Rolling up a personality for a model new marketing campaign? Looking to exchange your previous one? Here’s methods to create your subsequent character.

One of one of the best issues about D&D is creating a personality. It’s most gamers’ first level of entry into the sport, so it stands to motive that it must be enjoyable in and of itself. If you’ve ever tried enjoying D&D (or every other RPG) on-line, then you understand typically that’s all you get earlier than the marketing campaign fizzles out.

But as soon as you’re feeling such as you’ve gotten to actually play a personality… what’s after? How do you determine what else to play? Whether you’re becoming a member of a brand new sport, or simply changing a fallen comrade, right here’s methods to create your subsequent character.

Everyone finally figures out no matter course of works proper for them. There’s nobody right approach to create a personality. As lengthy as you’re having enjoyable, you’re doing it proper. So let’s start.

Begin on the Beginning

Before you begin writing out your backstory or choosing attributes, you’ve acquired to know the place you’re going to start out. There are a number of locations to start creating a personality. But when infinite risk stretches out earlier than you, what do you do?

You can’t create on high of an infinite void. But you’ll be able to create on high of 1 mounted level that’s seemingly whirling round in an infinite void. Rather than excited about your complete character in a single go, simply determine one reply, one assertion, and one reality about your character that’s true. And the remainder can construct from there.

Some individuals like to consider what kind of character they’ll play. You may begin with a personality class or race in thoughts. If you’ll be able to end this sentence: “I’m going to play a/an _____” that is most likely the place you started. When you resolve “I want to play a Barbarian” or “I’m gonna be an Elf” that’s the place you’re ranging from.

It’s a simple place to start out creating a personality. Most of the work is already carried out. You have that one element “I’m a Fighter” or “I’m a Tabaxi” and you’ll construct off of that reality.

Another good place to start is by excited about what your character’s persona is. Maybe you understand you’re going to play a scoundrel. Or a nerdy scholar. Or some sort of femme fatale. I’ve listed some traditional archetypes right here, however possibly you’re a little bit extra nuanced than that. Either method, you discover your method into the character’s head by excited about what they’re like.

And can fill in the remainder of the main points from there. Is this scoundrel fast and crafty, or do they depend on luck and agility to tug it by?

An equally legitimate place to start is to consider the foundations you need to use. Typically that is when you understand a little bit bit extra about how the foundations work together with one another. You may start with a particular construct or mechanical combo you need to use, like combining a Sorcerer‘s huge number of spell slots with a Paladin’s potential to smite, turning spell slots into additional harm. And high all that off with a stage of Hexblade so all you want is Charisma.

Perhaps probably the most legitimate place to start is with an concept that appears like a joke however you then take it extraordinarily severely.

Whatever the case, upon getting your first bits of information, you’re able to go.

How to Create Your Next Character – Show Some Restraint

It is a fact universally acknowledged that individuals like to wrestle in opposition to the foundations. Sometimes, all you want are a number of restrictions so that you’re not constructing in an infinite void. Because upon getting restrictions in place, issues like “no magic-users” or “Elves aren’t real in this world” you’ve gotten some issues to push in opposition to.

Really all we’re making an attempt to do is winnow down the infinite vortex of terrifying risk into one thing you’ll be able to work with. And top-of-the-line methods to do this is with some artistic restraints. I’ve it on good authority that individuals like to wrestle in opposition to restraints that they’ve enthusiastically consented to.

This is the place asking the DM or fellow gamers on the desk for some pointers. There are a number of different types of artistic restraints you’ll be able to consider.

Thinking about the celebration composition is an age-old character creation restraint. If the celebration has two Fighters, a Rogue, and a Wizard, odds are good they may want somebody to heal them up. Is the celebration filled with squishy spellcasters? Maybe it’s good to play a Barbarian to assist steadiness issues out.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to lean into it, and make the all-Wizard celebration. This is totally good enjoyable, so long as everybody’s prepared for it.

Another factor to remember is the marketing campaign’s backstory which is likely to be broad open. But it is likely to be one thing as particular as “you’re all Magic Students at Strixhaven Academy.” Or “you’re all knights, everyone needs to have at least 1 level of Fighter.”

Or maybe there’s someplace on this planet that may provide the restraint it’s good to begin discovering a personality. Are there any thrilling locations your DM can inform you about? Legendary adventurers? This is a good way to start excited about a personality who has an thrilling story to inform to the remainder of the celebration.

Maybe you’ve gotten a character-specific aim, which is one among my private favourite methods of making a personality. When considering of character objectives, it’s good to be extraordinarily particular. “My character wants to be a good Fighter” is imprecise and exhausting to measure. But “My character wants to be the best sellsword on the Shimmering Isles” is healthier. “My character needs 500 gp to pay off the Xanathar’s Guild before next Friday” is even higher nonetheless. But you may need to speak with the DM about that one.

Other Places to Check

Once you’ve acquired that discovered, you’re principally by the exhausting half. The relaxation is simply determining what talents you need to use, and what spells you’ll take. The smartest thing there may be you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable. Pick one thing wildly totally different or play with previous acquainted favorites.

As lengthy as you’re having enjoyable, you’re doing it proper. And when you’ve acquired your character began, you’ll be able to take a look at Matt Mercer’s suggestions for being participant. Or take a look at methods to give your character a voice (no accent wanted).

Good luck with that subsequent character!

Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and now and again eats sandwiches. You can ask him about both at [email protected]

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