* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : How do you come up with your PCs? Started at 11-22-04 06:15 AM by MadBall Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=341244 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : MadBall Date : 11-22-04 06:15 AM Thread Title : How do you come up with your PCs? @All: I was just wondering what kind of method you use in finding out what kind of character you want to play? I am often starting a character by using a cool picture of some kind I am fond of and then starting to evolve a possible character with it, like thinking what class he/she can be etc. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : cerebus Date : 11-22-04 02:56 PM I almost always DM, so this isn't usually a problem for me. :allalone: But I usually play the Cleric, since no one else ever wants to, and I define the personality of the character as I play it. Currently, though, the only active character I am playing is a human magic-user (abjurer), because in all my years of gaming I have never played a specialist mage. After I make the character, I usually draw a (hopefully cool) picture of them so everyone can see who they're talking to. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Torack Date : 11-22-04 03:04 PM I usually have a fairly good idea of the personality before I start creating the character. Then I try to think of a class/race combination that would allow me to bring that personality out, and allow me to have some fun with it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : WizO_Catoblepas Date : 11-22-04 10:26 PM Honestly I just wait until everyone else has picked what they want to play and I'll play a class that will best round out the party. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Varl Date : 11-23-04 01:11 AM I usually come up with a character concept first, as well as a character personality and background, before I ever roll the dice. This way, I know how the character is going to be, and behave, and know a good number of idiosyncracies about my character before the others in the group ever meet him or her. It's the most fun coming up with a character concept and revealing that to the group when they all hook up. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Hiryu Date : 11-28-04 02:13 AM I generaly start only with an idea of something I think would be intresting or fun to play. Sometimes this is a class-race combination (like a dwarven paladin) or an offbeat concept (like an orphan elf girl who lives on the streets). In some cases, I come up only with a personality and then create the character around it. Like Varl, I try to make that character as detailed as possible before actually playing it, too. I rarely ever make a character based on what the party needs/lacks. I figure that if we all play our characters well, we can make up for the lack of a priest, a fighter, a wizard or a thief. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : diaglo Date : 11-29-04 10:56 AM come up with a basic idea/character concept. roll 3d6 six times in order see how the dice fall. and tweak the concept based on the stats. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : failhelm Date : 11-29-04 04:10 PM Here's an un-popular opinion, but me & crew have grown to see its greatness. I run a high end campaign, stats starting avg. 13.5 (5d6) I have my players role up 7 stats (I use CMS) Then I have them place their stats. However, they are NOT allowed to move them once their have made their decision. I always tell them to place their stats in accordance to the type of stats they would like their character to have. I tell them to not think about class or even race, instead just make your character. I justify by telling them that when their characters were 3 yrs old and ran into a pole, their parents weren't able to move a stat to increase DEX, but that's just me being a smarta55 Anyway, I have found over the last decade that players that create their characters this way are much happier, with whatever they come up with, because regardless of race or class they have a foundation that they are happy with. As for myself, I don't really know...guess I just go with what feels right, and go slow in build. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Graendahl Date : 12-11-04 01:11 AM I am usaully the most experienced gamer in the groups I have joined (shifting around alot with the Army, I have not been able to enjoy a reasonably stable group in quite some time) .. As such, I am always the last too pick a class to play, when i do it is to fill in any gaps the group may have. The I roll abilities according to the groups prefrence for generation, and base my PC's personality on how someone of that class would act with corresponding scores.. I generate about 3 paragraphs worth of background info.. 1st dealing with past history, 2nd concerned with the present or very recent history, and last dealing with goals and aspirations known to the character. nice and cliche-ish I know.. lol but when you are stuck in a rut, it is hard to get out.. lol -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : Nifftin Date : 12-11-04 08:56 AM Since my DM is less on the roleplaying aspect, along with our group's players, excluding me, we just roll. I always know that they are going to Min/Max thier fighters out (always fighters... always) and I just choose a spellcaster and try of some unique things for him (i.e. Personality, fighting techniques, quirks, background... etc. etc.) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : harperman976 Date : 12-11-04 10:14 PM I start with the background. where they were raised and how they were brought up by parents or none at all. then i get a personality based on that. I figure out how the stats i roll would fit into how they were raised and grew up. (on the farm moveing bayles of hay and working hard high strengh or on steerts running from the law high dex) after that is done i look at there personality to see what the class will be. last i look at the background and the race is basicly defined by that also. or if i'm lazey i play a hafling theif or a ranger elf skip the back ground. HarperMan -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Xx Spider xX Date : 01-10-05 12:32 AM Usually I find inspiration through a picture, movie or television show. In any case, its always a character concept and outline..before I even begin to generate my character. All of my characters are Roleplaying(as compared to Roll-playing)motivated, possessing a background/history before the game begins. I find depth of character not only holds my interest to the greatest degree...but creates future storylines for my DM(which he LOVES!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : KittenWarrior Date : 01-16-05 08:10 PM A few years back when I made my first D&D character ever all I knew in advance is I wanted to be an Elf, just for the sheer coolness factor of it. Since then, I've evolved a little and now tend towards humans more. Usually I just roll stats first and see what I can do with them, although I tend towards fighter/rogue types. There is really only one constant though: my characters are always female. Only once, in a SW campaign did I stray from that, but that character's fate is now in the hands of the Force.. My first character was an elven Fighter, and when she died (very shortly after achieving 2nd level :weep: - guess I was getting overconfident) I made a half-elven Cleric/Fighter, which I'm still playing.. although that may end soon, the way the campaign's going.. In 3e I've played a Monk and am now playing a Fighter/Rogue. Basically I have a thing for quick and nimble characters, so one way or the other my characters always end up with their highest stat in dex. The two exceptions to that are a Paladin I played briefly in an online campaign which didn't really last long enough for me to get a feel for her, and a Sorcerer I didn't play yet, but developed as a backup character.. As for a background, I usually have part of it ready to explain why the character is adventuring in the first place, but most details of their personalities develop during play.. Cheers, KW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : Goreadd Date : 02-01-05 10:59 PM Thread Title : Roleplay v.s. Rollplay There are many ways to roll up a character the best part is making the character unique. Do something that standsd out. Play a fighter that has a low Int 8, by making things different you allow the character to come out and will make gaming more enjoyable. Example in conan the destroyer there was a very weak thief as far as str, but he was also a coward. My DM at the time let me roll a character like this one for fun. There were times my thief had to be threatened to unlock a door that had enemys behind it. "They might hear me try to unlock the door and attack me, before I can get out of the way" This obviuosly slowed the game down, but they were also very funny. Do you play just to have the most powerful character or to have fun with you'r friends? Once you answere that question you will be able to enjoy the game more. :D Happy Gaming -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Stonebeard Date : 02-02-05 07:39 PM As some of you may have already guessed I almost always play a dwarf. Cleric if no one else has had the guts to do so, often the case, or fighter. Fighter is the role/roll i love best. Not so much from class itself but because of the tone it sets. If a game is going to descend into either all roll or all role playing its often the fighter that takes it there. Usually towards the all roll playing side by a fighter who can't contain themselves. But i've also seen it go the other way to all role playing from a fighter who, well basically can't really hack it as a fighter or more accurately as a leader. It may not always be case but i've yet to find a mage who doesn't hide behind a line of fighters. Its just too much sense to have the guys or gals with the most hit points and best armor on point. Which inadvertently makes fighters leaders of a sort. Oh by no means am I suggesting that fighters are or even should be the BOSS. Ultimately no one should really hold this position. Its just that i've seen an aweful lot of games fall apart due to porly played fighters. They somehow got this silly idea in their heads that fighters are easy to play, don't know where that thought came from but I cannot say that it holds up. Since I personally prefer a middle ground, enough roll playing to make the game exciting and enough role playing to make a great story I find what works best for me is to occupy at least one of the fighter positions in a any given party. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:19 AM.