Honestly, start small. I started tabletop only a year or two ago and found that making a simple but entertaining character the most fun when first starting out. Fighter was perfect for me because it's very mechanically simple, so I could focus on my Half-Orc's stereotypical rural accent and his drunken happy-go-lucky attitude.
Man, 4e released a book, I forget the name and I'm not going to google it cuz eat a dick that's why, but it was a GREAT supplement for players that more or less told you how to roleplay. I.E., Don't make your character an orphan, leave gaps in your background for you and your dm to fill out later, have some flaws and quirks you stick with. Make sure your character has his own goals and the party has seperate goals.
Sticking to your background flaws, and bonds, I reward my players inspiration for being real and you bet your finest buns I strip it away if they do something super out of character (a holy man cleric asking a gnome mayor to fist him ((cuz the player had too much whiskey, not the character))
3e Had the Hero Builder's Guidebook which had info on how to Roleplay ability scores, race and class and how to play standard traits, and putting together traits for parents and such.
Step 1: Have a background. Either roll up the background traits that come with your background, and play accordingly, or make the whole thing up. Are you from an aristocratic family and dress in finery? Play it up! Are you a wise cracking thief? Crack wise and be sarcastic (but loveable). Beyond all else, play to your strengths. Don't be the charismatic dude if you aren't good at being a charismatic dude in real life. You may eventually get to this point, but for now, be something like you and you will shine through.
Step 2: Watch other people play. Much easier these days. Seriously though, watch all those live plays. Some are better than others, but you will see people role playing, and probably see something you like. Maybe a character that is an irascible punk, or an shy bookish type, and so on. But watch and learn.
Step 3: Trial and Error. Actually try a new character. If you are stammering and not having fun, then switch it up. If you need something simple, play a character that is reticent and not as verbally expressive. Use funny gestures. If you are a hooded whisperer, you need only point or shrug to express yourself, and people might get a kick out of it. But if at all possible, don't hide behind that facade, BE that facade. Remember that one of the most memorable characters of Guardians of the Galaxy got recognition for saying "I am Groot", but did it with panache.
Step 4: Elaboration. Add an accent, use an affect, give your character something that sets them apart. Maybe you have a fondness for being generous at every town and helping the poor, or you speak with a whisper because gnolls slashed your throat some years back and your voice never fully came back. What effect has the world and your past had on your character? Those are important questions. Just don't be bombastic... remember that less is more. If you decide that your "special thing" is shouting everything you say, it's going to get old fast. Go for something unique and creative.
Step 5: Consider a lifepath generator that might do an abundance of the work for you. Like THIS.
Step 6: Be a voice actor. Sadly, not too many people make it to step 6.
When it comes to roleplaying and character creation, I usually start with a concept, and consider anything else in the game is a means to an end. You don't have to think of a race and class yet, and this concept doesn't have to be very complex, it's just a starting point there are lots of concept templates and such out there, one that I particularly like borrowing is the sentence from the Numenera RPG- "I am a(n) (adjective) (race/class) who (verb)s". if, after a while, you feel stuck with a race and class, you could always roll for it - there are 12 classes and 9 subclasses (most people will at least have 1 race/class they don't feel like playing anyway, but worst case scenario you can roll a rounded up die and improvise.)
some examples:
"I am a (brave) (dwarf paladin/knight) who (wields his ancestor's sword)."
"I am a (cynical) (halfling rogue/criminal) who (hunts demons)"
"I am an (old) (Half-orc Sorceress) who (seeks immortality)"
whatever concept you come up with, keep telling yourself that sentence while you're building your character, as said before, a good place to start is your background, but if you already know your race/class, start with what's most comfortable.
As a player, I give myself as many traits, ideals, bonds or flaws that I could possibly associate with my character, but that's not for everyone. you can always roll those things, and if you don't like 'em, reroll when you're DM's not looking, I won't tell on you. ;P
if you have trouble making complicated characters, then don't sweat it, use the bear minimum, even make a character who seems one dimensional on the surface - once you start playing, you can always add new dimensions to it, think of more things you can do with your character, and - if you get an idea, do NOT wait to use it - talk about it with your DM, or roleplay it immediately at the table. Breaking character is a good thing after you build character.
Good luck, I hope it helps! :)
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I'm not - nor was I ever - your "obstacle" until you've deemed me as such, nor am I your wallet, my hard earnt money is not yours by deault.
Je suis Consumer - We are the foundation, the floor beneath your rug. our support is the fate of every retail product, business, and franchise. for success you need support.
I will always miss what you were, but I will never miss what you've become.
The biggest thing I have come to understand is role playing is like sex.... what I mean by this is, once everyone gets over the fact your naked and everyone is here for the same reason it is easy to just let loose and enjoy the role playing. Only been playing for about 6 months but it took me about 3 weeks playing with really good players to get into it playing a prideful human barbarian.
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Id like some advice or tips for role playing my characters.
Honestly, start small. I started tabletop only a year or two ago and found that making a simple but entertaining character the most fun when first starting out. Fighter was perfect for me because it's very mechanically simple, so I could focus on my Half-Orc's stereotypical rural accent and his drunken happy-go-lucky attitude.
Think up a personality, then develop a character around it. Place yourself in their shoes as you interact throughout the story. What would they do?
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Man, 4e released a book, I forget the name and I'm not going to google it cuz eat a dick that's why, but it was a GREAT supplement for players that more or less told you how to roleplay. I.E., Don't make your character an orphan, leave gaps in your background for you and your dm to fill out later, have some flaws and quirks you stick with. Make sure your character has his own goals and the party has seperate goals.
Sticking to your background flaws, and bonds, I reward my players inspiration for being real and you bet your finest buns I strip it away if they do something super out of character (a holy man cleric asking a gnome mayor to fist him ((cuz the player had too much whiskey, not the character))
3e Had the Hero Builder's Guidebook which had info on how to Roleplay ability scores, race and class and how to play standard traits, and putting together traits for parents and such.
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Step 1: Have a background. Either roll up the background traits that come with your background, and play accordingly, or make the whole thing up. Are you from an aristocratic family and dress in finery? Play it up! Are you a wise cracking thief? Crack wise and be sarcastic (but loveable). Beyond all else, play to your strengths. Don't be the charismatic dude if you aren't good at being a charismatic dude in real life. You may eventually get to this point, but for now, be something like you and you will shine through.
Step 2: Watch other people play. Much easier these days. Seriously though, watch all those live plays. Some are better than others, but you will see people role playing, and probably see something you like. Maybe a character that is an irascible punk, or an shy bookish type, and so on. But watch and learn.
Step 3: Trial and Error. Actually try a new character. If you are stammering and not having fun, then switch it up. If you need something simple, play a character that is reticent and not as verbally expressive. Use funny gestures. If you are a hooded whisperer, you need only point or shrug to express yourself, and people might get a kick out of it. But if at all possible, don't hide behind that facade, BE that facade. Remember that one of the most memorable characters of Guardians of the Galaxy got recognition for saying "I am Groot", but did it with panache.
Step 4: Elaboration. Add an accent, use an affect, give your character something that sets them apart. Maybe you have a fondness for being generous at every town and helping the poor, or you speak with a whisper because gnolls slashed your throat some years back and your voice never fully came back. What effect has the world and your past had on your character? Those are important questions. Just don't be bombastic... remember that less is more. If you decide that your "special thing" is shouting everything you say, it's going to get old fast. Go for something unique and creative.
Step 5: Consider a lifepath generator that might do an abundance of the work for you. Like THIS.
Step 6: Be a voice actor. Sadly, not too many people make it to step 6.
When it comes to roleplaying and character creation, I usually start with a concept, and consider anything else in the game is a means to an end. You don't have to think of a race and class yet, and this concept doesn't have to be very complex, it's just a starting point there are lots of concept templates and such out there, one that I particularly like borrowing is the sentence from the Numenera RPG- "I am a(n) (adjective) (race/class) who (verb)s". if, after a while, you feel stuck with a race and class, you could always roll for it - there are 12 classes and 9 subclasses (most people will at least have 1 race/class they don't feel like playing anyway, but worst case scenario you can roll a rounded up die and improvise.)
some examples:
"I am a (brave) (dwarf paladin/knight) who (wields his ancestor's sword)."
"I am a (cynical) (halfling rogue/criminal) who (hunts demons)"
"I am an (old) (Half-orc Sorceress) who (seeks immortality)"
whatever concept you come up with, keep telling yourself that sentence while you're building your character, as said before, a good place to start is your background, but if you already know your race/class, start with what's most comfortable.
As a player, I give myself as many traits, ideals, bonds or flaws that I could possibly associate with my character, but that's not for everyone. you can always roll those things, and if you don't like 'em, reroll when you're DM's not looking, I won't tell on you. ;P
if you have trouble making complicated characters, then don't sweat it, use the bear minimum, even make a character who seems one dimensional on the surface - once you start playing, you can always add new dimensions to it, think of more things you can do with your character, and - if you get an idea, do NOT wait to use it - talk about it with your DM, or roleplay it immediately at the table. Breaking character is a good thing after you build character.
Good luck, I hope it helps! :)
I'm not - nor was I ever - your "obstacle" until you've deemed me as such, nor am I your wallet, my hard earnt money is not yours by deault.
Je suis Consumer - We are the foundation, the floor beneath your rug. our support is the fate of every retail product, business, and franchise. for success you need support.
I will always miss what you were, but I will never miss what you've become.
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Start around your class, race and background:
1) Where are you from?
2) Why did you leave your homeplace and went into adventure?
3) What are good at? Why did you choose your "profession"?
4) What are your ideals?
5) Your virtues and your flaws?
The biggest thing I have come to understand is role playing is like sex.... what I mean by this is, once everyone gets over the fact your naked and everyone is here for the same reason it is easy to just let loose and enjoy the role playing. Only been playing for about 6 months but it took me about 3 weeks playing with really good players to get into it playing a prideful human barbarian.