The RP Character Playability Test
As it is, a lot of characters that sound cool on paper or look good on the screen end up being duds when they're actually put into a roleplay, finding themselves doing absolutely nothing and getting utterly nowhere. So take this test to help you determine whether any character you're thinking of playing - whether your own or a character from someone else's work - is more likely to see some adventure or action, or more likely to end up sidelined on the sofa!
Note that unlike other checkbox tests on this site, where a low score is usually preferable, here it's the reverse case - a high score is a good thing!
Also, this test is aimed at characters who are supposed to be protagonists in roleplays - IE, characters who stick around with the main group on a regular basis and aren't just supposed to be killed/apprehended by them. If you've got a character you intend to play as an antagonist, you should check out How To Roleplay Villains Fairly instead.
- Does your character have a personal/in-game reason to be around the other characters or where they hang out, and the means/knowledge to get there? - If not, no need to proceed further. Your character is probably a dud, no matter what other qualities your character has. Get your character some means/motivation, then come back and try again!
- Do your character's reasons for being around the other characters go beyond "has nowhere else to go," "needs trained/looked after," and/or "is just really bored/lonely?"
- Does your character take initiative to meet and talk to other/new people, whether or not it's likely that the character will ever be in a romantic relationship with them?
- Will your character continue to interact with and maintain friendships with the ones xe gets along with throughout the game, if it's feasible?
- Does your character frequently explore, ask questions, and/or look for answers?
- Is your character able and willing to offer suggestions as to what to do or where to go next - while still being open to other people's input and willing to make compromises?
- Is your character able and willing to work with others as a team, but is not so talented/powerful/capable that xe can take care of pretty whatever problem comes along while everyone else rests on their laurels?
- Is your character able and often willing to help other players' characters with their own problems, challenges, and goals (including characters xe is not in a relationship with, nor is likely to ever be), and do so without doing all the work for them or doing something that instantly fixes the problems, if they're big and/or complicated?
- Does your character have problems, challenges, or goals that other characters (including ones your character isn't and won't be in a romantic relationship with) can help with - without necessarily needing to devote almost all of their time to your character for long/indefinite periods of time?
- Will your character allow other characters (including ones your character isn't and won't be in a romantic relationship with) to help out with any other projects and problems xe's working on?
- Can your character face unexpected or bizarre situations without freezing up or freaking out (at least, for no longer than a few turns or few moments of game time)?
- When things don't go according to plan, can your character easily improvise a new plan that uses only the resources xe already has on hand? (In other words, no sudden power boosts or heretofore unmentioned gizmos!)
- Is your character willing to learn about and try new and unfamiliar things, even when they have nothing to do with xir love interest?
- Does your character often push away, brush off, or behave rudely or abrasively to people to who try to talk to xir?
- Is your character prone to holding long grudges that impact xir ability to interact and work with others?
- Is your character likely to simply withdraw into solitude (EG, go off to xir room or something) if things get a little tense, irritating, frustrating, or weird?
- Is your character likely to question, dismiss, or show condescension or disapproval over "weird," yet harmless tastes, interests, and behaviors that other characters have?
- Is your character likely to do anything that would seriously hurt, torment, or incapacitate other people's characters for any reason, or to sabotage/damage their stuff/projects/homes/etc?
- For petty or spiteful reasons - EG, being denied something or just not getting as much attention as xe wants?
- Because xe's bored and wants amusement?
- Or because your character has some easily-activated (per the kinds of things likely to happen in the game) violent/killer mode, or something similar?
- If your character makes a mistake or somehow hurts someone (physically, emotionally, etc.), will xe usually try to apologize or make amends?
- Will your character learn from xir mistakes, and try to be more considerate/mindful in similar situations in the future so they don't happen again?
Your total is:
13-10 Points
Congratulations! You most likely have a character with a lot of gameplay potential!
9-6 Points
This character will likely be challenging to play, but not necessarily impossible. This may be one of those characters who is really only playable a small percentage of the time. There's nothing wrong with this, but you may want to have other characters to play as well.
5-4 Points
Unless you find a very patient roleplayer, you're probably going to have a hard time getting very far with this character. And even if you do find this kind of player, there's a high chance the game will grow monotonous in a hurry, particularly if your character doesn't like trying new things and/or you don't allow your character to develop and change.
3-0- Points
Most likely, you have a total dud of an RP character who won't get very far in the game.
