Dark Jezter said:
EDIT: This was originally going to be a poll, but I screwed up and missed the poll options and definitions of the types. So, here are the definitions anyway...
The Gruff Dwarven Fighter: Wears heavy armor, fights with an axe, and has enough hit points that he'd barely feel a thing if a dump truck ran into him. When not fighting, he's usually drinking ale or making unflattering remarks about elves.
The Conan-wannabe Womanizing Barbarian: Unlike Robert E. Howard's most famous character, who relied upon his wits and instincts in addition to his brawn when defeating foes, this barbarian usually grabs the biggest weapon he can find and charges into combat with abandon. When not killing things, he's usually getting drunk or trying to get the busty tavern wench into bed.
The Brooding Loner: Popular among anime fans, the brooding loner rarely talks. If anybody asks him what's wrong, he won't tell them. His fashion sense usually involve large, concealing cloaks that make them look all cool and mysterious. When the party stops at a tavern, the brooding loner usually looks for a dark corner to sit alone in. This character has a tragic past, which usually means that his family or lover was killed by something (usually orcs).
The Good-Aligned Drow: Self-explanitory. The good-aligned drow character either a Drizzt-like drow fighter who dual-wields swords, or a gorgeous drow female who wears little clothing and likes to dance naked because she worships Eilistraee.
The Dumb Half-Orc: The dumb half-orc is a slow-witted, but usually lovable character who says and does stupid things, but manages to survive because he is a combat powerhouse.
The Nimble Elven Archer: This character is always an elf ranger or fighter with incredibly high dexterity who specializes in longbows. They wear little armor, and usually dress in greens and browns. Nimble elf archers did not originate with the LotR movies; I've been seeing these types of characters in D&D sessions for a long time.
The Self-Righteous Paladin: This holy warrior is alway rambling about justice and righteousness. He casts detect evil on everyone he meets, and will sometimes outright attack anybody who registers as evil. In combat, he usually charges in heedless of danger. Because of this, they usually have short lifespans.
The Kleptomanical Halfling Thief: This short little pilferer will steal anything that isn't nailed down... at least until he finds a nail remover. Parties often loathe this type of character because he's always trying to steal their stuff, but tolerate him because he's the only one who can disable those pesky traps down in the dungeon.
The Tinkering Gnome: The tinkering gnome is a kooky little mad-scientist who is part-Doc Brown from Back to the Future, and part-Professor Frink from the Simpsons. Tinkering gnomes can tinker with magic, technology, or both.
For myself, I'd say that the elf archer is the most common PC stereotype I've seen. In nearly every D&D campaign I've been involved in over the last few years, there has been at least one player who played as an elf ranger or fighter who specializes in longbows.
Well, for me, I'd have to say that the
Kleptomanical Halfling (or Kender) Thief, the
Conan-wannabe Barbarian, the
Brooding Loner, the
Good-Aligned Drow, & the
Self-Righteoous Paladin are the stereotypes that I've encountered. I dislike all of these because more often than not, it disrupts the game somehow (by either causing dissention in the group or, in some extremes, inter-party combat), or it shoots a game from serious to silly in seconds.
As an extension of the
Brooding Loner category, I'd have to say there's also the
Brooding Independent Tough Guy, ala Wolverine & similar characters. Does whatever he/she wants, acts like a jerk, gets in fights when he/she can't get away with acting like a jerk, etc.--is actually more like a bad Wolverine impression, IMHO. More often than not, the character/player (the line does get fuzzy at times) can dish out rude behavior but can't take it. Also tends to be Chaotic-aligned (though occasionally Neutral, & very rarely Lawful).
As for the
Self-Righteous Paladin, I can't stand this steroetype since more often than not they perform many deeds that would cost them their paladinhood, & seem to be influenced by a player's bad experience with religious zealots or "fire & brimstone" faithful than anything else. More often than not, AL is treated as a label/excuse for bad behavior--so & so was Evil, so I have the right to torture, kill, etc.; or, OTOH, said characters "conviently" drop out of the picture while the rest of the party works over a prisoner or kills helpless foes. More often than not, it seems that the players forget that the gods are a reality in the game world, & they'll readily strip them of their powers (if not smite them outright) for any sort of un-paladin-like behavior. More often than not, these characters are actually played as CN fighters (if not Evil outright) who "claim" to be LG paladins, & are technically labelled as such on their character sheets.
I've also encountered a lot of hybrids of the
Conan-wannabe Barbarian with the
Gruff Dwarven Fighter--often warriors who wear the best armor allowed & use the best weapon possible, charge into combat heedlessly, and usually go on various sorts of binges (alcoholic, spending, bar-brawling, sexual, etc.) while in town. More often than not, goes on & on about "Honor," but never truly acts honorable--it more or less serves as an excuse to beat up on someone or treat someone else poorly. Like the
Brooding Independent Tough Guy, these characters can dish out poor behavior but can't take it.
Another steroetype I've often encountered (often from certain female players, as well as from an occasional male player) is the
Sultry Sexpot Warrior--often a female character (human, elven, half-elven, or some other race generally along those lines) who's a combo of a powerful spellcaster or peerless warrior with the looks & behavior of either a supermodel, stripper, or porn star. Tries to charm/seduce others into getting her way, then tries to threaten or attack them when that tactic fails. Has some roots in some anime heroines, but it's seen in various other forms of popular entertainment as well.
And finally, one of the worst stereotypes I've come across in several games is the
Uber-PC. These characters tend to have higher than average stats, more often than not 1 or more scores of 18, and no ability score below 14. These characters try to be the "star" of the group, taking the best items, most money, glory, & other benefits for themselves, despite the character's listed Alignment. The characters try to be better at everything, and multiclass if its a feasible option in order to not have to rely on/work with the rest of the party.
More often than not, it seems that these characters are played because:
- The player is unable/unwilling to really play anything different;
- The player is out to "win" the game, every session;
- the player's out to have fun for himself/herself, even if that means ruining the fun for other players at the table (& sometimes, esp. if it means ruining the fun for others); or
- the player is bored & acting out.
I don't mind the stereotypes
to a certain degree, but it seems to me (IMHO) that the steroetypes occur at their worst due to problematic players.
Just my 2¢ on the issue.
