How to Create a GURPS Character

Consult with your group's game master to find out what sort of GURPS campaign you will be playing, as a character for a modern day detective story will be built much differently than a high fantasy swords and sorcery campaign.

Find out how many points you have to spend on your new character. The average hero for a GURPS campaign will have 100 points to buy attributes and skills, but for some games, your game master may want you to use more or less points.

Decide on a general concept for how you will build a character. Will you be a wandering mystic capable of making great works of magic, a down-on-his luck thief looking to strike it rich, or perhaps an amoral mercenary willing to do anything for money?

Spend some of your starting points on the four basic attributes that define your character, which are strength, dexterity, intelligence,and health. Put more points towards the attributes that work with your overall design. A sneaky character would want more points in dexterity, while a warrior would want more points in strength.

Peruse the list of advantages and pick the ones that will help you build up your character concept. If you plan on making a character who can use magical spells, you will have to purchase the "magical aptitude" advantage, while if you plan on being in fights often, you will want advantages such as "combat reflexes."

Pick disadvantages to gain extra points if you want an advantage that you can't afford. More debilitating disadvantages provide for more points to put at your disposal.

Use your remaining character points to purchase skills that give your character the ability to complete various tasks, such as fight with a sword, perform advanced calculus or talk your way past a guard.

Outfit your character with equipment and items appropriate to the type of game world, using the starting money that your game master has determined that you will have.

Finish your character by coming up with a background story, personality traits, beliefs and any quirks or traits that set your character apart from all the others.