6 Steps for Fleshing Out Your RPG Character | Player Tips

Today we do a deep dive into the idea of fleshing out your roleplaying character. How and why would you want to flesh out your RPG character? Well, the more fleshed out your character is, the more interesting your character becomes. In today’s video, I go into the 6 points to consider when fleshing out your RPG character to make it feel more alive. Taking & applying these tips into your character creation, whether you’re playing in a DnD, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu or even a Savage Worlds campaign, will be sure to give your character some depth and make you a better role player.

6 Steps For Fleshing Out Your RPG Character | Player Tips

How and why would you want to flesh out your character?

The more fleshed out your character is – the more interesting your character becomes. 

Here are some points to consider when thinking about fleshing out your character:

• Physical description – more info is better, but give it out slowly. 
  • Use it throughout the game. Not just physical stats but quirks and mannerisms too. 
  • Give out small pieces. Do not overshare. Use new details to enhance the moment, not drown it. 
  • Flavour your descriptions. Do not drown the scene in your descriptions nor slow down the game repeating the information. 
• What are your PC’s mannerisms? 
  • Do they have rituals or customs? What is their tell? 
  • These are simple actions. Repeating them infrequently will entrench them and give us a sense of your character. 
• What is your worldview? 
  • Generally skeptical, optimistic, closed, open..
  • The attitude of the PC. Why do you think that attitude is fun to play? 
  • Not linked to an alignment or a moral or ethical choice – it’s just the characters perspective. 
  • Knowing the worldview will guide you in the roleplaying moments where you are unsure of what to do – act in line with your characters worldview. 
  • Worldview can be useful in creating an easy way for you to roleplay and judge if you’re roleplaying well or not – are you fulfilling their worldview?
  • Your worldview can change. As a PC explored the world, they can learn and grow to appreciate or hate certain things. 
• What are your PC’s pain points? 
  • What irritates them? What triggers them? 
  • Things that make your character sad/mad/irked. But does not derail the plot or the adventure. 
• What does your character desire? 
  • And what would they do to get it? 
  • A desire is something that will drive them into a certain position – or to do something specific. 
  • Inspires your characters actions. Will guide you & lead you in new directions. 
• What is their fear or phobia? 
  • Phobias are irrational. Express it for your PC but make sure there is a way around it, so you don’t stop the game flow. 
  • Design your fear to be overcome. Your PC can grow and face their fear and become better. 

Remember: You don’t reveal the above points as a giant list when introducing your character. They come out over time. 

Your task – add all of these points into your character sheet and see the change in the depth of your character.