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

[F5]

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."

Same here, plus I take it a little further. I've actually statted out the same character twice, once sticking just to core, and again taking whatever I want from wherever I want. On the off-chance that I'll need a character quickly, I have the easily-playable one, and I just stat up the crazy one for the sheer fun of it.

 

[Crothian]

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.?

I don't stick to only Wizards books when I play the game, why would I stick to them when making characters I for fun???

Even when I design characters for use in game I'll not limit myself at all (except for balance reasons).

 

[Stormborn]

I do it, but when I do I usually have an aim in mind like a monster with PC class levels (goblin rogue/paladin for example) or something odd from a new book I just got. I acatually did a few "test runs" on a dragonslayer build I am currently playing. He is only a 3rd level Paladin right now, but his alternate versions get quite munkiny against dragons.

 

[sjmiller]

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.?

Well, to be honest, I would not use any of WotC books to make my character. I would try making them using Monte Cooks Arcana Evolved, since I really want to play it and I doubt I will get a chance.

If I am going to be completely honest about this, I would say that I would make some characters using non-d20 systems, as I am getting a little sick of them.

 

[yennico]

Guilty but I do not limit myself by using only WotC books. I will use all useful books. Some only for inspiriation.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Not only do I stick to core I, try and stick to my HR limitations. This makes it even more likely that they will see use as NPCs- which is my excuse for doing it. Of course when I check out Arcana Evolved from the library (I love my library) I have no excuses for the characters I whip up. The number that actually see play? very small. Even those usually need tweaking before I can use them.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

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.

Heh, one of the good things about DMing, no character creation is ever truly wasted.

The Auld Grump

 

[pogre]

Heh, one of the good things about DMing, no character creation is ever truly wasted.

The Auld Grump

Exactly! The only reason I would do this is to whip up a number of effective wizards for my PCs to face.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

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.?

I'm guilty of this and try to use everything I've got. I've got quite a bit.

 

[AuroraGyps]

I have a bunch of ideas for future PCs, but I haven't done any stating and stuff. If I was, I think I'd make it at 1st lvl with the core books, keeping in mind that any game the PC was used in might have a GM might use a different varient of stating, plus flesh out the character concept and background. On top of that, I'd just add alot of notes to what other things, from the Core books or others, that I might want to add to the character. Basically, the idea of the PC would be set, but the other stuff would be a bit looser, so I wouldn't have to worry about having to start from scratch re-doing the whole thing to fit a GM's campaign rules.