Favorite Class of Character

[Jordan]

My favorite will always be the rogues, from con artists to Assassins if you are going traditional class characters. If I had my way though it would be mixed a bit....the magic wielding Assassin ect. I think when it comes to RP I'm a power gamer at heart, the bigger the story the more epic the character the happier I am. =)
~Jordan

[Chelsea]

For me, the types of characters that capture my attention the most are members of a brotherhood/sisterhood or organization of some sorts. I don't know why! I love Kylar Stern and Jon Snow equally, even though they're nothing alike. The main character in the book I'm writing is a member of an order of church assassins. It's not exclusive, to be sure, but I like the mystique of an exclusive association.

I also find myself liking characters who are the strong, silent warrior type, ala Lan Mandragoran and Aragorn. I didn't even really like Wheel of Time, but I liked him.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I tend to like the Wayward Prince (Prodigal Son, Black sheep?) who has done everything he can to avoid the family mantle but finds himself sucked back into it whether he wants it or not. (Reluctant King?)

I liked the "Coming of Age," tales, and acceptance of responsibility for your place in the world instead of avoiding it.

Basically I like the stories where somoene experiences some self growth and develops awareness that we don't live in a vacuum That could be prince or pauper, knight or thief, princess or vagabond highwayman.

[Chelsea]

Hugh wrote: "I tend to like the Wayward Prince (Prodigal Son, Black sheep?) who has done everything he can to avoid the family mantle but finds himself sucked back into it whether he wants it or not. (Reluctan..."

This. Totally this. I also like stories like those, that show a lot of growth, the Hero's Journey.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Chelsea wrote: "Hugh wrote: "I tend to like the Wayward Prince (Prodigal Son, Black sheep?) who has done everything he can to avoid the family mantle but finds himself sucked back into it whether he wants it or no..."

Yes, exactly, well put. The heroes journey. Often times that's a supporting character life journey too.

[whimsicalmeerkat]

I honestly have a hard time with this sort of question, because it's so dependent on the specific author and story.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

So...blatant word play here, but have you read Hiero's Journey?

[Chelsea]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "So...blatant word play here, but have you read Hiero's Journey?"

A riding moose and a bear friend? I bet he must have 10,000 ranks in Handle Animal.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

At least...sort of a Ranger/Fighter?????

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Ooh - I like Rangers. :>

And mages.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I like Rangers too.... uh... Que es qu ce..."riding moose?" that sounds like hell to clean up after.

[Chelsea]

Also love rangers. Are there more ranger-centric books out there besides Drizzt, LotR and that Ranger's Apprentice series?

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I know what a ranger is! Thanks to Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_%...

[The Pirate Ghost]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I know what a ranger is! Thanks to Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_%..."

Okay, that means I may be the only one who understand Rangers the way Gary Guygax and friends did. Yes, I have a Players Handbook from the early years.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

How does Guygax and friends explain rangers, Mike?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

From first edition to what was called AD&D ("Advanced Dungeons and Dragons") the Ranger becomes more nature oriented. Early on they could wear more armor, were sort of like Giant hunters. More survivalist types. They got more spells, lighter armor and such in AD&D. A lot changed in AD&D...I really preferred the earlier Bard, harder to build, but really nasty if you made it.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "From first edition top what was called AD&D ("Advanced Dungeons and Dragons") the Ranger becomes more nature oriented. Early on they could wear more armor, were sort of like Giant hunters. More sur..."

Uhhh.. yea, what he said.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Got it!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Note please that I went in and edited the word "top" to the "to" it should have been...oops.

[Shanshad]

I do tend to enjoy characters of all different backgrounds. My fave Discworld characters don't really fit a format (DEATH, Susan, Vetinari,) Vimes and Granny Weatherwax sort of do, but their roles of warrior and mage are the least important bit about them.. But I do enjoy characters that have a sense of humor. Not comic story, but stuff like Dresden where even in dark moments he just has to throw in a snarky comment.

[[deleted user]]

Hm, what a difficult question for me... As a Fantasy Artist, I really like many classes. But I do like characters that more psychologically challenging, regardless of the class.

I like villains like mages, wizards, warlocks, priests, and sourceress who are on the dark side. But also enjoy the heroes and heroines who inspire with their courage, their will to cary on and do what is right, at all costs.

[[deleted user]]

An wrote: "I like apprentices. Be it assassin's apprentices, apprentices in magic or warrior skills... I just like the 'mentor-apprentice' thing, I guess. For example, orphans who are picked up on the streets..."

I like it too, a lot. Very tnice this thing as you mentioned ;)

[Mark]

I'm very much into the assassin and/or thief characters. However I also like the supposedly ridiculous or for some reason underestimated character that turns out to be a lynch-pin and advisor to the main character such as Elezaar in the Jennifer Fallon books or The Fool in the Farseer trilogy. I've only really noticed this about myself recently. Althalus was a great mixture of these for me.

[Thaddeus]

I like the morally suspect sort (so I suppose that would equate to assassin). With a paladin or necromancer you know they'll be super-good or ultra-evil, but when you're never quite sure if a man's going to be virtuous or wicked it's more intriguing.

[Tammy]

I like healers in games :3 In literature, I'm personally not too fond of trying to force a character into a tabletop/video game class/role/morality. I like realistic & more or less complex characters who deal with situations like an actual person might, not necessarily violently and definitely not like an RPG hero :S I can see why people like such hero characters but I personally don't care too much for them outside of games; I'm more interested in average people I can identify with.

[L.Y.]

I've always liked characters with weird quirks that have a detailed history to explain them. Other than that it doesn't really matter what class, as long as they're not so serious I'd love to just push them in a lake. I like a little snarky/sarcastic, too.

[Jalilah]

Marianne wrote: "Give me a hot , devoted priest (cleric) any day :)"

:)! Then you might like Theft of Swords

[Heather]

I love druids; I would love to find a story arc with them. The closest I've come to reading about druids in a fantasy series (aside from Mists of Avalon) is reading about rangers.

[Katelynn]

I like rogues, I usually play a rogue, or a ranger, in wow I had a hunter that was a ton of fun. In books I tend to like the characters who ride the morality line. Silk from the belgariad, for example. But it pretty much depends. I like mages if there's something unique to them, there are so many books about mages it gets dull. The calderon books have a unique magic perspective, and plus they are just freakin good. I love the dresden files too, and Harry is another character that rides that morality line.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

Heather wrote: "I love druids; I would love to find a story arc with them. The closest I've come to reading about druids in a fantasy series (aside from Mists of Avalon) is reading about rangers."

Have you tried Hounded series? Mind you, although the lead is a 2000+ year old druid, he doesn't seem very dated. But I didn't see it on our book comparison.

[John]

hmmm.. hard for me to answer since I'm attracted to the character of the character, so to speak, rather than what class they are. If anything, going against class or find a creative way to use their class is interesting.

in general terms, I guess I like a character who is principled, even against diversity, and either discovers a latent talent or ability or fights against those who misuse their talents or abilities.

pretty general, I know.

Add to that the fact that classes are represented differently by different authors. How can one say?

[Heather]

Carol wrote: "Heather wrote: "I love druids; I would love to find a story arc with them. The closest I've come to reading about druids in a fantasy series (aside from Mists of Avalon) is reading about rangers."
..."

No I haven't. I will have to give it a shot!

[Carly]

Heather wrote: "Carol wrote: "Heather wrote: "I love druids; I would love to find a story arc with them. The closest I've come to reading about druids in a fantasy series (aside from Mists of Avalon) is reading ab..."

The Connor Grey series--starting with Unshapely Things--is another series starring a druid. Granted, I haven't read far enough into the series to figure out why he was called a druid rather than a mage or wizard, but it might be a good one to look at. The magic appears to be based heavily on Celtic mythology (mainly Irish). It's a fun read.

[Heather]

Carly wrote: "Heather wrote: "Carol wrote: "Heather wrote: "I love druids; I would love to find a story arc with them. The closest I've come to reading about druids in a fantasy series (aside from Mists of Avalo..."

Thanks; I'll have to check it out. The difference between a druid and a mage is, druids specialize in nature magic and can wear heavier armor, while mages perform general magic and can't go beyond studded leather, I think.

[Carly]

Oh wow, interesting! I'm not a gamer of any variety, so my only point of reference for the term "druid" is the name of the seers/priests of the old Celtic religions. Now that I know it's a term from RPGs, Connor Grey makes a lot more sense. Other than the armour, that's actually a pretty good description of his skill set.

[Heather]

Carly wrote: "Oh wow, interesting! I'm not a gamer of any variety, so my only point of reference for the term "druid" is the name of the seers/priests of the old Celtic religions. Now that I know it's a term f..."

Glad I could help. I'm a second generation gamer, so I'm happy to share what I've learned.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

Carly wrote: "The Connor Grey series--starting with Unshapely Things--is another series starring a druid. Granted, I haven't read far enough into the series to figure out why he was called a druid rather than a mage or wizard, but it might be a good one to look at. The magic appears to be based heavily on Celtic mythology (mainly Irish). It's a fun read.
.."

I've been looking forward to your thoughts as you get farther. I ended up on the 'meh' scale with the series at about the fourth book, but I can't entirely say why. You are usually good at identifying those points that irk me but I can't articulate.

[Carly]

Carol wrote: "Carly wrote: "The Connor Grey series--starting with Unshapely Things--is another series starring a druid. Granted, I haven't read far enough into the series to figure out why he was called a druid ..."

Aww thanks! And vice-versa, plus you tend to have the awesomest hook sentences ever.
The series is a little low on my TBR...(view spoiler)[I found Connor egotistical rather than likeable and my general OCDness had issues with the worldbuilding. More problematically, I've begun to realize that I too suffer from the serious business attitude. From the title to the depiction of the characters to the resolution of the plot, Unshapely Things left me feeling that overarching theme was that some people are born unfit to exist. Every single character introduced with some disability, as well those responsible for bringing them into the world, turn out to be involved in the diabolical scheme, intentionally or no. More egregiously, Connor becomes magically un-disabled while he resolves the conflict. I don't know if I'm reading too much into it, but as far as I know, that title is not a quote, and what other unshapely things are there in the book? That sort of message is not precisely what I want to be left thinking about when I finish reading. So much weight is put on physical appearance in that book...ugh. (hide spoiler)]...but that just means it's not a great fit for me, not that the series itself is bad. And now I realize what I previously thought were problematic role choices were probably based on RPGs! It all begins to make sense....

[Brenda]

I have a profound weakness for explorers and discoverers, the old 'to go where no man has gone before' gig.

[Katlynn]

I like the characters who succeed on their wits and skill, particularly when surrounded by others with superhuman powers and yet still hold their own. Characters that overcome the odds not because of some overpowered magic item or crazy supernatural ability, but because they just out-think and out-manuever everyone else.

[Erica]

I like rogues, thieves, people who bend the rules to turn things in their advantage. Plus magic users - what's the point in Fantasy if there's no magic, right? =)

[Richard]

I think my favorite class of character is the thief, usually sarcastic, and end up in situations they really arnt suited to (see Gentlemen Basterds series). The assassin type chars are usually too dour and jaded on life by comparison where as writers always seem to like to write thiefs as sarcastic jokers who laugh at the world and its rules. Closely following them would be the mage types as long as its not the overly haughty arrogant archmagus type.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

Zayne, you are never too late to resurrect an older discussion!

[Andrew]

I prefer to read about fighters, particularly knights or paladin-types. This was the sort of character I enjoyed playing in Dungeons & Dragons, as I like the combination of action restricted by a moral code or chivalry.

[Tom]

Mercenaries, like Nicomo Cosca from Joe Abercrombie's books. Charming and witty, but at the same time incredibly untrustworthy and utterly self-serving. Always fun to read about those unpredictable types.

[Milda]

I love dark characters with a good sence of humor. The class, wether they are good or bad doesn't matter as long as they're snarky sarcastic - gonna love them :)
My fave - Geralt from The Last Wish is a combination of warior assasin and mage. Liked Akarin's character in The Black Magician Trilogy - mage. Then Locke Lamora in Gentleman Bastards - thief.
So it seems more about a character of a hero rather than a class :)

If anyone can suggest book(s) with this sort of snarky/sarcastic type hero - I'd be ever grateful :D

[Milda]

P.S. forgot the game characters.
Usually start off with a close range dps (assasin type) and erm.. sexy outfits are not of a least importance here :P Then - especially if it's PvP game and I get rolled over one too many times - ussually end up with either range dps (ranger or spellcaster) or tank'ish type of character (warior paladin)

[Troy]

Always leaned towards "finger wigglers" (a.k.a. mages or wizards). :)

[[deleted user]]

I like the assassin or thief."Talon of the Silver Hawk"is a good example.