Character Sheet preferences [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Sheet preferences [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Artector
10-12-07, 06:26 PM What's your preference, printed character sheets, handwritten, digital?

I've always preferred a handwritten (on notebook paper) sheet or a character sheet made completely in Word with text boxes. Though I do print them out.

The only thing I don't like are the 'standard' sheets. They don't fit my wrtiting style, and with how they are made now they don't fit my play style. They seem to be a dependency to some people though, and I can't figure out why. That's not the issue though, as long as I can play my character, they can play theirs.
Shiftkitty
10-12-07, 08:51 PM I prefer to hand write mine, as do a couple of my players. Info goes where you want it to, there's plenty of room for notes, and you don't get saddled with info you really don't need recorded, like most of the biographical information on the top. Gender? Religion? Ht? Wt? Eye/hair color? Sweet crap! Just ask the player if you want to know! It's his creation, after all. If he has a habit of forgetting, he'll write it down. Otherwise, all that space can be used for other things. Also, the skill list. Just record the skills you have. Anything that can be used untrained should be on a quick-reference chart with the DM.

Every now and then, though, I start to design my own sheets in Filemaker Pro. Then I get distracted and never quite finish.
KillerGM
10-12-07, 09:18 PM Yeah, I hate the standard sheet. So needlessly complicated (and counter-intuitive for me - I always put skill ranks before I put ability score mods!!).

My husband designed sheets in word, and I like to fill them out by hand. Everything is so much simpler, and I really only understand the calculations for everything if I do it myself.

Plus, there are too many dang pages!

One of the people I play with swears by a computer program, but it's just not my thing.

I was flattered when one of the players at the table (when we were beginning a new campaign that I wasn't running) acutally asked me for one of "my" character sheets. :D
zzo38computer
10-13-07, 06:41 PM I print out blank forms from the computer, and write in the stuff by hand. Things that won't fit on the page go to a blank lined page printed also from the computer and stapled to the rest of the pages. If I need even more room, things can be written on the back of the paper.
Ikeman04
10-13-07, 07:25 PM I actually like the standard character sheets. They work just fine for me.
trappedslider
10-13-07, 08:24 PM I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO
psilontech
10-13-07, 08:30 PM I used to print off character sheets, but eventually found them just too inefficient, at least from my point of view, for my tastes. Added to the fact that I don't think I've EVER had a printer in my life, despite having a $1,200 custom computer (Built by me), it was just too much of a hassle to go to other people to print them off.

Currently, the vast majority of my character sheets are in notebooks, but I have recently begun making my characters on these nifty little 3x5 Index Cards! :D
I write small to begin with, so I guess unless I'm playing a skill monkey caster with a bunch of items, I won't even have to write on the back! :p

Most of the 3x5 characters are currently low level though, so it would be interesting to see how I put all that extra info without defaulting to the unruled back ;)
Everdreaming
10-13-07, 10:15 PM I usually write mine on blank word documents. Really easy to make changes and no eraser marks. It usually takes about half a day of light work on it to complete it, with little additions here and there. What I really prefer about it is that I can add extra statisitcs or homebrew stuff if I need to. For example, I once had a shaper, and I added all of the astral construct info to my char sheet, for easy acess.
DMDaddy
10-14-07, 12:59 PM I usually use the standard character sheets, but my players have been complaining about space issues. Not enough space to include all the important info they want. This has led me to start making my own character sheet designs on Word.
mycroftb
10-14-07, 01:10 PM I like using a printed PDF form sheet, most recently I've been using The Singin' Sheet, as it doesn't require the full version of Acrobat to use. It can be a little cumbersome setting up the first time, and there are glitches, but it's not specialized enough that I can't work my way around it. Once it's set up, it's pretty easy to make minor modifications as I level.

The only modification I've done to it is replacing the "character portrait" part of the 4-page Eberron sheet with a table and brief explanation of turning undead. (I play a cleric.) I can't draw, so this is a bit more useful to me. I haven't figured out a way to do that in-sheet, though, so I use the old standby of scissors and tape.

I prefer printed things mostly, as they're more legible than my scribbling. But I do keep track of my inventory, spell lists, and hit points handwritten on lined notebook paper.
Papapop
10-14-07, 02:29 PM I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO

true that, so much clearer and more precise the the standard
metalmayhem80110
10-15-07, 02:50 AM I honestly would prefer to have standard DnD character sheets. But with how messy I am, I believe that I would tend to lose them, so I have it all on my laptop (I hope I don't manage to lose my laptop)
Aryxbez
10-15-07, 06:29 PM I like using the 3.0 ones, at least the back of it looks nifty, also since that is all I had for my cleric character.

Otherwise I prefer the 3.5 deluxe ones, it came with modern deluxe as well. It has a folder of art with the sorceror, Gimble, and a ranger, about to face off against Bale in his might skull/body filled lair. It also has the Bab,saves and Xp needed to level up.

However when it gets right down to it, I'm sure I will use anything in any gaming group that I might someday play in. Only problem I have with free writing one, is the skills, I don't like having to write out the columns and then write the skills. Saves more time just to have them already present to you.
trappedslider
10-15-07, 07:00 PM Once i can afford to,I plan to purchuse a copy of adobe and acturally just use the laptop to do my chaarcters on......
HermitIX
10-16-07, 12:06 PM Many years ago I was in a game where one of the players made a sheet in word. I have been using that one for years. It has changed a little over the years, I did the 3.5 update on it, and I revamped the spell page, and added an animal companion/familiar box. I print out a sheet before each game, write all over it, then bring it home and update the document on my computer.
branmakmuffin
10-16-07, 12:56 PM I prefer to hand write mine, as do a couple of my players. Info goes where you want it to, there's plenty of room for notes, and you don't get saddled with info you really don't need recorded, like most of the biographical information on the top. Gender? Religion? Ht? Wt? Eye/hair color? Sweet crap! Just ask the player if you want to know! It's his creation, after all. If he has a habit of forgetting, he'll write it down. Otherwise, all that space can be used for other things.
On the side note of things that don't need to go on a character sheet, add current money and current hit points. I can't fathom why people erase and re-write these things on their character sheet, because they invariably wind up erasing a hole in the paper.
Ariakus
10-16-07, 01:54 PM I prefer some of the standards, though I usually pick the one's specifically made for the class I'm using so that it is more detailed and streamlined for my character.

On the side note of things that don't need to go on a character sheet, add current money and current hit points. I can't fathom why people erase and re-write these things on their character sheet, because they invariably wind up erasing a hole in the paper.

I usually, if I play them long enough to get to the levels of "holeyness" such as that, I will usually create a new one just to clean it up anyway, so erasing holes into the paper doesn't bother me because I'm a neat freak and must have a clean sheet :rolleyes:
FrostWolf
10-16-07, 02:18 PM Hmm... Anyone know where I can find a few good sheets? preferably with room for more than four weapons? I tend to hold onto anything weapony I come across, even my mages end up with bandoleers and knife vests, with clubs and blades sprouting out of their packs.

Or maybe ones designed for multiclassing/Prcs?

Thank you in advanced.
branmakmuffin
10-16-07, 05:31 PM I usually, if I play them long enough to get to the levels of "holeyness" such as that, I will usually create a new one just to clean it up anyway, so erasing holes into the paper doesn't bother me because I'm a neat freak and must have a clean sheet :rolleyes:
You know, this really is something that demands a no-holds-barred, gloves-off, knock-down, drag-out confrontation. I can't believe you don't see the utterly Earth-shattering implications of erasing holes in your character sheet.

But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets.

And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat).
trappedslider
10-16-07, 06:02 PM But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets.

And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat).

I plan to invest in this due to my hand wirtting skills.....It makes kindergradners cry

BTW how you erse a hole in a hcarcter sheet,thought you could only look thru holes,lol
branmakmuffin
10-16-07, 10:07 PM I plan to invest in this due to my hand wirtting skills.....It makes kindergradners cry
Not sure what it costs these days. My wife has version 4 and I think the latest version is 8.

BTW how you erse a hole in a hcarcter sheet,thought you could only look thru holes,lol
You need the right kind of eraser. It violates the laws of physics, but it works.
bone_naga
10-17-07, 03:39 AM I like to handwrite mine, and then I usually go onto the comp and put them into ms word.

I don't like to have extra stuff cluttering it up. Plus, my char always seems to end up with things that don't fit anywhere on the premade sheets.
deathbane
10-17-07, 08:27 AM I like the eberron character sheets, but I use an index card or some other piece of paper when I am playing so I don't have to remake it from all the erasing and rewriting.
Ornum
10-17-07, 09:39 AM No preference, really. Usually, I'll use E-Tools, but that gets annoying when I try to use something out of a book that the program doesn't have a toolset for. I've been known to use completely handwritten sheets on notebook paper, fill out printed sheets, or even completely type out a new character using either Excel or Word.
Thevail
10-17-07, 12:21 PM One of our players tweaked the sheet so that it prints out on a legal sheet and folds in half. We all love it because you can stick it in a book and not crunch the edges. Also he made the parts where you actually need to write things down bigger which was quite a relief. We usually use his.
branmakmuffin
10-17-07, 01:11 PM I like the eberron character sheets, but I use an index card or some other piece of paper when I am playing so I don't have to remake it from all the erasing and rewriting.
Ah, a fellow erasing hater. Hail and well met.

As I implied before, I keep track of all changing things, hit points, money, arrows, potions, on a separate piece of paper, then update and reprint the master PDF as needed. Sometimes every game session, but usually not that often. That also makes it easy to give the DM a "snap shot" of my PC if necessary.
Ariakus
10-17-07, 02:59 PM You know, this really is something that demands a no-holds-barred, gloves-off, knock-down, drag-out confrontation. I can't believe you don't see the utterly Earth-shattering implications of erasing holes in your character sheet.

But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets.

:duel:

And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat).

I too enjoy the PDF's, I use them at work all the time and ever since finding a few interactives on the web, I often use these for my online games. But table top games still require me to use pen and paper, so I still abuse physics and erase holes...isn't that a black hole? A vacuum strong enough to devour even itself???:eek:
Shiftkitty
10-17-07, 03:26 PM No preference, really. Usually, I'll use E-Tools, but that gets annoying when I try to use something out of a book that the program doesn't have a toolset for. I've been known to use completely handwritten sheets on notebook paper, fill out printed sheets, or even completely type out a new character using either Excel or Word.

I have e-Tools and I really don't like the sheets. They seem formatted to print not on an 81/2 by 11 sheet, but on an 81/2 by 12. You get one page full of information, and then a one page with a one or two line bit on the top. Then another full page, then just a smidgen, etc. I've checked my settings and I'm where I need to be. It was the same problem with the earlier disc that came with the 3.0 PHB.

Also, I can't get previews on e-Tools anymore. Something got glitched, and I've tried reinstalling, but it's no-go. I can't add or edit things anymore, either.
Ornum
10-17-07, 06:06 PM I have e-Tools and I really don't like the sheets. They seem formatted to print not on an 81/2 by 11 sheet, but on an 81/2 by 12. You get one page full of information, and then a one page with a one or two line bit on the top. Then another full page, then just a smidgen, etc. I've checked my settings and I'm where I need to be. It was the same problem with the earlier disc that came with the 3.0 PHB.

Also, I can't get previews on e-Tools anymore. Something got glitched, and I've tried reinstalling, but it's no-go. I can't add or edit things anymore, either.

That...sucks. I, too, have the problem with the whole "extra inch on another page", but that is remedied by using the preview feature to resize the sheet. Of course, since you can no longer preview, obviously you can't do that. I don't have the knowledge to even try to tell you how to fix it (though it probably depends on which version you have and whether or not you have the correct patches installed).
branmakmuffin
10-17-07, 08:53 PM :duel:
I know something you don't: I am not left-handed.

:duel:
Board_Rider
10-17-07, 09:02 PM Standard sheet works for me. Especially the ones geared for the specific class.
Shiftkitty
10-18-07, 08:40 AM Ornum- I haven't even looked for patches! Argh! There I am, overlooking my own nose again! Thanks. I've made a few changes to my computer, all minor ones. Maybe one of those changes messed something up in just the right way. And I had forgotten about resizing in the print window! Duhhhhhhh..... me like use kompooter......(bangs fist on keyboard) SMASHY SMASHY!:)
FRRC
10-18-07, 10:38 AM I know something you don't: I am not left-handed.

:duel:

Oh yeah? Well, I know something you don't: Neither am I

:duel:
branmakmuffin
10-18-07, 10:55 AM Oh yeah? Well, I know something you don't: Neither am I

:duel:
Did anyone ever tell you'd make a great Dread Pirate Roberts? :tiphat:
Ariakus
10-18-07, 11:00 AM I know something you don't: I am not left-handed.

:duel:

Be wary...I am ambidextrous

:pint:
branmakmuffin
10-18-07, 12:08 PM Be wary...I am ambidextrous

:pint:
You can call me wary, just don't call me late for dinner.

:mrt:
CipherTheory
10-18-07, 12:33 PM Um... back on topic...

I make my own using mad photoshop skills. I print them out on standard paper, front and back, and can usually keep everything I need for any character, regardless of level, on it. If I run into a situation where I have to keep track of something not included on my current sheet, use scratch paper. If it's something I'll regularly have to keep track of, I can always just go edit the sheet so that there's a place for it.

I write big, so this solution works best for me. Additionally, I like editing the sheet every level or two. It's fun, because I keep each one of each version so that I can see how the sheet has changed over the life of the character. It's not for everyone, but I like it.

I've also made versions for players who are unsatisfied with or have trouble with the standard sheet. This is usually because they don't like how things are ordered, but it one case I made one to allow for uber-space for certain things since that player has a hard time seeing small print in in-door lighting conditions. These don't evolve the way mine do, but the players appreciate them.
branmakmuffin
10-18-07, 12:39 PM I've also made versions for players who are unsatisfied with or have trouble with the standard sheet. This is usually because they don't like how things are ordered, but it one case I made one to allow for uber-space for certain things since that player has a hard time seeing small print in in-door lighting conditions. These don't evolve the way mine do, but the players appreciate them.
In ye Olden Dayes, the official TSR class-specific sheets were hopelessly worthless. They had stuff (I don't remember exactly what) that was never used, and didn't have room fior stuff you needed. Again, I don't remember exactly what, but I remember being frustrated by both situations back in the day (when we also had to walk barefoot through the snow, uphill both ways, so we could draw chits carved on mammoth hide from a bowl made from a bison's pelvis).
Thevail
10-18-07, 01:03 PM Here's a special sheet for DMs. My group's DM finds it really useful to know what we did/didn't do and where we leave off and start again. Just thought I'd show and tell.

D&D DMs Sheet

Adventure: (date: )

Basic Plot:

PCs:
Name: AC: HP: +XP(bonus XP awards)
(add as many as needed)

Main NPCs:

Monsters/book/page:

Initiative: (for each encounter) Initiative: Initiative:

Magic Items (unidentified)

What did the PCs miss?

What did the PCs figure out?
PonTelon
10-18-07, 02:00 PM I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO

Amen. I always used his normal D&D character sheets, but I'm falling in love with his Ultimate Character Sheets(It's right under the normal D&D ones). Clear, concise, and all together.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Artector 10-12-07, 06:26 PM	What's your preference, printed character sheets, handwritten, digital? I've always preferred a handwritten (on notebook paper) sheet or a character sheet made completely in Word with text boxes. Though I do print them out. The only thing I don't like are the 'standard' sheets. They don't fit my wrtiting style, and with how they are made now they don't fit my play style. They seem to be a dependency to some people though, and I can't figure out why. That's not the issue though, as long as I can play my character, they can play theirs.
Shiftkitty 10-12-07, 08:51 PM	I prefer to hand write mine, as do a couple of my players. Info goes where you want it to, there's plenty of room for notes, and you don't get saddled with info you really don't need recorded, like most of the biographical information on the top. Gender? Religion? Ht? Wt? Eye/hair color? Sweet crap! Just ask the player if you want to know! It's his creation, after all. If he has a habit of forgetting, he'll write it down. Otherwise, all that space can be used for other things. Also, the skill list. Just record the skills you have. Anything that can be used untrained should be on a quick-reference chart with the DM. Every now and then, though, I start to design my own sheets in Filemaker Pro. Then I get distracted and never quite finish.
KillerGM 10-12-07, 09:18 PM	Yeah, I hate the standard sheet. So needlessly complicated (and counter-intuitive for me - I always put skill ranks before I put ability score mods!!). My husband designed sheets in word, and I like to fill them out by hand. Everything is so much simpler, and I really only understand the calculations for everything if I do it myself. Plus, there are too many dang pages! One of the people I play with swears by a computer program, but it's just not my thing. I was flattered when one of the players at the table (when we were beginning a new campaign that I wasn't running) acutally asked me for one of "my" character sheets. :D
zzo38computer 10-13-07, 06:41 PM	I print out blank forms from the computer, and write in the stuff by hand. Things that won't fit on the page go to a blank lined page printed also from the computer and stapled to the rest of the pages. If I need even more room, things can be written on the back of the paper.
Ikeman04 10-13-07, 07:25 PM	I actually like the standard character sheets. They work just fine for me.
trappedslider 10-13-07, 08:24 PM	I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO
psilontech 10-13-07, 08:30 PM	I used to print off character sheets, but eventually found them just too inefficient, at least from my point of view, for my tastes. Added to the fact that I don't think I've EVER had a printer in my life, despite having a $1,200 custom computer (Built by me), it was just too much of a hassle to go to other people to print them off. Currently, the vast majority of my character sheets are in notebooks, but I have recently begun making my characters on these nifty little 3x5 Index Cards! :D I write small to begin with, so I guess unless I'm playing a skill monkey caster with a bunch of items, I won't even have to write on the back! :p Most of the 3x5 characters are currently low level though, so it would be interesting to see how I put all that extra info without defaulting to the unruled back ;)
Everdreaming 10-13-07, 10:15 PM	I usually write mine on blank word documents. Really easy to make changes and no eraser marks. It usually takes about half a day of light work on it to complete it, with little additions here and there. What I really prefer about it is that I can add extra statisitcs or homebrew stuff if I need to. For example, I once had a shaper, and I added all of the astral construct info to my char sheet, for easy acess.
DMDaddy 10-14-07, 12:59 PM	I usually use the standard character sheets, but my players have been complaining about space issues. Not enough space to include all the important info they want. This has led me to start making my own character sheet designs on Word.
mycroftb 10-14-07, 01:10 PM	I like using a printed PDF form sheet, most recently I've been using The Singin' Sheet, as it doesn't require the full version of Acrobat to use. It can be a little cumbersome setting up the first time, and there are glitches, but it's not specialized enough that I can't work my way around it. Once it's set up, it's pretty easy to make minor modifications as I level. The only modification I've done to it is replacing the "character portrait" part of the 4-page Eberron sheet with a table and brief explanation of turning undead. (I play a cleric.) I can't draw, so this is a bit more useful to me. I haven't figured out a way to do that in-sheet, though, so I use the old standby of scissors and tape. I prefer printed things mostly, as they're more legible than my scribbling. But I do keep track of my inventory, spell lists, and hit points handwritten on lined notebook paper.
Papapop 10-14-07, 02:29 PM	I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO true that, so much clearer and more precise the the standard
metalmayhem80110 10-15-07, 02:50 AM	I honestly would prefer to have standard DnD character sheets. But with how messy I am, I believe that I would tend to lose them, so I have it all on my laptop (I hope I don't manage to lose my laptop)
Aryxbez 10-15-07, 06:29 PM	I like using the 3.0 ones, at least the back of it looks nifty, also since that is all I had for my cleric character. Otherwise I prefer the 3.5 deluxe ones, it came with modern deluxe as well. It has a folder of art with the sorceror, Gimble, and a ranger, about to face off against Bale in his might skull/body filled lair. It also has the Bab,saves and Xp needed to level up. However when it gets right down to it, I'm sure I will use anything in any gaming group that I might someday play in. Only problem I have with free writing one, is the skills, I don't like having to write out the columns and then write the skills. Saves more time just to have them already present to you.
trappedslider 10-15-07, 07:00 PM	Once i can afford to,I plan to purchuse a copy of adobe and acturally just use the laptop to do my chaarcters on......
HermitIX 10-16-07, 12:06 PM	Many years ago I was in a game where one of the players made a sheet in word. I have been using that one for years. It has changed a little over the years, I did the 3.5 update on it, and I revamped the spell page, and added an animal companion/familiar box. I print out a sheet before each game, write all over it, then bring it home and update the document on my computer.
branmakmuffin 10-16-07, 12:56 PM	I prefer to hand write mine, as do a couple of my players. Info goes where you want it to, there's plenty of room for notes, and you don't get saddled with info you really don't need recorded, like most of the biographical information on the top. Gender? Religion? Ht? Wt? Eye/hair color? Sweet crap! Just ask the player if you want to know! It's his creation, after all. If he has a habit of forgetting, he'll write it down. Otherwise, all that space can be used for other things. On the side note of things that don't need to go on a character sheet, add current money and current hit points. I can't fathom why people erase and re-write these things on their character sheet, because they invariably wind up erasing a hole in the paper.
Ariakus 10-16-07, 01:54 PM	I prefer some of the standards, though I usually pick the one's specifically made for the class I'm using so that it is more detailed and streamlined for my character. On the side note of things that don't need to go on a character sheet, add current money and current hit points. I can't fathom why people erase and re-write these things on their character sheet, because they invariably wind up erasing a hole in the paper. I usually, if I play them long enough to get to the levels of "holeyness" such as that, I will usually create a new one just to clean it up anyway, so erasing holes into the paper doesn't bother me because I'm a neat freak and must have a clean sheet :rolleyes:
FrostWolf 10-16-07, 02:18 PM	Hmm... Anyone know where I can find a few good sheets? preferably with room for more than four weapons? I tend to hold onto anything weapony I come across, even my mages end up with bandoleers and knife vests, with clubs and blades sprouting out of their packs. Or maybe ones designed for multiclassing/Prcs? Thank you in advanced.
branmakmuffin 10-16-07, 05:31 PM	I usually, if I play them long enough to get to the levels of "holeyness" such as that, I will usually create a new one just to clean it up anyway, so erasing holes into the paper doesn't bother me because I'm a neat freak and must have a clean sheet :rolleyes: You know, this really is something that demands a no-holds-barred, gloves-off, knock-down, drag-out confrontation. I can't believe you don't see the utterly Earth-shattering implications of erasing holes in your character sheet. But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets. And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat).
trappedslider 10-16-07, 06:02 PM	But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets. And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat). I plan to invest in this due to my hand wirtting skills.....It makes kindergradners cry BTW how you erse a hole in a hcarcter sheet,thought you could only look thru holes,lol
branmakmuffin 10-16-07, 10:07 PM	I plan to invest in this due to my hand wirtting skills.....It makes kindergradners cry Not sure what it costs these days. My wife has version 4 and I think the latest version is 8. BTW how you erse a hole in a hcarcter sheet,thought you could only look thru holes,lol You need the right kind of eraser. It violates the laws of physics, but it works.
bone_naga 10-17-07, 03:39 AM	I like to handwrite mine, and then I usually go onto the comp and put them into ms word. I don't like to have extra stuff cluttering it up. Plus, my char always seems to end up with things that don't fit anywhere on the premade sheets.
deathbane 10-17-07, 08:27 AM	I like the eberron character sheets, but I use an index card or some other piece of paper when I am playing so I don't have to remake it from all the erasing and rewriting.
Ornum 10-17-07, 09:39 AM	No preference, really. Usually, I'll use E-Tools, but that gets annoying when I try to use something out of a book that the program doesn't have a toolset for. I've been known to use completely handwritten sheets on notebook paper, fill out printed sheets, or even completely type out a new character using either Excel or Word.
Thevail 10-17-07, 12:21 PM	One of our players tweaked the sheet so that it prints out on a legal sheet and folds in half. We all love it because you can stick it in a book and not crunch the edges. Also he made the parts where you actually need to write things down bigger which was quite a relief. We usually use his.
branmakmuffin 10-17-07, 01:11 PM	I like the eberron character sheets, but I use an index card or some other piece of paper when I am playing so I don't have to remake it from all the erasing and rewriting. Ah, a fellow erasing hater. Hail and well met. As I implied before, I keep track of all changing things, hit points, money, arrows, potions, on a separate piece of paper, then update and reprint the master PDF as needed. Sometimes every game session, but usually not that often. That also makes it easy to give the DM a "snap shot" of my PC if necessary.
Ariakus 10-17-07, 02:59 PM	You know, this really is something that demands a no-holds-barred, gloves-off, knock-down, drag-out confrontation. I can't believe you don't see the utterly Earth-shattering implications of erasing holes in your character sheet. But, if you insist, I'll let it drop, as long as you don't try to erase holes in my character sheets. :duel: And to the topic of the thread, I like interactive PDFs (my wife happens to own Acrobat, so I can save them with the data). Then I update and print out a new copy as needed. That's not a good option for most, though (unless you want to spend the bucks on Acrobat). I too enjoy the PDF's, I use them at work all the time and ever since finding a few interactives on the web, I often use these for my online games. But table top games still require me to use pen and paper, so I still abuse physics and erase holes...isn't that a black hole? A vacuum strong enough to devour even itself???:eek:
Shiftkitty 10-17-07, 03:26 PM	No preference, really. Usually, I'll use E-Tools, but that gets annoying when I try to use something out of a book that the program doesn't have a toolset for. I've been known to use completely handwritten sheets on notebook paper, fill out printed sheets, or even completely type out a new character using either Excel or Word. I have e-Tools and I really don't like the sheets. They seem formatted to print not on an 81/2 by 11 sheet, but on an 81/2 by 12. You get one page full of information, and then a one page with a one or two line bit on the top. Then another full page, then just a smidgen, etc. I've checked my settings and I'm where I need to be. It was the same problem with the earlier disc that came with the 3.0 PHB. Also, I can't get previews on e-Tools anymore. Something got glitched, and I've tried reinstalling, but it's no-go. I can't add or edit things anymore, either.
Ornum 10-17-07, 06:06 PM	I have e-Tools and I really don't like the sheets. They seem formatted to print not on an 81/2 by 11 sheet, but on an 81/2 by 12. You get one page full of information, and then a one page with a one or two line bit on the top. Then another full page, then just a smidgen, etc. I've checked my settings and I'm where I need to be. It was the same problem with the earlier disc that came with the 3.0 PHB. Also, I can't get previews on e-Tools anymore. Something got glitched, and I've tried reinstalling, but it's no-go. I can't add or edit things anymore, either. That...sucks. I, too, have the problem with the whole "extra inch on another page", but that is remedied by using the preview feature to resize the sheet. Of course, since you can no longer preview, obviously you can't do that. I don't have the knowledge to even try to tell you how to fix it (though it probably depends on which version you have and whether or not you have the correct patches installed).
branmakmuffin 10-17-07, 08:53 PM	:duel: I know something you don't: I am not left-handed. :duel:
Board_Rider 10-17-07, 09:02 PM	Standard sheet works for me. Especially the ones geared for the specific class.
Shiftkitty 10-18-07, 08:40 AM	Ornum- I haven't even looked for patches! Argh! There I am, overlooking my own nose again! Thanks. I've made a few changes to my computer, all minor ones. Maybe one of those changes messed something up in just the right way. And I had forgotten about resizing in the print window! Duhhhhhhh..... me like use kompooter......(bangs fist on keyboard) SMASHY SMASHY!:)
FRRC 10-18-07, 10:38 AM	I know something you don't: I am not left-handed. :duel: Oh yeah? Well, I know something you don't: Neither am I :duel:
branmakmuffin 10-18-07, 10:55 AM	Oh yeah? Well, I know something you don't: Neither am I :duel: Did anyone ever tell you'd make a great Dread Pirate Roberts? :tiphat:
Ariakus 10-18-07, 11:00 AM	I know something you don't: I am not left-handed. :duel: Be wary...I am ambidextrous :pint:
branmakmuffin 10-18-07, 12:08 PM	Be wary...I am ambidextrous :pint: You can call me wary, just don't call me late for dinner. :mrt:
CipherTheory 10-18-07, 12:33 PM	Um... back on topic... I make my own using mad photoshop skills. I print them out on standard paper, front and back, and can usually keep everything I need for any character, regardless of level, on it. If I run into a situation where I have to keep track of something not included on my current sheet, use scratch paper. If it's something I'll regularly have to keep track of, I can always just go edit the sheet so that there's a place for it. I write big, so this solution works best for me. Additionally, I like editing the sheet every level or two. It's fun, because I keep each one of each version so that I can see how the sheet has changed over the life of the character. It's not for everyone, but I like it. I've also made versions for players who are unsatisfied with or have trouble with the standard sheet. This is usually because they don't like how things are ordered, but it one case I made one to allow for uber-space for certain things since that player has a hard time seeing small print in in-door lighting conditions. These don't evolve the way mine do, but the players appreciate them.
branmakmuffin 10-18-07, 12:39 PM	I've also made versions for players who are unsatisfied with or have trouble with the standard sheet. This is usually because they don't like how things are ordered, but it one case I made one to allow for uber-space for certain things since that player has a hard time seeing small print in in-door lighting conditions. These don't evolve the way mine do, but the players appreciate them. In ye Olden Dayes, the official TSR class-specific sheets were hopelessly worthless. They had stuff (I don't remember exactly what) that was never used, and didn't have room fior stuff you needed. Again, I don't remember exactly what, but I remember being frustrated by both situations back in the day (when we also had to walk barefoot through the snow, uphill both ways, so we could draw chits carved on mammoth hide from a bowl made from a bison's pelvis).
Thevail 10-18-07, 01:03 PM	Here's a special sheet for DMs. My group's DM finds it really useful to know what we did/didn't do and where we leave off and start again. Just thought I'd show and tell. D&D DMs Sheet Adventure: (date: ) Basic Plot: PCs: Name: AC: HP: +XP(bonus XP awards) (add as many as needed) Main NPCs: Monsters/book/page: Initiative: (for each encounter) Initiative: Initiative: Magic Items (unidentified) What did the PCs miss? What did the PCs figure out?
PonTelon 10-18-07, 02:00 PM	I like the character sheets made by Mad irish man...those are the best IMHO Amen. I always used his normal D&D character sheets, but I'm falling in love with his Ultimate Character Sheets(It's right under the normal D&D ones). Clear, concise, and all together.