Questions tagged [character-creation]

For questions primarily about character creation (also: character generation or character design), the process of making a character whose role the player will assume. Character creation is about realizing the concept of the character within the options and rules of the RPG system.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
1 vote
2 answers
446 views

Easiest wizard/sorcerer spell access for an undead swordsage?

We're playing 3.5 gestalt, and I have an undead unarmed swordsage (with a drop of totemist). Now he wants access to some spells, most notably Greater Mighty Wallop. Is there any way to leverage a ...
ThanosMaravel's user avatar
12 votes
10 answers
8k views

How do you make an Int- or Wis-based character with only 3 Con viable with 30-35 hp at level 6?

I am a player in Tomb of Annihilation (5e) and we're playing with rolled characters. Rules are 4d6 drop lowest and no moving around ability scores. I ended up with the following stat block: Str: 14 (+...
The Great Java's user avatar
44 votes
5 answers
6k views

How can I develop my character's background when I know nothing of the game's lore and want to avoid spoilers?

This is a tricky one, and I may be painting myself into a corner in which case please feel free to tell me so in an answer but please also provide advice on how to get out whilst disturbing as little ...
RyanfaeScotland's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
754 views

How can I optimize this "max-languages" build’s combat ability?

This answer about maximizing the languages you can learn points out that you can use downtime to keep learning languages, but if you aren’t going to do that there’s a particular build suggested for ...
KRyan's user avatar
  • 350k
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Does this level 10 multiclass combo work?

I crafted a level 10 multiclass ranged oneshot character that has a lot of interactions and I was wondering if I did this right. The race is not specified but should be something with +1 to dex for a ...
darnok's user avatar
  • 4,760
4 votes
3 answers
693 views

Will a level 10 pixie druid be unbalanced—either overpowered or underpowered—in a group of otherwise typical level 14 PCs?

A friend of mine wants to reenter the level 14 group in my campaign. She describes her ideal character thus: nature-loving, woodland home, spiritual, rather eccentric, small and nimble The other ...
Giorin's user avatar
  • 5,246
5 votes
2 answers
437 views

How can I create a PC like Million Ants?

In a Pathfinder game I'd like to play a PC like Million Ants from the television series Rick and Morty. This character is defined to be one million ants, and in its world it behaves like a fluid, in ...
Throkar's user avatar
  • 99
4 votes
1 answer
576 views

Which class is better for being able to contribute to battle when out of spell slots, Wizard or Warlock?

I have joined a campaign and am now choosing a class. So far my character is a Half-Elf with the ability scores: STR 12 (+1) DEX 18 (+4) CON 16 (+3) INT 17 (+3) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 18 (+4) The ability ...
Argo's user avatar
  • 3,425
2 votes
0 answers
134 views

Issues with a druid build [closed]

The problem We are playing the campaign path The Second Darkness and my friend is a druid with a ankylosaurus animal companion. We are all 7th level and he is doing way less damage than everyone else, ...
user55696's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
777 views

What issues will arise from a player's weird request for a backstory?

So we are starting a new campaign and one of my players has a unique backstory. His character had a twin sister who died at the age of 10. Before her death, a wizard found them both and bound the ...
Isterd's user avatar
  • 61
21 votes
1 answer
8k views

Are there mistakes on the pregenerated Starter Set wizard and ranger character sheets?

I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players. I have been ...
canis-minor's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
868 views

Where could my character have learnt Primordial? [closed]

I just created a DnD character. He speaks the languages Common, Elvish and Primordial. Where could he have learned Primordial? He learned Elvish when he spent 2 years with the Elves.
Phill93's user avatar
  • 29
1 vote
1 answer
4k views

Is my multiclassed paladin/fighter/sorcerer built according to the rules? [closed]

I wanna preface this by saying I'm a D&D fanboy/wannabe, Baldur's Gate and Critical Role is the closest I've ever gotten to playing the game. One of the things I love about any game is character ...
Simon Hyll's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
2k views

When are prerequisites checked for the Variant Human's feat?

The steps to generate a character are: Choose a Race Choose a Class Determine Ability Scores ... A player choosing Variant Human as race gets a feat in step 1. However many feats have prerequisites ...
fabian's user avatar
  • 4,301
5 votes
3 answers
7k views

Can I communicate through my familiar?

I've always wanted to make a non-verbal character. But I think it would be pretty difficult to communicate with the rest of my party members. I want to make an in-world way to make communication ...
Kaybe's user avatar
  • 59
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

Would granting every PC the choice of a free cantrip at level 1 be unbalancing?

Inspired by this question: Would granting every PC the choice of a feat or a cantrip be unbalancing? Some classes get cantrips, some don't. Some races get a free cantrip (such as via the high elf's "...
NathanS's user avatar
  • 78.9k
14 votes
1 answer
2k views

Would granting every PC the choice of a feat or a cantrip be unbalancing?

This question and the accepted answer are of the opinion that granting an extra feat to all PCs at level 1 does not affect game balance. Would granting every PC the choice of a feat or a cantrip (as ...
Jack's user avatar
  • 30.9k
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

What can I do to maximize illusion/enchantment spells as a sorcerer?

I've read up online but it doesn't seem there are that many people talking about the Sorcerer's maestro bloodline. The adventure path I'm doing will be a play-by-post(PbP) roleplay heavy campaign with ...
samuraiben's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is there a divine caster class/archetype that has access to a significant number of illusion spells?

I like the idea of creating a tricky, illusion-wielding, stealthy Cleric of Sivanvah ("patron goddess of illusion magic, tricksters, and those who keep secrets"). I know I can make a Cleric with the ...
Jeff Fry's user avatar
  • 8,469
-4 votes
1 answer
4k views

What are the advantages/disadvantages of playing a druid, and why should I play one? [closed]

I haven't ever seen or had anyone explain druids except that they can turn into animals. Please explain their usefulness. They look interesting since I myself like nature. I have little to no info on ...
Mrex's user avatar
  • 5
6 votes
2 answers
915 views

Will it cause any balance issues if I grant a character a free feat to balance out their low ability scores?

One of my players rolled up a character with extremely low stats even after applying all his class and race bonuses: +3, 0, 0, -1, -2 and -3. The player chose Bard as their class. Considering that ...
link64's user avatar
  • 2,376
5 votes
0 answers
611 views

What can I do to roleplay better in DnD? [closed]

I have been playing D&D for nearly 2 years with the same character, a female elven monk who is a sage librarian. I was previously in a party where role playing wasn't pushed as much as it is in ...
user50346's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
4k views

How many spells does a Wizard start off with?

I'm creating a Mage in AD&D 2e for fun, and want to know how many spells my character starts off with at first level. I know that there is Table 21: Wizard Spell Progression, but my Dad and I ...
EthelredUnready315's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
96 views

Creating a Terry Pratchett witch in Hero Quest [closed]

We are starting a Hero Quest RPG game. I have decided I want to play a Terry Pratchett style witch, but am not sure how to do it. I have decided to have my main skills (things) as charisma and ...
WendyG's user avatar
  • 1,404
9 votes
2 answers
366 views

Should non-human transmuter wizards be allowed?

I recently joined a group about to start a new adnd-2e campaign. As I am new to D&D in general, I only learned after the fact that I made a mistake during character creation, resulting in a ...
Søren D. Ptæus's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
15k views

Are there any overpowered race/class combinations for Curse of Strahd?

Curse of Strahd was released in 2016; since then, there have been many supplement books with extra races and subclasses. Are there any combinations of races/classes I should advise players to take in ...
Biomage's user avatar
  • 628
27 votes
4 answers
8k views

Does this low-Str/low-Dex idea for a Fighter work out?

I've been playing around with the idea for a new character, but I'm curious whether I'm going to run into unforeseen problems at later levels. The idea is to take a Variant Human Fighter and pick up ...
Erik's user avatar
  • 80.7k
4 votes
1 answer
393 views

Can there be two high elves in Dungeons & Dragons? [closed]

I'm trying to make my own character sheet but I'm lost. One of the main characters is already a high elf; does that mean I can't be one?
bit_of_a_dummy's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
8k views

Can a Tiefling Subrace be Feral?

Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes offers the option to select a different heritage for a Tiefling by replacing the default Ability Score Increase with its own (as well as by replacing the Infernal Legacy ...
David Coffron's user avatar
37 votes
10 answers
12k views

How can I discourage a player from making the same character if their current one dies?

This was inspired by this question: Should I allow players to recreate the exact same character if they die? Whilst it was closed as too subjective (because it asks whether one should want to do this)...
NathanS's user avatar
  • 78.9k
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Should I allow players to recreate the exact same character if they die? [closed]

I'm a fairly new DM playing the 5e Starter Set campaign, Lost Mine of Phandelver, with a completely new group of 3 players. I know the players well and like most players they're attached to their ...
Nickienator's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
145 views

How should I go about making a Pathfinder 3.5 Drow Sorcerer? [closed]

This is probably an odd question but here goes. I’m going to be joining a home-brew campaign for Pathfinder 3.5 which from what I’ve been told about this campaign by the DM it’s going to follow the ...
I-am-PrOxY's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
4k views

What's the closest RAW build possible to the Gray Mouser in 5e?

I am of course referring to the legendary figure of Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar series (one of the things Gary Gygax said was his inspiration to invent D&D). I am assuming this character is so off-...
BigJamey's user avatar
  • 647
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

Can Pun-Pun be created using the rules as written?

Pun-Pun is a theory-crafted kobold developed in an attempt to have the most powerful character possible at the lowest level possible. While I'm sure not many DMs would allow Pun-Pun as a PC, can such ...
Noah Riggenbach's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

I'm a new DM and one of my players is abusing Min/Max. I'm looking for advice on how to deal with this fairly [closed]

The player built a human "dex" barbarian, with Dex and Con the top two attribute scores to maximize the unarmored defense bonus (AC 17 at level 1) and take half damage when raging. He wields a rapier ...
Christopher Rattray's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
218 views

What scores do I assign to concentrations in Deadlands Classic?

The Deadlands Classic rulebook says that if an aptitude lists concentrations then you must choose one, and that for 3 points you can choose an additional concentration. The sample character given ...
Avery Lychee's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is the pregenerated dragonborn sorcerer's Charisma saving throw bonus wrong?

When looking at the Dragonborn Sorcerer's pre-generated character sheet, the character's Charisma saving throws seem to be wrong. For the level 1, 2, 3 and 4 sheets, I think it should be +5 instead of ...
Felipe D.'s user avatar
  • 861
9 votes
2 answers
895 views

What variant rules are there on "overstacking" base saves for multiclass characters?

I am planning a character with a lot of different character classes mixed in mostly to have a lot of useful, flavory low level feats and a broad selection of skills. What bothers me is that the base ...
TheQ's user avatar
  • 1,647
2 votes
0 answers
132 views

How can I un-reveal a character's secret? [closed]

My gaming group just started a new RPG campaign, set in futuristic space using Modern Age 0.991 rules. Our campaigns have typically lasted 1-2 years each, so serious thought goes into each of my ...
Marathon to May's user avatar
26 votes
6 answers
7k views

Are there viable crossbow-using builds without Crossbow Expert?

I like crossbows as a concept. There's just something about the loading and the aiming and the thunk. What I don't like as much are rapid-firing automatic crossbows or the kind of machinegunning that ...
vonBoomslang's user avatar
  • 7,909
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Should a player be allowed to keep a character they used for part of a campaign a year ago?

I have an interesting predicament. One player just entered my campaign after claiming that a year ago, he had leveled this character up to level 2. It's not that bad, but wait. He also claimed that he ...
TheCentaur's user avatar
  • 1,562
11 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is it possible for a tiefling warlock to cast Augury when they are first level?

I have started running D&D 5e just now, so I do not have an encyclopedic knowledge of character creation options. We played a first session, with half character generation and half low-key play. ...
Tommi's user avatar
  • 10.2k
21 votes
9 answers
14k views

How can a Forge Cleric obtain proficiency with swords at first level?

I am about to start a campaign of D&D 5th edition. I have a character in mind, a blacksmith with a thing for swords, who became a cleric worshiping a sword god. Mechanically this translates to a ...
MegaCrow's user avatar
  • 903
3 votes
1 answer
292 views

If I have Charm of Wisdom and Lore of Escape, do I add my Wisdom modifier twice to Bluff checks?

In the character generation process for the Inquisitor class, I was faced with a question, the answer to which I'm not entirely sure. I used Conversion Inquisition, which grants me: Charm of ...
Ogden Welm's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
781 views

Can I choose a skill that the person on my left already has, during character creation in Paranoia Red Clearance Edition?

In 2016 Paranoia during character creation player on my left gets the exact opposite of what I choose. If I write +4 in Throw, she gets -4. I cannot choose a skill I got negative modifier previously ...
Mołot's user avatar
  • 24.1k
4 votes
1 answer
182 views

What is the importance of Handedness?

The Basic Role Playing system by Chaosium requires a player to specify their character's handedness: Handedness: Is the character right- or left-handed? Pick one—there are no game system ...
enkryptor's user avatar
  • 67.7k
3 votes
2 answers
397 views

When gaining a new skill through a connection, do players gain it at level 1 or 0?

Gaining one level in any skill seems to fall outside the standard "Skills can be listed with or without an associated level. If no rank is listed, then you gain that skill at Level 1 if you do not ...
Izaac Ward's user avatar
57 votes
25 answers
21k views

How can I avoid problems that arise from rolling ability scores?

Rolling ability scores is a time-honored tradition across many editions of D&D. However, it can sometimes cause problems for players and/or the DM. For example, one player character may end up ...
Oblivious Sage's user avatar
  • 55.2k
5 votes
1 answer
535 views

Role-playing and being "stuck" with an archetype? [closed]

I never played the "board" D&D games; my experience is limited to what is available via "classic" PC games. But I'd like to try D&D with the real players in real life at the board with the ...
Alma Do's user avatar
  • 153
11 votes
2 answers
580 views

Are there any rules covering selfmade gear as starting equipment on higher levels?

Let's say that a player creates a 6th level character with maximum possible ranks in craft (armorsmithing) . They want to start with selfmade full plate armor. Should they still cover the full price ...
Momonga-sama's user avatar
  • 9,963

1
7 8
9
10 11
29