http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/10/30/why-we-launched-boxee-for-mac-before-windows/
I promise I will give you cookies if I can use it on my MacBook Pro.
Please don't make it IE and/or Windows only. I really really want to give you my money. So do all of these people:
http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/10/30/why-we-launched-boxee-for-mac-before-windows/
I promise I will give you cookies if I can use it on my MacBook Pro.
Seconded to the MAX!!! I paid for DDI, so I should get all the nice things that go with it.
Please don't make it IE and/or Windows only. I really really want to give you my money. So do all of these people:
http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/10/30/why-we-launched-boxee-for-mac-before-windows/
I promise I will give you cookies if I can use it on my MacBook Pro.
Well, we know that it uses the .NET Framework 3.5, which means there are three (and only three!) routes available for making it usable on Mac or Linux:
#1: Mono (http://mono-project.com/) is an open source implementation of large parts of .NET for all platforms. It's not complete, however, so it might not be able to handle all features used by D&Di. And it most certainly will not be able to handle either of the DirectX applications, as that is not yet implemented in Mono (the Character Visualizer & Game Table). The Character Builder is as-of-yet untested on Mono, and even if it works, will likely require some coercion to get installed (possibly requiring copying from an already-installed version of it, or through Wine)
#2: Virtualization, provided by programs like Parallels Desktop or the free VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/), involves effectively running a copy of the target OS (in this case Windows) in your computer.
#3: Dual booting, the least creative and easiest option (on Mac, done through Boot Camp) is the painful method of rebooting your computer every time you want to switch OSes, and buying a cheap secondary computer is probably preferable, unless you are on a laptop and plan on using Windows a lot.
I will personally be trying to get the Character Builder running under Mono, and providing feedback to Wizards to try and help push towards the goal of platform interoperability, at least for the non-DirectX applications.
also I imagine the character builder is also direct x (2d graphics) dependant.
So far it's plodding along with that part in Fusion.
Couple things I would like to see
Ritual Section: Add in source and page reference for easy lookup, Option to print ritual details, Ritual book having pages that get used up by spells and rituals
Powers cards: Option to print more than one action card, Hit point tracker card for the player. option to print rituals on cards, In damage on each card add in what character does on a crit eg(20+1d12)
Great program I feel like my year long subscription is totally worth it now
Second suggestion. I don't like the print dialog. It pops up a dialog for each page of the character sheet. How about something more like a standard print dialog with options for printing all the pages, some of the pages or the current page? That would also allow those of us with duplex printing to print on both sides of a page should we so wish without having to run the paper through the printer a second time.
Otherwise looking pretty good so far.
Regards,
Kalex the Omen
Problem #1:
Picked the Lurar background which gives me access to an additional language, and then clicked next step. This immediately took me onto my Ability Scores. So, I figured I would pick my additional language later. After I finished my character and had not been prompted for the additional language I figured out that I had to go back to the Race tab to pick the additional language.
Suggested Fix #1: Either prompt the user on that screen with a pop up or in the text box below to pick their bonus language or when the user clicks on the Next Step button send them back to the Race tab.
Problem #2:
I clicked on the roll dice option because this is what I did with my original character and then went to adjust the stats a little bit to make them fit. WELL, using the +/- buttons I could not reduce my Str to 9. I tried to click on the bubble to be able to type in my Str but to no avail there either. Looked around the screen for help and could not find anything for a help or advice. I was able to figure out that I could either manually edit the white box to the right or first the other stat below that was below 10 to a value above ten and then it would allow me to adjust my Str down to a 9.
Suggesed Fix #2: Check the scores when the user clicks next step for illegal/house ruled stats. Add a note to the information on the right of the screen telling the user that they can manually edit their stats in the white boxes.
i.e. Change from the default 22 point to a 26 point campaign.
Also, I second the change for the application icon...
THIRD ... I love the character but would rather see something more generic
So if you gave us an option to leave boxes blank it would be nice.
Just tried out the character builder and love it
Couple things I would like to see
Ritual Section: Add in source and page reference for easy lookup, Option to print ritual details, Ritual book having pages that get used up by spells and rituals
Powers cards: Option to print more than one action card, Hit point tracker card for the player. option to print rituals on cards, In damage on each card add in what character does on a crit eg(20+1d12)
Great program I feel like my year long subscription is totally worth it now
I would like the ability to print rituals as cards as well, even if you have to have a less than complete version of the text. Also the ability to edit text fields on the cards would be nice as well
Problem #1:
Picked the Lurar background which gives me access to an additional language, and then clicked next step. This immediately took me onto my Ability Scores. So, I figured I would pick my additional language later. After I finished my character and had not been prompted for the additional language I figured out that I had to go back to the Race tab to pick the additional language.
I had this problem too.
I also noticed that some of the descriptions for Race Features are getting truncated. For example Eladrin Will lists the +1 to Will but the saving throws at "+5 to saving throws against" and ends there. Same with "Trance". I haven't had a chance to see if this is fixed on printing the Character Sheet but it is certainly a problem while "browsing" it.
1) The ability to have more than 1 stat under 10. I know, I know - but flexibility should be an option.
2) For things that adjust with level (be it the Tiefling Fire resist, The Dark One's Blessing tHP, or a racial or class ability that relies on a level or stat) be able ti view it as a final number instead of an equation. In the middle of gameplay, I just want a number and not have to add.
3) For healing abilities, I would like to see a final number similar to a damage number. For instance, a Cleric's Healing Word can read at the end: "Heal 1 surge + 1d6+4 HP" including the level mod and class/racial healing keyword adjustments such as healer's lore.
first of all i second the ability to lower your scores if you want to.
In the equipment tab it would be useful to sort them ascending or descending according... eg.. in the wepons click on group to have all the light blades together and maces together ect.
the character sheet layout options are cool, but somewhat ineffective at this point... what i mean is that you can move or delete panels but you never end up actually saving space if you wanted to (personally i find a single page to be more convenient).. I would like the ability to collapse the panels to more efficient stat blocks... especially
: initiative : ability scores : Defenses : Movement : senses : damage workspace : action points :
everything else is fairly efficient as it is -- of course the alternative to this is just using the cards...
also, page numbers for reference are nice... not very necessary in the program itself as it already has full descriptions, but they can be useful for the Character sheet it-self as an option.
Finally it would be nice for it calculate the starting gold for a higher lvl character, and inform you while in the equipment screen.
Is there any hope of this being re-released in a Mac compatible version? Otherwise, a lot of people, myself included, are going to be pretty unhappy about getting the shaft.
Me being the Overlord...er...VCL of the Play by Post area forums, I would love to see that kind of option incorporated into the Character Builder. :D
When you make the power cards, It would be nice to have an option to not print your totals for things like to hit and damage. Some of us like to laminate the power cards (I have been using special home made cards since 4e came out) and write with a wet erase marker our stats so that we dont have to print and laminate over and over again every level.
So if you gave us an option to leave boxes blank it would be nice.
I would like to see the reciprocal option. I want my power cards to tell me how my power works NOW & to eliminate any maths needed (biggest in game time waster IMO). I would like to be able to print the cards with no formulae just with the stats from whatever weapons I have selected.
And we are glad to hear people are enjoying the program!
1) Two weapon defence shows a bonus to AC only (not to reflex) & describes it as Misc not feat.
2) I cannot find any way to show my throwing hammer as a secondary ranfged weapon - it's not off hand or main hand. This really needs a whole box of its own.
3) Ranger powers have very many melee/ranged ones. I would like to see both summarised in the appropriate box.
4) Ranger powers have off hand/main hand attacks. Again I would like to see both statted up in the power cards.
5) The item lists are huge already - it may help to have some way of flitering them. they are pretty easy to navigate now though.
I meant to say - the program looks great apart from this. However a massive amount of functionaliy in the power cards for me is eliminating arithmetic so they are rather disappointing. They are very busy.
Climber's Kits and Thieves Tools do not update the Skill values or annotate the +2 somewhere. Obviously, items that provide bonuses don't (neccessarily) work for every instance of the skill (i.e. Pickpocketing)
I don't know if this is intentional or an oversight, but again, being a straight forward player, I like to have a single number to work from.
EDIT: also, it just occurred to me when using the program that shuriken are not usable in the Off-Hand. That seems silly
none of my groups uses the 22 points. we use 26 or 28.
please!
anyway, you get a
for this nice tool!AKW
Thanks everyone for the great feedback, we are making good use of it.
And we are glad to hear people are enjoying the program!
Hey as a DM anything that makes stuff easier and smoother is great and I can already see how this program will do just that. I have a player with a "math problem" and if it could have his attack damage and crit numbers on his cards it would shave 1 to 5 mins off of every round of combat haha
Some things I noticed with a brief session:
Automatically generating characters is VERY nice. It will make it easy for a GM to have a good supply of pregen characters for whatever level his game is at so that new players can hop right into the game.
The Feat section needs a check box to display disallowed feats. Of course selecting such a feat would flag the character as homebrew. But I wanted to see the requirements for Two Weapon Defense and couldn't. The compendium could answer this type of question, but not nearly as conveniently.
I was able to exchange a feat with one it was a prerequisite for. But the now invalid feat was correctly marked as homebrew, so this isn't really a problem.
My biggest request is to have some way to display characters online. A Mac could simply print the character sheet to a pdf file, but that doesn't seem to be an option for Windows. As mentioned above, even having something that could be cut and pasted into a forum window would be good. Though in that case I'd like to see the power descriptions included with the powers so that character would be playable without having the books handy (often the case with online games. Here's a manually created example of what I'm talking about:
Harknail
P.S. the links for bug report/feedback just keep dumping me to the account user info update page. I've updated the security questions and it still just keeps dumping to this page.
Looks great so far. Can't wait to see the Visualizer.
Add me to the list that would like to see a Mac version. Fortunately my job has provided me with Parallels and Windows XP. I can confirm that the Character Builder works just fine in this configuration. But a native app would be much easier to use.
Some things I noticed with a brief session:
Automatically generating characters is VERY nice. It will make it easy for a GM to have a good supply of pregen characters for whatever level his game is at so that new players can hop right into the game.
The Feat section needs a check box to display disallowed feats. Of course selecting such a feat would flag the character as homebrew. But I wanted to see the requirements for Two Weapon Defense and couldn't. The compendium could answer this type of question, but not nearly as conveniently.
I was able to exchange a feat with one it was a prerequisite for. But the now invalid feat was correctly marked as homebrew, so this isn't really a problem.
My biggest request is to have some way to display characters online. A Mac could simply print the character sheet to a pdf file, but that doesn't seem to be an option for Windows. As mentioned above, even having something that could be cut and pasted into a forum window would be good. Though in that case I'd like to see the power descriptions included with the powers so that character would be playable without having the books handy (often the case with online games. Here's a manually created example of what I'm talking about:
Harknail
To see feats that you are not qualified for click the house rule button at the top right corner of the feats list (scroll up first).
Well, we know that it uses the .NET Framework 3.5, which means there are three (and only three!) routes available for making it usable on Mac or Linux:
#1: Mono (http://mono-project.com/) is an open source implementation of large parts of .NET for all platforms. It's not complete, however, so it might not be able to handle all features used by D&Di. And it most certainly will not be able to handle either of the DirectX applications, as that is not yet implemented in Mono (the Character Visualizer & Game Table). The Character Builder is as-of-yet untested on Mono, and even if it works, will likely require some coercion to get installed (possibly requiring copying from an already-installed version of it, or through Wine)
#2: Virtualization, provided by programs like Parallels Desktop or the free VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/), involves effectively running a copy of the target OS (in this case Windows) in your computer.
#3: Dual booting, the least creative and easiest option (on Mac, done through Boot Camp) is the painful method of rebooting your computer every time you want to switch OSes, and buying a cheap secondary computer is probably preferable, unless you are on a laptop and plan on using Windows a lot.
I will personally be trying to get the Character Builder running under Mono, and providing feedback to Wizards to try and help push towards the goal of platform interoperability, at least for the non-DirectX applications.
As Mac person I would love a native application as well....
Of course the best option would be to use QT (which WotC owns via Code Monkey Publishing....)
When you make the power cards, It would be nice to have an option to not print your totals for things like to hit and damage. Some of us like to laminate the power cards (I have been using special home made cards since 4e came out) and write with a wet erase marker our stats so that we dont have to print and laminate over and over again every level.
So if you gave us an option to leave boxes blank it would be nice.
Would be great to be able to print Power Cards/Character Sheet separately!
A little prompt when making a new character that asked what level would be nice and save me a minor annoyance. :D
Following up on the languages thing, I noticed that the option to choose languages wasn't present at all, unless I missed it somewhere.
If you choose Dragonborn, Dwarf, Eladrin, or Elf (or any of the other races with set languages) you will not get to choose a language as they have set languages. If you selected another the choice for a language should immediately become available after selecting the race.
If you choose the linguist feat it should also send you back to the races tab to choose a language before letting you finish. (I just tried and it did for me at least)
Problem: When purchasing all my equipment my printed sheet says I still have 100g.
Solution: Buy more stuff.
Alternate solution: Fix program. ;)
As a GM I don't like this, but as a player I'm all for it.
You need to click on "Shopping Mode" I was curious about this too. Shopping mode deducts cash, while the normal mode is great for items aquired during an adventure. Fret not . . .
Click the "Shopping Mode" check box and it will deduct money when you purchase something. Just remember to uncheck it when your DM gives you something (or you'll be charged for it)
The one thing here is the Ritual page. If you get a "free" ritual with your class, make sure you have shopping mode turned off. This can be confusing, BTW.
To see feats that you are not qualified for click the house rule button at the top right corner of the feats list (scroll up first).
Thanks. I was looking for that in the fixed area, I never thought of looking in the scrollable area. That's one item off my request list...
The one thing here is the Ritual page. If you get a "free" ritual with your class, make sure you have shopping mode turned off. This can be confusing, BTW.
Ah I hadn't entered shopping mode while making spellcaster. I did not know it carried over. Good to know.
First of all I hope the desktop icon will not be that scanned pic of Drizzt.
Second suggestion. I don't like the print dialog. It pops up a dialog for each page of the character sheet. How about something more like a standard print dialog with options for printing all the pages, some of the pages or the current page? That would also allow those of us with duplex printing to print on both sides of a page should we so wish without having to run the paper through the printer a second time.
Otherwise looking pretty good so far.
Regards,
Kalex the Omen
- An even bigger problem with printing each page as a separate job is when we want to print to electronic medium. We only want 1 file, not 3-5.
- I also support the suggestions of others to enable an electronic in-game version of the character sheet. It would need to rack HP, surges, equipment, and that sort of thing, but leveling up is perfect in the existing program.
I started programming my own character builder application, but the sheer amount of work involved with programming the calc engine, and dealing with data input and sheet output is insane. So I can appreciate all the hard work involved -- cheers to the dev team for a job well done. The GUI is impressive, good looking, and is very easy to use.
In terms of usability, I'd like to see:
* The ability to resize columns in some of the views. In my weapons tab, for example, the name field is ginormous, but the properties field is narrow and wraps to two lines.
* I echo some of the other comments I've seen about providing an option to print power sheets instead of cards. Personally, I'd like to see a layout with formatting similar to the book, but with the relevant calculated values inserted inline (like the original D&D Experience pre-fab character sheets).
* The breakdowns on the attack and damage rolls for powers is fantastic. I'd like to see similar breakdowns for other stats, like the defenses, skills, HP, etc. Most of the time, I can figure out where the numbers are coming from, but invariably, there will be some time where I can't.
As for a wish list of major features, I think a lot of people will want customization. The GUI is very well done, and I don't think you'll get a lot of gripes about how it is laid out. People seem very happy with the core interface and the look and feel (I know I am). Where people will probably want more is in creating their own data (feats, items, etc.), and having custom output (i.e., supplying their own character sheets, or passing the calculated data to some other program).
Given the sheer number of character sheets available for 4e, I'm certain that people are inevitably going to want to plug in their own character sheets, regardless of what selection of pre-fab sheets you include with the release. Rather than see you guys spend a lot of time implementing a dozen different popular sheets, I'd prefer to see some capability to allow the user to supply their own sheet layout.
There's probably several things people will want:
* The ability for the Character Builder to export the calculated sheet information to simple, well organized XML. With this, all the tech-heads out there will take it and pump it into their own custom applications and sheets. People WILL attempt something like this regardless of how easy you make it -- on ENWorld, people are already talking about how to take a *.4eDnD file and transform it, even though the calculated numbers aren't there! Some people are actually thinking about doing the calculations themselves just to pump the character data into their own programs, character sheets, etc.
* The ability to plug in their own custom character sheets. The best thing possible would be to do something like PCGen does and allow users to supply their own text document, and insert some kind of markup to dictate where the various numbers and information goes. The Character Builder would define what tags there are and how they get replaced -- the user just needs to know what they are. For example, a tag like [Strength.AbilMod] (would be replaced with the ability modifier for Strength), [Fort.Feat] would be replaced with the feat bonus to Fort defense, [Feat.0] (would be replaced with the name and description of the first feat printed on the sheet), and so on. To be able to view or print the sheet, the user tells the builder what application to run and the builder passes the document to it (after replacing the tags with the values).
* Adding their own items/powers/feats/weapons etc. that auto-calculate with the character, regardless of how easy you make it for them. I haven't seen any threads for it yet, but I'm sure someone, somewhere is already trying to figure out what format you are using to represent the game data so that they can add their own stuff to it. I've already thought of it, and I would be stunned if someone weren't actually doing it. I don't people would necessarily want a full GUI editor to create their custom elements (though it would be nice) -- even letting users hand-enter data somehow would be enough. I know you've added the Houserule section that we can't see yet in the Beta, but the enthusiasts probably won't be happy with just that.
The Character Builder is good, really good. And I'm certain the enthusiasts are already plotting how they can customize things. Do you guys remember how a subculture popped up around custom add-ons and utilities to edit the database data for eTools? And the Character Builder is already leaps and bounds past where eTools ever was, in almost every way, so just imagine how eager the enthusiasts are to mess with Builder. It's not a question of "if", but of "how much".
You guys (and gals) already scored a major hit with what you've done with Builder so far. If you can provide some way to make it easy for the enthusiasts to get their own data in and get it out in their own way, you guys are going to really knock this one out of the park.
I tried the character builder on my desktop and it works great. When I installed it on my EEE PC, I can't get past the first screen since the EEE PCs resolution is 1024 x 600.
In the program, is there a list of what articles/books are currently available? If so, i cant seem to easily find it.
more an FAQ question, on the "finish" tab, hit the restrictions button, a very well done tree menu.
to add however, most of the restrictions features are disabled ATM (why???), but you can see the added data.
I can't recall who mentioned it, but someone on the WotC team had mentioned a "forum view" option for character information that could be easily copy-pasted into a forum post so folks could share their characters on the forums.
Me being the Overlord...er...VCL of the Play by Post area forums, I would love to see that kind of option incorporated into the Character Builder. :D
This, with the same degree of flexibility that the printed sheet has -- different forums have different textblock character sheets that they expect.
A 1 sheet option that is easy to print out and has everything(including attack/damage/defenses) necessary to play a game.
A Power Sheet - each power to one line, attack/damage figured out and all effects listed. Cards are hard to use in LFR, because the abilities change so quickly.
I kind of remember it being mentioned at one point that you could go to a friend's house, forget your character sheet, and pop online to grab it from DDI. I'm really hoping this kind of thing becomes eventually available, either as a PDF linked to the online account, or something else. The only way I see it as possible right now is if you go to a friend's house who is a subscriber with Character Builder, and you've emailed the file to them or uploaded it to another location so that you can print it up when you arrive. This assumes that your host is a subscriber and has Character Builder, and that you've planned far enough ahead to know that you'll either forget it, or you're just not planning on bringing it in the first place.
Just one thing that I'm not sure about. Otherwise, this program is incredible, and without that feature, it's totally worth it. I can't wait to get the full version.
Otherwise, the character sheet section is awesome.
some more starting point options!
none of my groups uses the 22 points. we use 26 or 28.
unfortunately, I can even now hear my DM complaining about unrealistic it will be if people can have characters with two or more ability scores of 17 plus.
one of the ongoing sources of controversy in our Forgotten Realms campaign revolves around my DM worrying about the game balance when the players minimax their characters. some of my fellow players are overt and not at all subtle in boosting the power of their characters. (I am by no means a paragon of virtue in this regard; I simply tend to be more subtle and indirect, playing the part of a rogue in more ways than one).
I kind of remember it being mentioned at one point that you could go to a friend's house, forget your character sheet, and pop online to grab it from DDI. I'm really hoping this kind of thing becomes eventually available, either as a PDF linked to the online account, or something else.
Back in August 2008, I had asked a similar question regarding the specifics of a Character Vault where Wizards would provide storage on one of their servers for your character(s). I was told that the planning for the Character Vault was still in the conceptual stage, along with the Dungeon Vault where a homebrew dungeon could be stored on-line, along with the Dungeon Builder and Game Table concepts.
I suppose we need to be simply be patient while Wizards sees how many of these concepts can become reality and which ones are forced to remain a fantasy.
You can currently make custom notes about equipment (which was a great idea), but I'd also like to be able to do something similar with rituals and powers. It gives players a sense of ownership over their powers so they define the character's style without having to create new powers.
Someone also mentioned having everything that is a formula be calculated on the power cards, I would second that.
Also, the ability to manually edit power cards would be nice.
e.g. for Lead the Attack instead of saying:
... a bonus of 1+your Intelligence modifier to ...
it should say:
... a bonus of 5 to ...
1 bug (reported): I can't seem to equip two rods for my warlock. Apparently the off hand slot isn't turned on unless you have an off hand weapon. Understandable. But we should be able to wield other things (such as rods, holy symbols, torches, etc.) in our off hands.
Looking foward to what others can do with the XML.
second the request to have a dialogue with a list of sources (books, dragons, etc., plus houserule sets) and turn them on/off for the character.
Lastly: below is the character sheet format I currently prefer at the gaming table:
- Tabbing through fields doesn't always work. The tab order should be set up so you can easily jump through the drop down lists.
- Drop down menus don't always respond to pressing the down arrow.
- You should be able to "equip" a warlord, elf, etc. to have the bonuses appear in stats and on action point cards.
- items without abilities (such as the amulet of protection +1) shouldn't have power cards associated with them.
- Standard windows keyboard shortcuts such as Alt + F don't work.
It should be possible to do most of the character creation without ever touching a mouse.
1. I second the motion to electronically print to a single file. 3 .pdf files is not cool.
2. I second the motion to be able to directly edit the character sheet. Being able to type in the forms would be great.
3. Don't know if this is possible, but it would be nice to have some kind of spacing between the power cards to make them easier to cut once printed. I'm always afraid of messing up the margins . . .
4. I'm hoping this will come once it's out of beta, but more character portraits would be very nice. Having to choose between "not my race" and "very low res" is less than desirable.
5. Custom point buy.
Keep up the good work, people!
4. I'm hoping this will come once it's out of beta, but more character portraits would be very nice. Having to choose between "not my race" and "very low res" is less than desirable.
You know you can use any image on your computer as a character portrait, right? I am currently fiddling around with finding a pic that would work for a goblin Paladin. All you have to do is go to the right file when you choose your portrait.
Also, once Character Visualizer launches, you'll be able to use those images.
(p.s. I haven't printed my first character yet, but I really like what I've seen so far! Great job!)
Edit: Got to printing , and my class features (Warlock) are nowhere to be found! No Prime Shot, no Shadow Walk! The Fate of The Void card does not include the Improved Fate of the Void feat (and I was hoping I'd finally learn whether the +1 is +1 per enemy or per roll). Also, the text for both my eldritch blast and my pact blade dagger is huge...only 1 word fits in the appropriate space.
Edit 2: An option to print the flavor of powers instead of the character-specific bonuses would be great!
When you choose an array, you can't immediately click [Next Step]. You can get around it by hitting the "-" button once, then the "+" button once. It works out OK, but it's mildly inconvenient.
Here's another thing:
When you choose an array, you can't immediately click [Next Step]. You can get around it by hitting the "-" button once, then the "+" button once. It works out OK, but it's mildly inconvenient.
You should be able to hit next step without doing anything on the ability score screen. Without modifying the scores I can hit next step. I tried again with a new character and can hit next step after using an array. I've also done it with the roll dice.
I can't reproduce what you've said.
Isn't that what the Game Table is supposed to do?
I had recalled there being a statement somewhere that the game table would be for tracking some basic stats, but would not be for heavy character management, but I could be wrong. . . .I ate a lot of paint chips as a child.
When it comes to choosing your religion...have separations like the races. One section for PHB, one for FR, etc. It just makes it visually easier and more efficient.
Keep up the good work guys!
I think it would be a good Idea for it to be writen in parenthisis just like in the PHB.
The following are some of the bugs I've come across while creating a human swordmage:
You may want to report them on the bug forum, or through the bug report feature in the tool. I'm not sure if they'll get seen by the right people on the suggestions forum.
I second that emotion. This would truly be a game-changer and be a clean, fun way to track you character. . . Although I don't know how I would feel having 5 (or so) laptops on the game table. . .
I use an excel spreadsheet that I hacked up to include a worksheet for powers that I really like, also I have all my powers hyperlinked to the Compendium. It's so nice to have everything at your fingertips, if a stat changes for some reason mid battle you just key it in and *bam* all your attack bonuses and skills modify on the fly without "wait... no that attack was 2 lower".
Currently there are 3 of us out of the 6 of us that use laptops in my group, it's really handy to have. You run into issues with people who get distracted easily, but it's a good tool for DMing especially. I'm working on getting a setup in front of the DMs screen so I can display images to the players instead of handouts. It'll be a great way to set the mood, and show things without wasting ink/paper for a one time mood setting hand out.
I skimmed through the thread and saw some suggestions I had that were already answered, and others that I don't think I saw (but if they are I apologize).
I am nthing the request to NOT have Drizzt as the icon for the builder. I am personally not a fan of the character (or the author that spawned him), and I don't want too look at a shrunken down version of him every time I launch this program. Something simplistic and fitting like the 3e PHB's Character Generator demo (remember that, everyone?) had for the icon.
I'm not sure if you just didn't include it since it's a beta, because you can't really get anything from it until you do a power swap feat (which is first available at 5th), or something else, but I was dissapointed I couldn't accurately recreate my Spellscarred Fighter that I play in a game on the Something Awful forums due to the lacking Student of the Plague multiclass feat. It brings up the concern about including feats and paths and such that are only available due to things that would be explained in character history or through gameplay - in this case it being the fact that you must have a spellscar to take the multiclass feat.
I just hope this doesn't get to the point where you don't have to write a journal entry containing things like "I HAVE A SPELLSCAR" or "I SET FIRE TO A BUILDING JUST TO WATCH IT BURN" to unlock certain feats, abilities, or paragon paths. (bonus points to the person who remembers the reference ;) )
My only request is to be able to save the character sheet/power cards to some other format than the .dnd4e. I don't have the luxury of having a nice printer at my location. I would love the ability to save as an image or a PDF so I can take it down to my local staples and have them printed out nicely.
Keep up the good work.
I have some suggestions for the character sheet.
1) in some of the sections (e.g., session and campaign notes) there are no lines in the box for writing stuff in. I'd like to suggest two choices for those sections. One that has lines in it, one that doesn't.
2) I'm sure the developers know this, but the sections that list racial and class features are a cluttered mess. Information is frequently truncated and doesn't fit. Not a big deal, as the information doesn't really need to be on the sheet. I suggest just listing the names of the power/feature in each case. If you want to add blurbs describing it as well, truncate them and shorten them to one line. One side thing that might be useful: many of those features that are described there could work well as power cards. E.g., a "prime shot" power card. Or a "Group Diplomacy" power card. Though some, like "Dilettante" clearly doesn't need a power card. I'd suggest expanding the power card options that lets the user select which power cards he wants to print (similar to the way the configuration for the Attack workspace works). In the list of power card choices, list every power, and racial/class/weapon power/feature the character has as choices. Let the player pick and chose which things she needs power cards for.
Finally, for power cards, I'd prefer a power card format that lays out the keyword, action type, attack type, effect, etc... lines using exactly the same format that the core rulebooks use for listing powers. Maybe add a box somewhere on the card for the attack and damage numbers, or other stat-based effects that are variable for different characters that have the same power, but other than that, simply replicating the format used in the PhB would be ideal. I already mentioned this earlier, but I'd like to mention it again.
One other annoyance about the printing: the viewer prints the power cards even when you don't have them displayed. Clearly the printing options need to be beefed up, but I suspect the developers already know this and don't need me to tell them. ;)
I have been unable to print out any of my journal entries and this should be something anyone should be able to do.
Yeah I have this issue as well. Needs a page of its own to print out all the journals.
- An even bigger problem with printing each page as a separate job is when we want to print to electronic medium. We only want 1 file, not 3-5.
- I also support the suggestions of others to enable an electronic in-game version of the character sheet. It would need to rack HP, surges, equipment, and that sort of thing, but leveling up is perfect in the existing program.
The character sheet is "live". At any rate, you can type in the Action points, Current HP and surges used boxes, check and uncheck the Second Wind and Death Saves boxes, and on the back the magic item and non at-will power boxes. You can't (as far as I can tell) edit the other boxes live.
I'd like to see the Misc boxes editable, but I can live without it as well. On the other hand, the Temp HP box is NOT edcitable - a real problem and one I just filed a bug report on
The character sheet is "live". At any rate, you can type in the Action points, Current HP and surges used boxes, check and uncheck the Second Wind and Death Saves boxes, and on the back the magic item and non at-will power boxes. You can't (as far as I can tell) edit the other boxes live.
I'd like to see the Misc boxes editable, but I can live without it as well. On the other hand, the Temp HP box is NOT edcitable - a real problem and one I just filed a bug report on
You are right, I don't know how I missed this before, thanks.
Another suggestion I have would be to have a popup that would display your power card when you click or hover on the power on your character sheet. It'd save you from scrolling down to your power cards and then back up to your sheet.
please.
otherwise awesome.
First of all, shouldn't it (and the auto pick button for that matter) use the standard array (16 14 13 12 11 10) instead of 18 14 11 10 10 8? I mean, it's the standard array for a reason right?
Second, more intelligence when choosing stats for powers that let you choose which one to base off of (dragonbreath, eldritch blast, etc). I just had it auto build a human scourge warlock. It chose Infernal Pact, put 18 in con for an end stat of 20, and an 11 in cha. then it said, I'm gonna use Charisma for my eldritch blast.
I haven't tested with other similair powers yet, but I will.
edit: I just tested with DB, first i told it DB and nothing else, it chose Rogue, highest stat dex, dex for dragonbreath. right.
Then i did it again, it chose fighter, hig stat Str, Dex for Dragonbreath (an 11...)
then i told it to make a Scourge Warlock, high stat Con, chose Con for Dragonbreath, and con for Eldritch Blast.
I'm not sure if it's picking randomly, or can't tell what the high stat is all the time, or what. as it seems to get it right sometimes and sometimes not, and it's not even consistent about it.
gonna go test genasi now.
edit again: OK, i tested Genasi, first of all, they don't even get to pick which ability the power uses, it says right there in the description to pick, but no choice. Then i looked at the char sheet to see if maybe i just missed where the choice was made, looked at the power card, and saw it was just saying that you could use one of the stats. Then i went back and made another warlock, scourge, con base EB, looked at the card, and it still said "Constitution vs Ref or Charisma vs Ref"
shouldn't it only show the one you chose?
on the subject of cards, they should really show anything specific to your character, instead of listing possibilities. Like if I have an Artful Dodger, i don't want to see that line that says Brutal Scoundrels get this bonus.
Overall, I am very impressed with the character builder. It is slick and clean. Creating and maintaining characters with it is a breeze.
I have some suggestions for the character sheet.
1) in some of the sections (e.g., session and campaign notes) there are no lines in the box for writing stuff in. I'd like to suggest two choices for those sections. One that has lines in it, one that doesn't.
2) I'm sure the developers know this, but the sections that list racial and class features are a cluttered mess. Information is frequently truncated and doesn't fit. Not a big deal, as the information doesn't really need to be on the sheet. I suggest just listing the names of the power/feature in each case. If you want to add blurbs describing it as well, truncate them and shorten them to one line. One side thing that might be useful: many of those features that are described there could work well as power cards. E.g., a "prime shot" power card. Or a "Group Diplomacy" power card. Though some, like "Dilettante" clearly doesn't need a power card. I'd suggest expanding the power card options that lets the user select which power cards he wants to print (similar to the way the configuration for the Attack workspace works). In the list of power card choices, list every power, and racial/class/weapon power/feature the character has as choices. Let the player pick and chose which things she needs power cards for.
Finally, for power cards, I'd prefer a power card format that lays out the keyword, action type, attack type, effect, etc... lines using exactly the same format that the core rulebooks use for listing powers. Maybe add a box somewhere on the card for the attack and damage numbers, or other stat-based effects that are variable for different characters that have the same power, but other than that, simply replicating the format used in the PhB would be ideal. I already mentioned this earlier, but I'd like to mention it again.
One other annoyance about the printing: the viewer prints the power cards even when you don't have them displayed. Clearly the printing options need to be beefed up, but I suspect the developers already know this and don't need me to tell them. ;)
These are really good observations and suggestions. I agree with this post wholeheartedly.
I am nthing the request to NOT have Drizzt as the icon for the builder. I am personally not a fan of the character (or the author that spawned him), and I don't want too look at a shrunken down version of him every time I launch this program. Something simplistic and fitting like the 3e PHB's Character Generator demo (remember that, everyone?) had for the icon.)
Yes, I remember it. While it was pretty simplistic from what you could do with it, it just looked cool. I would like to have the background music and the button sounds from that thing back. Optional of course, but it was fun.
2) I'm sure the developers know this, but the sections that list racial and class features are a cluttered mess. Information is frequently truncated and doesn't fit. Not a big deal, as the information doesn't really need to be on the sheet.
Well it's great to have it for reference, especially the marking mechanics of the defenders, which is quite tricky.
Also, when using two weapons (or a double weapon), you've got the option of attacking with one or the other weapon, so the power cards should reflect that there are two options, instead of just the main hand weapon.
And this may be more of a bug, but with the Tide of Iron power, I brought up the character sheet once and the bottom line (calculations for weapon) had been cut off. Brought it up again, and the font had been adjusted so that everything was visible again.
Well it's great to have it for reference, especially the marking mechanics of the defenders, which is quite tricky.
I think character sheets should list the name of a class ability and the actual ability if it is short. Any significant class ability should get a power card of its own.
My only request is to be able to save the character sheet/power cards to some other format than the .dnd4e. I don't have the luxury of having a nice printer at my location. I would love the ability to save as an image or a PDF so I can take it down to my local staples and have them printed out nicely.
There is a workaround for this right now. Here is how I sent a couple of test characters to a friend who doesn't own a PC so doesn't have a subscription so I am making his character for him. (He can see them at his job place but can't print there so I do the work for him.)
Step 1: Download and install this open source free program.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
Step 2: After creating character and opening the character sheet hit print.
Step 3: For printer choose the new PDF creator printer the step 1 program installed on your machine.
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit.
Now for the bad part. When printing to PDF the program only only processes one page at a time. This leads to two problems, one it tends to take a long amount of time in-between processing each new page to the file, and two you end up with 3+ pdf files for every character.
The first issue can be remedied by when choosing to print, only choose one page at a time under the page range at the bottom. Once you have printed out page one, just repeat for page two and so forth. (Which also means you do not need to repeat pages for those who stat stuff doesn't change.)
For the second issue, unfortunately there is no workaround unless you have a $600 copy of Acrobat Professional like I do. (I love when work buys me spendy software.) If you have a full copy of Acrobat you will have a Acrobat printer to print to and you will have the ability to combine separate pdf files into one file with the combine option.
Bugs can be reported here:
Bug Report
Feedback reported here:
Submit Feedback
Feedback:
Character organization
I would like to be able to manipulate (create/remove/move) characters in a folder system on the main start page for organizational reasons.
Add Help Menu
I would like to have an off-line help menu for the program. Things like knowing I can change the layout of the Character sheet are not evident unless you really start poking around for it.
Display Rituals
I would like to see a list of selected rituals at the bottom on the ritual tab instead of my selected equipment.
Bugs:
How Often?: Always Happens
Operating System: Windows Vista
Steps: Step 1: Click Character sheet
Step 2: Use default layout
Observed Results: 1-3 Skills are cut off at bottom
How Often?: Always Happens
Operating System: Windows Vista
Steps: Step 1: Click the display buttons in page layout
Step 2: Close out a window such as Appearance and Mannerisms.
Observed Results: You can not re-open that window once closed without removing all layout changes.
How Often?: Always Happens
Operating System: Windows Vista
Steps: Step 1: Add a custom portrait to the details page
Step 2: Open Character Layout page
Step 3: Try to save/load a custom layout it defaults to the portrait directory instead of the layout directory.
Observed Results: try to save/load a custom layout it defaults to the portrait directory instead of the layout directory.
The customizable sheets are nice. However, currently, I cannot get anything to appear on the added pages. For example, if I wanted to expand the attack or damage workspace to show all possible attacks with all weapons, that would take up more space than is available on the pages of the character sheet that preceed the power cards. I thought that I would be able to move those expanded worksheets onto a new page, but when I inserted a new page (that appears after the power cards--it would be nice to be able to move this to any position desired), I cannot place any information on that sheet. I don't understand the purpose of extra pages if the user cannot place additional information on those pages.
I'd also like to see the ability to remove rows from a panel. For example most of my characters only have a 3 at will powers, allow me to remove rows to conserve space.
Just more observations.
There are a couple of things I have wondered about, but most of those have already been mentioned by others.
The only request/suggestion I can think of I have not already seen is to ask if there can be a way to save the character sheet in PDF format. For those of us that tend to carry our characters around on our memory sticks or need to E-mail them to GMs that do not have or want to get the character creater it would make things a lot easier.
I do have a couple of things which I would like to see added:
1) Allow me to "Close" the current character and go back to the "New Character, Load Character, Quick Character" screen. The load time on starting the program is just long enough that it's annoying to have to do that. Also, if I am working on retraining, I like to keep copies of the original, so I can try things out.
EDIT: Actually, I see now that I can click on the Start tab and choose to start a new character, etc. That's good. You could make it more obvious that this is the tab for doing that, though.
2) (This might be a bug.) When I chose to be a Warlock, it forced me to have Eldritch Blast as one of my At-will powers and did not allow me to choose an at-will (since it auto-picked the one for my pact.) This is alright but I shouldn't be forced to take Eldritch Blast, should I?
Undrhil
2) (This might be a bug.) When I chose to be a Warlock, it forced me to have Eldritch Blast as one of my At-will powers and did not allow me to choose an at-will (since it auto-picked the one for my pact.) This is alright but I shouldn't be forced to take Eldritch Blast, should I?
Undrhil
umm sorry to burst your bubble but thats not a bug its a function of the class
When you choose a build on the first screen, it tells you a suggested stat layout for the character. I'd like to have that information available on the stats screen so I can remember how I should order them.
Are they the same as you get when you click auto pick?
I would like to see a check box at the beginning of the character creation that would restrict characters to be created that are RPGA legal.
Overall/General
- The .NET installation could be handled better. I'd prefer if it simply said "Character Builder has detected you do not have Microsoft .NET installed. .NET is required before installation can continue. Would you like to install .NET now?" with Y/N, and Y directing to Microsoft's .NET installation web page, or linking directly to the installer from Microsoft's site. No sense in you guys having to wrap your program around MS, and taking flak if something is odd on their side.
+ Interface feels really clean, I dig the consistent art and style throughout, and the tab interface is intuitive for what to go to next.
+ A lot of effort seems to have been made to accommodate house rules.
+ I love being able to reorganize the character sheet layout. This greatly exceeded my expectations.
? It's not clear what the URL box will be for when adding homebrew elements. Will it allow some sort of scripting that will pull the additional options into the program, or is it supposed to be just a link to more information? Being a bit more descriptive would be helpful.
- Please move the source restrictions option somewhere other than in Finish. Some sort of Configure menu maybe? Something easily recognizable when first beginning to use the program, rather than something one might find by accident after spending an hour playing with it.
- Sorting, please. Any time there's a table with two or more columns, it'd be nice if each column had a header that you could click to sort ascending/descending for that entry. This would be a great UI element that would come in handy as tables get more and more packed with stuff.
- For Quick Character builds beyond first level, wealth (purchased equipment and remaining gold) is based on initial first level 100gp instead of level-appropriate starting gold.
? For Quick Character builds beyond first level, it would be handy to remind players to select magic items as suggested for creating characters beyond first level, since that is one of the things not automatically done.
Race
? I don't have the keenest eye, but to me it looks like the Eladrin and Elf sample artwork is swapped. The one for Eladrin looks wildish, with the male looking every bit a wood elf ranger, and the female with what looks like leaves for a cloak. The art for Elf shows them looking much more refined and regal. I may be wrong.
? Will there be a way to default back to Monster Manual entries as races, or are the Dragon supplements and other splatbooks designed to be errata? That is, once the Restrictions feature is implemented, and those sources deselected, which of these would occur?
a) Gnoll and Drow revert to their entries exactly as they are in the Monster Manual
b) Gnoll and Drow disappear completely
c) Gnoll and Drow still appear as they are from their later sources
- If sorting could be implemented, please remove the bar separating the PHB races from races of other sources, and blended together.
Class
- It's not readily apparent what the Build option does. It's kind of confusing to have it listed here, where the side text only lists suggested options, and doesn't say that it affects the auto-pick for Ability Scores. Including mention of Ability Scores in the text would be helpful. Also, the Suggested Feat, Skills, and Powers would be better placed as reminders on the appropriate tabs if a Build is selected, rather than just listing them here, where they're easily forgotten.
Ability Scores
+ Having the point cost table, as well as Points Left, is great. Leaving in the ability to "roll dice" is good.
- Please make inputting custom ability scores more intuitive. You can't keep clicking + if you've spent too many points, and you can't edit the base number in the circle. Please move editing of the ability score to the blue circle, and make it better known that you can just type in a number.
- Please make the starting number of Points editable.
Skills
- Please allow the number of chosen skills to be editable. This would be helpful for homebrew purposes.
- Please allow the Misc field to be editable. This also would be helpful for homebrew purposes.
Feats
- Please allow the number of chosen feats to be editable. This would be helpful for homebrew purposes.
Equipment
- Weapons could really, really, really use a sort option, with extra columns like Proficiency, type (simple/military/superior), and melee/ranged (or separate Item Categories for melee and ranged)
Rituals
? The program allows me to add rituals without having the ritual caster feat or even buying a ritual book. Shouldn't this trigger the H icon?
Finish
+ I love the Information boxes. Those really help to flush out the character as a person instead of a set of stats. The Journal Entries also encourages me to come back after every session and summarize what happened.
? When using Retraining, once you retrain out of a skill/power, looks like you can't retrain back to that skill/power at a later level. It's easy enough to just remove the first retraining altogether, but it'd be nice so you wouldn't have to wonder why you didn't retrain something at a more appropriate level as time goes on.
Not a big feature yet since there are relatively few powers but it would be a nice thing to add now before the power library is huge.
Once I get a chance to play a little more I will jump on with a few more suggestions and whatnot.
my first question is, in the full version, will there be a way to edit existing components as new ones (as a house rule, of course)?
For instance, if I want to make a new race that is similar to the Dwarf race (actually in this particular case, I want to make a prehistoric caveman type version, as one of the characters in the campaign I'm running is supposed to have been trapped in stone for eons.)
In this particular case, I only wish to use the "wild" race template from 3rd edition dragon magazine to modify the existing race. (I later plan to implement the "throwback" feat and idea that was outlined in an article about playing as characters who are in different ways ageless or from a different time from one of the last printed Dragon issues)
also even if I try to start from scratch I can't figure out how I'm supposed to assign racial abilities to the new race I create.
I have not yet looked at whether I can do something like this with any of the other items (i.e. Weapons, Feats, etc.)
my second question is, is there a way to alter the order that the saved file portraits appear in the start menu?
the last question is, in the full version will all of the character portrait artwork from the rulebooks be available? (I was very happy to see the sampling that came with the beta, and hope that this will be expanded upon)
In the future, could you release adaptation modules (as part of D&D insider) to allow this program to be used for the most current versions of your other d20 RPGs (the only ones I'm thinking of are Star Wars saga edition, and d20 modern/future).
the utility of this program is so useful that, for me, it is a shame that I can't use it for the other campaigns that I am running or playing as a character in. (back in D&D 3.0, when that character generator demo CD came with the Player's handbook, I remember using it to quickly approximate characters for these other campaigns.) [This was easier since back then the games were a bit more similar, but as it stands now, I'm very happy with the differences between SW and D&D. (My only issue with fourth edition, is the comparative uselessness of multiclassing, but this isn't the place to complain about that)].
one last off topic comment, but still related, that I will make is that I've been trying to figure out which aspects of saga edition to adapt to my d20 future campaign (most of the D&D 4.0 rules just wouldn't work, except skill challenges, and maybe the new way races are constructed [these are also things that might be able to carry over to saga]).
is there any chance at all that a revision of the d20 modern, future, etc. will be released in the future?
I apologize for the length of this:embarrass
1) as I said before, all racial, feat and class abilities that derive a numerical value, such as a tiefling's fire resist or Dark One's Blessing for a warlock, should provide a modified final number which includes any feat modification. Take Improved Dark One's Blessing - it should add 3 to the number and give you a final value.
2) Abilities - I would really like it if the program would continue to track remaining points/overspent points for homebrew applications and not switch to "n/a" as soon as you do something the computer dislikes. It is a pain (and counter to the spirit of the program) to have to reset to an array and start over if you loose track.
3) Many of the descriptions on the character sheet are too long or unneccesary. I would like an ability to show an abbreviated version of the entry and have the ability to clear it out all together and TYPE in what I want in its place.
4) I, personally, do not care for the character sheet layout "as is." I think it has excess information you really don't need. I think the damage and attack workspaces are inefficient, the powercards are ugly and unclear and I would like the ability to have "Offensive" and "Defensive" abilities section rather than a race/class/paragon section. In short, I would like to see the ability to have "skins" for the character sheets. Right now we have the "Classic 4E" or whatever, but I would love to see player generated skins as well as WotC skins for the character sheets.
5. I also would like to see deities broken up by campaign and alignment (at least) and maybe even racial, class and background specific deities.
Anyway, that is all (for now)
Sorting:
There are a lot of tables, and most of them would be way easier to use if I could sort by a column other than the name. For example, I want to pick out a light blade, so I should be able to sort the weapons based on their attributes and more easily see my choices.
Needs more Data:
I am guessing that a lot of this stuff is just still in the process of being entered, but when browsing through the list of Dieties, I saw that most of them have absolutely no data in the description area. Who the heck are these gods, and what do they stand for? I don't want to accidentally have a drow who worships a halfling god; I can't even tell what alignment they are. Hopefully this is already in the works.
Undo!
Crap, I can't figure out how to undo that thing I just did.
Un-choose:
There were a couple of places I made a choice, and then changed my mind, but was unable to un-choose something. For example, after looking through the dieties and finding that I didn't have enough information to choose one without refering back to the books, I was not able to choose "no diety".
Shopping mode is confusing:
I didn't really get the shopping mode at first, and then I wasn't able to go back and charge myself for the stuff I bought without removing it and then adding it back. Some of the items said how much they were worth in their descriptions (weapons, armor) so I could just remove the gp from my total, but others (20 crossbow bolts) didn't say, so I had to go back and look them up on the table.
Equipment categories:
It's not really clear to me why crossbows are weapons and crossbow bolts aren't - other than they are on different charts in the PHB for ease of use. The ammo should really be listed next to the weapon it's for. I guess this is another way of pointing out the sorting business, but it seems to me we should be able to look through the equipment by different categories. Organization that works well for a book does not necessarily make the best organization for software.
Equipment Pictures:
Some of that stuff I have no idea what it is. Hey, it's not like I didn't buy the books, I just want faster access to the data.
Stuff I can't get:
I'm really glad you added the ability to see the feats/skills/equipment that I don't qualify for - it really sucks if you don't see a feat because you have a 12 dex and you need a 13. It would be super awesome if the red stuff could indicate why it's red, though.
Steps aren't really obvious, once "Next Step" saves your character:
I wanted to level-up, but I didn't really see how to do that. I only gave it a minute or two before I had to leave home, so maybe it's discoverable given a little more time. It seemed like the helping hand just sort of dropped me at the end there. This is probably just a beta issue, so I won't worry myself over it too much.
Power Cards:
Hey, these are cool. I'd like to be able to tweak their layout, though. Maybe make key text bigger so I can read it easier, as I am approaching "the hill." I see there are options for tweaking the Character Sheet layout, but haven't had time to try yet.
Thanks!
2 thoughts on this:
1. Have an "Enter stats" button....
2. Allow the point buy "points left" total to go into the negative.
Either method should allow successfuly clicking of the "Next Step" button just like the other methods.....
Love what you have done with so far....
looking forward to the full version....
my year subscription to DDI has been made worthwhile.......
:D
Undo!
Crap, I can't figure out how to undo that thing I just did.
Un-choose:
There were a couple of places I made a choice, and then changed my mind, but was unable to un-choose something. For example, after looking through the dieties and finding that I didn't have enough information to choose one without refering back to the books, I was not able to choose "no diety".
For most pages, there is a box that lists the choices you have made on that page. I have found that double clicking an item in that bottom box will undo the choice. The only place that doesn't work is on the equipment page, but on the equipment page, you can just go into "buy mode" and sell the item back if you decide you didn't really want to select it.
? It's not clear what the URL box will be for when adding homebrew elements. Will it allow some sort of scripting that will pull the additional options into the program, or is it supposed to be just a link to more information? Being a bit more descriptive would be helpful.
I keep on meaning to bring this up, and keep on forgetting. When I clicked on the hombrew, I expected a little form where I would enter in the (let's use a custom power for example) Power Name, Keywords, Hit, Miss, Effect, Special, etc. However, what I got was a place for the name and the 'URL', leaving me with no clue at all whatsoever of what to do with it. Clarification would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Hdier
So far, the only real suggestion that I would make is to have the power card include all of the weapons that a character is carrying that *could* be used by the weapon -- not just the "equipped" weapon. I have a rogue in one of the games that I play in, and it'd be nice for the card for Sly Flourish to have the bonus/damage listed for my rapier, dagger, shuriken, or hand crossbow.
This.
Sar
I do have a couple of things which I would like to see added:
1) Allow me to "Close" the current character and go back to the "New Character, Load Character, Quick Character" screen. The load time on starting the program is just long enough that it's annoying to have to do that. Also, if I am working on retraining, I like to keep copies of the original, so I can try things out.
EDIT: Actually, I see now that I can click on the Start tab and choose to start a new character, etc. That's good. You could make it more obvious that this is the tab for doing that, though.
Also if you click on the far left upper corner on the D&D Character Builder (Beta) Logo it will return you to the original splash page. Although having a mouse over to indicate this as a click-able option would be nice.
One small request. It would be nice to have Healer's Lore show up on the Cleric powers where it is applicable. i.e. whenever the power has the Healing keyword.
First off, I'm not sure if this was mentioned before but If you could include
on all of the power cards the actual text of the power card. The preface of all of the powers...the flavor text if you will.
I like reading the description of the fireball that will soon be annihilating my foe!
Also I dig the theme music idea. Maybe the ole Midnight Syndicate could do another D&D cd.
Cheers!
I love the character creator, it surpassed all of my expectations for it and cannot wait until the full version is released.
My question is this: is there an option for having a Spellscar (see Forgotten Realms players guide)? I did not see an option for it while building a character though they have included the info from that book already.
Cant wait to see them include Martial Power as well.
I dont have enought time to go through all of this forum to see if this has already been mentioned or not, so I apologize if this sounds like a repitition.
I love the character creator, it surpassed all of my expectations for it and cannot wait until the full version is released.
My question is this: is there an option for having a Spellscar (see Forgotten Realms players guide)? I did not see an option for it while building a character though they have included the info from that book already.
Cant wait to see them include Martial Power as well.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1111618
Please expand the character portraits immensely. I wouldn't even mind if you used the old portraits from the 3.5 "PC Portraits" archives.
I think you should add a way for ability scores to be edited beyond the 22 point buy system or the dice roll system. such as set scores for homebrew characters. *example* my campaign uses set scores of 18 16 14 12 10 8 in any order you want them. will there be a way to do that?
You can. When you are in the Ability Scores screen, just click on the final value of the score you want to modify and type in the new value. The points at the bottom of the screen will (more than likely) go negative but that shouldn't be a problem. Also, the character status will become "houseruled".
Some "Theme" music would be in order. Nothing intrusive, just some light background music, perhaps even have it initiate with with the race selection.
They did it with the 3.0 character generator which was included in the 3.0 PHB. I liked the theme.
I would like to see the reciprocal option. I want my power cards to tell me how my power works NOW & to eliminate any maths needed (biggest in game time waster IMO). I would like to be able to print the cards with no formulae just with the stats from whatever weapons I have selected.
I agree with you, I am not saying it should always be blank, I am saying it would be nice to have an option where they can be blank. I just don't want to reprint the power cards every 2 levels. Also I like laminating them so that they have a little more substance to them and are more durable.
I know there isn't a lot of room left, BUT...
Can you print the character's name (at least) on the cards? Class and level would be sweet as well.
I've printed and cut a lot of cards already, and have run into the problem of "who gets what card?" With the name on the card, it's an easy sort if they get mixed up.
Could this please be made an "option" I personally would rather I did not have this on my cards, that way when I swap out the power I can use that power card with another character and not have to re-print out the card.
Love what I'm seeing so far. Haven't found any bugs/problems yet.
I do have a suggestion on the final printable sheet. My problem with the sheets I've seen from WotC so far have been that there is too much heavy black - the headers for each section, the blocks around the white type for the abilities and other stats. It tends to overshadow the printed stats or any handwritten ones and makes the printed sheet a bit difficult to read. Not terribly so, but still. I'd love to see a lighter format or even just the option for one in the sheet menus. An option to turn or just print the headers gray instead of black, for example, would be gray-t (see what I did there?).
While we are on printing options, can we get an option where we can choose which power cards we print out? That way once we print out a power card we can choose not to print it again. I would like to save ink. Of course if WoTC is in bed with the printer companies we might all be doomed
Some things:
1. House Rules w/Powers and Feats:
Currently, you are able to add an additional power and it will correctly mark it as a house rule. However, you are not able to substitute as power of feat or skill selection.
E.G.
In my game, my wizard was allowed to take streetwise instead of insight. I was able to give my wizard streetwise, but the sheet always stayed "incomplete" since i was never able to get rid of the third wizard skill train.
2. Make double clicking on something automatically select it. Having to move the house every time down to the select button is kind-of a hassle. [if this happens and i missed it, whoops]
3. Let us edit the individual parts of the character sheet ourselves. The sheet itself is great for organizing things how you want and getting to information fast. But you can't modify the sheet itself even when unlocking the tabs. This makes fast edits to the sheet harder. An Auto fill-in feature that tied back to the main UI/search/database would make making those fast changes a lot easier. E.G I play an online game using a 3rd party gaming program. The sheet as presented is fantastic for me for recording everything, buying things and doing everything else. But its a pain to edit fast since i have to switch between the sheet and the main UI in order to make changes.
4. "None" should not be a "house ruled deity"
5. There should be an organization option for the sheet that does not involve sheets. When using the sheet from a laptop or desktop this would make it a bit easier to organize your information.[I.E when you don't have to print]
6. Either fix your .net installation, or decouple it from your main installation. Its a lot nicer to be told to go to microsoft and download 3.5 sp1 than have the installation hang and fail.
7. Break up races, classes, and feats by both book location and also keywords. E.G. if i want more HP i can then look at the "more HP feats". If i want a monsterous race i can find them more easily. Currently its hard to browse feats and races since they are all in a single block. As you start adding more races and feats and classes this isn't going to get easier, the ability to sort by role and power source would make choosing a class a lot easier. E.G if i want to play a defender, i could click the defender tab, and have swordmages, paladins, and fighters pop up for me to choose.
You might need tabs on the side[I.E. a "sort by" button] but it would make choosing easier and that is going to be a big advantage of this program.
Other than that its been really pretty good, i like the product and it could really be a selling point for insider.
edit: Oh and it would be nice to be able to break up adventurers kits and other kits as you use items in them. Its great that it tells you whats in them, but its not so great that you can't remove the rope from it if you tie someone up and leave them there
To somewhat go along with this idea...
1) how about the ability to choose what sources the program uses. IE if I dont have martial power, give me the ability to turn that off as a source so that nothing from that book shows up in the character builder.
2) More filters... on lots of things, including items but not excluding Deities. When you go to choose your deity the list is huge and would be nice if there was a check box next to the list saying "exclude evil dieties" for instance so that the list can be trimmed a little.
Here's my suggestion, and I'm not even sure if this is already possible or not.
I kind of remember it being mentioned at one point that you could go to a friend's house, forget your character sheet, and pop online to grab it from DDI. I'm really hoping this kind of thing becomes eventually available, either as a PDF linked to the online account, or something else. The only way I see it as possible right now is if you go to a friend's house who is a subscriber with Character Builder, and you've emailed the file to them or uploaded it to another location so that you can print it up when you arrive. This assumes that your host is a subscriber and has Character Builder, and that you've planned far enough ahead to know that you'll either forget it, or you're just not planning on bringing it in the first place.
Just one thing that I'm not sure about. Otherwise, this program is incredible, and without that feature, it's totally worth it. I can't wait to get the full version.
I too would like to see this. right now I know of other website which I won't mention that have a "character vault" of sorts and when you forget your sheet it is awesome to be able to just hop online to get it.
I really like what I see so far, I have a couple suggestions.
1. Change the way the power cards look, I think these user generated ones: http://www.enworld.org/forum/4274554-post568.html look much cleaner and more professional.
2. The builder is nice for creating or leveling a character, what would be great would be to allow the program to work in real time. What I want is a program that I can sit at the table with, laptop in front of me and make changes on the fly. Add my experience, take damage, switch weapons out, etc. Have check boxes where you can check which encounters you have used, which dailies. Then a button where you can "take a short rest" or "take an extended rest".
I agree that those power cards are much nicer looking, that may be my one big beef with the CB. The power cards I use are a little more graphical and nice looking.
If we are going to stick with these cards though can I make more suggestion, can we get the page number listed in the corner as well as the book, so that when we want to go look them up it is easier?
Anyhow, what I would like to see would be a checkbox or something to allow one to use a versatile weapon one-handed even if your off-hand is empty.
As others have mentioned, the power cards need to either just show the calculations, or do the full calculations themselves.
I have a few usability tweaks:
The "choose" buttons seem redundant. The choice is already made in the list. Enable the "Next step" button as soon as there is something selected. and get rid of the the choose button.
This together with double click (as it is now) should be enough and it's standard behaviour in most programs.
Also, in class choices I think the optional choices should be moved to the end. They sort of feel mandatory in the middle.
* save vs save as : don't ask me to save as when i already did, i hate confirming to overwrite
* resting my mouse on a calculated attack or item, should reveal the math
* ability to create 'white space' panels
* ctrl+mouse wheel should control zoom on character viewer
* power cards, if the enhancement text is too big to fit in that cell, it should be moved down to properties (see Amulet of Protection +1)
* save vs save as : don't ask me to save as when i already did, i hate confirming to overwrite
* resting my mouse on a calculated attack or item, should reveal the math
I love both of these ideas. Also allow us to sort the Power Cards as if they were panels. I want to rearrange them and even hide some of them. For example I just got a magic item that has a daily power on it, so now I have to print a bunch of other power cards, just to get the new power card I want. It's a waste of ink (which is expensive).
* Power cards should autocalculate ie... 1[w] + STR should show 1d8 + 4, it makes the cards make moe sence then just adding 'your stats using 'weapon':
Autocalculate? Sure. But it won't make much sense once your print those cards. You see, those cards may be current when you print them, but during the course of an adventure, you get bonuses and penalties to your stats (STR may be 4 now, but you may find a potion that increases your STR enough to bring that up for 5 or 6!) and you may keep several weapons on-hand, in case some enemies are better dealt with using a hammer as opposed to a sword.
So, 1[W] tells you to look at your weapon damage and + STR tells you to look at your STR bonus. If your card said 1d8 + 4, you'd have to go look up the power anytime any stat changed to see if that stat is the one that applies to that power.
Maybe a better compromise would be to have it show both? Show the original formula and then the autocalculated one?
Maybe a better compromise would be to have it show both? Show the original formula and then the autocalculated one?
I concur. But space seems to be an issue....
I concur. But space seems to be an issue....
Space does seem to be an issue with the character builder's power cards. I still don't understand why... I've been able to fit the full description of the paladin's divine challenge feature on my custom made power cards without much difficulty (using Ander's MSE template). And that one has tons of text...
I apologize if this has already been covered, but it would be nice if the character generator could do snapshots at key levels, mainly 1, 11, and 21. That way if I have a level 8 guy and want to discuss him with other DnDers, I can take a snapshot of what he looked like a level 1, as that is a key way to determine his future. Thank you.
I would recommend the thing that HeroForge for 3.5 does, which appends (Level X) as part of the PC name, so you would have a snapshot of their final form after their last adventure before they earned enough XP to level up, or at least the last printed version if you play them multiple times between updates.
Thanks,
Hdier
I apologize if this has already been covered, but it would be nice if the character generator could do snapshots at key levels, mainly 1, 11, and 21. That way if I have a level 8 guy and want to discuss him with other DnDers, I can take a snapshot of what he looked like a level 1, as that is a key way to determine his future. Thank you.
There's no need to program something like this into the Character Builder. Just click "Save Character" after you do any level up changes and save it as Level X.dnd4e. What's so hard about that? If you do this consistently, you will have individual files for each level your character has attained.
Choosing a level: Right now I'm making higher than level one characters, but to do this from the start I need to choose start new, then goto the finish tab. Then goto the level up button and select level 2 or 3. Then I can go back to the races tab and start making the character.
A little prompt when making a new character that asked what level would be nice and save me a minor annoyance. :D
This is something I was going to mention as well. People converting characters from ongoing games are probably going to want to set the characters level earlier in the process.
This is something I was going to mention as well. People converting characters from ongoing games are probably going to want to set the characters level earlier in the process.
My suggestion is to put it on the start page, or move the finish tab toward the front and rename it details or something.
Perhaps, one side effect it might have is to help people start thinking about their character in RP terms before they think about them in terms of powers and feats. Right now that part almost seems like an afterthought.
((Kinda like starting off with disadvantages when building a Hero system character.))
1. Allow the text on the character sheet to be edited manually. Sometimes you just want to be able to add stuff.
2. More automatic calculations! The ones that are there are great, but there are still a lot of things that reference ability score modifiers or 1/2 your level without giving you the actual number. The less math that has to be done at the table, the better!
3. I'd love the ability to add custom items and treasure to characters. My PCs are only 2nd level, and each of them already has at least one item that doesn't exist in any of the books. Some of these are things like journals, ceremonial daggers, and bits of treasure that they've picked up, but it would also be nice to be able to create your own magic items. Keep on the Shadowfell has a custom item named Aecris in it; what happens if a PC gets that? Can't put it on the character sheet (other than writing it in after printing), and you don't get a card for it (unless you print a blank one and write it in). Plenty of DMs are going to be making stuff up; support it!
Choosing a level: Right now I'm making higher than level one characters, but to do this from the start I need to choose start new, then goto the finish tab. Then goto the level up button and select level 2 or 3. Then I can go back to the races tab and start making the character.
A little prompt when making a new character that asked what level would be nice and save me a minor annoyance. :D
There is a secret, hidden button on both the main page and the Start tab: "Quick Character". You may have missed it. It's easy to do, being so small.
Select this miraculous button and you can fill in the basic details of your character (name, race, background, class and level) and then, you click "Auto Build" and "Close". Sure, you'll have to go through and fix the auto'd options, but it's level 3 (or whatever once the full program comes out.)
I'd also like to see the option, for homebrew characters, to be able to take more feats, skills and/or character backgrounds than they are allotted.
on the same note, I've been running multiclassing a little differently in my game (as has our whole group), with multiclass characters picking one or two powers (as long as the flavor all fits the character concept; i.e. the Woodland Archer Elf Cleric can only ever choose Ranger powers that fit with woodland knowledge and Zen Archery), that they can swap out and use instead, in a way similar to the wizards spell book, and it would be nice if I could incorporate this into the character creation.
I'd love the ability to add custom items and treasure to characters. My PCs are only 2nd level, and each of them already has at least one item that doesn't exist in any of the books. Some of these are things like journals, ceremonial daggers, and bits of treasure that they've picked up, but it would also be nice to be able to create your own magic items. Keep on the Shadowfell has a custom item named Aecris in it; what happens if a PC gets that? Can't put it on the character sheet (other than writing it in after printing), and you don't get a card for it (unless you print a blank one and write it in). Plenty of DMs are going to be making stuff up; support it!
Yes I agree - if you want to 'name' a standard item, particularly an intelligent item, it would be much easier to be able to customise that on the power card somehow. A method of procucing non-standard items would also be a dream.
I've always been a loyal WotC/TSR customer, but you're forcing me to consider the alternatives this way, like Pathfinder, that is supported on OSX.
(1) selecting ability scores is cumbersome. Choosing a different stat to 8 involves too many steps.
(2) weapons which belong to more than one group (such as Khopesh) provide proficiency bonus to a PC which as access to any one of the group. The bug is that they do not. (eg, the SwordSage class selection does not hilite it).
(3) dual wand/rod selection.
(4) some feats would benefit with power cards. (example: dwarven shield of the fallen is very combat/condition situational and can be helped).
(5) better support for LFR: a table of modules/xp/gold/bundle/story would be very very helpful. Support for PC ID # would be great as well.
(6) export pc as pdf/html would be useful so that when you're caught in an opportunistic game (or you had to play an unplanned pc at a table) you can grab it from numerous cloud storage services and continue without a pc.
(7) optional selections should visibly be different than non-optional selections. A simple (optional) header suffix is insufficient (though we learn to change our behavior). If the options were always listed last with some other dimmer highlight would be good.
The ability to move the numbers around in the abilities when you use the roll dice option. There is nothing in the PHB that states you have to roll them in order so why do we have to do that in the CB?
Second, there are several Deities that are available in the PHB that are not listed in the Deities section.
Third, there should be a way to change the abilities and keywords when you choose an evil character. The DMG states that you change the keywords from radiant to necrotic when you have an evil paladin. That should be an option in the CB.
Though - again - I don't think our cries will be heard, fellow Mac users. We have a beta already, and if they cared about our (growing!) demographic, we would have had it already. Now it's just a matter of pumping out product.
Not sure if it's already posted (this is a long long thread), but some observations:
(1) selecting ability scores is cumbersome. Choosing a different stat to 8 involves too many steps.
(2) weapons which belong to more than one group (such as Khopesh) provide proficiency bonus to a PC which as access to any one of the group. The bug is that they do not. (eg, the SwordSage class selection does not hilite it).
(3) dual wand/rod selection.
(4) some feats would benefit with power cards. (example: dwarven shield of the fallen is very combat/condition situational and can be helped).
(5) better support for LFR: a table of modules/xp/gold/bundle/story would be very very helpful. Support for PC ID # would be great as well.
(6) export pc as pdf/html would be useful so that when you're caught in an opportunistic game (or you had to play an unplanned pc at a table) you can grab it from numerous cloud storage services and continue without a pc.
(7) optional selections should visibly be different than non-optional selections. A simple (optional) header suffix is insufficient (though we learn to change our behavior). If the options were always listed last with some other dimmer highlight would be good.
A few more:
(8) Please have some ability to manage the start page (eg, rename PCs and choose different directories to store files)
(9) Search for magic items. (with the many many items now available, the equipment page needs a search). An inline search/filter field would be great.
(10) Please add the equipped item specifics to power cards (maybe multiple cards for same power with different equipment: eg, my PC has both a heavily thrown trident and a crossbow, both available as ranged basic attack).
(11) Reduce 'required' window size by (at least) 80% and allow the window to be resizable. This would greatly enhance usability on laptops.
(12) Ritual cards: please! And in the ritual panel, please 'help' us with 'free' rituals which are gained with leveling or feat selection. Furthermore, with the number of feats ... and inline search/filter field would be greatly appreciated.
thx
A few more:
(8) Please have some ability to manage the start page (eg, rename PCs and choose different directories to store files)
Renaming your character can be done from the "finish" tab. When you choose to save your character, you can change the directory then. It will continue to use this new directory.
(9) Search for magic items. (with the many many items now available, the equipment page needs a search). An inline search/filter field would be great.
Agreed. However, is it not enough that it already filters by which weapons/armor you have proficiency with? If you have proficiency, it's listed in black, if you don't have proficiency, it's listed in red.
(10) Please add the equipped item specifics to power cards (maybe multiple cards for same power with different equipment: eg, my PC has both a heavily thrown trident and a crossbow, both available as ranged basic attack).
No. It should only produce cards for which I have an equipped item. If I want other cards, I equip other equipment. The solution for this would be to allow us to print power cards for powers individually, instead of the entire range of power cards as a group.
(11) Reduce 'required' window size by (at least) 80% and allow the window to be resizable. This would greatly enhance usability on laptops.
I am using a laptop and I have no problems with the window sizes. And reducing the required window size by 80% would mean making the window too small to use. Maybe you meant 20%? At any rate, as I said before, I am using a laptop and I have no problems with the window as it is.
(12) Ritual cards: please! And in the ritual panel, please 'help' us with 'free' rituals which are gained with leveling or feat selection. Furthermore, with the number of feats ... and inline search/filter field would be greatly appreciated.
Ritual cards? Yes, please. "Free" rituals? They aren't going to change the rules of the game for you. If you mean that these are given because of being a Wizard (5th, 10th, etc. levels) then the Ritual window already tells you how to handle this situation. For those who refuse to read "red" text, uncheck the Shopping mode check box and make your ritual selections. Just be ready to explain to your DM why you felt you shouldn't have to pay for them.
And to the number of feats ... unless you have clicked on the "houseruled" icon, the list of feats is alredy filtered by race, class and stats. What more do you want it filtered by?
thx
Welcome
The second thing I did was try to resize the bottom image window so that I could expand the race pictures, since they just look so tiny and so awkwardly shrunk down when my screen has tons of space to make them larger.
The fact that I couldn't was my first "oh-so-its-not-quite-perfect" moment, and struck me as one easily fixed!
Great program otherwise (at least, so far... I haven't gotten past the race screen yet ;) )
A party summary sheet that shows basic stats for a party of adventurers. Or the ability to select a group of characters and print the play data cards only.
Specifically, is what I am looking for is a quick way to do the initiative, then insert the combat order similar to the form described in the manuals.
Also, where does the journal information print?
Two quick items --
Specifically, is what I am looking for is a quick way to do the initiative, then insert the combat order similar to the form described in the manuals.
Further in this vein: I'd love a bonus tool that ties into the characters created by this. Something that lets a GM merge them into a single party tracker or the aforementioned initiative cards would be great. Perhaps an add-on to the character generator itself would be better, since it could leverage the customizable sheet already available, and every GM could track exactly what they wanted to track for each PC.
Additionally, the ability to import other characters into some sort of party group and have their abilities enhance your own would be great. Nothing too spectacular is needed, but if there's a warlord in your party, your initiative modifier and Action Point effects should reflect it. Likewise with elves and perception, etc.
Another field along the lines of
That would fit the current setup and be pretty easy for an import util to scan for.
If it were to get really fancy and the idea of storing characters online was followed up on, the party tracker could store a reference to the players' online character sheets, meaning people wouldn't need to email around sheets every time something changed, and risk getting out of sync with their party members.
Not sure if this has been brought up before, but the thing about the current program, as is, that bugs me the most is that when I print out the sheets it cuts off the last 3 skills on the first page. Nothing else just those skills, which are kinda important for our rogue. If that could be fixed so that the pages auto resize to standard margins that would be great.
That's a known Vista issue...
If your character's face is favoring one side or the other, for example you could be able to focus on that, instead of getting the whole image, or worse, ending up with a portion cut off.
Not sure if this has been requested, just didn't want to scan through all the "Please make Mac work!" requests. Not that there is anything wrong, just thought that this was the request thread, not the support topic of each individual poster thread.
After loving my experience with the generator I showed it to my wife. Now my wife is an anti-power gamer, she loves to roleplay but could care less about mechanics and character building. She frequently gets bored, confused, and/or frustrated by character generation within the first 20 minutes, so often she has me make her characters for her. I walked her through it step by step and 15 minutes later she had a fully made 1st level character at which point she smiled, turned to me and said, "You have officially been replaced."
That said, the few issues I have with the generator are you should be able to make a character above 1st level without having to make it at 1st level, then level it up. A selector for the level of the character you are making early on in the process would be great. Also the equipment section could be much better. It is very confusing between having shop mode on and off. Along the same lines it would be great if the program had the rules for higher level character starting equipment built in. Meaning, when you made a 3rd level character on the Equipment tab it prompted you to buy 1 item of up to 4th level, then one up to 3rd, then one up to 2nd, then gives you 520gp.
So in conclusion it's a great product and well worth the subscription and I can't wait for the finished product!
First off bravo, WotC! I think the best way I can explain you success is with a brief annecdote:
After loving my experience with the generator I showed it to my wife. Now my wife is an anti-power gamer, she loves to roleplay but could care less about mechanics and character building. She frequently gets bored, confused, and/or frustrated by character generation within the first 20 minutes, so often she has me make her characters for her. I walked her through it step by step and 15 minutes later she had a fully made 1st level character at which point she smiled, turned to me and said, "You have officially been replaced."
This is the kind of stuff I love to hear.
Now, if we could just use the Character Builder to convince people who *don't play* D&D to try it out, then it would be a success. That said, the few issues I have with the generator are you should be able to make a character above 1st level without having to make it at 1st level, then level it up. A selector for the level of the character you are making early on in the process would be great.
1. Click 'Create New'.
2. Click on the Finish tab.
3. Click "level up".
4. Change 1 to 3.
5. Click Set XP.
6. ???
7. Profit
Also the equipment section could be much better. It is very confusing between having shop mode on and off. Along the same lines it would be great if the program had the rules for higher level character starting equipment built in. Meaning, when you made a 3rd level character on the Equipment tab it prompted you to buy 1 item of up to 4th level, then one up to 3rd, then one up to 2nd, then gives you 520gp.
Well, I know you want it built in, but that would be even more programming changes and (possible) bugs and would mean yet another delay in the program's release. For now, the sidebar on the right in the Equipment screen tells you how do get your equipment as a starting level 3 character.
So in conclusion it's a great product and well worth the subscription and I can't wait for the finished product!
Neither can I. It'll be nice to be able to use this for my Paragon level characters and Epic level characters (eventually.)
This is the kind of stuff I love to hear.
Very true. My friends commented when I demoed it for them that WotC had wisely taken the example from video game character generators.
1. Click 'Create New'.
2. Click on the Finish tab.
3. Click "level up".
4. Change 1 to 3.
5. Click Set XP.
6. ???
7. Profit
Wow, thanks! I was wondering if I was just overlooking something.
Well, I know you want it built in, but that would be even more programming changes and (possible) bugs and would mean yet another delay in the program's release. For now, the sidebar on the right in the Equipment screen tells you how do get your equipment as a starting level 3 character.
Neither can I. It'll be nice to be able to use this for my Paragon level characters and Epic level characters (eventually.)
Ok you have a point, I definitely don't want to delay the full release at this point. Maybe they'll incorporate it down the road in a patch.
I would also love to see some way to auto update when new books come out, instead of having to reinstall the entire program.
I went into the Character Builder to put in my Human Wizard that I just started playing recently and ran into a couple of problems ...
Problem #1:
Picked the Lurar background which gives me access to an additional language, and then clicked next step. This immediately took me onto my Ability Scores. So, I figured I would pick my additional language later. After I finished my character and had not been prompted for the additional language I figured out that I had to go back to the Race tab to pick the additional language.
Suggested Fix #1: Either prompt the user on that screen with a pop up or in the text box below to pick their bonus language or when the user clicks on the Next Step button send them back to the Race tab.
Problem #2:
I clicked on the roll dice option because this is what I did with my original character and then went to adjust the stats a little bit to make them fit. WELL, using the +/- buttons I could not reduce my Str to 9. I tried to click on the bubble to be able to type in my Str but to no avail there either. Looked around the screen for help and could not find anything for a help or advice. I was able to figure out that I could either manually edit the white box to the right or first the other stat below that was below 10 to a value above ten and then it would allow me to adjust my Str down to a 9.
Suggesed Fix #2: Check the scores when the user clicks next step for illegal/house ruled stats. Add a note to the information on the right of the screen telling the user that they can manually edit their stats in the white boxes.
Here's a few comments though:
* it would be great if you could customise every 'block' on the character sheet. For example, I don't want a list of Magic Items & Slots, but I do want the bottom section to track usage of Daily item powers
* Similarly, it would be great to be able to leave whiespace between blocks. Right now, all you can control is the column & order of blocks, but it'd be nice to be able to stick some blocks at the bottom of their columns (so you could have a row for attack information on a landscape page, a white beak, and then a row of non-combat information
* Being able to delete whole pages from the character sheet. I've cnodensed everything onto one page, and there's no way to remove the blank second page that I can see
* When printing, please let me print all the pages to one print job. The computer I use the character builder on doesn't have a printer, so I'm printing to pdf to transfer it to a computer with a printer. Unfortunately, I have to transfer 4 files (one of which is competely blank, thanks to the issue above)
* More sorting options for weapons, armour and magical weapons and armour. I knew my PC had a two handed weapon which did 2d6 damage, but I couldn't remember which one. If I'd been able to sort by 'Two Handed' and then by 'damage dealt' I could have found my Maul much more easily
* A way to add money to a PC. The PC in question has a few hundred gp now, but I can't see any easy way to add this info
Apart from these nitpicks, congrats on a great program!
Two quick items --
A party summary sheet that shows basic stats for a party of adventurers. Or the ability to select a group of characters and print the play data cards only.
Specifically, is what I am looking for is a quick way to do the initiative, then insert the combat order similar to the form described in the manuals.
I really like this idea. On the sheets now, as the first block printed of your powers, you get that 'mini-character' card thing ( probably the play data cards that LordMike was making reference to ). The ability to choose which characters you want ( in the party ) and print out just those little cards would be great ( especially for the DM, in my case ).
* A way to add money to a PC. The PC in question has a few hundred gp now, but I can't see any easy way to add this info
I just discovered how to do this not that long ago:
Open your character and go to the 'equipment' tab. Down near the bottom there is the box that shows what you are wearing in which slots? There are actually three buttons in the top-left corner of that field. Click on the third one - it looks like a gold circle. Voila - you can change your moola!
I noticed that Humans and Dwarves start wth str 8.. Sould be str 10. Even Halflings get str 10.
thats just the default setting, just buy it up and sell of any other stat as you wish the starting bass for the point buy is 10,10,10,10,10,8 the CB just defaults it to STR. You can all so drag and drop the blue dot or type in the number white stat box. If your numbers are not consistent with the point buy it will show as house-rule.
I agree with Kath that you should be able to manually enter information into each 'block' on the character sheet, specifically the ones covering Mannerisms, Personality, etc.
Finish tab -> Information button.
One more thing I use a user-made Character Sheet which has a field for bonuses/stats for action points bonuses (such as the bonuses granted by the group’s warlord or half-elf) and for combat advantage (useful when a character has taken the Nimble Blade feat).
This is the kind of stuff I love to hear.
My wife didn't play but after a game was called due to too few people showing up, I pulled out a Steve Jackson game "Ninja Burger" and she joined in with the couple of players that were there. She had a great time and as a result was willing to try D&D, but was worried about the character creation. After playing with the CB she was hooked and has been playing the last month and loving it. Not totally due to CB but it totally helped bridge the gap.
I have some suggestions to make concerning the character sheet avaiable at CB.
First of all, I think the sheet layout could be the same as the sheet presented at PHB.
Second, the Zoom guide could be transformed in a box where you adjust its valor with a "+" and a "-" buttons.
Third, there could be the option of selecting how many power cards of each type (at-will, encounter and daily) you want in a blank power cards page.
Fourth, I think that blank magic itens cards could be added to the blank power cards page.
Fifth, there could be tools that allow transforming the character sheet in a PDF document, be it through Adobe Acrobat linking or another way.
I hope be helping the CB design in some way.
Thanks.
I'd say it would be alright to just alternate gray fill color and white (instead of colors).
The whole program is only marginally useful to me without a standardized stat block output method.
EDIT: Obviously the Summary Stat Block output only has to contain critical stats (not character background, etc.)
Give fully customizable feats ,spells and such.... Or the possibility of like creating a class (Ex: Unholy Warrior) save it and send it to a friend so he/she can level up thru the creation program with that class without need to customize her own.And you know different character sheets
And/Or include if all possible some of the old classes
(it would just be awesome and sweet if Unholy warrior class was in this creation tool, really would apriciate it :P)
i am new to this so idk if i gave a good suggestion
Personaly a good suggestion would be like someone said
Give fully customizable feats ,spells and such.... Or the possibility of like creating a class (Ex: Unholy Warrior) save it and send it to a friend so he/she can level up thru the creation program with that class without need to customize her own.And you know different character sheets
And/Or include if all possible some of the old classes
(it would just be awesome and sweet if Unholy warrior class was in this creation tool, really would apriciate it :P)
i am new to this so idk if i gave a good suggestion
The problem in trying to just bring in some of the older classes is that since there isn't a straight correlation between previous editions and this one all you have to move over is the fluff and feel of the class. It would require rebuilding the class nearly from scratch. That said I do agree that DMs should have the ability to enter in custom data and send it to their players so that they can make characters for their campaigns. If this is not done I can see this tool not being used except for RPGA and similar things that only use book material. This would be a sad thing.
The problem in trying to just bring in some of the older classes is that since there isn't a straight correlation between previous editions and this one all you have to move over is the fluff and feel of the class. It would require rebuilding the class nearly from scratch. That said I do agree that DMs should have the ability to enter in custom data and send it to their players so that they can make characters for their campaigns. If this is not done I can see this tool not being used except for RPGA and similar things that only use book material. This would be a sad thing.
you mean like new rules and such?if its about having the character sheet level thingy then i have it hih ;)
still if its for the rules and such it would be nice to have more options with older classes or the ability to switch editions or blend them in. Or simply do it yourself ;)
still it would be sad if this tool would be restricted like you are saying like only 4th edition lil things that would really lover my score on this tool....if they cant make it so we can customize it atleast blend in old and new classes
to give the tool more options cauz so far that is what it really needs.... More possibilities
you mean like new rules and such?if its about having the character sheet level thingy then i have it hih ;)
still if its for the rules and such it would be nice to have more options with older classes or the ability to switch editions or blend them in. Or simply do it yourself ;)
still it would be sad if this tool would be restricted like you are saying like only 4th edition lil things that would really lover my score on this tool....if they cant make it so we can customize it atleast blend in old and new classes
to give the tool more options cauz so far that is what it really needs.... More possibilities
You do realize that the engine is for 4th edition right? It is not meant for 3.0 or 3.5, the mechanics of the game are different so it would be nearly impossible to have one tool for both. Try writing a excel spreadsheet for both in the same sheet and you will see what I mean. If you are looking for support for 3.0-3.5 then there are lots of free character builders out there, since WOTC won't be putting out any more books for it they should all either be up to date or getting there.
As for custom info, I believe when we get the full version that they intend on allowing DMs to create custom classes and races and items and powers and feats etc. It is just not available in the beta testing version. However this is a guess as no official statement about that is released that I know of.
You do realize that the engine is for 4th edition right? It is not meant for 3.0 or 3.5, the mechanics of the game are different so it would be nearly impossible to have one tool for both. Try writing a excel spreadsheet for both in the same sheet and you will see what I mean. If you are looking for support for 3.0-3.5 then there are lots of free character builders out there, since WOTC won't be putting out any more books for it they should all either be up to date or getting there.
As for custom info, I believe when we get the full version that they intend on allowing DMs to create custom classes and races and items and powers and feats etc. It is just not available in the beta testing version. However this is a guess as no official statement about that is released that I know of.
well it was worth a try o.o
ok noob question i searched for character creation tools but didnt find many (only eTools but not exactly what i was lookin for)could you point me in the right direction?
well it was worth a try o.o
ok noob question i searched for character creation tools but didnt find many (only eTools but not exactly what i was lookin for)could you point me in the right direction?
A few are located here: http://www.nzcomputers.net/heroforge/default35.asp
http://www.theonlysheet.com/
Now for my next suggestion on the Character Builder, I like to use journal entries and track each adventure. It would be nice to get a print feature for the Journal entries that printed them all out so I could bring them to game night to go over my notes and remind myself of what we had done the week before.
Similar to having an auto-fill on the builds that are already out there. That wouldn't be a bad idea either.
ACctually, what I'd like to see is a way to make and save character templates. For example, let's say I made a really cool fighter build. I could save as template, and if I ever wanted to make that again, just click a button, input the new numbers, and I'm good to go.
Similar to having an auto-fill on the builds that are already out there. That wouldn't be a bad idea either.
simply save your character? O.o
and for the guys above thx for the links
1) God Selection
I would like to see the core Pantheon separated from the FR pantheon (like in the background menu selection)
both to quicken the search of the gods and for clarity
furthermore since some god have different role/description/details in the two pantheon (bahamut, corellon and others) it would be usefull to have the two version in the two pantheon
2) Equipment weapon selection
why the weapons are in one big list?
Maybe having them divided between the same category of the manuals would help in finding them
furthermore the alphabetical order adopted is a little bit confusign
why don't go for
sword, short
sword, long
sword, double
hammer, crag
hammer, throwing
hammer, war
and so on?
simply save your character? O.o
and for the guys above thx for the links
Not exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking more along the lines of starting with a tab on the first screen that gives you the build, and all you have to do is plug in the attributes. It would handle equipment, skills, feats, etc.
Also, what would one do if they got a unique item (like the sword from KotS)? Is there a way to add that to the character sheet?
All in all I'm thrilled with this and can't wait for the full version. Finally the DM will have all his players character sheets on hand (as it should be).
Thanks,
-Cam
Beastmaster rangers don't get to select what kind of beat they have. Anywhere. Now, some of this is the limitations of the 4e character sheet (where exactly are you supposed to put the beast's HP/defenses, anyways?) but why not include a little card in the power card sheet containing that info, like there is for the player? At the very least, the beast's basic melee attack should be listed in the basic attacks section.
I would love it if your RPGA number could be printed on the character sheet, and perhaps your character number as well.
I put them in the campaign notes section, and they print there.
You need to be able to do more with mounts, even the default warhorses and such... put items on the warhorses, have stats for the damage you do while mounted (charging, etc.)
You also need to have a slot for a secondary weapon (ie, drop the first, draw the other one, or whatever), especially with quickdraw.
In updating my character for our 4.0 game, I found that the Character Builder does not let you list Homebrew Weapons. It only allows you to point to an URL.
I personally find this to be a bit upsetting. Supporting of Homebrewed items should be a standard, think of how many games have had DM's create items for that game. It is a core part of what D&D has been for the last 30+ years. And I know.. I started playing in 1979!
Please allow for the creation, listing and updating of the character sheet with Homebrewed items/weapons.
Thank you.
A GM/Group can post a link to their houserule/homebrew items, and have the rules information on that link.
How integrated this will be has yet to be said, but it could range from a plain website just listing the rules to full XML integration.
Only time will tell, I suppose.
Homebrew Weapons/Items:
In updating my character for our 4.0 game, I found that the Character Builder does not let you list Homebrew Weapons. It only allows you to point to an URL.
I personally find this to be a bit upsetting. Supporting of Homebrewed items should be a standard, think of how many games have had DM's create items for that game. It is a core part of what D&D has been for the last 30+ years. And I know.. I started playing in 1979!
Please allow for the creation, listing and updating of the character sheet with Homebrewed items/weapons.
Thank you.
Morgan
One thing I'd like to mention... some of us... er... more mature gamers would like the ability to print things a wee bit larger. Some of the smaller text is a serious pain to read, even with the glasses.
Morgan
Yes. The print-out power card for Warlock's Curse and any Pact Blade weapon is a pain to read, even for a young'un like me....
Power Cards.
I never used them, then I was introduced to the Magic Editor templates and now I love them.
You provide cards for the equipment and at-will, encounter and dailies, but you do not appear to provide cards for class powers, racial powers.
I took the level 2 halfling rogue that came with one of the adventures and added them it in.
I then let my group play with the Wizards version (and current cards), and next let them play with the version I had, and my MSE cards.
They enjoyed the WotC version, they loved the MSE version.
I had cards for Sneak Attack, Artful Dodger (including the Nimble Reaction), Backstabber and Halfling Agility.
Honestly, my players did not have to really even reference the books with the second version.
As I mentioned, if you're not a fan of the cards, or don't feel your group needs them, don't print them..or put a check box type option in the program to hide them, but for those of us who now love them, like me, without adding them I question if the cost outweighs the free XLS sheets and PDF sheets I have plus MSE.
I know it is possible, since so many other programs do it...
On a side note, Power Cards.
If I build a level 1 character, why must my text be tiny tiny? More importantyl, why are you showing me the powers and damage I get at level 5, 9, 12, etc?
I like trees, but trust me, I'll print these cards out a dozen times before then. Only show me what applies to my character at their current level.
Rage Strike is a good example of this.
I'll add this. I can grab a bunch of homemade power cards. And like them, it looks like you just cut n pasted the info from the books. You own the IP and have the rights, you shoudl be better than this.
Reason: People print out these sheets and used them, and the result of that is that their characters change. Ability Scores go up, attack bonuses go up. Weapons change. Armor changes. Numbers are the biggest change.
Benefits:
- Uses less ink. Kinda nice
- Allows someone to not have to waste paper on re-printing new versions of their sheet every level
- Alternatively, someone doesn't have to suffer through scratching out the numbers from level 1 and writing either over them or around them very darkly
Other than that I love the Character Builder and have found no other faults with it after taking the time to learn the system. Thanks.
I don't seem to have any issues with my taskbar, so it may not be a global thing. I'm on Vista, and if I expand the program 100% it stops at all edges including my taskbar.
Appears that I was operating on a memory. I should have checked on the open beta, since it no longer appears to work that way, now. I guess it was one of the things fixed when moving to the open beta.
1. Make the character sheet saveable as a word .doc so I can move the sheet and print it off on another computer.
2. Allow for the ability to manually enter dice roll results for the atributes. House rules may use different arrays or creature bonuses that the system would not allow me to enter. (For instance one campaign has the following array 18,16,14,14,12,10 and players allocate them as desired, the program would not allow me to do a manual entry for this).
2. Allow for the ability to manually enter dice roll results for the atributes. House rules may use different arrays or creature bonuses that the system would not allow me to enter. (For instance one campaign has the following array 18,16,14,14,12,10 and players allocate them as desired, the program would not allow me to do a manual entry for this).
You can manually enter ability scores by clicking in the text boxes with the ability scores and typing in the desired values.
1. Make the character sheet saveable as a word .doc so I can move the sheet and print it off on another computer.
From an earlier post I did. It is not a Word Document but it achieves the same thing.
There is a workaround for this right now. Here is how I sent a couple of test characters to a friend who doesn't own a PC so doesn't have a subscription so I am making his character for him. (He can see them at his job place but can't print there so I do the work for him.)
Step 1: Download and install this open source free program.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
Step 2: After creating character and opening the character sheet hit print.
Step 3: For printer choose the new PDF creator printer the step 1 program installed on your machine.
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit.
Now for the bad part. When printing to PDF the program only only processes one page at a time. This leads to two problems, one it tends to take a long amount of time in-between processing each new page to the file, and two you end up with 3+ pdf files for every character.
The first issue can be remedied by when choosing to print, only choose one page at a time under the page range at the bottom. Once you have printed out page one, just repeat for page two and so forth. (Which also means you do not need to repeat pages for those who stat stuff doesn't change.)
For the second issue, unfortunately there is no workaround unless you have a $600 copy of Acrobat Professional like I do. (I love when work buys me spendy software.) If you have a full copy of Acrobat you will have a Acrobat printer to print to and you will have the ability to combine separate pdf files into one file with the combine option.
However, I would very much like a "custom background" button. I run my own setting and I have my own regions with writeups and bonus's to match. Ordinarily, I'd say "I can just write it on my pencil copy", but this thing is so good that if I can get custom backgrounds I won't NEED a pencil copy.
And if there is such a feature...make it easy to find. ;)
Give us the ability to loosen the restrictions on paragon paths. In particular, I have a player who has the Ranger MC feat, and is interested in the ranged Ranger PP - which technically requires the ranged fighting style; the MC feat doesn't grant. I can (and have) houseruled that they can get the PP, and would like the character builder to support me
Since we havent' gotten to level 11+ or the full suite of customizations, I'm going ot put this in as a suggestion:
Give us the ability to loosen the restrictions on paragon paths. In particular, I have a player who has the Ranger MC feat, and is interested in the ranged Ranger PP - which technically requires the ranged fighting style; the MC feat doesn't grant. I can (and have) houseruled that they can get the PP, and would like the character builder to support me
I'm going to go off on a hunch here and say that this is the way it will work when the full version comes out. At level 11, the screen will pop up showing you the paragon paths you qualify for and there will be that little yellow house icon (unless they change that in the final version) which indicates a houserule. When you click on it, just like when you click on it in the feats window, it will allow you to show illegal choices as well as legal ones. It should also allow you to choose to enter custom content. This is all going off of the way the rest of the program works. As long as WotC maintains some semblance of uniformity in the various functions of the program, then this is how paragon path selections will work.
I could be wrong, of course. But, just call this a hunch, for now.
The character builder is effective and intuitive. I like it. One small thing I would like to see is a system which deducts GP from your total when you purchase items.
Click the checkbox next to 'Shopping Mode' in the equipment tab.
If I understand it's purpose correctly, that's exactly why you get a URL for a homebrew rule/item/power/feat.
A GM/Group can post a link to their houserule/homebrew items, and have the rules information on that link.
How integrated this will be has yet to be said, but it could range from a plain website just listing the rules to full XML integration.
Only time will tell, I suppose.
That may be fine for the electronics to see it on the computer. But... the program does not show the rules only the URL itself! Part of the character builder is to create the character sheet/power cards for play. The URL does not allow for 1) the stats to be printed on the power cards.
2) updating feats or replacing feats via something that an item gives you. Say like Profs with the weapon, because it is magical. 3) automatic mods of your stats based on bonuses given by said item.
This makes it harder to use the Character Builder for updating characters and keeping track of things. Where as you are not able to just send the character file alone to a DM before a game. You have to send other files to show the homebrew items/rules.
The UI is satisfactory. Since you chose to use WPF (wisely, I should add), the UI could have been so much better if you had used multiple panels in a 3d environment, such as a stack or carousel. That being said, it gets the job done and most people seem to like it.
I wish the equipment and inventory interface was cleaner. Getting equipment was too complicated. The "Shopping" option should be more obvious. For example, the Shopping mode checkbox should be at the top and highlighted. A user's eyes start at the upper left of a screen. ... It should be simplier to undo the last purchase. ... When in Shopping mode the screen should change color. ... Available funds should be more evident on the shopping page, perhaps with icons for each currency and gems/jewelry. It should be the default tab instead of equipment location. ... Currency should also include a "notes" tab like equipment.
Putting the Full Screen and Zoom feature (which is very nice) behind the About button is illogical. Those should be buttons on the main screen.
The right column should expand, along with the middle column, when in full screen mode.
Those are just some minor observations, my real concern is with the Character Sheet. As it stands now, it is almost unusable. The pages are too cluttered, the fonts are too small, and important content is poorly framed. I don't know if I'd ever use it during a game unless I didn't have time to transfer the information to a real character sheet.
Since you are using WPF, it would be a simple matter for you to release the style sheet used on the character sheets (assuming you used the styles feature of WPF). This would allow people to create new character sheets designs. The builder could detect styles in a designated folder and list them for the user to select one.
Why do the work of creating multiple templates/styles when the public will do it for you? You could even have contests for best character sheet styles or something similiar. Gamers are inherently creative and would generally love this feature.
The ability to move, hide, or remove panels is an excellent feature. In fact it is so excellent, it should be the default. I shouldn't have to go into "Options" to turn them on. I can't imagine ever using the default layout without some changes.
Well, I could talk forever about UI design, but this post has already gotten too long.
That may be fine for the electronics to see it on the computer. But... the program does not show the rules only the URL itself! Part of the character builder is to create the character sheet/power cards for play. The URL does not allow for 1) the stats to be printed on the power cards.
2) updating feats or replacing feats via something that an item gives you. Say like Profs with the weapon, because it is magical. 3) automatic mods of your stats based on bonuses given by said item.
This makes it harder to use the Character Builder for updating characters and keeping track of things. Where as you are not able to just send the character file alone to a DM before a game. You have to send other files to show the homebrew items/rules.
Hmm. That does seem a little less useful.
Please don't make it IE and/or Windows only. I really really want to give you my money. So do all of these people:
http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/10/30/why-we-launched-boxee-for-mac-before-windows/
I promise I will give you cookies if I can use it on my MacBook Pro.
You can. Just install Windows XP on a second partition OR use Virtual PC.:P
Please don't make it IE and/or Windows only. I really really want to give you my money. So do all of these people:
http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/10/30/why-we-launched-boxee-for-mac-before-windows/
I promise I will give you cookies if I can use it on my MacBook Pro.
What is boxee and what does it have to do with WotC and the Character Builder?
Necessary, no. Convenient, Yes.
1. My player group all rolled up stats (with 1 mulligan roll). Of course, they are all above the point build. It's seems much too tricky to customize the ability scores. There is no 'turn off legal' option.
2. One of my players asked to give up an eye (- to perception) to gain in Arcana. Such a cool idea, I said yes. There seems to be no way to add in misc scores for skills.
Other than that, I love the character builder and Insider in general.
1) For powers like Sneak Attack, include the actual number of dice of damage.
2) And/Or, allow the text to be modified on screen.
Otherwise, this is a great tool!
EDIT: Just read the post above mine and an editable character sheet would be the fix.
- ritual power cards
- additional power cards for other basic attacks, such as bull rush and charge
- change the character card's central area to modifier + 1/2 level instead of raw stat; raw stats are useless during a game and the mod + 1/2 level is what you might actually need
- add "blank panel" as something you can add to the page; for example, I'd like more room for equipment but I just want a blank area I can write in
- make panels on the sheets stretchable; for example I only need 1 or 2 lines for language but I need a WHOLE lot more for class features
Add those things and I will definitely buy it.
Also, found a bug:
- hiding blank power card page didn't work when I accidentally chose "hide power card pages" before turning it off; however, turning it on and then off again got rid of it
Otherwise, looks great, slick interface - and I love the way it calculates your powers for you, even if it does mean you'll have to reprint the sheet each level/item (if you choose to use this feature). Good choice not making the colored areas very big; saves on ink.
Other small things:
- power attack says "+2 damage for -2 attack" but doesn't mention 2-handed bonus is +3
- heedless charge has no description (although it does put a line in the AC conditions)
- the cleric power that adds Wis to all heals would be nice to have calculated and put on any cleric healing power
For the power cards, I'd prefer to see 4 to a page in order to increase the font size of several of the power listings.
The Warlock in CB does not have the Prime Shot ability listed.
When you edit the layout of your character sheet if you close the 'RITUALS' tab it is not able to be readded from the drop down menu.
Other than that one minor inconvenience the CB is awesome and I can't wait for a full version that goes beyond level 3 and contains all the items listed.
I *love* it. I love how you can surf around with stats and feats until your eyes cross.
However, I've done a ton of character building in it and have noticed a few things. They're mostly niggles that keep the product as a decent product instead of an award winning, you're-silly-not-to-buy-this one.
- It took me literally a month to realize you could get back to the start screen from a character screen without quitting. Please use a mouse effect of some sort to let me know this is possible.
- The reliance on right-clicking is incredibly frustrating. What about an element (for example, a feat selection) demonstrates that it is right-clickable? What about that element shows that right-clicking removes that selection? Answer to both: nothing, you have to guess. Guessing is bad.
- The start screen is useless and should be combined with the load screen.
- Images in the XML files have an absolute URL path. There's got to be a better way.
- Would love to see you publish your XML format. I've reverse-engineered it, but it seems like you do everything twice.
- In the XML file it saves the item purchases and sales for the entire life of you character. That's going to lead to some huge files over time, filled with useless info.
- The load screen should have fewer characters in the quick-load section or allow you clear the list.
- It would be great to have a "Save" and "Save As..." functionality. When you have multiple character sheets for one character it gets very difficult to remember the exact path you saved every time. 90% of the time you just want to save your changes to the current file.
- Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have an Export As... feature in the Character Sheet view. That is where you would have the BBCode version. PDF would be grand too.
- Would love to see character sheets like the H1 characters: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4dnd/20080616a no need for all those boxes when the computer is doing the work.
- 100% of the menu options in the Character Sheet view are not useful. Perhaps you split them into two apps: Character Builder and Character Viewer.
- There is barely a nod to the existence of RPGA. It would be great to have an electronic version of the Adventure Log. I'm using the Journal for this, but it's not well suited.
- RPGA Number should be on the character sheet
- The journal feature is cool, but I hate the way it reorders entries whenever the title is changed. Look at some blogging software (especially wordpress) for some ideas on how to do this feature right. That said, I don't think it needs to be any more than an Adventure Log. Players have Word Processing software already, and you won't be able to make it truly great.
- Last thing on the journal: need some way to get the content out.
- Printing is 100% the most important part of the product, and for the life of me I cannot get the sheets to print out centered on a piece of paper. I've seen different printing errors on three different printers.
Note that it's entirely possible that some of the features I've suggested are already in the program. However, I've spent so many hours using it already, that if I haven't figured it out yet it might as well not be in there at all.
Thanks for all the feedback in this thread, I am just posting to make sure you know that it is being read and we use feedback like this to prioritize what we fix next, as well as get new ideas on what to fix.
Thanks for writing this. It sometimes feels like we are shouting into a dark cave hoping there is actually someone in there.
I notice that when I print (which I almost always do in Landscape) there is a white strip that runs the height of the page with a character name/page info about 1/3 of the page in from the left. This is especially annoying and often breaks the graphics, making some unreadable.
I, like many others want the power cards to list the info in a more efficient way. For instance, I would rather have the flavor text than the full power formulae. I would rather have it say +7 vs Fort or +7 (STR) vs. Fort rather than say Strength vs. Fortitude and later say +7 vs. Fortitude again. I have been in several groups where the DM asks for the flavor text or asks "so what happens with that," and looking it up ruins the pacing of the action.
Also, when a power has an effect - for example, move an enemy 1 + Int squares, or do Cha + 3 damage - it'd be great to see this calculated as well on the power cards. I said this above for cleric heals that also do +Wis to healing, but it'd be nice for any class with a similar feature.
This is particularly tricky when powers are "do X, or if you have class feature A, do Y + mod" (for example, if you are a brutal rogue you add Str to damage, or if you're an infernal warlock you push 1 + Int instead of just 2) but it'd be great to have.
And thanks for letting us know that you read the thread!
Charge feats/Charge mechanics are not being computed properly into the sheet (+1 to hit/+2 damage with powerful charge) for powers that require a charge.
Minotaur feats are still not usable from Dragon #369
Battlerager mechanics still not registering, and secondary damage effects not registering.
It would be nice to see special weapon mechanics have reminders on the power cards (brutal, high crit, etc)
As you know, feat organization is a mess - especially when it comes to those gladiator feats.
I'm looking to run a campaign in Blackmoor, the First Campaign down the road and there will be new races and classes to add.
Bel
It would be great if there were a higher level of automation. For example, most situtational bonuses from feats, magic items, and class features do not get added to the situational modifiers areas. Some do, but most do not. There's also no way to edit those sections to manually add situational bonuses.
This also applies to the interplay between some class features and feats that improve them. As an example, the warlord presence features list out the formulas for determining what bonuses and how many temporary hp they provide. It would be nice if this were autocalculated, and it would be even nicer if when you took a feat that modified such a power (for example, Improved Resources) if the improvements from the feat were factored into that calculation.
Third, if there was more automation like this, it would be great to be able to hover your mouse over a calculated value and have a pop-up display that shows how the value was derived.
Thanks for listening!
I know I've posted this in a couple locations, but I really would like to see more functionality in creating Custom Items. At the very least a simple drop down menu to identify which Item Slot a custom item should take (i.e. - feet slot, neck slot, etc.).
I wish to create item and save them in the right Section of SHOP of Character builder. If i Create a potion it goes to potions section of the programs.
Houserules section need to be more user friendly.
What ever items pre-made are in software execpt for "Magical Weapon and armor"
constumable items like potions / wand / Scroll need to be more user friendly for costum.
If i want a magic potion than does a fire ball.... Errrrr....... Houserules doesnt allow me.
Allow us to enter our own text into the background section; I don't care about the text from the background I chose, I have my own story. I don't feel like putting it in Mannerisms or Personality traits, either. Just have something like:
CHARACTER BACKGROUND
Benefit: Born Among Another Race [Dragonborn, +2 Intimidate]
Kunajo the eladrin was born among the dragonborn of Tymanther... blah blah blah, you get the idea.