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InDungeons & Dragons, the concept of a backup character will usually be hotly debated at a table. On one hand, some Dungeon Masters believe that their existence encourages players to leave behind their primary character, citing that the player will begin to play more and more recklessly as they attempt to kill off their first character to make way for their backup. Certainly, this isn’tuntrue.
On the other hand, some Dungeon Masters say that the backup character is an assurance, of sorts, to keep the flow of the game natural in both narrative and combat-driven campaigns. Regardless, chances are you clicked on this if you fall somewhere in the latter. Here are some tips for implementing a backup character into your game.
What Are Backup Characters?
Backup characters, in the plainest sense,are characters waiting in the wings while a primary character is used in the campaign.Many players create backup characters inlong-form campaignsso thatif their player character dies, they can keep playing.
They tend to see more use inmodulesor particularlylethal campaigns, though many players will also make them if they havefragile characters that see a lot of combat.
There’s no real ‘wrong’ way to make one, and they’re often used to explore dynamics the players are alternatively interested in.
Why Make A Backup?
Backups can be very practicalin the event of a character’s death, whether in afatal campaignor not. Not only do they make iteasier to say goodbye to a beloved character, but they alsoprovide a player with some peace of mindbetween their character’s death and the introduction of their character.
It can be comforting for a player to go from playing a character they love to playing another character they love.
Backups also take the strain off of rolling a new character at the tableand caneliminate the need to create a new character in a week, freeing up their time to worry more about acclimation to the new character rather than mechanics and backstory.
These characters work very well innarrative-centric campaignsfor this reason, but for tournament-style combat sessions, they’re equally useful in keeping the flow of combat going.It depends on your table, but with the right amount of trust between the players and the Dungeon Master, a backup character can be a rewarding experience.
Try having your player make their backup character in tandem with their original.Have themchoose the one they like more, and play that one.This can help assuage the possible fear that they’ll tire of their primary.
Work Them Into The Story
This will require legwork on both the player and the Dungeon Master’s part, but an excellent way to prepare to use a backup character is tointegrate the backup character into the story.For starters, it gives thema foothold in the world they wouldn’t have otherwise, andimproves the transition between primary and secondary, meaning you don’t have to repeat lore to your player.
You can give them reasons to know x, y, and z without creating a sizable knowledge gap. It also alleviates some of the pain of losing the first character byhaving the second be a little more familiar with the world around them.
Alternatively, if it looks like it’s going to be too much work to manage,delegate that work to your playerand give them somehardparametersto work within, so they don’t cross any boundaries.
An easy way to put in a backup character is to tie them into some existing elements within the campaign.
Keep It Loose
As a DM, consider not letting the player go all in with a solid backstory for the Backupuntil the player is closer to playing them.Let some parts of their backstory be rigid, of course, but wait until they’re about to play to solidify some plot elements, so the Backup can be implemented more easily.
You can more or less decide then, too,why they might be adventuring.In fact, giving the Backup a concrete reason to pursue the party is going to be more beneficial than not.
As a DM, you may be pulled to tie in some plot threads with your players' backups as they become relevant, which can also ease the transition between playing the old and the new character.
Consider What The Party Misses
While a Backup may be an excuse to play a new class (and, frankly, is a great avenue to do so), it’s worth noting that in combat-heavy campaigns, theother players may feel pressure to reconfigure their characters to make up for the loss of your primary.If everyone agrees, great! But if not, consider, at creation, what the party may miss.
If you’re going to be down a paladin, think about creating a barbarian or fighter. If you’re down a healing druid, consider a cleric. But don’t be boxed in!If you aren’t going to be a combat-oriented party, talk with your friends to see what works.
Obviously, this is going to depend on the people you DM for or play with, so feel free to swap a barbarian for a sorcerer. Dungeons & Dragons parties are nothing if not adaptable.
Manage Your Expectations
You may come up with a fantastic story for the Backup,but there’s no guarantee you’ll get to play them,which, while a bummer, is sort of the name of the game. Be prepared to play them very little, if ever. The primary character may live throughout the campaign!
However,some players may need breaks from their primary character.In extreme cases, if the Dungeon Master and player can find no other alternative,sometimes playing your backup for a spell can reinvigorate love for the primary character again.
If not,it’s perfectly fine to say goodbye to a character who is no longer serving you.Keep the line of communication open, in such a case, and feel free to move the character from secondary to primary.
Making horrible decisions to play your secondary character early is, however,disrespectful to other people in the game.While generally a problem between the player and the Dungeon Master, and not necessarily indicative of the system of using a backup, it’s something to keep in mind!
