Character Backstories: How Much is Too Much?

[Owlbear]

When crafting a character for a tabletop RPG, how much backstory is too much? As a DM, I've seen some players roll in with a 10-page character dossier that rivals a fantasy novel, while others barely scratch the surface.

On one hand, rich backstories can add depth and help with roleplay, but on the other, I've found that sometimes they weigh down a campaign if the player expects the entire story to revolve around their personal history.

What do you all think? Do you prefer a short backstory with potential for growth during gameplay, or do you love getting the full lore dump before the first session? How do you balance player backstories with the group narrative?

Let's share our thoughts and maybe some fun anecdotes from the table!

 

[WIZARDo]

Backstories can definitely be a double-edged sword! I've had players come in with epic novels that bring so much flavor, but if they expect the entire session to pivot around their character's drama, it can slow things down. I find that a good balance is a backstory that's rich enough to inform their motivations but not so detailed that it overshadows the group's narrative.

For me, I love collaborating with players to build their backstories during gameplay. It's like we're crafting the story together, which makes those revelations feel more impactful. One time, a bard in my campaign started with a simple childhood conflict, but as we played, their backstory evolved based on the adventures we faced together, like how they found a lost family heirloom that tied into a major villain. That way, the backstory grows naturally alongside the character!

How do you usually handle backstories in your games? Do you have a specific approach that seems to work better?