Mostly Storyteller, with a tiny bit of tactician. Character concepts and game ideas are always story based first, but at the same time I always love characters that complement the party and have a decent mechanical framework. Or sometimes I'll think of a cool multi-class idea or combination of feats and then I'll try to come up with a reason my character would be that way that makes sense.

LOL, personally? I'm the type of player who doesn't care what type of player he is. I guess that makes me fall into mad scientist because I'll play just about anything put in front of me without regard to how its supposed to be played.  If the people around me are fun the game is fun, usually.

I went with the Specialist, but it's a toss up between that and the Tactician.

I think i'm a storyteller, with a streak of mad scientist.  I don't want to destroy any one's game but I love when there's an opportunity to shake things up with something totally unexpected.  My very first D&D experience was with a full on mad scientist which quickly demonstrated the dangers of not harnessing those urges in a productive direction.

Needs a multiple answer option. I'm definitely a mix of Tactician/Storyteller, I tend to engage with games and want my characters actions to affect the landscape around them. Ruined castle infested with monsters? Who has two thumbs and is gonna clear it out and fix it up to become his stronghold? This guy.

I think as a player, I'm somewhere in the mix of Storyteller, Tactician, and Mad Scientist. Not a disruptive Mad Scientist type, but a sort of "Yeah, but whats behind door number 2?"  you know, drive a character like a stolen car sometimes. Whats the worst that can happen? It'll be fine.... right?

Thanks for all the feed back everyone. I found a solution to many peoples complaints and have made a new poll that allows Multi Choice and has a none of the above option. Thanks for voting and participating in conversation. :)

I definitely fall into the "storyteller" category if I'm picking just one, but the majority of my characters over the last several year have had a touch of the mad scientist to them. I'm usually the one who asks if I can jump through the window, or if the glowing moss is edible. While I like that the rules exist, I also believe that adhering to the letter of those rules can make a game too stiff, and I've never been one to min/max a character. I'd much rather make up an elaborate backstory while focusing on a couple related skills, and then have fun with it.

I found your post very interesting. I like the multiple choice poll and the results. As a GM this is very useful data. Especially when I run at conventions with players I don't know. This can help me to predict the slant of game to prepare. Nice job. Thanks.

Lots of Storytellers is see by the poll. You know, I personally have discovered after 35 years as a GM, that it's not so much the story as the MOMENTS that assemble into the story. When we are hanging out at the coffee shop with other gamers we talk about our characters. We will give a 45 second brief of the campaign story just to frame the 15 minutes we spend sharing THAT memorable moment. It all revolves around those Nat20's and the pictures they put in your mind.

Wishing all plenty of Nat20s!

im a mix of a butt kicker (love to start brawls) and sometimes casual gamer. 

Yes I totally agree that the moments are very important. And especially if the GM involves the players in a way that they feel like they helped create that moment. The cool thing about D&D over like video games is that you as a player get to influence the story/game in a way the other medias can be restrictive. I am glad this was able to help you as a GM. :)

:)

Hey, I see "Tempus Fugit" at your post footer. "Time Flies". My mother used to say that. However, as a GM,  the phrase conjures the image of a tiny celestial insect that nests in your inner ear and feeds on your brain causing you to miss a half second of time here and there. "Time Flies". But, that's me...LOL. 

Someone do a stat block. 

Happy Gaming. 

Story Teller, of course! "Stay awhile and listen..." 

That is very funny thank you for that thought. :D

I'm surprised how well put together these "player" archetypes are.

I have to admit to some aspects of power gaming and it often has a negative connotation attached to it. But just arranging stats in a good order could be seen as power gaming.

But I do fall into the tactician archetype, I love puzzles and chess and cards and sports and... not losing. 

The Thomas Aquinas analogy this guy makes in the video gives me hope.

Storyteller with a bit of Mad Scientist for me.

However, I seem to be more the "Always the GM, never gets to Play" type sadly which seems common among most GMs.

I really identify with several choices here. Most certainly I thank you for the multiple choice option of which I like the mechanics and crunch behind role playing games and I like immersion just as well. I'd say about a 50/50 balance of power gamer and storyteller. With fourth edition it was all about tactics and power gaming. I did little storytelling mostly as a player but when they simplified this edition my immersion picked up with the help of backgrounds to make ease of use a little better. Great topic.

 I'm not sure exactly what I am, because I've never played D&D in a tabletop group setting (I've only played video games based on the system), therefore I don't believe I have the experience to say. But I will say, I think I might fall evenly between casual gamer, tactician, and story teller. I love the idea of running my character through a naturally evolving world, driven by the personality traits and ideals I've bestowed upon him/her, and attempting to overcome the challenges presented him by attempting to use skills and strategies/ideas that may or may not work out in my parties favor. But ultimately, I want my party to have as much fun as I will, and hopefully not take things too seriously to ruin the fun for others. Because that's what it is, a game, and games are meant to be fun :D

I am some of almost everything.  What I am not is a Method Actor or Mad Scientist; my character is usually the one who tries to keep the mad scientists alive.