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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Guest&nbsp; 85555" data-source="post: 5587586">They aren't mutually exclusive, and sometimes people mistake making a deliberately weak character for RP, but a roleplaying is about playing the character. There are a few things going on I think. A role player is going to "optimize" from the point of view of the character (taking into consideration intelligence, preferences, etc). So he won't just pick the best tactics, buffs, weapons, etc from a 3rd person perspective, he will pick the best ones form the character's perspective. He will also keep in mind some people prepare themselves (i.e. go up in levels) suboptimally because of preference. For instance a boxer who just feels more comfortable fighting bull dog style even though he isn't built for it and would be better off with another approach, may continue to train in his spare time the way he is comfortable, rather than the way that will lead to victory in the ring. I am not saying you need to make a crappy character, or that making a powerful character is bad. But from an RP perspective, the criticism of powergaming is when it puts optimization and power ahead of playing the character believably. On the other hand you do need some level of system mastery (at least in a game like 3E) to realize cool character concepts if you are a role player. I've seen a lot of great character ideas fall short because the player couldn't make it work mechanically. There is also the other side of things where people deliberately create uber character concepts, then construct power builds to realize them. Fundamentally they are powergaming I think, but they are also role playing because the character may indeed have depth and be interesting. These aren't mutually exclusive things, but there seems to be a spectrum. And I think you have more fun when you know which of these things is keeping you interested in the game (creating a powerful character, making an interesting character or a mix of both). As an example I had a player who loved builds, and used character concepts as an excuse for builds (his own words, not mine). It took him a while to realize this. And it wasn't until he did, and until he vocalized it, that I could make the campaign suit his needs more. As a GM, I don't mind running a game for role players or powergamers. I kind of like creating my own builds to match what the PCs are doing if they are powergaming, but I also love character focused role play with little to no combat. Both approaches can be fun, and I think there is a definite range with considerable overlap in between.</blockquote>

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