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D&D 5E Preferred way to build your characters:
- Thread starter Hillsy7
- Start date
cbwjm
Seb-wejem
I'm not sure how I decide on what to build.
Sometimes I've gone, "I want a fighter", and then built a fighter and chosen options such as race and background to suit at the time. This could lead to a human fighter folk hero using sword and board or a halfling criminal fighter dual wielding shortsword and dagger.
Sometimes I have a concept already in mind like stereotypical wizard with sage background.
Other times, I find a piece of artwork, think it is cool, and develop something from that. I sometimes do the same with fictional characters (currently thinking of how I would stat the characters from battlechasers).
Lastly, I will sometimes look at the role. If a particular niche needs to be filled, I might look at filling that but it can lead to many different results. If we need a healer it could lead me to be any class that has access to healing spells (bard, cleric, druid, ranger, paladin).
Sometimes I've gone, "I want a fighter", and then built a fighter and chosen options such as race and background to suit at the time. This could lead to a human fighter folk hero using sword and board or a halfling criminal fighter dual wielding shortsword and dagger.
Sometimes I have a concept already in mind like stereotypical wizard with sage background.
Other times, I find a piece of artwork, think it is cool, and develop something from that. I sometimes do the same with fictional characters (currently thinking of how I would stat the characters from battlechasers).
Lastly, I will sometimes look at the role. If a particular niche needs to be filled, I might look at filling that but it can lead to many different results. If we need a healer it could lead me to be any class that has access to healing spells (bard, cleric, druid, ranger, paladin).
BookBarbarian
Expert Long Rester
For me it's definitely a Mix or fence as it was called. Or more accurately an Amalgamation. I start with a concept, start refining the classes and feats that I want.
This is a back and forth that typically is just how much Fighter, Ranger, and Barbarian do I want on this character. At this point something i think is mechanically interesting can go and rewrite the concept I had at the beginning. This is the source of the mix.
Stats are immaterial as I almost always shoot for 14+ in every stat but Charisma.
Once I have it down, Background is the hardest part to nail down. I like putting a lot of care into: Where did my character come from, and why did he start adventuring.
This is a back and forth that typically is just how much Fighter, Ranger, and Barbarian do I want on this character. At this point something i think is mechanically interesting can go and rewrite the concept I had at the beginning. This is the source of the mix.
Stats are immaterial as I almost always shoot for 14+ in every stat but Charisma.
Once I have it down, Background is the hardest part to nail down. I like putting a lot of care into: Where did my character come from, and why did he start adventuring.
S
Sunseeker
Guest
I typically pick a class, and go from there. Sometimes it's start with a character concept first and then see how that fits.
I'm class first, too, though I haven't been on the player side of the game very often. Also, I was surprised this choice ranked as high in the polls as it did.
My choice is based on two things: what the party needs to create a diverse skill set, and what I haven't played before. Ideally I can find a class that satisfies both goals.
My choice is based on two things: what the party needs to create a diverse skill set, and what I haven't played before. Ideally I can find a class that satisfies both goals.
I chose "class first", because I like trying out the different mechanics. I always try to maximize my character's features, but I am very party-focused: I don't want to be the focus but to be a productive member of the team and help out the party as best I can. Also, I tend to make choices for the fun of things rather than maximizing output, but I want a solid build to fall back on when needed.
pming
Legend
Hiya!
When I get to play "D&D" (a true rarity!), I roll 3d6, in order. If the stats truly suck, I'll roll again after asking the DM. Same thing. If, after a third roll of 3d6 in order, I still don't have a viable character (fyi "8, 8, 12, 10, 7, 9" *is* a viable character for me), I'll bump it up to ONE set roll of 4d6, keep 3, in order. I play this character no matter what the results.
So, I was going to take "Stats First", but I don't pre-determine "I want DEX and STR" or any such nonsense. I take what I get, letting the dice fall where they may. From there I start flipping around until something catches my eye...of which stats rarely play into it. Counter intuitive? Maybe, but the way I see it, sometimes life tosses something at you that you don't have much choice but to pick up...even if you suck at it or hate it. I've played many a character who would have been better for some particular race or class, but someone was already covering that/those bases in the party. I've had a lot of Magic-Users with high Strength and/or Constitution scores for some reason...but every single one of them was a unique character. Then again, there was this one time when my (late) wife was DM'ing and a friend and I both rolled up our characters before actually asking what the other was playing. We were the only players...and we both rolled up 1st level Magic-Users. In Basic D&D. With Wisdom scores of, iirc, 4 for him and 5 for me. Our first monster we encountered was an Ogre. We both lived. O_O Viva la Sleep spell!
Anyway, yeah, stats first, 3d6, in order, then I just pick what feels right or interesting, regardless of effectiveness, so to speak.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
When I get to play "D&D" (a true rarity!), I roll 3d6, in order. If the stats truly suck, I'll roll again after asking the DM. Same thing. If, after a third roll of 3d6 in order, I still don't have a viable character (fyi "8, 8, 12, 10, 7, 9" *is* a viable character for me), I'll bump it up to ONE set roll of 4d6, keep 3, in order. I play this character no matter what the results.
So, I was going to take "Stats First", but I don't pre-determine "I want DEX and STR" or any such nonsense. I take what I get, letting the dice fall where they may. From there I start flipping around until something catches my eye...of which stats rarely play into it. Counter intuitive? Maybe, but the way I see it, sometimes life tosses something at you that you don't have much choice but to pick up...even if you suck at it or hate it. I've played many a character who would have been better for some particular race or class, but someone was already covering that/those bases in the party. I've had a lot of Magic-Users with high Strength and/or Constitution scores for some reason...but every single one of them was a unique character. Then again, there was this one time when my (late) wife was DM'ing and a friend and I both rolled up our characters before actually asking what the other was playing. We were the only players...and we both rolled up 1st level Magic-Users. In Basic D&D. With Wisdom scores of, iirc, 4 for him and 5 for me. Our first monster we encountered was an Ogre. We both lived. O_O Viva la Sleep spell!
Anyway, yeah, stats first, 3d6, in order, then I just pick what feels right or interesting, regardless of effectiveness, so to speak.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
ccs
41st lv DM
A mix. Sometimes I have an idea in mind, sometimes I have a cool mini handy, sometimes I want to play an ____.
But I'm flexible. Wich is good because my preferred way to generate stats is rolling....
So what generally happens is I roll 1 set of stats (we usually use 4d6drop1, arrange as you please) & see what they inspire.
A viable set of stats for me is anything the dice produce. I roll it? I'll play it.
What I won't do is make a character just to fill a hole in the party. If the other players wanted an ____? Then one of them should've made one. They didn't, thus the hole.
But I'm flexible. Wich is good because my preferred way to generate stats is rolling....
So what generally happens is I roll 1 set of stats (we usually use 4d6drop1, arrange as you please) & see what they inspire.
A viable set of stats for me is anything the dice produce. I roll it? I'll play it.
What I won't do is make a character just to fill a hole in the party. If the other players wanted an ____? Then one of them should've made one. They didn't, thus the hole.
