Kid Charlemagne
I am the Very Model of a Modern Moderator
Go with concept first, then mechanics - I think that always the way to go. Even if you know the class you want to play, set aside all the details (apart from perhaps level and raw stats) and concentrate on character concept. Then build him to match that concept.
I try to give my characters something to do in all situations. I want my PC's to have a role in combat, in the dungeon, and in social settings. That role may be bumbling fool, but it's a role nevertheless, and gives you something to do in every game.
I also try to make sure my PC is useful in all combat situations - hand-to-hand combat, ranged combat, etc. If he's fighter, I need some way to fight at range as well as in close. If he's a wizard, he needs damage and non-damage spells - although sometimes that falls into the category of goals rather than PC creation.
I try to give my characters something to do in all situations. I want my PC's to have a role in combat, in the dungeon, and in social settings. That role may be bumbling fool, but it's a role nevertheless, and gives you something to do in every game.
I also try to make sure my PC is useful in all combat situations - hand-to-hand combat, ranged combat, etc. If he's fighter, I need some way to fight at range as well as in close. If he's a wizard, he needs damage and non-damage spells - although sometimes that falls into the category of goals rather than PC creation.
