General RPG DiscussionDiscussion of all RPGs and non-system-specific topics. DM/GM/player issues, settings, etc. Rules discussion belongs in one the forums below.
Hi, this is Brian Poel, the Business Manager for D&D Insider. Thought I'd pop-in and give a quick answer to this question.
For both the Character Builder and Compendium, they get updated with book data the same month that the book hits the stores -- on the 4th Tuesday of the month, so about a week after the book.
Dragon and Dungeon articles work differently, though. When an issue is completely finished and any errata are put into the final compiled PDF at the end of the month, only then is it put into the pipe for inclusion. So March Dragon and Dungeon articles get included in the Compendium and Character Builder in the April data update.
__________________ Brian Poel
Business Manager - D&D Insider
Wizards of the Coast
Awesome! Thanks, Brian. I already ordered Player's Handbook 2, and have one player who is considering making a new character. I was going to suggest he look over the PH2 character races and classes when I get the new book, but I am finding it so easy to use the Character Builder that I was very much hoping it would be updated with PH2 quickly. I am very happy to hear your answer!
Brian, I mentioned this to Sara Girard, but let me reiterate it: you folks have done superb work on the character builder. Good job, and I hope that level of attention will apply to all the online tools! The builder alone is selling some of my players on ddi.
Nice to have you here.
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Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
I too have to voice my appreciation of the Character Builder here. I didn't get a chance to take a look at it until recently, and was spurred into it in late January when Rel referred to its ease of use and how good it looked. (The exact words aren't Grandma-safe. I checked it out and indeed found it to be better than maybe any WotC software product I've seen since the CR2 product back in the 2E days. That thing is indeed a slick software, and something I will be pushing on my players the next time they draw up new 4E characters.
__________________ "Conversely, I'm amazed at the number of people queueing up to tell people that don't like 4e that they are wrong. Why can't people just agree to disagree, and get on with actually playing the game?" --Delericho
If there's one dragon, it's a solo monster.
If there's five dragons, they're standard monsters.
If there's a dozen dragons, either most of them are minions or your DM is tired of the campaign.
--Lizard
Hi, this is Brian Poel, the Business Manager for D&D Insider. Thought I'd pop-in and give a quick answer to this question.
Awesome, I love how the Wizard guys are really connected to the community here. I sure appreciate the open channels.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InspectorHound
For both the Character Builder and Compendium, they get updated with book data the same month that the book hits the stores -- on the 4th Tuesday of the month, so about a week after the book.
Darn ... guess I'll stop loading up the CB twice a day to see if there's an update then ...
__________________ I don't "tell stories" when I play D&D. I adventure. Afterward, when the gold is counted and the bodies piled high, we may tell stories about how it all went down. Or not.
Second, a little off topic, but if you're still here would you be able to tell me if you plan to implement a way to sort the dungeon adventure archives by level?
I don't always have use for an adventure from a particular level at all times, but when I do it would be nice to have an easy way to sort them. (also maybe some way to signify if it's part of a particular AP would probably be nice as well.)
Second, a little off topic, but if you're still here would you be able to tell me if you plan to implement a way to sort the dungeon adventure archives by level?
I don't always have use for an adventure from a particular level at all times, but when I do it would be nice to have an easy way to sort them. (also maybe some way to signify if it's part of a particular AP would probably be nice as well.)
One of the DDI News Guides has put together a list of this:
[...] would you be able to tell me if you plan to implement a way to sort the dungeon adventure archives by level?
I don't always have use for an adventure from a particular level at all times, but when I do it would be nice to have an easy way to sort them. (also maybe some way to signify if it's part of a particular AP would probably be nice as well.)
Hey Scribble, sorry for the slow response, but looks like mudbunny had my back (thanks MB!).
As for any larger, web-site solution to your question... I'm not personally on the web team, but I know that we're working on usability / interface improvements to the site. If I get an opportunity to throw in my 2-cents on the topic you've raised, I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately, I can't speak to any time-line for changes.
The DDI team is also exploring how we might utilize the Compendium to address this kind of task. There's more than one way to skin a Kobold.
Oh and for everyone else's kind words, thanks! I love the Character Builder too.
__________________ Brian Poel
Business Manager - D&D Insider
Wizards of the Coast
Right on! Glad to hear another confirmation you guys are listening to the fans!
Mudbunny: Thanks for the tip!
No problem. I will pass on the request in my weekly reports that Ii send to the D&D Community Management team that they can then use to nag suggest to the DDI dev team.
I checked it out and indeed found it to be better than maybe any WotC software product I've seen since the CR2 product back in the 2E days. That thing is indeed a slick software, and something I will be pushing on my players the next time they draw up new 4E characters.
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