Comments on: Character Creation: The Importance Of Planning Ahead http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/ A Dungeons & Dragons Resource Blog For Dungeon Masters & Players Thu, 24 May 2012 21:53:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Why most campaigns fail during character creation (and what to do about it) « Level 31 Blog http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-27260 Why most campaigns fail during character creation (and what to do about it) « Level 31 Blog Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:11:40 +0000 http://dungeonsmaster.com/?p=4398#comment-27260 [...] for the campaign to spend more time on character creation, but it’s fun. Most of us enjoy planning ahead during character creation, tweaking the numbers, researching new classes and powers, projecting what the character could be [...] [...] for the campaign to spend more time on character creation, but it’s fun. Most of us enjoy planning ahead during character creation, tweaking the numbers, researching new classes and powers, projecting what the character could be [...]

]]> By: Wimwick http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-14919 Wimwick Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:20:43 +0000 http://dungeonsmaster.com/?p=4398#comment-14919 @ anarkeith Part of the balance that is here is also flavour. If you want to use a long sword you need a balanced approach. If you want to use a warhammer or axe build your fighter with high strength and constitution. The pre-req's do skew powergaming to an extent which is somewhat frustrating. Granted going well rounded provides other bonuses that power gaming doesn't provide. @ Frosty The +5 Runesword Your idea works well when you know everyone you are playing with. However, if you primarily play RPGA games you may not know everyone from week to week and it is much more difficult to reach these types of agreements. @ Bob C I'm in the same camp as you when it comes to character creation. I have a concept and a back story long before I attribute my first ability score. @ anarkeith
Part of the balance that is here is also flavour. If you want to use a long sword you need a balanced approach. If you want to use a warhammer or axe build your fighter with high strength and constitution. The pre-req’s do skew powergaming to an extent which is somewhat frustrating. Granted going well rounded provides other bonuses that power gaming doesn’t provide.

@ Frosty The +5 Runesword
Your idea works well when you know everyone you are playing with. However, if you primarily play RPGA games you may not know everyone from week to week and it is much more difficult to reach these types of agreements.

@ Bob C
I’m in the same camp as you when it comes to character creation. I have a concept and a back story long before I attribute my first ability score.

]]> By: Bob C http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-14894 Bob C Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:29:40 +0000 http://dungeonsmaster.com/?p=4398#comment-14894 I like to think about the role playing opportunities when creating a character and assigning the ability scores. I get a picture in my head first of what I want this character to be. Right now I am playing a dwarven great weapon fighter who wields a great axe. The race is also something to consider when filling in abilities. The dwarfs plus 2 in constitution helps with hit points and healing surges. Before filling in those ability scores get a picture of the character you want to play. Use that picture to fill in those scores. I like to think about the role playing opportunities when creating a character and assigning the ability scores. I get a picture in my head first of what I want this character to be. Right now I am playing a dwarven great weapon fighter who wields a great axe. The race is also something to consider when filling in abilities. The dwarfs plus 2 in constitution helps with hit points and healing surges. Before filling in those ability scores get a picture of the character you want to play. Use that picture to fill in those scores.

]]> By: Frosty The +5 Runesword http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-14831 Frosty The +5 Runesword Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:28:17 +0000 http://dungeonsmaster.com/?p=4398#comment-14831 Personally, I prefer to agree in advance that I would be their attacker, guy A would be the defender, B would be the balanced guy, and so on. This means I feel free to dump almost all skill points into attack and dexterity(not crit because another guy specializes in that:D) Personally, I prefer to agree in advance that I would be their attacker, guy A would be the defender, B would be the balanced guy, and so on. This means I feel free to dump almost all skill points into attack and dexterity(not crit because another guy specializes in that:D)

]]> By: anarkeith http://dungeonsmaster.com/2010/04/planning-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-14783 anarkeith Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:50:24 +0000 http://dungeonsmaster.com/?p=4398#comment-14783 Good to know about the thresholds for high-end feats like that. Not that I feel like I'm ever likely to advance that far. It doesn't surprise me that you need a more balanced approach to eke out ultimate advantage. I suspect there are some math heads out there that could help you figure whether or not that late plus would offset all the experience levels up to that point. The core issue might be the idea of a dump stat itself, and whether you're playing to be a truly extraordinary character (a hero among heroes) or just a great character. Would you, as a player, be satisfied knowing that the build you put together wasn't "optimized" for its role? .-= anarkeith´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.f1337command.com/content/friday-game-tile" rel="nofollow">Friday Game Tile</a> =-. Good to know about the thresholds for high-end feats like that. Not that I feel like I’m ever likely to advance that far. It doesn’t surprise me that you need a more balanced approach to eke out ultimate advantage. I suspect there are some math heads out there that could help you figure whether or not that late plus would offset all the experience levels up to that point.

The core issue might be the idea of a dump stat itself, and whether you’re playing to be a truly extraordinary character (a hero among heroes) or just a great character. Would you, as a player, be satisfied knowing that the build you put together wasn’t “optimized” for its role?
.-= anarkeith´s last blog ..Friday Game Tile =-.

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