Convert X character in D&D

[Mikalo]

I have this habit to try to recreate every character I see in the d20 system using either D&D 3.5 or Pathfinder. I don't even use those characters in actual games since I am the master usually (well, more than usually)
I just find it fun and I use it as a good way to practice, usually I encourage my players doing the same. Anyway, I know it's not that easy for example a Cleric may be able to do the same thing you are trying to emulate but some character concepts are very specific and you will end up with something different if you don't work on it a little. I have enough experience to know that it's doable though but it requires time and a little effort to get the job properly done, that's why I have fun trying to find threads about the characters I like to see more experienced players create stuff with unheard books and sources. Tldr sometimes I like to create, sometimes I like to see people create. This is why I opened this thread instead of opening thousands of threads everytime I feel like I want to create a new character. Let's threat this like a game, feel free to use every source (pathfinder, dragon magazines, ecc.) I'll give you some characters to start with

Vash the Stampede from Trigun
Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop
Lara Croft from the last Tomb Raider game
Alice from Alice Madness Returns
Marie Rose from Dead or Alive
Korra from Avatar

[Muggins]

And lo, the (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?351779-Anime-Characters-as-D-amp-D-characters) propheced (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?348173-Video-Game-protagonists-as-D-amp-D-characters) threads (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?347835-Video-Game-bosses-as-D-amp-D-characters&p=17450556) awake from their slumber. Posted here for posterity and future reference.

If you ever want more characters to draw from - or want to gawk at another's build - check them. I'm afraid I don't have any experience with any of the characters you've suggested thus far.

[Âmesang]

I have a very similar habit myself, although my characters are often based on those that I draw and/or have created in games (SoulCalibur, Dynasty Warriors, Adventure Quest, &c).

A SoulCalibur example was my Pathfinder ranger (https://www.schadenfreudestudios.com/forum/thread.php?thread=31), based on the rugged appearance and grim personality I had given her; she was decorated with a quiver of arrows which reminded me of the ranger's archery style and was also decorated with a pair of daggers, but her primary weapon could be considered a greatsword. The idea was to recreate her as a character utilizing strength for both her sword and her bow. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuk3fd0iEqY&t=1m32s)*

(Since the game utilizes unarmed attacks—kicks, stomps, headbutts, and throws in her case—and because you never know when you'll be disarmed… and 'cause I recently got back into watching wrestling again :smalltongue: …I also gave her Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Grapple.)

*The tattoo in that SoulCalibur IV image was added using an editing program. SoulCalibur V allows for tattoos/"stickers" to be added to a character, yet despite all of the Chinese character stickers they still don't have that particular one; I ended up using a character representing "heart" as a substitute for that game.

An easier example was my D&D Sorceress (https://www.schadenfreudestudios.com/forum/thread.php?thread=69), initially created in SoulCalibur III with a wilder appearance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjiM5I8qhjQ), but also with a wholly vain, conceited, self-centered personality; so sorceress seemed more appropriate than wizard—someone proud that she could cast spells without the need for books or preparation… and do so while possessing stunning beauty and a sharp wit. A wizard may know magic; a sorcerer is magic (and being trained in Use Magic Device only further enhances said pride, but I suppose any delusion that stems from this could be attributed to her below average Wisdom).

As fun as her appearance in III was, I'd say her appearance in V is the definitive version since it utilizes the accessory system to give her glowing blue eyes (arcane sight) and the sticker/pattern system to add a gradient effect to her dress (combined with the description for starlight cloth in DRAGON #279, it should resemble a sky such as this (https://www.schadenfreudestudios.com/dnd/starlight.png)). While her outfit may not be too imaginative in general, I'm also pleased because I was fortunate enough to find a figurine that was a near dead ringer (though it helped retooling the game version to more closely match said figurine).


On a much more related note, I have tried to recreate some characters way back in the mists of time ('bout ten years ago or so), all with… er, varying levels of success? Said characters (https://www.schadenfreudestudios.com/dnd/nonogl/nonogl_npcs_cameo.htm) being Aragorn Elessar, The Witch-king of Angmar, The Dark Lord Sauron, the mûmakil/oliphaunt, and the fell beast/Nazgûl bird from The Lord of the Rings, the Lord of the Locusts from Bone, Gouki/Akuma from Street Fighter, Amidimaru from Shaman King, Siegfried Schtauffen from SoulCalibur, Geese Howard from Fatal Fury/The King of Fighters, Dural from Virtua Fighter, Goro from Mortal Kombat, Devil Jin from Tekken, Mewtwo from Pokémon, and a gestalted Sephiroth from Final Fantasy.

I'm really not too keen on any of 'em anymore, and the Witch-king just came out horribly in retrospect; I think I was too obsessed with giving him the spells and feats needed to make him wield a VERY big flail one-handed (then again, theoretically Sephiroth's similar spells and feats should allow him to wield a Huge katana one-handed without penalty—what is that, like, 20 ft. long or?).]

Earlier in my D&D days I had also attempted to recreate Tira from SoulCalibur and Ash Williams from Evil Dead/Army of Darkness, but I don't have anything left of them.

[Mikalo]

@Muggins: That giant thread is awesome, thanks

@Âmesang: Same here hahaha sometimes I try to create a background based on the look of a character, it's a very good way to practice. I just tried to create a character from a mmorpg I'm playing (Black Desert) and it took me a lot of time but it came out perfect and I really love it. In actual games I ask my players to create a good story first and the build later based on the background, so knowing where to find what is always a good thing to being able to create a solid character. I have always played with strange stuff though (I remember playing with a monk version of Gandhi hahaha and for the next quest I'm preparing a character based on my Dovahkiin from Skyrim)

[Âmesang]

Monk version of Ghandi? There was a parody of that in the movie, UHF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfvLcozLwtE). :smalltongue:

I certainly enjoy coming up with not just a concept but a full background for an otherwise blank-slate character made elsewhere… which is why I hate it when I know what to write, I just don't know how to write it. :smallfrown: That's why, in lieu of a backstory, Quintessa just has a timeline.

I'm thinking of borrowing the description template from Monster Manual V since it breaks everything up into chunks: strategies and tactics, sample encounter, ecology (environment, physical characteristics, alignment), society, typical treasure, and character/monster in <insert campaign setting> (if applicable). I'll have to do that to Den, too, and eventually any other character I come up with.

Also I think the next time I try to stat out someone else's character I'll have to try and focus on using minimum power, so to speak; after all, just because Conan the Barbarian kicks lots of butt doesn't necessarily mean he'd be 20th level… unless there's a story of him being submerged in lava, swimming out, and walking it off…

[Aleolus]

I would count Lara Croft as a high-Int Human Rogue, in all honesty. Comparable to Indiana Jones

[Mikalo]

@Âmesang: I once read an interesting article that explained really well how many real life characters (He mentioned Aragorn and even Einstein) are no more than level 4 builds specialised in what they do, they are considered super humans starting at lv 5

@Aleolus: She is a tricky one, like the others I mentioned hehe in the latest games her main weapon is a bow but she is capable of using firearms too, or being tricky in melee (like throwing sand or smashing the enemies face with an axe) she is still weak and can't survive many hits. I agree on the rogue part but I'd use pathfinder stuff for the firearms too

[Âmesang]

That was probably Calibrating Your Expectations (http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/587/roleplaying-games/dd-calibrating-your-expectations-2) from the Alexandrian, and I certainly enjoy it… and can agree with it.

Heck, think of it this way: Den Bloodsoul up there is a 3rd-level ranger with 24 hit points, the Die Hard feat, and she dies when her health drops to –13 (Heart of the Wilderness and a 12 Constitution). In the DUNGEON MASTER'S Guide, at least, a shotgun does 2d8 piercing damage with double on a critical. So, maximum crit damage is 32 points (2d8 max = 16 × 2 from crit = 32).

24 – 32 = –8. In other words, you could press a shotgun up against Den's gut, pull the trigger, and not only would a maximum damage blast not kill her… it wouldn't even knock her out. She can (slowly) walk it off and in time, with rest and her Heal skill, recover from such a gaping wound. At 3rd-level.

I know some players prefer to look at hit points as much more of an abstraction, like representing dodging and avoiding the most lethal aspects of attacks instead of taking them full-force… but I watched a lot of Dragon Ball Z during high school, and I like the idea that high-level characters are naturally able to shrug off attacks that would obliterate lesser men simply because the encounters they've faced have toughened them up enough.

(And to go back to Aragorn, which I believe was covered in the article, the average orc combatant is probably just a 1st-level warrior with 5 hp, so it wouldn't take much for Aragorn with dwarf-tossing Strength to kill them with one-hit each… or at the very least leave them unconscious and bleeding to death. Even an uruk-hai could be seen as a 1st-level orc paragon—extra hit points due to a d10 hit die and they lose their races' light sensitivity. I think part of why I attempted to stat him out as no more than 6th was just so Aragorn could have the Leadership feat.)

[atemu1234]

I would count Lara Croft as a high-Int Human Rogue, in all honesty. Comparable to Indiana Jones

Let's not forget charisma is important to them both. Actually, I'd say Croft is more of a Swordsage than a Rogue. Maybe a one-level dip for trapfinding, but not much else.

[Mikalo]

@atemu1234: Nah, not the "new" Lara Croft. I won't even call her a charismatic person, even if she is a really beautiful character.
Some must have for her build are Heal, Knowledge (History), Survival, Climb and Craft (well, she doesn't make her own weapons but she can modify them enough to make totally new things adding parts to them). I'd go Factotum with a dip in Gunslinger