Know Your Future: Planning for your Paragon Path and Epic Destiny

Yesterday, I spoke to GMs about knowing the ending of your story. In the same vein, I’d like to talk today about players knowing where their character is going, specifically with 4e.

I don’t mean knowing the future plot (though some DM bribing could help you there). I’m talking about thinking about what Paragon Path and/or Epic Destiny you would someday like to take.

I think it’s important, at character creation, to have a look at least at some of the Paragon Paths you have to choose from at 11th level. It can help you define your character in the levels leading up to it.

An example: When I played Alric in our Forgotten Realms game, I knew that I wanted him to one day gain the Paragon Path of Purple Dragon Knight. Knowing this, I designed the character around that path: a Fighter with a sword-and-board, heavy armor, and a desire to take their enemies down. I even had him aspiring to one day become one of the Dragon Knights, wearing purple flourishes to his armor, and generally being idealistic (I do love Cormyr).

You can do the same with Epic Destinies. Want to be an Avatar of your god? Begin early on imitating the aspects of your god in your character. With Heroes of Shadow, there are a lot of Raven Queen aligned destinies. Get behind one of those and lean your character in that direction.

Can things change? Absolutely. If you’re expecting a planar game, which then spends the whole time around the Nentir Vale, you’re not going to have much usage out of the Planeswalker Paragon Path. Adapt, and find one that now matches where you are.

But you can get a lot of mileage out of aiming your character towards a goal, rather than try to shoehorn your character at 11th level into a paragon path that may not quite feel right.