Comments on: Character Flaws

By: Vladius

Vladius — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:21:05 +0000

The Masochist one is hilarious, especially if you have a weapon that deals 1d4 damage and you have a low strength modifier.
“The stabssss…. they feel so goooood….”

But good advice overall.

By: Ryven

Ryven — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:14:38 +0000

Glad you guys like it! Several of my home campaign players are using this to solid effect. I find it amusing just how little conceptual distance there really is between a 4E Power and a Trait, Aspect or whatever else you might like from a multitude of ‘indie’ games.

By: Fabio Milito Pagliara

Fabio Milito Pagliara — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:29:22 +0000

Told something similar on the wizard site just a few days ago.

I said: Flaw should be chosen and should give the character a good reason to use them. I would go for a flaw power when you act out the flaw should be something that tempts the player to use the flaw by getting something good back (an action point, an healing surge, a special perk whatever)

http://community.wizards.com/dungeonsanddragons/blog/2010/03/12/random_thoughts:_character_flaws

By: Arcade

Arcade — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:49:15 +0000

Next take on flaws. Like Dan says, D&D doesn’t use XP that way anymore, and I think that’s a good thing. It’s awkward to have someone who manages to level up one combat before the rest of the party. Using in game rewards are a far better format.

I can see this becoming a regualr part of any game I’m involved in.

By: Jenny Snyder

Jenny Snyder — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:22:04 +0000

Nice! I’m fortunate that my fellow players take my flaw in stride (I get easily obsessed with mechanical things, which can cause me to lose whole turns in combat) without getting mad at me for “breaking” the flow of battle. I guess the trade-off of being able to fix just about anything makes up for it!

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:20:39 +0000

I think I like. It certainly fits with 4e’s ‘you have these powers’ core. I was thinking that one could sorta do the reverse of the ‘if you play against your alignment, we’ll dock you XP’ and grant an XP bonus for this sort of play.

But D&D doesn’t use XP that way anymore, so I like you’re way better.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:15:55 +0000

Good thoughts! I do very much like this approach to flaws. World of Darkness does include this, in a sense, when it touches on Vices. You get rewarded temporarily for giving in to your Vice. Also reminds me of Instincts from the Mouse Guard RPG.

By: Ken Marable

Ken Marable — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:06:18 +0000

Great idea! I’ll certainly be looking at introducing a mechanic like this in my games. Thanks!