Create your first character - richardwilkes/gcs GitHub Wiki

New to GCS? This guide walks you through creating your first character step by step.

To keep things simple, each step introduces a key part of the character sheet and how GCS works - without overwhelming you with details. We’ll focus on learning GCS (not the GURPS rules), but we'll point out useful references to GURPS Basic Set: Characters when relevant (for example, p. B14).

Here's what you'll do:

1. Create a new character
2. Set your attributes (ST, DX, IQ, HT)
3. Add a few traits (advantages, disadvantages)
4. Add a few skills
5. Add a few spells
6. Add equipment
7. Save your character

To help illustrate the steps, we'll build a sample character as an example: Aelric the Apprentice.

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Start by creating a blank character sheet.

To create a new character:

1. Open GCS.
2. Select File > New Character Sheet.

A blank character sheet opens with:

• A randomly generated name and description
• All primary attributes set to 10
• A humanoid body type
• 250 unspent character points (your starting points).

Change the default name and description to something you like.

Example: For the Name, enter Aelric the Apprentice.

To change your unspent starting points (p. B10):

1. On the Points block, select Edit to open the Points Record.
2. Enter a new value for the Initial points.

   Example: Enter 150 for Aelric's Initial points.

3. On the tab toolbar, select Apply Changes , then close the Points Record.

The Points block updates to show your new unspent starting points. GCS will automatically change this total as you add traits, skills, and spells.

Now that your character sheet is created and your starting points are set, it’s time to define your character’s core abilities by setting their attributes.

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Your Primary Attributes are your basic attributes (p. B14) that form the foundation of your character. They influence secondary attributes, skill levels, and other calculations throughout the sheet.

To set your basic attributes:

• On the Primary Attributes block, enter a score for each of the four basic attributes: ST, DX, IQ, and HT.

  Example: Set Aelric's primary attributes to:

  • ST: 10 (average strength)
  • DX: 11 (a bit nimble)
  • IQ: 13 (a smart and perceptive mage)
  • HT: 10 (average health)

As you change these values, GCS will:

• Show the point cost next to each attribute (number in brackets)
• Update your unspent points on the Points block
• Adjust related secondary attributes,
• Apply defaults to traits and skills (which we’ll add in future steps)

You can also edit your Secondary Attributes (p. B15), FP, and HP (p. B16) .

Example: Increase Aelric's FP to 12 for a small boost when casting spells.

With your primary and secondary attributes in place, you can give your character defining strengths and weaknesses by adding advantages and disadvantages.

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The Trait list is where you add advantages (p. B32) and disadvantages (p. B119), called Traits in GCS.

GCS includes hundreds of official traits, skills, spells, and equipment in the Master Library that are taken from GURPS books and other supplements.

You can expand the Master Library's folders from the Library Explorer on the left sidebar.

Many items include notes and explanations, and when added to your sheet they automatically adjust stats and points for you.

To open a library from the Master Library:

1. On the Library Explorer, expand the Master Library.
2. Browse to a folder containing libraries.
3. Double-click a library to open it.

   Example: Expand Master Library > Basic Set to see content from GURPS Basic Set: Characters.

To add an advantage (p. B32) or disadvantage (p. B119):

1. Open a Trait library from the Master Library.
2. Choose the trait you want.
3. Add the trait in one of two ways:
   • Drag it from the library to your sheet, or
   • Right-click it and select Copy to Character Sheet.

Example: Go to Master Library > Basic Set and open Basic Set Traits. Right-click the following traits, then select Copy to Character Sheet to add them to Aelric's sheet:

• Language Talent (advantage)
• Cowardice (disadvantage)
• Arachnophobia (Spiders) (disadvantage)

When you add a trait:

• GCS highlights the block where the trait can be dropped. You can drop the trait anywhere on the sheet and it will always go to the correct location.
• The Points block updates automatically:
  • Advantages subtract from unspent points.
  • Disadvantages (negative points) add to unspent points.

Quirks are added the same way as traits. Some will prompt you to enter details that will appear beneath the quirk on your sheet.

Example: Filter the Trait library by Quirks, then drag Obsession to Aleric's sheet. In the text box, enter "Collects feathers".

Some traits open a Modifiers window when added. You can choose options to customize the trait, which changes its point cost. Some modifiers also allow a short note.

Example: Search for Magery and drag the Magery 1 trait to Aelric's sheet (make sure you clear the Tag filter). The Modifier window shows the special limitations for Magery (p. B67). Leave the modifiers blank and select OK.

To increase the level:

• Right-click the trait on your character sheet, then select Increment.

Example: Right-click Magery, then increase it twice so Aelric has Magery 3.

Once you’ve locked in your traits, you can round out your character’s abilities by adding skills.

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The Skills list is where you can add skills (p. B167) and techniques (p. B229).

The Master Library includes Skill libraries taken from GURPS books.

Adding skills works the same way as adding traits:

1. Open a skill library from the Master Library.
2. Add a skill in one of two ways:
   • Drag it from the library to your sheet, or
   • Right-click it and select Copy to Character Sheet.

Example: Open the Basic Set Skills library, then add the following skills to Aelric's sheet:

• Occultism
• Alchemy
• Thaumatology
• First Aid

Skills use your Primary Attributes to determine their base level, so changing an attribute can change the skill level.

As you add skills:

• Skills cost at least 1 point.
• Higher skill levels cost more points based on the buying skills rules and Skill Cost Table (p. B170).
• When added, a skill's starting level is calculated automatically.

To increase the skill level:

• Right-click the skill on your character sheet and select Increase Skill Level.

Example: Increase Aelric's Alchemy skill twice to reach level 12 (4 points total). Make sure you select Increase Skill Level and not Increment.

Some skills and techniques have prerequisites.

• If you add one without meeting its requirements, GCS displays an error message below it.
• Hover over the error to see what's missing.

Example: Drag Sweep (default Staff) to Aelric's sheet. Note the error message calling out missing the Staff skill.

Drag the Staff skill to Aelric's sheet to satisfy the prerequisite.

If your character can use magic, the next step is to add spells, which work just like skills.

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The Spell list is where you add spells (p. B242), if you character can cast them.

Spells in GCS work the same way as skills, but follow the special learning rules for magic (p. B235), which may change your point cost.

If a spell has unmet prerequisites, GCS will display an error icon with details.

1. Open a spell library from the Master Library.
2. Add a spell in one of two ways: - Drag it from the library to your sheet, or - Right-click it and select Copy to Character Sheet.

   Example: Expand Master Library > Magic, open the Magic Spells library, and add:

   • Create Fire (note the unmet prerequisite error; hover over it to see what's missing)
   • Ignite Fire (note this spell satisfies the prerequisite for Create Fire)
   • Fireball
   • Shape Fire

You can raise a spell’s level the same way as a skill:

• Right-click the spell and select Increase Skill Level.

With your magical or mundane abilities set, it’s time to give your character the gear they’ll carry into adventure.

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The Equipment list is where you add your character's gear (p. B264), including weapons and armor.

Equipment is divided into two sections:

• Carried Equipment: Items on your person (equipped or not). Counts toward encumbrance.
• Other Equipment: Items you own but aren't carrying. These don't count toward encumbrance and can't be equipped. Items here don't provide any bonuses or stats in play.

Carried items counts toward encumbrance (p. B17). The Equipment list calculates the total weight of all carried equipment and updates your current encumbrance level on the Encumbrance, Move & Dodge block.

To add equipment to your sheet:

1. Open an Equipment library from the Master Library.
2. Add an item in one of two ways:
   • Drag it from the library to your sheet, or
   • Right-click it and select Copy to Character Sheet.

Example: Open the Basic Set Equipment library from the Master Library and add:

• Backpack, Small
• Torch
• Tent, 1-Man

Items are equipped by default when added to your sheet. Equipped items provide bonuses and update your stats on your sheet.

• Select the check mark next to each item on the Carried Equipment list to equip.
• Clear the check mark to carry an item but not equip. This removes any bonuses and stat updates.
• Drag items to Other Equipment if you aren't carrying them.

Some items can hold other items (like a backpack). Containers show a small arrow next their name, which you can expand to show its contents.

Example: Drag the torch and tent into Aelric's backpack (drag them to just underneath and slightly to the side). These items are now contained in it.

• Weapons (p. B267): Equipped weapons appear on the Melee Weapon and/or Ranged Weapon lists with their weapon stats.

  Example: Add a Dagger and a Quarterstaff to Aelric's equipment (these are in the Basic Set Equipment library). The dagger appears for both melee and ranged weapons (since it can be stabbed or thrown).

• Armor (p. B282): Equipped armor updates the Damage Resistance (DR) values on the Body type (Humanoid) block based on the protection the armor provides.

  Example: Add Leather Armor to Aelric's equipment and note the DR changes.

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Once your character is fully equipped, you’ll want to save your work so you can use and update your sheet during play. You can also print your sheet or export it to a PDF.

By default, GCS provides a User Library folder in the Library Explorer for you to save your character sheets and custom content. Do not save your files in the Master Library.

To save a character sheet:

1. Select File > Save.
2. Choose where to save your character file.
3. Select Save.

GCS saves characters as .gcs files, which you can re-open and edit anytime.

Example: Save your sheet as Aelric the Apprentice.gcs in a GURPS Characters subfolder inside your User Library.

As you play your GURPS game and your character changes (gains experience, learns new skills, acquires gear) you can edit the sheet at any time. Simply open the file, make your updates, and save again.

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Now that you have a complete, playable character, you can explore GCS’s other features to customize your sheet and speed up your games.

• Building Characters: Check out the deep dives into the Library Explorer and the Character Sheet.
• Notes: Capture campaign notes, backstory, or reminders in Markdown format right on your sheet.
• Page References: Link your PDF GURPS books to the Master Library so you can jump to the exact page for any rule or item.
• Calculator: Quickly determine jumping distances, throwing ranges, and hiking distances.
• Study time: Track your character’s training hours for new skills or spells and see progress toward the next level.

GCS isn’t limited to the Master Library. You can:

• Create your own advantages, disadvantages, skills, and spells.
• Add house-rule gear, traits, or templates for your campaign.
• Save them to your User Library for future use.
• Find other custom content or share them with others on the Discord server.

This guide covers only the basics. To discover more advanced features and tips, browse the rest of the GCS User Guide for detailed instructions and examples.

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