Article on Character Creation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Article on Character Creation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
lathropdragon
01-27-07, 11:37 PM On the main page....under Articles...under Character Class...there is an article titled Back to Basics by a Skip Williams. It was written on January 9th and only partially finished (it stated it would continue). Does ANYONE know when he is going to post the rest of this????? It took me several hours going back and forth in the PHB to develop my character that I'm not 100% sure was done correctly. I followed this article as a test run and it was explained so much better (it even had a character sheet explaining what steps where taken). But as I said...it didn't make it all the way through stating the rest would be posted another time. If anyone knows about this and when the completion of the article will be posted...please let me know. Thanks!
Tempest Stormwind
01-27-07, 11:55 PM There used to be a *far* better guide to filling one out on this board by Tyler Do'Urden. I'll see if I can find it.

Seriously, though, just take a look at the first few pages of your PHB. It goes through the character creation process step-by-step there. d20's character creation guidelines are really far simpler than several other games I've seen.
lathropdragon
01-28-07, 08:52 AM I followed the guidlines in the PHB (page 6) for creating a character. However, it became increasingly difficult once I reached Select Skills. Then really blew my mind when I got down to the section on Record Combat Numbers. I realize that it takes a certain level of intelligence to play this. But some can figure things out MUCH more quickly, such as character creation, if a sample is given. Or even in the wording such as on page 6, "Go here to get that answer, go there to get that answer". It did on several areas, but nothing in the Record Combat Numbers section. Just think a sample character sheet explaining where and how to get the information would be helpful.
Azezel
01-28-07, 09:52 AM There used to be a *far* better guide to filling one out on this board by Tyler Do'Urden. I'll see if I can find it.

It's in my sig.
lathropdragon
01-28-07, 07:12 PM It's in my sig.

That link came up with the following message:

Invalid Post specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator
Bat
01-29-07, 01:36 PM OK, a quick overview of character creation (this may not be in the same order as the PHB, so bear with me. Also, I have no idea what Record Combat Numbers are, so no mention of them). I am assuming you only have access to the PHB and are making a first level character. I'm also assuming you know about the modifers that go with the six main scores (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis and Cha); if not, post it, and we'll help you understand those.

1. Come up with a character concept. Using that concept, pick your class. Look up the classes in the PHB and pick one.

2. Pick your race. Look at the beginning of the PHB, before the classes, and pick which race seems to suit your character best. Look towards the end of every race's description to see which class is it's favored class.

3. Roll/Generate Statistics for Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma. Look up your class to see which abilities are important to your class. Put high numbers there. If you are playing something besides Human or Half-Elf, take racial adjustments to these scores into account.

4. Determine Base Attack Bonus. This is dertermined by your class. Look at your class description. In the table for your class, there is a column for Base Attack Bonus per level. Right that number into the Base Attack Bonus on your sheet.

5. Looking at your class, mark on your character sheet which skills are class skills for you class. This means you can buy points in those skills at a 1 to 1 ratio, meaning 1 point spent equals 1 rank in that skill. Skills you do not have as class skills are bought at a 2 to 1 ratio, meaning you have to spend 2 skill points to buy 1 ranks in a skill.

6. Purchase skills. Using your class description, see how many skill points you have at first level, then use those to buy skills. This involves deciding which of the skills listed on your character sheet you want your character to be good at, and buying ranks in them, using the class/cross-class skills covered in Step 5. Note: The maximum number of ranks you can have in one skill is equal to your character level +3, meaning at first level, you can have a maximum of 4 ranks in any one skill.

7. Select a feat. Feats are detailed later in the book, near the chapter on skills (I can't remember which comes first). Using your characater concept, pick a feat that makes sense. Let's say you want your character to be a Dexterity based fighter; Weapon Finesse might be a good choice for a feat, as it allows you to apply your Dexterity Modifier, not you Strenght Modifier, to your attack roll. Note: Fighters get a bonus feat at first level. Humans get a bonus feat at first level. A human fighter gets two bonus feats at first level.

8. Right down any special abilities. These are based on your class. I know the Barbarian gets Rage at first level. Whatever special abiliites you get at first level (if any), right tehm down on your sheet and make sure you know what htey do.

9. Determine saving throws. Using your class's table, see what your base saving throws are and right that down on your sheet. Then add the modifier for the approatiate skill to it for your saving throw. For Fortitude saves, the skill is Constitution. For Reflex, it is Dexterity. For Will, it is Wisdom.

10. Roll Hit Points. The die you use is determined by your class. Wizards, for example, use a 4-sided die, whereas a Barbarian uses a 12-sided die. Add your Constitiution modifer to this number.

This might not be the best guide, but I hope it helps you and does not make you more confused. If you still want help, post and be specific on which part you want help with. We'll do our best to help you out.
Arkonth
01-29-07, 01:49 PM Looking at it all laid out, I hadn't really considered jsut how complicated this really is. Guess I've been doing it for too long.

Anyway, there's still more to do.

15: Choose equipment. Probably big and important choices are weapon and armor. Note if the weapon is one or two handed. Add your strength modifier to your base attack bonus and record it as attack bonus for the weapon. If the weapon is one handed add your strength modifier to damage and if it's two-handed add twice your strength modifier.

16: Pick you're spells known. If you're playing a prepared casting class, pick your spells prepared and record them (perhaps on something other than your character sheet, as these will change frequently). Record your spell save DCs in the apporpraite boxes. 0-level spells have DC equal to 10+your casting stat modifier, and the save increases by one for each spell level after that.
mrmagos
01-29-07, 02:44 PM Specifically, which part of "Record Combat Numbers" are you having a problem with? What is your character's class, stats and race? The process on page 6 is fairly descriptive, but I can understand how it can be confusing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the game's terms and mechanics. Give us a little more detail, and we'll be glad to help you out. :D

...or, do you know someone who is more experienced with the game? Such a person could sit down with you and help develop your character. Or if you don't have that resource, you could purchase the Player's Kit (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953927200) or the Basic Game (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000) set. These are just suggestions, though...there's enough knowledge floating around here on character creation that you shouldn't have to buy any additional products.
lathropdragon
01-29-07, 03:42 PM Specifically, which part of "Record Combat Numbers" are you having a problem with? What is your character's class, stats and race? The process on page 6 is fairly descriptive, but I can understand how it can be confusing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the game's terms and mechanics. Give us a little more detail, and we'll be glad to help you out. :D

...or, do you know someone who is more experienced with the game? Such a person could sit down with you and help develop your character. Or if you don't have that resource, you could purchase the Player's Kit (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953927200) or the Basic Game (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000) set. These are just suggestions, though...there's enough knowledge floating around here on character creation that you shouldn't have to buy any additional products.

I'll be an Elf Wizard. Stat numbers (rolls for abilities) were 16, 14, 13, 13, 12, 11. This is a lot more complicated than I remember from 20+ years ago. I don't have anyone else to turn to (in real life) at this time. I just joined a local meetup group but nothing so far. My whole thing is I think I have it (after MANY hours)...but would like someway of checking. That's why I was so excited by that article on this website. It walked through the process (summarized of the PHB). However, it also went along with a sample character sheet. For instance...abilities, the explaination would be say STEP 2...on the character sheet, that area was highlighted STEP 2. Basically, these numbers specifically go here and it was just a reference from PHB to an actual character sheet (rather than everything written out in the PHB without any type of example). Without someone looking at my character sheet, I have no way of seeing if I've done it correctly. This example would have walked me through but he only went up to so many steps (think it stopped at STEP 4 of 10 or 12 highlighted on the character sheet). So any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I'll be DM of my brand new spanking group and if I have trouble with creating a character...I'm in for a long bumpy road if I can't explain the very first step in the game to the other newbies (pretty much I'm the guinea pig and organizer). Thanks!
Arkonth
01-29-07, 04:02 PM Hrm. Will these help at all? If you're looking for an example, here's a couple characters already laid out.

Fastpaly Characters (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebmoh/20041129a&page=1)
mrmagos
01-29-07, 04:35 PM Wow, I just read that article...it is a very comprehensive guide. Both for your and your player's sake, I hope the second part is posted soon!

The Elf Wizard is a mainstay for me, so this should be easy. ;) I can help with some error checking, perhaps by private message or directly by email. First, though, you should visit the D20 SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/) site. Besides being an excellent rules resource, it has a PDF character sheet that does most of the work for you. Transcribe your character on to that (which may be a good enough error check for you), and email it to me. I DM from time-to-time as well, so I could give you some pointers there too, if you want.
lathropdragon
01-29-07, 07:49 PM Hrm. Will these help at all? If you're looking for an example, here's a couple characters already laid out.

Fastpaly Characters (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebmoh/20041129a&page=1)

This will help. Thanks!!!
lathropdragon
01-29-07, 08:00 PM Wow, I just read that article...it is a very comprehensive guide. Both for your and your player's sake, I hope the second part is posted soon!

The Elf Wizard is a mainstay for me, so this should be easy. ;) I can help with some error checking, perhaps by private message or directly by email. First, though, you should visit the D20 SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/) site. Besides being an excellent rules resource, it has a PDF character sheet that does most of the work for you. Transcribe your character on to that (which may be a good enough error check for you), and email it to me. I DM from time-to-time as well, so I could give you some pointers there too, if you want.

This will help as well. And if you're willing to share some insight into DM...I'm all ears (or eyes) so just shoot me an email or message. I'm beginning to feel a little overwhelmed from learning how to play...AND learning how to DM...all from just books and message posts. I'm hoping to get some feedback or an email back from a D&D meetup group that I just joined. If I can get into a game that's close to where I live...gonna tell the guys to wait a little until I get my feet wet before DMing them. If not, it balls to the walls for all of us. Thanks!!!!!!!!!
lathropdragon
01-30-07, 04:32 PM Part Two has been posted by the author. We're getting there!!!!!!!!! Part 3 which is the last installment still to be released!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lathropdragon 01-27-07, 11:37 PM	On the main page....under Articles...under Character Class...there is an article titled Back to Basics by a Skip Williams. It was written on January 9th and only partially finished (it stated it would continue). Does ANYONE know when he is going to post the rest of this????? It took me several hours going back and forth in the PHB to develop my character that I'm not 100% sure was done correctly. I followed this article as a test run and it was explained so much better (it even had a character sheet explaining what steps where taken). But as I said...it didn't make it all the way through stating the rest would be posted another time. If anyone knows about this and when the completion of the article will be posted...please let me know. Thanks!
Tempest Stormwind 01-27-07, 11:55 PM	There used to be a far better guide to filling one out on this board by Tyler Do'Urden. I'll see if I can find it. Seriously, though, just take a look at the first few pages of your PHB. It goes through the character creation process step-by-step there. d20's character creation guidelines are really far simpler than several other games I've seen.
lathropdragon 01-28-07, 08:52 AM	I followed the guidlines in the PHB (page 6) for creating a character. However, it became increasingly difficult once I reached Select Skills. Then really blew my mind when I got down to the section on Record Combat Numbers. I realize that it takes a certain level of intelligence to play this. But some can figure things out MUCH more quickly, such as character creation, if a sample is given. Or even in the wording such as on page 6, "Go here to get that answer, go there to get that answer". It did on several areas, but nothing in the Record Combat Numbers section. Just think a sample character sheet explaining where and how to get the information would be helpful.
Azezel 01-28-07, 09:52 AM	There used to be a far better guide to filling one out on this board by Tyler Do'Urden. I'll see if I can find it. It's in my sig.
lathropdragon 01-28-07, 07:12 PM	It's in my sig. That link came up with the following message: Invalid Post specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator
Bat 01-29-07, 01:36 PM	OK, a quick overview of character creation (this may not be in the same order as the PHB, so bear with me. Also, I have no idea what Record Combat Numbers are, so no mention of them). I am assuming you only have access to the PHB and are making a first level character. I'm also assuming you know about the modifers that go with the six main scores (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis and Cha); if not, post it, and we'll help you understand those. 1. Come up with a character concept. Using that concept, pick your class. Look up the classes in the PHB and pick one. 2. Pick your race. Look at the beginning of the PHB, before the classes, and pick which race seems to suit your character best. Look towards the end of every race's description to see which class is it's favored class. 3. Roll/Generate Statistics for Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma. Look up your class to see which abilities are important to your class. Put high numbers there. If you are playing something besides Human or Half-Elf, take racial adjustments to these scores into account. 4. Determine Base Attack Bonus. This is dertermined by your class. Look at your class description. In the table for your class, there is a column for Base Attack Bonus per level. Right that number into the Base Attack Bonus on your sheet. 5. Looking at your class, mark on your character sheet which skills are class skills for you class. This means you can buy points in those skills at a 1 to 1 ratio, meaning 1 point spent equals 1 rank in that skill. Skills you do not have as class skills are bought at a 2 to 1 ratio, meaning you have to spend 2 skill points to buy 1 ranks in a skill. 6. Purchase skills. Using your class description, see how many skill points you have at first level, then use those to buy skills. This involves deciding which of the skills listed on your character sheet you want your character to be good at, and buying ranks in them, using the class/cross-class skills covered in Step 5. Note: The maximum number of ranks you can have in one skill is equal to your character level +3, meaning at first level, you can have a maximum of 4 ranks in any one skill. 7. Select a feat. Feats are detailed later in the book, near the chapter on skills (I can't remember which comes first). Using your characater concept, pick a feat that makes sense. Let's say you want your character to be a Dexterity based fighter; Weapon Finesse might be a good choice for a feat, as it allows you to apply your Dexterity Modifier, not you Strenght Modifier, to your attack roll. Note: Fighters get a bonus feat at first level. Humans get a bonus feat at first level. A human fighter gets two bonus feats at first level. 8. Right down any special abilities. These are based on your class. I know the Barbarian gets Rage at first level. Whatever special abiliites you get at first level (if any), right tehm down on your sheet and make sure you know what htey do. 9. Determine saving throws. Using your class's table, see what your base saving throws are and right that down on your sheet. Then add the modifier for the approatiate skill to it for your saving throw. For Fortitude saves, the skill is Constitution. For Reflex, it is Dexterity. For Will, it is Wisdom. 10. Roll Hit Points. The die you use is determined by your class. Wizards, for example, use a 4-sided die, whereas a Barbarian uses a 12-sided die. Add your Constitiution modifer to this number. This might not be the best guide, but I hope it helps you and does not make you more confused. If you still want help, post and be specific on which part you want help with. We'll do our best to help you out.
Arkonth 01-29-07, 01:49 PM	Looking at it all laid out, I hadn't really considered jsut how complicated this really is. Guess I've been doing it for too long. Anyway, there's still more to do. 15: Choose equipment. Probably big and important choices are weapon and armor. Note if the weapon is one or two handed. Add your strength modifier to your base attack bonus and record it as attack bonus for the weapon. If the weapon is one handed add your strength modifier to damage and if it's two-handed add twice your strength modifier. 16: Pick you're spells known. If you're playing a prepared casting class, pick your spells prepared and record them (perhaps on something other than your character sheet, as these will change frequently). Record your spell save DCs in the apporpraite boxes. 0-level spells have DC equal to 10+your casting stat modifier, and the save increases by one for each spell level after that.
mrmagos 01-29-07, 02:44 PM	Specifically, which part of "Record Combat Numbers" are you having a problem with? What is your character's class, stats and race? The process on page 6 is fairly descriptive, but I can understand how it can be confusing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the game's terms and mechanics. Give us a little more detail, and we'll be glad to help you out. :D ...or, do you know someone who is more experienced with the game? Such a person could sit down with you and help develop your character. Or if you don't have that resource, you could purchase the Player's Kit (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953927200) or the Basic Game (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000) set. These are just suggestions, though...there's enough knowledge floating around here on character creation that you shouldn't have to buy any additional products.
lathropdragon 01-29-07, 03:42 PM	Specifically, which part of "Record Combat Numbers" are you having a problem with? What is your character's class, stats and race? The process on page 6 is fairly descriptive, but I can understand how it can be confusing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the game's terms and mechanics. Give us a little more detail, and we'll be glad to help you out. :D ...or, do you know someone who is more experienced with the game? Such a person could sit down with you and help develop your character. Or if you don't have that resource, you could purchase the Player's Kit (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953927200) or the Basic Game (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000) set. These are just suggestions, though...there's enough knowledge floating around here on character creation that you shouldn't have to buy any additional products. I'll be an Elf Wizard. Stat numbers (rolls for abilities) were 16, 14, 13, 13, 12, 11. This is a lot more complicated than I remember from 20+ years ago. I don't have anyone else to turn to (in real life) at this time. I just joined a local meetup group but nothing so far. My whole thing is I think I have it (after MANY hours)...but would like someway of checking. That's why I was so excited by that article on this website. It walked through the process (summarized of the PHB). However, it also went along with a sample character sheet. For instance...abilities, the explaination would be say STEP 2...on the character sheet, that area was highlighted STEP 2. Basically, these numbers specifically go here and it was just a reference from PHB to an actual character sheet (rather than everything written out in the PHB without any type of example). Without someone looking at my character sheet, I have no way of seeing if I've done it correctly. This example would have walked me through but he only went up to so many steps (think it stopped at STEP 4 of 10 or 12 highlighted on the character sheet). So any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I'll be DM of my brand new spanking group and if I have trouble with creating a character...I'm in for a long bumpy road if I can't explain the very first step in the game to the other newbies (pretty much I'm the guinea pig and organizer). Thanks!
Arkonth 01-29-07, 04:02 PM	Hrm. Will these help at all? If you're looking for an example, here's a couple characters already laid out. Fastpaly Characters (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebmoh/20041129a&page=1)
mrmagos 01-29-07, 04:35 PM	Wow, I just read that article...it is a very comprehensive guide. Both for your and your player's sake, I hope the second part is posted soon! The Elf Wizard is a mainstay for me, so this should be easy. ;) I can help with some error checking, perhaps by private message or directly by email. First, though, you should visit the D20 SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/) site. Besides being an excellent rules resource, it has a PDF character sheet that does most of the work for you. Transcribe your character on to that (which may be a good enough error check for you), and email it to me. I DM from time-to-time as well, so I could give you some pointers there too, if you want.
lathropdragon 01-29-07, 07:49 PM	Hrm. Will these help at all? If you're looking for an example, here's a couple characters already laid out. Fastpaly Characters (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebmoh/20041129a&page=1) This will help. Thanks!!!
lathropdragon 01-29-07, 08:00 PM	Wow, I just read that article...it is a very comprehensive guide. Both for your and your player's sake, I hope the second part is posted soon! The Elf Wizard is a mainstay for me, so this should be easy. ;) I can help with some error checking, perhaps by private message or directly by email. First, though, you should visit the D20 SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/) site. Besides being an excellent rules resource, it has a PDF character sheet that does most of the work for you. Transcribe your character on to that (which may be a good enough error check for you), and email it to me. I DM from time-to-time as well, so I could give you some pointers there too, if you want. This will help as well. And if you're willing to share some insight into DM...I'm all ears (or eyes) so just shoot me an email or message. I'm beginning to feel a little overwhelmed from learning how to play...AND learning how to DM...all from just books and message posts. I'm hoping to get some feedback or an email back from a D&D meetup group that I just joined. If I can get into a game that's close to where I live...gonna tell the guys to wait a little until I get my feet wet before DMing them. If not, it balls to the walls for all of us. Thanks!!!!!!!!!
lathropdragon 01-30-07, 04:32 PM	Part Two has been posted by the author. We're getting there!!!!!!!!! Part 3 which is the last installment still to be released!