Character Optimization FAQ:

So what am I doing here?

Well, you're obviously reading a FAQ.

So what is this FAQ about then?

This FAQ is here to explain what the Character Optimization board is all about, and to help you on your way to be a productive member of the community.

So what's the point of the board?

To create an area to discuss the topic of min/maxing in D&D.

Min/maxing? How dare you utter such a vile word?

Whoa, chillax there, bro. Min/maxing is just another word for optimization

Well I'd never do such a thing.

And I'm the crown princess of Coca-Cola-stan. Did you take full plate over half-plate because full plate is just better? Yep, that's optimizing. Welcome to the club, kid.

Really? Then what is optimizing?

That's actually a little more complicated a question than it looks like.

It is, at its core, a mathematical exercise. It's about numbers, AC, attack bonus, and so on. The simplest description is min/maxing: Minimizing your weaknesses and maximizing your strengths.

It's more complex than that little soundbite, though. There are no real hard-and-fast rules per se, but here are the pretty much universally agreed-upon rules:
Optimization is always, always, always based on and constrained by the rules. If you're not following the rules, you're cheating. We don't care for that here. If your GM has a houserule or something, though, that's fair game.
Optimization is numerically advantageous. If it's not, it's not really optimization.
Optimization is not opposed to roleplaying. They really are in separate areas of the game. Further, if you want to RP a great warrior, it helps to, well, have your character able to fight level-appropriate challenges.

So what kind of posts are going to be here?

Posts about optimization, of course!

I'm new here. What should I do?

What do you want here?/

I want help with a character

Then you should make a thread and ask. Remember, be clear. "Make me a character" isn't a good thread. The more you give us, the more we can help you. The more mechanical details you give us, the better answers you'll get.

You guys seem cool. I want to become a member of the community here. What should I do?

Well, that's good to hear. The most important thing is to know your books, know the errata, and know the community. If you can do those and follow the forum's code of conduct, I'm sure you'll be fine here.

I hate you evil munchkins! I'm going to start a thread on how evil optimizing is!

Okay. Most minmaxers love arguing almost as much as we enjoy proving how awesome we are. Just remain within the CoC and remember that you're free to have any opinion, just be prepared to defend it.

I hate 3.5! Every thread here should be about 4e, to hell with the 3.5 munchkins!

Well I'm sorry you feel that way. Bring it up with the mods if you want separate forums. This section is not the place for edition warring.

I have a question that wasn't answered in this post!

Okay, post it in the thread and it'll be answered.

Coca-Cola-stan is a free republic!

Technically, it's a "Constitutional Monarchy".

Yeah, sadly it's going a bit further back into the "Monarchy" bit than I like. The Pepsians do need to be kept out at all costs, but I question the means currently in use.