Please help me pick a race and class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Please help me pick a race and class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
the_1337_geek
05-05-07, 01:32 PM I need help picking a race and class for my character. I want a character who's personality fits mine so they are easier to role-play.
Here's a few things about me:

I took the alignment test and scored true neutral.

I am obsessed with technology.

I am emotional.

I'm indecisive.

It takes a lot to get me upset but when I do I will physically hurt the person who made me mad.

I own several swords and know how to use them.

I have not traveled very much.

I spend most of my time inside rather than outside.

I am interested in philosophy.

I believe in science not a higher power (so that makes me an atheist I guess).

I am shy.

I prefer to read books rather than play sports.

I'm a little vain and selfish.

I'm very laid-back and lazy.

Well that's it. Anyway thanks for all your help:)
Westbound
05-05-07, 01:53 PM You might be a gnome Rogue. In later levels, you could multi-class into a spell-casting class like Wizard or Sorcerer. Gnomish "science-types" are kinda like magical engineers, but from what I gather from your description you don't care to be an engineer.

In a world where deities are actively involved in character's lives, I would not try to adopt a tone of atheism, especially if you were at my table. For one, the cleric in the group would demonstrate to your character how wrong he is, and that demonstration is not likely to be a pleasant one. Secondly, it wouldn't make any sense. You could be agnostic, which means that you believe in the gods, but don't worship them, but that's wholly different than being atheist, which means you don't believe in deities. For your character to disbelieve in deities would be to reject reality. All races believe in a deity of some kind, even "scientific" gnomes. By the way, just because one is "scientifically" driven isn't necessarily atheistic. Science is the means by which we learn about the world and how it works.

You could start out not believing in gods, but as your character adventures with others he will have a huge crisis of faith. Yes, faith. Because your character believed in no gods, but then once he saw something of the world and how powerful divine magic is, it will rock him to the core. It will shatter everything he's come to know, and he will question the very society he came from that permeated the notion into his head. When your character see people raised from death, cured of diseases by a simple act of laying of hands, and empowered by prayers, it's going to be difficult to adhere to his belief. It might even change his alignment from Neutral to something like Good or Evil.

What you might want to do is try to play something different from yourself. You might actually have more fun doing that than by playing something that's more yourself. I always suggest to people to play a barbaric barbarian, a man who's more interested in kicking butt, taking names, and wine, women and song thereafter. Something like that will shake you out of your preconceptions, your prejudices, and your approach to playing D&D. You don't have to play a particularly faithful character, but I wouldn't avoid such a role because it can be rather fun. Try playing a zealot for a change.

Role-playing is about playing something you aren't, and that's what makes it fun. Being a warrior or a wizard is one thing, but being a great military commander, or a potential monarch, or a powerful prophet are something altogether different. Take risks and have fun.
the_1337_geek
05-05-07, 02:17 PM Wow, thanks for all your helpful advice Westbound. As you can probably tell I'm fairly new to D&D:)

Actually I wasn't intending for my character to be an atheist. I was just letting people know a little about me so they could get a better grasp of what I'd like to be.

Also the reason I wanted a character that had my personality is so that I could relate to my very first PC. I was saving a character that I had purely imagined for a later campaign after I'm more familiar with the game.

But anyway thanks for your advice once again:)

Any more suggestions anyone?
rolig
05-05-07, 04:54 PM Instead of beeing obsessed with technology, why not books and magic.

I recommend yo try making a Wizard role... kind of smart bookworm, and also layed back and shy(if you set his charisma low) You will be both skilled and smart.

And i would say you sound very mutch like the gnome type... but hafling and elf might also fit you;)
Westbound
05-05-07, 07:15 PM Wow, thanks for all your helpful advice Westbound. As you can probably tell I'm fairly new to D&D:)

Actually I wasn't intending for my character to be an atheist. I was just letting people know a little about me so they could get a better grasp of what I'd like to be.

Also the reason I wanted a character that had my personality is so that I could relate to my very first PC. I was saving a character that I had purely imagined for a later campaign after I'm more familiar with the game.

But anyway thanks for your advice once again:)

Any more suggestions anyone?

Being new to D&D, the best thing I can suggest is to visualize what kind of character that you want, rather than making a character that you can best relate to. Believe it or not, playing a character that's more like yourself is rather boring. Though you might be shy about playing a character that is not at all shy, but is boisterous, rambunctious, pious, or whatever, I suggest that you just dive right in. You don't have to act out your character at first, you can just state what your character is doing and what he says, like saying "Crixus says to the innkeeper, 'Bring me your finest brew brought by your finest wenches!'"

At first, though, you will want to take your cues from the other players when you're in a hostile place. The others will know how to approach a door in a dungeon, how to proceed down a corridor, and how to deal with certain enemies (hopefully).

Rather than a gnome Rogue, play a human fighter or a barbarian. They're very straight-forward to play, and you won't have to deal with the peculiarities of spell logistics.
YamiSouru
05-05-07, 08:02 PM id say you sound very much like a Gnome Artificer..but seeing as you are new..

Human Wizard
Will_DM_for_Pizza
05-06-07, 03:02 AM Gnome Artificer look up the Artificer class, they're engineer specialists. If you can't find it go Gnome Wizard (Illusionist) or Sorcerer and take Craft (Artificer) and Knowlegde (Engineering).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
the_1337_geek 05-05-07, 01:32 PM	I need help picking a race and class for my character. I want a character who's personality fits mine so they are easier to role-play. Here's a few things about me: I took the alignment test and scored true neutral. I am obsessed with technology. I am emotional. I'm indecisive. It takes a lot to get me upset but when I do I will physically hurt the person who made me mad. I own several swords and know how to use them. I have not traveled very much. I spend most of my time inside rather than outside. I am interested in philosophy. I believe in science not a higher power (so that makes me an atheist I guess). I am shy. I prefer to read books rather than play sports. I'm a little vain and selfish. I'm very laid-back and lazy. Well that's it. Anyway thanks for all your help:)
Westbound 05-05-07, 01:53 PM	You might be a gnome Rogue. In later levels, you could multi-class into a spell-casting class like Wizard or Sorcerer. Gnomish "science-types" are kinda like magical engineers, but from what I gather from your description you don't care to be an engineer. In a world where deities are actively involved in character's lives, I would not try to adopt a tone of atheism, especially if you were at my table. For one, the cleric in the group would demonstrate to your character how wrong he is, and that demonstration is not likely to be a pleasant one. Secondly, it wouldn't make any sense. You could be agnostic, which means that you believe in the gods, but don't worship them, but that's wholly different than being atheist, which means you don't believe in deities. For your character to disbelieve in deities would be to reject reality. All races believe in a deity of some kind, even "scientific" gnomes. By the way, just because one is "scientifically" driven isn't necessarily atheistic. Science is the means by which we learn about the world and how it works. You could start out not believing in gods, but as your character adventures with others he will have a huge crisis of faith. Yes, faith. Because your character believed in no gods, but then once he saw something of the world and how powerful divine magic is, it will rock him to the core. It will shatter everything he's come to know, and he will question the very society he came from that permeated the notion into his head. When your character see people raised from death, cured of diseases by a simple act of laying of hands, and empowered by prayers, it's going to be difficult to adhere to his belief. It might even change his alignment from Neutral to something like Good or Evil. What you might want to do is try to play something different from yourself. You might actually have more fun doing that than by playing something that's more yourself. I always suggest to people to play a barbaric barbarian, a man who's more interested in kicking butt, taking names, and wine, women and song thereafter. Something like that will shake you out of your preconceptions, your prejudices, and your approach to playing D&D. You don't have to play a particularly faithful character, but I wouldn't avoid such a role because it can be rather fun. Try playing a zealot for a change. Role-playing is about playing something you aren't, and that's what makes it fun. Being a warrior or a wizard is one thing, but being a great military commander, or a potential monarch, or a powerful prophet are something altogether different. Take risks and have fun.
the_1337_geek 05-05-07, 02:17 PM	Wow, thanks for all your helpful advice Westbound. As you can probably tell I'm fairly new to D&D:) Actually I wasn't intending for my character to be an atheist. I was just letting people know a little about me so they could get a better grasp of what I'd like to be. Also the reason I wanted a character that had my personality is so that I could relate to my very first PC. I was saving a character that I had purely imagined for a later campaign after I'm more familiar with the game. But anyway thanks for your advice once again:) Any more suggestions anyone?
rolig 05-05-07, 04:54 PM	Instead of beeing obsessed with technology, why not books and magic. I recommend yo try making a Wizard role... kind of smart bookworm, and also layed back and shy(if you set his charisma low) You will be both skilled and smart. And i would say you sound very mutch like the gnome type... but hafling and elf might also fit you;)
Westbound 05-05-07, 07:15 PM	Wow, thanks for all your helpful advice Westbound. As you can probably tell I'm fairly new to D&D:) Actually I wasn't intending for my character to be an atheist. I was just letting people know a little about me so they could get a better grasp of what I'd like to be. Also the reason I wanted a character that had my personality is so that I could relate to my very first PC. I was saving a character that I had purely imagined for a later campaign after I'm more familiar with the game. But anyway thanks for your advice once again:) Any more suggestions anyone? Being new to D&D, the best thing I can suggest is to visualize what kind of character that you want, rather than making a character that you can best relate to. Believe it or not, playing a character that's more like yourself is rather boring. Though you might be shy about playing a character that is not at all shy, but is boisterous, rambunctious, pious, or whatever, I suggest that you just dive right in. You don't have to act out your character at first, you can just state what your character is doing and what he says, like saying "Crixus says to the innkeeper, 'Bring me your finest brew brought by your finest wenches!'" At first, though, you will want to take your cues from the other players when you're in a hostile place. The others will know how to approach a door in a dungeon, how to proceed down a corridor, and how to deal with certain enemies (hopefully). Rather than a gnome Rogue, play a human fighter or a barbarian. They're very straight-forward to play, and you won't have to deal with the peculiarities of spell logistics.
YamiSouru 05-05-07, 08:02 PM	id say you sound very much like a Gnome Artificer..but seeing as you are new.. Human Wizard
Will_DM_for_Pizza 05-06-07, 03:02 AM	Gnome Artificer look up the Artificer class, they're engineer specialists. If you can't find it go Gnome Wizard (Illusionist) or Sorcerer and take Craft (Artificer) and Knowlegde (Engineering).