2- Archetype, Class, and Twist

Activity Progress:

Creating a character is often approached at many angles. One way to mold a new character is to give them a general identity that plays by certain rules and expectations. In the next video, the KNKL show presents a system that makes more sense than most. He uses Archetype, Trope, and Spin.

We are going to use the same but call them Archetype, Class, and Twist.

Archetype Alignment

One important part of Archetype is the character’s alignment.
A character’s alignment will determine their attitudes and behaviors.


There's no definitive list of archetypes. One common in gaming is the famous D&D alignment structure, a graph that plots characters on two axes: Good & Evil and Lawful & Chaotic.

There’s no definitive list of archetypes.

One common in gaming is the famous D&D alignment structure, a graph that plots characters on two axes:
Good & Evil and Lawful & Chaotic.

Examples:

While each of these graphs may not be 100% correct, hopefully these examples give you an idea.

align1
align3
align4

Archetype Roles

Another categorization of Archetype is their general roles in the story.
These are recognizable in almost any story in almost any culture.


  • Hero
  • Villain
  • Mentor
  • Damsel in Distress
  • Rogue
  • Tomboy
  • Anti-Hero 
  • Jokester
  • Chosen One
  • Femme Fatale
  • Caregiver/Lover
  • Sidekick
  • Average Guy
  • Leader
  • Explorer
  • Ruler/King
  • Bully
  • Dreamer
  • Scholar/Nerd
  • Innocent

Examples:

arch1
arch2
arch3
arch4
arch6

Class (Trope)

In this case, Class is in reference to a stereotyped role. In many games, this is defined as a class system. In more realistic games, this might be a profession. Class might also be a little more culturally or regionally specific.

Fantasy Classes:
  • Knight
  • Witch
  • Archer
  • Barbarian
  • Assassin
  • Wizard
  • Samurai
  • Psychic
  • Zombie
  • Rogue
Real World Classes:
  • Plumber
  • Cop
  • Businessman
  • Priest
  • Dancer
  • Engineer
  • Athlete
  • Boss
  • Inventor
  • Pilot
Additional Class Information:

A class might be even more specific when given a race as well.

  • Human
  • Elf
  • Ogre
  • Alien
  • Talking Animal
  • Fairy
  • Halfling
  • Robot

Twist (Spin)

A character’s Twist is what sets it apart from characters that have been made before.
You don’t want to completely copy another character. A red colored Sonic is still Sonic. That’s just stealing. Feel free to borrow elements of a character, but be sure to give them new traits that haven’t been used before!


Examples:

  1. Sometimes a Twist is adding elements to a character that are unusual such as cat ears and a third eye to a mermaid.
  2. This looks much like a Mickey Mouse style but instead is a deer person. 
  3. Sometimes adding an additional class creates a twist. This ninja would look fairly normal if it wasn’t also a rabbit person.
  4. Joy of “Inside Out” was a Lawful Good Heroine. While she was fairy-like, her unique twist was she was the actual embodiment of happiness.
  5. Shuri of “Black Panther” was the smart genius of the movie, which has always been a white male. She broke many stereotypes and was also comic relief.
  6. Animal detectives are not new, but a platypus like Perry has not been done before.

Assignment

In a word document, come up with 6 unique character combinations. List each of the following for each character:

  1. Name
  2. Archetype Alignment
  3. Archetype Role
  4. Class
  5. Twist

Just write them out. You don’t need to draw anything. But if you really like one, make sure to record it in your design log to use in the future.