Does anyone grow their characters organically anymore?

[Treantmonklvl20]

Are wizards really gods? Yes, on charop boards.

I would like to point out that my guide for wizards was never intended for shameless optimization. It was intended to show how effective wizards could be in a support role, rather than in a primary combat role.

I also defined "god" in the guide as a character type that buffs, debuffs and controls the battlefield, but lets the other characters do the attacks and damage. (just as a "god" in greek mythology would use his powers to alter reality in his heroes favor, but ultimately let the heroes do the dirty work and get the glory and fame)

Any one-man-army wizard is definitely not a "god" wizard!

Years later, I can say in hindsight that "Treantmonk's guide to Wizards: Being a god" was probably a title ripe for misinterpretation.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I would like to point out that my guide for wizards was never intended for shameless optimization. It was intended to show how effective wizards could be in a support role, rather than in a primary combat role.

I also defined "god" in the guide as a character type that buffs, debuffs and controls the battlefield, but lets the other characters do the attacks and damage. (just as a "god" in greek mythology would use his powers to alter reality in his heroes favor, but ultimately let the heroes do the dirty work and get the glory and fame)

Any one-man-army wizard is definitely not a "god" wizard!

Years later, I can say in hindsight that "Treantmonk's guide to Wizards: Being a god" was probably a title ripe for misinterpretation.

I use that guide regularly and I like it. I do think the term "god-wizard" has entered the D&D lexicon with the definition: "wizard who abuses ridiculously overpowered spell combos jumbled together from sometimes esoteric sources". I don't think it's the guide's fault.

 

[concerro]

I normally preplan my characters to a large extent, but I also have optional feats depending on how things go. Sometimes my group will level up in the middle of a session so it helps to have the information handy.

 

[ForeverSlayer]

I let the campaign build my character for me. Based on the items I find and the events that happen along the way is how I build my character. I don't build my characters for optimal reasons and if the events in the campaign inspire me to build a story based PC who isn't optimal in any way then I go with that.

 

[TarionzCousin]

"No plan survives contact with the enemy."

 

[Dravin]

Excluding CRPGs I like to think I try to build effective characters rather than maximized characters. Now I probably don't build them 'organically' in as much as I tend to plan out their path before hand. Not necessarily all details from lvl 1 to lvl 20, but if there is a feat chain I desire or a certain ability I'll think ahead about how I'm going to accomplish that.

Strangely, or maybe not, I have a much easier time letting my skills go in less effective routes than I do feats. But then I like to play (my experience is mostly 3.X ED) skill point heavy classes or with a high INT, and human on top of that (for the feat and skill point) so if I want a CC flavor skill I suppose it isn't a huge sacrifice.

 

[Wiseblood]

A little bit of both here too. I come up with an idea then bounce it around for a while then another, then another and go with whatever strikes me when it's time to level up.

 

[Herobizkit]

Myself, I generally plan out what PrC I'm aiming for, or if I'm aiming for one at all. I don't generally get to play the characters I enjoy because campaigns often fold well before I even get to the level I want to be.

To that end, I've started cramming as much awesome into level 1-3 as I can, which does require planning.

 

[Dark Mistress]

Sure people do. I do I tend to pick feats, skills, etc all based on what IC happened to the character from the last time they leveled.

You are just not are going to see any posts about it, cause no one needs help doing that. But the reverse is not true so you will see lots of posts about planning out builds to be optimal and people often ask or need help doing it. Which is why there is so many threads about it and none about the organic build.

 

[SnowleopardVK]

Sure people do. I do I tend to pick feats, skills, etc all based on what IC happened to the character from the last time they leveled.

My current DM actually forces players to do it that way. No taking combat casting unless you've already been successful at some defensive casting without the feat for example. No taking catch off-guard unless you've actually been improvising weapons on occasion, etc.