First Batch Of Initial Thoughts - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

First Batch Of Initial Thoughts

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Lizard_SF
Jul 30, 2009 14:07:49 FREQ: Should be able to sort on multiple keys -- by role, level, and secondary.

QUERY: Original power I dragged was +11; default when I moved it over was +10. Not sure where those numbers come from. How does it decide?

QUERY/FREQ: Can you store keywords you create?

QUERY/FREQ: Can you filter the keyword list to only those "appropriate"? For example, would an attack power ever have the "Dragon" keyword?

BUG: I want to know what kind of attack has the "Marital" keyword!

FREQ: Let us include macros in our powers, like <$MONSTERNAME>. This way, if change the name of a monster, we don't need to manually change it throughout the power list.

FREQ: Charisma modifier for a Level 5 creature with a 7 Cha reads "---". +0 would be better.

BUG: Trained Skill bonus did not change when underlying attribute did. I had to Untrain and then Retrain to see the correct modifier.

FREQ: Should be able to filter power list by keyword -- to find all Weapon powers, for example, or all Fire powers.

BUG: I can equip a creature with a luxury room! (Or he could be carring "Any small melee".)

FREQ: Equipment list should draw from Character Builder, and calculate the magic item bonus limit, or whatever it's called.

I'm aware that 4e isn't **** about linking stats and abilities -- you raise Strength without raising melee damage, for example. You ought to be able to do a "recalc all to base", though, to reset defenses, skills, etc, to their defaults. The "Reset to X" button a)requires you to manually check things, and b)Seems a bit quirky in terms of what number it thinks you "should" have.
#2
mudbunny
Jul 30, 2009 14:12:19 I will answer the questions I know the answers to.

FREQ: Should be able to sort on multiple keys -- by role, level, and secondary.

I believe that is in the works

QUERY: Original power I dragged was +11; default when I moved it over was +10. Not sure where those numbers come from. How does it decide?

It levels the powers to the level of the monster that you are working on, so if you dragged it to a L10 monster...
#3
riddling-reaver
Jul 31, 2009 15:52:19 I love it.

It has problems, but for a beta program its looking great.
#4
praetorianelite
Aug 01, 2009 17:13:59
BUG: I want to know what kind of attack has the "Marital" keyword!

Save vs. In-Laws.

Seems to be working as intended, imo :P
#5
DragonsWrath
Aug 02, 2009 0:39:38
FREQ: Let us include macros in our powers, like <$MONSTERNAME>. This way, if change the name of a monster, we don't need to manually change it throughout the power list.

Please yes!

On the MTG side, "~" is used to designate "this guy." For example, "When ~ comes int play, you win the game." I think that would be an appropriate shorthand, as its easy to remember and type, and is rarely used for anything else.

Other comments: The + and - conventions are bloody confusing. + adds a new object, while - deletes items. WTF? The entire layout of the controls looks like it should be a TreeView control of some kind, yet it acts nothing like one. This is highly confusing.

There is already a convention for things like this: x is used to delete things while + and - are used to expand/hide child controls. I keep clicking on the "-" to MINIMIZE the boxes, and nearly deleting them. Sure, I can train myself not to do this, but honestly, fighting conventions is a bad idea anyway.

In addition, I keep having to scroll down past ridiculously long lists of useless information to change things. Once I've added the keyword to a power, I don't need to see it ever again. Give me the power to minimize boxes I've added, and I'll be happy.

Proposals:
* Change the delete button from - to the more intuitive x.
* Add a "minimize this box, I know what it does" button. Make that a -.
* Add an "expand" button, using +, which would match the minimize button better.
* Change the "add a control" button to be some kind of duplication symbol. Perhaps a scroll in the process of being written? Maybe a quill? Something.

Those are honestly the only problems I've seen so far. I've encountered some random bugs, but I expect those will be fixed. I'm mostly concerned with functionality and the interface now, as those will have a longer, more widespread impact than weird random bugs floating around.

PS: The gnome icon for monsters made me lol.
#6
mudbunny
Aug 03, 2009 18:58:47 I have added this to the list I will be passing up to WotC by email, and posting in the main Monster Builder Beta feature requests and bugs/technical issues thread.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Lizard_SF Jul 30, 2009 14:07:49	FREQ: Should be able to sort on multiple keys -- by role, level, and secondary. QUERY: Original power I dragged was +11; default when I moved it over was +10. Not sure where those numbers come from. How does it decide? QUERY/FREQ: Can you store keywords you create? QUERY/FREQ: Can you filter the keyword list to only those "appropriate"? For example, would an attack power ever have the "Dragon" keyword? BUG: I want to know what kind of attack has the "Marital" keyword! FREQ: Let us include macros in our powers, like <$MONSTERNAME>. This way, if change the name of a monster, we don't need to manually change it throughout the power list. FREQ: Charisma modifier for a Level 5 creature with a 7 Cha reads "---". +0 would be better. BUG: Trained Skill bonus did not change when underlying attribute did. I had to Untrain and then Retrain to see the correct modifier. FREQ: Should be able to filter power list by keyword -- to find all Weapon powers, for example, or all Fire powers. BUG: I can equip a creature with a luxury room! (Or he could be carring "Any small melee".) FREQ: Equipment list should draw from Character Builder, and calculate the magic item bonus limit, or whatever it's called. I'm aware that 4e isn't **** about linking stats and abilities -- you raise Strength without raising melee damage, for example. You ought to be able to do a "recalc all to base", though, to reset defenses, skills, etc, to their defaults. The "Reset to X" button a)requires you to manually check things, and b)Seems a bit quirky in terms of what number it thinks you "should" have.
#2 mudbunny Jul 30, 2009 14:12:19	I will answer the questions I know the answers to. FREQ: Should be able to sort on multiple keys -- by role, level, and secondary. I believe that is in the works QUERY: Original power I dragged was +11; default when I moved it over was +10. Not sure where those numbers come from. How does it decide? It levels the powers to the level of the monster that you are working on, so if you dragged it to a L10 monster...
#3 riddling-reaver Jul 31, 2009 15:52:19	I love it. It has problems, but for a beta program its looking great.
#4 praetorianelite Aug 01, 2009 17:13:59	BUG: I want to know what kind of attack has the "Marital" keyword! Save vs. In-Laws. Seems to be working as intended, imo :P
#5 DragonsWrath Aug 02, 2009 0:39:38	FREQ: Let us include macros in our powers, like <$MONSTERNAME>. This way, if change the name of a monster, we don't need to manually change it throughout the power list. Please yes! On the MTG side, "~" is used to designate "this guy." For example, "When ~ comes int play, you win the game." I think that would be an appropriate shorthand, as its easy to remember and type, and is rarely used for anything else. Other comments: The + and - conventions are bloody confusing. + adds a new object, while - deletes items. WTF? The entire layout of the controls looks like it should be a TreeView control of some kind, yet it acts nothing like one. This is highly confusing. There is already a convention for things like this: x is used to delete things while + and - are used to expand/hide child controls. I keep clicking on the "-" to MINIMIZE the boxes, and nearly deleting them. Sure, I can train myself not to do this, but honestly, fighting conventions is a bad idea anyway. In addition, I keep having to scroll down past ridiculously long lists of useless information to change things. Once I've added the keyword to a power, I don't need to see it ever again. Give me the power to minimize boxes I've added, and I'll be happy. Proposals: * Change the delete button from - to the more intuitive x. * Add a "minimize this box, I know what it does" button. Make that a -. * Add an "expand" button, using +, which would match the minimize button better. * Change the "add a control" button to be some kind of duplication symbol. Perhaps a scroll in the process of being written? Maybe a quill? Something. Those are honestly the only problems I've seen so far. I've encountered some random bugs, but I expect those will be fixed. I'm mostly concerned with functionality and the interface now, as those will have a longer, more widespread impact than weird random bugs floating around. PS: The gnome icon for monsters made me lol.
#6 mudbunny Aug 03, 2009 18:58:47	I have added this to the list I will be passing up to WotC by email, and posting in the main Monster Builder Beta feature requests and bugs/technical issues thread.