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After a bored weekend I started putting together my fourth edition sheet. Now, keep in mind this is a beta as I don't have the rules. Also, I am not 100% on the placement of anything. This all is subject to change, but that's why I'm here!
I want to know what everyone wants from a 4th sheet.
This is assuming, of course, that we aren't talking about the Digital Initiative. I'm not worried about online play or the character manager. I'm only talking about paper and pencil characters, here.
The sheet is very nice. However it would be great if you make a shortened version and manage to fit everything, including powers, on 2 pages. Everyone in my playgroup prefers to use a single 2-sided sheet.
Very cool. Strangely, I don't think it was until I saw the skill area of a character sheet before I really came to appreciate the simplicity of the new skill game design. No auditing skill points... crazy!
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Very cool. Strangely, I don't think it was until I saw the skill area of a character sheet before I really came to appreciate the simplicity of the new skill game design. No auditing skill points... crazy!
I'd love to see a one-page 4e character sheet. With the reduction in powers I bet one could make a good single page sheet that wouldn't require any flipping at all.
When I was at D&D Experience, I think I ended up spending most of my time on my power sheet, not on the character sheet. I bet with some careful data reduction, one could make a single character sheet with all of the most important information still there.
So there's a challenge for you. Make me a single page version of that sheet =)
I'd love to see a one-page 4e character sheet. With the reduction in powers I bet one could make a good single page sheet that wouldn't require any flipping at all.
When I was at D&D Experience, I think I ended up spending most of my time on my power sheet, not on the character sheet. I bet with some careful data reduction, one could make a single character sheet with all of the most important information still there.
So there's a challenge for you. Make me a single page version of that sheet =)
I second that!! The simplicity of 4e reminds a little of Moldvay Basic D&D. Although it is more complicated, from what I have seen they have captured the spirit. Just can't wait to get a hold of the rules and fully find out!!
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- update the magic item slots (see the article about magic items to get the new list).
- I think that you can remove the magic item bonus to abilities, as such permanent bonuses should not exist anymore in 4th edition.
- About the skills, we know that there are still some misc bonuses (feats or racial bonus), and there might be a skill focus bonus like in Star Wars Saga, so an additionnal column might be needed
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I think these wont be necessary in 4E (at least not the 2nd or 3rd column) because multi-class wont work like before. You will not see a Fighter3/Wizard3/Druid3 with separate set of class skills, but from what we could read we will see a "Fighter who dabbles in wizardry a bit" instead.
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I doubt encumbrance[or however it's spelled] we'll work that way. In any case, we do know that running isn't (speed)X4 [or 3, or whatever number it could be if you just happen to be a cheetah]
I want to know what everyone wants from a 4th sheet.
If it has to be a multipage sheet - and I'm pretty sure it does, then I'd like the pages to be "silod" by use as much as possible. Say, one page with everything you need for combat, one with everything for skill challenges and non-combat (inlcuding rituals), one with all your level progression records and character history. I like the idea of only needing the one page at a time.
Personally, I love the thought of a One Page, Front Only character sheet. Back in the day, we could create characters on the front piece of a single piece of paper. It's much harder to do that with 3E. (I use a stat block for my 3E characters, which is the only way I can do it myself.) Understandably, Powers may make that impossible, but I'd still like to see an attempt at it.
I'll add my vote to the shingle-sheet option. You could probably trim it down a bit by:
- removing the Bags & Containers section (or roll it into the larger Equipment section above)
- reducing the Languages box (in my experience most players just have a couple extra)
- reducing the Notes area, or perhaps roll it in with other miscellanea (languages, weight, etc)
- perhaps combining the Feats and Powers sections, though that might be pushing it
It's definitely a good start given what we know of the rules. But if we're looking at characters with upwards of a couple dozen powers then maybe they will require their own separate sheet.
Plus, there's a couple of things you could remove since they don't apply in 4e. Although, I really can't say what.
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You caught me on a few parts. I had meant to take out magic item bonuses and the magic item slots needed to be trimmed. I had forgotten!
Thanks for everyone's comments.
A note on the single or two sided page. I am in agreement. I'd love to see a sheet that scales down considerably from 3.5; that is what 4e is supposed to be about, right? I'm going to work on shoving pieces together to get a smaller real estate.
Things to change
-Language box
-Encumbrance
-Feats & Notes - needs to be trimmed or taken out
About the skills check list: I don't intend to keep it this way. This is a mock up from my 3e sheet, so it's left overs that haven't been sculpted yet. I was trying to get a feel for how many are interested in a sheet this early. I'm not sure if Paragon paths will have extra skill selections or not: my guess is it wont. In fact, I'll probably be taking out the class skill bubbles all together eventually.
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