Character creation guide - step by step!

Caellach's guide to creating a decent character

All right, so you have reached the point where you have to create a character for role-playing. You may want to give your character some thought then, for character creation is far from easy. Unfortunate as it is, many players know very well how to role-play and follow rules, and yet their character is about as entertaining as a second-rate reality show. If you want a decent, realistic and interesting character, take out your notebook and pencil and start brainstorming. Here are some tips that may make the process easier.

1. Make yourself familiar with the game genre, the setting and the lore.

You purchased a MMORPG and are about to make a character that should fit in this game. It doesn't mean that it is necessary to study the lore as if you're studying for an exam, but visiting the official site and getting a quick overview never hurts. Remember that the game genre and lore limits your options. It means that if you picked a MMORPG based on classic fantasy, you can just forget creating a high school student or a half-alien with superpowers.

Once you know a thing or two about the lore, it's time to consider what parts of it can be relevant for your character.

2. Start thinking about what kind of character you wish to play.

Evil or good? Shy or outgoing? Outstanding or common? Keep this in mind as you get an overview of what kind of races and classes the MMORPG offers. By now, you shouldn't decide more than the most general idea of what you wish to play.

For example: An outgoing, cheery healer.

If you're new to RP, pick a type of character you're convenient with and know something about. If you know too little about how a sassy, loud youth or an old, wise man will react in different situations, don't be overconfident and pick such a type of character. In most cases it will go wrong, and your character will occasionally go OoC.

Remember that the character reflects parts of your own knowledge and personality.

I speak from own experience. When I just started RPing, I wanted to play a cold, emotionless warrior. However, this character had nothing in common with my own personality, and soon I realized I did not know how the character should respond when someone showed the character affection. Because of this, I let the character say and do things that the character normally wouldn't. I hadn't given my character enough thought, done enough research and ended up being unprepared.

This does not mean you must role-play your alter ego, but don't challenge yourself too much at first.

Once you have decided the major personality trait, you have a foundation.

3. Check out the character creation options.

This aspect of MMORPGs differs greatly. Some provide great character creation sheets with many options, some do not. Either way, don't rush. Play around with the character creation sheet and take your time. See what is available and what isn't. I usually spend 15-60 minutes on this part, depending on how detailed the character creation sheet is.

Remember that your character's appearance determines what kind of first impression the character will give other players.

- Think of what you wish the players to see. Do you want your character's appearance to deceive other players? Do you want them to get an idea of your character's strength and personality from a distance?

- Think logically. Does a sly criminal wear a black mask 24/7? Does he openly walk around with a gun and a spiked club to show the world that he is a bandit? Most likely not. Don't let the true nature of your character be too obvious!

- Think of your own preferences. It's your character, and while the outfit can most likely be changed later, the physical features cannot.

If you can't make up your mind, create several versions of your character and delete the others once you have picked one version.

4. Make up a personality for the character

By now, it's time to set a few general pointers for your character. The character's personality will develop as you play, and this is a part of the fun, but a "blank sheet" type of character is a very bad idea.

First, pick a few words to describe your character's personality.

Example: Cheery, outgoing, naïve, determined.

Next, list your character's weaknesses and strengths. Don't start out too advanced. Write up two, three points on each.

Finally, imagine your character in several situations. What can make the character sad? What does the character hate? What does the character appreciate? What does the character fear? How will the character show these emotions and express his/her opinions?


That should be enough for now. There will always be situations where you have to improvise, but having a general idea of your character's personality will help you to take logical decisions.

5. Make up one main challenge related to your character's personality.

This is perhaps the most interesting step of the process, and can distinguish between an interesting and a dull character.

Your character should be a challenge to other players.

This means you should not make a "finished", static character. On the contrary, you should already have an idea of how you want your character to develop.

- Think of what you want your character to learn.

For example: One of my characters is a youth who recently discovered her superpowers. She has a strong sense of moral and hates injustice, but because of her experiences with superheroes, she despises her powers and wants to lead a normal life. The "goal" is to make her eventually accept her powers and use them for the greater good.

When you role-play, you will meet people who will bring your character closer to and further away from this goal. Remember, the sooner you reach the goal, the sooner the fun will be over and you will have to invent a new challenge to make your character interesting. But don't let your character be too stubborn and unchangeable either.

6. Create a background story for your character.

Remember the lore? Time to refresh your knowledge and decide what parts of it are relevant to your character. Your character's background story should be related to the history of the world you play in. What historical events was your character or his/her ancestors involved in? How significant is this for your character?

Here are some other things to consider:

- Birthplace
- Relatives
- Childhood
- Important events/experiences in the past

Remember that the character's background story is the "excuse" for your character's personality.

Being lazy and going for the "mysterious past" solution is NOT an option. Even if information about your character's past is purposefully a mystery to other players, you are still expected to know all your character's secrets.

Is it okay to make up cities/events that are not a part of the lore? In most cases - no. However, I've done it myself a few times by simply stating that my character was from "a small city/village far away". Be careful with doing this though, and remember that you should never make up important events that should be common knowledge for other characters.

7. Make your character unique!

Time to add some details. What makes your noble warrior different from other noble warriors? Does your character have...

- Any odd/bad habits?
- Any unusual phobias?
- Any physical characteristic features? (A scar, a huge nose... )
- A passion for something? (Food, gambling... )

The details are always important. Be creative here, but use common sense.

8. Use logic, stay IC.

Nothing "just happens." RP is about causes and consequences. There must be a logical reason behind every step your character takes. I've seen characters who suddenly went insane or changed personality without any good reason. If you do that, you may come off as a bad RPer, and it may irritate or confuse other players.

Don't ever do anything your character normally wouldn't do to get more drama.


9. Don't let your personal feelings interfere.

Related to step two - once you have picked one type of character, stick to this character's personality. You shall - not - let your character make decisions he/she normally wouldn't make to influence the storyline in the direction you want. If your proud, stubborn and fearless character is about to be killed, the character will NOT suddenly beg for mercy. Your own wishes do unfortunately matter little here. What happens, happens. Be creative, look for a way out, but if there is none, that's it. Again: Stay IC!

10. And finally - show, don't tell!

Once your character is completed and ready to enter the unknown, big world, you are going to show your creation to everyone else. Show, don't tell. It's easy to apologize on your character's behalf if your character is unpleasant. Don't. Instead of saying "((Sorry for that, but he/she had a horrible day... ))" show how the character feels by revealing his/her thoughts or emotions. Give other players clues, make them interested in your character rather than giving out solid facts.

However, remember that you ≠ your character. No matter how rude, evil or unpleasant your character is, you have to draw a line between yourself and the character and make the other players aware of this line. Always be polite when speaking OoC.


That's all for now. This guide is a product of much trying and failing and will hopefully be helpful to those who don't have too much experience with RP yet, but wish to do it well.

Keep in mind that you will learn more about your character as you role-play, so don't decide everything on beforehand.

If you have questions or want more advice, don't hesitate to post here and ask.