When I create a character, I generally look at the race and class that I'd like to play, and then loosely set down a plan for what I'd like to do with the character. This of course changes within the campaign, as the characters development will change due to their interaction in the campaign. I also look at how my character development and "levelling up" can fit to their backstory, Before I start using my character, I will look through the whole class development, and see what I would like.
During the actual game play, I only look a level or two ahead, and generally make my choices based on the campaign as a whole, and how it will fit in to the story and with the other characters.
For example, in one campaign, I'm a Halfling Monk, and just levelled up to Level 3.Originally I was thinking of the Way of the Drunken Master but based on the running of the Campaign, I went Way of the Shadow as that development will assist our play better.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Wow... ok, so I was bored and started looking to see what else there is about Dnd to learn after being told in another campaign that you should plan ahead your character for other levels. I'm looking through the rogue information and man I had no idea there was so much stuff. I just kinda thought as you played with a character that the actions the character made would determine a lot of what they get later on and specifically for rogue class I found the archetypes to be the most interesting. I'm unsure which way I will go if/when it happens (no guarantees) because the assassin archetype seems to be great but I'm not sure about certain parts of it for later on. Since I'm new and have never leveled up a character what is that y'all who have done it look for when building your characters ahead of time? Do you plan each level ahead? Let it just happen? Avoid certain aspects altogether?
There are alot of individuals that like to do EVERYthing by the book, Im different however, i believe in the origins of DnD, and how your imagination and creativity can create things never heard of, which resulted in alot of the seperate classes sub classes and archetypes. So my DnD dungeon mastering mostly just here to make sure everything and everyone stays fairly balanced. For example, in most instances alot of rogues cant use magic, ive created characters that are rogue in class but a certain race that gives them the natural, yet magical, ability to shadow step. Of course it being debuffed at low lvls, but i dont want to limit anyone ONLY to what the official DnD books say although they are a good reference for endless things
that was weird we all three replied the same time almost saying same thing lol
It's interesting to say that too because I remember when we all started this I had asked about character building and not wanting to basically be a cliche and several people essentially said the same thing then "It's ok when starting out to be cliche but later on be a more rounded character" - (not verbatim). Definitely some decent insight into the characters I'm making...thank ya kindly!
I find that to start, just picking the basic stats for my character isn't the important part - they form some of the structure, but it's how I role play the character that really defines them. Obviously, if you're new to DnD, then you're going to pick stats that make sense to you about what you see that character as being like (a fighter or barbarian having a high Strength and Dex rolls etc).
At level 1, your characters are going to be basic characters and they do flesh out as they progress. That's where some of the other bits and pieces come in handy to assist you (the character's ideals, flaws, backstory etc).
For example, one of my character's personality traits is that I've lost a lot of friends [sic in battle], and because of that, I am slow to make new friends. So for when I role play Dàin, it would be a little weird if I came across all lovey-dovey and accepting of everyone.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
I find that to start, just picking the basic stats for my character isn't the important part - they form some of the structure, but it's how I role play the character that really defines them. Obviously, if you're new to DnD, then you're going to pick stats that make sense to you about what you see that character as being like (a fighter or barbarian having a high Strength and Dex rolls etc).
At level 1, your characters are going to be basic characters and they do flesh out as they progress. That's where some of the other bits and pieces come in handy to assist you (the character's ideals, flaws, backstory etc).
For example, one of my character's personality traits is that I've lost a lot of friends [sic in battle], and because of that, I am slow to make new friends. So for when I role play Dàin, it would be a little weird if I came across all lovey-dovey and accepting of everyone.
I can see that even when role-playing Thokk when coming up with his backstory some of the things that I thought of won't come to light until much later.
The hardest part for me starting out was remembering this is a level 1 character with little experience or skills in class. Can’t really be a feared war veteran of multiple campaigns at level 1.
Ia it possible to to change the yellow text. It is really hard to read.
Wow... ok, so I was bored and started looking to see what else there is about Dnd to learn after being told in another campaign that you should plan ahead your character for other levels...
Hi everyone! Sorry for the long post, I got inspired. :-D
It looks like you got lots of answers, Dean_Laxer, but if I may, I'd like to add my grain of salt. ;-)
So, what makes you chose a character's race, class, background, flaws, or any other thing about your character? The short answer is, it depends of you, of how you see RPG, what type of person you are, what type of player you are, etc. Since this isn't helping, I'll offer answers based on me. At first, we I got first into RPG, I didn't know what to expect, like, at all. In that kind of situation, I would recommend going with a generic, premade character sheet. Being used to video games, as many, my first reflex was to engage in D&D as if it was a video game. It's not at all the best way to enjoy this game, but it works at first. It's when I understood just how limitless the possibilities were that seeing D&D as a videogame went haywire... I went way too much into meta gaming, trying to "beat" the game, and focused a lot on making the "best" character and make the "best" choices. In order to do so, I followed advices on websites like https://rpgbot.net/dnd5/. I would add that those kinds of sites offering guides for character optimization are not bad, at all. I found them to be particularly useful when trying something new. Not having any kind of experience with a race or a class, it might be good to try what is recommended and then develop your own opinion. After having played with many different players who had all different characters and different approach to the game, I thought about trying being the DM. Great experience that improved my appreciation of the game and particularly my appreciation of the DM work! (I recommend Matthew Colville videos, they make you feel that even a kid could do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8&list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_)
Finally, for my last character, I went with a completely different approach. I got the idea for a character that would be nice to play and then I tried to find how to make it work within the D&D mechanic. Since I haven't found exactly what I was looking for, I went with a lot of homebrew and was lucky enough to find a great flexible DM to allow me to test and improve it. A less intense approach would simply have been to make my character fit into a standard race, class, etc., but I like making my life complicated like that. ;-) You could also find a nice drawing on Pinterest and really like of it makes you feel (appreciate the art and how it resonates within you) and then let yourself get inspired by this character, imagine what would its back story be, what would you do if you were this character, etc. You could also think about your favorite TV, movie, comic (etc.), character and be this character within the campaign setup! The sources of inspirations are limitless!
I will end with one of the wise advice a great DM I know once told me: In the fifth edition everything is so well (too much) balanced, it doesn't matter what class or what race you chose. You are going to have way more fun by choosing something that you like (ideally, love), that makes sense for you in the campaign, than trying to beat the game with the "best choices". This is not a videogame. The goal is not to beat the game, but to have fun while creating a great story. Also, you can't beat the game, if the DM wants you to fail, you will...
Great post NT, really like the comment about finding a picture. I have created more than one character on a mini I own or have seen (Rusty is one of these). I have also have modeled some after some of my favorite Diablo or WoW characters I have had in the past.
"...Can’t really be a feared war veteran of multiple campaigns at level 1..."
I wouldn't say "can't" while playing D&D. The question would be more "how?". D&D is very flexible, even more when you have a DM open to homebrew material, which we have the chance to have here! I don't want to answer for our DM, but if you want your backstory to include the fact that you are a feared war veteran, I'm pretty certain there are options! Don't forget that magic, or gods, can be *****es sometimes. God X: "You, insignificant mortal dare disturb my machiavelic plans, thinking that you are all-powerful from your level 20, well, let's see how you do once I have taken all of that away and you have to start from scratch again. Let's see how proud you are when people expecting the godlike war leader of legends that you think you were and are now only seeing the incompetence of an inexperienced level 1."
Great post NT, really like the comment about finding a picture. I have created more than one character on a mini I own or have seen (Rusty is one of these). I have also have modeled some after some of my favorite Diablo or WoW characters I have had in the past.
I am in 4 currently inc. this one. PbP can be very slow, especially if you focus strictly on going in order and everyone having a say before things progress. A few of us here are also in another campaign which has started off well, it felt quite free flowing. Hopefully it can continue that way.
This is my first and only play by post. I've seen DM asking 2-3 posts per day before finding your campaign! I like 1 per day, but understand that people have lives :-)
Has anyone tried another play by lost campaign? Just curious to see there formats of posting and what not
I'm in 3 currently this was my first Pbp and DnD...the one (6foot10 mentioned) is a little more free forming but they seem to do a catch-all post as an update on who and where things are happening, the other seems to waits for a post by each person then responds...both are fine if I'm being honest I prefer the free forming a bit more.
Have to say, I prefer waiting for others. Life is unpredictable, and missing a round in combat because you could not post in time is not fun. On the other hand, if you know for sure that DM will sum up everything at that particular time every day - it creates some structure, and it's always possible to make a claim for future actions (like, "if X is doing Y, then my character will do Z after that action").
When I create a character, I generally look at the race and class that I'd like to play, and then loosely set down a plan for what I'd like to do with the character. This of course changes within the campaign, as the characters development will change due to their interaction in the campaign. I also look at how my character development and "levelling up" can fit to their backstory, Before I start using my character, I will look through the whole class development, and see what I would like.
During the actual game play, I only look a level or two ahead, and generally make my choices based on the campaign as a whole, and how it will fit in to the story and with the other characters.
For example, in one campaign, I'm a Halfling Monk, and just levelled up to Level 3.Originally I was thinking of the Way of the Drunken Master but based on the running of the Campaign, I went Way of the Shadow as that development will assist our play better.
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Orryn Pebblefoot - Lvl 5 Rock Gnome Wizard (Deceased) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Deceased)
Anerin Ap Tewdr - Lvl 5 Human (Variant) Bard (College of Valor) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
There are alot of individuals that like to do EVERYthing by the book, Im different however, i believe in the origins of DnD, and how your imagination and creativity can create things never heard of, which resulted in alot of the seperate classes sub classes and archetypes. So my DnD dungeon mastering mostly just here to make sure everything and everyone stays fairly balanced. For example, in most instances alot of rogues cant use magic, ive created characters that are rogue in class but a certain race that gives them the natural, yet magical, ability to shadow step. Of course it being debuffed at low lvls, but i dont want to limit anyone ONLY to what the official DnD books say although they are a good reference for endless things
TheWise
that was weird we all three replied the same time almost saying same thing lol
TheWise
It's interesting to say that too because I remember when we all started this I had asked about character building and not wanting to basically be a cliche and several people essentially said the same thing then "It's ok when starting out to be cliche but later on be a more rounded character" - (not verbatim). Definitely some decent insight into the characters I'm making...thank ya kindly!
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
I find that to start, just picking the basic stats for my character isn't the important part - they form some of the structure, but it's how I role play the character that really defines them. Obviously, if you're new to DnD, then you're going to pick stats that make sense to you about what you see that character as being like (a fighter or barbarian having a high Strength and Dex rolls etc).
At level 1, your characters are going to be basic characters and they do flesh out as they progress. That's where some of the other bits and pieces come in handy to assist you (the character's ideals, flaws, backstory etc).
For example, one of my character's personality traits is that I've lost a lot of friends [sic in battle], and because of that, I am slow to make new friends. So for when I role play Dàin, it would be a little weird if I came across all lovey-dovey and accepting of everyone.
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Orryn Pebblefoot - Lvl 5 Rock Gnome Wizard (Deceased) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Deceased)
Anerin Ap Tewdr - Lvl 5 Human (Variant) Bard (College of Valor) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
I can see that even when role-playing Thokk when coming up with his backstory some of the things that I thought of won't come to light until much later.
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
The hardest part for me starting out was remembering this is a level 1 character with little experience or skills in class. Can’t really be a feared war veteran of multiple campaigns at level 1.
Ia it possible to to change the yellow text. It is really hard to read.
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
Hi everyone! Sorry for the long post, I got inspired. :-D
It looks like you got lots of answers, Dean_Laxer, but if I may, I'd like to add my grain of salt. ;-)
So, what makes you chose a character's race, class, background, flaws, or any other thing about your character? The short answer is, it depends of you, of how you see RPG, what type of person you are, what type of player you are, etc. Since this isn't helping, I'll offer answers based on me. At first, we I got first into RPG, I didn't know what to expect, like, at all. In that kind of situation, I would recommend going with a generic, premade character sheet. Being used to video games, as many, my first reflex was to engage in D&D as if it was a video game. It's not at all the best way to enjoy this game, but it works at first. It's when I understood just how limitless the possibilities were that seeing D&D as a videogame went haywire... I went way too much into meta gaming, trying to "beat" the game, and focused a lot on making the "best" character and make the "best" choices. In order to do so, I followed advices on websites like https://rpgbot.net/dnd5/. I would add that those kinds of sites offering guides for character optimization are not bad, at all. I found them to be particularly useful when trying something new. Not having any kind of experience with a race or a class, it might be good to try what is recommended and then develop your own opinion. After having played with many different players who had all different characters and different approach to the game, I thought about trying being the DM. Great experience that improved my appreciation of the game and particularly my appreciation of the DM work! (I recommend Matthew Colville videos, they make you feel that even a kid could do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8&list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_)
Finally, for my last character, I went with a completely different approach. I got the idea for a character that would be nice to play and then I tried to find how to make it work within the D&D mechanic. Since I haven't found exactly what I was looking for, I went with a lot of homebrew and was lucky enough to find a great flexible DM to allow me to test and improve it. A less intense approach would simply have been to make my character fit into a standard race, class, etc., but I like making my life complicated like that. ;-) You could also find a nice drawing on Pinterest and really like of it makes you feel (appreciate the art and how it resonates within you) and then let yourself get inspired by this character, imagine what would its back story be, what would you do if you were this character, etc. You could also think about your favorite TV, movie, comic (etc.), character and be this character within the campaign setup! The sources of inspirations are limitless!
I will end with one of the wise advice a great DM I know once told me: In the fifth edition everything is so well (too much) balanced, it doesn't matter what class or what race you chose. You are going to have way more fun by choosing something that you like (ideally, love), that makes sense for you in the campaign, than trying to beat the game with the "best choices". This is not a videogame. The goal is not to beat the game, but to have fun while creating a great story. Also, you can't beat the game, if the DM wants you to fail, you will...
Great post NT, really like the comment about finding a picture. I have created more than one character on a mini I own or have seen (Rusty is one of these). I have also have modeled some after some of my favorite Diablo or WoW characters I have had in the past.
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
I wouldn't say "can't" while playing D&D. The question would be more "how?". D&D is very flexible, even more when you have a DM open to homebrew material, which we have the chance to have here! I don't want to answer for our DM, but if you want your backstory to include the fact that you are a feared war veteran, I'm pretty certain there are options! Don't forget that magic, or gods, can be *****es sometimes. God X: "You, insignificant mortal dare disturb my machiavelic plans, thinking that you are all-powerful from your level 20, well, let's see how you do once I have taken all of that away and you have to start from scratch again. Let's see how proud you are when people expecting the godlike war leader of legends that you think you were and are now only seeing the incompetence of an inexperienced level 1."
This is one of hundreds of possibilities :-)
Great post NT, really like the comment about finding a picture. I have created more than one character on a mini I own or have seen (Rusty is one of these). I have also have modeled some after some of my favorite Diablo or WoW characters I have had in the past.
Thanks Cusm :-)
Finally made the 10 and a half hour drive X _ X now to drink some beer at the motel
I'm gonna try to get to some of the posts tonight it's been a tiresome adventure though
TheWise
Don't worry, we are all here :)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
That's a long drive sorry about that, but it's all good!
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
Yeah I get to wake up and take another 10 hour trip back home lol. Just hope I make it back in one piece
TheWise
Has anyone tried another play by lost campaign? Just curious to see there formats of posting and what not
TheWise
I am in 4 currently inc. this one. PbP can be very slow, especially if you focus strictly on going in order and everyone having a say before things progress. A few of us here are also in another campaign which has started off well, it felt quite free flowing. Hopefully it can continue that way.
This is my first and only play by post. I've seen DM asking 2-3 posts per day before finding your campaign! I like 1 per day, but understand that people have lives :-)
I’m in another, trying for more but hard to get into one and I follow a few others. They all vary seem most ebb and flow.
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
I'm in 3 currently this was my first Pbp and DnD...the one (6foot10 mentioned) is a little more free forming but they seem to do a catch-all post as an update on who and where things are happening, the other seems to waits for a post by each person then responds...both are fine if I'm being honest I prefer the free forming a bit more.
Cade Overhill/ Level 3 / Halfling / Bard - Talaveroth (sub-campaign 1)
Manneo "Bear Killer" Thuliaga / Level 1 / Goliath / Monk - Curse of Strahd
Have to say, I prefer waiting for others. Life is unpredictable, and missing a round in combat because you could not post in time is not fun. On the other hand, if you know for sure that DM will sum up everything at that particular time every day - it creates some structure, and it's always possible to make a claim for future actions (like, "if X is doing Y, then my character will do Z after that action").
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice