Creating an RPG character can feel like crafting the ultimate persona—a hero (or anti-hero) who will help shape the story, defeat epic foes, and, inevitably, roll a few critical failures along the way. But let’s be honest: it’s way too easy to spiral and overthink every single detail. Do you really need a 12-page backstory explaining your character’s aversion to pineapples? Probably not.
Here’s how to build the perfect RPG character without getting lost in the weeds.
Step 1: Start with a Vibe, Not a Novel
Instead of diving into an elaborate backstory from the jump, ask yourself a simple question: What kind of character do you want to play? Maybe you want to be the brooding rogue with a heart of gold or the chaotic wizard who casts first and thinks later. Start with the big picture and refine the details later.
Step 2: Choose a Class and Race That Excite You
Your character’s class and race can help define how you play them, but don’t chase perfection. Sure, a half-orc bard might not be the most traditional pick, but if the idea of a musically inclined battle brute makes you laugh, go for it! The best characters are the ones you enjoy playing, not the ones with the best stats.
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Step 3: Give Your Character a Defining Quirk
Don’t overcomplicate things! Forget the exhaustive, overdeveloped biography—pick one defining trait to start. Are they overly confident? Perpetually unlucky? Awkward around authority? Weirdly obsessed with cheese? Maybe your character refuses to eat anything green, insists on narrating their actions in the third-person, or collects useless trinkets. Small details can add charm and memorability to your character without bogging you down.
Step 4: Build a Backstory with Room to Grow
You don’t need to write an entire novel before the first session. Instead, focus on picking three key things about your character’s past to help guide you:
- Where they came from (a small village, a large city, a pirate ship, etc.)
- One major life event (a betrayal, a lost love, a mysterious prophecy)
- Why they became an adventurer (for money, revenge, or boredom)
This gives your Game Master (GM) and the rest of your party something to work with while leaving room for character development during play.
Step 5: Roll With It (Literally and Figuratively)
No character survives their first session without unexpected developments. You might plan to be a noble knight but end up being the party’s go-to con artist because of one bad dice roll. Embrace the chaos—it’s what makes RPGs great.
At the end of the day, the best RPG characters aren’t the ones with perfect stats or intensive histories—they’re the ones that make you excited to sit down at the table. So grab some dice, embrace the unexpected, and let the adventure unfold!