How To Make Your Roleplay Character Stand Out

Ask yourself what other people aren't playing. Look at the characters currently in the game. What kind of personalities and motivations do you see? What kind of skillsets and builds? What are their backstories like? If you just do what everyone else is doing, your character is going to be just another face in the crowd. So ask yourself what these people are not doing. If, for example, you're in a game full of glamorous, gorgeous beings, a relatively ordinary character with relatable human problems can stand out and shine like a diamond pin on a black satin dress.

Dismiss your first few to several ideas. Because whatever you're thinking of, lots of other people probably thought of it already, too. Toss them into the bin and see what else you can come up with, because that is when you're going to start coming up with the ideas that no one else is using. (Just remember to make sure that they don't contradict or create plotholes in the lore/setting!)

Don't rely on cheap gimmicks to grab people's attention. This includes having strangely-colored eyes, an aura of irresistible attractiveness, conspicuously carrying around a Mysterious Sword™, etc. Basically, anything that's supposed to draw in people's attention without your character actually having to do anything. (It's one thing if your character simply happens to have strangely-colored eyes, but never rely on them to grab and hold other characters' attentions.)

Make your character reasonably sociable. Make your character the type of person to initiate conversations, to offer help, or to suggest plans of action. This will get your character far more attention than sitting in shadowy corners trying to look mysterious!

Give your character a few wants and the gumption to go after them. One big want and two smaller wants is a good way to go. Driven, motivated characters grab more attention than those who shamble around aimlessly waiting for something to sneak up and happen to them.

Make your character's backstory a good story, period. Nothing sticks with people like a good story, so trying to make your character's own backstory into one can grab people's attention and keep them interested in your character. Good stories include conflict, suspense, failures, small victories, setbacks, and a range of both positive and negative emotions scattered throughout. (So in other words, a story that amounts to utterly nothing but pain and misery until the very end is not a very good story. Neither is a story that's nothing but fluffy, sugary happiness.) And as good stories avoid relying on lucky coincidences and breaks for the protagonists, keep those to a minimum, too.

But don't overcomplicate that story. Keep it simple and concise - think short story, rather than novella. Try to stick mainly to the essential details - IE, the events and incidents that made your character and your character's life into what they are today. If your character's backstory becomes too tedious or time-consuming to read, people will likely either just skim through it or click away before finishing.