Background Information

I have been DM'ing for several years. My players and I have always loved 3.5e. We love the number crunching. We love the optimization. We love the options. But it seems every time I propose an idea for a campaign, I have ideas in my head... you know?

Examples

1. Everyone plays an orc - captured in an internment camp - ready to escape.
2. Everyone plays a rogue - betrayed by the guild on a recent heist.
3. Everyone plays barbarians - arriving on a boat - in a foreign shore.

Common Results

The orc idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Well I could be a human that was a guard and is now sympathetic to their cause."
• "I am sure there are other races in the same internment camp."
• "I thought the idea of being an orc was cool, but now I want to be a goliath."

The rogue idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Could I try sneak attack fighter instead?"
• "Could I be a bard? I will play it like a rogue."
• "I would rather be a cleric of a rogue deity."

The barbarian idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "I would rather be a cleric of a barbaric deity."
• "Why can't we play other classes but just act like a barbarian?"
• "I could be a Wizard that is like a witch doctor or something."

Personal Notes

I get these ideas where no one has a real advantage over each other - except for their own creativity. I would like them, sometimes, to let their role-playing and problem solving set their characters apart.

I just want to pull my hair out sometimes. I think to myself, "Why do I even bother with this?"

Main Question

What are some tested and true ways that can get players to play "My Kind" of D&D?

Background Information

I have been DM'ing for several years. My players and I have always loved 3.5e. We love the number crunching. We love the optimization. We love the options. But it seems every time I propose an idea for a campaign, I have ideas in my head... you know?

Examples

1. Everyone plays an orc - captured in an internment camp - ready to escape.
2. Everyone plays a rogue - betrayed by the guild on a recent heist.
3. Everyone plays barbarians - arriving on a boat - in a foreign shore.

Common Results

The orc idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Well I could be a human that was a guard and is now sympathetic to their cause."
• "I am sure there are other races in the same internment camp."
• "I thought the idea of being an orc was cool, but now I want to be a goliath."

The rogue idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Could I try sneak attack fighter instead?"
• "Could I be a bard? I will play it like a rogue."
• "I would rather be a cleric of a rogue deity."

The barbarian idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "I would rather be a cleric of a barbaric deity."
• "Why can't we play other classes but just act like a barbarian?"
• "I could be a Wizard that is like a witch doctor or something."

Personal Notes

I get these ideas where no one has a real advantage over each other - except for their own creativity. I would like them, sometimes, to let their role-playing and problem solving set their characters apart.

I just want to pull my hair out sometimes. I think to myself, "Why do I even bother with this?"

Main Question

What are some tested and true ways that can get players to play "My Kind" of D&D, and to commit to a campaign with a premise that restricts their character choices in some way?

Background Information

I have been DM'ing for several years. My players and I have always loved 3.5e. We love the number crunching. We love the optimization. We love the options. But it seems every time I propose an idea for a campaign, I have ideas in my head... you know?

Examples

1. Everyone plays an orc - captured in an internment camp - ready to escape.
2. Everyone plays a rogue - betrayed by the guild on a recent heist.
3. Everyone plays barbarians - arriving on a boat - in a foreign shore.

Common Results

The orc idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Well I could be a human that was a guard and is now sympathetic to their cause."
• "I am sure there are other races in the same internment camp."
• "I thought the idea of being an orc was cool, but now I want to be a goliath."

The rogue idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Could I try sneak attack fighter instead?"
• "Could I be a bard? I will play it like a rogue."
• "I would rather be a cleric of a rogue deity."

The barbarian idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "I would rather be a cleric of a barbaric deity."
• "Why can't we play other classes but just act like a barbarian?"
• "I could be a Wizard that is like a witch doctor or something."

Personal Notes

I get these ideas where no one has a real advantage over each other - except for their own creativity. I would like them, sometimes, to let their role-playing and problem solving set their characters apart.

I just want to pull my hair out sometimes. I think to myself, "Why do I even bother with this?"

Main Question

What are some tested and true ways that can get players to play "My Kind" of D&D?

An Aside

Also, I get so tired of DM'ing clerics. Is it ever okay to just flat out ban a Tier 1 class?

Background Information

I have been DM'ing for several years. My players and I have always loved 3.5e. We love the number crunching. We love the optimization. We love the options. But it seems every time I propose an idea for a campaign, I have ideas in my head... you know?

Examples

1. Everyone plays an orc - captured in an internment camp - ready to escape.
2. Everyone plays a rogue - betrayed by the guild on a recent heist.
3. Everyone plays barbarians - arriving on a boat - in a foreign shore.

Common Results

The orc idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Well I could be a human that was a guard and is now sympathetic to their cause."
• "I am sure there are other races in the same internment camp."
• "I thought the idea of being an orc was cool, but now I want to be a goliath."

The rogue idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "Could I try sneak attack fighter instead?"
• "Could I be a bard? I will play it like a rogue."
• "I would rather be a cleric of a rogue deity."

The barbarian idea - gone. Someone ALWAYS says:

• "I would rather be a cleric of a barbaric deity."
• "Why can't we play other classes but just act like a barbarian?"
• "I could be a Wizard that is like a witch doctor or something."

Personal Notes

I get these ideas where no one has a real advantage over each other - except for their own creativity. I would like them, sometimes, to let their role-playing and problem solving set their characters apart.

I just want to pull my hair out sometimes. I think to myself, "Why do I even bother with this?"

Main Question

What are some tested and true ways that can get players to play "My Kind" of D&D?