TTRPG TIPS #4:
Building Better Characters: Advanced Tips for creating your TTRPG character
Creating a character for a TTRPG is more than just rolling some dice and filling out a character sheet. For some players, the process of character creation is an art form, a chance to craft a complex and compelling persona that will be both fun to play and engaging for others at the table. In this article, we’ll explore some advanced strategies for creating TTRPG characters that stand out from the crowd.
Start with a Concept
Before you even start filling out a character sheet, you should have a strong idea of what kind of character you want to play. This concept can be as simple as a rough outline of their personality or as complex as a detailed backstory that explains their motivations and goals.
One approach to creating a concept is to start with a basic archetype and then add your own unique twist. For example, you might start with the idea of a “wise old wizard” and then decide to make them a former thief who turned to magic as a way to atone for their past sins. This adds complexity to the character and gives you a clear idea of how they might behave in different situations.
Use Your Stats to Reinforce Your Concept
Once you have a concept in mind, it’s time to start filling out the character sheet. When choosing your stats, it’s important to think about how they reinforce your character concept. For example, if you’re playing a sneaky thief, you’ll want to prioritise dexterity and stealth. If you’re playing a tough brawler, you’ll want to focus on strength and endurance.
Of course, it’s also important to be mindful of the game mechanics and balance your stats accordingly. You don’t want to create a character that is too powerful or too weak compared to the other players at the table.
Create a Strong Backstory
A character’s backstory is one of the most important parts of their overall concept. A well-crafted backstory can give your character depth and motivation, as well as provide hooks for the GM to use in their storytelling.
When creating a backstory, think about your character’s past experiences and how they might have shaped them. Did they have a traumatic childhood that led them to become an adventurer? Did they have a mentor who taught them the ways of the sword? These details can add richness to your character and make them more engaging for other players to interact with.
Choose Skills that Match Your Concept
In addition to stats, skills are an important part of character creation. When choosing your skills, think about how they relate to your character concept. For example, if you’re playing a bard, you’ll want to focus on skills like performance, persuasion, and deception. If you’re playing a ranger, you’ll want to prioritise survival, tracking, and archery.
It’s also a good idea to choose a mix of skills that are useful in combat and skills that are useful outside of combat. This will give your character more versatility and make them more useful to the group as a whole.
Give Your Character Flaws
No one is perfect, and your TTRPG character shouldn’t be either. Giving your character flaws can make them more relatable and interesting to play. It can also create opportunities for character growth and development over the course of the campaign.
When choosing flaws, think about how they might affect your character’s interactions with others. Do they have a short temper that often gets them into trouble? Are they haunted by a past mistake that they can’t shake? These kinds of flaws can create interesting roleplaying opportunities and make your character more dynamic.
Collaborate with the GM
One of the most important aspects of advanced character creation is collaboration with the Game Master. While you may have a solid idea of what you want your character to be, it’s important to make sure that your character fits into the game world and the GM’s plans for the campaign.
Talk to your GM about your character concept and make sure they approve of it. If you’re not sure how to fit your character into the game world, ask your GM for guidance. They may have specific ideas or rules for character creation that you should follow.
Your GM may also have additional ideas or suggestions for your character that you hadn’t considered. They may suggest a unique backstory or personality trait that fits well with the campaign’s story or setting. Don’t be afraid to take their advice and incorporate it into your character’s backstory or personality.
Additionally, working with your GM during character creation can help ensure that your character is balanced with the other characters in the party. If you’re creating a character that is exceptionally powerful or has abilities that the other characters don’t, your GM may suggest tweaks to make sure that your character doesn’t unbalance the game.
Overall, collaborating with your GM during character creation can help ensure that your character is not only unique and interesting but also fits well within the game world and campaign.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks
When it comes to advanced character creation, don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new. This can include experimenting with new abilities or skill sets, creating a character that is morally ambiguous or even outright villainous, or choosing a race or class that is outside of your comfort zone.
Taking risks with your character can lead to some of the most interesting and memorable gaming experiences. It can also help you develop your creativity and problem-solving skills as you navigate the challenges and consequences that come with playing a unique character.
Of course, it’s important to make sure that any risks you take with your character are still appropriate for the game world and campaign. Collaborating with your GM can help you determine what risks are appropriate and how they can be incorporated into the game.
Advanced character creation requires a bit more thought and effort than simply rolling up a character sheet. By focusing on your character’s backstory, personality, and motivations, and collaborating with your GM, you can create a unique and interesting character that is not only fun to play but also fits well within the game world and campaign. So don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new – you may be surprised at the results!
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