Do you let PC's play opposite gender characters?

[Abraxas]

Have allowed it in the past, don't allow it with my current crop of players - which is fine cause the crazies went and created halfling triplets with stupid joke names (a far greater problem than cross gender characters).

As the DM i have to RP males and females so no prob - but I prefer the players to play same gender cause its just easier for me to visualize their PCs and generate my NPC reactions.

When I play characters I always play same gender because (other than campaign specific roles that are male or female only - actually I've never seen a campaign specific role that is listed as male only but there are a number in published campaigns that are female only . . . Hmmm discrimination perhaps ) there is no character concept that requires a specific gender (others may not agree but I don't care - this statement is true for me and my way of gaming)

 

[Quickbeam]

Definitely. It happens that none of my players have pursued this particular course of action recently, but it's worked just fine in the past.

For my part, I will generally play a female character in groups or during Gameday/Con situations where the party is lacking gender equality. By the same token, I'll also play whatever class or race the party seems to be in need of unless I'm heavily motivated to play a specific character type.

 

[Caspian Moon Prince]

Yep...

Yep, I've played female characters. Used to more commonly that I do now, but there is really no reason behind that besides the characters I've come up with lately have been male.

As has been stated, DMs have to play all sorts of characters and I've played many a female love interest in my day as DM.

I do think that it takes a more mature bunch to really handle it properly.

 

[Delemental]

In my current campaign, I'm playing a female character, and both of the female players in the game are playing male characters. Problems have been minimal and easily ignored. One of the female players is having a stereotype issue, but not the "typical male" stereotype; it's the "aloof elf" stereotype. The other female players hasn't had any issues playing a male; though we'll see what happens now that her character is dating my character.

Generally I have no trouble playing female characters. I do get a few off-hand comments about my current character, as she's not above being flirty to get what she wants, but nothing that makes playing her unenjoyable.

I will usually play a female character when either a particular character idea I have would suit a woman better in my mind, or when there's no other female characters. I find that having at least one female in a group changes the dynamics a bit, even when played by a male player.

 

[d12]

I fall into the "I don't see why this is even an issue" camp.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I will usually play a female character when either a particular character idea I have would suit a woman better in my mind, or when there's no other female characters. I find that having at least one female in a group changes the dynamics a bit, even when played by a male player.

I could agree more with you. It's all about character concept. I don't start out saying hey I'm going to a female this time or even male for that matter. I've also done a few females to change the party dynamics also.

My blue skinned friend I don't mean to pick on you but...

Eeee. Second-creepiest PbEM experience I've had involved a group with two male players who were both playing stereotypical gorgeous drow women (one might have been half-drow, from memory), who, a few days into the campaign, decided the characters had become lovers, and spent most of the in-character dialogue calling each other sickly pet names, making out, or commenting how they couldn't wait to get to the inn tonight...

Are you saying this would not bother you if it were two females instead?

 

[d20Dwarf]

Not a problem in my games.

But generally speaking, the gelflings will only play female characters, they both still think boys are yucky.

You gotta quit taking them to Gencon.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I'm currently playing a bearded dwarven female seductress who moans in pleasure anytime her beard is touched...by anything.

Not really.

I don't allow men in my group to play women, and prefer if the girls don't play men, but I allow that one.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Eeee. Second-creepiest PbEM experience I've had involved a group with two male players who were both playing stereotypical gorgeous drow women (one might have been half-drow, from memory), who, a few days into the campaign, decided the characters had become lovers, and spent most of the in-character dialogue calling each other sickly pet names, making out, or commenting how they couldn't wait to get to the inn tonight...

Yikes! If that's the second-creepiests PbEM expirience you've had, then the creepiest expirience must have been really strange and disturbing.

Was the party all morphed into furry animal versions of themselves and encoraged to start "yiffing?"

(And before anybody asks, I found out the definition of yiffing from an episode of CSI )

 

[Ace]

As a DM I generally don't let people play outside their own gender. The few times I have, the characters have been badly played stereotypes of the gender. (Both Men and Women have screwed this up) I was just wondering how others handle this topic??

Thanks
Z

I have pretty much the same rule you do. If I know the player is a good Roleplayer I will make an exception on a case by case basis