Do You Build As You Go?

Queen_Dopplepopolis

First Post

• Jul 25, 2007

• #1

I was recently pondering character creation when I realized that none of my characters ever end up the way I plan when I'm rolling my d6's. That is, the game always takes twists and turns that change the progression I intended my character to take. So, I'll start out with a clear idea of where my character will be at 20th level... the feats, the skills, and the perfect PrC. Yet, somehow, it all ends up changing and my paladin that I wanted to become a ship captain ends up never stepping foot on a boat until somewhere around 15th level (and with more cleric levels than paladin!).

Do you build your characters as you play or do you create a character with a specific build in mind? What's the most drastic change in character concept that you've ever experienced or seen?

 

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The Lost Muse

First Post

• Jul 25, 2007

• #2

For me, it depends on who is DM'ing and for how long. In a quick 3-4 session campaign (usually to give me a break) I will take whatever is expedient; however, in a long-term campaign I try and come up with a character concept that requires several levels to fully realize.

 

Philotomy Jurament

First Post

• Jul 25, 2007

• #3

I DM, rather than playing, but I can't imagine a player's "plan" for their PC surviving intact through 20 levels of my campaign.

 

M

maddman75

First Post

• Jul 25, 2007

• #4

Never. Seeing my character evolve and change through the game is part of the fun for me. Truthfully, if I started a character out and planned it out that far I'd be bored of it.

 

G

Grymar

Explorer

• Jul 25, 2007

• #5

I find I'm much like you, Queen. I'll start with a plan, but then due to either the varied twists and turns of a campaign or my own short attention span, I'll often do something unexpected.

I'm actually trying to force myself to get a prestige class in one campaign...believe it or not, it will be my first PrC ever. I'm shooting for getting my Warforged Scout Fighter/Scout a few levels of Extreme Explorer.

 

MrFilthyIke

First Post

• Jul 25, 2007

• #6

When I play, I'm a one class person. I don't really multi-class.
I don't like too many PrC's, so never plan for them. My plan of
feats may change with time, but I almost always stay with the
same class.

 

Rodrigo Istalindir

Explorer

• Jul 25, 2007

• #7

Traditionally, I'll start with a plan and enjoy watching the character evolve as they go. I really don't enjoy it any other way -- if I locked myself into a path at 1st level and felt obliged to stick with it for a year, I'd get bored with that character real quick. FWIW, I play computer RPGs the same way.

 

kaomera

Explorer

• Jul 25, 2007

• #8

I think you need to do a bit of both. Pre-requisites for feats alone require at least a certain attention to how the character is developed mechanically, but you can't ever be sure how it will all work out in the end...

 

Tiberius

Explorer

• Jul 25, 2007

• #9

Usually I have a progression set in stone, and it takes a pretty substantial event or revelation to change that. For example, my current character in an Eberron game was intended to go Wiz5/Wild Mage 10/Fatespinner 5. Then I died, and learned that the Eberronian (?) afterlife is a giant line. Just... waiting. For something as-yet-to-be-determined. Being the freewheeling type, I could totally see my character finding this shockingly abhorrant. As such, my reaction to this was along the lines of "Seriously? I need a phylactery!"

It's a +4 LA, but it's so worth it to never go back there.

 

Flexor the Mighty!

18/100 Strength!

• Jul 25, 2007

• #10

maddman75 said:

Never. Seeing my character evolve and change through the game is part of the fun for me. Truthfully, if I started a character out and planned it out that far I'd be bored of it.

Click to expand...

Ditto. I don't plan characters I play them and see where they go.