Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Character generation

After selecting New Game from the game menu, you must generate your main player character by selecting sex and class:



The sex of your main player character only affects flirting and romance with other characters during the game. Class is a much more significant choice, which requires more information than is presented at this point:

After you have selected sex and class, you must then select either a quick character or a custom character. A quick character will use a template so that you will only have to choose your character's appearance and decide on a name. A custom character will allow you to customize every aspect of your character. You will choose attribute, skill and feat allocation, as well as appearance and name.

Selecting a quick character will obviously allow you to start playing more quickly, but the templates used are not optimized. Although you may still be able to complete the game without further research, your character will be much better if you can make your own informed choices. This is particularly true since later you will have to choose a Jedi class for your character during the game…

Portrait
Regardless of whether you select a quick or custom character, you will now have to choose your character's appearance by scrolling sideways through the portraits for your chosen sex:





Portraits are the same for all three classes. Your choice may alter the appearance of some minor characters in the game, but otherwise it's simply a matter of personal preference. However, a portrait must be selected before you can proceed.

Attributes
''The attributes of your character apply bonuses or penalties to everything from combat to skill checks to Force powers. Check each attribute to see what aspects of game play it can affect.



Only a custom character gets to choose attribute allocation. Each of the six physical attributes is at 8, with 30 points to invest in them. Any attribute can be increased to a maximum of 18 at this time, but beyond 14 there are increased point costs:

All attribute points need to be allocated before you can proceed. Attribute allocation for a quick character is as follows:

Clicking on Recommended for a custom character will also apply these templates, although once again they are not optimized.

Skills
''Each of your character's skills has a number associated with it. This is the skill 'rank' and determines how good the character is with that skill. When using a skill to perform an action, the rank is compared against a Difficulty Check (DC) number. For example, to open a lock with a DC of 15, take your skill rank in Security + Wisdom modifier +d20 roll. If the total is 15 or greater, the lock is opened.



Only a custom character gets to choose skill allocation. The number of skill points to be allocated depends on your character's Intelligence:

All skill points do not need to be allocated before you can proceed, although you will be unable to allocate any remaining until your character's first level up. Class skills cost one point per rank while cross-class skills cost two. Four points will increase a class skill to maximum rank 4, and a cross-class skill to maximum rank 2. Skill allocation for a quick character is as follows:

Selecting Recommended for a custom character will also apply these templates. For example, a Scout with the minimum of 8 skill points to allocate will automatically allocate 4 each to Computer Use and Demolitions; one with 12 skill points to allocate will automatically allocate those extra 4 points to Repair; and so on. These templates are not optimized, but skill allocation is not as critical to progress in the game.

Feats
''Some feats allow you to use special items like heavy armor or implants. Other feats modify saving throws and skill checks during the game. And some feats (POWER ATTACK) are used during combat. Check the description for details on a specific feat.

A scrolling list will pop up to inform you that you have been granted the following feat(s) this level:



Only a custom character gets to choose feat allocation. The feat needs to be allocated before you can proceed. Feat allocation for a quick character is as follows:

Selecting Recommended for a custom character will also apply these templates, although once again they are not optimized.

Name
Your character starts with a random name, and selecting Random Name will result in a new random name. A custom name can be typed, using a maximum of 18 characters (including any spaces). Names are case-sensitive and may contain any alphanumeric characters, and the following punctuation symbols:

! ” £ $ % ^ & - = + [ ] {{kbd|{}} {{kbd| } }} ' @ ~

, . < > ?

Names cannot contain the following:

¬ ` ¦ _ \ /

Play
Now there's nothing left to do but select Play to load the game and watch the first movie!