How do you roleplay your character?

[Baron Von Mandrick]

I chose other I'll explain below that I could have probably chose "I try to be the character".

I do try to be the character, in that when I create the character I think of a different persona or even a glorified version of myself that I'd like to play. It's usually something unconventional, and I enjoy characters that have quirks which help define them. I think about these things first, and then let scores, feats, powers, and skills fill in some details for that character.

After that I check with the DM to make sure it's OK, and make minor adjustments to help that character fit in with the storytelling, and the DM finds ways to make elements of the character fit in with the storytelling as well. After that it's about cooperative problem solving, meshing with the group. So it's a little bit of different elements and a whole lot of trying to be the character.

 

[Zhaleskra]

If this poll had used check boxes, I probably would have voted for the first three choices in it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The poll needs a "more than one of these apply" option.

Yep. My gnome illusionist has a very distinct worldview and personality (and facade personality atop that -- he is an illusionist, both philosophically and as a character class, after all). So while that drives how he behaves, I try not to do so at the expense of everyone else's fun. So for me, it's a mix of #1 and #2.

 

[Lanefan]

Where possible, I try to think like the character would given its pre-established personality, alignment, likes and dislikes, etc.; and go from there. The consequences can fall where they may, though I intentionally try to make my characters in some way entertaining to at least the other players, if not always their characters.

Note that I say "where possible". I think I'm fundamentally incapable of properly playing a character whose Wisdom is higher than about 9 unless I want to bore myself to tears in the process. I don't (usually) play the game to think and plan and strategize, I'd rather just get on with it and see what happens.

Lan-"plan is a four-letter word"-efan

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

Mark me down as "choose more than one option" AND "different options apply depending on the game/group".

In my current game I'm doing a fair blend of "be the character" and "character is story element" but I've played plenty of games towards the gamist end of the scale and enjoyed that just as well as the current game.

 

[wolfpunk]

I think I try hard to roleplay my character to the style the group desires. I don't want to be the guy that ruins it for everyone else. So if the group is more tactical, I downplay the in character role-play. If the group is combat light, roleplay heavy, then I get into my character more for the good of the interaction of the group.

So the answer is, I roleplay my character so that the group has fun, I have fun, and hopefully the DM has fun as well.

 

[Kannik]

I chose "Be the character" -- while I remain aware of the game aspect and of the greater story and the group as a whole I think from and react to things the character's point of view, even sometimes even to out-of-game events (including once where I asked the GM a question in the clipped English the way my character spoke, completely oblivious to the fact I just did that until the GM clued me in). It's kinda weird how my personality and gaming style change (unintentionally) depending on the character I'm playing. }

peace,

Kannik

 

[Argyle King]

Depending on the particular character, the system I'm playing, and/or the group I'm with, any, all, or none of these might apply.

 

[LostSoul]

"I attempt to accomplish a set of game related goals (treasure, levelling) within a story context."

In some games, game-related goals can be things like "Convince my father that material possessions lead to suffering", not just treasure and XP.

eg:

Key of Conscience
Your character has a soft spot for those weaker than their opponents.
Gain 1 XP every time your character helps someone who cannot help themselves.
Gain 2 XP every time your character defends someone with might who is in danger and cannot save themselves.
Gain 5 XP every time your character takes someone in an unfortunate situation and changes their life to where they can help themselves.
Buyoff: Ignore a request for help.​

 

[mxyzplk]

Being the character is the priority.

I will sometimes make a "story oriented" decision but regard that as a patch on a failure of what's going on.

I'll go for loot inasmuch as my character would. (Most people don't turn down loot!)