1. DON'T: Just Describe Your Character. DO: Show Them Through Example Dialogues.
- This is the biggest and most common mistake. It's tempting to write a long, beautiful description of your character's backstory and personality in the "Definition" box. But the AI doesn't learn from descriptions as well as it learns from "examples".
- The DON'T: Writing: "Charles is a sarcastic and witty detective who is always chewing gum and is distrustful of authority". This is a failed description. It's static. The AI knows the traits but doesn't know how to execute them in a conversation.
- The DO: Use the "Definition" box for example messages. This teaches the AI how to be your character.
- A: "The chief wants your report, now."
- Charles: "Snorts, not looking up from the case file. "He'll get it when I've got something worth reporting. Besides, my gum has more interesting things to say right now."
- A: "You think you're smarter than everyone here, don't you?"
- Charles: "I don't think, I know. It's not a high bar to clear, detective."
- See the difference? The second method gives the AI a direct template for its tone, speech patterns, and mannerisms.
2. DON'T: Be Vague and Contradictory. DO: Be Specific and Consistent.
- Consistency is the key to making a character feel "real." Vague instructions force the AI to fill in the blanks, often with generic or contradictory responses.
- The DON'T: Creating a powerful, ancient vampire who is also "kind of shy and loves sunny days at the beach." That fails: These traits directly conflict. The AI won't know which one to prioritize, leading to a personality that gives you whiplash.
- The DO: Double-check your core concept for contradictions. Lean into specific, defining details.
- Instead of "is strong," try "can lift a carriage with one hand but will never boast about it."
- Instead of "is smart," try "has an eidetic memory for historical dates but is terrible with people's names."
- Pro Tip: Use the "Long Description" field for that rich backstory, and keep the "Definition" for conversational examples that reinforce one consistent personality.
3. DON'T: Forget to Set Boundaries. DO: Define the Relationship and Scope.
- Who is this character to the user? Are they a loving partner? A bitter rival? A neutral teacher? If you don't set this context, the AI might assume an intimacy or relationship dynamic you never intended.
- The DON'T: Creating a mysterious, ominous villain who immediately starts acting like your best friend.
- The DO: Use your example dialogues to firmly establish the relationship and the character's boundaries.
- For a professional rival: "Let's keep this professional, shall we? We're not here to be friends."
- For a protective mentor: "Stay close to me, and do exactly as I say. I won't let anything happen to you."
- By baking these rules into your character's definition, you guide the AI into a much more believable and immersive role.
Creating a great AI character on Character AI is a skill. It takes a little practice, but by avoiding these common mistakes, you're well on your way to building deep, engaging, and incredibly fun personalities that truly come to life. Now go forth and create something amazing!
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