Whenever I have a chance to play any sort of character based role playing game with classes, there are certain “builds” or styles of characters I like to play. I have no idea why I tend to play these characters, or why I like different types of characters based on the game.
Whenever I specialize in a roguelike game,I tend to go for big, strong, and dumb. I dislike managing inventory, because most of the time I’m dead before I get anything good enough to care about. Messing around with magic spells or wands gets me killed very quickly, so I’d rather have a big sword and HIT things with it just to see how far I can get before starting over. The simpler, the better. I also tend to die HORRIBLY and very quickly. I’ve never done well at any of these games as a rule, but if I could get over my impatience of playing them, I might try more diverse characters with ranged attack of some kind. I’ve never, ever been good with a Wizard, and I don’t really think I’ll start. I think I have a low tolerance for “infant mortality” (low level death) when I don’t get to see cool skills they develop later.
When I play fighting games, specifically Super Smash Brothers, I usually go for light to medium build characters, preferably with a ranged attack of some kind. I dislike “heavy” characters with big, slow attacks, because I’m usually bad at predicting what my opponent will do, and leave myself open to counter attack. I’d rather have a smaller, faster character with better recovery, so that if I do make a mistake I can overcome that problem and rejoin the fight. Light characters can’t take enough damage, and usually lack the “oomph” to push someone off the stage in a big blow. Medium characters are a nice compromise.
In racing games, specifically Mario Kart, I like aspects like acceleration and handling, but really can’t stand being bumped around the track to my death. I like medium to heavy characters that can push people off their lines and don’t need to get out of the way when trying to squeeze around a corner, but I tend to suffer because of their poor handling. If I can’t use a heavy character, or have difficulties manuvering on a level with someone heavy, I use someone with good handling and good items and hope to grab a box that’ll put me in the lead. I pick one of the extremes and tend to go all out.
In turn based strategy games, I like characters that things that deal status effects that make the opponent easy pickings when I get good enough at the game to actually know how they affect the outcome. When I start, I’m the exact opposite, and tend to heavily favor healing and other “buff” style effects to try to make my units better.
Usually my strategy is, “When in doubt, throw more characters at the problem and hope for a few lucky hits”. When I know which status effects are worth worrying about, I tend to change my style. Surround and pound will get me so far, then I move to a more precise strategy. Fragile characters are usually difficult for me to use because I tend to be very aggressive. I need something that can take a hit from time to time, but I dislike “tanks” with lots of HP. When I play Wesnoth, I’ve recently taken a liking to the Northerners because of their poison, and also the Undead because of zombies. Tell me about anything with zombies on my side, and I can’t say no, honestly.
In class based FPS games like Call of Duty 4, I’ve discovered I’m only good with units with an excess of ammunition like the Survivalist. “Spray and Pray” seems to be my method of dealing with people. I’ve never liked using any sort of sniper rifle in any game with guns, ever. I recognize the skill involved in picking someone off across the board, but I’d rather watching someone’s face as I pump them full of lead. Anything that makes me tougher and better capable to deliver more shots is welcome, because I’m no good with a shotgun. I’m more likely to charge at someone than ever camp a location.
I like simplicity in my role playing games, but versatility in my fighting games. I guess it’s all about success I’ve had in the past using those styles in other games.
I’ve “rolled” my first 3.5 D&D character based on what the DM recommended. It’s a “Warforged Juggernaut”, a total monster TANK like character that’s going to be bashing in doors and cleaving people in twain. I built a character around the group’s needs, but also added a few quirks to keep myself amused. I hope to have a simplier experience when I first start playing. Cutting people in half and bashing in doors? How hard could it be?
