This month’s Patreon poll has ended, and it’s had quite the effect on Wizard. After all the votes were tallied, it looks as if the gender bending from Classy Quests, Part 4/4 is here to stay. I suppose that makes sense. Wizard has always been a bit of a drama queen, and this character choice is causing intraparty sparks already. I hope that robe of the archmagi was worth it.

It’s been well over a year, but I told you guys about my own experiences with crossplaying way back here. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, I’m using it here to describe opposite-gendered players and PCs. Being an IRL dude, that fashion-obsessed noble lady of mine serves an an example. She’s since escaped Ravenloft and retired, but I think the experiment ended in success. Certainly there wasn’t much in the way of awkwardness at the table. From the stories I hear around the net, however, I think I may have been lucky in that regard.

You know the kind of stereotypical cringe-fest I’m talking about. Dudes playing oversexed lesbians or declaring that, “I flash my boobs for a Persuasion bonus!” give crossplaying a bad name. I suppose that sort of thing can work depending on the group, but more often than not it ends in embarrassed laughter at best and genuine discomfort at worst. That’s exactly the sort of thing I think Fighter is worried about in today’s comic, and it’s that same worry that nearly kept me from giving crossplaying a try.

But you know what guys? When you get beyond that kind of anxiety you open up a lot of interesting character possibilities. The best intraparty romance I’ve ever seen involved a crossplay. Laurel’s current paladin of Cayden Cailean is a frat boy, with predictably hilarious results. I’ve got my eye on a mama bear concept for my next druid, and you can explore some really unconventional territory with the three-sexed Shirren over in Starfinder.

My point here is that, when it comes to tabletop RPGs, it’s possible to take on the kinds of roles that you would never get cast for in traditional drama. That’s an exciting creative possibility, and it’s a shame to shut down so many options for the sake of self-consciousness.

So how about it, guys? Have you tried crossplaying yourself? Have you encountered it out in the wild? Was it a positive experience, or did you come away with a bit of a cringe? Let’s hear your tales of opposite-gendered players and PCs down in the comments!

THIS COMIC SUCKS! IT NEEDS MORE [INSERT OPINION HERE] Is your favorite class missing from the Handbook of Heroes? Maybe you want to see more dragonborn or aarakocra? Then check out the “Quest Giver” reward level over on the The Handbook of Heroes Patreon. You’ll become part of the monthly vote to see which elements get featured in the comic next!