What do you do when you can't settle on a character concept?

[Lucio]

I'm due to attend a convention at the end of the month, but for the life of me I can't seem to settle on a character concept. My partner is playing a Shapeshifter Ranger but for some reason, I can't decide what to play to go alongside this.

I've toyed with the idea of a Bard, Summoner or Alchemist, both as ranged and melee but none of them really gel as a character in my mind and all have their bonuses and downsides.

So, I was wondering what people do when they can't settle on a concept? Do you randomly decide between them? Scrap all your ideas and start again?

[Wolfsnap]

Roll 3d6 for all your abilities, in order, and let the dice decide. :)

#noschoollikeoldschool

[Malwing]

After Ultimate Campaign I just roll for it when I can't think of something. It gets the juices going.

[strayshift]

Look back at your previous characters and see if there is something you either haven't played or wanted to play more. Repeat the concept.

[Darksmokepuncher]

Look up pictures of RPG characters while drinking a bottle of wine!

[Jayson MF Kip]

Let the scenarios you play shape your classes.

Everyone loves a Ranger1/Rogue3/Fighter2/Oracle2/Druid6.

Or +1 to an earlier post.

#noschoollikeoldschool

[eakratz]

I just keep waffling and rebuilding until I run out of time or I just settle on something. Then whatever happens to be last gets played.

[Lincoln Hills]

I've given this advice a lot, but... Select one of your favorite fantasy film characters, and then imagine the director gave the part to one of your favorite actors instead.

Come on, we all know Ezren is what would have happened if Gandalf the Grey had been played by Sean Connery...

Gandalf Connery: You shall not pass, Trebec!

[Darigaaz the Igniter]

Build all the options then roll a die when the day comes to pick which one you use. I'm doing this for my group's next campaign and I'll probably need a d20.

[Seriphim84]

Sit down and write a story. start at birth and keep going. eventually you will know who the character is then you can decided what the character is.

[Simon Legrande]

Think of something you haven't played before and wing it. Level up with the adventure, don't plan out too far forward.

[Zathyr]

Set up all the potential character concepts in your head, then have then duke it out battle royale style. Whoever wins is clearly your favorite. ;)

Just a suggestion. I've never done that, personally. I always have a front-runner among my character concepts for a game based on what I feel like playing, what other folks are playing, and what I've played/haven't played most recently - sometimes it's a close race but something always pulls into the lead before the finish line.

[Taku Ooka Nin]

Lucio wrote:

I'm due to attend a convention at the end of the month, but for the life of me I can't seem to settle on a character concept. My partner is playing a Shapeshifter Ranger but for some reason, I can't decide what to play to go alongside this.

I've toyed with the idea of a Bard, Summoner or Alchemist, both as ranged and melee but none of them really gel as a character in my mind and all have their bonuses and downsides.

So, I was wondering what people do when they can't settle on a concept? Do you randomly decide between them? Scrap all your ideas and start again?

Ask yourself the all important question: What do I want this character to do well?

From here I look at the cool and interesting options, but usually the aforementioned question influences my options.

[Jacob Saltband]

Count up the number of vanilla classes there are. roll randomly 3 times.

With the 3 vanilla classes now count up all the archtypes plus the vanilla. Roll 3 times.

Now you have 3 random classes archtype characters. roll a d3.

Edit: legal for play in the convention vanilla.