Character Creation - Simplified or Detailed?

[Herremann the Wise]

Hello Everyone,

I was just wondering what your personal preference was in terms of creating a character. Do you prefer a simplified method of character creation where you can be up and gaming in a matter of minutes, or do you prefer a longer detailed process with opportunities for extra or specialized customisation?

For myself, I prefer the more detailed method. I like the ability to craft a character where the process of creation and refinement to match and build a concept and idea, becomes part of the game. I'm quite happy to spend a few hours in this process but I imagine others would consider this time better spent gaming.

Your thoughts?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Glyfair]

I like a good mix.

My favorite system for character generation is Heroquest from Issaries. There are 3 methods and 2 of them are great (each in different circumstances).

Method one has you write a terse 100 word description of your character. The GM gets your skills and abilities from this (which can be pretty much anything..within reason although levels are fixed).

Method two has you create your character as you play. You have a certain number of "skills" and can choose them as the game progresses until you have chosen them all. Great for player who is late showing up. Just start playing and flesh out your character as you play (which is how many come up with their backstory in normal RPGs).

The disadvantage is these don't work well in D&D.

 

[LostSoul]

It's an interesting question.

Let's say that through a simplified and streamlined PC creation system I can create the exact nuanced character that I want, and the game delivers the play experience I want. What good would added detail and complexity be?

I think what's important is how the choices you make when creating your character feed into how the game plays out. Streamlined is better in general, I think, but if added complexity makes the game work better, then it's worth it.

I think character creation needs to be seen as a part of a whole and how it works with the rest of the system instead of something as its own.

I voted for "simplified", by the way.

 

[Crothian]

Since simple and detail are not opposites I went with detailed. I like simple and detailed, but there are games that are simple that are not detailed enough.

 

[FireLance]

I voted simplified, but that isn't exactly the whole story.

I think characters should start out simple, but get more detailed, complex and customized as they gain levels.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I like detailed, but not necessarily mathematical. I HATE when it takes 40 minutes to set up a character because its math is complex and you have to keep going back and forth, etc.

So I guess detailed but streamlined in the math.

 

[Shroomy]

I like detailed, but not necessarily mathematical. I HATE when it takes 40 minutes to set up a character because its math is complex and you have to keep going back and forth, etc.

So I guess detailed but streamlined in the math.

I'm with you here. I prefer lots of options, not lots of number crunching.

 

[fba827]

I'm with you here. I prefer lots of options, not lots of number crunching.

Yeah - same. I love customization. And I enjoy spending time refining characters. The time should be spent selecting features not doing the math.

However, a system should also be able to handle a quick and dirty character for when the need arises. If it's too complex that it can't handle a quick character generation, then there is a problem there too.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I like both (not an option)

I love Rifts and Role Master...both of witch if you have everythign ready 5 mins to make a character...if you never did it before you might want frank parker and his time machine becuse you are going to take 7 days to make your character

I Like 3e were I could spend days going through books makeing characters


I also like 4e were 10 mins and I have a character ready...of almost any level

 

[Lanefan]

I want the brute-force roll-up mechanics out of the way ASAP. The fine-tuning can happen later, provided the character survives.

Lanefan