I'm asking that this NOT be the place for discussing/ranting about the relative merits for/against, how much you hate it, how much you like it, or other expressions of nerd rage. There's another thread for that, and it's running at about 100 posts an hour, so please, if you have strong feelings one way or the other, there's already a thread for that.
My personal concern right now is this:
Characters in the Cloud: All characters you create are saved on our database. No need to save Character Builder files on your hard drive anymore.
This thread is for discussion of features included in the upcoming web-based character creator.
I'm asking that this NOT be the place for discussing/ranting about the relative merits for/against, how much you hate it, how much you like it, or other expressions of nerd rage. There's another thread for that, and it's running at about 100 posts an hour, so please, if you have strong feelings one way or the other, there's already a thread for that.
My personal concern right now is this:Characters in the Cloud: All characters you create are saved on our database. No need to save Character Builder files on your hard drive anymore.
I'd like to know if there will be a way to export characters in the same way or similar manner that characters are currently saved. I'm not talking about a PDF export, but an actual way to export the data (say, XML).
I run a game through Fantasy Grounds right now, because it's the only way my son--stationed overseas--can play. We currently create and level the characters through the character creator, then import it into Fantasy Grounds. If the web-based application makes it so I have to enter everything by hand, this is a big problem. Would like to hear something official from WotC if possible please.
Character export will not be in the product at launch on Nov 16th. We are very well aware that it's probably the #1 feature request and we'll add it as soon as we can.
I'm wondering now that all the characters will be saved on a server if WOTC will allow you to go into a character database to pull up a character you need quick. You could enter race, sex, class, and level and see what you could get.
I'm not sure I understand...
Character export will not be in the product at launch on Nov 16th. We are very well aware that it's probably the #1 feature request and we'll add it as soon as we can.
Fantastic, thank you!
I'm wondering now that all the characters will be saved on a server if WOTC will allow you to go into a character database to pull up a character you need quick. You could enter race, sex, class, and level and see what you could get.
I'm not sure I understand...
Say you get to play in a DnD pick up game. But you don't have any characters with you or time to make a character. You log into your DDi account, go to a character data base of the characters other people made, search level, class, race, ect for a character you want to play, print it out, ready to go.
I'm wondering now that all the characters will be saved on a server if WOTC will allow you to go into a character database to pull up a character you need quick. You could enter race, sex, class, and level and see what you could get.
I'm not sure I understand...
He's asking if the characters in the database are accessible (at least statwise) to everyone. If I load up the character builder, can I search for something like "Male Dragonborn Sorcerer" and get a list of characters in the database that match that? Why make a character from scratch if I can grab one and twiddle its dials a bit? If I want a pregen, can I search for "Female Human Slayer" and get myself a Buffy?
I'm wondering now that all the characters will be saved on a server if WOTC will allow you to go into a character database to pull up a character you need quick. You could enter race, sex, class, and level and see what you could get.
I'm not sure I understand...
Say you get to play in a DnD pick up game. But you don't have any characters with you or time to make a character. You log into your DDi account, go to a character data base of the characters other people made, search level, class, race, ect for a character you want to play, print it out, ready to go.
Gotcha.
There are a bunch of pregen characters (and we'll rotate among "themed sets") you can select from, but we are not currently planning to let you access other peoples' characters.
On the other hand, quickly generating a fully fleshed out new character takes literally 10 mouse clicks.
That actually sounds like it could be a pretty cool feature.
Yeah, we may re-evaluate this when implementaing sharing.
Will it include Gamma World materials?
No.
Edit: I pay for DDI but I've only recently started actually playing D&D and that's only through GW. I thought we were supposed to be able to pull stuff back and forth between them?
Never, ever?
Not that I can tell.
I pay for DDI but I've only recently started actually playing D&D and that's only through GW. I thought we were supposed to be able to pull stuff back and forth between them?
D&D and Gamma World are separate games. Gamma World is based on the 4e core mechanics, but it's a completely separate game.
It has the D&D logo on the box. I've been told by WotC staff that I can bring over monsters either to GW or back to a 4E game. I know there are differences but I thought they were mostly simplified mechanics (which BTW got our group to actually like play D&D again).
@moxcamel
It has the D&D logo on the box. I've been told by WotC staff that I can bring over monsters either to GW or back to a 4E game. I know there are differences but I thought they were mostly simplified mechanics (which BTW got our group to actually like play D&D again).
Hmmm...so it does (have the D&D logo).
I dunno, my understanding is that it's a compatible system, but it's not considered a D&D setting. I could be wrong. What I would like to see, however, is a separate set of tools for GW. A GW Character creator, a GW compendium, etc. It just doesn't feel right to me, to mix the two systems. But I'd definitely like to see GW get its own tools.
I could support that if I could bring monsters back and forth between them. Regular 4E does nothing for our group. We are digging Gamma World though and would love to see some support.
In Forgotten Realms.
One can see where there would need to be some separation between the two systems.
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
Also, since you are considering export options, might there be an XML export?
what about character sheets?
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
At launch, we'll have the choice of two portrait character sheets with power and item cards. One is going to be the Essentials one and then a brand new one, with more info crammed in the first page. You can use them both for any kind of character.
We have plans for more of them, to be released in the following updates.
The original character builder had some flexibility in the layout of a character sheet, can we expect the same degree of flexibility in making a custom layout?
No, for now we'll provide a number of static character sheets (two at launch, more to follow).
Also, since you are considering export options, might there be an XML export?
The format considered for export is .dnd4e.
Help me ask this question (not a computer science guy): will the .dnd4e schema (still?) be publicly available so that third parties can read it (for custom sheets and whatnot) or will there be some encryption?
I'm thinking of two of my favorite apps, iplay4e and inCombat.
what about character sheets?
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
At launch, we'll have the choice of two portrait character sheets with power and item cards. One is going to be the Essentials one and then a brand new one, with more info crammed in the first page. You can use them both for any kind of character.
We have plans for more of them, to be released in the following updates.
thanks for the quick reply. Any screen shots of the sheets?
If the export format is .dnd4e, will these files be loadable into the current off-line Character Builder?
While the format is the same, the content would not be usable by the Character Builder Classic. The opposite (CBC to new CB) is completely supported.
Thanks for your response.
Help me ask this question (not a computer science guy): will the .dnd4e schema (still?) be publicly available so that third parties can read it (for custom sheets and whatnot) or will there be some encryption?
I'm thinking of two of my favorite apps, iplay4e and inCombat.
The format is not changed.
Will the new online CB allow the option to limit available choices (per the Campaign Settings tab in the current CB), as well as the ability to save and load campaign settings?
Related to that, there's a little "RPGA Legal" note that comes up when you create a character, will that still be around?
Also, there's a character summary available in the current builder, will that feature still be available?
Thanks again,
Will the new online CB allow the option to limit available choices (per the Campaign Settings tab in the current CB), as well as the ability to save and load campaign settings?
At launch, the CB will have a number of predefined campaign settings and the intrinsic functionality to use them but not the user interface to edit them. We plan to add it in a future update.
Related to that, there's a little "RPGA Legal" note that comes up when you create a character, will that still be around?
On the character sheet?
Also, there's a character summary available in the current builder, will that feature still be available?
Not at the moment.
Okay I have a Side question will their be a Monster Builder and will we be able to protect our Creative property? I know as a DM I not sure I want anyone stealing stuff I created I and others had enough of that from White Wolf. I would prefer that some parts of the data like monsters are stored on my own machine.
Okay I have a Side question will their be a Monster Builder and will we be able to protect our Creative property? I know as a DM I not sure I want anyone stealing stuff I created I and others had enough of that from White Wolf. I would prefer that some parts of the data like monsters are stored on my own machine.
There will be a new Adventure Tools update but I can't honestly comment on legal stuff. I'll ask them and see what I can get back.
On the character sheet?
No, I only meant while building a character, there's a little prompt to tell you if your character is RPGA legal. I don't think it prints out to the character sheet.
what about character sheets?
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
At launch, we'll have the choice of two portrait character sheets with power and item cards. One is going to be the Essentials one and then a brand new one, with more info crammed in the first page. You can use them both for any kind of character.
We have plans for more of them, to be released in the following updates.
thanks for the quick reply. Any screen shots of the sheets?
Sure!
Is that the Essentials sheet or the main sheet?
That's the main one. The Essentials looks like, well... the Essentials one
i thought essentials was 'options' i dont want get railroaded into the 'dumb kid' character sheet
What do the power cards look like?
Good question!
Any chance of a landscape character sheet? And support for non-US paper sizes (eg. A4)?
I think I remember from the mega-thread that the landscape sheet will not be available at the launch. A4 sizes would be nice. So would mounts.
Is there still going to be the option to copy the summary so as to be able to paste it?(such as to WotC boards to help describe a build)
Paolo said there isn't at the moment. I'm hoping that he is implying that there will be eventually.
Is there still going to be the option to copy the summary so as to be able to paste it?(such as to WotC boards to help describe a build)
Paolo said there isn't at the moment. I'm hoping that he is implying that there will be eventually.
Thanks.
I do have to say, that, to me, is possibly one of the most valuable features of CB. It makes it really easy for someone else to quickly look at your build for possible errors in all kinds of ways.
Is that the Essentials sheet or the main sheet?
That's the main one. The Essentials looks like, well... the Essentials one
So on top of everything else we now get dumbed down character sheets.
Beautiful.
As for the character export, I too would love to see an XML export at minimum. I can see Wizards being worried about there being a potential data exploit/mine in there.. but not a whole lot worse than someone just copying the data by hand straight from the books probably. On the other hand, having an XML export gives people the ability to do things with their characters say in tools or systems that they've custom built for personal use.
Thanks for your response.
Help me ask this question (not a computer science guy): will the .dnd4e schema (still?) be publicly available so that third parties can read it (for custom sheets and whatnot) or will there be some encryption?
I'm thinking of two of my favorite apps, iplay4e and inCombat.
The format is not changed.
You know that we developers are going to remember you said this, right?
Seriously though, I was glad to see that you've bumped up the priority on .dnd4e exporting. I'll be looking forward to actually seeing and playing with the new app in a couple weeks. The way I worded it to a friend today was that I'm 'cautiously optimistic." what about character sheets?
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
At launch, we'll have the choice of two portrait character sheets with power and item cards. One is going to be the Essentials one and then a brand new one, with more info crammed in the first page. You can use them both for any kind of character.
We have plans for more of them, to be released in the following updates.
thanks for the quick reply. Any screen shots of the sheets?
Sure!
Okay, I'm not saying it makes me any less angry over how the communication on this has been handled, but but I do like that character sheet layout.
Ah, well, at least we get new ones
SOOOON!
Dear god that character sheet layout is ugly.
Ah, well, at least we get new ones
SOOOON!
I think it is pretty slick looking, albeit a little too much space dedicated to commonly used rules for me (I have this weird experience where a character sheet that actually lists the basic rules you might ned to reference causes players to constantly forget both how the rule works and that it is right in front of them).
I do look forward to seeing what other sorts of sheets they plan to include support for - as is, my group will be sticking with my modified Essentials sheets for the time being.
A few questions (that I didn't see answered in the 100+ page thread or in here):
- Are rituals and martial practices accessible for all characters?
- I know that HotFK content will not be included in the Nov 16th delivery but is the DM kit content going to be included?
- Have you been given information from dev that reclassifies old magic items into the new common/uncommon/rare system or is everything old still just uncommon in CB/Compendium?
- Will Essentials classed characters have access to the full gamut of options from 4e?
- I am assuming (read: hoping) that an Essentials rogue/thief will be able to take the Backstab feat from PHB1 and Martial Practices from MP2 if he/she wants to. Is that right?
- It also sounds like if that character wasn't made in the Eberron campaign setting, for example, then he/she won't have access to dragonmarks, i.e. the only options you won't have access to are campaign specific. Is that correct?
- Speaking of (possible) campaign specific options, are the feats and paragon paths from the FRPG available to any swordmage made in any of the other settings?
Thanks and I appreciate the candor and fortitude you've displayed today! Must have been a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng day.
Paolo,
A few questions (that I didn't see answered in the 100+ page thread or in here):
- Are rituals and martial practices accessible for all characters?
- I know that HotFK content will not be included in the Nov 16th delivery but is the DM kit content going to be included?
- Have you been given information from dev that reclassifies old magic items into the new common/uncommon/rare system or is everything old still just uncommon in CB/Compendium?
- Will Essentials classed characters have access to the full gamut of options from 4e?
- I am assuming (read: hoping) that an Essentials rogue/thief will be able to take the Backstab feat from PHB1 and Martial Practices from MP2 if he/she wants to. Is that right?
- It also sounds like if that character wasn't made in the Eberron campaign setting, for example, then he/she won't have access to dragonmarks, i.e. the only options you won't have access to are campaign specific. Is that correct?
- Speaking of campaign specific options, are the feats and paragon paths from the FRPG available to any swordmage made in any of the other settings?
Thanks and I appreciate the candor and fortitude you've displayed today! Must have been a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng day.
These are all good questions, and I would like to know the answers as well. Thanks.
Can I mix and match things from different campaigns?
From mudbunny's WotC Staff Responses thread:
Paolo - Post #555
Question - You said it will support Dark Sun... Will it support themes?Answer - Yes.
Question - Will it support themes outside of Dark Sun?Answer - No.
Although Paolo did later say in that thread that it (mixing and matching campaign specific content) would be something they'd revisit.
Can I mix and match things from different campaigns?
From mudbunny's WotC Staff Responses thread:
Paolo - Post #555
Question - You said it will support Dark Sun... Will it support themes?Answer - Yes.
Question - Will it support themes outside of Dark Sun?Answer - No.
Although Paolo did later say in that thread that it (mixing and matching campaign specific content) would be something they'd revisit.
I can't seem to find that one. Do you have a link. Still it isn't a complete answer. But I fear your right. It means no.
I can't seem to find that one. Do you have a link. Still it isn't a complete answer. But I fear your right. It means no.
Linky.
Too tired to copy/paste. My bed calls!!
Will he be able to use the new character builder to recreate it, or is he SOL?
One of my players has a Genasi Swordmage in my Dark Sun campaign.
Will he be able to use the new character builder to recreate it, or is he SOL?
So far looks like he is SOL.
And thanks for the link Mudbunny! Get some sleep!
All we know is that Themes aren't portable to other campaign settings. It would be a pretty big debacle if races weren't as all races are capable of being played in LFR.
Well I've been asking. And at every turn I get the same answer. That it's no. LFR meet the big debacle.
All we know is that Themes aren't portable to other campaign settings. It would be a pretty big debacle if races weren't as all races are capable of being played in LFR.
Exactly, hence one of my follow up questions. I'd be willing to bet that the only content segregated right now are themes (dark sun only), dragonmarks (eberron only), and spellscars (fr only). And related content (feats and the like) specific to those, obviously.
The D&D home campaign setting includes everything (except themes). Once published material will expand themes to other settings, we'll make them available, for now it doesn't make a lot of sense.
As far as I can remember, themes are the only rules mechanic that is limited to a setting. Races, classes, etc can be used across all settings. The D&D home campaign setting includes everything (except themes). Once published material will expand themes to other settings, we'll make them available, for now it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Thank you Paolo, this welcome news.
Edit: Oh and thanks for staying up late to answer these questions.
As far as I can remember, themes are the only rules mechanic that is limited to a setting. Races, classes, etc can be used across all settings. The D&D home campaign setting includes everything (except themes). Once published material will expand themes to other settings, we'll make them available, for now it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Yes, thank you.
One of my players has a Genasi Swordmage in my Dark Sun campaign.
Will he be able to use the new character builder to recreate it, or is he SOL?
As far as I can remember, themes are the only rules mechanic that is limited to a setting. Races, classes, etc can be used across all settings. The D&D home campaign setting includes everything (except themes). Once published material will expand themes to other settings, we'll make them available, for now it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Good to hear.
Although offline was handy, I can see the potential, so keep working at it.
I'm looking forward to the potential for the interaction of the other tools, in fact I guarantee if an encounter manager shows up, there will be some cheering
Related to that, there's a little "RPGA Legal" note that comes up when you create a character, will that still be around?
On the character sheet?
Just for clarity, what the OP was asking about was the campaign setting. The current/old CB has a campaign file enabled. When you create a PC, it checks to see if that PC is legal by RPGA standards. The campaign file isn't completely accurate, but the concept is very helpful: if you choose the wrong ability point buy or you choose an incorrect deity, it will tell you the PC is not campaign legal.
From the screen shots, it seems likely that the new way of doing this would be similar to the Encounters button. You would have a button for each Organized Play world. For LFR, you could not choose dragonmarks or Dark Sun epic destinies. For Encounters, you cannot choose anything beyond Essentials. Additional support might be needed as new programs are added.
Edit: And yes, let's please keep this thread being functional and constructive instead of "angry" or "yay".
what about character sheets?
if I build an essentials character will it print on only the essentials character sheet or can it print on a 4e sheet and vis-a-versa.
What about portrait or landscape? For both essentials and 4e. Can I customize the sheets like I can in the current CB?
At launch, we'll have the choice of two portrait character sheets with power and item cards. One is going to be the Essentials one and then a brand new one, with more info crammed in the first page. You can use them both for any kind of character.
We have plans for more of them, to be released in the following updates.
thanks for the quick reply. Any screen shots of the sheets?
Sure!
Thanks for the screenshot Paolo. I do not know if I like that sheet but it does lift my spirits up a little bit. Now if we can eventually customize those sheets I will be a happy camper.
I do not like the D&D logo style on that sheet, funny, the logo makes me dislike the character sheet. //shrug//
Here's another vote for making .dnd4e export the #1 priority for updates to the system. I use MapTool and I wrote a little java program which takes the .dnd4e file and generates a MapTool token from it. Losing that file export means we can't use our PCs at the table. So we'll still be using the offline version of CB till that is available in the online version. Hopefuly "soon".
Blakey
I assume though there are no intentions to make a flash version?
Gomez
Will the online CB have the concept of "folders" for organising your PCs? If not, please can this be bumped up the priority list too?
Cheers
Blakey
While I was initially very skeptic about the new web-based tool, I'm starting to change to a more positive attitude (thanks in large part to Paolos statements that the export functionality will be bumped on the priority list. I just sincerely hope that they continue to use the format from the .dnd4e files.
I have spent quite some time developing a free play aid that uses the character builder files and helps my group track power usage, hit points, healing surges etc.
I was slowly working towards a public announcement, but this discussion has prompted me to take action. The tool is available (both as source and a downloadable installer) from sourceforge.net/projects/rpgdragon/
Cato, an elf at hart
There will be a range of character sheet to choose from (initially two). There won't be the ability we currently have to customise those sheets (add remove sections, rearrange the orders customise the contents (i.e. which attacks are shown). Is that right?
Will these sheets also provide power cards as they do now?
So just to be clear;
There will be a range of character sheet to choose from (initially two). There won't be the ability we currently have to customise those sheets (add remove sections, rearrange the orders customise the contents (i.e. which attacks are shown). Is that right?
Will these sheets also provide power cards as they do now?
That is correct. Power cards got a little bit of a redesign as well.
paolo will there be the old style sheets with the actual numbers on them as an option or are we stuck using the simplified essentials type sheets. can you guys please put the old character sheet on it
So just to be clear;
There will be a range of character sheet to choose from (initially two). There won't be the ability we currently have to customise those sheets (add remove sections, rearrange the orders customise the contents (i.e. which attacks are shown). Is that right?
Will these sheets also provide power cards as they do now?
That is correct. Power cards got a little bit of a redesign as well.
Paolo, firstly thanks for keeping the information flowing.
Does this mean I will have to print out the character picture on every character sheet, for example. Or the rituals section or... and so forth? Moving things around is one thing, being forced to print sections I don't want is another (it's not a deal breaker, just a very mild irritation).
Will every sheet display a companion section? A familiar section? even when not needed?
How will it be decided what attacks to put on the character sheet? For instance, i can click into the attack workspace section now, and decide whether melee basic, ranged basic, at wills (some of which may be used as basics), or even more are displayed? Will it just be the default Basics?
How many pages does the standard character sheet run to? It looks as though there isn't loads of info in that screen shot adn youd need about 4 pages + powers for a character?
Will the DM be able to save and distribute a campain setting file as before, showing what content is and isn't allowed in the campain?
What house ruling facility will there be? Any? More than previously? Less than previously? none?
Can I say use a none standard stat distribution (say my DM allows a higher point buy for his campain)? Can I select non-standard powers?
And i guess finally for now:
You know already that character sharing/transfer/export is a priority. People don't only use the builder for building, but sharing, tweaking, and managing character within a group.
Losing this facility from the current builder will be a major problem for many groups until it is implimented in the new builder.
Based on your recent communication record I don't really expect an answer for this but am going to ask anyway.
I understand you've said it won't be ready for release but is there an ETA or at least a timescale for when we can expect to see this implimented? Soon, shortly, etc... aren't really answers to this. A date would be preferable but at least a time scale (i.e. a matter of days, or a matter of weeks, (or god forbid a matter of months) would be.
So just to be clear;
There will be a range of character sheet to choose from (initially two). There won't be the ability we currently have to customise those sheets (add remove sections, rearrange the orders customise the contents (i.e. which attacks are shown). Is that right?
Will these sheets also provide power cards as they do now?
That is correct. Power cards got a little bit of a redesign as well.
In line with what BoroGamer wrote, I would like to retain the existing CB functionality to enable and disable various aspects of the character sheet. Being able to turn off certain weapon attacks, select a weapon/implement to print or not print, choose whether a basic attack would print, etc. was a big reason why the CB character sheet was tolerable to good.
Similarly, I would like to be able to control things like the size of a field. On the current CB, you can give an area like the feats list more space and have it print more information or give it less space and you just see one line of text for each feet. That basic level of control was important.
On the subject of power cards, I would like to see at a later time the ability to define custom cards. This would include some decision as to what to print (for example, whether to include flavor text, whether to include actual numbers within the power text or have a summary line that provides actual numbers, whether to mention the item being wielded, etc.). Finally, I would like to see the ability to specify a background for the power card. This would allow me to make, within the CB, something like what I currently make in Magic Set Editor:
Example power cards I made with MSE:
The template is by Daniel Rivera. The image is one specific to my PC. The flavor text is of my own choosing. The numbers are here left blank so I can pencil them in and use the card many times as I level.
The template is by Daniel Rivera. The image is one specific to my PC. The flavor text is of my own choosing. The numbers are here left blank so I can pencil them in and use the card many times as I level.
Can you please post a shot of the new power cards?
Thanks
I agree, I would love to see a shot of the new power cards.
I would also love to be able to make my own cards to match the WotC cards.
Can the online CB add, for example, an extra feat? I'm not talking about making a custom feat, I just want to add a feat to my character at level 1 (so I now have 2 or 3 if human) and then use that slot to take (Weapon/Implement/Heavy Blade/etc.) Expertise, and have it work correctly. The offline CB does this just fine. I don't care if it's legal in any organized play or not, I just want this feature.
I understand there will be no launch functionality for custom items; however, will we still have the ability to give things custom NAMES without altering their functionality?
This is a question that has been asked several times and I haven't seen an answer that addresses all the elements of the question. I am somewhat concerned, so I will add my voice to the Great Houserule Question:
What are the capabilities of houseruling that will bein the Online Character Builder on November 16th, 2010? Will it:
* Allow you to add a bonus feat to a character, for example Weapon Expertise?
* Allow you to add a generic "thing" (feat, power, item) with simply a name and a text description?
* Allow you to build a character with more than the rules-described point totals (for ability selection)?
* (on a related note) Allow you to build an Essentials-classed character without using one of the three ability arrays provided in Heroes of the Fallen Lands
In other words: does the new builder have the same houseruling capabilities as the old? Less? More? Or is that yet to come?
If a current character has a house ruled element and is imported into the online builder, how will it handle it? Remove the element? reject the character? how severe will the houseruled element have to be to get this response? A custom item? A higher points buy? An additional feat?
You put Gamma World in the system and suddenly people are rolling up Psionic Half Elves with Laser Guns.
And that would be ...... bad?
That actually sounds like it could be a pretty cool feature.
Yeah, we may re-evaluate this when implementaing sharing.
I respectfully suggest an OPT-IN requirement for character sharing.
Once published material will expand themes to other settings, we'll make them available, for now it doesn't make a lot of sense.
*sigh*. Please make them available sooner? Gladiators, desert nomads, traders, nobles all make sense in other places than Dark Sun. About the only ones that are really, fundamentally Dark Sun specific are the Defiling-related ones.
One of my players has a Genasi Swordmage in my Dark Sun campaign.
Will he be able to use the new character builder to recreate it, or is he SOL?
Someone in the LFR forums hit me with a clue by four. Genasi are part of Darksun. How about warforged in FR? Or Thri-kreen in FR?
I'd have assumed Dragonmarks, Spellscars also were... but he didn't mention them.
My followup question is more about Inherent bonuses. Are they supported? Outside of Darksun?
(Can I add bonus feats? Powers? Can i override access rules for feats/powers/PPs? Can I edit the end numbers? Can I have not-22 point buy stats?)
It it just printing or can you make a PDF?
If you can make a PDF, can you use it to keep track of stuff (edit the HP/surges/ect)?
Will you make the Magic item Rarity be a selectable feature?
Will the "Homebrew" setting still be a part of the CB? i.e. Increased Stats, add additional powers (beyond the standard 2 at-will / 4 encounters / 4 dailies), add additional feats, etc. above and beyond the official rules character progression.
What are the current options for printing?
It it just printing or can you make a PDF?
If you can make a PDF, can you use it to keep track of stuff (edit the HP/surges/ect)?
There is most certainly a way to print - the software's entire purpose is to prepare a neat and orderly character sheet.
As for PDF, you will need non-WotC software just to have the option to "print to pdf," either by getting a PDF editior like Adobe Acrobat Pro (which isn't worth the investment if that is all you want it for) or a nifty little software, for free I might add, like CutePDF that allows you to "print to pdf," in the same way.
In order to edit the content of the PDF, you will have to have a software capable of editing the PDF, or go to a website I can't remember the name of at the moment that adds fillable forms to any document you load through it - then you can edit those forms to keep track of things on the sheet.
Easiest course of action: Use Notepad as "scratch paper" to keep track of the changing numbers during the session, and make notes as to how you need to update the sheet the next time you have online access to the CB, then re-print to PDF.
Here's my concern. There are a number of us (eg. CharOp posters) who enjoy building characters and the whole optimization process. If there are limits set filespace or character slots, this will severely impede this pasttime. And if they do set limits, but don't provide a simple and easy-to-use means to batch upload and batch download character files, you'll see fewer of the really talented people spending time presenting builds that inspire the rest of us.
Filespace shouldn't even be a cause for concern. Character files are less that 200KB. So even if they were to specify that you only get a gig worth of space that is 5000 characters worth of space. I would be REALLY surprised if the set a character limit as that will be so rediculously easy to circumvent once they add the export funtion it would be completely pointless.
My requests for the character builder
- Export capability. I'm glad this is getting priority.
- Folders or other method for sorting characters.
- [edit] Upload our own character pics. (Don't know if this is already available)
- Sharing between other DDI subscribers. Let me pick and choose who I share with.
- Customized campaigns. I don't know how much space they'd give us, but I can see home-brew options being very, very low priority.
- Magical rarity - to sort out the different magic item buying options
- Which options can be used. Book by book would be ok, but bieng able to drop specific pieces of those books would be nice.
- Custom items.
- Custom feats.
Online tools request:
An interactive character viewer/player that is usable both online and offline. Usable with tablets and smartphones. iPlay4e and it's like are cool, but a full digital character sheet that I can use powers, edit HP, etc would be awesome.
This, or maintain CB classic in parallel.
Otherwise, I'm not renewing my unsubscribtion and would consider switching system.
What are the current options for printing?
It it just printing or can you make a PDF?
If you can make a PDF, can you use it to keep track of stuff (edit the HP/surges/ect)?
There is most certainly a way to print - the software's entire purpose is to prepare a neat and orderly character sheet.
As for PDF, you will need non-WotC software just to have the option to "print to pdf," either by getting a PDF editior like Adobe Acrobat Pro (which isn't worth the investment if that is all you want it for) or a nifty little software, for free I might add, like CutePDF that allows you to "print to pdf," in the same way.
In order to edit the content of the PDF, you will have to have a software capable of editing the PDF, or go to a website I can't remember the name of at the moment that adds fillable forms to any document you load through it - then you can edit those forms to keep track of things on the sheet.
Easiest course of action: Use Notepad as "scratch paper" to keep track of the changing numbers during the session, and make notes as to how you need to update the sheet the next time you have online access to the CB, then re-print to PDF.
Not as convenient as it currently is. Hopefully they'll add more "use it at the table" options in the not to distant future. Even simple ones like "take damage", and "extended rest" would be benificial.
Otherwise i, personally, don't see any difference with the change (at least till it run on linux or android).
1) Will NPC Generation be at all possible with this iteration? I know that is more of a Monster Builder type of thing, but I have been hoping for this function in one of the programs for a while now (and still I wait).
2)I know themes will apparently be setting specific (unselectable even in the Homebrew window???), but what about Wild Talents? Will that also be Dark Sun specific?
3)Random Character Generation. I love this feature for Character Builder (Classic...
), and it took awhile to get it right. Will the new version offer this feature (or did you literally just destroy a campaign I had in the works where everyone plays randomly generated characters?)thanks for any answers...
This is light years beyond the other sheet from the builder.
Regards
Here's my concern. There are a number of us (eg. CharOp posters) who enjoy building characters and the whole optimization process. If there are limits set filespace or character slots, this will severely impede this pasttime. And if they do set limits, but don't provide a simple and easy-to-use means to batch upload and batch download character files, you'll see fewer of the really talented people spending time presenting builds that inspire the rest of us.
Inspire is a really strong word... I don't know if this is entirely true, but I'm presuming that the reason file export aren't an option at this juncture is because they're storing PCs in an indexed database rather than in files, and so converting the database entries into the previous .dnd4e xml files hasn't happened yet.
Also, somebody else mentioned sorting, I don't think that folders will happen... Not that it would be terribly hard to do, but there are more efficient ways of dealing with sorting such as tags, and property searches.