When building a new PC...

[Andor]

I tend to build my characters like this:

Me: I like to have characters fit in the world. Where are we starting or what's appropriate?
GM: Anything man, I don't mind.
Me: Okay, how about the plot? Can I build a character that helps further your plans?
GM: Nope.
Me: ... Right. Well then, does the party need anything? Wizard? Healer?
GM: Uh. They're all playing these oddball characters, so make whatever you want.
Me: *sigh* Well I guess I'll try out that new class from the book I just bought.
GM: Awesome!

Halfway through the first session...

Me: Why didn't you tell me we were playing in Eberron? I have a million ideas for Eberron, but I made a greyhawk specific character!
GM: I didn't want to spoil your fun...
Me: *beats head repeatedly into the table*

 

[Felix]

If I were a rock band on this poll, I'd be ABBA.

When I read classes and prestige classes, I think how a character of that class might look and act; they serve as inspiration. From there I develop his character, mannerisms, interests, etc, which gives me the character's theme. With that I go back to the mechanics and look for classes, PrCs, feats and skills that can model the now-defined theme I'm working towards.

And that makes me a beautiful and unique snowflake.

 

[was]

A.....I tend to start with a character concept in mind and then flesh it out with feats and abilities.

 

[shilsen]

I don't just lean towards A; I am A.

No. I am Spartacus!

 

[rhm001]

I went with the blend... When I get the word that we'll be starting up a new campaign, I go reading through all of the class mechanics and do the "Oh, that would be neat...," but once something catches my eye, I go back and pick out some of the flavor nuggets that I like (whether they're good on their own or they give me inspiration for something more original) and use those to come up with the who, what, where, why, when and how of the character as they are now and what the character hopes to do and to become in the future.

 

[el_skootro]

E. I only play ninjas.

El Skootro

 

[Lorgrom]

99% B, 1% A here, so I voted mostly B. Rarely do I have any real concept on how the character will play till after we have been playing a session or six. Normaly I don't even have a characters name till sometime late during the first session.

 

[Merkuri]

It actually depends on when I'm making the character. Sometimes character ideas just come to me, and I file them for later. Usually, though, when I'm actually preparing for a game I try to pick something that fills a niche the party needs, and if I don't already have a concept that fits it I'll make a character from the class up.

 

[Arkhandus]

I tend to come up with a basic character concept first, then figure out what classes and such I want to use for it. But I also make characters sometimes that are based on a class or combination of classes, then build a theme/background/personality around it. Most of the time I go with Option A though.

I tend to go with Option B instead if the group seems to need a particular role filled, like that of healer or trap-guy.

 

[der_kluge]

I'm, curious - those of you who voted for (A) (or a mix of A and B) - do you often find that you have a difficult time fitting your idea for your character (a round peg) into the available PrCs, feats and classes (a square peg)?


My current character in a PbP is a gnome cloistered cleric1/bard1. He just went to 3rd, and I'm struggling to figure out how to advance him. If I had my way, I'd just take whatever, but the stupid favored class rules are getting in my way. And I want some knowledge() skills, and some rogue skills, but at the same time I want to keep advancing in divine spellcasting and Lore abilities, but there's not a single class or concept that accomplishes that. So, I'm stymied. If ever I wanted a point-based creation system, now is the time.