The "Build"
wayne62682
First Post
That is my thought on the subject. As I stated above, creating a cool personality is one thing; being able to actually execute that cool personality in-game is another. Sure, some things can be shown through just role-playing, but there are many things which need mechanics to back them up, and with a veritable ton of feats and classes out there (just counting WotC books, not even getting into the myriad of third-party material) it's best to ask "How can I build xxx" and get a list of suggestions than go through that many sourcebooks oneself.Stalker0 said:
Aaron L
Hero
This:
And this:
Is what I was going to say, in almost the same words, so I'll just cut and paste, with due credit given to my pre-stenographers.
I have no troble coming up with interesting characters or motivations for them. What I need help wuth and want to talk about is the game mechqanics to back up my character concept.
Of course, I also do like to talk about my characters, but who around here really wants to listen to others babble on about how cool theiir latest character is?
(and if you want to start a thread to do that, can I join?
)
wayne62682 said:
And this:
Thanee said:No, not at all. "Builds" enhance role-playing, since they give you the mechanics to allow you to do what your concept is meant to be able to.
Few things are more annoying than characters that are role-played as this or that and cannot even remotely do these things.
Bye
Thanee
Is what I was going to say, in almost the same words, so I'll just cut and paste, with due credit given to my pre-stenographers.
I have no troble coming up with interesting characters or motivations for them. What I need help wuth and want to talk about is the game mechqanics to back up my character concept.
Of course, I also do like to talk about my characters, but who around here really wants to listen to others babble on about how cool theiir latest character is?
(and if you want to start a thread to do that, can I join?
)
Last edited:
mhacdebhandia
Explorer
Any "build" is nothing more than a sensible mechanical representation of the character concept within the rules of the system.
For instance, my first Third Edition game included a sorcerer who made frequent use of [Cold] spells; this was pretty much a deliberate reflection of her controlled, icy personality, which was itself a consequence of her backstory and motivations. The availability of feats like Energy Substitution (Cold) improved not only her flexibility and power as a spellcaster but also reinforced the broad strokes of her concept.
I can't call that a negative.
For instance, my first Third Edition game included a sorcerer who made frequent use of [Cold] spells; this was pretty much a deliberate reflection of her controlled, icy personality, which was itself a consequence of her backstory and motivations. The availability of feats like Energy Substitution (Cold) improved not only her flexibility and power as a spellcaster but also reinforced the broad strokes of her concept.
I can't call that a negative.
pawsplay
Hero
Goldmoon said:
One of the main reasons to devise a "build" is to create a satisfying in-game portrait of a "concept." Power games, parlor tricks, and shiny-shiny are only some of the reasons people look carefullly they can do at certain levels. It sucks desiging a "hero of the people" fighter and getting to level six or so before realizing you don't have any viable options to make him inspiring or use his Charisma.
I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
You build a tool.
You win a game.
A character is a tool to win a game.
In D&D, winning is often equal to "creating a cool character."
You win a game.
A character is a tool to win a game.
In D&D, winning is often equal to "creating a cool character."
I don't mind the "build" mindset insofar as the player also has a concept and a background in mind. Granted, the player can plan his progression from lv 1 to lv 20 all they want, but things never go the way they foresee. As long as the character is played true to the character's current abilities and in line with his/her background and current motivation, then that will intrinsically determine where they go next as far as leveling. But if they stick on a predetermined path, regardless of the storyline or how much it makes sense, then that's taking the 'build' mentality across the line into the realm of munchkinism.
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