Ways to use this list
- Planning a story arc: spin a flaw at the start, then choose the moment near the end that forces the character to beat it, or be beaten by it.
- Tabletop characters: give each player's hero one spun flaw, and reward the player whenever they act on it even when it costs the group.
- Fairy-tale rewrites: pupils spin a flaw for a classic hero and retell the tale. Little Red Riding Hood already shows what "trusts strangers too quickly" can do.
- Villains: spin from Big story flaws to find what drives your villain; "wants revenge more than justice" explains a lot of terrible choices.
- Drama warm-up: each actor spins a flaw and orders a sandwich in character, while the audience tries to guess the flaw.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (50 entries)
- Can't keep a secret
- Always late
- Interrupts people
- Never admits being wrong
- Gives up when bored
- Brags about small things
- Can't say no
- Holds a grudge for years
- Can't resist anything shiny
- Talks too much when nervous
- Exaggerates every story
- Hates sharing
- Leaves everything to the last minute
- Gets jealous easily
- Sulks after losing
- Bossy in group work
- Trusts strangers too quickly
- Forgets promises
- Judges people at first sight
- Copies whatever friends do
- Too proud to ask for help
- Wants revenge more than justice
- Afraid of being ordinary
- Needs everyone to like them
- Believes they are always right
- Can't forgive themselves
- Will do anything to win
- Hides the truth to stay safe
- Trusts no one
- Runs from responsibility
- Craves power
- Lives in the past
- Takes risks to feel brave
- Blames others for their own mistakes
- Defends their family even when the family is wrong
- Rushes in without a plan
- Tries to save everyone alone
- Obeys orders without question
- Overconfident after one win
- Can't see the bigger picture
- Doubts their own gift
- Keeps a dangerous secret
- Puts duty above friends
- Hot-tempered under pressure
- Refuses to retreat
- Easily flattered
- Too honest for their own good
- Afraid of their own power
- Takes every insult personally
- Feels like a fraud
Questions people ask
What is a character flaw?
A flaw is a weakness in a character's personality that causes problems for them or the people around them. It gives a story friction: something to struggle against, learn from or be undone by.
How many flaws should a main character have?
One major flaw that shapes the plot, plus one or two small everyday ones for colour, works for most stories. Pile on too many and readers stop caring what happens to them.
What is a fatal flaw?
It is the flaw that brings about a character's downfall, an idea that goes back to the tragedies of ancient Greece. Pride is the most famous example, and it still drives plenty of modern stories.
What is the difference between a flaw and a problem?
A flaw is inside the character; a problem comes from outside. Press Character problems for outside trouble, such as a lost family heirloom, and watch how the flaw makes it worse.