Software, Computers, Video Games and D&D UtilitiesGeneral discussion on computer software and hardware, PC and console games, and RPG utilities such as eTools, PC GEN, etc.
I, being sceptical from the outset, was very pleasantly surprised by this Character Builder.
While the interface it not something I'd propose for some competition it is a stable application which gets its job done. The included data is taken from the corebooks, the first digital Dragons, FR Campaign setting and Player Guide, and the Adventurer's Vault.
There will apparantly an open beta in December; generally the CB is tied to the paid DDI service, which also gives you access to the magazines, the rules compendium and several other tools.
It is a stand-alone application running without net access. The plan is to release monthly data updates for all the new stuff. You should be able to buy one month of DDI access, download and install the CB for all the data released until then, and use it to your heart's content even after your subscription has expired.
You should keep your eyes open for the open beta and decide afterwards.
I haven't used it yet (hoping to get Vista Basic for the holidays so I can run it on my Mac), but my gaming group is VERY positive about it. Granted, beating e-tools was a pretty low bar to reach, but still, they're impressed.
It's a great tool so far. There are some clunky things (like have to click next all the time), but it works very well, is eady to use, and allows you to build characters very quickly (or to take your time). It will be updated with current rules every month. I see no reason not to want this tool if you make characters on a regular basis.
it's only real downside is not sitting at your table, surrounded by books, thinking, searching, and taking hours to make your character any more....
You base your decision, whether you will be playing 4th Edition... on a... Character Generator!?
Bye
Thanee
May seem odd, but I got back into D+D after a 15 year hiatus because of the Balder's Gate series of PC Games. I especially liked character management interfaces. I was so impressed with them, that I wound up getting back into real D+D. Then I got strung along by the whole Master Tools---ETools---CMP/RPGF fiasco of digital game aides. I was and still am looking for a game aide that was as fun/simple/powerful as the Balder's Gate interface.
Another factor in this is that 4e is radically different from previous revisions (particularly in implementation of magic). So, being the old codger that I am, I really want a digital aide that will significantly blunt the learning curve, and make it fun/easy to boot.
__________________ Here's to hoping that Paizo's 3.75 will allow me to avoid 4e for as long as possible...
Then I got strung along by the whole Master Tools---ETools---CMP/RPGF fiasco of digital game aides. I was and still am looking for a game aide that was as fun/simple/powerful as the Balder's Gate interface.
The plan is to release monthly data updates for all the new stuff. You should be able to buy one month of DDI access, download and install the CB for all the data released until then, and use it to your heart's content even after your subscription has expired.
I'd be very suprised if the final version doesn't include a time-bomb that require a subscriber-signin every month or so to keep it up and running.
I'd be very suprised if the final version doesn't include a time-bomb that require a subscriber-signin every month or so to keep it up and running.
Hey, I posted that three weeks ago! Who knows what the changes with all tjhose lay-offs will bring. Not that WotC's announcements for DDI have ever been reliable.
I haven't used it yet (hoping to get Vista Basic for the holidays so I can run it on my Mac), but my gaming group is VERY positive about it. Granted, beating e-tools was a pretty low bar to reach, but still, they're impressed.
I wouldn't go for Vista Basic. It shouldn't even be on the market IMO (and I actually like Vista). You may be okay if you're using it for a dual-booting or emulating Mac, though.
I'd be very suprised if the final version doesn't include a time-bomb that require a subscriber-signin every month or so to keep it up and running.
I think what they're hoping is that you'll keep the subscription so that you can use stuff from the latest books and magazine articles. If you just buy a month of DDI, download the character creator, then drop the subscription you won't be able to use any of the new material (at least, not without typing it all in yourself and having your character marked "homebrew").
It's in open beta now and I just gave it a try earlier today. Haven't played any 4e games yet, but what I saw looked impressive. The only suggestions I'd have for them is that they somehow highlight the recommended feats/powers/etc from your build (if you picked one). Isn't that the point of a build after all, to help you choose your options? That and the ability to choose which cards you want to print out.
I guess I have one more piece of feedback for them... make it easier to leave feedback. I clicked on the "feedback" link, got taken to a login dialog, had to fill in some extra information I didn't really want to fill in, like my mother's maiden name, then when that was all done I was brought to a screen that seemed to have no obvious "feedback" section to it. Not wanting to spend any more brainpower on it I just closed the window. So I'm giving my feedback here instead.
__________________ Adventure is not outside; it is within. --Found in a fortune cookie on game night
Strangely I think I'd be okay with having a PC die by a bear exploding out of his head. --Awayfarer, after having his PC put a furry ball from a Bag of Tricks into his mouth.
I think what they're hoping is that you'll keep the subscription so that you can use stuff from the latest books and magazine articles. If you just buy a month of DDI, download the character creator, then drop the subscription you won't be able to use any of the new material (at least, not without typing it all in yourself and having your character marked "homebrew").
If you buy one month, you don't get the updates until you subscribe for another single month later on. I don't think they'll be tracking what's released each month and granting you access only to what came out during the months you had a subscription.
If you buy one month, you don't get the updates until you subscribe for another single month later on. I don't think they'll be tracking what's released each month and granting you access only to what came out during the months you had a subscription.
Right. If you subscribe for one month (and just one month) a year after the DDI went live you'll get that whole year of DDI content plus any of the books that have been released up until now. If you then drop the subscription you stay there. Your software won't get any more updates and you're stuck with the material you have so far. If you then pick up the subscription another year later you'll get that whole other year's worth of material - everything up until the current day.
I think they'll be betting that people won't want to wait for the new material to work in the character generator. If you want to get your material into the generator right away you'll need to keep up an active subscription. Plus they'll be hoping the rest of the DDI content will keep you there.
I'm also guessing that they aren't going to make dropping the subscription easy. I recently decided to cut down on my expenses and decided to quit my subscription to Audible.com (they sell purely digital audio books). I had done this before with no fuss - just went to the website and clicked the "cancel my subscription" button. This time, the button wasn't there. Apparently that button goes away the first time you cancel. If you were to renew your subscription and cancel it again you had to actually call them up on the phone to cancel it. (Luckily they didn't argue with me when I said I couldn't afford the service anymore, but they could've given me crap on the phone.)
I wouldn't be surprised if WotC pulled something like that once they got fully up and running.
__________________ Adventure is not outside; it is within. --Found in a fortune cookie on game night
Strangely I think I'd be okay with having a PC die by a bear exploding out of his head. --Awayfarer, after having his PC put a furry ball from a Bag of Tricks into his mouth.
I tried downloading it... it installed okay, but it just didn't like the application when I tried to use it. Crashed before it even got going.
Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone got a possible fix/advice?
it is a stable application which gets its job done. The included data is taken from the corebooks, the first digital Dragons, FR Campaign setting and Player Guide, and the Adventurer's Vault.
Who knows what the changes with all tjhose lay-offs will bring. Not that WotC's announcements for DDI have ever been reliable.
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