How To Use Traits, Ideals, Bonds, & Flaws In Dungeons & Dragons 5e

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
  • MONSTERS OF DRAKKENHEIM is 300+ pages of eldritch horror inspired monsters for 5e by the Dungeon Dudes! Coming to Kickstarter March 26th, 2024: www.kickstarter.com/projects/... We discuss how to use Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws to bring your character to life and make roleplaying easier.
    This weeks episode is SPONSORED by STIBBLED CODEX OF COMPANIONS, brought to you by our friends at Eldermancy and Ghostfire Games. grab your copy here bit.ly/3uXYXUU
    DUNGEONS OF DRAKKENHEIM is coming to Kickstarter in 2021! We’re partnering with Ghostfire Games to publish the complete adventure for Fifth Edition.
    Sign up at www.drakkenheim.com to get the latest updates!
    TIME STAMPS
    0:00 - Sponsor
    0:56 - Intro
    3:11 - Personality Traits
    6:00 - Ideals
    9:30 - Bonds
    13:32 - Flaws
    21:53 - Conclusions
    ____________________________
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  • เกม

ความคิดเห็น • 409

  • @parkerbrantley4356
    @parkerbrantley4356 3 ปีที่แล้ว +346

    This is honestly the best description of these mechanics in the game that I have ever seen. I’m literally going to send this before every single session 0 from now on.

    • @DungeonDudes
      @DungeonDudes  3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Thank you!

    • @JillWouters
      @JillWouters ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah for real. I am still a noob, but it seems that I always misunderstood these things. I thought an ideal was like a lifegoal like "I want to be a princess" or something, not a core belief like "I belief good always wins" I thought bonds were just people you care about, but might your bond also be a god? Especially when you want to play a cleric?

  • @wilesjc-234
    @wilesjc-234 3 ปีที่แล้ว +352

    The fact that both of them could be pantsless and we wouldn't know.

    • @isaiaharmour6145
      @isaiaharmour6145 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      Dammit, I will never be able to watch one of these videos the same way ever again.

    • @samdicken8435
      @samdicken8435 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      @@isaiaharmour6145 All four hands are clearly visible for the whole video.
      ... But what about their mage hands?

    • @falsenames
      @falsenames 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Wait... do you mean there is a chance that they are wearing pants? That had not occurred to me. I assume that no one sitting at a table is wearing them.

    • @aaronreeve1414
      @aaronreeve1414 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@samdicken8435
      And their invisible servants...

    • @phatman9762
      @phatman9762 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      What if neither of them have legs?

  • @nickyhenderson5203
    @nickyhenderson5203 3 ปีที่แล้ว +221

    My elf druid character in the current campaign has the unofficial bond to protect our dwarf barbarian whose one goal in life is to die in glorious battle. It's makes fun and interesting conflicts of interests.

    • @falsenames
      @falsenames 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      I love it. This is like the worst escort quest ever.
      "Ok, all you have to do is make sure this guy doesn't die."
      "Sounds easy enough"
      "LEEEROY JENKINS!!!!"

    • @Centhar
      @Centhar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I've something similar, my half-elf acolyte fighter is the sponsor of a dwarven Barbarian who got hooked on drugs from a shipment his tribe raided and left them to find more.
      It's quite fun.

    • @logarithm14
      @logarithm14 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      does your dwarf barbarian happen to be named lieutenant dan?

    • @catkittycatcatkittycatcatcat
      @catkittycatcatkittycatcatcat 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      clearly he needs to be a zealot barbarian, so he can die gloriously in battle over and over again!

  • @AndrewChumKaser
    @AndrewChumKaser 3 ปีที่แล้ว +202

    That impromptu roleplay between the nervous wreck and the laid back procrastinator was just gravy.

    • @Zahnpuppy
      @Zahnpuppy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      i wanna slather it on my biscuits

  • @iododendron3416
    @iododendron3416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +327

    I usually number the bonds of my characters from 001 to 007.

    • @andreacristiano5452
      @andreacristiano5452 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Omg this is so subtle! Love you!

    • @iododendron3416
      @iododendron3416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@andreacristiano5452 are you The Spy Who Loved Me?

    • @roylecomte4606
      @roylecomte4606 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Because one bond is not enough, but there is online one Bond

    • @roylecomte4606
      @roylecomte4606 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      One is bonded to ones nation ; wider empire and the western alliance.

    • @roylecomte4606
      @roylecomte4606 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Only one bond. Spell check is the enemy

  • @andreapregnolato5650
    @andreapregnolato5650 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I use up to 8 traits in my games, and they are linked in pairs: Personality (what you are) and Vice (how you escape yourself), Ideal (what you believe) and Flaw (what pulls you away from your beliefs), Goal (what you want to do) and Issue (what prevents that), Bond (what you care for) and Fear (what you fear for). I find it very dynamic.

  • @aaronreeve1414
    @aaronreeve1414 3 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    I’ve never played D+D, likely never will, but as an aspiring fantasy writer I find these videos very helpful for thinking about character building and development as I write.

    • @THEPELADOMASTER
      @THEPELADOMASTER 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      You should try it, it's very fun

    • @ignisshadowflame1027
      @ignisshadowflame1027 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@THEPELADOMASTER It can also provide inspiration for a fantasy story.

    • @mslabo102s2
      @mslabo102s2 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Even if you move away from it, as long as you're an aspiring fantasy writer, D&D WILL find you. Eventually.

  • @loganricard8713
    @loganricard8713 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I played a character with a bond that she and her pet wolf were friends, not master and pet. It lead to some really interesting scenarios where she wouldn't go to a certain place or building unless Rin (the wolf) was aloud also. Also, if Rin and a PC was in danger, she would always save Rin first. Her flaw was that Rin was her last connection to her father and would do anything to keep him safe.

  • @slimee8841
    @slimee8841 3 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Tip: Make characters that are somewhat self-aware of their flaws. This way you can create interesting flaws without being disruptive at the table.

    • @RichWoods23
      @RichWoods23 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      "If I had a flaw it would be arrogance, but thankfully I don't have any flaws."

    • @falsenames
      @falsenames 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@RichWoods23 I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

    • @THEPELADOMASTER
      @THEPELADOMASTER 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@RichWoods23 I'd love to be you just so I could have a friend like me

    • @nickkowalski5209
      @nickkowalski5209 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I once wrote a character who was your typical good kid but he was a kleptomaniac, doing it unconsciously. It was his reason to start adventuring - if I learn to do it properly, professionally, then maybe I'll be able to control it. And it created a lot of interesting decision points like whether to be upfront about this issue or try to hide it, or if you found an item in your pocket that wasn't there before should you keep it or throw it away, or maybe try and find an owner (or sell it to the fence). Also gives some room for interesting social dynamics in the group.

  • @crimfan
    @crimfan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    I also really agree with the issue of flaws being the downsides of one's strengths. That makes total sense. Also, don't make the flaw so irritating that it ends up being a spotlight hog.

    • @madhurdhingra4525
      @madhurdhingra4525 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's like Caleb's relation with fire .

  • @MattChild
    @MattChild 3 ปีที่แล้ว +112

    The way I play it is fairly simple, and works well for getting into character. Flaws are the reason for my Bonds, Bonds are the reason for my Ideals, and my Ideals are what make my personality traits. It's sort of a Conscious, subconscious, unconscious relationship over the 'why' of my character. I use that to figure out a few things that happened in the backstory and the reasoning & outcome for the characters actions (the rest of the backstory I leave to the DM).

    • @awithee119
      @awithee119 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      This is an interesting idea. Could you give me an example you’ve used for a character?

    • @twilightgardenspresentatio6384
      @twilightgardenspresentatio6384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Perfect

    • @insyklepeadya
      @insyklepeadya 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Personality Traits
      I revel in mayhem, the more destructive the better.
      When violence breaks out, I lose myself in rage, and it’s sometimes hard to stop.
      Ideals
      Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins.
      It is better to die in battle than run like a coward.
      Bonds
      I will be the best for the honor and glory of my homeland.
      I will become the greatest warrior that ever lived.
      Flaws
      I throw caution to the wind.

    • @curtisfranzen986
      @curtisfranzen986 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      My flaws for my favorite character, Traviso, are aracnophobia, basic distrust of others ( until he gets to know them) , a mostly under control bad temper, and brutal honesty. These are easy for me, my IRL personality is the same. It's actually played out in game. In 1 adventure, we came across a nest of giant spiders. We were getting our butt's kicked. I asked my DM if I could "lose my temper" to override my fear. He agreed. I don't remember what he had me roll for, but I succeeded. An almost barbarian like rage. We won the battle. The aftermath was not so good. Traviso sat down, went fetal, and started rocking back and forth. To this day, Traviso will cast magic missile at a house spider.

    • @BigPurpleCarrot
      @BigPurpleCarrot 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@insyklepeadya How would those personality traits inspire role play in social situations?

  • @nightflame69
    @nightflame69 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Hehe catchphrases..
    Kelly -as Sebastian Crow- : what’s the worst that can happen?
    Veo/Pluto: Stop saying that! Shut up!!

    • @falsenames
      @falsenames 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I played a wild mage in AD&D 2e that also kept asking "What's the worst that could happen?". That character casting a spell often was the worst thing that could happen due to old, very nasty, wild magic tables. I was so happy to see Kelly use that with Sebastian. The reactions from other players brought back happy memories.

    • @nightflame69
      @nightflame69 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@falsenames I played a chaos mage in 3.5.. he was one of my favorite characters. To bad he got to the end of his path of chaos and died horribly 😂

  • @briargray2355
    @briargray2355 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    I just started playing an Archfey Warlock who loves to pull pranks and is very fun-loving.
    Flaw? "What do you mean a joke could go poorly? It's funny!"

  • @tiffro
    @tiffro 3 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    Guys, I think this is one of your best videos ever, focused on one of (in my opinion) the best aspects of 5e, and a really fun, but often glossed-over, aspect of character creation. Awesome impromptu roleplay! This will be a must-watch for any new players I DM for.

    • @mattdodson1272
      @mattdodson1272 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Agreed! This was great. Definitely helpful for new players in getting a full character concept fleshed out.

    • @twilightgardenspresentatio6384
      @twilightgardenspresentatio6384 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The best but skipped part of character generation

  • @evilsquirrel0573
    @evilsquirrel0573 3 ปีที่แล้ว +138

    A good example of a heroic flaw is that Superman only ever loses to Batman because Batman KNOWS he won’t kill

    • @tonymoyer2817
      @tonymoyer2817 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      I wish someone would tell Christopher Nolan.

    • @IkaikaArnado
      @IkaikaArnado 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      The real reason is...
      ...because he's Batman!

  • @nulllex0099
    @nulllex0099 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    This must be one of the oddest thing I didn't know I needed to watch.

  • @Crazybawrks
    @Crazybawrks 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    My favorite flaw that I've used is having a character that was an anterograde amnesiac. Essentially, every time that we started a new session I'd forget everything that happened in the last session. It helped my party revisit what happened and retraced their steps, while also producing some funny moments while I'm alone at the beginning of a new session

  • @willmena96
    @willmena96 3 ปีที่แล้ว +102

    * Tags all my players *

    • @mr.quantum4543
      @mr.quantum4543 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Hahahaha same

    • @TheAroxor
      @TheAroxor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same

    • @jessy5241
      @jessy5241 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I just posted this in the campaign server after we had session 0 last night.

    • @obsidiannightwolfe13
      @obsidiannightwolfe13 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm about to post it in a server for all new players

  • @br41nc3ll
    @br41nc3ll 3 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    Me when I saw the title of this video: YES, YES, YES

    • @viktordyrby7804
      @viktordyrby7804 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I like to think, that I give a little bit of myself to everyone I meet, and that I in exchange get a little bit of them. But I assure you sir, I am absolutely positive that I have nothing of you in me.

    • @zackarynigbor7821
      @zackarynigbor7821 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Red sus

  • @herrkrabbe148
    @herrkrabbe148 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    If you ask me, this is one of your most important videos so far.

  • @Insertein
    @Insertein 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    5:00 Oooh, I love canned lines! Valanthe always says "What a lovely day for a stroll" when it's fight time

  • @mattdodson1272
    @mattdodson1272 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I already commented once, but this was an amazing video and it deserves a second comment. Great stuff guys.

  • @A-Silver
    @A-Silver 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    2 years later yet you guys are still explaining this well. TYSM for the beginner friendly vid!

  • @xMaugrex
    @xMaugrex 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One of my players has a very fun flaw that we came up with together during creation. Rather than a standard flaw like "I'm terrible with money" or "I hate social interaction", her character has a tendency to develop phobias easily during stressful situations. After close calls or otherwise traumatic moments, I'll call on her to do a will save. If she fails by a bit, she's got a minor fear, and if it's by 10 or more she'll get a full on phobia. Some examples are:
    when she was woken up in the middle of the night to undead crows outside the cave they were staying in, just staring at her (fear of birds, specifically undead ones. Kenku necromancer later was a fun encounter.)
    when she was searching for berries, and found the animated head of a deer, chewing at the bush she was searching (fear of bushes, can never know what's inside them. Same adventure as the birds)
    when she was swimming alone in an underground river, and the party druid, unknowingly to her, became a shark and full speed swam right towards her to assist in fighting eels (fear of sharks. Should be interesting later, she's a pirate)
    We don't ever treat these phobias as something detrimental to the point of halting progress, but it's always fun when one of them pops up and she has to react to it.

  • @Estarfigam
    @Estarfigam 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm a Critter and I love the ideal "Only steal from grumpy people."

  • @abadidea5984
    @abadidea5984 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One of my favorite character writing tricks is folding Ideals and Flaws together as two sides of the same coin. Any heroic trait can lead to a natural flaw; if your character is courageous and fearless, they are also reckless and blind to danger. If your character is honorable and oathbound, they can also be rigid, close-minded, or woefully ignorant. If your character is compassionate and selfless, they can also be overprotective, emotionally vulnerable, or self sacrificing to their detriment. And if your character is courageous, honorable, AND compassionate, then they get the WHOLE bundle!
    Likewise, if a character is more defined by their flaws than by their ideals, then their flaws can also be tipped into positive traits. If a character is cowardly, they are also thoughtful and considerate. If a character is lazy, they might also be tactful and always looking for efficient solutions with the least effort. If a character is quick to anger, they might be the most indignant and passionate when the moment calls for well-guided fury.

  • @failedpro4112
    @failedpro4112 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Monty talking about himself being a procrastinator while I currently sit here doing a 3 week project I've barely touched due in tomorrow.

  • @RobearRich
    @RobearRich 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My Hexblade is based off Giladaroy Lockhart. If he is in a tavern or crowd, he has to roll a dc 12 wisdom check or try to sell copies of his books to everyone in the bar. If he drinks the dc goes up by 2 for each drink. He also gets insulted if people don't k ow who he is. He's also a coward but his sentient Hexblade weapon drags him into battle and rag dolls him around. It's pretty hilarious to RP.

  • @brandonmezzell4921
    @brandonmezzell4921 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    I needed this lol, I always struggle with these. And tend to ignore the entire section on the character sheet

    • @RichWoods23
      @RichWoods23 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I find this the most fun part of character creation, a welcome relief after totting up all the dice rolls and checking the game mechanics that apply. Traits et al help to turn the numeric strengths and weaknesses of a character into flesh and to suggest a style of play. I can sit for hours imagining how various vignettes might play out, giving me a feel for the character and helping build up those numbers and a few sentences into something enjoyable that plays well and naturally once the game is in session. It helps me work out if I want to multiclass at any point in the foreseeable future, or even just what feat to aim for at lvl4, which then feeds back into a discussion with the DM so they know what I'm looking to get out of the game, and -- if it suits them -- what they might put into the game so those opportunities are foreshadowed rather than just arrive out of the blue at some level-up point. Of course that initial plan might not work, or could very well change as the game unfolds, but I think it's good to have one.

    • @sunstar8782
      @sunstar8782 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Dude same. I have classes and races I love to play mechanically, but can never figure out the role play part

  • @Indomakio
    @Indomakio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This is probably the most useful video a new player can watch. Before rollong stats, choosing race, class, subclass... There is this. The True core of what a character is and what makes them special.
    Thank you so much Dungeon Dudes.

  • @Patches2212
    @Patches2212 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In a oneshot I played in a while back, the Bard in the party used a support spell on everyone, then sat out of that entire encounter (was not the final encounter of the oneshot) because his character was busy using a Disguise kit to make themselves appear like the warden of the jail-maze we were trying to escape (his flaws was being brash and narcissistic). One of the players (one of the Monks) was annoyed that he "did nothing" for that entire fight (his spell he cast had thankfully given enough temp hp to everyone so the one player survived long enough to pop a healing potion), but the Bard was confident that his efforts will pay off.
    Come the final encounter (right before the exit), and the Bard steps forward (disguised as the warden) commanding the potential enemy to stand down. Rolls a nat20 on his Deception check, allowing us all to escape the jail-maze right there and then.
    He didn't have to do that, but because his character's flaws and ideals aligned with doing that, he did, and it panned out to great surprise around the table. That is how to play with your character's flaws and ideals imo

  • @jstewart_1
    @jstewart_1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    Another great video. More great advice.
    Edit: Kelly get affiliate links for your wardrobe. I want that hoodie.

  • @personataplace4734
    @personataplace4734 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    one of the favorite bonds I gave a character was a spirit that was keeping the character alive. a soldier who had wandered the woods for hundreds of years after a war offered to help them stay alive after a sorcerer cut out their heart and in return when the character got their heart back, they would help burn away the chains that kept their soul stuck in the material plane. this spirit had a lot of stuff to do with the RP and the DM had some fun times having the spirit randomly speak through the character and i used it to explain some of my skill master things by tapping into the soldier's memories.

  • @lilithvampyre1716
    @lilithvampyre1716 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm making a Half-Elf Druid for an upcoming game. I wholeheartedly agree with the way you guys explained these. She completely believes that people are a part of nature and therefore subject to Natural Selection. Due to this, she constantly believes in adapting (wild shaping) to the situation so she can be the "Apex Predator" in that situation. She was abandoned by her mother at a young age so she treasures her friends and so she constantly pushes herself to be as strong as she can be so she can protect them.

  • @nicholassmith3732
    @nicholassmith3732 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I really appreciated this breakdown. These were never clear to me and now I have saved this video so I can always refer back to it. Also, the term "Actionable" is such a great device to encourage more RP. Thanks you two.

  • @athomas5035
    @athomas5035 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Personality traits can be shown by a signature catchphrase:
    "I'm Sebastion Crowe, and I'm here to save you."

  • @spicytotino445
    @spicytotino445 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've kind of hit a roleplay roadblock for my current character, a halfling evocation wizard, and this video has really helped me think about how I could portray him going forward.
    His whole deal is that he is a magic school student who is looking for his missing mom, but he also lacks confidence in himself. To explain how he has managed to survive and contribute to combat, I'm going to say that his various missions in the field have helped him build his courage and has shown him that he is not as weak as he thinks he is. However, his new fear is that he won't be strong enough to save his mom and others.

  • @M_M_ODonnell
    @M_M_ODonnell 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I tend to see ideals/bonds/flaws as an agreement between the player and DM saying basically "here are some opportunities for story development that we'd both be interested in potentially exploring." Sometimes they're details that are baked into the backstory, sometimes they're additional details...I don't always insist on them when I'm a DM (for campaigns rather than one-shots, though, I tend to heavily encourage), but as a player they just make everything more fun.

  • @captainthorrek262
    @captainthorrek262 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Indiana Jones shows he has a heroic procrastination and under pressure personality with his catchphrase: "Dunno, I'll think of something."

    • @timothymanuel9197
      @timothymanuel9197 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      and his main flaw is fear of snakes

    • @falsenames
      @falsenames 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@timothymanuel9197 I thought his main flaw was the 4th movie. It's completely reasonable to want to avoid snakes if you are often in areas where poisonous snakes live.

    • @professional9yearold
      @professional9yearold 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@falsenames That is true, but a big part of the shtick is that his fear for snakes was the exact opposite of the bravery he showed during all his adventures, and that it was almost always over the top

  • @lord6617
    @lord6617 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    17:08 I think the classic example of a "flaw" that is misunderstood is Tasslehoff from Dragonlance - yes, the character was constantly stealing things. He wasn't stealing *important* things all the time, he certainly wasn't stealing things to sell or profit from, and he was always there WITH the stolen thing when it was needed, with a cheeky "Oh I was just holding it for you!" or "Oh I saw you drop it so I picked it up, I didn't want it to be lost!".
    Far too often people use a character flaw as an excuse for player selfishness or to "one-up" their fellow players. When you make a flaw, remember we are all here to have fun together, and don't use your flaw as a weapon to ruin the fun of your fellow players.

  • @kylehunter6968
    @kylehunter6968 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thank you for this, personality traits, bonds, ideals, and flaws have been the most difficult part of character creation for me, and this video was a very helpful breakdown of how to make them.

  • @brandoncurtis1636
    @brandoncurtis1636 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Watching this two years in the future because it’s still a fantastic resource for character creation ❤

  • @punkrockviking
    @punkrockviking 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Omg thank you for explaining these in a way that is actually helpful! I sent this video to my entire group. This is going to make it so much easier to roleplay as my npcs in my campaign!

  • @TheTsugnawmi2010
    @TheTsugnawmi2010 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This video has transformed and fleshed out my current character. I'll be returning to this video for future characters.
    Thank you for an excellent video

  • @grizzlednerd4521
    @grizzlednerd4521 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well done guys! To me this is episode was the best and most useful content I've seen for 5e I can think of. I've sharing this with any new players as a primer on Personaility Traits. Thanks for the great content and keep up the good work!

  • @beksie9234
    @beksie9234 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You guys have really come into your own. Watched you for almost a year now, and I can see some character development and growth and you're now some of my favorite voices in the D&D community.

  • @robertlinva9503
    @robertlinva9503 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was a great episode, guys. Nice work. I've found that most players don't really have an understanding of what traits, ideals, bonds and flaws really are. This episode goes well with the episode on how to add depth to your character (add catch phrases, canned sayings, etc.). Great job with this.

  • @alexbien8638
    @alexbien8638 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is still one of the best guys that ever made, and I constantly come back to it whenever I'm creating a new character! Thank you so much for this video. It's a great resource that I send to my entire group.

  • @braddalrymple8615
    @braddalrymple8615 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I only discovered you guys like a few days ago and I think I've watched a dozen of your videos at this point... You are absolutely incredible please keep Producing your incredible quality work I love your style I love your interactions and I just want to spend more time hanging out with you metaphorically on TH-cam. You rock incredibly hard & thank you!
    * Slowly begins watching every video you've ever made*

  • @deadseven3474
    @deadseven3474 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video is wonderful. I've been playing for a while and though I consider myself a decent roleplayer, its nice to have a bottom-line, succinct evaluation of what each category is and how it relates to your character. I feel like I'll make better characters after viewing this, and that's always a good thing.

  • @snappingshrimp235
    @snappingshrimp235 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well, this was an amazing guide! Now i have more ideas for characters, and basically now i can make more easily "Characters" and not only "Concepts"

  • @sophiehaslam2492
    @sophiehaslam2492 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    really agree with the why question. i had a lawful good tiefling who really emphasised the lawful aspect, it was very un-tiefling like. why? she was born to a human noble family and grew up very affluent. it rounds out your character background if you constantly ask yourself why they think this.

  • @erikwilliams1562
    @erikwilliams1562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The ideals section in particular....gold!
    Thanks for the tips!

  • @AsaNoGaijin
    @AsaNoGaijin 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love listening to the two of you talk. Your videos are basically my lunch companions at work

  • @junsonofjack3740
    @junsonofjack3740 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dudes you’ve done it again! I chose all these things for a character I will start playing two days after this video came out. The timing is a nat 20!

  • @RoninRaconteur
    @RoninRaconteur 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A subject that isn't talked about much, so I appreciate you guys touching on this. I have the same thoughts as Kelly of our passions and flaws seem to coexist within one another. It helps you appreciate people a little more, I just unfortunately came to that conclusion late in life, but it benefits me now which I'm grateful for.
    These are areas I try to get the players to wait on until we have some things done. Sometime before they even start their character they have a backstory. We edit it together and find all those things within their story about them, you can use the chart but even in the PHB it says you can make your own which encourages players to be their wonderful unique selves. Not sure if anyone has done it for D&D but White Wolf and the WoD system has a flaw and merit system, for how many points of flaws you take (point buy as well as use your XP to buy more or you get more during play) you gain that many points in merits, which would be like additional feats. I love that system because now the players must take flaws if they want some special feat. Brings a lot of interesting moments to the game when they have nightmares and can't fully rest. Or sleep light so they wake up at every little sound. Or have an enemy which could be 1 big bad enemy or a large group coming after you. Being haunted by your foes you have killed can cause substance abuse or neuroticism. Fun stuff.

  • @Doughy_in_the_Middle
    @Doughy_in_the_Middle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My true neutral firbolg druid, N'Hamashal, was a caretaker. Literally, he was a day-care worker while the other "real druids" of his people went to take care of the local groves.
    His flaw: "When I’m distracted, I’m liable to talk to adults as if they were children. Particularly if they’re short." The best part was we had a young Kenku monk with us as a player, and so he treated him -- because he was small -- like a little kid. "Now, this isn't something polite to do to people," after to the monk would beat the snot out of someone.

  • @mateuspalaro
    @mateuspalaro 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! I always considered those traits after writing the backstory but now I may do it the other way, it seems easier and more concise.

  • @sirelfinjedi
    @sirelfinjedi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks guys. Sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around the difference between an ideal and a bond. This is very helpful.

  • @DreadMerlot
    @DreadMerlot 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    One of the easiest flaws to role play is hubris, which is why half of the parties I've DMd for are full of people playing characters with competing huge egos, regardless of class. A narcissistic rogue/assassin character is also a fun one.

  • @logancuster8035
    @logancuster8035 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is one of the very best videos you guys have ever uploaded. Nicely done.

  • @aperson9556
    @aperson9556 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This gave me so many ideas thank you!

  • @BlackShadow1991
    @BlackShadow1991 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Jumping to this video straight from the Armor Class one that was, like, four years ago, showed an impressive quality jump :D That's a good video, Dudes!

  • @FixingTheInternet
    @FixingTheInternet ปีที่แล้ว

    First time 5e PC here, started a campaign about 18 mo ago. Wish I had seen this video explanation before i started, so helpful and well explained! Now I'm going over my character (still alive!) and updating this section to make more sense for my RP.

  • @CollatOCE
    @CollatOCE 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve been stuck for ideas for an upcoming avatar TLA campaign and this video just got all the creative juices flowing. This is my new character creation ritual video.

  • @varkesh456
    @varkesh456 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was a great video to expand on what was and still is one of the best bits to help players and dm's loved some ofbthe examples you gave to add relevance as well.
    It also works well for other systems as well because it has no mechancial ties.
    These are great bits to just to help you flesh out a persoanilty or if you are looking to break your rp habits and shake things up they offer a good set of guide, ideas and thoughts that will help shape your choices but not outright define how you chose to do them.

  • @pokeglict0128
    @pokeglict0128 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think this is perfect. I got everything I need to know. thank you!

  • @Gemma_Rashida
    @Gemma_Rashida 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a great video, I have a lot of trouble coming up with these traits so I'll probably be referring to this video next time I'm making a character!

  • @MrSauce-tw6lm
    @MrSauce-tw6lm 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think this is a perfect way of getting these ideas across. Thanks again!

  • @esgeir9499
    @esgeir9499 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is something that I have always struggled to work with in character development, thank you guys

  • @SirCrystalusStark
    @SirCrystalusStark 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is easily one of your best videos. There are so many good advices here, in fact I'm gonna put them to use already! I'm far more confident on the character I just made now, can't wait to play him!

  • @ProcheinAmy
    @ProcheinAmy ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for this video! I got some great ideas for my Monk!

  • @danieloliveira1753
    @danieloliveira1753 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really like this videos that you guys dive in on how to improve the RP element of the game, so many players out there only looking for how to maximize damage

  • @shelbylowry9316
    @shelbylowry9316 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m absolutely in love with this, I feel it’s the most overlooked part in 5e

  • @christopherhood6573
    @christopherhood6573 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great topic! Thank you!

  • @sulthanfatah7802
    @sulthanfatah7802 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WHOAAA!!! Awesome look Kelly! Look at these guys! Damn sharp you two.
    Also wooo! I learned a lot.

  • @mattiaaccardo4332
    @mattiaaccardo4332 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant. Sometimes when we think about a character we say "cool!" and suddenly fall onto some sort of "Flux of Consciousness" and we write the strongest ideas about it and it's OK, I mean, spontaneous things are the best. It's also true that sadly most of times the simple inspiration risks to guide you towards confusion or to nowhere at the worst. In this video you re-establish the right order in our mind through the general definition of personality(general disposition indeed), flaws and bonds(that is not just about people). I appreciate this video, it puts my head in ease and order, not the boring one but the kind of order which facilitates creativity.
    Greetings from a fan from Italy 🇮🇹 and dude, sorry for my English.

  •  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've never played D&D and I don't even know how to play but I'm EAGER to learn!!! :D Thank you for making these videos ❤️

  • @TheThorement
    @TheThorement 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    a very important video, which i will henceforward show at all my session 0s. Thank you Dudes

  • @RuviGaPo
    @RuviGaPo ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Connecting your ideals to your backstory is a rly good template !!!!

  • @Access1296
    @Access1296 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of your better episodes. Thank you!

  • @saircor
    @saircor ปีที่แล้ว

    When you were talking about flaws I was reminded of a character from the '80s TV show, "The A-Team". Mr. T played the strongman of the group, but was deathly afraid of flying. Of course, they had to fly a lot, so it was always fun when they had to sedate and/or trick him into flying and his reactions afterward were comedy gold.

  • @mrav8r
    @mrav8r 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loving Kelly’s fashion sense!
    “Cthulhu Saves...for later!”

  • @jelte3754
    @jelte3754 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a great episode! Really inspiring

  • @nicolasvillasecaali7662
    @nicolasvillasecaali7662 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    All this should be something not only players have, but key NPCs Need, the whole persuasion system in 5e have this concepts as a keystone to get results from social interactions (DMG 244 -245) and it makes so. much. sense. More people need to remember them because out there are a good bunch of players unaware of them.

  • @anathema1828
    @anathema1828 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks so much for making this perfect role playing video. Hazah!

  • @Kingmaster64
    @Kingmaster64 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This comes at a really good point for me. In the campaign i play my character, a hexblade warlock, has a magic scythe that can use animate dead 3 times a day per day. We have a Paladin in our group who is very much against demons and such. She played it out before but now she's struggling how to approach this ability of my weapon without breaking the group but still staying true to her character.

  • @derek2297
    @derek2297 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very well put. I love your content, thanks Dudes

  • @TeslaandDragons
    @TeslaandDragons 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ib want going to watch this video, but I am glad I did. This is a great insite that makes me think about how I rp and how I can do better.
    One of my favorite flaws was having a half orc with a half elf sibling. His bond was to be loyal to his sister even though his sister was not a good person. It made some great rping elements. She even betrayed him a few times but he never stopped sticking up for her.

  • @Tenshiwing
    @Tenshiwing 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a great video, thank you so much, this helps tons

  • @nilsjonsson4446
    @nilsjonsson4446 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing and important advice!

  • @perlygatekeeper
    @perlygatekeeper 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    very compelling ideas!

  • @AJ-wh1tw
    @AJ-wh1tw 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a great video and I’m showing it to my niece who is playing with us in her first 5e campaign (second campaign ever, she played briefly with us in a Pathfinder dungeon crawl) to help her role play her character and figure out who she is outside of combat and her backstory. My character actually changed after the first session because going over everything for my Dwarf Fighter with the DM I just went quiet for a second and said “oh crap, I think I wrote a cleric or paladin. Should I shift this?” Being the great DM he is, he said “no, you’re not a cleric or a paladin. You’re a old retired fighter. But who knows what will happen on this quest.” Thanks again, guys, for another great video.

  • @Sephiroth02103
    @Sephiroth02103 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    No one:
    Sebastion Crowe: "What's the worst that could happen?"

  • @Jerfish1
    @Jerfish1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My flaw is the every time I smell cheese I become hypnotized and float towards it like Monterey Jack in rescue rangers, but I do often find food and supplies for the company that way. Lol that would be fun to work in some how actually

  • @ianpegg549
    @ianpegg549 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much for sharing your own personal flaws. Being an anxious yet creative (in my mind at least) person I could totally begin to comprehend the true meaning of these traits. As always, you are my go to TH-cam show.
    Also, currently I’m playing a Gloomstalker Ranger in the Curse of Strahd that believes greed leads only to suffering so is unwilling to search or reach for treasure. It’s fairly fun since we don’t have a rogue, and I tend to fill that roll in the group. “Nope. Nothing to see here.”

  • @nicolaezenoaga9756
    @nicolaezenoaga9756 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice one.
    Thanks again.

  • @jthompson7024
    @jthompson7024 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very well presented video! I'm sending this to my players

  • @mattfitzgerald7836
    @mattfitzgerald7836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I think that the word that Kelly may have been searching for in his description of flaws would be 'incidents' :)

  • @AliAlderete
    @AliAlderete 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing piece of advice!!
    Missing so much the main campaign.