Character Flaws

There is no such thing as perfect all beings have flaws, be it a personality, mental, or physical flaw. Yet, what exactly is a
character flaw? A character flaw is a limitation, imperfection, problem, phobia, or deficiency present in a character that may
be otherwise very functional. (Wikipedia, Character Flaws) Primarily, a character flaw is the part of a character that is or has
a negative aspect.

When it comes to writing it is important to explore character creation and development and give characters realistic traits,
abilities, and personalities. However, while it is easy to give characters merits and boons it is far more difficult giving them
viable flaws. Thats one of the reasons why we compiled this list, to help encourage writers, and role -players, to dig deeper
into character development.

Lets explore flaws a little. As an example, look at the image above. The characters shown are two characters in the Dark
World RPG, Xeno and Tindle. Both characters have distinct flaws, even sharing a few in common. However, this does not
make their flaws the same, nor do these words describe fully the depth and reasoning behind these flaws. Why?

Well, for starters, their writers had to look at their flaws and determine why they have them in the first place. Do these one-
word descriptions completely convey the depth of their personalities? No. Just because Xeno and Tindle are both stubborn
does not mean their level of stubbornness, or reasoning for it, are the same. It can mean different things for different people,
which is why it is important to explore and elaborate on these flaws. Just picking a flaw is the easy part; describing it and
giving it purpose is an entirely different story.

Using the list below can help you find flaws to build your character but your work is not done. Now that you have ideas for
flaws you will have to explain them. What is the flaws purpose? Is it an obstacle for the character to overcome? Is it an
inherent part of them that cannot be changed? Were they born with it? When did this flaw develop if they hadnt initially been
this way? What is the degree and depth of this flaw, and how does it affect the character in daily life? How has it affected
their personality, beliefs, and/or views on the world? How does it influence how they interact with others? What role will this
flaw play in their story? Explain it, explore it, and find purpose.

A common misconception in character building is that players feel they have to use the flaw as defined, or that the flaws are
just black and white with no shades of gray. There are infinite depths to character flaws, and many ways to make such flaws
unique for your character. Explore the possibilities.

Sometimes a flaw can double as a merit, as it has both positive and negative aspects. For example, softhearted is listed as
a flaw, but can also double as a merit. So could practical. Even stubbornness can double as a merit in the right
circumstances. Think about how some of the definitions could double as a merit and a flaw, and use it to your advantage in
your characters development.
o Absentminded Preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of ones immediate surroundings. Abstracted,
daydreaming, inattentive, oblivious, forgetful.
o Abusive Characterized by improper infliction of physical or psychological maltreatment towards another.
o Alcoholic A person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism.
o Addict One who is addicted, as to narcotics or a compulsive activity. (Gambling, drugs, sex, etc. List specific
addiction.)
o Aimless Devoid of direction or purpose.
o Anxious Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous.
o Apathetic Having or showing little or no emotion; indifferent, impassive, cool, unfeeling.
o Arrogant Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self -worth or self -importance. Inclined to social exclusiveness
and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior. Snobbish.
o Audacious Recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; braze, disobedient.
o Bigmouth A loudmouthed or gossipy person.
o Bigot One who is strongly partial to ones own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
o Blunt Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion. Frank, callous, insensitive,
brusque.
o Bold In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or
restraint; rude; impudent. Abrupt, brazen, cheeky, brassy, audacious.
o Callous They are hardened to emotions, rarely showing any form of it in expression. Unfeeling. Cold.
o Childish Marked by or indicating a lack of maturity. Puerile.
o Complex An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear. (List specific complex.)
o Cruel Mean to anyone or anything, without care or regard to consequences and feelings.
o Cursed A person who has befallen a prayer for evil or misfortune, placed under a spell, or borne into an evil
circumstance, and suffers for it. Damned.
o Dependent Unable to exist, sustain oneself, or act appropriately or normally without the assistance or direction of
another.
o Deranged Mentally decayed. Insane. Crazy. Mad. Psychotic.
o Disloyal Lacking loyalty. Unfaithful, perfidious, traitorous, treasonable

o Disability A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents
normal achievement in a particular area. (List the disability or disabilities. Ex: blind, missing limbs, deaf, color blind, no
sense of smell, etc.)
o Disorder An ailment that affects the function of mind or body. (The following link is a list of disorders for you to
explore.) Mental Disorder List.
o Disturbed Showing some or a few signs or symptoms of mental or emotional illness. Confused, disordered, neurotic,
troubled.
o Dubious Fraught with uncertainty or doubt. Undecided, doubtful, unsure.
o Egotistical Characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance. Boastful, pompous, selfish.
o Envious Showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of anothers advantages; covetous, jealous.
o Erratic Deviating from the customary course in conduct or opinion; eccentric: erratic behavior. Eccentric, bizarre,
outlandish, strange.
o Fanaticism Fanatic outlook or behavior especially as exhibited by excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild
and extravagant notions on some subject.
o Fickle Characterized by erratic changeableness or instability, especially with regard to affections or attachments;
capricious.
o Fierce Marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid; fierce loyalty; in a
tearing rage; vehement dislike; violent passions.
o Finicky Excessively particular or fastidious; difficult to please; fussy. Too much concerned with detail. Meticulous,
fastidious, choosy, critical, picky, prissy, persnickety.
o Fixation In psychoanalytic theory, a strong attachment to a person or thing, especially such an attachment formed in
childhood or infancy and manifested in immature or neurotic behavior that persists throughout life. Fetish, quirk,
obsession, infatuation.
o Flirt -To make playfully romantic or sexual overtures; behavior intended to arouse sexual interest. Minx. Tease.
o Fools Love A person who is always falling in love or believes they are in love, for the wrong person or even multiple
people (usually one after another), and typically love at first sight. Star-crossed, ill -fated -love.
o Frail Physically weak and easily broken or damaged. Having delicate health; not robust. Feeble, breakable, sickly,
dainty, brittle, fallible, imperfect, weak.
o Fraudulent Given to or using fraud, as a person; cheating; dishonest. Deceitful, deceptive, crooked, underhanded.
o Gluttonous Given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink. Voracious, ravenous, wolfish, piggish,
insatiable.
o Gruff -Brusque or stern in manner or appearance. Crusty, rough, surly.
 o Gullible Will believe any information given, regardless of how valid or truthful it is, easily deceived or duped.
o Habit A rather revolting personal habit. (List habit picks nose, spits tobacco everywhere, drools profusely, bad body
odor, etc.)
o Hard A person who is difficult to deal with, manage, control, overcome, or understand. Hard emotions, hard hearted.
o Hedonistic Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.
o Hoity-toity Given to flights of fancy; capricious; frivolous. Prone to giddy behavior, flighty.
o Humorless The inability to find humor in things, and most certainly in themselves.
o Hypocritical One who is always contradicting their own beliefs, actions or sayings. A person who professes beliefs
and opinions for others that he does not hold. Being a hypocrite.
o Idealist One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations. One, who is
unrealistic and impractical, guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.
o Idiotic Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless.
o Ignorant Lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact. Showing or arising from a lack of
education or knowledge.
o Illiterate Unable to read and write.
o Impatient Unable to wait patiently or tolerate delay; restless. Unable to endure irritation or opposition; intolerant.
o Impious Lacking piety and reverence for a god/gods and their followers.
o Incompetent Unable to execute tasks, no matter how the size or difficulty.
o Indecisive Characterized by lack of decision and firmness, especially under pressure.
o Indifferent The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally, remaining calm and seeming not to care;
a casual lack of concern. Having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless.
o Infamy Having an extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful,
criminal, or outrageous act that affects how others view them.

Intolerant Unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion and narrow -minded about cherished opinions.
Immature Emotionally undeveloped; juvenile; childish.
Impish Naughtily or annoyingly playful.
Judgmental Inclined to make and form judgments, especially moral or personal ones, based on ones own opinions or
impressions towards others/practices/groups/religions based on appearance, reputation, occupation, etc.
Klutz Clumsy. Blunderer.
Lazy Resistant to work or exertion. Disposed to idleness.
Lewd Inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust or lechery. Lascivious. Obscene or indecent, as language or songs.
Salacious.
Liar Compulsively and purposefully tells false truths more often than not. A person who has lied or who lies repeatedly.
Lustful Driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires.
Masochist The deriving of sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or
emotionally abused. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.
Meddlesome Intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner, given to meddling; interfering.
Meek Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant; humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring
mildness or even cowed submissiveness.
Megalomaniac A psycho pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.
Miser A stingy, avaricious person. Penny pincher, skinflint.
Misogynist A person who hates, dislikes, mistrusts, or mistreats women. Sexist.
Misanthrope A hater of humankind. Misanthropist.
Murderer One guilty of murder; a person who unlawfully kills a human being. Killer, butchered, cutthroat.
Naive Lacking worldly experience and understanding, simple and guileless; showing or characterized by a lack of
sophistication and critical judgment.
Narcissist A person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish.
Nervous Easily agitated or distressed; high -strung or jumpy.
Nonviolent Abstaining from the use of violence.
Nosy Given to prying into the affairs of others; snoopy. Offensively curious or inquisitive.
Obsessive An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.
Oppressive A person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures, to keep down by severe and unjust use of
force or authority.
Overambitious Having a strong excessive desire for success or achievement.
 Overemotional Excessively or abnormally emotional. Sensitive about themselves and others, more so than the average
person.
Overprotective To protect too much; coddle.
Overconfident Excessively confident; presumptuous.
Pacifist Opposition to war or violence as a means of resolving disputes.
Paranoid Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others.
Peevish Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction. Cantankerous, cross, ill -tempered, testy,
captious, discontented, crotchety, cranky, ornery.
Pest One that pesters or annoys, with or without realizing it. Nuisance. Annoying. Nag.
Pessimist A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view.
Perfectionist A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high
standards.
Phobia They have a severe form of fear when it comes to this one thing. (Dark, Spiders, Cats, tight spaces, etc. List
specific phobia.)The Phobia List.
Practical Levelheaded, efficient, no-nonsense.

Precarious Dependent on circumstances beyond ones control; uncertain; unstable; insecure.

Predictable Easily seen through and assessable, where almost anyone can predict reactions and actions of said person
by having met or known them even for a short time.
Proud Filled with or showing excessive self -esteem, and will often shirk help from others for the sake of pride.
Rake An immoral or dissolute person, acting without moral restraint, who defies established religious, social, expected
precepts; a freethinker.
Rebellious Defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
Reckless Heedless. Headstrong. Foolhardy. Unthinking boldness, wild carelessness and disregard for consequences.
Remorseless Without remorse; merciless; pitiless; relentless.
Rigorous Rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard; demanding strict attention to rules and procedures.
Sadist The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional
abuse on others. Deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.
Sarcastic A subtle form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely.
Sadomasochist Both sadist and masochist combined.
Skeptic One who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted
conclusions.
Seducer To lead others astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt. To attempt to lead or draw someone away,
as from principles, faith, or allegiance.
Senile Showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning, esp. short-term memory and
alertness, as a result of old age or disease.
Scoundrel A wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately.
Selfish Concerned chiefly or only with oneself.
Self-Martyr One who purposely makes a great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy from others, as a form of
manipulation, and always for a selfish cause or reason.
Self-righteous Piously sure of ones own righteousness. Moralistic. Exhibiting pious self-assurance. Holier-than-thou,
sanctimonious.
Shallow Lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious.
Smart Ass Thinks they know it all, and in some ways they may, but they can be greatly annoying and difficult to deal
with at times, especially in arguments.
Smug Contentedly confident of ones ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent.
Sociopath A person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, and who lacks a sense
of moral responsibility or social conscience.
Softhearted Having softness or tenderness of heart that can lead them into trouble; susceptible of pity or other kindly
affection. They cannot resist helping someone they see in trouble, suffering or in need, and often dont think of the
repercussions or situation before doing so.
Solemn Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
Spineless Lacking courage. Cowardly, wimp, lily -livered, gutless.
Spiteful Showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite; vindictive person who will look for occasions
for resentment. Vengeful.
 Spoiled Treated with excessive indulgence and pampering from earliest childhood, and has no notion of hard work, self-
care or money management; coddled, pampered. Having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or over -
solicitous attention.
Stubborn Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded. Firmly resolved or determined, Resolute.
Squeamish Excessively fastidious and easily disgusted.
Superstitious An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear from an irrational belief that an object, action, or
circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
Tactless Lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others.
Temperamental Moody, irritable, or sensitive. Excitable, volatile, emotional.
Temptation They have something that tempts, entices, or allures them, that is hard to resist. This could be anything,
and can drive the character to do things of ill nature.
Theatrical Having a flair for over dramatizing situations, doing things in a big way and love to be center stage.
Tongue-tied Speechless or confused in expression, as from shyness, embarrassment, or astonishment.
Timid -Tends to be shy and/or quiet, shrinking away from offering opinions or from strangers and newcomers, fearing
confrontations and violence.
Troublemaker Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble, intentionally or unintentionally.
Ugly Very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance. Uncomely,
unsightly, unlovely, homely.
Unlucky Marked by or causing misfortune; ill-fated. Destined for misfortune; doomed.
Untrustworthy Not worthy of trust or belief. Backstabber.
Unpredictable Difficult to foretell or foresee, their actions are so chaotic its impossible to know what they are going to
do next.
User A person who uses something or someone selfishly or unethically.
Vain Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of their physical appearance. Lovers of themselves. Conceited,
egotistic, narcissistic.
Weak-willed Lacking willpower, strength of will to carry out ones decisions, wishes, or plans. Easily swayed.
Withdrawn Not friendly or sociable. Aloof.
Whore Harlot. A prostitute, a person who is considered sexually promiscuous, considered as having compromised
principles for personal gain.
Zealot An excessively zealous person; fanatic, radical, extremist.