7 Ways D&D Players Destroy Their DM's Plans

Dicebreaker host and D&D Oxventure Dungeon Master Johnny Chiodini brings you the seven ways every DM will get derailed by their players -- and how to avoid it.

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Outside Xtra is a companion channel to Outside Xbox, covering the wider world of gaming with weekly lists, Let's Plays and shows with your hosts Ellen and Luke. Look for regular appearances by OG Outside Xboxers Andy, Jane and Mike, and generally more of the videos you love, about more of the platforms you enjoy, from a team now two people larger overall.

Thanks for watching and be excellent to each other in the comments.

[MonikaLockpick]

Alternative title:
Things Johnny hasn‘t quite forgiven the oxventurers

[Tabbyclaw]

Entry #1: Assume your players are dumber than you think.
Entry #2: Be prepared for when your players are smarter than you think.

[kevanmcentee]

The 8th way players destroy a DM's plans: answering "Yes" when asked "Are you sure?"

[Not_An_EV]

My DM friend once summed it up by saying "Give them a door and they'll jump through the window"

[davidstepanek]

"I'm only 14 years old!"
This videos off to a great start

[hindumuninc]

Players: "What's your name, mister random NPC?"
DM: screams inside.

[nothinmulch]

The bard seducing an NPC who was supposed to be a one note character, making them a recurring character with complex backstory

[lorc.]

I’m playing my first ever campaign and so far we’ve adopted a platypus and made it our mascot, spent a full thirty minutes figuring out if dwarves float, completely derailed our DM by not killing a ship full of pirates and instead convincing them that they needed a vacation, and spent too long shopping for hats. I’m having the time of my life!

[DrPotatoPerson]

Without disadvantaging anyone, rebuild the orphanage.

Skeletons: stand around doing nothing because it disadvantages them to do manual labor.

[LikeTheBuffalo]

"Maybe they're friendly?" - Me at the start of _every_ encounter

[jordanleighton]

“That’s my in, lets kill some children” is the most interesting quote I’ve heard in a while

[nightfall]

*as there’s wolves chasing us*

My dad: I have oil, I need a match.
My brother: *throws him the oil*
My dad: Throws the oil on the wolves then a lit match.
Me, a first time DM: You haven’t used your weapons once it’s been four hours.

[mariareynolds]

Johnny: “I desperately don’t want these people to have to kill a child”
Also Johnny: “Yes! That’s my in! Let’s kill some children!”

[WebofHope]

D&D is not:
"The Players vs the DM."

Not ever.

It is *Always*:
"The Players *AND* the DM...


...vs the Dice."

[ozisusgerophiusmanabuzzwar]

"That's it I'm turning the quest around."

This is my new slogan when my players go way off the rails.

[ardemus]

"Without hurting or disadvantaging anyone why don't you..."
The next day, "Alright skeletons, how is it going?"
"Orphan walls done."
"Orphan walls? You mean orphanage?"
"Orphan bones make good mortar, orphan walls."
"I said not to hurt anyone!"
The featureless bone face managed to convey a sense of accomplishment, "Broke neck, fast death, no pain."
"Oh, for... Surely death is a disadvantage?"
"Skeletons very dead, not so bad."

[dovahkat]

When the kind, caring druid ends up causing more bloodshed than the evil tiefling warlock servant of Cthulu, I think its safe to say something has gone horribly wrong. Or horribly right. Or both.

[sirbillius]

I was so happy to see Literally Everyone Else In The World.

[maxvelcity]

"ALL I WANTED WAS FOR THEM TO GO AND TALK TO SOME FURNITURE SALESMAN!"

Needs to be on a t-shirt.

[Cendar]

I've learned one thing as a dm, when you give a npc an interesting backstory, they'll side line them. One off npcs with one purpose, heck some random person off the street and you're players will demand to make them into honorary family members.