How To Use Traits, Ideals, Bonds, & Flaws In Dungeons & Dragons 5e

DUNGEONS OF DRAKKENHEIM is coming to Kickstarter in 2021! We’re partnering with Ghostfire Games to publish the complete adventure for Fifth Edition.

TIME STAMPS
0:00 - Sponsor
0:56 - Intro
3:11 - Personality Traits
6:00 - Ideals
9:30 - Bonds
13:32 - Flaws
21:53 - Conclusions
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[parkerbrantley]

This is honestly the best description of these mechanics in the game that I have ever seen. I’m literally going to send this before every single session 0 from now on.

[wilesjc]

The fact that both of them could be pantsless and we wouldn't know.

[squirrelking]

My elf druid character in the current campaign has the unofficial bond to protect our dwarf barbarian whose one goal in life is to die in glorious battle. It's makes fun and interesting conflicts of interests.

[AndrewChumKaser]

That impromptu roleplay between the nervous wreck and the laid back procrastinator was just gravy.

[andreapregnolato]

I use up to 8 traits in my games, and they are linked in pairs: Personality (what you are) and Vice (how you escape yourself), Ideal (what you believe) and Flaw (what pulls you away from your beliefs), Goal (what you want to do) and Issue (what prevents that), Bond (what you care for) and Fear (what you fear for). I find it very dynamic.

[athomas]

Personality traits can be shown by a signature catchphrase:
"I'm Sebastion Crowe, and I'm here to save you."

[loganricard]

I played a character with a bond that she and her pet wolf were friends, not master and pet. It lead to some really interesting scenarios where she wouldn't go to a certain place or building unless Rin (the wolf) was aloud also. Also, if Rin and a PC was in danger, she would always save Rin first. Her flaw was that Rin was her last connection to her father and would do anything to keep him safe.

[Scantronimus]

I’ve never played D+D, likely never will, but as an aspiring fantasy writer I find these videos very helpful for thinking about character building and development as I write.

[A-Silver]

2 years later yet you guys are still explaining this well. TYSM for the beginner friendly vid!

[MattChild]

The way I play it is fairly simple, and works well for getting into character. Flaws are the reason for my Bonds, Bonds are the reason for my Ideals, and my Ideals are what make my personality traits. It's sort of a Conscious, subconscious, unconscious relationship over the 'why' of my character. I use that to figure out a few things that happened in the backstory and the reasoning & outcome for the characters actions (the rest of the backstory I leave to the DM).

[herrkrabbe]

If you ask me, this is one of your most important videos so far.

[TheTsugnawmi]

This video has transformed and fleshed out my current character. I'll be returning to this video for future characters.
Thank you for an excellent video

[iododendron]

I usually number the bonds of my characters from 001 to 007.

[briargray]

I just started playing an Archfey Warlock who loves to pull pranks and is very fun-loving.

Flaw? "What do you mean a joke could go poorly? It's funny!"

[tiffro]

Guys, I think this is one of your best videos ever, focused on one of (in my opinion) the best aspects of 5e, and a really fun, but often glossed-over, aspect of character creation. Awesome impromptu roleplay! This will be a must-watch for any new players I DM for.

[CharlesChaldea]

5:00 Oooh, I love canned lines! Valanthe always says "What a lovely day for a stroll" when it's fight time

[nightflame]

Hehe catchphrases..

Kelly -as Sebastian Crow- : what’s the worst that can happen?
Veo/Pluto: Stop saying that! Shut up!!

[slimee]

Tip: Make characters that are somewhat self-aware of their flaws. This way you can create interesting flaws without being disruptive at the table.

[Indomakio]

This is probably the most useful video a new player can watch. Before rollong stats, choosing race, class, subclass... There is this. The True core of what a character is and what makes them special.

Thank you so much Dungeon Dudes.

[crimfan]

I also really agree with the issue of flaws being the downsides of one's strengths. That makes total sense. Also, don't make the flaw so irritating that it ends up being a spotlight hog.