Post by rabiesisme on Apr 5, 2008 5:36:07 GMT -5
If you're a newbie, and you want to create a character for you to use, then this is for you! Using this guide, you can create a character that follows all the 'rules' and doesn't suck (hopefully).
If you want the quick, less detailed information, skip to the part after the glowing RED text. That's red, not blue.
So the very first thing you should do is take a look at the Fighting Roster .
This to see what sorts of powers the other Brawlers have, and to see if there isn't already a character similar to yours out there. If you, for instance, would want to create a character that can stretch its limbs, and you see that there's already a character that does that, you should rethink your powers. You see, it's nice to have some originality, and most people don't like it when someone creates a character identical to his or hers. It's not mandatory to do this, but pick an original power or people will most likely hate you.
However, this doesn't apply for all powers. If the power that you are copying is generic (ninja power, using guns with excellence, controlling any of the elements, etc.) people will have less of a problem with you it. If the power is original, I advise you not to copy it. People will be pissed, especially the guy who originally had it.
The message is: Choose a power that nobody has already or get the hate, unless the power is generic, in which case it's more acceptable.
Now, in the event that whatever idea for a power you had is already taken, you can PM the person who had the same idea as you, and ask him/her if it's okay to make your character anyway. If he/she agrees and you don't care about being original, go ahead and make your character. If he/she tells you that he/she would like it if you didn't create that character, or if you don't want to do it anymore, you're gonna need a new power.
The following part is about coming up with powers. If you already have one that you've decided to go with, skip this next part until you see the big bold part before the glowing blue text. Read the bold part!
There's a few ways to come up with power ideas. One of them is just making it up on your own. Can't help ya with that.
Another one of them is asking other people to do that for you. This is why there is the Power Pot. If you come up with a power you, for whatever reason, won't use, you can post about it in that thread for others to use, and you can also take suggestions from it. All of the powers in the thread are listed in the first post for your convenience.
A third way to come up with an idea is being inspired/taking an idea that already exists. I'll explain; You're reading a comic book and think to yourself "Wow, this guy has a pretty awesome superpower." Well, take it. Use that superpower (modified or not) for your own character! Nobody cares! You like Wolverine? Make a character with retractable claws! It's that simple.
A final note on superpowers: DON'T BE A GODMOD. This means that your character cannot be an invincible, omnipotent jackass. Make your character vulnerable. Give him weaknesses, even. An example of what NOT to do: "LOLOL MY CHAR HAS ANY POWER I CAN THINK OF AND RESISTS EVERYTHING AND KILLS YOU 9001 TIMES." That's just being an asshole. Are you an asshole? Point: No all-powerful characters that are invincible. Limited power FTW. Invincibility FTL.
[glow=blue,2,300]GLOWING BLUE TEXT.[/glow]
Now that you have your power, ya might wanna start designing your character. There are no real rules for that. It is, however, preferred that you don't use a plain stick figure. This to make your character stand out more. Give him a hat, some hair, clothes, make him a colour that's not black, whatever. Also, stick figures aren't required. You may do a full body character just fine, but that will reduce that chance that someone will fight you. Most people here don't have graphics tablets and don't want to spend an awful lot of time just drawing your full body character with a mouse.
Fullbody: Cool, but less chance of being acknowledged in pictures.
If you are in the progress of designing a character and want opinions on your work in progress, the Concept Art thread comes to mind.
Now that you have a power and have designed your character, it's time for you to whip up a profile. I'll show you a model profile and some things that should definitely be on it. (Note that the layout is not required, and you may choose to add more stuff that isn't shown on the sample profile.) Refer back to the Profile Gallery to see what other information is commonly included in profiles.
[glow=red,2,300]GLOWING RED TEXT[/glow]
Finally, ask yourself these questions:
- Is my power the same as or too similar to anyone else's?
- Is my character a godmod? Is he invincible to everything (or too much) and does he have too many (or too strong) powers? (If you're not sure as to what is a godmod exactly, make a thread and ask. Opinions can be divided on the subject.)
- Does my profile give too little information about my character? (The only requirements are the name and the power(s))
- Does my character look like a plain stick figure without any defining physical appearance?
If you've answered 'No' on all of these questions, you're good to go. You have your power, your design and your profile. The only thing left to do is Brawl!
If you want the quick, less detailed information, skip to the part after the glowing RED text. That's red, not blue.
So the very first thing you should do is take a look at the Fighting Roster .
This to see what sorts of powers the other Brawlers have, and to see if there isn't already a character similar to yours out there. If you, for instance, would want to create a character that can stretch its limbs, and you see that there's already a character that does that, you should rethink your powers. You see, it's nice to have some originality, and most people don't like it when someone creates a character identical to his or hers. It's not mandatory to do this, but pick an original power or people will most likely hate you.
However, this doesn't apply for all powers. If the power that you are copying is generic (ninja power, using guns with excellence, controlling any of the elements, etc.) people will have less of a problem with you it. If the power is original, I advise you not to copy it. People will be pissed, especially the guy who originally had it.
The message is: Choose a power that nobody has already or get the hate, unless the power is generic, in which case it's more acceptable.
Now, in the event that whatever idea for a power you had is already taken, you can PM the person who had the same idea as you, and ask him/her if it's okay to make your character anyway. If he/she agrees and you don't care about being original, go ahead and make your character. If he/she tells you that he/she would like it if you didn't create that character, or if you don't want to do it anymore, you're gonna need a new power.
The following part is about coming up with powers. If you already have one that you've decided to go with, skip this next part until you see the big bold part before the glowing blue text. Read the bold part!
There's a few ways to come up with power ideas. One of them is just making it up on your own. Can't help ya with that.
Another one of them is asking other people to do that for you. This is why there is the Power Pot. If you come up with a power you, for whatever reason, won't use, you can post about it in that thread for others to use, and you can also take suggestions from it. All of the powers in the thread are listed in the first post for your convenience.
A third way to come up with an idea is being inspired/taking an idea that already exists. I'll explain; You're reading a comic book and think to yourself "Wow, this guy has a pretty awesome superpower." Well, take it. Use that superpower (modified or not) for your own character! Nobody cares! You like Wolverine? Make a character with retractable claws! It's that simple.
A final note on superpowers: DON'T BE A GODMOD. This means that your character cannot be an invincible, omnipotent jackass. Make your character vulnerable. Give him weaknesses, even. An example of what NOT to do: "LOLOL MY CHAR HAS ANY POWER I CAN THINK OF AND RESISTS EVERYTHING AND KILLS YOU 9001 TIMES." That's just being an asshole. Are you an asshole? Point: No all-powerful characters that are invincible. Limited power FTW. Invincibility FTL.
[glow=blue,2,300]GLOWING BLUE TEXT.[/glow]
Now that you have your power, ya might wanna start designing your character. There are no real rules for that. It is, however, preferred that you don't use a plain stick figure. This to make your character stand out more. Give him a hat, some hair, clothes, make him a colour that's not black, whatever. Also, stick figures aren't required. You may do a full body character just fine, but that will reduce that chance that someone will fight you. Most people here don't have graphics tablets and don't want to spend an awful lot of time just drawing your full body character with a mouse.
Fullbody: Cool, but less chance of being acknowledged in pictures.
If you are in the progress of designing a character and want opinions on your work in progress, the Concept Art thread comes to mind.
Now that you have a power and have designed your character, it's time for you to whip up a profile. I'll show you a model profile and some things that should definitely be on it. (Note that the layout is not required, and you may choose to add more stuff that isn't shown on the sample profile.) Refer back to the Profile Gallery to see what other information is commonly included in profiles.
[glow=red,2,300]GLOWING RED TEXT[/glow]
Finally, ask yourself these questions:
- Is my power the same as or too similar to anyone else's?
- Is my character a godmod? Is he invincible to everything (or too much) and does he have too many (or too strong) powers? (If you're not sure as to what is a godmod exactly, make a thread and ask. Opinions can be divided on the subject.)
- Does my profile give too little information about my character? (The only requirements are the name and the power(s))
- Does my character look like a plain stick figure without any defining physical appearance?
If you've answered 'No' on all of these questions, you're good to go. You have your power, your design and your profile. The only thing left to do is Brawl!