Monday, August 18, 2008

Is it bad to role play the same character type in every game?

This topic is related to character playing as wish fulfillment, but it's different enough to deserve a separate post. Last night one of my friends told me he always plays a rogue who's usually a more asshole-ish version of himself. He was unapologetic about this, so he was not asking, "Is it bad to role play the same character type in every game?"

However, the question did strike me as something that a player who does this might ask themselves. We might think of the way this could be bad in two different ways: bad towards the self, and bad towards the group. 

Bad Towards the Self: 

Variety and experimentation allow us to discover more about ourselves as well as lead us to new passions. Playing the same character type over and over might allow us to act out a strong wish fulfillment we possess, but it does not lead to growth. 

However if you already know yourself well, you know you hate playing a warrior or detective, but love playing the amoral mage, then by all means play that mage. 

Bad Towards the Group: 

This complaint was also listed in the post on wish fulfillment, but if you play a character that doesn't fit into the particular game you're playing: You want to play the asskicker in a game of subtle investigation, then both GM and the other players might easily grow sick of your character. Constantly insisting on playing the same character type, especially in stories that really don't support that character, can become annoying and might alienate you from a group of gamers unless they plan on playing a game that would fit in with the character you always want to play. 

However if you're willing to make small changes to that basic character you find yourself playing you might find the group appreciates what you bring: You like playing an asskicker. BUT in a game of investigators it might help playing a highly perceptive asskicker. That way you contribute to the group's larger goal, but still have a talent that others in the group may not possess. 

Role play games offer us the chance to explore ourselves or pretend to be people we're not. You might enjoy constantly trying something new or playing the same character type frequently. In either case it's good to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of how this can affect the game and group. 

2 comments:

Rooster said...

In my particular case, I play roughly the same cocky, smart-mouthed, jack-of-all-trades. This is pretty much who I am in person, so I play the character well. I occasionally admire more focused and professional strategic thinker types, but thats not me.

I'm also very loyal to my friends and team members, so I will do what I have to further their cause or accomplish the mission. As for other "loners" or "individuals" that seek to be the pain in the ass of the group I hope this link puts things into perspective.

http://despair.com/doubt.html

D said...

So yeah, I've been neglecting this for too long, but now I'm catching up, and great stuff so far!

Question: what if instead of playing the same character type, you play the same kind of person with different specializations? For example, instead of always being the "asskicker," you always play the "strong, silent type," whether it be a strong(-bodied) but silent asskicker, or the strong(-willed) but silent investigator. How do you think that changes things? Or does it not change things at all?