How to Level Up Character Creation
Character creation is a magical time where players create the avatars they’ll be slipping into to tell a collaborative story. But creating a fun and interesting character isn’t always easy, and a lot can go wrong in the character creation process. We put together this guide of practical character creation tools and tips to help you level up your character creation.
Set a Strong Background
Your character’s background sets the foundation for your story, so don’t skimp on the details! At the very least, your background should include the story as to why this character has become an adventurer.
The Player’s Handbook and other expansions provide various pre-generated background options you can tweak and customize to fit your character. Or, you can create your background using the optional ruleset in the Player’s Handbook. Check out our post on How to Make Your D&D Character Background for more background creation tips.
Leverage Flaws
Here’s an undeniable truth in storytelling - flawed characters are more interesting. No matter what external struggles a character faces in a story, it’s the inner turmoil and eventual growth that keep us engaged. Giving your character flaws isn’t about hamstringing them - it’s about making them a relatable and fleshed-out person.
When picking flaws, pick more than one. Real-life people are flawed in many ways, so try to think of a few that make sense for your character. Picking flaws that push your character to do specific things and prevent them from doing something is a great way to keep them meaningful without being redundant.
Use Alignment as a Spectrum
While alignment in previous editions of Dungeons & Dragons held a lot more weight, it still provides an essential function in 5e. Sometimes, though, players feel locked in by their alignment and will use it as an excuse to justify action or inaction. Viewing alignment as a spectrum gives your character more flexibility with their choices.
Here’s an example - a Lawful Good Paladin might make an exception on their no-stealing policy when confronted by a corrupt baron taxing his people into indentured servitude. Lacking the shades of grey or variations to your moral spectrum leaves you with more of a caricature than character.
Let the Demon Loose!
A good DM will present your characters with tough choices and temptations as part of the story. Meta-gamers will try to avoid these “traps” at all costs, to the detriment of the story or letting anything interesting happen. Roleplayers are more prone to fall for these temptations, which could have catastrophic consequences for them and the group.
It can be tricky when you have both types at the table because when your roleplayer takes the demon’s deal to free him and unleashes a thousand years of darkness into the world, the other players are going to object. In the end, though, what’s more interesting? Saying ‘no’ to the demon and setting up camp for the night? Or undertaking an epic redemption arc to imprison the devil once again? Err on the side of storytelling, and don’t be afraid to let the demon loose.
Look for Microexpressions
A helpful tip for maximizing your roleplaying is to use microexpressions of your character’s bonds, flaws, ideals, and traits. These are small influences on your characters’ words and actions that stack up to make a complete person.
Here’s an example - in our 1890’s reskin of Mazfroth’s Mighty Digressions, one of Tesla’s flaws is that his work consumes him. I manifested that in-game by using his Artificer features to take a photograph of an anomaly during an encounter instead of trying to attack. Opening your awareness to how your bonds, flaws, ideals, and traits can color your character’s actions will elevate your roleplaying experience and help you create a deeper connection to them.
Establish Goals & Priorities
Personal goals and priorities drive people in stories and real life. Your D&D character should be no different. What personal quest has your character taken? Identifying their goals and priorities gives you answers to questions like, “what should I be doing right now?” or “why do I care about this?”.
Avoid Slippery Slopes
One of the worst justifications for anything while playing is, “well, that’s what my character would do.” It’s almost always said in a snarky tone and as a result of an unpopular in-game decision. Instead, try inserting a “because” and explain how or why you’ve come to this conclusion.
We mentioned that erring on the side of storytelling is ideal, but so is creating a fun and collaborative game with your table. If you constantly have to justify disruptive behavior, it might be time to re-evaluate how you’re playing. Again, use spectrums or ranges for your decision-making instead of fixating on a decision that could derail or disrupt the game.
Use Lists
Lists and tables are the friends of many DMs, but players can also leverage them to significant roleplaying effect. One way to help speed up your decision-making is to answer a list of questions or scenarios before playing with your character. Understanding what they’d do in different situations is a shortcut to making those choices quickly while staying true to character.