Chargenweiser

Chargenweiser is a term used in German-language gaming communities to denote a guide or tool that assists players during character generation (chargen) for tabletop and digital role-playing games. The word combines chargen, short for character generation, with Weiser, meaning adviser or guide, and is used informally rather than as a formal game term. Because it is not standardized, its exact scope can vary between communities and games.

In practice, a chargenweiser may take the form of a checklist, flowchart, interactive wizard, wiki page, or in-game tutorial. Its purpose is to help players select attributes, skills, backgrounds, equipment, and bonuses in a way that fits the chosen game system, while reducing decision fatigue and maintaining balance or coherence with the setting. It can also provide clarifications about rules interactions and terminology to support new players.

Relation to the chargen process often centers on guiding decision order, offering recommended options, and defining guardrails to avoid incompatible or overpowered combinations. A chargenweiser may be published as a standalone resource, hosted as a community page, or integrated into a game's digital character creator.

Variations exist across genres and systems, reflecting different design goals such as speed, complexity, or narrative flexibility. As a loosely defined concept, chargenweiser resources are most helpful when they align with a specific game's ruleset and common playstyle. See also: character creation, chargen, role-playing game tools.