Intro to Solo TTRPGs (3/5): Creating Your Character

 So, you built out your world/campaign and now it's time to create your character!



I will be using D&D 5e as an example, but if you are using a different system they will share the same basic principles of character creation!

Here are the 3 main steps:

1. Choose Race, Class and Background

- When choosing a race, this will play a big role in your innate abilities, talents all stemming from your past and culture/family. For example, if you are playing as a halfling (or a hobbit) you would make a great rogue being light on your feet! Race will also help increase certain ability scores!

- Class is your character's profession or vocation. Classes will have special features and proficiencies as well! You can play as a dragonborn fighter and you will be proficient in certain armor or weapons. Your class will also help in giving you a proficiency bonus (+2 for Level 1 characters). This number can be added to your attack rolls or certain ability checks too!

- Now, think about your character's background and history. How did they become an adventurer? Are they good or evil? Are they bonded to a certain item they carry? Think about their strengths and weaknesses. Choosing a background can also give you proficiency in languages or other skills.

2. Calculating Ability Scores/Modifiers

- Now comes the numbers... just a bit of simple math! Your character has 6 abilities: Strength (physical strength), Dexterity (stealth/reflexes), Constitution (health), Intelligence (reasoning), Wisdom (intuition), and Charisma (confidence). Ability scores can be rolled, or you can use predetermined stats: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8 (I personally do this to save myself time).

- Now that you have your ability scores, it's time to figure out your modifiers. Use this table below:


3. Choosing Equipment

- Your character will have starting equipment, which will likely include weapons, armor and other gear. It's also important to keep in mind your Armor Class (AC). Your AC will equal to 10 plus your Dexterity modifier. 

- Make sure to read up on the type of weapons and armor you carry since weight of certain items can slow you down. Your character will also have a certain amount of gold pieces to start with. If you are not liking your starting equipment you can also purchase things too. 

- When you want to attack, roll a d20, add your proficiency bonus (only if that is a weapon you are proficient in) and your ability modifier. For example, if you have a melee weapon you would use your Strength modifier for attacks.


This can all be explained in more detail using the D&D 5e: Player's Handbook, or you can use this resource made by D&D Beyond. 

A big tip I like to tell people getting into Solo TTRPGs is that you want your character's background to tie into the story! For example, maybe your character is on a quest to stop some bandits from raiding local villages, and it turns out that the leader is your older brother who abandoned you when you were young! Or maybe there is an old map leading to valuable treasure hidden deep under some ancient ruins, but the map is written in a odd dead language that only your great grandmother can understand! 

Get creative with your background!

Next, I will cover an actual flow of how to play your campaign! :)

 

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