Grey Watcher
2019-11-20, 10:39 PM
Pretty much what the title says, I just figured it'd be fun to share build ideas for how one might translate various characters from our favorite video games, novels, movies, or what-have-you into D&D characters. Feel free to be as general or as detailed as you like!
I'll start with the playable characters from a game that's been on my mind for some reason lately, The 7th Saga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_7th_Saga).
Kamil Dowanna
In the game, Kamil is the well-rounded, jack-of-all trades character, though he leans a bit more to physical combat than magic and within magic leans a bit more towards offense.
Human (non-Variant) Fighter (Eldritch Knight) (Soldier Background)
The initial stat spread should be very balanced. Most clock in at 14 or 13, nothing below 10.
Dueling Fighting style (he's a sword and board guy, after all)
War Caster is a must, if possible (and if Dex can be pumped to 16) pick up Medium Armor Master.
Pick up Magic Initiate (Cleric) for Spare the Dying, Light, and either Cure Wounds or Healing Word. This Kamil won't be as good a healer as he is in the source material, but I think it's more important that he fall on the offense/utility side of the Great Caster Divide (plus magical healing is super common in 7th Saga, much more so than in even a magic-heavy D&D setting).
Spell selection focuses on ranged damage options, with a few utilities and debuffs thrown in (eg Hold Person, Tiny Hut). Also False Life for pseudo-healing.
Valsu Saizer
In the game, Valsu is one of three magic-focused characters. In his case, he gets every healing and buff spell in the game, but only gets a single, low-level damage spell, the Steal MP spell, and what amounts to "stun/paralyze."
Human (Variant) Cleric (Life Domain) (Acolyte Background)
Highest stat is Wisdom, followed by Dexterity, Charisma, Intelligence, Constitution, and Strength.
Inspiring Leader for his starter feat. He's a preacher-man, after all!
Light Armor, but spend most ASIs on Wisdom, to pump up that spellcasting.
Prepare healing, defense, and buff spells exclusively. Keep one damaging cantrip on hand (Sacred Flame is fine, it fits better than the ICE 1 he gets in the game anyway).
If you rolled (and rolled well) for stats, other potential feats include War Caster (really, who doesn't like War Caster), Healer, or maybe even consider Ritual Caster (Cleric) (again, seems appropriate for a priest)
Olvan Jaess
In the game, Olvan is similar to Kamil in that he's well rounded, but he leans more heavily into the physical stats, and his spell list is a bit more defense oriented. He's also one of the slowest characters.
Hill Dwarf Paladin (Oath of Heroism) (Folk Hero Background)
Balanced approach to Str and Con, with Cha a little behind those. Wis, Int, and Dex are ideally in that order.
Feats aren't especially important thematically, but Shield Master, Fell Handed (UA), or Savage Attacker are all decent.
This does weirdly invert Kamil and Olvan on the "magical talent" front, but Olvan's spell loadout is a bit more defensive than Kamil's, so Paladin feels like the way to go as a contrast to Kamil. Still, Oath of Heroism is the most non-magical of the Oaths, so that brings him back down to earth a little.
Esuna Busy
In the game, Esuna is the caster specialist who aims for a balance of offense and defense, getting a good grab bag of healing, buffs, debuffs, and damage spells. All of her damage spells are ice-element, but that has little impact on gameplay.
High Elf Wizard (School of War) (Sage Background)
Highest stat is Intelligence, followed by Dexterity, Charisma, Wisdom, with Strength and Constitution languishing pretty evenly at the bottom.
War School is, of course, to reflect that Esuna is the "balanced" caster, in between Valsu's all-defense and Lejes's all-offense.
Feats are, again, not super important here, but War Caster, Elemental Adept (Cold), Eleven Accuracy, and possibly Spell Sniper are all solid choices for her combat abilities (though if she leans more towards AoE's, the last two of those are less useful. With good stat rolls (ie not needing ASI's) less combat oriented feats like Observant or Keen Mind are also good.
Lejes Rimul
In the game, Lejes is the last of the "caster characters" and Valsu's inverse. He gets every damage and debuff spell in the game, but no healing and only two defensive spells, which are also the most specialized and difficult to use properly. He can also use swords like a warrior, but is restricted to wearing robes like his fellow casters.
Tiefling Warlock (Hexblade, Pact of the Blade) (Criminal/Pirate hybrid Background)
Highest stat is Charisma, followed by, with Con and Wis being dump stats.
Pick up a few Invocations to make his Blade a bit more effective
Spells and Invocations should be a mix of debuffs, damage, and insta-kill.
The cheap shot of Darkness-Devil's Sight is so on-brand for the character it's almost obligatory.
Despite his Charisma, don't invest in social skills. He's an unapologetic jerk in game, and it's only his ambition that keeps him from being as much of a loner as Wilme.
Wilme Pelin
In the game, Wilme is the "unarmed combatant" archetype. He's literally classified as an "alien," runs around literally naked (Nintendo of America forced him to put on a ragged loincloth), and is inexplicably fire-themed. (Seriously, his basic attack animation involves his arm catching fire).
Lizardfolk Barbarian X/Fighter 1 (Path of the Storm Herald: Desert) (Outlander/Soldier hybrid Background)
This character involves some major reskinning. He's not actually a lizard-person, but the thick hide, bite attack, and proficiency in some "lives in the wilderness" skills is a solid fit. Likewise, he doesn't actually channel any sort of storm or weather, but a Desert Storm Herald gives a good suite of abilities that can be read as "deadly heat radiating off your body."
Str and Dex are of paramount importance, with Con not far behind. Cha is the dump stat.
The Fighter level is there strictly to get the Unarmed Fighting Style from Unearthed Arcana. If that's not on the table, you can skip that and go pure Barbarian.
Pick up Tavern Brawler and Grappler.
The idea here is to give Wilme a much more distinctive fighting style than the original game's engine allows. Rather than trading blows, Wilme literally leaps onto his enemies, grabs hold, and rakes them over with tooth and claw while his intense body heat burns them. Really, really fits the character, I think.
Lux Tizer
In the game, Lux is just about the tankiest character. He's a giant, metal-plated robot with laser weapons who clanks with every step. Built like a tank, hits like a truck, maneuvers like an aircraft carrier (which is to say, poorly). His only "spells" are clearly his built-in laser weapons and some kind of offensive electrical discharge rather than actual magic.
Juggernaut Warforged Fighter (Gunslinger) (Custom Background)
There really isn't a great way to model Lux in D&D: Artificer doesn't seem to to built in weapons and any of the classes that give him any kind of reliable way to produce radiant or lighting damage don't get him the much needed Heavy Armor Proficiency, to say nothing of making him way too versatile in terms of powers. Gunslinger, on the other hand, uses piercing damage, unless you have a very generous DM who will let you create laser and electrical weapons. Still, I think giving him gunpowder weapons is close enough on the "has weird, super-advanced technology" front.
Str and Con are maxed out as much as possible. Int is OK, Wisdom just below that, Charisma is meh (despite being a robot, he manages not to be off-putting: children love him), and Dex is a dump stat. Worse than a dump stat. If he has a Dex of 6, that's too high.
Obviously, heavy armor plating all the time for him
Take the Trick Shot options that don't involve saving throws (they're Dex-based, so yours will suck), with priority to Deadeye Shot (advantage to help negate that crummy ability score modifier)
If a Warforged's Heavy plating option counts as "heavy armor" the Defense Fighting Style and Heavy Armor Master feats are a must
Pick up Tough if possible. Sentinel is oddly appropriate, if you reskin it as a hit so hard it knocks the wind out of you and therby stops you in your tracks.
I'll start with the playable characters from a game that's been on my mind for some reason lately, The 7th Saga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_7th_Saga).
Kamil Dowanna
In the game, Kamil is the well-rounded, jack-of-all trades character, though he leans a bit more to physical combat than magic and within magic leans a bit more towards offense.
Human (non-Variant) Fighter (Eldritch Knight) (Soldier Background)
The initial stat spread should be very balanced. Most clock in at 14 or 13, nothing below 10.
Dueling Fighting style (he's a sword and board guy, after all)
War Caster is a must, if possible (and if Dex can be pumped to 16) pick up Medium Armor Master.
Pick up Magic Initiate (Cleric) for Spare the Dying, Light, and either Cure Wounds or Healing Word. This Kamil won't be as good a healer as he is in the source material, but I think it's more important that he fall on the offense/utility side of the Great Caster Divide (plus magical healing is super common in 7th Saga, much more so than in even a magic-heavy D&D setting).
Spell selection focuses on ranged damage options, with a few utilities and debuffs thrown in (eg Hold Person, Tiny Hut). Also False Life for pseudo-healing.
Valsu Saizer
In the game, Valsu is one of three magic-focused characters. In his case, he gets every healing and buff spell in the game, but only gets a single, low-level damage spell, the Steal MP spell, and what amounts to "stun/paralyze."
Human (Variant) Cleric (Life Domain) (Acolyte Background)
Highest stat is Wisdom, followed by Dexterity, Charisma, Intelligence, Constitution, and Strength.
Inspiring Leader for his starter feat. He's a preacher-man, after all!
Light Armor, but spend most ASIs on Wisdom, to pump up that spellcasting.
Prepare healing, defense, and buff spells exclusively. Keep one damaging cantrip on hand (Sacred Flame is fine, it fits better than the ICE 1 he gets in the game anyway).
If you rolled (and rolled well) for stats, other potential feats include War Caster (really, who doesn't like War Caster), Healer, or maybe even consider Ritual Caster (Cleric) (again, seems appropriate for a priest)
Olvan Jaess
In the game, Olvan is similar to Kamil in that he's well rounded, but he leans more heavily into the physical stats, and his spell list is a bit more defense oriented. He's also one of the slowest characters.
Hill Dwarf Paladin (Oath of Heroism) (Folk Hero Background)
Balanced approach to Str and Con, with Cha a little behind those. Wis, Int, and Dex are ideally in that order.
Feats aren't especially important thematically, but Shield Master, Fell Handed (UA), or Savage Attacker are all decent.
This does weirdly invert Kamil and Olvan on the "magical talent" front, but Olvan's spell loadout is a bit more defensive than Kamil's, so Paladin feels like the way to go as a contrast to Kamil. Still, Oath of Heroism is the most non-magical of the Oaths, so that brings him back down to earth a little.
Esuna Busy
In the game, Esuna is the caster specialist who aims for a balance of offense and defense, getting a good grab bag of healing, buffs, debuffs, and damage spells. All of her damage spells are ice-element, but that has little impact on gameplay.
High Elf Wizard (School of War) (Sage Background)
Highest stat is Intelligence, followed by Dexterity, Charisma, Wisdom, with Strength and Constitution languishing pretty evenly at the bottom.
War School is, of course, to reflect that Esuna is the "balanced" caster, in between Valsu's all-defense and Lejes's all-offense.
Feats are, again, not super important here, but War Caster, Elemental Adept (Cold), Eleven Accuracy, and possibly Spell Sniper are all solid choices for her combat abilities (though if she leans more towards AoE's, the last two of those are less useful. With good stat rolls (ie not needing ASI's) less combat oriented feats like Observant or Keen Mind are also good.
Lejes Rimul
In the game, Lejes is the last of the "caster characters" and Valsu's inverse. He gets every damage and debuff spell in the game, but no healing and only two defensive spells, which are also the most specialized and difficult to use properly. He can also use swords like a warrior, but is restricted to wearing robes like his fellow casters.
Tiefling Warlock (Hexblade, Pact of the Blade) (Criminal/Pirate hybrid Background)
Highest stat is Charisma, followed by, with Con and Wis being dump stats.
Pick up a few Invocations to make his Blade a bit more effective
Spells and Invocations should be a mix of debuffs, damage, and insta-kill.
The cheap shot of Darkness-Devil's Sight is so on-brand for the character it's almost obligatory.
Despite his Charisma, don't invest in social skills. He's an unapologetic jerk in game, and it's only his ambition that keeps him from being as much of a loner as Wilme.
Wilme Pelin
In the game, Wilme is the "unarmed combatant" archetype. He's literally classified as an "alien," runs around literally naked (Nintendo of America forced him to put on a ragged loincloth), and is inexplicably fire-themed. (Seriously, his basic attack animation involves his arm catching fire).
Lizardfolk Barbarian X/Fighter 1 (Path of the Storm Herald: Desert) (Outlander/Soldier hybrid Background)
This character involves some major reskinning. He's not actually a lizard-person, but the thick hide, bite attack, and proficiency in some "lives in the wilderness" skills is a solid fit. Likewise, he doesn't actually channel any sort of storm or weather, but a Desert Storm Herald gives a good suite of abilities that can be read as "deadly heat radiating off your body."
Str and Dex are of paramount importance, with Con not far behind. Cha is the dump stat.
The Fighter level is there strictly to get the Unarmed Fighting Style from Unearthed Arcana. If that's not on the table, you can skip that and go pure Barbarian.
Pick up Tavern Brawler and Grappler.
The idea here is to give Wilme a much more distinctive fighting style than the original game's engine allows. Rather than trading blows, Wilme literally leaps onto his enemies, grabs hold, and rakes them over with tooth and claw while his intense body heat burns them. Really, really fits the character, I think.
Lux Tizer
In the game, Lux is just about the tankiest character. He's a giant, metal-plated robot with laser weapons who clanks with every step. Built like a tank, hits like a truck, maneuvers like an aircraft carrier (which is to say, poorly). His only "spells" are clearly his built-in laser weapons and some kind of offensive electrical discharge rather than actual magic.
Juggernaut Warforged Fighter (Gunslinger) (Custom Background)
There really isn't a great way to model Lux in D&D: Artificer doesn't seem to to built in weapons and any of the classes that give him any kind of reliable way to produce radiant or lighting damage don't get him the much needed Heavy Armor Proficiency, to say nothing of making him way too versatile in terms of powers. Gunslinger, on the other hand, uses piercing damage, unless you have a very generous DM who will let you create laser and electrical weapons. Still, I think giving him gunpowder weapons is close enough on the "has weird, super-advanced technology" front.
Str and Con are maxed out as much as possible. Int is OK, Wisdom just below that, Charisma is meh (despite being a robot, he manages not to be off-putting: children love him), and Dex is a dump stat. Worse than a dump stat. If he has a Dex of 6, that's too high.
Obviously, heavy armor plating all the time for him
Take the Trick Shot options that don't involve saving throws (they're Dex-based, so yours will suck), with priority to Deadeye Shot (advantage to help negate that crummy ability score modifier)
If a Warforged's Heavy plating option counts as "heavy armor" the Defense Fighting Style and Heavy Armor Master feats are a must
Pick up Tough if possible. Sentinel is oddly appropriate, if you reskin it as a hit so hard it knocks the wind out of you and therby stops you in your tracks.