The Importance of Flaws in TTRPGs

“We like people for their qualities, but we love them for their defects.” In writing this line I meant to say that we must not simply “accept” imperfection when it is revealed to us – we must celebrate it.” 

- Ron Perlman

Especially in the realm of tabletop role-playing games, we can fixate on perfection. Often players will aim to craft the perfect hero, with game masters striving to have an equally pristine villain to go up against them. But the true beauty lies in the imperfections, the quirks and other elements that make the characters come to life.

Flaws are not just narrative devices, they bring the characters we create and aim to embody to life. From the haunted corridors of gothic horror to the vast wonders of high fantasy, flaws create relatable heroes and compelling villains. They take the extraordinary and ground it in the mundane, offering a way for players and game masters alike to find connections to the worlds we create.

But why does a flawed character stand out more? The answer is realism. Just like the scars of a warrior will tell of past battles, a character’s flaws narrate their internal struggles, elevating them to more than just words on a page. They become reflections of real life. This connection, forged from imperfection, takes an ordinary narrative and transforms it into something truly unforgettable.

Why Flaws?

In character creation, there is a cautionary tale for anyone who wants to build a flawless character - that of the Mary Sue. A term coined by a Star Trek fan fiction, this archetype of a character is so devoid of flaws that they cease to be relatable or interesting. Unassailable virtues and a seemingly limitless amount of expertise may seem appealing at first, especially when viewed in a TTRPG setting. Wouldn’t a character who excels at everything be the perfect adventurer, able to take on any challenge? Yet, these characters will often reach narrative dead ends as their lack of growth or spontaneity reveals their two-dimensional nature.

Bolster Group Cohesion

Tabletop roleplaying games exist as a shared journey of characters with progress, both internal and external. The imperfections of each character–a rogue’s impulsive greed, a paladin’s rigid morality, or a wizard’s absent-minded curiosity–is what breathes life into the story. These flaws do not weaken a character, as one might think. Rather, flaws enrich them, adding layers of complexity and unpredictability.

Flaws cause reliance on others, fostering teamwork. A wizard’s intellect might solve many problems, but her social awkwardness may require the charm of the party bard, strengthening the bond between both. In group activities, teamwork is important. Synergy assures that a group is greater than the sum of its parts, and individual flaws play an important role in it. Creating a character that has flaws means that there will be areas where they need to rely on the others, creating a natural place for synergy.

The party wizard is extremely smart. Spending her time working in an impressive library, learning and gaining knowledge, was as easy as breathing for them. While adventuring, this skill was useful in overcoming many challenges. By relying on the wizard’s knowledge, the party could often get themselves out of sticky situations. With social situations, however, the wizard often lacked. Bad at understanding social queues and somewhat insensitive, she would often dig herself into a metaphorical hole whenever a sliver tongue is needed. Luckily for her, the party bard is excellent at interacting with people, and happily helps her out. The two make a good pair in most situations and find each other invaluable.

Build Realistic Characters

Characters like a risk taking-thief or a short-tempered berserker not only feel more authentic but also open avenues for storytelling and development. Where a “perfect” character would be predictable, a character with flaws opens the possibility for chance and excitement.As mentioned before, a character without flaws will feel like they lack a dimension. Just like a stew is a mixture of flavors blending together, it takes distinct elements to make a full dish. 

Take, for example, two different thieves. Both experts in their trade, with a few capers under their belts. One thief has no real flaws whatsoever. They are the quintessential perfect thief. They forget nothing and are careful about a fault. The other thief, however, has a weakness for chance. They have a tendency to take risks if the reward is tempting, and frequently engage in gambling at a tavern after a successful job. More than once their risky behavior has gotten them in trouble, though they can usually get out of it.

Of those two, which character seems more realistic and interesting? Obviously, the thief with the flaw. By creating the flaw, you add depth and flavor to the character. Having a thief that can’t help but make a gamble adds the potential for more storytelling.

Challenges in Gameplay

Challenges fill memorable TTRPG sessions, testing both the strengths and weaknesses of the party. It’s within these moments of vulnerability that the true essence of gameplay unfolds, where flaws become more than character traits; they become narrative gold.

Consider the moment a stalwart knight, known for his unyielding courage, faces his hidden phobia of magic. As spells fly in a climactic battle, his flaw becomes a crucible, testing his resolve and forcing the party to adapt in unexpected ways. Such scenarios do more than add tension; they invite players to explore the depth of their characters, making choices that resonate with authenticity and complexity.

Flaws introduce a dynamic layer to gameplay, challenging players to think beyond the mechanics. A character’s fear, arrogance, or impulsivity can turn a straightforward encounter into a rich narrative moment, offering opportunities for role-play that are as engaging as they are unpredictable. These internal conflicts often lead to creative problem-solving, pushing the party to leverage their diverse strengths and weaknesses in pursuit of a common goal.

Flaws ensure characters face not just external obstacles in games, but also internal conflicts, enriching personal role-playing. They encourage players to think creatively and adapt based on their character, making for memorable gameplay where growth comes from overcoming challenges both internal and external. When you sit down at the table; you are playing a game. It’s in the name, Role-Playing Game. Often, when building a character, players will want to build out something prepared for all external challenges they may face over the course of a campaign. Making sure the character has a wide range of skills or expertise in a few areas to overcome any obstacles. But it's easy to overlook how to approach internal challenges.

Over the course of a campaign, whether it takes a couple of sessions or real-life years, characters will grow and develop. Without characters having some sort of inherent shortcoming, they may have nothing to push back against when growing.

Failures also make for more interesting gameplay. Even the best plans rarely survive first contact, and how the players react to these obstacles makes adventures memorable. These moments of unpredictability encourage creativity, forcing players and their characters to think on their feet. It’s in these instances that the true essence of role-playing comes to light—character development is not just about leveling up or gaining new gear, but also about navigating the complexities of failure and the growth that come from it. Such challenges provide depth to the gameplay, enriching the narrative and ensuring that stories forged at the table are both unique and unforgettable.

Where do Flaws Come From?

When building out your character, it might be difficult to determine where a character’s flaws come from. Remember, these are not just negative traits but potential narrative goldmines. They create depth, drive character development, and enhance the storytelling experience. Understanding the interplay between flaws and other characteristics gives players the tools to craft more compelling and dynamic characters.

When trying to choose the flaws for your character, be sure to review the rest of their traits in order to decide what feels the most natural. Flaws should be more than obstacles; they should offer avenues for growth, moments of vulnerability that invite connection, and challenges that test and ultimately showcase their resilience and adaptability. By examining the origins of your character’s flaws, you can craft a narrative arc that transforms weaknesses into sources of strength, reflecting the complex nature of personal development.

Guidelines for Flaws in TTRPGs

Incorporating flaws into your TTRPG characters is an art that balances narrative depth with gameplay harmony. As we venture into crafting characters rich with imperfections, here are guidelines to ensure that these creative elements enhance the storytelling and play experience rather than detract from it.

Flaws Should Inspire, Not Impede: While flaws will add complexity, they shouldn’t prevent a character from engaging at the table. Create flaws that offer obstacles to overcome or work around, not roadblocks that stall momentum. A character’s fear of water can lead to creative solutions crossing a river rather than a refusal to proceed.

Encourage Team Dynamics: Flaws are best when they create opportunities for inter-party dependency. A tactless character may cause problems during negotiations, but it provides a place for a smooth talking individual to assist. Craft flaws that allow for party members to help one another.

Facilitate Character Growth: Flaws can be catalysts for character development, not just unchanging liabilities. Encourage players to explore their character’s flaws throughout the story, looking for opportunities for growth and learning. One character’s journey to overcome their pride can be just as rewarding as a dragon’s hoard. 

Balance Flaws with Strengths: Ensure that each flaw has a counterbalance in the character’s strength in order to make a realistic personality. This balance will make sure a character shines despite and sometimes because of their flaws. An impulsive character may lead the party to trouble, but it could also result in the discovery of secrets.

Keep Flaws Contextual: Tailor flaws to fit the setting and theme of your campaign. Flaws that resonate with the story will add additional immersion and relevance, making them feel more integral to the world they inhabit.

Keeping these in mind, game masters and players can weave their flaws into the fabric of their TTRPG experience. You will craft characters that are not only more relatable and compelling but also more fun. Embrace those imperfections, and let them guide your characters as much as their strengths do. You may be surprised to find that some of these flaws will create the moments that are remembered long after the story ends.

Rewarding Flaws

As we have talked about, flaws can be difficult for players to incorporate into their characters. It can feel contrary to the goal, especially in systems that create high-powered heroes standing against the forces of evil. But luckily for game masters, they can encourage the creation of flaws and reward characters for playing them out at the table. Below are some suggestions that game masters can use.

Rewarding flaws can happen before your adventures even start. While most systems often have guidelines on how to add flaws to their character, not all will offer a way for players to receive some sort of benefit for using them. As a game master, you can offer a small reward for your players, adding flaws to their character. This can come as extra currency when starting out the adventure, a special piece of equipment, or even a one time boon to help them overcome a situation. Even better, these rewards can directly relate to the character’s fs flaw. For example, a character that is overly paranoid might leverage that paranoia in order to detect threats where others might not notice.

Once gameplay starts, rewarding players for roleplaying their specific flaws can make sure that those chosen flaws come up in stories. A great example of this comes from when characters react to something they fear. The hardened warrior might have a secret fear of the undead from a traumatic event early in their childhood. In most situations, this won’t come up, but it can be a huge roleplay moment when the party enters an ancient crypt. If a player reacts to their fear (such as freezing up or taking a non-optimal move in combat), this can be a great place to offer a bonus that can be used later on.

Choosing Flaws

The table below provides some options for players and game masters looking to add flaws to their characters. When using the table, either roll or choose the option that best fits for the character in question. Do not see the descriptions below as written in stone, instead use these to generate flaws that align with the character’s backstory, campaign setting, and plot of the campaign.

D20 Roll	Description
1	I’m unwilling to consider alternate viewpoints as mine is the correct one.
2	I trust others too easily and often, which has led me into trouble more times than I can count.
3	My drive for success is so strong that I’ll prioritize my goals over friendships or moral dilemmas.
4	I’m so set in my ways that I’ll refuse to compromise, even when it’s clear I’m wrong.
5	My obsession with uncovering the truth often blinds me to immediate dangers and practical needs.
6	I’m so loyal to my cause or allies that I often overlook their faults, even when they’re harmful.
7	I prize my freedom so highly that I often act recklessly, without considering the consequences.
8	My desire for justice can turn into a quest for vengeance, blinding me to fairness and mercy.
9	I avoid taking risks, even when it’s necessary, preferring comfort over potential gain.
10	My dedication to my family is so strong that I struggle to make connections outside of it.
11	I am fervently devoted to my beliefs, to the point of intolerance towards others’ views.
12	My need for approval makes me overly concerned with fitting in, often at the expense of my own beliefs.
13	I am so concerned with how others perceive me I often decide based on vanity rather than practicality.
14	I focus so much on aesthetics and style that I sometimes ignore more practical or important aspects.
15	My pursuit of perfection makes me arrogant, often underestimating others and overlooking crucial details.
16	I’m always preparing for the worst, to where I suspect everyone and everything.
17	My love for adventure often leads me to act without thinking, jumping into danger without a plan.
18	I feel the need to control every situation, struggling to trust others and delegate tasks.
19	I go to great lengths to avoid conflict, even when it’s necessary, preferring false peace over resolution.
20	My desire for wealth drives me to decide based on greed, often at the expense of my morals.

Conclusion

In storytelling, each character flaw adds to the richness of the canvas you paint at the table. The imperfections that created them often mark the characters us cherish the most and the moments that linger in our minds.

Flaws create more relatable characters, adding depth to the fantasy world we play in through their familiar struggles. They challenge both players and game masters to think beyond just the character sheet and mechanics and see these characters as real individuals, adding to the storytelling experience. In embracing flaws, we elevate our role-playing as we realize games are not a quest for completion and perfection, but a journey of growth and development.

The characters we create should mirror the complexities of real life, with both strengths and vulnerabilities. Their journeys should inspire us to view flaws not as obstacles to be vanquished, but as characteristics that provide opportunities for growth, connection, and understanding. Our flaws can be a source of strength and a way of seeing our true selves.