4e Fan Creations and House RulesWorking on variant powers? Statting up a PC race or your version of a monster? Creating or converting an adventure? Put it here!
Hey Tintagel. While I love the artistry of your cards, I overall find them a bit too artistic. Why do I say this? Well most people will be printing these cards and your cards seem to be very ink intensive and actually require a pretty high end printer to get good print quality. This is why I have been favoring creating the cards that are more simplistic. That and the fact that I personally am not a big fan of the 'action icons'.
As for the fey set specifically, I do think the background is too dark. On most printers this will be far too overpowering. Alos, light print on dark background is great for monitors, but not so great in print. I would go with what you have but lighten it to a more "watermark" type shade and use dark print.
Thanks khaalis, for that feedback. I have to agree with you about the overall darkness, but given a good printer... man. Perhaps WOTC will see these as examples and publish them on the quality level of MTG cards? Then the ink won't be a problem, as there are many MTG cards like that.
What I will probably do is produce two sets for the Warlock: a "printer friendly" lighter set and the "ultimate" darker set.
However, I have to politely disagree with you on the printing requirements for the rest of my cards. I've been printing them out on my Lexmark Z52 (fairly old) printer without any problems in quality - and that's on the normal (not photo) setting. The warlock set is another matter, but so far the parchment, nature, and marble themes aren't bad at all. In any case, those who want to save on ink can simply download my MSE file for any of the classes and simply choose the marble theme and apply it to all the cards. That's probably the least ink intensive of the set.
[quote=tintagel]Thanks khaalis, for that feedback. I have to agree with you about the overall darkness, but given a good printer... man. Perhaps WOTC will see these as examples and publish them on the quality level of MTG cards? Then the ink won't be a problem, as there are many MTG cards like that.
What I will probably do is produce two sets for the Warlock: a "printer friendly" lighter set and the "ultimate" darker set.
i agree....I have not had any ink problems, and the look great after printing them out. Also I do not see myself printing them ALL out to play. Just the two or three characters thay i will create. also i do not see having to print them out two offten, plus they can be reusable.
Thanks khaalis, for that feedback. I have to agree with you about the overall darkness, but given a good printer... man. Perhaps WOTC will see these as examples and publish them on the quality level of MTG cards? Then the ink won't be a problem, as there are many MTG cards like that.
This is exactly what I am hoping as well. They are in the perfect position as masters of the TCG realm to produce some really nice Power Cards. I really hope WotC takes the hint and produces a box set of Power Cards for the PHB (and new sets for each new supplement) similar to the Spell Cards of 2E but at the MtG card style/quality.
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What I will probably do is produce two sets for the Warlock: a "printer friendly" lighter set and the "ultimate" darker set.
Good idea. Its always good to give options.
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However, I have to politely disagree with you on the printing requirements for the rest of my cards. I've been printing them out on my Lexmark Z52 (fairly old) printer without any problems in quality - and that's on the normal (not photo) setting.
I'll have to take a crack at printing them. I tend to find that the metallic gradients like the border lines in your art don't print as nicely. The darker backgrounds like the warlock have the same issues, where you tend to loose some of the finer shading in general printing. Granted doing it in photo quality might work better. also, printer quality varies, as well as how much you are actually printing. For me, I tend to be the one that produces the game aids for the whole group, so I'd end up printing just about all of the cards.
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The warlock set is another matter, but so far the parchment, nature, and marble themes aren't bad at all. In any case, those who want to save on ink can simply download my MSE file for any of the classes and simply choose the marble theme and apply it to all the cards. That's probably the least ink intensive of the set.
I find the parchment works the best. The marble is nice but can somewhat fade with certain print qualities. I can try to do some print tests, when my schedule allows some time this week and post up photos.
for the fighter there is a combat challage that when an adjacent enemy shifts you can take an attack. Is the combat superiority +2 to opportunity attacks part of the combat challenge or is it its own exploit?
I like the art work on the cards. One question where are the art work files saved. I can not find them in your zip file?
They're not in the zip file in an ready-to-open form; they're in the mse-set file. To get at them, rename the mse-set file's suffix to .zip and open it, they're all named image##. Note that MSE rescaled and cropped all of my processed image files before storing them, so they're not going to be all that useful for editing/resizing (for reference, the images are 1200x1200 before I import them into MSE).
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Originally Posted by meandog
Also I was looking at a few of the fighter and ranger cards, I think you need to but in the attack portion melee or ranged not Str or Dex. You are missing the other part of your bonus.
I am making the changes to on my copies.
I put in the attribute vs. "Melee" or "Ranged" because that's how the official power text is written (see the Warlord excerpt for examples). Yes, it's missing some of the modifiers, but I don't think Wizards wanted the Attack line to read:
"Attack: Attribute modifier + Level modifier + Class bonus + Proficiency bonus + Feat bonus"
Each of those things is (for the most part) passive, each of those things can vary between characters with the same power, but only the Attribute modifier is explicitly defined in the powers in question. You could make an argument for:
"Attack: [melee or ranged or thrown] weapon attack roll"
But just from the pregens, there are nearly as many exceptions as examples that conform to the rule.
Quote:
Originally Posted by meandog
for the fighter there is a combat challage that when an adjacent enemy shifts you can take an attack. Is the combat superiority +2 to opportunity attacks part of the combat challenge or is it its own exploit?
* If the enemy shifts, you may make an immediate melee basic attack. This is not explicitly an Opportunity Attack, implying that it isn't one. (Furthermore, it uses the word "immediate," which implies that it is an Immediate action, which would mean you can only use it once per round.)
* +2 to Opportunity Attacks only applies to Opportunity Attacks, so if the immediate melee basic attack isn't an Opportunity Attack, you don't get the +2.
Granted, this is a pregen sheet, with shortcuts and hasty editing, but it seems to me that if I wanted it to be an Opportunity Attack, I'd just say "Opportunity Attack" instead of "immediate melee basic attack," which is wordier.
@ Solmancer: Thanks for the feedback! Onto specific points:
The images aren't limiting text, for me, because the way I've been creating cards has been: "Enter information -> if there's room, modify/scale image." If I added more spacing in the text, I might end up cutting/shrinking the images, but that's how I was approaching them anyway: rules before art.
I've considered putting the image behind the text, but I don't want to mess with readability. Honestly, there's so much text for some of these powers that I can't reasonably introduce empty lines as the standard text template, and I'd like to maintain consistency. I might have to look into reducing font size, but I don't want to cause eyestrain either... It is quite a bind, because of the Wall of Text
You're right that the descriptor field (Arcane, Force, Implement, etc) is important; the primary reason I didn't put it in the header or the text box is that some of the descriptor lines are simply too long and will line-wrap, which just looks awful. Putting it where it belongs, with the associated layout shuffling sounds more like a new template design, really... Maybe a landscape layout?
I tried to create a blend between a few of the styles so far, and would like to know what you all think. I have thick skin so be nit-picky.
Questions I would like input on:
- Is the side bar interfering with the symmetry?
- is the top button better used for action or attack type?
- Is it important to insert 'at-will' somewhere (middle tab, maybe) or is the card color enough?
- Should the 'Wizard Attack 1' stay on the bottom or go in one of the side tabs?
- And everything else you can think of, please flame vigorously and coherently.
Last edited by sunspot; 5th June 2008 at 11:38 PM..
Dragonborn Fury: When you're bloodied, you gain a +1 racial bonus to attack rolls
Draconic Heritage: Your Healing Surge value is equal to one-quarter of you maximum hit points + your Constitution modifier.
Dragon Breath: Encounter Power - Minor Action - Blast 3 - +4 vs Reflex - 1d6 + 1 damage.
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Originally Posted by Cleric powers
An encounter power that was a melee attack that healed an ally with a healing surge and marked the target
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Originally Posted by Fighter powers
Reaping Strike, an at will that did str mod damage on a miss
Sweeping strike, an encounter power that did weapon damage and knocked the enemy prone
2nd level utility power that gave him 2d6+3 temporary hp
Trick Strike - Rogue Attack 1
Through a series of feints and lures, you maneuver your foe right where you want him.
Daily * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee or Ranged weapon
Target one creature
Attack +8 vs AC (normal)
Hit 3d4+4 damage, and you can slide the target 1 square. (standard is 1d4+1 for character)
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, each time you hit the target you can slide it 1 square.
* Sly Flourish that did Weapon damage plus Dex and Cha
* Encounter power at level 3 that allowed him to switch places with the target and shift (in addition to damage)
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Originally Posted by Paladin powers
At-will called Valiant Smite/Strike that got a +1 to attack for each adjacent enemy.
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Originally Posted by Divine Challenge patch
On your turn, you must engage the target you challenged or challenge a different target. To engage it, you must either attack it or end you turn adjacent to it. If none of these events occur by the end of your turn, the marked condition ends and you can't use Divine Challenge on your next turn.
You can use Divine Challenge once per turn.
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Originally Posted by Feat?
Oh and Power Attack gives you a -2 to attack and a +3 to damage (maybe +STR mod. - the Fighter had it).
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Originally Posted by Condition
Weakened: Your attacks deal half damage.
Ongoing damage you deal is not affected
I tried to create a blend between a few of the styles so far, and would like to know what you all think. I have thick skin so be nit-picky.
Questions I would like input on:
- Is the side bar interfering with the symmetry?
- is the top button better used for action or attack type?
- And everything else you can think of, please flame vigorously and coherently.
One order of picky, coming right up!
- I don't think the side bar is interfering with anything at all; the silvery border between the main text and the tabs on the side bar prevents that, if you ask me.
- To be honest, I'd say the top button is best for attack type, and that having the action should be more of a communication elsewhere on the card (color, topleft symbol, whatever). Additionally, for attack type, I think fitting the word "Ranged"/"Burst" into the tab would be ideal (something like "Ranged" at the top, the symbol in the middle, then the actual range/burst-radius on the bottom; alternatively the symbol on top and "Ranged 20" on the bottom or what have you); spell it out, in other words. I also wouldn't consider it redundant to keep the "Ranged 20" text in the card, either, as you currently have.
- For some reason I just can't stand seeing the "Int vs. Ref" (the "Hit") field in general in the tabs. I don't know why, but I just look at it and go "bleh". It also seems a bit odd to have the "Hit" data and not the "damage" in the case for a power such as Magic Missile. If you want "at a glance" information, shouldn't both be there? Just a thought.
@everyone-making-their-own-templates: Something I think would be neat, and this is something I've been trying to visualize and failing on, would be if you did a watermarkish layer of "At-Will" and so on behind the power's name, sort of superimposed behind the text but still relatively readable. (I'm having dejavu that I posted about this before... Can't post-search to verify this...) ... I could really use Photoshop experience right about now, and Photoshop itself. :P
I put in the attribute vs. "Melee" or "Ranged" because that's how the official power text is written (see the Warlord excerpt for examples). Yes, it's missing some of the modifiers, but I don't think Wizards wanted the Attack line to read:
"Attack: Attribute modifier + Level modifier + Class bonus + Proficiency bonus + Feat bonus"
I was using another site i found that has taken the excerpts and combined them and for the powers it would have melee or range etc. Is there a source that has all the powers listed out?
Do you see having cards for the race traits useful?
And one last question when i try inserting images in MSE i get the image in a big white box around the image. How did you insert yours into the cards and not have this? Do you have to do something with the images before you insert them?
I was using another site i found that has taken the excerpts and combined them and for the powers it would have melee or range etc. Is there a source that has all the powers listed out?
The template does have melee, range, etc, just not as the "Attack:" line, because (1) I find it impractical for all the reasons I noted in the earlier post, and (2) the way I've done it matches the official Wizards power template in every extant example.
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Originally Posted by meandog
Do you see having cards for the race traits useful?
I only have cards for the racial non-passive "powers," but yeah, they're really useful.
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Originally Posted by meandog
And one last question when i try inserting images in MSE i get the image in a big white box around the image. How did you insert yours into the cards and not have this? Do you have to do something with the images before you insert them?
Yes, you have to process the image with some (relatively minor) photoshop-fu by matching the background color of the image to the background color of whatever card field you're putting it in. In the case of my template, I included the blank.jpg, and also gave RGB values earlier in the thread.
I have finished updating my basic card layout and am still working a little on icons. I like icons. I dislike redundancy, so I tried to avoid a straight copy/paste of the power text.
Last edited by Mercutio01; 8th May 2008 at 09:38 PM..
Here's a list of some of the more obscure powers. The others can be found in previous posts (see page 3 I think, from RandomCitizenX) (feel free to update list and repost every once in a while
Last edited by sunspot; 9th May 2008 at 12:54 AM..
Apparently when the Full Card Set page was rearranged a bunch of my posts went missing. I've gone back through and re-uploaded the missing pages.
EDIT:
1) Added the new powers from the H1 preview in a file of their own.
2) Added the new Rogue Daily to each of the Rogue Card files.
3) Added the Warlock cards.
4) Added the Warlord cards.
Tintagel, this weekend I set up the Card Editor and followed your YouTube video. Nicely done! Problem is, I'm getting an error when I try to make a new card set; it doesn't seem to be recognizing those two folders of unique symbols I copied from your site into the data directory, so it gives me an error message. Any advice, anyone?
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Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
Tintagel, this weekend I set up the Card Editor and followed your YouTube video. Nicely done! Problem is, I'm getting an error when I try to make a new card set; it doesn't seem to be recognizing those two folders of unique symbols I copied from your site into the data directory, so it gives me an error message. Any advice, anyone?
I had the same problem, until I read the error MSE was throwing up. You need to download Randolph's files as well - there's one in there that Tintagel's set uses that isn't includes. Once I did that the symbols came out fine.
I printed out my cards (Tintagel's design, typed up by myself) on some flimsy card stock ($6.50 for 7 pages of 9 cards each, arranged in Powerpoint) and they worked great. Everyone at the table was really impressed. It definitely helped everyone keep track of things better. Thanks to everyone here!
Aha! Thank you so much. That did the trick. (The zip file in question is here.)
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
I have finished updating my basic card layout and am still working a little on icons. I like icons. I dislike redundancy, so I tried to avoid a straight copy/paste of the power text.
I like the way you use swatches for Attack & Defence - clears up the place for other things on the card.
Not exactly power cards, but monster cards have been part of this topic - I'm considering to resurrect a concept of monster cards I worked on previously based on the monster stat block. Is there interest in such a style?
Images
It'll have several styles since the card dimensions can't be scripted - the above is just a test in a single style. Maybe another set of styles for longer texts.
__________________ Also posts as Ashardalon (here and elsewhere) and as Eques Concordia and Guinea Pig (only elsewhere).
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