by Iron Gates
Hello,I’ve played Descent with some RPG veterans and they didn’t like that they had to choose a pre-made hero instead of making their own.
Would you prefer to create your own hero? Would this make you more immersed in the adventure and feel greater attachment to your character? It’s true... if I, or my character, does something or gets defeated, I feel more attachment.
But I can think of some disadvantages of custom heroes:
- Your customization doesn’t matter too much. In an RPG you can do whatever you want, but in a tactical game you have to optimize your actions. You can’t wander off or do anything except play to win. So your personality doesn’t really shine through, just your stats and abilities.
- A pre-made character seems unique and interesting because of his unique abilities, together with certain stats. Plus, there’s artstyle and minis that are consistent with the setting. A custom hero is ultimately a set of stats you like, plus abilities you like (that officially would probably come from a list, so not unique). Minus the art and figure. Would it not be equivalent to choosing a pre-made hero with those stats?
Anyhow... if there was an official way to make a hero, would that be the “missing link” between board games and RPGs? Or are pre-made heroes actually better suited for board games (as long as they can be customized and developed throughout the game?)
My personal opinion is that pre-made heroes are better suited to board games. Custom heroes seem better suited to free form games like RPGs and narratives like the new Legacy of Dragonholt. What do you think?