Hi,
I asking for tips on playing an arrogant character. I also want tip on how to do it with POing the other players.
If you are arrogant, make part of it a group arrogance. Use it to pump up your fellow PCs verse other NPCs.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Make it very clear that you aren't your character. IOW, be a helpful co-operative player even if your character is arrogant.
Example: Your fellow player is playing a rogue, and wants to get in position to sneak attack an ogre.
Your Character: Stand back citizens! I can take on the Ogre by myself. *Attack of opportinity* That was supposed to hurt?
You: Ok, now you can move here to flank, I ate the attack of opportunity.
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Interesting topic...and, as a character concept, very doable.
Take a looksee at Silvio Callgari Pazzi's posts in a PbP game I'm in. He's pretty much the best and funnest PbP character I've ever seen.
If you can bring his arrogance, confidence, and silliness/fun to your gaming table, I think you'll have a winner.
-Pain
Yes, arrogance must also be fun. Not arrogant AT anyone, but just showing it in conversation/style.
It's the hardest to pull off because people either get left alone by the party, or go overboard and affect the table (usually because they're simply arrogant themselves).
It's easier in PbP because you can show your thoughts vs. your actions. Some feel that to show they are arrogant, they must act that way, which isn't true. Most people who are arrogant eventually stop talking because nobody wants to hear them, and simply have an arrogant personality in the back of their mind assessing situations. That's why I find PbP works better at the task.
Those who simply act out arrogance all the time are treated as such by any self-respected PC's.
Just some quick tips.
Thank you everyone for the advice.
There are lots of ways to be arrogant. Some of them are more irritating than others.
It also depends on what class or role you are playing.
An out-of-combat braggart could easily irritate the other players, just because bragging is going to be hogging the role play spotlight. However, if the bragging is clever, humorous or dramatic enough, it can really add to the game. To pull this off you need some really good role playing skills though.
An in-combat braggart can be played to great effect as a way to call attention to your character so that other players can have their own characters shine.
A condescending snob is like an out-of-combat braggart, it can work, and can be quite hilarious if done right, but it runs the risk of crossing the game world/real world line and irritating players. The classic case of this is the foppish wizard who refuses to do anything but arcane things and treats the rest of the party like his lackeys.
A showman can be quite fun in a game with a lot of social interaction. I love playing one, think of PT Barnum or the Shamwow guy.
A scholar who disdains the "rabble" is sort of like the condescending wizard snob, but not quite. Again this is one that benefits from a campaign with a lot of social interaction.
I play a cold-as-ice cocky ranger who thinks the best way to solve just about any problem is with force. His arrogance is of the "don't get in my face" style. He doesn't start fights, but he has a short fuse and doesn't much care if his response to provocation is fatal.
It's hard to give advice when the options are so wide open.
I greatly enjoyed playing an arrogant, elitist elven alchemist by the name of Verrun. He was constantly condescending, and squealed like a drama queen when he was under attack. "Save me, peasants! Spring forth and come to my aid!" was a common plea.
In the end he was beloved, usually because the players loved to hate him. The trick for me was to paint him as an entitled narcissist who was obviously flawed.
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My current PFS Character is an arrogant Alchemist. Basically I just play it as a "don't worry I got this" type character. Its funny because most things I say "I got" I really really don't "got". Not to mention my faction is Sczarni so it makes me an arrogant Alchemist thats out for himself, but using the party to better himself. Thus far his True Neutral alignment has led him to try and sleight of hand some loot (didn't take any ranks) and randomly shoot at a shrine with his bow just to prove that he could.
Its been fun and led to a few laughs.
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I greatly enjoyed playing an arrogant, elitist elven alchemist by the name of Verrun. He was constantly condescending, and squealed like a drama queen when he was under attack. "Save me, peasants! Spring forth and come to my aid!" was a common plea.
In the end he was beloved, usually because the players loved to hate him. The trick for me was to paint him as an entitled narcissist who was obviously flawed.
LoL ninja'd by a guy that is basically playing my exact PFS character!
I will be playing a cleric of Asmodeus.
He grow up as a minor noble. If he see you as a peer he treats you as a peer. He does not see anyone as better then him and his peers. Anyone below him he treats as a servant.
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Hi,
I asking for tips on playing an arrogant character. I also want tip on how to do it with POing the other players.
I try to make the the other players understand, via ooc, that the arrogance is not personal.
I am making an effort to act extra arrogant in one of my current PbP games and yet avoid offending the players.
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Reminds me of the wizardess I was playing who, after several levels of defying death, developed an invincibility complex. She still didn't try to handle encounters alone, rather she felt that there wasn't anything she-and-her-party couldn't do. It didn't help that she had about 2 ranks in Diplomacy and the party let her be the face, but it was funny how demanding she could be in 'negotiations'.
So, less arrogant in a boastful way, more the over-confidence type.
Reminds me of the wizardess I was playing who, after several levels of defying death, developed an invincibility complex. She still didn't try to handle encounters alone, rather she felt that there wasn't anything she-and-her-party couldn't do. It didn't help that she had about 2 ranks in Diplomacy and the party let her be the face, but it was funny how demanding she could be in 'negotiations'.
So, less arrogant in a boastful way, more the over-confidence type.
This is the way to go. The party can have some fun with this rather than being put off
This is the way to go. The party can have some fun with this rather than being put offReminds me of the wizardess I was playing who, after several levels of defying death, developed an invincibility complex. She still didn't try to handle encounters alone, rather she felt that there wasn't anything she-and-her-party couldn't do. It didn't help that she had about 2 ranks in Diplomacy and the party let her be the face, but it was funny how demanding she could be in 'negotiations'.
So, less arrogant in a boastful way, more the over-confidence type.
One more thought on this. If you play a character believes arrogantly he's competent in some facet of his life (like a lady's man or combat expert) but isn't can make for some fun role playing moments because of the character's disconnect between his believed abilities and what he actually does. For instance, a halfling who believes that he's is nearly invincible because of his faith ends up getting grappled or nearly killed and needs to be rescued. Afterward he says: Good thing I was here to save your asses... and believes it. The party may role their eyes, but it creates some humorous moments
Well our beloved arrogant wizard has presented his arrogance in a quite endearing and significant way. Even when he realizes that there is no hope of adequet compensation (no hope of asking to get paid) he might instead inquire if the task is really worth his valuable time. "Why not just call the guard this is hardly an errand one as skilled as I." When offered a boost up the wall he instead suggested it might be stable if I walk on your back. Classic.
Take a looksee at Silvio Callgari Pazzi's posts in a PbP game I'm in. He's pretty much the best and funnest PbP character I've ever seen.
If you can bring his arrogance, confidence, and silliness/fun to your gaming table, I think you'll have a winner.
-Pain
Now, that's funny!
Playing against type is usually good for a laugh. The fighter with a 9 int who thinks he knows it all, or a wizard who fancies himself an expert swordsman can bring a little levity to the table.
I once played a gnome priest who defined and introduced the rest of the party inrelationship to himself. He viewed it as good manners the rest of the party laughed out character and hated it in character it was awesome. Whenever we met someone I stepped forward and introduce the whole party this is Draneor (our paladin) my war council, Zantos (our fighter) my weapons master, Raven (our theif) my scout, and Whatwashisname (our wizard) my loremaster.
My favorite quip:"Please, they/you threaten me/us like a gentle breeze"
Humbly,
Yawar