Do You Make Character Builds?

[Pixel]

Hey, it's Pixel. I wanted to post this discussion to help answer a question I've been mulling over recently: why don't people make character builds? Now I understand we have a good number of solid builders here on the Forge, but we also have a larger number of people who don't post builds at all, and also aren't active in the Character Builing group. I'm just wondering what keeps people from making builds. I'm looking for answers specifically from people who don't build at all.

Here's a few clarifying questions. Does the prospect of writing seem daunting to you? Are you afraid it won't be good enough/comparable to builds already posted? Are you afraid your build will be unoriginal? Or are you just plain uninterested? My goal in creating this post is really to gauge how many people want to make builds but feel like the shouldn't or can't motivate themselves to do so for some reason or another so that we can see about overcoming some of those obstacles to expand our buildng community. Thanks in advance for your responses!

[Lee]

Hey mate, welcome to the Forge

Alroghty then. Go to the Skyrim Charavter Build Group, click the Home tab and scroll down until you see this.

Link: https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building

[Rojerofroriksted]

Thanks mate haven't been on in ages I'm gonna start work immediately

 

 

[Aysleph]

Lee pretty much explained it all - I'm looking forward to some of your builds!

[Pixel]

Same.

[Achloryn]

My biggest barrier to character building is that I get bored with characters super quickly. And I tend to assume that if I get bored with my characters, then others will as well. Also, something that's been mentioned in another forum post a little while ago... it's very difficult to come up with a unique character build. Between this site and the other one, all of the possibilities have been explored and milked and used up. Which is to be expected on a game that's over 7 years old, I suppose. Modding does bring some extra freshness to it, but how many mods is too many? And lately, I don't know what requires SKSE anymore and what doesn't, so I don't want to alienate even more players by writing builds dependent on mods that you can only use on PC.

The writing is a little daunting as well, not going to lie. Some of the builds that have come out are just incredible in their presentation and their originality and it's just... how the hell can I stack up to that? lol. And I know that's silly, the regulars and the vets here have been INCREDIBLY welcoming to newer builders, but it's hard not to feel a little intimidated at times.

[Curse]

Well it’s important to remember two things: A build doesn’t have to be unique to be worth sharing, and you have no one to stack up to. 

If you’re worried about ensuring your builds measure up to that of others, the whole process of sharing builds becomes way less enjoyable. 

[Chris Diokno]

Yeah, I mean, some of the best builds can even be the most simple. 

[Pixel]

I will say when you say "All the possibilities have been explored" that's something I hear a lot and something that I believe is entirely untrue. Not only do mods offer nearly infinite possibilities if you're good at cleverly combining effects within mods and several mods together, but Curse has proved time and time again that there is always something new and different to do in vanilla. The idea that everything has been done is a common one, but one that is simple untrue.

Also, as Curse said, the idea doesn't have to be entirely unique. Simply by virture of you making it, it will be different than others, especially if you put time and effort into it. 

P.S. There's no such thing as "too many" mods but if you don't want to include a ton stuff like Ordinator and Andromeda are super expansive and you can do a lot with just 1 mod if you choose the right one. 

[Achloryn]

When I said that "Everything had been done", I just meant the base vanilla game. And I know that no, not LITERALLY everything has been done, but it's also hard to make a character based around lockpicking interesting, because those perks are boring af. And you're right, that is the great part where mods come in, especially the big common overhauls like Ordinator. My upcoming Crossworlds build is going to be using Ordinator and Apocalypse Magic in a way that I haven't (personally) seen yet, so i'm looking forward to that. I'm still in the midst of my playtesting, but I digress. 

I can come up with a hundred character ideas in my head, but when it comes to actually writing them out and presenting them in an interesting way, that's where my brain starts to fall flat. "How do I make the fact that this guy is a simple sword and board warrior interesting to other people?" "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

[Pixel]

Have you tried the abilities system? Curse, myself, and several other builders use that. Not only is it a great thing for presentation and overall character comprehension for the reader, but also it helps the builder focus on something that will make your character play in an interesting way mechanically. Chck it out if you haven't already and give it a try.