The Curse of the Chaos Neutral Rogue and Other Misfits in Role-Playing Games

Ever encountered a player in your role-playing group who consistently brought chaos and frustration? Whether it's a chaotic neutral rogue or a bully like Dave, these players can truly test the limits of what it means to be a great community member. In this article, we explore some of the worst players we've come across and the ways they impacted our gaming experiences.

The Chaotic Neutral Rogue's Troubles

One of my dearest friends during high school, who I will call Alexander, was a joy to hang out with in many ways. However, he always brought a chip on his shoulder to role-playing games, insisting on playing a chaotic neutral rogue. Alexander's inclinations to steal, ignore traps, and make deals with villains made him a significant pain to game with. This issue ultimately led to my other friends and I gaming without him, as the constant disruption was too much to handle.

From Dual-Classed Demons to Bullying Transgressors

Years later, during the summer of 9th grade when school holidays began early due to a teacher's strike, we had the opportunity to play with a much more dynamic DM. This individual created content on the fly and, while being an excellent role player, had a tendency to claim his riddles from The Hobbit as his own design, which they clearly were not.

Among the DM's many guests was a friend of his named Dave, who had a mediocre understanding of Dungeons Dragons. His character was a dual-classed human mage/assassin, with super-human ability scores and a single horn due to a curse (he had another, but it couldn't be pulled off). Dave's entire game strategy was to use his "super powers" to bully the rest of the party, and when that didn't work, he would threaten us with violence. Our DM had to be lenient with rules just to keep the game going, like healing the party members fully every night.

Eventually, we had enough and another character stole Dave's spell book. He lined up to fight us, but we were ready, using a series of magic items to defeat him. This "Monty Haul" adventure was likely something our DM had planned specifically for that scenario.

Troubled DMs and Chaotic Characters

Another example of a problematic player is a DM who broke multiple cardinal rules of gaming. He favored random rolls for miscellaneous bad events and would use these situations to put pressure on the party. He never predetermined the actions of NPCs but instead altered their behavior based on the party's decisions. Every encounter with NPCs was exceptional, but this DM also did not object to evil characters and encouraged betrayal, robbing, and killing party members. His goal was to foster chaos by rewarding players for working against each other rather than against the intended enemies.

Curiously, this same DM was much better in the Marvel Super Heroes RPG, where he developed a storyline where the most prominent "good guy" hero was mind-controlled to star in a porn movie, ruining his public image. This forced the "Superman" type leader to go into the shadows, while the rest of the party members stepped up and became more clever.

Lessons from the Past

These experiences with my fellow gaming friends have taught me a lot about the importance of alignment, role-playing ethics, and respect among players. Whether it's the chaotic rogue or the dual-classed bully, the impact on the gaming experience can be significant. It's important to create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy the game as intended.

Conclusion

The worst players in role-playing games often disrupt the balance and enjoyment for others. Whether it's a chaotic rogue, a bully, or a DM who encourages betrayal, these individuals can bring a lot of tension and frustration to the gaming group. It's crucial to foster a community where players can enjoy the game together without one person dominating or disrupting the experience.