Just about every time I peruse an RP-focused forum, I see at least one post from someone new to MMORPG roleplaying, asking for advice on how to get started. Since it’s such a basic and fundamental question, I like to revisit it every now and then, trying to look at it from new angles, and maybe discovering something I’ve not thought of.

That’s the case with this week’s edition of RoleCraft. Once again, thanks to Dungeons & Dragons (and my players!) for helping me to see this question in a new light, at least for me. This has lead me to how roleplayers may start their RP characters in a very simple way: by roleplaying their roles.

In the 4th edition D&D rules, character classes fit into one of four roles: controller, defender, leader, and striker. These roles are defined by their combat functions: control and area offense (controller), defense (defender), healing and support (leader), and focused offense (striker).

With these simple roles in mind, let’s look at how they may mesh when WoW’s classes are added.

Leader
Paladin
Priest
Shaman
Druid

Controller
Death Knight
Mage
Warlock

Defender
Warrior
Paladin
Death Knight
Druid

Striker
Rogue
Hunter
Warlock

Now, bear in mind that I’m taking these classes at face value. I know they can be rather multifunctional, based on equipment, talent tree, and other factors. Since this is aimed at a starter roleplayer, I’m staying with the basics.

Once you decide on which character to play, knowing their role in combat may help you with configuring a proper personality for them. Leaders tend to be rather charismatic, outgoing, even inspirational, all very fitting traits for classes that are capable of encouraging a group of friends from within the middle of a fight. Controllers do better fighting from a slight distance, where they can see the big picture, and focus their talents where it’s needed most at any certain time. Defenders are the front line fighters, unafraid of jumping into the fray against the strongest enemy, or to protect the weakest of the group. Strikers are the quick-kill type, capable of inflicting a lot of damage in a very short time, and usually from an enemy’s blind side.

Taking these roles into consideration, think about how you see your character’s role in combat affecting their personality outside of combat. Going with the flow, leaders could still be the take charge type, controllers the big thinkers and planners, defenders the bravest and hardiest of the group, and strikers the silent, brooding type. Of course, you could just as easily turn the roles on their heads, and roleplay the exact opposite personality, like a leader class who is shy and reserved, or a defender who doesn’t like violence.

As I said, this is only meant to be another way of looking at how a new roleplayer may begin their RP gaming livelihood. I hope it also shows an example of how roleplaying in other games may be a great help in roleplaying your favorite games. As always, please share your ideas in the Comments section here below, send a tweet to the RoleCraft Twitter feed, or join and post on the official RoleCraft Facebook group page. Also, feel free to ask your WoW roleplay questions at the new RoleCraft Formspring page! Until next week, role on!