Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Chloralhydra Apr 05, 2014 23:51:11	I was thrilled when I received my 4th Edition books a couple of years ago, but I was even more excited by the advertisement for D&D Insider at the back of theMonster Manual.  They show a lap top open with a digital dungeon on the screen (complete with Beholder & Dwarven Fighter "minis" and "dungeon tiles").  It looked amazing to me; at the back of the Player's Handbook and DM's guide were more laptop pictures featuring a 3D character generator and another dungeon tiles/miniature 3D environment - just what I had always longed for as a DM. So last July I got a year subscription to D&DI only to discover that it was the most expensive, horrible decision I could have made when it came to my gaming experience...D&DI SUCKS.  There is nothing at all like what is advertised at the back of the PG/DMG/MM; after many frustrating hours of scouring the website I found nothing close to what the advertisement depicted. Look at the pictures in the back of those books and tell me that isn't false advertising.  "Digital Tools"?  "Enhance every aspect of my game?"  3D environments on a laptop?  HA!  I really expected better from WotC, figuring that in 2013 in the age of technology, gaming nerd gurus and tech nerd gurus would have figured out a way to pull off even a halfhearted gaming table program.  What gives?  I have never been so disappointed in a product in my life.  What did I get for over 60 bucks of my hard earned money?  Access to a bunch of old magazines I could steal people's ideas from, and NOTHING to enhance MY gaming experience whatsoever, let alone "every aspect" of it. If any of you has felt a similar frustration, please direct me to a decent program like the one pictured at the back of my expensive books.  I will use the money I would have spent for a renewal on that instead.
#2 Vormakul Apr 06, 2014 15:28:09	I'd say that judging your investment due to what you saw on several year old books was a poor decision. As I would also say about subscribing without first poking around the forums for information and opinions on D&D Insider. I'd also say that the current lack of a dungeon map tool does not make sense if they were advertising such a feature in the past. There have been plenty of rumors buzzing around about Wizards implementing it, but I think they have refrained in order to keep the mini/tile market going strong. Offline workarounds I would recommend are to use stand ins for miniatures if you are pressed for cash such as glass Mancala style beads or even beer bottle caps which are just about the right size and can be color coordinated. Also, for terrain, a dry erase tablemat grid works wonders. They certainly require far more imagination but I've been using them for years. In fact I've only recently bought a miniature for my character. Unfortunately I don't have any recommendations for alternative computer programs. Most of them have been shut down by companies like Wizards of The Coast and Games Workshop. Regardless, you're not alone in your dissatisfaction. I only subscribe when I intend to make industrious use of the Character Builder program and that's usually only when a few of my mates chip in.
#3 BADFISH2 Apr 06, 2014 17:55:30	I am considering buying a subscription to D&DI but am wary. I am primarily interested in the character builder, but I have heard some reports of it being buggy. I am new to D&D and plan to stick with 4e for awhile and I am also concerned about continued support of 4e after Next is released. What opinions in these areas do current users have? Thanks!
#4 Vormakul Apr 07, 2014 3:50:06	The character builder has hiccups from time to time but I still highly recommend it to those who are willing to dish out some cash in order to use it. Just ensure that you save your data as often as possible. Why spend an hour or two building a character with a ton of expensive reference books at your desk when you can tinker around a highly informative database for 15 minutes and be sure you haven't missed anything? It's extremely convenient and, while it may not cover every single corner of the D&D universe, it comes bloodly close enough. As far as D&D Next, I'm a bit worried about D&D Insider. Will the character builder remain? Will it offer the same amount of content in regards to characters/classes/etc? These are questions I'd like to see the answer to. I'm crossing my fingers that D&DI will feature more content and become far more useful by the time D&D Next rolls out. I'm also crossing my fingers that they don't hike up the price. We'll see.
#5 BADFISH2 Apr 08, 2014 4:09:07	Thanks for the insight. I might go ahead and shell out the cash for now and just see what happens later this year.  Thanks again.
#6 RedSiegfried Apr 07, 2014 21:37:38	The CB is wonderful and the online Compendium (especially with a 3rd party app to access it from my smartphone) is super useful, but the Monster Builder makes DMing a joy.  As far as bugs go, there aren't enough of them of any significant severity to even be on my radar.  Keep in mind though, there will be no more new updates to the 4e DDi materials anymore (at least that's what they said ... one never knows if they'll change their mind).   For me, the price is well worth it.  If you're concerned about the rug getting pulled out from under you when Next is released, subscribe for the shortest time period possible.  Check the system requirements though ... some folks don't then get angry and demand a refund (and they usually get it, even though there's no guarantee).   I only hope they continue to offer cool tools like this for Next.  I'm not that excited about Next, but if I have access to tools that make it easier for me to play Next, I'm much more likely to play it.
#7 BADFISH2 Apr 08, 2014 4:13:51	I am basically looking for a solid character builder/leveler and something to easily list and display powers. Currently I am not making up my own adventures as I am very busy but I hope to in the future. I often need to crank up the pre-gen encounters I use so maybe the monster generator will be helpful. Thanks for the info.
#8 Albiter Apr 28, 2014 13:24:07	The pictures you saw were from a site called D&DOnline, which does NOT require D&DI.