Did I miss the all in one? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Did I miss the all in one?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mrosterman
Aug 24, 2010 8:04:46
OKay so I got my DDI subscription.

The encounter builder lets me plan an encounter with my XP budget. Cool.

The Compendium lets me print out all the stats and powers for a monster. Cool

Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place?

Or is that not an option?
#2
saitir
Aug 24, 2010 8:36:09 You didn't miss a thing. The current tools do not work in the most obvious way they could be useful. Heck, the Holding Pen on Monster Builder doesn't even show a basic XP total for monsters it contains.

Master Tools used to be the best option for building encounters as you described, but that was when you could download the monsters from your D&DI subscription into it. The latest versions require you to enter your own monsters first, thus essentially bringing you back to the point of no single tool thats really useful for encounter design.
#3
P1NBACK
Aug 25, 2010 8:02:32
Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place?

Or is that not an option?

The Monster Builder is the tool you want.

1. Open up your DMG to page 57 and determine your budget. (Alternatively, use the Encounter Builder.)
3. Open up the Monster Builder.
4. Select Monsters that get close to your budget.
5. Print those monsters.
6. Rinse/Repeat.

#4
Dane_McArdy
Aug 25, 2010 10:55:16

OKay so I got my DDI subscription.

The encounter builder lets me plan an encounter with my XP budget. Cool.

The Compendium lets me print out all the stats and powers for a monster. Cool

Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place?

Or is that not an option?

If you are using the online tools, keep in mind, those are very out of date, will not be updated, as they were put together by an ex-employee in his own time.

Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools, but that's just my guessing based off of reading the forums, and hoping.

#5
P1NBACK
Aug 25, 2010 10:57:15
Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools...

I'm curious, why do you suggest this date?
#6
Dane_McArdy
Aug 25, 2010 12:08:43
Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools...

I'm curious, why do you suggest this date?

Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded.

It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two.
#7
P1NBACK
Aug 25, 2010 12:09:58
Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded.

It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two.

Interesting speculation.

#8
Dane_McArdy
Aug 25, 2010 12:29:02
Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded.

It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two.

Interesting speculation.

It could also be just Essential related. And I'm pretty sure it is. Because Amazon lists the essentials stuff as Sept 21. So to me it says, the tools will be updated with the essentials stuff at the same time as the release of the books.

Which probably means no new tools. Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me.
#9
P1NBACK
Aug 25, 2010 13:11:48
Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me.

My advice would be to stop thinking about new tools altogether. Stop coming to the D&D Insider General forum and reading threads about it. Black yourself out from D&D Insider talk altogether and when something new finally does come out it'll be a pleasant surprise.

I do this all the time with video games and whatnot. When I'm super hyped for something and can't wait, I'll just try to forget about it altogether. If it never comes out, oh well, I'm preoccupied with other things. If it does, sweet. Just in time for me to buy it.

No sense getting frustrated about something you have no control over.
#10
Dane_McArdy
Aug 25, 2010 13:53:53
Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me.

My advice would be to stop thinking about new tools altogether. Stop coming to the D&D Insider General forum and reading threads about it. Black yourself out from D&D Insider talk altogether and when something new finally does come out it'll be a pleasant surprise.

I do this all the time with video games and whatnot. When I'm super hyped for something and can't wait, I'll just try to forget about it altogether. If it never comes out, oh well, I'm preoccupied with other things. If it does, sweet. Just in time for me to buy it.

No sense getting frustrated about something you have no control over.

That's mostly what I do.

What frustrates me is when other posters start having a tantrum. But lately I don't care about that as much as I used to. It's not like anything I say is going to make a difference. It's not like they are my neighbors.

#11
zerozombie
Aug 25, 2010 14:09:38
I try to keep quiet and forget about the lack to tools and official news, but I am unpleasantly reminded every time I sit down to get ready for next week's game.. /sad

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mrosterman Aug 24, 2010 8:04:46	OKay so I got my DDI subscription. The encounter builder lets me plan an encounter with my XP budget. Cool. The Compendium lets me print out all the stats and powers for a monster. Cool Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place? Or is that not an option?
#2 saitir Aug 24, 2010 8:36:09	You didn't miss a thing. The current tools do not work in the most obvious way they could be useful. Heck, the Holding Pen on Monster Builder doesn't even show a basic XP total for monsters it contains. Master Tools used to be the best option for building encounters as you described, but that was when you could download the monsters from your D&DI subscription into it. The latest versions require you to enter your own monsters first, thus essentially bringing you back to the point of no single tool thats really useful for encounter design.
#3 P1NBACK Aug 25, 2010 8:02:32	Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place? Or is that not an option? The Monster Builder is the tool you want. 1. Open up your DMG to page 57 and determine your budget. (Alternatively, use the Encounter Builder.) 3. Open up the Monster Builder. 4. Select Monsters that get close to your budget. 5. Print those monsters. 6. Rinse/Repeat.
#4 Dane_McArdy Aug 25, 2010 10:55:16	OKay so I got my DDI subscription. The encounter builder lets me plan an encounter with my XP budget. Cool. The Compendium lets me print out all the stats and powers for a monster. Cool Where can I build an encounter from the ground up within my budget ~and~ print out all the info I need to run that encounter from one place? Or is that not an option? If you are using the online tools, keep in mind, those are very out of date, will not be updated, as they were put together by an ex-employee in his own time. Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools, but that's just my guessing based off of reading the forums, and hoping.
#5 P1NBACK Aug 25, 2010 10:57:15	Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools... I'm curious, why do you suggest this date?
#6 Dane_McArdy Aug 25, 2010 12:08:43	Seems there is the feeling that we might see something new around September 21st, in terms of new tools to the Adventure tools... I'm curious, why do you suggest this date? Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded. It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two.
#7 P1NBACK Aug 25, 2010 12:09:58	Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded. It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two. Interesting speculation.
#8 Dane_McArdy Aug 25, 2010 12:29:02	Well, PalaoM has been saying "soon" then in a thread about the Sept update being pushed back to the 21st, he said "soon". So while I asked if the two are linked I don't think he responded. It's a total assumption, so I put no fact or faith in it. But the fact that he generally responds when people directly ask him a question in those threads, might mean that there is something connecting the two. Interesting speculation. It could also be just Essential related. And I'm pretty sure it is. Because Amazon lists the essentials stuff as Sept 21. So to me it says, the tools will be updated with the essentials stuff at the same time as the release of the books. Which probably means no new tools. Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me.
#9 P1NBACK Aug 25, 2010 13:11:48	Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me. My advice would be to stop thinking about new tools altogether. Stop coming to the D&D Insider General forum and reading threads about it. Black yourself out from D&D Insider talk altogether and when something new finally does come out it'll be a pleasant surprise. I do this all the time with video games and whatnot. When I'm super hyped for something and can't wait, I'll just try to forget about it altogether. If it never comes out, oh well, I'm preoccupied with other things. If it does, sweet. Just in time for me to buy it. No sense getting frustrated about something you have no control over.
#10 Dane_McArdy Aug 25, 2010 13:53:53	Which honestly is pushing me towards being frustrated. Because yes, a year without a new tool is a long time to wait. I don't mind the not saying anything till it's ready. But waiting for more is starting to wear thin for me. My advice would be to stop thinking about new tools altogether. Stop coming to the D&D Insider General forum and reading threads about it. Black yourself out from D&D Insider talk altogether and when something new finally does come out it'll be a pleasant surprise. I do this all the time with video games and whatnot. When I'm super hyped for something and can't wait, I'll just try to forget about it altogether. If it never comes out, oh well, I'm preoccupied with other things. If it does, sweet. Just in time for me to buy it. No sense getting frustrated about something you have no control over. That's mostly what I do. What frustrates me is when other posters start having a tantrum. But lately I don't care about that as much as I used to. It's not like anything I say is going to make a difference. It's not like they are my neighbors.
#11 zerozombie Aug 25, 2010 14:09:38	I try to keep quiet and forget about the lack to tools and official news, but I am unpleasantly reminded every time I sit down to get ready for next week's game.. /sad