So you're designing a character just for fun, not to actually play ...

[Driddle]

So you're sitting around the house with nothing better to do, perusing your game books, with a pencil and paper on hand, jotting down notes for a fantasy character -- and by 'fantasy,' I mean a character you don't actually intend to play in a real game. (A fantasy fantasy character?) You're taking him up to 20th level with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and that uber-private campaign/world you've got tucked in the back of your head that no one else knows about.

Here's the question: In designing this imaginary PC, do you adhere to the core (WotC) books, dip into any published supplemental material you've seen, or make things up as needed to fulfill your vision the character's race, class, feats, etc.?

 

[TheYeti1775]

Gulity and all the above.

 

[Psion]

No, I would not just stick to WotC books. Heck, if I was bored enough that I could just build random PCs (when I should be doing more work on my game), I might pick books and random and mix them in hideous ways.

and then they would end up as NPCs anyways.

 

[Ze]

and then they would end up as PCs anyways.

Or NPCs...

 

[Psion]

Or NPCs...

Actually, that's what I meant.

 

[Bront]

I've taken that energy and instead been writing character backgrounds so I can pick them up and use them later when I get a chance.

In some cases, I've tried using them to test new ideas for a class/feat/concept i've been working on. Gives me a good idea of how something balences out (at least how it appears)

 

[The Shaman]

I don't find statting characters to be an enjoyable part of the 3e experience.

I do think about character concepts that may get turned into PC or NPCs but I don't stat them until after the background is finished.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I do this often.

It helps fine tune the ability to quickly get characters done and gives me an idea of how a combination may play out latter in the game.

 

[Wild Gazebo]

I've been doin' this since I was a wee little gamer. I have boxes filled with slightly played or never played NPC/PCs...as well as over-played. I dunno, I just like character creation. I feel no real constraints...depends on how I feel and what is motivating me at the time.

 

[Driddle]

I wouldn't have posted this unless I knew at least a handful of people who do likewise. (shrug) For some, it's a relaxing respite.

I find myself vacillating between two perspectives: 1., "Suppose I get the chance to play this character some day? I'd better stick to generally accepted, safe rules." And 2., "Eh, what the heck. It's my fantasy; I'll pick any ol' source I want."