1. It's very slow and fairly limited on what you can do. To elaborate I usually only have one button to click on any page. Now maybe that was to make it easier for some but it really feels like I only have access to a template and we are all the same.
2. It's very slow.
=)3. It doesn't import characters properly. In face one character lost two levels. Another it wont' import at all and just hangs. The third character I imported worked but was missing all the background details.
4. You cannot customize characters at all. I have a campaign going where some folks are getting powers and feats outside of their class. (It's all a part of the story line...some are bad things some are good). I have no way of working with that from what I can see. So again very templated (which doesn't have to be bad...) but very limited.
5. Certain areas are a little confusing. Over organizing the marketplace is an example. I had to look through everything to find the right weapon because I couldn't remember what type it was.
6. Finally, I really feel like there is no creativity in this application. If you compare it to the desktop version, it's very apparent that the online version is a shell. Maybe that is all that could be done to meet the deadline that was promised (due to missing other deadlines..) but it wasn't worth it.
What does this all mean? I have patiently waited for this new app. I have tried to be understanding after paying for things for over a year. But for me there is no incentive to keep paying since this doesn't even give me the basic functionality that the desktop version has. So I will end my subscription and just let folks find new powers from the books released. These powers or feats can be added to the desktop version of character builder as custom (even though it doesn't look great). But at least I have most of what I need as a DM to make a fun and exciting world for people to play in.
If Wizards were to ask for input...
I would try the best of both worlds. Take the desktop version and use it as a front end. Keep your data on a server and require authentication each time you open CB. Sure data is cashed, so it's slow to open the first time but it's faster once loaded. Yes you will have those who will try to hack it but you will can change up how the data is sent and read every so often. Better to have more paying customers and a bunch to pirates then to have no paying customers.
1) Speed the thing up. The second or two grey out as you try to move ability score pts up and down is maddening.
2) Enable arrow and mouse scroll. Things like feat lists are way to long to have to mouse drag the slider.
3) Remove that show additional options check mark or default it to on. Really, who doesn't want to see all the options?
4) Add details to familiars. At the moment it only shows the name and a two sentence description.
5) Lastly and most importantly, please make an expert mode without all the extra "help" you've added in to aid new players. I'm sure its how a computer programmer feels having to click through a Windows Connection Wizard. For example, if I know I want to make a rogue, why do I have to select striker first? Lame.
Please don't rush anymore tools to market until they are ready and stable. Ohh and keep Hasbro away from the visuals. The new builder looks like you borrowed Disneys website designer.
As a paying customer, I don't consider my complaints to be trolling. They released a significantly substandard product when they not only stated that it would replace the existing product, but would not be providing support for the replaced product. I don't have a problem with a product launching with the occasional bug, it happens, not everything is caught in testing. However, the fact is that what they released is a much worse product, rather than an improvement.
I am so disappointed and irritated with this recent decision and implementation, I've canceled my auto-renew* after deciding to invest in a yearly subscription only a few months ago. If I could get my money back, I would, since the product and service I signed up for is definitely not what I am now receiving. As a player and DM for just over 26 years this, in my opinion, is one of the worst decisions those in charge have made.
*FYI: I opted out of auto-renew when signing up by the way, so those unhappy may wish to check their auto-renew options on their subscriptions.
Why such a step back from the DL version? You cant edit power cards or even change the printing format. I dont want a 7-page character sheet and none of my players do either.
The lack of content being produced ie. the so called 'adventure tools' beta that i have been paying to use that hasnt changed or evolved or even offered another program to compliment it ( what about an encounter builder to go along?) Honestly i am really regretting my DDI subscription and this horrible online POS character builder really tops it of.
Just combine the new look with the old mechanics.
The new look however was necessary. I really like the essentials view of the character sheet. Until I had myself a personal char sheet out of powerpoint. Because during play one needed a quick reference sheet rather then the unreadable work- and calculation sheet....