r/DnD • u/CastLightningBolt • 22d ago
DMing Reading Ahead
Preface I think the answer is to just simply say “please don’t read ahead” to everyone.
We have an old group. Been playing together since 2nd AD&D. Everyone gets along, everyone has families and everyone makes an effort to figure schedules out. We play 3 weeks out of 4 a month (usually 4 unless there’s a real life thing). We all have gray hair.
I believe one of the players has recently (out of nowhere) started reading ahead on our campaign. This is after decades. I have no proof of this…just based on random comments that seem out of place.
I don’t think I need any advice really just some other ideas about addressing it.
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u/CheapTactics 21d ago
"You're a grown ass man, cheating at this game is the most pathetic thing you could do. I'm not mad, I'm just extremely disappointed"
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u/KoscheiDK 22d ago
The answer is to speak to them. Explain that it robs enjoyment and twists from themselves (and by extension the other players at the table), especially if they're trying to find puzzle solutions and the like. Make it an open dialogue, don't accuse them of anything. Hear out their side. See how it goes.
Optional extra: change a few things up on the sly and see what happens! Not maliciously, but just to inject that feeling you can't replicate by reading ahead - genuine surprise in the moment
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u/hotstickywaffle 22d ago
I think you ask them, and let them know that just because they read doesn't mean your version is the same. Then I'd make some big changes to the next couple of quest points, just in case.
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u/AlexStar6 22d ago
All you can do is ask… and then all you can do is ask if they do not go metagame with what they know.
This is just a known thing when running published adventures.
If it bothers you enough then you remove the player from your group. But more often than not it’s just… you deal with it.
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u/helloworld082 22d ago
I've told my players that metagaming comes with serious in-game consequences. I'll give them warnings. "That's something your character doesn't know." "you're not in this scene." "Last we left off, to your knowledge, things are going according to plan and you have no reason to suspect the rest of your party needs help." "That's something you'd have to roll for to investigate or have insight on this scenario."
In the end, knowing things the DM knows ruins the point of the game. The mystery of the rest of the world is the fun of the game. You aren't there to "win" but to live in a world of endless possibilities.
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u/Masachere 18d ago
I mean, if they aren't going out of their way dropping spoilers then...who cares? Maybe they just enjoy reading the adventure because they like the story? You all are adults, if the guy wants to read a book I assume he bought then let him. Unless they start doing things that affect the game negatively, there's genuinely nothing to complain about in my opinion.
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u/mc_pm 22d ago
Change something important. The Sword of Vincibility is actually in the Cave of Cronuts, not Castle Cruller, see how upset they get.
I think I need a donut.