What tools do you want to see?

[Riastlin]

Now that we know that the CB is going online only (and its likely safe to assume that the MB will too), what additional online tools do you want to see/expect to see? I think its safe to say that they are planning more tools given that the online CB was describe as part of the "something big", so lets speculate/hope.

While encounter/campaign builders seem like obvious choices, what I would really like to see is some sort of item builder. Perhaps it could be called the Forge or Foundry. This would be designed to allow players and/or DMs to either a) modify existing items or b) create brand new items and artifacts. Additionally, with everything being online, I think that the Forge should be able to interact with the CB. Basically, a tool that lets you choose the type of item (lets say weapon-->heavy blade-->long sword) then fill in its crunchy bits (enhancement bonuses, crit bonuses, properties, etc.). Then, when you have all of this, it can then be sent to the CB and then update the PC's stats. While the offline CB allowed you to modify the card of the item, it didn't update the actual character (at least as far as I could figure out), so I think this would be great for DMs looking to add more interesting items to their campaigns.

I have plenty of other ideas, but thought I would start here. What else do y'all want to see?

 

[darkwing]

I want to see a nice 3d virtual table top with the 4e ruleset built in. They used to have videos of demonstrations of this (3d VTT sans ruleset) back when 4e launched but they gave up on the idea because they couldn't produce it. I never expect to actually see this but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to

 

[Herschel]

Item builder in the character builder.

As for teh Virtual Table Top, I really couldn't care less. D&D for me is a social game, and face-to-face is the only way to get the full effect. If I want to chat online, I chat online, I don't waste time trying to play a RPG with friends on the web.

 

[darkwing]

As for teh Virtual Table Top, I really couldn't care less. D&D for me is a social game, and face-to-face is the only way to get the full effect.

D&D is a social game for me as well. I also agree that face to face is preferable. But a couple of my real life friends in our regular D&D group (going on for about 7 years now) is retiring and moving to another part of the state in a couple of years and I'd like to continue playing with them.

 

[zoroaster100]

I'd love to see a combat tracker (there used to be several third party products for third edition like DM's Familiar) that is made to easily track initiative order, hit points, action points, ongoing damage, effects that end at the start or end of someone's next turn, etc.

 

[Zaran]

I want an encounter builder. An item builder. Then the virtual table top. I also want to see official smartphone apps.

 

[darkwing]

I want to see a nice 3d virtual table top with the 4e ruleset built in. They used to have videos of demonstrations of this (3d VTT sans ruleset) back when 4e launched but they gave up on the idea because they couldn't produce it. I never expect to actually see this but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to

Well, it's not 3d but...

Wizards announces VT

I am looking forward to it

 

[Gryph]

I would like to see a good Campaign Planner that incorporated an item builder and encounter builder as well as expanded support for house-rules in its connectivity to the character builder.

The other thing I desperately want, is the ability to exclude things for a campaign set. For example, I would like to allow psionics but not allow Gith in my campaign. The shear volume of "official" material between books and DDI material is becoming unmanageable from a campaign planning perspective; and I'm not ready to go to an Essentials only campaign. That feels too much like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.