What kind of Main Character you prefer?

As we gamers continue to play our RPG games the main  characters personality traits are always different this is what makes the story different to all the others even though some Main Characters have the same trait in different games, we get many different varieties

Brave/Righteous

Introverted

None caring

Born Leader

Depressing/Emo

Funny

Rude

Lazy/Laid Back

etc etc

I already have my main characters personality traits set to stone due to the mains reason: A. It is linked to his past/background and B.He looks to be the type to have that personality.

I am curious in what kind of personality traits you all like to have in your main characters, just out of interest sake.

Honestly, as long as the personality is well thought out, done well, and consistent (but of course there is room from growth and dynamic) then I'm all for it. The only thing that bothers me about a character is if they end up doing/saying something that feels way out of their character. There are some personalities I like playing more than others. For instance, the whiny/emo guy is usually not my favorite. But as long as the trait is well done, in character, and leads toward development; I can't really fault the guy!

That said, I love wise cracks, the laid back ones, ect. Then again, I like funny games.

I favor a determined hero, someone strong and focused; whether that focus is to uphold the greater good, save their home kingdom or to exact some kind of revenge. I find the detatched/cynical or wishy-washy/weak heroes to be less interesting(though there are always exceptions to every rule).

To be honest I like Neutral personality characters, so that while you play the game you can decide what kind of personality they have, this personality trait is mostly used in games that have a lot of multiple choices so you can make your own Main Character, the game my team and I are making has the main character with this kind of personality trait but he is also laid back and lazy which does prove a challenge in keeping the main character in his character trait but there is a reason why he is laid back and lazy ;P

I tend to avoid the whiny/emo hero, because I can't imagine such a person, well, doing anything.  

In my current game, the main hero is a bit naive, but learns to become somewhat genre savvy.  He is unsure at first but decides to stand for what he believes is right.  Now, what he believes is right is not necessarily always nice...but that choice is up to the player.

Honestly, I have the hardest time creating unique character personalities.  

The heroes that I enjoy the least are the super hyper/brave, will risk their lives and everything else for a person they've never met and too...friendly I guess? Always there, always helpful, always doing the right thing. The MC of Fire Emblem - Hasha no Tsurugi is like this. It's not a giant turn off, it's just kind of 'oh, it's this kinda hero again' and you know how it's going play out from the start. I have a hard time foreseeing growth from that starting point...Perhaps reverse growth? That'd be interesting.

And for some reason, to counter that, I actually enjoy lazy character types. Ones that think it isn't their job to go around saving whoever wherever but circumstances work against them and they either have to/ordered or at least tag along There's lots of room for development for these characters as they break out of their shell and become less selfish. I have one of these types as a party member.

I agree with this. But, if a character has a trait of being too brave or too friendly I think it should be counter balanced and made interesting by at some point actually causing a problem. Because then it can either drive the plot a different direction or develop the character. People will have "negative" traits but if no consequence ever is the result then that person learns nothing and continues to be reckless and put no thought in their actions.

...........The perfect waifu male main character with hero complex. Not gonna lie.

Or the badass silent but deadly female.

I like main characters that tend to have already seen some and have hardened themselves to how rough the world can be. In fact you could say that the emotional burden on them when something happens to someone close to them or a party member hits even harder to them than say a fresh 16 year-old sword-wielding optimist because they might have sworn never to let any harm come to the people close to them, or that they should have known better because of experience. Yet they're also the ones least likely to throw a pity party for themselves because they know that every second they waste lamenting on their moral compass (of having blown up a planet from another dimension) is a second not spent on doing what it takes to help the situation.

Oh, bonus points if they can become the butt of jokes despite their serious demeanor, like Chrom from FE13. Other examples I can think of at the moment are probably... Papa Nier from his own game, NieR, and Snake from MGS3/Peace Walker.

Generally as far as protagonists go I guess I don't really have a lot of preferences; Rather than that I guess there are things which tend to annoy me about some of them instead.

1) Because they've been so prevalent in JRPG, I guess protagonists that cannot read sexual tension and have scenes that make them all "w-wait! It's a misunderstanding!" and then hilariously get smacked up (i meant that sarcastically) by whoever he was peeping on despite probably being the strongest party member in the team.

2) I guess protagonists that have a rather immature worldview and are actually powerful enough to force that on other people. Kind of like "The world is dying! Why can't you stop your business?! IT'S KILLING THE SPIRITS!!", that sort of thing. Even worse if the story doesn't actually address why the people in said business do what they do and does not make them seem human in the narrative. There's no tough choice between 'saving the planet by resorting to eco-terrorism' and 'potentially laying off thousands of families into poverty by either killing their breadwinners or destroying the factory they make their earnings in'.

First it depends on the type of main character: Is it one I get to roll myself?

If so, then I like to have as little background/personality foisted onto me as possible. Let me make that up as I go.

If premade, I like a lot of types. I DON'T like the emo, angst driven, 'hero' with daddy/mommy issues.

Silent but deadly females are good. Badass Milf (though these are generally better supporting), Male that just wants to have a peaceful day..., the Thief/Trickster (probably my favorite male lead).

I'm a comedy lover, myself, so laid-back/humorous characters usually sit well with me. Those with a "can-do" attitude, yet are realistic enough to question why they need to go with a random group of strangers to face something they've never heard of before, maybe even showing a little (or a lot of) resistance. But indeed, it's the witty types that keep me interested--I just want to see what they're going to do/say next.

Unless the game's story is meant to be goofy (which there's absolutely nothing wrong with), I like the main character(s) to have that sense of realism, you know? Don't try feeding me (or your audience, in general) a story where all party members just agree to being involved with little to no motives of their own. Mary Sues aren't appreciated, either (again, unless the game is meant to be goofy...in which case, let them run amok, but be sure your audience knows that you know that they know it's supposed to be goofy.). =P

I thought a good RPG would always have consequences for the actions taken by the characters.  Both good and ill.

 I worded that poorly. XD

I guess what I meant is that I like it when conventionally "good" traits backfire such as kindness and heroism. But yeah, clearly all actions have a reaction. Otherwise, why would anything happen?

Exactly.  Or, better yet, how do you know an action is good?  When both sides have good reason, and have already had bad consequences for their choices?    Which way will the impulsively "good" character go?

But, yes, I definitely agree that even "good" traits can backfire painfully.  The book "I Am Legend"  showed this beautifully. The main character truly meant well, but from the perspective of the "monsters," well, he was their monster, kidnapping and killing many of them...sadly, that ending was dropped from the Hollywood movie because it was "too controversial"

I have sort of left my main hero a very neutral personality...   but other characters that are coming to exist in the story include:

      mysterious yet serene....

      headstrong and impulsive...

      generally good but uppity...

      criminal-like and devious

      the one who seeks personal honor in all things...

      the morale-booster

      the evil, sick, yet necessary person

(more to come)

I feel that adding character dynamic separate from a given story, gives the story itself another dimension.  The story paints one picture, but each character can paint a separate picture.

Players then can take on favorites, ultimately changing the final gameplay experience to better suit the player themself.

I don't have any particular preferences tbh, as long as they're well developed their attitude doesn't really matter much to me.

Just please have a main character that makes sense. So long as the person behaves like a human being, and exercises some logical thought or be-livability I can enjoy the game.  If they become too larger than life I tend to loose my connection to them.

Then this happens:  




Main characters need to adapt quick and persevere.  So anyone that doesn't quit when the going gets rough and can see conflict through will work.  

Other than a clean slated protag where we decide what his personality is,

I prefer badass characters, knows they're field, and sometimes a pervert. Kinda like Sora from No Game No Life.

Introverted always works for me. 

I like the naive, clumsy hero who does things they think are right and gets through the day but is completely unaware that they just saved the world. Everything happens around them and they're the central character but even after all is said and done they fail to realise the part they played.