Players: Do you plan in advance for character progression?

[diaglo]

In short, I plan ahead, but rarely stick to the original plan.

i plan ahead too. and throw out red herrings to keep the others off my scent. even the DM doesn't know what's in store next for my character.

 

[Desdichado]

I do plan ahead, although I often change my plans. Most of the DMs I've played with (and me too as a DM) are pretty flexible in allowing retconning of character details if the player decides he wants to change some minor details.

 

[Shallown]

As A player I usually plan ahead depending on the character's personality. If they are wild and free spirited then If I plan next level they're lucky. If the character is studious and far lloking then I may plan out levels advancement. the most I have ever done in recent times (I GM much more than play) is a Spycraft character I planned from 1st to 20th level just to see if my Gunny bunny was gonna be as skilled as I hoped. I never got her past first but planning her out was fun.

For my players I encourage planning with some flexibility. Meaning plan as far ahead as You want but be adaptable.

I played a cleric/fighter once that wanted to go mostly fighter like a 1/3 - 1/4 ratio. He was a devote man and not one to engage in combat but he saw serving the church in this way; conflict happens and wisdom dictates that people should pepare for this eventuality and since I am more a strong man than a wise man I will be the sword and shield of the church. Unfortunatly being the only cleric in the party I ended up having the ratio the other way. I always played him as wanting to improve his fighting skills but seeing the survival of his mission with the party as needing his divine power even though he lacked divine wisdom to go with it. he was always worried of his use of his powers in his Gods name. He had great faith in his God but not himself. This is an example of development in play, though I had planned out his progression to like 12th level he ended up being qute different.

 

[Felix]

Norfleet:
I don't even take a crap without a plan.

Been watching The Hunt for Red October recently?

 

[Henry]

...I probably spent a good hour planning my characters future progression all the way up to 11th level where he will take a level of the Kensai Prestige Class
( from Complete Warrior)... Why did I do this? He'll probably die well before then.

Am I a freak (read "DM") , or do most players give this much future thought to their characters progression?

Why do Football Fans argue in September over who's going to win the Superbowl next year?

Why do Golf players estimate their end scores before they even finish the front 9?

Because we're fans, and we love to estimate and fiddle with things in our hobby.

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Me, I never plan above the next three levels or so. If I even decide I want a PrC, I get there when I get there. It doesn't matter to me if the character gets there at level 7, or level 12 - he may not be optimal, but as long as he still contributes to the group, and he's fun to play, I play him.

For my first 3E character, I planned a progression, and the DM even let me rewrite two of the character's earlier levels. But since then, I haven't done it, because it was no more fun for me one way or the other. I don't like planning that far, probably because I didn't plan that far ahead in real life! (I went to University for Chemistry, and now I work in computer I.T. full time - funny, huh?) So one way or the other, it's not "sad," but it's not necessary, either. You do it 'cause it's fun.

 

[Storminator]

I rarely plan. I have a number of opportunities to build high level PCs, so those ones get the planning. Of course it's reverse planning, as I usually want to see how I got to where I am, as opposed to seeing how I get to another place.

I figure a PC is lucky to live long enough to gain a level, let alone 20, so I'm much more focused on living thru today.

PS

 

[johnsemlak]

Definitely. I try to have a PrC (or some other character path) chosen at character creation.

With my current PC, I am a level 3 Wizard/Diviner. I'm aiming for the Loremaster PrC at level 7.

I have a few Ideas of where I'll go after that. I may end up reaching the Oracle Legendary class from FFG's Path of Magic when I get to 15+ level.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

I don't like planning that far, probably because I didn't plan that far ahead in real life! (I went to University for Chemistry, and now I work in computer I.T. full time - funny, huh?) So one way or the other, it's not "sad," but it's not necessary, either. You do it 'cause it's fun.

Hey I too work full time in IT with no college trainning except a masters degree in Historic Preservation.

 

[Voadam]

I'm continually revising my leveling plans. Will my Eldritch Knight focus on combat or magic feats? Combat reflexes is good (particularly with the variable 20' reach thunderlance spell), but item creation feats have been really useful, and I haven't even taken empower yet! To get the 4 attacks at 20th level I'll need one more level of 1/1 BAB class, will it be a second level of Ranger with free PBS? A level of Unfettered for the AC? Fighter for the feat? A prestige class? I'll also have two levels of spellcasting after I max out EK, should I continue in the Harper Mage variant or take up Loremaster? Harper Mage has a better skill choice, but Loremaster can give me the +2 reflex trick and I have that ring of evasion I made.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Numion]

i plan ahead too. and throw out red herrings to keep the others off my scent. even the DM doesn't know what's in store next for my character.

IIRC there wasn't much choice involved in OD&D .. or did you mean whats in store for you next character