44460098
>>44460005
>>44459959
>>44459950
What it basically boils down to is that if the guy you're interviewing gives off a creepy vibe of any sort, reject them.
>>44459922
How's this one nigga?
>>44460125
Instant pass.
>>44460135
That's what I thought!
>>44460135
But what if it was a crop of R34 on him?
>>44460164
What the fuck.
>>44460164
>>44460173
>>44460176
And
How would you KNOW that it was?
>>44460193
4chan.
We see lots of things we would like to forget.
