Posted by Kim on February 24, 2013, 7:39pm
Two weeks ago, our community sat down to discuss the ins and outs of playing special characters. You can read the entire chat log here.Special thanks to PenGryphon2007 for providing a large number of the prompts that were used to guide this discussion!
What makes a character "special"?
Although pretty much every character can be special in the details of their personality -- and needs to be, if they are to be likable and believable -- for this chat, we mostly settled on the definition of a "special" character as being one that either had a special power (magic, mutant powers, an extreme skill/talent specialization) or a special empowerment that allowed them to affect the world around them in ways that other characters might not have access to.Special characters are empowered to make an impact on the in-game universe.- StarArmy
There is the snowflake, which is a character that has special fancy powers that no one else has(of the supernatural sort) and is often but not always more powerful.
Then we have flavor special, which is a character with a crazy background/upbringing on the scale of the TMNT or batman that makes them special.- Nero
Then we have flavor special, which is a character with a crazy background/upbringing on the scale of the TMNT or batman that makes them special.- Nero
For an example of a character with a special empowerment, think of an admiral of a fleet -- even though they are a normal person with no super powers, they have the fates of thousands in their hands, making them specially empowered to influence a world and the characters within it. Or think of the ruler of a country, who creates laws that effect all of the other characters.
I think there's a really fine line between normal and special. I'd imagine a character who's special impacts the story or the universe in a really big way, makes big decisions that may alter the course of events that are set. However, this can be accomplished by normal characters with no special powers.- Sanne
This definition is also flexible, in that there are settings where everyone has access to special powers (i.e., an academy for mutants). The special character that we're talking about exceeds the average level of power or empowerment for the other player characters in their setting.
'normal' is the establish 'status quo' for a setting. It varies greatly from setting to setting, but universally it is whatever is considered 'average' for that setting. My favorite example: What's 'normal' for Warhammer 40K is definitely not normal for, say, Thundercats.- Copper_Dragon
But as with any character, the most important piece of a special character is their character. Their personality, history and yes, even their powers need to make sense. They need to feel self-consistent and believable for the universe in which they exist. When crafting a special character, it is important to go through all the normal steps, and try not to let their unique power dazzle you into forgetting that this still must be a well-rounded person.
Being the "most"
Most of us are familiar with the concept of the Mary Sue, a character so endowed with author-given ability that it disrupts suspension of disbelief.- StarArmy
One of the most common reasons for special characters to fall flat is that their players become too interested in them being the "most", and this is the main thing that defines the character. The most what? The most powerful, intelligent, beautiful, talented, graceful, strong, tragic or the most unique. Characters whose concept is defined by being "the most" will often become so absurd and unrealistic, especially when confronted with possible competition, often lose all the redeeming traits that normally make a character relateable or likable. They then fall over the line from "special" into absurd, and may find themselves having trouble finding roleplay partners.
(In response to the question: Can a special character be too special?) They can, if they are x-ray seeing mermaid werewolf with vampire traits. It's just over the top and the player is most likely to godmode with them. Even super powers... special aspects should have some point and sense.- Sadrain
And yet if a character is likable (and doesn't exceed the rules of the game, whatever that may be), it is usually enough for most players to forgive the IC power imbalances and to be able to enjoy the RP.
In real life, special people are the people who realize that they have a power to defy the norm and make a difference. In another sense, the special people are the ones you care about. In order to be a special RPG character I think that's true too. You have to care about them.- StarArmy
It's important to note here that when I say likable, I am referring to the character being liked by other players because they are believable, well done and satisfying to play with. Other characters may well still loathe the special character!
A character does not have to be likable, however it must be believable.- Eaite
When a RP group has a high ratio of players that are too focused on being the "most", it often starts an imagination "arms race", where players try to create characters that are increasingly unique and/or powerful to outdo the other characters in the setting. This makes playing more realistic characters nearly impossible, and discourages time spent on plot and character development in favor of simply tuning up the character's power set.
Strangely enough, in a lot of RP settings what's supposed to be special is usually ignored because people don't like attention drawn away from their own 'special' characters.- Earendill
It turns into a 1UP-ing competition, which I have seen all too many times in my RP stint. You get into Might Makes Right territory, where characters become too powerful just to trump each other and get the spotlight-- then an average person shows up, and they can't get in edgewise.- Copper_Dragon
It is definitely a problem. RP is an outlet for creativity and to be something you're not, but often wish to be. Most RPers start out roleplaying their own fantasies of being amazing and powerful, instead of roleplaying a fictional character like in a book.
Because they're part of creating something they heavily influence, if they feel they're no longer in the spotlight they tend to get upset. It's a normal response, but draws away from the idea that you're creating together.- Sanne
Because they're part of creating something they heavily influence, if they feel they're no longer in the spotlight they tend to get upset. It's a normal response, but draws away from the idea that you're creating together.- Sanne
Disadvantages
When designing my special characters I always try to make sure that no matter how strong they may appear they have an equal if not greater weakness.- Rubix
It generally takes talent and experience to walk the line between merely unusual and so unbelievable as to be disruptive. Sometimes, applying disadvantages to a very powerful character can help to even them out.
I personally prefer mundane weaknesses. This gives the character a nice contrast. For example the fear of water, or things that for a normal person is normal. Maybe a character who is super intelligent but is not able to follow a simple cooking recipe.- Jane
I'd say, try to give them a problem they can't solve with their specialness and see what happens.- PenGryphon2007
My superpowered characters do have weaknesses normal people don't have, and I really like to make those weaknesses direct consequences of the superpowers, if possible.- Alecia
As you can see, disadvantages and flaws don't just help to make a character more "fair", they can make the character seem more real and believable.
Oh, I love powers as weaknesses. 'Blessed With Suck' is one of my favorite dynamics! I preach consistency in all things - as usual, stay consistent, their flaws need to make sense to their psychology as well as their physicality. Ideas for what should be their strengths and weaknesses should crop up naturally if you understand who they are, how they behave, and the sort of lives they've lived thus far.- Tailbone
Back to basics
Character as character always matter more than their powers. Unless the powers define them, from head to toe. Like they are huge ball of electricity. And if they are character, then even they have some traits that define them.- Sadrain
In all of this, there's no real substitute for character and plot. Even godlike beings, when played in a way that makes them relateable and loveable (or the sort of character that it is easy to love to hate!) can be accepted seamlessly into many plotlines.
If someone is trying to make their characters as memorable as possible by exaggerating too many of their individual aspects - to a point where they feel unbelievable and more like a burden to accept - I'd argue that they've lost focus of why they're roleplaying in the first place. It shouldn't be about showing off to that degree, so yes, it can be a problem. That attitude spreads to the way they write and behave in general too, typically.
They just need to remember what their purpose is in the first place. Are you here to show off and seek approval or are you trying to write a good story?
Pay respect to your settings - stay consistent with the given territory. If your character is of any specific culture or job, do your research. Never forgot that the more they come across as real people the better of a job you've done - always consider their potential limitations and flaws at the same time you're considering their strengths.
I suppose not everyone of us has a filter for knowing when something is 'too much' so perhaps it is often worth it to ask a second opinion.- Tailbone
They just need to remember what their purpose is in the first place. Are you here to show off and seek approval or are you trying to write a good story?
Pay respect to your settings - stay consistent with the given territory. If your character is of any specific culture or job, do your research. Never forgot that the more they come across as real people the better of a job you've done - always consider their potential limitations and flaws at the same time you're considering their strengths.
I suppose not everyone of us has a filter for knowing when something is 'too much' so perhaps it is often worth it to ask a second opinion.- Tailbone
If you wish to play a specially powerful or empowered character, even if you have permission from your game's admin, be certain that you don't become overly prideful of your character's uniqueness. Instead, put in the same amount of time and energy that you would when crafting any other sort of character. When a character is well done and their player is respectful, it rarely matters how many special powers that character has. They can be a vital part of a plot arc, and add enjoyment and depth to the game for everyone.
Of course, nothing proves this point like a good example. I know you have all seen powerful characters that were beautifully crafted. Please tell us in the comments who your favorite specially powered or empowered characters are! These can be RP characters, or characters from film and literature.
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Sanne
February 24, 2013
8:49pm