PB 'realism'

[Arkandel]

Since we're discussing PBs in general lately here's a question from me.

When you pick PBs do you care about 'realism' or do you go for the general fit between the picture/artwork's looks and your character? And when you see others using a specific type of PB does that influence your responses if there is a perceived discrepancy?

For example if you're playing a thuggish fighter type but your model is a slender more delicate looking person, or it's a figure skater as depicted by Chris Hemsworth, etc... is that okay? Not okay? Do you notice when people do that?

[Auspice]

@Arkandel said in PB 'realism':

For example if you're playing a thuggish fighter type but your model is a slender more delicate looking person, or it's a figure skater as depicted by Chris Hemsworth, etc... is that okay? Not okay? Do you notice when people do that?

I 100% notice.
I'm not gonna call people out on it, but if someone is a strength 5 MMA fighter (without being, say, supernaturally enhanced) but they're using some really thin, reedy sort of PB... It throws me off a lot.

[TheOnceler]

Whenever someone describes themselves as attractive and then uses Tom Hiddleston as their PB I first double check to make sure they aren't playing some kind of were-ferret and then I immediately complain to staff. It's just the right thing to do.

[Quinn]

[reversed]

This post is deleted!

[Auspice]

@TheOnceler said in PB 'realism':

Whenever someone describes themselves as attractive and then uses Tom Hiddleston as their PB I first double check to make sure they aren't playing some kind of were-ferret and then I immediately complain to staff. It's just the right thing to do.

this, but Blueberry Cummerbund and an alien.

[surreality]

@TheOnceler said in PB 'realism':

some kind of were-ferret

...how dare this not be a thing anywhere that I know of.

[ZekeTheG33k]

@surreality said in PB 'realism':

@TheOnceler said in PB 'realism':

some kind of were-ferret

...how dare this not be a thing anywhere that I know of.

Can't this be done with CofD Changing Breeds. I swear it sounds like this is doable.

[surreality]

@Seamus Probably, but... that would mean having to read that book.

[mietze]

I am yet another person who really doesn't bother to put stock in PBs, and tend to inform my mental image of another PC more from my on screen interactions with them. I could probably live on a game without need for PB or static descriptions on the pc object (easy for me, since I really don't mind people describing their PC in their entrance pose or referring to features during play, though I know that's not a universally held not-minding). I enjoy finding a PB for my PC as part of a general sense of a character. Very often it's not even really the /actor/ themselves so much as the "mood" of the picture I find, if that makes sense.

I don't really think of the PB I put for my own PCs that much once they are in play an I get more of sense of them, it's more tool (like a vague background and bullet points) for me to try and get some handle on them before I get them into play. Maybe that's why I don't get attached or repulsed by other people's PBs either, because me being a human I tend to kind of assume that people are doing the same thing I'm doing even if intellectually I know that's not so.

[ZekeTheG33k]

Luckily, the few PCs I actively RP aren't entirely human to begin with, so I don't really have a need for a PB. When I do need a PB, I try and think of someone based off a role they have played that is similar to what I envision the character to be, that way I know this is something within their scope of what they will play. I don't TS so... that really isn't an issue for me.

[silverfox]

I don't put a lot of stock in them.

[tek]

I won't play with someone with an anime pb. Full stop.

[Auspice]

@tek said in PB 'realism':

I won't play with someone with an anime pb. Full stop.

[GreenFlashlight]

I used to think PBs were important. Then I met a guy who would use his boner for my PBs as a sales pitch for RP; like, "Wow, your PB is so hot, we should definitely meet up and your character should be inducted into the cult mine is a leader of where I'd have total authority over you as well as an implied slavish control over your character's outlook and goals." So I guess I actually do think PBs are important, but in the opposite direction of what they probably should be: nowadays I calculate them less to represent my vision of my character than to try to convince creeps to not bother.

[ZekeTheG33k]

@Auspice Well... I mean if it is an Anime game, doesn't that kind of.. like meet the requirements for a PB?

[peasoupling]

I notice, and spend hours (days) fretting over, not only the overall PB, but whether the specific pictures used accurately reflect the character's style and mood. This makes PBs a lot less fun whenever I want to deviate from the norm and have a very specific look in my mind. Non modern day settings make this so much worse.

I think PBs are fine, even convenient and fun, most times. Other times, I hate them with a burning passion for a few days until I settle for something not quite right but whatever.

[Auspice]

@Seamus said in PB 'realism':

@Auspice Well... I mean if it is an Anime game, doesn't that kind of.. like meet the requirements for a PB?

[ZekeTheG33k]

@Auspice said in PB 'realism':

@Seamus said in PB 'realism':

@Auspice Well... I mean if it is an Anime game, doesn't that kind of.. like meet the requirements for a PB?

Ok. You got me there....

[Auspice]

I played an anime game when I was a teenager. Anime pbs totally fine there.

And I think that's why I take issue with them on other games. If I'm playing a BSG game and there's random Lolita anime girl......it throws me out of things so bad.

Keep the PB at least somewhat realistic for things for the love of God. Like I get that it can be hard to find a PB in period clothing for a medieval game. I don't care if they aren't.

But a video game or anime char on a real world game just really messes with me.