What do you do with the character sheets after a session?

[sjmiller]

In most cases, the player retains their copy. If, for some reason, they cannot attend the next session I will keep it in case they are needed or are in the middle of something. From time to time I also ask the players to make me a copy, so I can check things and make sure I'm tailoring the scenarios to their abilities.

 

[smootrk]

I very much prefer to keep electronic copies for the players, but we game in a mixed-bag of players, some being computer-saavy, others who are essentially computer-iliterate. Therefore, each keeps his own.

As a player, I keep an electronic copy, updated after each session - with a new document created for each new level acheived (so that I have a record of avancement choices). If I need to miss a session, I can always email the DM/another player so that my character can be available.

 

[Quasqueton]

Interesting responses.

As DM, I expect the Players to keep up with their own character sheets. If someone is so irresponsible that they can’t keep up with one sheet of paper, and have it each game session, I don’t think I’d want to game with them.

This doesn’t mean that I’m a hardass over simple mistakes – I have had a bad day and forgotten stuff, too. But on a general/regular basis, if you can’t keep up with your character sheet, you probably shouldn’t be playing such a complicated game.

As a Player, if the DM asked for my character sheet, I’d give him a copy (electronic or paper). My character sheet is my property and my responsibility, no less than my dice and my PHB.

Quasqueton

 

[Duo Maxwell]

Wow, I'm surprised that a lot of players keep their sheets between sessions. I, the GM, keep my group's character sheets because:

1.) I know my group has a tendency to lose a lot of things I let them borrow (like my CDs).

2.) I update my cheat sheets between all my d20 game sessions, so I need to have their stats nearby as reference.

 

[Lanefan]

As DM, I expect the Players to keep up with their own character sheets. If someone is so irresponsible that they can’t keep up with one sheet of paper, and have it each game session, I don’t think I’d want to game with them.

If I did this and enforced it, I wouldn't have a game left.

As a Player, if the DM asked for my character sheet, I’d give him a copy (electronic or paper). My character sheet is my property and my responsibility, no less than my dice and my PHB.

I don't see a character sheet in an active game as "my property" so much as "part of the general game materials". Once the campaign's finished, if the character (or the sheet; some of my character sheets get rather elaborate) is memorable, I might ask to keep it. Failing that, I'll leave it with the DM on the off-chance that game ever re-boots.

Also, I only want one current copy of any character's sheet in existence (though I also insist on previous copies being kept and noted as out of date; it's amazing how often things don't get transcribed properly from an old sheet to a new one). Once more than one current sheet exists, the chance of changes to one not being mirrored on the other(s) quickly rises to unity, with messy results.

Lanefan

 

[Mercule]

The players keep them. I ask for an updated PCGen copy, but I have yet to receive one in the eight months I've been requesting such. Annoying, but at least I usually receive a paper copy.

I request a copy so I can update my crib sheets and plan for future adventure hooks. Also, I quite frequently find errors on the sheets (I trust my players, but bad math happens). Most recently, I discovered that one player had forgotten to take her 9th level feat, so I got to play Santa.

 

[FunkBGR]

I (GM) hold on to them.

I usually update changes on www.campaign-blog.com - I don't if I'm too busy, but usually the differences between sessions aren't too great, and I try to make time for levelling, etc. so people can see their characters.

This is part of my GM'ing policy though, where I try to make it as easy to play your character, and you don't have to sweat extra work and details, unless you want to.

(That's the jist - obviously, it's not that easily explained in a sentence)

 

[Nyaricus]

I (the DM) hold onto them after every session. I would have it any other way, either - my players are my best friends, but that doesn't mean they are responsible!

I love 'em all the same though

 

[Arnwyn]

The GM keeps the originals (ie. those used during the game). The players are free to make copies to take home, of course.

 

[danzig138]

I (GM) keep them. Between having players who constantly forget things, like CRS, and having had players who liked to change their sheets - and by change, I mean add things they didn't actually have, it just works out better if I hold onto them.