So I’ve watched a few vids about making a good character backstory, but haven’t gotten any really conclusive tips. Anyone have solid, decisive tips on what to do and not to do?
All of that lovingly crafted detail that you imbue your personal creations with? You’re the only one who gives a f$&%. Because everyone else at the table is more interested in their personal creations than yours.
How much you do is entirely up to you. At some point another character is going to ask something like "who are you" and you'll probably have to answer it. They probably don't really care about the answer beyond what your race and class is because they're just trying to figure out how you fit into the party, so the level of detail you have prepared isn't too important.
A backstory is useful in crystallizing how your character is likely to behave in any situation, but just using the built-in traits/ideals/etc can get you there too (albeit in a fairly vanilla fashion).
The biggest "don't" is not to build your character up as some kind of badass unless you also explain why you are starting at level one (assuming you are). That's just going to make everyone else's eyes roll when they hear it.
If you decide to spend some time on it, my recommendation is to make sure you answer a few questions about your history:
Why are you the class you are?
Why are you whereyou are
Why are you adventuring and not being a farmer/soldier/cloistered academic/etc?
Do that and you're 99% of the way there. Borrow liberally from books and stories you've liked, but don't plagiarize directly.
Why are you adventuring and not being a farmer/soldier/cloistered academic/etc?
Do that and you're 99% of the way there. Borrow liberally from books and stories you've liked, but don't plagiarize directly.
This is spot on. Do that and you are indeed 99% done.
One thing I discovered between making my first character and my more recent ones is if you start with the backstory and build a character off that story, you come off with someone easier and more fun to role play. Then every feat you take and subclass you choose builds your character’s story, and not just their stats. Contrasting that with how I made my first character just because I wanted to see his class type involved in a game. His backstory is just as fleshed out as all my newer guys, and he’s formidable in battle, but I don’t get the joy from playing him that I think I will when these new guys get a chance to play. Yeah, you may not be getting all the finishing blows on the monsters if he’s not built out as a slayer from the start, but your party isn’t keeping stats of damage per turn and judging your worth from that (please tell me no one’s party does that). They just want someone who fights as a team player with them. And you’re having fun seeing how this relatable dude you made is handling himself out there in the world.
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So I’ve watched a few vids about making a good character backstory, but haven’t gotten any really conclusive tips. Anyone have solid, decisive tips on what to do and not to do?
There obviously isn't a right way or a wrong way to do it. The best advice is here:
How much you do is entirely up to you. At some point another character is going to ask something like "who are you" and you'll probably have to answer it. They probably don't really care about the answer beyond what your race and class is because they're just trying to figure out how you fit into the party, so the level of detail you have prepared isn't too important.
A backstory is useful in crystallizing how your character is likely to behave in any situation, but just using the built-in traits/ideals/etc can get you there too (albeit in a fairly vanilla fashion).
The biggest "don't" is not to build your character up as some kind of badass unless you also explain why you are starting at level one (assuming you are). That's just going to make everyone else's eyes roll when they hear it.
If you decide to spend some time on it, my recommendation is to make sure you answer a few questions about your history:
Do that and you're 99% of the way there. Borrow liberally from books and stories you've liked, but don't plagiarize directly.
hey thanks. this actually helps
This is spot on. Do that and you are indeed 99% done.
One thing I discovered between making my first character and my more recent ones is if you start with the backstory and build a character off that story, you come off with someone easier and more fun to role play. Then every feat you take and subclass you choose builds your character’s story, and not just their stats. Contrasting that with how I made my first character just because I wanted to see his class type involved in a game. His backstory is just as fleshed out as all my newer guys, and he’s formidable in battle, but I don’t get the joy from playing him that I think I will when these new guys get a chance to play. Yeah, you may not be getting all the finishing blows on the monsters if he’s not built out as a slayer from the start, but your party isn’t keeping stats of damage per turn and judging your worth from that (please tell me no one’s party does that). They just want someone who fights as a team player with them. And you’re having fun seeing how this relatable dude you made is handling himself out there in the world.