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Where can I find a good 4e character builder program?
So, I've come across the trial for WotC's character builder, and I really like it. However, it's only for the first three levels, and the Character Visualizer doesn't work.
Does anyone know where I can find a good, freeware character builder program? Preferably with some sort of feature similar to the Character Visualizer?
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Alas, I don't think you really have any other viable choice. WotC is not being as generous with their intellectual property this time around, so their will not be (I think) third-party character generators.
Also, the character generator they provide is not quite totally done, but at least they are working on it and they are taking feedback (bug reports, feature requests etc.).
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So, I've come across the trial for WotC's character builder, and I really like it. However, it's only for the first three levels, and the Character Visualizer doesn't work.
Does anyone know where I can find a good, freeware character builder program? Preferably with some sort of feature similar to the Character Visualizer?
The free version of the character builder is only three levels, but if you pay for the full version it includes all 30 levels and updates with new information pretty mcuh as it is released.
Obviously this doesn't fulfill the freeware requirement, but as others have said, free generators are likely to be thin on the gorund with 4E.
The free version of the character builder is only three levels, but if you pay for the full version it includes all 30 levels and updates with new information pretty mcuh as it is released.
Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no. Some people may be unaffected by the economy, and free to game with multiple laptops and all sorts of expensive gadgets and whatnot, but some other people are struggling to get by as it is. I loathe the idea of D&D Insider and the fact that they plug it at every given opportunity.
__________________ "Inanimate objects, do you have a soul
That ties to our soul and the force to love?"
Also, the character generator they provide is not quite totally done, but at least they are working on it and they are taking feedback (bug reports, feature requests etc.).
It is done. The final version went live a couple of weeks ago. They also had an update a couple of days ago. (Character Builder Update (Feb 2009)). Of course, as with any software, there still are probably bugs to report, and data errors will crop up as they release new material each month.
__________________ "Sometimes we buy books because we think we're buying the time to read them." - Warren Zevon
Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no. Some people may be unaffected by the economy, and free to game with multiple laptops and all sorts of expensive gadgets and whatnot, but some other people are struggling to get by as it is. I loathe the idea of D&D Insider and the fact that they plug it at every given opportunity.
See it this way: The DDI is the cheapest way to get all the rules material in the books (whether you own them or not). And a good way to get some fluff, too (Dragon & Dungeon for that).
I am afraid I don't have really good news for you otherwise - it doesn't look like you get a good Character Builder without DDI, unless maybe you only want something that does basic stuff like telling you how many feats and powers you have or what your modifier for a given ability score is.
The General RPG Forums has two threads and a few forks regarding this topic and recent events. Basically, offering rules material online (free or otherwise) is not appreciated by WotC, and this would hamper most attempts to build a (decent) Character Generator.
I suppose there might be a way to create a builder where you can enter all a power details manually, but I think you could do this with an Excel Sheet already ) (Well, depending on your ability to use Excel or Open Office Calc)
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The character builder update goes live tonight, IIRC - maybe MOnday or Tuesday night.
As for the old subscription debate: I hope you don't have a shelf full of books from 3E or 3.5. Because those books tended to come out on a pretty much monthly basis. If you bought one book a month, you're paying a subscription - you just didn't realize it.
I would suggest to reconsider Insider. While subscription is not a bad choice (don't think about it as payment for Char builder - think that you are getting monthly Dragon and Dungeon issues for 5$ a month), you may think about ninja subscription. Spend 8$ once every half year or so and grab updated version of everything (which means Char builder at the moment). I'm not sure how it works for Dragon&Dungeon - you will get issues for that month for sure, but maybe you will be also able to grab past issues - in such case, it would be a real bargain.
Think about it different way - if you get up to date Char Builder once, you don't have to buy neither Martial Power nor Adventurers Vault - there is exactly zero content in those books outside of what you get in Char Builder (even pictures are posted on insider zone for you to download). I suppose it might be also the case for PHB2, AV2, Arcane Power, Divine Power, Primal Power etc.
Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no.
Is the "Despite the fact they continue to degrade in quality" a standard anarchist line whenever you discuss WOTC? Because the quality of the recent books is as good or better than it has ever been. Much better than late 3.5, IMO.
At any rate, DDI is the best deal WOTC is putting out by a longshot. If your budget is tight and you buy only one thing, you get DDI. All the crunch from all the book is in there and you still get a fair amound of fluff thanks to Dragon magazine. And Dragon seems better than whan I was buying it in the early years of 3E.
Last edited by Mal Malenkirk; 22nd February 2009 at 08:09 PM..
Thoughts of the Arch Chancellor - My weblog on EN World - containing game related material, like: house rules, design theories, reviews, play reports, adventure ideas
Secret Member of <Think we would just hide our secret with a spoiler tag, eh?>
Yes, the Character builder costs you subscription...but it rocks! I absolutely love the thing. I have tried every half arse spreadsheet, PDF, java application out there and eventually our group just bit the bullet and got a subscription (note : You only need one person to look after the entire group) between use, and we split the cost, meaning it costs us bugger all.
Now that we have it, my lord, it is good. I have hawked its quality on multiple threads (p.s. I dont work for wotc and will here to. The fact is, its very easy to use and produces excellent quality character sheets with MINIMUM EFFORT. Yes I did capatlise that, but its a huge point. It save you soooo much time compared to trying to piece together some other system, and at the end of the day I dont have excess time to throw at the process.
The other thing is the way it is constantly updated with official materialriceless!
Now, if WOTC could work on better support for house rules please...
translation: I want a talented team of programmers to make me a product, please. Make it better than the one offered by the designers, but be sure to steal...errr, include all of their ideas. Oh, and don't expect me to pay for it; programmers and game designers should work for free.
Hmm, the 2 worst things about DDI is that to get the most use out of it you need a laptop and everythings digital
While I don't want to start a whole discussion on the pro's and con's of it (since most people have simply made their decisions on the matter already) I really do like to have something in my hands.
But anyway, back to the OP I think I heard of one being build (not sure precisely where though) but I do remember it was far from finished. And I'm not even sure if it will include descriptions of powers, feats etc.
But anyway, back to the OP I think I heard of one being build (not sure precisely where though) but I do remember it was far from finished. And I'm not even sure if it will include descriptions of powers, feats etc.
It won't include the text from the PHB for powers, feats, etc if it wants to stay legal. Unless, of course, it is a product that is somehow approved by WOTC.
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Characters & Games
Books currently in play: Dungeon & Dragon Magazine (*Scales of War AP*), WOTC 4e Core and Supplemental books
Current Campaign: Scales of War - Lost Mines of Karak -- Kodirgo, Minotaur Barbarian 6; Vondal, Dwarf Cleric 6; Karithul, Gnome Bard 6; Marshaun, Elf Druid 6
Is the "Despite the fact they continue to degrade in quality" a standard anarchist line whenever you discuss WOTC?
As a non-standard anarchist I have to take exception to this one .
I don't have a problem with the quality of the work WotC has done of late. I've bought, or received as a gift, every D&D 4e hardcover published thus far, and I like the majority of what I've seen.
I also have a subscription to DDI which I will surely renew next year when it comes due.
On topic: the Character Builder is bad ass and anyone that thinks they can get equal or better for free is dreaming. It's well worth the subscription cost to DDI by itself and if you do the once quarterly or biannual single month subscription the cost:benefit ratio is phenomenal. Hell, a one month subscription right now, with no future updates, is worth the eight bucks just for the Character Builder, not to mention all of the back issues of Dragon and Dungeon mags you can download.
If you ever intend to buy just one more book from WotC then you can easily justify the cost of a one month DDI subscription.
DDI is best money I've spent at WOTC. Saved me from having to buy adventurer's vault, and probably will save me from buying the * Power series if they are anything like martial power.
Basically, for 5 bucks a month, i get all the crunch books AND the software to make characters with them. That's solid!
Yeah, the DDI price is negligible, and the content is dramatically less terrible than you might expect. In fact, I'd almost go so far as to say that it works... pretty well!
Wonder when they'll fix that?
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