Creating New Backgrounds in the Character Builder - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Creating New Backgrounds in the Character Builder

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
subtle_knife_02
Apr 02, 2009 10:49:10 I have figured out how one goes about creating a new background text- and flavor-wise, but how do I manifest the benefits. For instance, I want a background to add Healing and Nature to a character's class skills and to give them a +1 bonus to these skills; is there a means to actually provide these benefits?

SK
#2
wandering_bard
Apr 02, 2009 11:08:54 Well yes, you could talk create some kind of bg in wich you've been in constant contact with nature and, living on your own, you had to learn how to be helped by the forest to heal your wounds or illnesses (or well, something similar). Then talk to your DM and ask if you can get the bonuses.
#3
subtle_knife_02
Apr 02, 2009 16:10:30 You seem to have misread my previous post; I am trying to find out if the character builder has the means to implement bonuses/effects of houseruled backgrounds, not how to write the flavor text.

Any help would be welcome!
SK
#4
DMaple
Apr 03, 2009 4:30:48 It would be nice if the Character Builder even supported the rules from the PHB2, as it is they only support the examples in the book, and don't actually reflect the rules since they don't grant an additional language choice. Worse they fill in the background box on the character sheet with the text from the PHB and don't let you edit it.

House rules really aren't supported well in the Character Builder as yet. At the moment I don't think there is any way to add modifier to anything only flavour text.
#5
wotc_dm
Apr 03, 2009 15:08:48 - You can add a custom background, with only a custom description from the background tab.
- You can add skill bonuses to your current character by going into the Character Sheet and clicking on the Bonus box of the skill you want to update, change it and hit tab. You will be prompted to enter a note related to that modifier you are applying.

We do not currently have the capability to add custom language though.
If a preset background comes with a language choice, this choice will be reflected but you can't add a language yet for custom content.

Our main focus is to provide functionality for the official data set. Improving our customization capabilities come second to this main priority.

We are aware that some of this customization happening at the Character sheet level and some at the character builder level is is not the best user experience, and we want ultimately to regroup all the customization feature in the character builder, and just keep the character sheet as a display and a game tracker tool for those of you using a computer at the game table (to track power usage, hp loss, ...).
#6
Cailte
Apr 06, 2009 8:28:22 Also note that if you don't select a bonus until after you have selected all your background combos you get all the bonuses to choose from.

There was something about the order you delete things mattering as well in terms of keeping bonuses...but I wasn't trying to make such houseruled effects happen so didn't pay much attention.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 subtle_knife_02 Apr 02, 2009 10:49:10	I have figured out how one goes about creating a new background text- and flavor-wise, but how do I manifest the benefits. For instance, I want a background to add Healing and Nature to a character's class skills and to give them a +1 bonus to these skills; is there a means to actually provide these benefits? SK
#2 wandering_bard Apr 02, 2009 11:08:54	Well yes, you could talk create some kind of bg in wich you've been in constant contact with nature and, living on your own, you had to learn how to be helped by the forest to heal your wounds or illnesses (or well, something similar). Then talk to your DM and ask if you can get the bonuses.
#3 subtle_knife_02 Apr 02, 2009 16:10:30	You seem to have misread my previous post; I am trying to find out if the character builder has the means to implement bonuses/effects of houseruled backgrounds, not how to write the flavor text. Any help would be welcome! SK
#4 DMaple Apr 03, 2009 4:30:48	It would be nice if the Character Builder even supported the rules from the PHB2, as it is they only support the examples in the book, and don't actually reflect the rules since they don't grant an additional language choice. Worse they fill in the background box on the character sheet with the text from the PHB and don't let you edit it. House rules really aren't supported well in the Character Builder as yet. At the moment I don't think there is any way to add modifier to anything only flavour text.
#5 wotc_dm Apr 03, 2009 15:08:48	- You can add a custom background, with only a custom description from the background tab. - You can add skill bonuses to your current character by going into the Character Sheet and clicking on the Bonus box of the skill you want to update, change it and hit tab. You will be prompted to enter a note related to that modifier you are applying. We do not currently have the capability to add custom language though. If a preset background comes with a language choice, this choice will be reflected but you can't add a language yet for custom content. Our main focus is to provide functionality for the official data set. Improving our customization capabilities come second to this main priority. We are aware that some of this customization happening at the Character sheet level and some at the character builder level is is not the best user experience, and we want ultimately to regroup all the customization feature in the character builder, and just keep the character sheet as a display and a game tracker tool for those of you using a computer at the game table (to track power usage, hp loss, ...).
#6 Cailte Apr 06, 2009 8:28:22	Also note that if you don't select a bonus until after you have selected all your background combos you get all the bonuses to choose from. There was something about the order you delete things mattering as well in terms of keeping bonuses...but I wasn't trying to make such houseruled effects happen so didn't pay much attention.