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Role-Playing Help Please

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
wbarnes
Jun 16, 2010 11:13:51 I have been playing DnD off and on for a fairly long time. I enjoy the game because it allows me to engage in activities that normally fall way outside the scope of my daily life. That said, whenever I create a character I always have a clear vision of how I think they will act. Yet, when there is a chance for some ridiculously dramatic action, I take it.

I find myself engaging in over-the-top behavior that, while permitted by the rules, is in no way in keeping with my character.

So, I was wondering how others go about balancing their character's personalities against the dramatic opportunities offered by the game?

Any tips that can help me create a consistent character would be greatly appreciated by me, and probably by my gaming group.

Thanks!
#2
Bill4747
Jun 16, 2010 11:59:28 I can relate to your situation in this way : Many of my charcaters end up being more 'good' than I origionaly plan. Perhaps I just do not have enough 'evil' in me to roleplay that.

But, It sounds like you enjoy over the top actions with your characters. So either run with it and make it part of the characetrs personality, or struggle to play conservatively.

#3
nikitadarkstar
Jun 16, 2010 14:59:57 I pretty much have to agree with Bill here, make it a part of your characters personality. That or ask yourself "Would my character do this?" If te answer is no, then don't. For example my over emotional, prone to the over-the-top behaviour rogue'ish girls idea of talking yourself out of something involves the use of as many threats and curse words as possible, and hope to the gods that noone calls her on them. I know that will get her into trouble, my DM knows it will get her into trouble, everyone does, hell even she IC does, but when she gets pissed she stops thinking straight, so it will happen anyway. (Unless ofcourse someone steps in and stops her.)

Or for my wizard (necromancer, love him.) there's a whole host of spells that makes me go "oohhh nice.. and useful.. want!", but I always ask myself "Would Damon actually use this or even be interested in it?" if the answer is no, then I don't take it.

Ofcourse even a serious character can get over-the-top in certain situations, but you need to decide what might trigger those reactions, and how he's likely to react.
#4
kouk
Jun 16, 2010 15:16:03 What sorts of actions are you talking about? Things like jumping chasms instead of constructing bridges, or more like swinging on chandeliers when there's no particular tactical benefit to be gained?
#5
wbarnes
Jun 18, 2010 9:15:32 Well, things always start out well. My healer is in the back, hanging out, providing minimal damage and moderate heals, and then the next thing I know, I am charging my enemies and coming up with elaborate plans to inflict ridiculous damage in the most roundabout way possible.

I am thinking that if I write up a tactics block similar to the monster manual, then I will have something to refer to when I start to lose my head.
#6
kouk
Jun 18, 2010 16:33:52 Perhaps you shouldn't fight it so much and make characters to match, but if your concern is on expanding your roleplaying abilities, a "key" to your behaviors might be helpful.

I suppose a tactics section could be helpful but also overly limiting since there are lots of things that can happen in a fight that you can't cover.

I would probably go for more of a "personality" approach, sort of like "What Would Gandalf Do?" or "What Would Batman Do?"

You keep a short phrase continuously visible to yourself. You might make a little paper standy between yourself and the game mat so you always pass it, or write it visibly on your character sheet near where you start checking for doing "crazy stuff" like your Skills section, your Powers, your Ability Scores etc.

A personality "inventory" may also help to refer to before games, or periodically whenever you have a spare moment during the games, to keep you on target.

Things like, "Ragane dislikes getting close to enemies." "Ragane does not like to start a fight without talking first if possible." "Ragane will retreat if possible when very low on health." "Ragane is physically clumsy."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wbarnes Jun 16, 2010 11:13:51	I have been playing DnD off and on for a fairly long time. I enjoy the game because it allows me to engage in activities that normally fall way outside the scope of my daily life. That said, whenever I create a character I always have a clear vision of how I think they will act. Yet, when there is a chance for some ridiculously dramatic action, I take it. I find myself engaging in over-the-top behavior that, while permitted by the rules, is in no way in keeping with my character. So, I was wondering how others go about balancing their character's personalities against the dramatic opportunities offered by the game? Any tips that can help me create a consistent character would be greatly appreciated by me, and probably by my gaming group. Thanks!
#2 Bill4747 Jun 16, 2010 11:59:28	I can relate to your situation in this way : Many of my charcaters end up being more 'good' than I origionaly plan. Perhaps I just do not have enough 'evil' in me to roleplay that. But, It sounds like you enjoy over the top actions with your characters. So either run with it and make it part of the characetrs personality, or struggle to play conservatively.
#3 nikitadarkstar Jun 16, 2010 14:59:57	I pretty much have to agree with Bill here, make it a part of your characters personality. That or ask yourself "Would my character do this?" If te answer is no, then don't. For example my over emotional, prone to the over-the-top behaviour rogue'ish girls idea of talking yourself out of something involves the use of as many threats and curse words as possible, and hope to the gods that noone calls her on them. I know that will get her into trouble, my DM knows it will get her into trouble, everyone does, hell even she IC does, but when she gets pissed she stops thinking straight, so it will happen anyway. (Unless ofcourse someone steps in and stops her.) Or for my wizard (necromancer, love him.) there's a whole host of spells that makes me go "oohhh nice.. and useful.. want!", but I always ask myself "Would Damon actually use this or even be interested in it?" if the answer is no, then I don't take it. Ofcourse even a serious character can get over-the-top in certain situations, but you need to decide what might trigger those reactions, and how he's likely to react.
#4 kouk Jun 16, 2010 15:16:03	What sorts of actions are you talking about? Things like jumping chasms instead of constructing bridges, or more like swinging on chandeliers when there's no particular tactical benefit to be gained?
#5 wbarnes Jun 18, 2010 9:15:32	Well, things always start out well. My healer is in the back, hanging out, providing minimal damage and moderate heals, and then the next thing I know, I am charging my enemies and coming up with elaborate plans to inflict ridiculous damage in the most roundabout way possible. I am thinking that if I write up a tactics block similar to the monster manual, then I will have something to refer to when I start to lose my head.
#6 kouk Jun 18, 2010 16:33:52	Perhaps you shouldn't fight it so much and make characters to match, but if your concern is on expanding your roleplaying abilities, a "key" to your behaviors might be helpful. I suppose a tactics section could be helpful but also overly limiting since there are lots of things that can happen in a fight that you can't cover. I would probably go for more of a "personality" approach, sort of like "What Would Gandalf Do?" or "What Would Batman Do?" You keep a short phrase continuously visible to yourself. You might make a little paper standy between yourself and the game mat so you always pass it, or write it visibly on your character sheet near where you start checking for doing "crazy stuff" like your Skills section, your Powers, your Ability Scores etc. A personality "inventory" may also help to refer to before games, or periodically whenever you have a spare moment during the games, to keep you on target. Things like, "Ragane dislikes getting close to enemies." "Ragane does not like to start a fight without talking first if possible." "Ragane will retreat if possible when very low on health." "Ragane is physically clumsy."