Power gamers aren’t fun.

There’s nothing worse than a player who lives only for more power, more toys, more skills and more victory. Other players end up feeling like their character has no way to contribute and reason to exist.

Just ask Big-Shot Hero over there. He doesn’t need Puny Weakling.

Power gamers who can’t get enough glory, strength, victories and treasure quickly becomes an annoyance for everyone else. Games are group environments, and it’s important that everyone have fun.

Here are some solutions that can help restore fun for everyone involved.

Talk to the individual with the “me, me, me” mindset. The person may not realize that he or she is being a power gamer. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “Hey, a few of us are feeling a little left out – everyone needs a turn to shine.”

Establish new rules that enforce sharing. As Storyteller or Dungeon Master, it is your job to correct the situation so that everyone has fun. Change the rules. Limit character advancement. Make it harder for stronger characters to reach new levels or abilities.

Give each player a task with a specific reward. Force character groups to work together to achieve a single goal. Have tasks that only a specific character can complete and make each character important to the game.

Let the little guy shine. It’s easy to think up obstacles that require power to overcome. Try a challenge that can’t be resolved with power and requires quick wits, small bodies, specific skills or certain abilities instead.

Take some power away. Create a reverse situation where the one to collect the treasure is stripped of power for a period and has to regain it slowly. Have a sickness strike characters that saps the strength of the strongest.

Scrap the game and start over. This solution is a harsh one, but it truly is best to start over rather than end up with a bunch of unhappy players muttering about another whose character sweeps up everything.

Can you think of other ways to help correct a power gaming situation?