Help the dwarf has Multiple personality disorder

[LordDeath666]

A player in my group want to play a character with multiple personality disorder. Could I get help on how to get that to work

[Lalliman]

1. Think up two or more identities.
2. Switch between them at random times or at times that would lead to interesting plot development.

Is there anything more you need than that? Why would you need homebrew for this? Or does the player actually want the different personalities to have different stats and skills?

[Crisis21]

How to play this depends a lot on what kind of multiple personality disorder your player wants. If they just want to play a character who switches between how they act and interact with others depending on the situation and has no affect on game mechanics, then it's pretty much just flavor and allow them to play it out as they would any other character trait.

If they want something that could affect game mechanics, like say a personality that actually has different skills than the regular one, or a personality that takes control on a failed WIS save, then you may need our help.


For the first one, or any additional benevolent personality the player would be in control over, I'd say give each personality a different Background and hammer out with your player just what circumstances causes the personalities to switch. Feel free to disallow any setup that sounds like it gives far more benefits than problems. Also make sure your player is willing to roleplay this.

For the second, we're probably talking about a malevolent personality (maybe even a possessing spirit!) whose goals are opposed to their main personality's and can take over at the worst possible moment depending on circumstances. It may go as far as you, the DM, taking control of their character whenever the other personality arises. Make sure they are okay with this and if they are, consider allowing them an extra feat if the downsides are potentially severe enough. Make a separate character sheet under the DM's (your) control detailing what the other personality is capable of when it emerges. Who knows? If you want, it could be an entirely different class and have very different ability scores from the normal personality.

Edit: Also, what edition are you playing? I tend to think in 5e terms, so that's what I used above.

[LordDeath666]

I use Pathfinder.

[Jormengand]

With only very minor adjustments, the Splitsoul or Spirit Host might work as a class. Aside from that, it's just a roleplaying thing...

Though if you want it to be realistic dissociative identity disorder, for god's sake read up on it.

[MrNobody]

I use Pathfinder.

If 2 personalities are enough, you could just refluff the Vigilante from Ultimate Intrigue.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/bas...ses/vigilante/

The Splintersoul archetype, that allows really different personalities could fill the need.