Process of choosing a character

What makes you choose a character or character race in MMO? Is it the overall look and style or is it the description and background of the character that influences you? Love to hear what you think!

For me... I think the overall look and style plays a major part in selecting a character.

I will think about its background

If I have a choice, I will inevitably choose a female character. I tend to go Elven if that racial option is available and either a long range Mage type or a rogue type character. I have no particularly reason for this, I guess I just like Elves :P

In Mass Effect, I took a long time making sure that my FemShep looked like the sort of battle scarred and experienced Commander.

I like very powerful characters with good combat abilities