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.