Character Creation - Simplified or Detailed?

[Wombat]

I prefer complex, detailed character creation systems, systems with many options. I love systems like Ars Magica, HarnMaster, and the like, systems that require a lot of thought of what your character will end up as; this probably also affects my current D20 tastes.

Now that being said, there is an upward limit to my tastes -- Aftermath, Space Opera, and Heroes/Champions feel too much for me.

Equally, there are some "hidden complex" systems out there -- Over the Edge, Spirit of the Century, and other similar systems are very open with simple mechanics, yet due to their openness they create a lot of crunchy goodness.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I like detailed, but not mathematically complex (as some others have said).

Creating a high level 3e character = a chore for me. Same for creating a character in Chivalry and Sorcery for those who remember it.

However, I love creating a character for Traveller (especially the Mongoose Traveller) where it gives all kinds of interesting background hooks and jumping off points for my creativity to work from. Cyberpunk 22=020 (I think) had a nice flowchart system for doing a character background.

I love all that stuff.

 

[DeadlyUematsu]

I prefer streamlined character creation. This can mean very simple (OD&D) or little book referencing (HERO).

 

[Jack Colby]

I don't mind spending the time if it's worth it, but I did vote for the simple method. It's just easier and more conducive to actually getting a game going. The detailing can (and should, imo) come as you play and gain experience anyhow. No need to front-load a character who might die in the first session anyhow.

 

[fba827]

wow, talk about a very close poll (so far) - 43 to 43.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I like detailed, but not mathematically complex (as some others have said).

Creating a high level 3e character = a chore for me. Same for creating a character in Chivalry and Sorcery for those who remember it.

However, I love creating a character for Traveller (especially the Mongoose Traveller) where it gives all kinds of interesting background hooks and jumping off points for my creativity to work from. Cyberpunk 22=020 (I think) had a nice flowchart system for doing a character background.

I love all that stuff.

Um, well, considering I was going to write something rather like this, I'll just respond with a 'same here!' and that'll have to do.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Character creation is in some ways the best part of the whole game. I want it to take a long time. I want to spend that time to get every detail right, spend every copper piece I'm given, scan every one of dozens of books for any tiny tidbit that may prove useful. I'd explain more but I have to detail my newest character...

 

[Oni]

It's a matter of return for time spent.

If it takes me 15 minutes to make a character that's mostly what I want or 4 hours to make one that's exactly that I want, I'll happily take the 15 minute character and be done with it.

Details are great and all, and it's really nice to have things that said you aside mechanically from other PC's however I don't want to have spend my entire afternoon bogged down in math to find out the skill modifier for animal husbandry just to get through character creation.

The more like work character creation is, the less time it needs to take before it damages my experience.

 

[The Human Target]

I prefer complex creation in my main games, but its nice to have a really simple game to play for one offs and pickup games.

So both.