How to Build a Fantasy Character for Index Card RPG

[@MemphiStig]

I got into the hobby in around 81, with the Moldvay box. I didn't have anyone to play with, but that didn't stop me from rolling up characters constantly. I found it to be a great exercise in imagination, and it got me more comfortable with the game. And I've done so with many other systems since. It's a good place for anyone to start with any new game, imo. Once you've reviewed the rules, it really helps clarify and reinforce them.

[@tjduck85]

More tutorials should include character creation like you do here, as that's often the primary player-facing mechanics that players will initially engage with when starting to learn and play a new system. Good job.

[@KanesKiln]

Thanks! I'm hoping to do more examples in the different ICRPG settings but I really enjoy that, regardless of setting, ICRPG keeps character creation fairly straight forward so it's easy for new players to jump in.

[@BuckFu]

The book should have a better example, maybe a few premade characters for novices.

[@gamewrit0058]

"But he has the heart of a warrior" is awesome. 👍

[@BlakeFrancis]

Fantastic video, loved how you went about making the character by giving some life to him and not just the numbers!

[@KanesKiln]

Thanks! Yeah I always have an easier time working with the numbers once I figure out a little more about the character and that usually comes before I assign stats haha.

[@lilcwa]

This was a great tutorial video, very well presented. I like that you offered insight into the philosophy behind the aspects of character creation and play in ICRPG as you went about your build, not just the strict mechanical steps. You have a great take on the game. See you on the Runehammer forum!

[@KanesKiln]

Much appreciated! Character creation has always been a fun aspect of TTRPGs for me and I like when you can take a step back from just the pure mechanics and really fill a character's identity with what's on the sheet instead of pages of backstory. See you on the forums!

[@jeanMvang]

I had a Zero session recently and some of my players did not equip themselves with a lot of armor. Does that mean that they would just have a base 10 AC When enemies attack them? How do I handle characters with high Dex?

[@KanesKiln]

Correct. Taking no armor gives you a base Defense of 10. Not the end of the world, but definitely squishy and easier for enemies to hit. As for characters with high Dex, don't sweat it. Just make sure that Dex isnt the most valuable stat all the time. I remind myself of that by noting which stat I feel would shine in each encounter I run and then making sure I change them up. How will they handle a Con or Str challenge? So so, but they sure will shine when dex comes into play.

[@hotchokletymilk4239]

I really like your videos, thanks a lot my guy!

[@KanesKiln]

Thank you! I'm glad people are finding them useful.

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

Can I use the printed character sheet and wrote the loot, abilities, powers, and other things, but in my journal I wrote the more details/info of the loot, abilities, powers, and other things, like ex: In the printed character sheet The loot section I wrote adventure pack that's it. But in my journal notebook I wrote my characters loots received, adventure pack but had info want it contain, it's up to me if a follow what written in the book or my version of adventure pack. Can I?

[@KanesKiln]

Sorry I’m not sure if I understand the question. If you’re asking me permission to do something, there’s no need. Do what works for you 😁

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

@@KanesKiln What I'm saying that after I feel up the character sheet like the one in the video, I wrote more info and details of my character and their loots, abilities, and other things like my character's age, hair, backstory (one line story in the character sheet focus in the character's present) what loot they receives during their adventures and other things as well.

[@frankbath3482]

Great video, thank you for making this one and the rest of the character creation ones. I was wondering, however, where you got the character sheet? I can't seem to find a portrait one with the mastery listed at the bottom. My copy of Master Edition came with a landscape character sheet with the mastery tick marks at the bottom, but my portrait one did not and I can't seem to find one online. Thanks.

[@KanesKiln]

I believe the character sheet listed on the community site has mastery points listed at the bottom here: icrpgcommunitycontent.com/resources/

[@frankbath3482]

@@KanesKiln Oh, that's brilliant. Thanks so much. I went through most of the community-made sheets, but I like the ones from the book. I like the art style, it's part of what drew me to the game. That, and as I get older I want games that take less and less time and effort to set up and run - this game excels at both of those things. Thanks again for the help!

[@gamewrit0058]

6:30 I'm thinking about the Star Trek movies reboot: Kirk: What kind of combat experience do you have? Sulu: Fencing. 😁 Kirk: 😮 😂

[@KanesKiln]

Fencing is about all the combat experience you really need, in my opinion :D

[@snailman7989]

im replying for the algorithm because this helped a lot

[@jeanMvang]

Do you plan on streaming your sessions using ICRPG?

[@KanesKiln]

Maybe one day but nothing planned at the moment. I'm just trying to share resources for the Shieldwall.

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

How to you keep track of your character sheet this is my biggest and hardest to learn. Do you write down every words or paraphrase the words in whatever loot your character had or do you wrote the loot with the buff to your attack or action and the loot such as adventure pack you look it up in the book?

[@KanesKiln]

I usually just stick to my sheet and use some kind of short form that makes sense to me. SLAYER: DMG Target B4 -> ULTIMATE. Stuff like that. Something that simplifies it down and makes it easy to remember the jist of what the loot or ability does. CLAW BOOTS: Walk anywhere -> No DEX ✔

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

@@KanesKiln what about loots such as adventurer pack?

[@KanesKiln]

@@nicolejohntahup5901 I’d probably just put Rope, bed roll, and stuff. If there is any question in the moment I could look it up, but I’m using my character to jot down what I need to remember and the book can provide details if it’s necessary

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

Thank you so much. Your the best.

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

Also one more thing what about the weapon gem loot how does it work I mean it can give + 2 effort bonus to the weapon attach to it should I wrote it down to the loot bonus in WEAPON EFFORT but what if I use a different weapon that is not attach to the Gem what should I do?

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

I create a mix type called Paladin, the mixture of warrior and priest, is it okay?

[@KanesKiln]

Nice! That sounds like an awesome way to build a Paladin. I think the Ultimate Effort Show is planning on eventually talking about Paladins too.

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

@@KanesKiln I sometimes forget that ICRPG don't follow rules, it's a way of thinking. Is wierd for me? Also do you use a ring binder notebook?

[@KanesKiln]

Yeah it takes time to learn and implement like most things. No worries. And not really. I have my paper journal and then any loose papers I work on usually just end up in the trash after I finish using them for what I need.

[@nicolejohntahup5901]

@@KanesKiln have you seen my final version of a DIY Character Sheet?

[@KanesKiln]

Yes I did. It's fun to see a character sheet in a booklet form

[@youtigee]

Whats the font your using in affinity?

[@KanesKiln]

Which part are you referring to? The red text I'm filling everything in with? If so, thats just my handwriting using a drawing tablet 😁

[@youtigee]

@@KanesKiln ahh I thought it was a icrpg font

[@KanesKiln]

Got it. I believe the classic ICRPG fonts are nusaliver, calibri, and Flatbread.

[@ClassicRollPlayer]

thanks bro! this will be valuable

[@jcraigwilliams70]

I have mixed feelings about ICRPG. There are elements that I really love, but also some that I don't... Now, I haven't played yet, so this is probably a bit premature, but it *feels* like you're playing equipment more than a character. I like my character to have intrinsic skills and abilities, rather than being dependent on loot. And with Milestones/ Loot being given out 1-2x per session, it seems like characters will advance remarkably fast. I need to see some more examples of characters, play, and advancement.

[@KanesKiln]

You're not wrong. There is definitely a lot of emphasis on LOOT in ICRPG, but I highly recommend getting into a game or two to try it out before coming to any final conclusions (not saying it will change your feelings, but at least you'll have a full taste of it). When I'm building my characters, I really like allowing my loot to guide my thoughts on what kind of character I want to play. It helps me work out the idea in my head, but ICRPG is very DIY. If you're not huge on LOOT and want more of those intrinsic abilities, you could make every piece of LOOT and say it's an ability or vice versa. I'll chew on some ways I can show off some more examples of characters and advancement in future videos :D

[@jcraigwilliams70]

@@KanesKiln yeah, I was thinking about making certain things abilities, or simply altering how they work. For example, I'd probably rework Weapon Gem into an expertly-crafted sword. Same game effect, but it makes more sense to me that a bonus would come from the blade being exquisitely crafted, than from a gem in the hilt.

[@KanesKiln]

Yeah! That's awesome! I think that would work great.