D&D 5E When do you think a character build concept reaches maturity?

[StormbringerAUS]

I know I generally go in with a concept for the character so it starts at level one - and I know this is depends on the build basically, but some a couple have changed in concept during game play (with either my concepts or it changing/maturing? or in one case the campaign story bringing a change in the characters outlook).

I would say however but once Archetype/multi classing is chosen embeds the concept more making it harder to vary.

So I would answer 1 and 3 and probably around 8 as highlighted by Laurefindel earlier.

 

[Yaarel]

For Eldritch Knight ... at level 1

New Fighting Style

Elven Chain: Instead of proficiencies with Medium Armor and Heavy Armor, you know the Mage Armor spell. You can cast it on yourself as an at-will reaction, or dispel it. The armor appears in any style you wish, including an invisible force. According to high elf decorum, the Mage Armor appears as a silk-like fine-link chain armor tunic, worn under or over a fabric tunic of a bold solid color with intricate embroidery. You gain a Wizard cantrip of your choice. Instead of the Fighter class defense proficiency, Strength, you can choose Intelligence.

 

[coolAlias]

When I play, I aim to have my character feel "complete" by 3rd-6th if single class and by 6th-8th if multi-classing.

I wanted to select the entire 3rd-8th range, but alas we are allowed but two choices.

If a build takes longer than 8th to come online, then that's too long - most of the games I've played in recently don't even reach 8th, let alone go far beyond it.

 

[Leatherhead]

Multiclassing is about what you can do at level ~7, not level 20. Level 8 is when most (single)classes get their second ASI, which means anyone who is thinking about having a feat should have one by now. A feat being the secret sauce that makes a character stand out from every other member of it's race and subclass. Those extreme builds that need two feats should also be done (though they probably used the Variant Human to do it). I couldn't imagine actually playing a character that needed 3 or more feats. That's more than half of the game sitting around playing something incomplete.

But I also honestly think a build should be functional from level 1. So I'm a bit torn on what to vote.

 

[Lanefan]

There's no option for "never".

A character concept is, ideally, a constantly-evolving thing such that by the time you've reached what you had in mind at the beginning a bunch of other possibilities have come up that are worth exploring; and by the time you reach those yet others have arisen; lather rinse repeat for the character's played career.

That's character concept: personality, characterization, traits, goals, background, story arc, friendships, rivalries, and everything else that goes into a fully fleshed-out character.

If you're merely asking about character "build" game-mechanics, there's no option for "whenever".

 

[Yaarel]

There seems to be two schools of thought.

To play a theme needs to happen at level 1, or as soon as possible.

To exploit mechanics − via a carefully planned build with selective multiclass dipping, feats, and so on − must come online by level 8.

 

[ccs]

I'd say "Before the campaign your playing in wraps up/fizzles out".
So somewhere between lv.1 - lv.12 in most cases.
The exact concept/build also plays a part. As does the average lv you can reasonably foresee achieving.

I aim for no higher than 10 myself so that I'm still likely to have a few lvs to enjoy my "peak".

 

[doctorbadwolf]

A simple poll: At what level should a character concept/build reach fruition or maturity?

I know many people might say, "It depends on the build," so I am asking you in a more general sense, considering the "average" level for different builds you have thought of or tried in game.

Please vote within the ranges, and if you have a specific level in mind or would straddle two ranges, please let me know which ones and why. You can vote twice if you think a range not available, such as 4-5, would be your answer (you could vote once for 3-4 and once for 5-6).

IIRC, for example, in SWSE you took your tests to become a "jedi" at level 7 and prior to that you were a padawan learner. So, in that sense level 7 would be your choice. If you think subclass/archetype choice is it, than choose 3-4.

Thanks for voting!

Anything past 6 is too late, for me. That’s too much time spent trying to dance around the fact that I’m not really playing the concept I set out to play.

That is the one major aspect of SWSE that I really, really, do not like.

Also, we never played it that you’re a Palawan until level 7. You just don’t get the mechanics until then. But I also almost never played a straight Jedi character in any Star Wars game.

 

[Laurefindel]

I change my answer to level 3-4 to match the OP's specific question.

The concept is usually pretty clear from the get go at level 1, or maybe level 2 if the concept really warrants a multiclass character. However, I don't think it reaches maturity until first archetype or feat - around level 3-4 - whereas the character gains the mechanical tools to fully support the intended concept.

The built however, if it can be separated from concept, takes more time to reach maturity. For that I stand with my level 8 mark, when you have enough mechanical support to say that your concept is not only represented, but complete.

 

[Yaarel]

I change my answer to level 3-4 to match the OP's specific question.

The concept is usually pretty clear from the get go at level 1, or maybe level 2 if the concept really warrants a multiclass character. However, I don't think it reaches maturity until first archetype or feat - around level 3-4 - whereas the character gains the mechanical tools to fully support the intended concept.

The built however, if it can be separated from concept, takes more time to reach maturity. For that I stand with my level 8 mark, when you have enough mechanical support to say that your concept is not only represented, but complete.

The question is really when SHOULD a character concept reach maturity.

For me, this means, the essential themes SHOULD be practicable at level 1.