# Things you always do in Computer RPGs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 5, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931 "2011-07-05T20:32:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/21 "2011-07-06T16:38:09Z")
I’m a hoarder, too. I’m especially bad about hoarding consumables. “Aren’t you ready for the final battle?” “No! I only have ninety-_eight_ Megalixirs!” When I finally gave in and finished my first play-through of _Diablo_, every square of space in town was filled with either a stack of gold or a high-ticket magic item that I wasn’t willing to give up. I’m also prone to abusing stat systems and overleveling. I mostly do it to get silly outcomes, like the healer one-shotting the final boss with a stick (or one shot per form, anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/22 "2011-07-06T16:46:33Z")
Quoth **clairobscur** : > [@](#): > > -I rarely use powers, magical weapons with charges, potions, etc…just in case I would need them more later. So, typically, I haven’t used them yet when said power/weapon/potion becomes outclassed/useless. Oh, you too? I even have trouble with per-day things like the spells in many systems. This applies to games other than RPGs, too: For instance, in _Myth II_, I almost never end up using my dwarves’ satchel charges, except in cases where the obvious use for them is right at the end (like the graveyard level or the second secret level). And I used to be a compulsive picker-upper, taking everything that wasn’t nailed down, but _Diablo II_ cured me of that. If you try to play that way, you’ll never make it out of the Blood Moor. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/23 "2011-07-06T17:00:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Quoth **clairobscur** :Oh, you too? I even have trouble with per-day things like the spells in many systems. This applies to games other than RPGs, too: For instance, in _Myth II_, I almost never end up using my dwarves’ satchel charges, except in cases where the obvious use for them is right at the end (like the graveyard level or the second secret level). > > And I used to be a compulsive picker-upper, taking everything that wasn’t nailed down, but _Diablo II_ cured me of that. If you try to play that way, you’ll never make it out of the Blood Moor. Yeah, I had to quit hoarding for _Titan Quest_. Though of course I never use my little bonus thingies, just in case I might need them for an artifact! ---
**Author:** ![thebenn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@thebenn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thebenn)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/24 "2011-07-06T17:19:47Z")
If it doesn’t negatively affect my alignement, I always take anything that isn’t bolted down. I always talk to NPCs who don’t have a generic description as their name. “Townsperson” probably won’t give me a side quest to complete, but “Geralt” just might!! I kind of consider it a failure if I don’t max out my character’s level in one playthrough of the game, so I usually try to do every quest that’s given to me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/25 "2011-07-06T18:10:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Quoth **clairobscur** :Oh, you too? I even have trouble with per-day things like the spells in many systems. This applies to games other than RPGs, too: For instance, in _Myth II_, I almost never end up using my dwarves’ satchel charges, except in cases where the obvious use for them is right at the end (like the graveyard level or the second secret level). Yeah, I’m the same way - which is one reason I almost exclusively play fighters. You can’t run out of sword swings. ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/26 "2011-07-06T21:29:45Z")
Assuming fantasy, I always be as \*\*Aragorn \*\*as possible. It’s quite silly, but there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/27 "2011-07-06T21:37:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Yeah, I’m the same way - which is one reason I almost exclusively play fighters. You can’t run out of sword swings. Well, I’ve seen some games where you can. Not _good_ games, mind you. And in D&D, I usually favor rogues, because not only do your abilities not run out, but you can also do things other than hit people with them. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/28 "2011-07-06T22:09:10Z")
I play female characters more often than male. I hoard consumables unless I know they are available in an unlimited quantity. I play “jack of all trades” characters, with a focus on “rocket sniper” tactics in combat - in Vampire: Bloodlines my character’s preferred method of dealing with chimeras was stealth and an automatic shotgun. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/29 "2011-07-06T23:07:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Well, I’ve seen some games where you can. Not _good_ games, mind you. I know. I’ve played 4th Edition. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/30 "2011-07-06T23:42:52Z")
I tend to prefer physical weapons over spells and the like. Even in City of Heroes, most of my characters have guns or swords or hammers rather than shooting fire blasts or telekinesis. Playing Bioshock, I have to remind myself that I have my Plasmid powers rather than just shotgunning everything even when it’s smarter to use something else. I’m even bad at using things like grenades or rockets. I also tend to pick a female character is available under the notion that it’ll offer expanded opportunities. I usually go human the first time around though over fantasy/sci-fi races. I don’t want to have to learn the details of the in-game Elf/Dwarf/Xrghian culture on top of figuring the basic game out. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/31 "2011-07-07T03:43:04Z")
-I am the total opposite of a hoarder. If there’s too much stuff in my inventory (i.e. half-full), I start using or selling stuff. -If there’s a sidequest centered around knowledge, like, say, taking a picture of every monster, I always go out of my way to finish it. Other sidequests–eh. -I never play with the sound on when I can help it. I’d rather be listening to a podcast. You can do that in RPGs more than you can with other genres. -If there’s a skill/item that lets you get more experience points, I always spend all of my efforts to get that thing before I do anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/32 "2011-07-07T13:30:04Z")
I usually play a new RPG with the same habits each time. The first go-through, I’ll usually: [ul] [li]Play the knight/paladin/warrior class, or the closest approximation thereof[/li][li]Be the good guy if given moral/ethical dilemmas[/li][li]Explore every corner of every map[/li][li]Take the least direct route to finishing the game (e.g., completing all sidequests I can find first, or finding the Holy Weapon of Awesome +9000 for every member of my party)[/li][li]Min-max every member of my party[/li][li]Read every line of text or watch every cutscene without skipping through[/li][li]Not use a guide or GameFAQs unless I’m really stuck and have been trying to figure something out for hours[/li][/ul] For some reason, I have a really tough time playing an evil character. I promised myself I would play a lawful evil Nameless One on my second go-around of _Planescape: Torment_, but alas, the game crashes on my computer after the end of Act I. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/33 "2011-07-07T14:53:29Z")
I’ll generally look online before I have even started playing to find out if there is any form of infinite or easy money trick. I will then take advantage of it. I don’t like having things in RPGs restricted by the money you have in your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/34 "2011-07-07T15:36:07Z")
I usually beef up defense skills/stats first, then doing the offensive skills when I feel comfortable with my defense. I usually pick “nice” guy choices, if the RPG has these kind of choices in the dialog. I usually try to explore everywhere I can, looting all containers, unless there is a “negative” hit to reputation or NPC reactions. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/35 "2011-07-07T16:05:37Z")
It is fun to play the warrior. Early in the game you can beef them up and win battles. But later the magic users are more important. If you want to win, it is wiser to be a cleric or sorcerer. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/36 "2011-07-07T16:38:20Z")
I don’t understand why anybody would go around poking things with a sharp stick when they could be casting fireballs. I play the mage – Chaotic Neutral. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/37 "2011-07-07T16:40:27Z")
I usually start with a warrior/hit-things-with-sticks class, then at some point make a ranged class, then do a pet class (if any) third if my interest is still there. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/38 "2011-07-07T17:11:44Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > This is more about single player games than MMOs but MMOs are fair game: > > I always play a female character. Not sure what that says about me but it’s true. > > If it’s a fantasy game, I play a mage. I feel like I am only playing half the game if I don’t take advantage of the magic system they took the time to create. > > I am obsessive about poking around in every nook and cranny on a map. > > I am a terrible hoarder. I agonize about selling something because a. I may get a companion who can use it. b. It may end up being an item I could use in a quest. Neither of those have never been an issue in any RPG I have played in the last 10 years or so (some older ones had screw you moments built in) but I still do it. > > I am almost always a “Nice” character. I feel guilty doing mean things even in a game. Again I am sure that says something about me. > > How about you? Ditto except for the hoarding. I guess we are both Lawful Good or something like that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/39 "2011-07-07T17:21:24Z")
I’ve done much of this. If there’s something that can summon something, I WILL use it. Minions! Hell, I haven’t even gotten very far into D&D TOEE because I can’t decide on an alignment. Also, magic is awesome, but if I can I’ll likely be a “balanced” class. Bah, elves. Gimme trolls or dwarves (sadly you cannot be a dwarf mage in Dragon Age). ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931/40 "2011-07-07T17:34:11Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > I don’t understand why anybody would go around poking things with a sharp stick when they could be casting fireballs. I guess I relate more to “real” weapons than to magic/pseudo-magic. I also do the “good” path although sometimes I hit the end of the game and do the whole “Haha! Shotgun to the face, random shopkeeper! Oh, a guard?! Eat fragmentation grenade!” thing before turning it off and moving on to a new game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-do-in-computer-rpgs/587931.md?page=3)