What do you want out of Character sheet?

Sacrosanct

Legend

• Apr 18, 2023

• #1

What do you prefer out of your character sheets? Do you like it streamlined and simple (like the B/X version)? Lots of info in blocks (like AD&D)? Keep it to one page? Or several (like 5e)? Something with some flair and flavor (like the GEAS example)? Do you want the most important rules to be on the sheet itself, or only things PC specific? Or something that's a piece of art, like the last example?

 

log in or register to remove this ad

Sacrosanct

Legend

• Apr 18, 2023

• #2

For me, I prefer something basic, or something with unique art elements that draw my eye to the right area. As I get older, my vision isn't as good, and I don't want to scan the sheet if it looks like an excel table. So that 2e sheet is right out.

 

P

Pedantic

Legend

• Apr 18, 2023

• #3

The feature I most want from a character sheet lately is a specific list of actions, particularly in combat. Show me all my choices and let me pick from them.

 

schneeland

Hero

• Apr 18, 2023

• #4

I prefer if everything fits on a single page, but I also like layouts that have a bit of "breathing room" between elements. So ideally something like the Broken Compass character sheet, but for less light-weight games, two pages like e.g. the Forbidden Lands character sheet (both below), work for me, too. A bit of decoration is nice, but not too much, please.
I don't really need rules on the character sheet, but it's nice if there is room for a one or two line summary of special abilities and talents (that's one thing I would like to see improved on the Forbidden Lands sheet).

From your examples, I like the B/X sheet and the third one.

***

 

FitzTheRuke

Legend

• Apr 18, 2023

• #5

ONE piece of paper. Two for spellcasters above level 8. That's it.

 

aramis erak

Legend

• Apr 18, 2023

• #6

My preference depends upon the game.

• For games where players have a lot of skills with levels, I want the universally or nearly universally rated skills on the sheet.
• I want items grouped by type. Attributes in block A, skills in B.
  • If skills hard-linked to attributes, Block B should be arranged to match Block A.
• In games with simple enough to hand copy special abilities, I want room to list them and their mechanic.
• Anything which is rolled for or points are spent for in character gen, there should be a space
  • Largely, this is because I've often let players rebuild after the first few sessions if they discovered things just are unfun as generated
  • Also, certain players I've needed to audit, because they consistently cheated and pissed off other players by so doing.
• I like, when practical, to include the core mechanical tables needed. EG
  • In Champions3/Champions 4/HSR4/HSR55, the To Hit modifiers, and the hit locations, as well as the core martial arts actions.
  • In YZE games, the combat mechanics are half a sheet, and are thus too much to fit on the sheets for most. So they go instead on a cardstock handout.
  • In 2300, MegaTraveller, TNE, T4 or Mongoose Traveller: The task labels and their associated: TN (2300, MT), TN multiplier (TNE), dice throw (T4/T5), or DRM (MgT) go on the sheet; in MgT (and MT, as I've some math inept players) the Att Modifiers table, too. (MT and MgT, damage reduces attributes, and can trigger refiguring after the combat. Or, as in CT, during combat, unless using Snapshot, AHL, or Striker.)

 

kenada

Legend

Supporter

• Apr 19, 2023

• #7

The sheet should be designed to assist play.

• Group related things together. If I’m going to be adding a modifier to a skill to make a roll, don’t make me scan all across the sheet to find these things. They should be next to each other.
• Establish visual landmarks on the sheet to help players remember where things are. Don’t be cute and overdo it with fancy icons for everything. That defeats the point.
• Everything important should be on the front of the sheet.

The sheet should be designed to be used by people.

• Provide enough space for people to write values and erase them. Don’t make the boxes so small you can accidentally erase too much.
• Don’t get fancy with the design and make me waste toner printing out your fancy pants sheet.
• Make spaces actually big enough to use by people with normal-sized handwriting.

I’ve tried to do those things for the sheet we use with my homebrew system. It’s a bit plain though and needs updated in places.

 

R

Retreater

Legend

• Apr 19, 2023

• #8

The best character sheet I've seen in 30+ years of gaming is the new edition of Mothership. It walks you through character creation at each step, like a flowchart. Would only work with a simpler designed game, but I could set you down with that sheet and you could have a character in 5 minutes.

 

aco175

Legend

• Apr 19, 2023

• #9

I have a basic Excel one-sheet I use that has been updated since 2e days. It is just to print and write on and nothing fancy. It is in the resources section since someone asked for something a few months ago. I use a basic spell sheet if I need a caster.

 

Snarf Zagyg

Notorious Liquefactionist

• Apr 19, 2023

• #10

A last will and testament.