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Message: <blockquote data-quote="InVinoVeritas" data-source="post: 3378636" data-attributes="member: 41485">One thing I find that helps prevent a lot of crazy optimal builds is starting the campaign at first level, and strictly controlling the addition of non-core items. No warblade, jade phoenix mage, or shocktrooper, using Sadrik's example. Also, there are a lot of builds that won't really be enjoyable in the middle levels while you're waiting for the piece that makes the combo work, so people get steered into maintaining optimization and survivability throughout the character's career, and the ramp-up in power can be managed instead of an issue at the get-go.As for role-playing, a well-crafted history does not a character make. How did the history impact the character's personality and development? Is there a logical transition from one career path to another? Why does the prestige class even exist? Another reason I like starting characters out at first level is that they don't have a big history yet; they can make it as they go along. I want personalities, quirks, and the sort of proclivities explaining not only why the character drinks milk instead of mead, but would rather take another level of cleric instead of fighter or even Radiant Servant of Pelor. Depth and optimization can walk hand in hand, but they don't have to.</blockquote>