Character creation (also character generation or character design) is the process of defining a game character. Typically, a character's individual strengths and weaknesses are represented by a set of statistics or descriptive terms.
20
votes
15answers
810 views
How to: Create a good backstory for how the party got together?
I'm making a list of things to do for character creation for my first game as DM, and one things I've often heard is to have at least some reason for the players to have come together for their ...
16
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the optimal way to design a well balanced party
Confession - I just TPK'd my group....again.
One of the reasons that has been identified is that while the party is composed of 5 pretty well optimized characters, as a party they just aren't in ...
16
votes
11answers
711 views
How can you find a balance between effective/optimised characters and creative characters?
When creating characters, I often face a dilemma between making a character. It feels like they can either be optimized so they can "pull their own weight" or having a character I think is creative ...
12
votes
2answers
705 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing a player to play a large creature?
We're playing 4e Thunderspire Labyrinth and we've decided to let the tank play a large (2x2) Minotaur.
He has all of the stats from the Minotaur player character in the Players Handbook 3, but he's a ...
27
votes
10answers
572 views
What can I include in my character's background to help the GM build a better story?
Whatever the system or the world used, what can a player add to his character background that will help the GM make the game more interesting.
Games are much more interesting with the addition of ...
13
votes
7answers
1k views
Does it make sense to give characters free weapons expertise?
A player I know suggested that when playing 4th ed, it made sense to give characters the Weapons Expertise feat for free at 5th level. I don't have much experience with 4.0, so I don't know whether I ...
11
votes
4answers
437 views
Is there a reason to ignore/adjust the Wealth By Level chart?
While reading this
Cohort Question I was kinda struck by a quote in there and instead of asking an unrelated question in that area I figured it would be good to make a separate question.
The quote ...
17
votes
1answer
3k views
How do favored classes work in Pathfinder?
I'm working on creating a half-elf paladin character for a Pathfinder game. Full disclosure: this is the first time I've tried creating a character; I've used ones other people created before. In ...
20
votes
10answers
572 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of develop in play (DIP) compared to develop at the start (DAS) character generation?
Originally, Are you really DIPpy?1
What are the advantages and disadvantages to developing your character in play (DIP) compared to developping at the start (DAS)?
What experiences have you had with ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Playing as, not with, ourselves
A few of the members of our gaming have had the probably-not-unique idea of statting ourselves as if we were player characters in a campaign. Our problem is trying to find a basis of comparison for ...
17
votes
2answers
17k views
Optimal Focused Fighter Builds in Pathfinder
Using just the core rulebook and the advanced player's guide, what would be an optimal build for a fighter using 25 points for point-buy character generation? Assume it's a level 10 fighter intended ...
10
votes
2answers
293 views
How can I introduce Life Paths to character generation?
The first time I played* Traveller, I found myself blown away by the detailed character creation, featuring year by year (4 year chunks actually) break down of how your character got where they are ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
How do you make a wizard who doesn't need a spellbook?
I know what you're thinking: "Dude, just play a Sorcerer". Well, I ask this question because of two main reasons. Wizards get some extra spells for specializing, and my DM says sorcerers are rare.
I ...
17
votes
7answers
724 views
How can I roll a character's age using only d6?
I'm making a simple, slightly comedic home-brew RPG where a lot of the characters' base stats are randomized for comedic effect. This includes the characters' age. (So you can have a ridiculously ...
10
votes
2answers
7k views
Bomb based alchemist builds
I'm looking for help with building a bomb-slinging alchemist at level 10. Assume 25 point buy for initial generation. The focus is getting the most effective bomb usage possible. Fast bombs is ...
4
votes
2answers
239 views
How do I turn a daily into an encounter?
I'm looking for something that shifts a daily power into an encounter power. I want to take the Demigod Epic Path so I can use Blade Cascade whenever I want. Ideas?
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I fill the DnD 4E Essentials Character Sheets? - clarifications
I'm exercising to start as a DM, and one of the things I'm doing is know how to fill the 4E (especially Essentials) character sheets. I'm not sure what I should fill
What are the "Modifier", "Misc" ...
15
votes
6answers
593 views
How do I represent a warlock with a background in thievery?
I'm developing a Dwarven Warlock (Hrafnhildur "Fin" Arnarsdottir) for the next 4E campaign I get the chance to join. She left home to join a gang in a city, and after reading a book they were going to ...
12
votes
1answer
811 views
How are some Essentials classes non AEDU classes?
I've just received my Essentials books. Perusing the Heroes of the Adjective Noun books, the classes have and receive at-wills, encounter, daily and utility powers as they start and level.
On the ...
11
votes
7answers
2k views
What striker builds let you play a secondary defender role?
I'm going to play D&D 4e on the PC side of the screen for the first time soon, and it looks like the best way to fill the party's needs is by taking up a striker that can also defend a bit. ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between themes and backgrounds?
Wizards has fairly recently released character themes for D&D 4th Edition.
What is the difference between themes and backgrounds?
Can you pick one of each or do you have to choose between the ...
9
votes
4answers
3k views
What class/builds can be used to fulfill both striker and controller roles?
Many classes/ builds allow one to fulfill multiple party roles. For example, a Paladin is a hybrid leader/defender. What classes/builds are a good way to handle striker/controller? I'm looking for ...
7
votes
3answers
428 views
How important is charisma for a 3.X bard?
I've just started a DnD 3.5 campaign that will probably run through the summer, taking us from level three (where we start) to around level eight or nine. It's a small party (four players) and two of ...
6
votes
3answers
272 views
Creating a Wizard at high levels: How many Spells should he know?
I have looked all over this site & Google but I can't seem to get a good answer to this.
When creating a Wizard over level 1, how many spells should he have in his spellbook? I'm speaking in ...
6
votes
1answer
253 views
Skill rank feat prerequisites
The feat Practiced Spellcaster (Complete Arcane) has a prerequisite of four skill ranks in Spellcraft.
Can I take this feat on the first level if I use my skill points to get Spellcraft to four ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Swordsage feat selection to amplify his battle prowess?
The following question was raised during the making of a strength based, two handing (a little bit MAD) swordsage.
Currently my feat selection is based on the Master of the Nine prerequisites (them ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Custom Race Creation for D&D 4e
The Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide provides a few examples of how to adapt monsters into full-fledged PC races, but they're limited to only a few options.
Are there any resources or other ...
4
votes
3answers
197 views
If my Initiator Level is high enough, can I take Stances of a level higher than 1st when I take my first level in a martial adept class?
Usually, a martial adept’s Initiator Level is equal to his class level, plus his class level in any maneuver-granting Prestige Classes, plus half his level in all other classes.
This means a ...
4
votes
1answer
252 views
Ways to add the [Good] Descriptor to Spells for Arcane Spellcaster
The 'Consecrate Spell' feat from Book of Exalted Deeds adds the [Good] descriptor to spells cast. Is there another way to achieve this for arcane spellcasters, e.g. as a prestige class feature?
The ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
Is one of the characters in my group overpowered?
I'm starting my first stint as a DM, in DnD 4E, and one of my players insisted on rolling dice for his stats. I was ok, provided, as I said, "that the character was balanced with the rest of the ...
2
votes
3answers
296 views
What is a good support class for a Drow Hunter?
This is a conintuation of my other question: How do I run a single player 4e essentials game? Drow Hunter
Which class would be a better supporting NPC for a Drow Hunter PC.
A half-elf (half ...
