Character Sheet Feedback

[Jeff Carlsen]

It just makes it feel like it was designed to make a point, rather than to be convenient and useful. It's like the lemon squeezer thing. You can make a page with boxes for "favorite color" and "mother's maiden name" and call it a character sheet, but what people actually want character sheets for is to write down their stats.

I've always played with people who will happily fill out any descriptive field I give them, so maybe it's a playstyle thing. You should see the sheets I built for that purpose. Again, I can expand or contract the number of entries based on available space. I'd rather focus on improving the other areas, and adapting the rest as needed. I certainly wouldn't want character bio to significantly impact the usability of the sheet.

How do you use it?

Usually, you mark off your total hit points and maximum negative hit points, then make marks going backwards as you take damage to track your current total. Some people fill in the bubbles. Other cross them off with a line. I prefer to use small ticks to reduce the amount of erasing I have to do later.

Some players prefer to count damage upward toward a hit point total. Either way works well.

I've been looking at the spell page for a few minutes trying to come up with how to make it better (as it's nearly perfect right now). The only thing I can think of is that it's weird for divine spells; it feels like you'd have to write and erase every time you want to prepare a different spell loadout.

This has long been a challenge with divine casters. The best sheet for them would list every spell on the Cleric Spell list. I'm not ready to do that with the game is such flux. My recommendation would be to fill out the spell sheet with the spells you prepare most often, perhaps with a couple blank spots per level. Then just check off the ones you've actually prepared.

Can you share how you created this in Calc (or upload the file)? I'm really interested in how to make stuff like this.

And give away trade secrets? NEVER!

Actually, I use a set of custom cell styles to do most of the heavy lifting for fonts, fills, and borders. For Checkboxes, I use special characters, which is unfortunate because every other part of the sheet is fillable in Calc, but I can't make the checkboxes functional.

I'll include the .ODS file with the next revision for people to look at.

 

[jrowland]

I'm probably in a minority here, but I like character sheets with....character. Little doodles and such, The AC box in the shape of a kite shield, HP box in the shape of a heart, an open book instead of a box for the spells, font that looks more like it was written by hand (or at the very least a serif font - sans serif looks good on screen, serif looks good on paper). Perhaps simply use watermarks of things like shields, weapons, hearts, etc for each section. I don't know, but I want something with more artistic flavour than a technical spec sheet.

 

[Libramarian]

Your suggestion is elegant, in that it allows for tracking a lot of hit points in a small space. But, it has two problems when used on a character sheet. First, it's a bit confusing. Second, it requires erasing and rewriting every time your hit points change, which doesn't save you much over just writing down your current total. Lastly, all those extra erasings will destroy that section of the sheet over time.

The method I use means you can make simple marks to track where you are, and only need to erase them when you're healed. Plus, its very straightforward to use. Sadly, it does take up a lot of space.

When you think about it it doesn't actually require that much more erasing--using the bubbles, assuming you heal up to max HP, you're going to be erasing every mark you make at some point with that method as well. Maybe it feels like less erasing because you do it more irregularly.

Anyhoo, I agree with the other commenters that the personal/descriptive info at the top of the page is a bit much. I would cut out Size, Build, Posture, Hairstyle, Upkeep, and combine Height and Weight into one line.

 

[babomb]

• First of all, it should probably say "Dungeons & Dragons Character Record Sheet" somewhere at the top, especially on the version you enter into the contest.
• I'd also prefer class and level to be next to each other (especially when the multi-class rules are in).
• "Use ability score to" is not a good heading for the skills, because it seems to imply that, for example, you can't use your strength to break an object unless the box is checked.
• Ideally, assuming the rules for them don't change, the feats that let you use a skill die (Disarm Traps, Open Locks) would also be listed with the skills.
• The AC section has spaces for armor and shield, but it doesn't have spaces for dex bonus, barbarian's iron hide, ioun stones, or anything like that. I know those will be written somewhere else on the sheet, but I think it's convenient to list everything that affects AC together, even if it's a little redundant, so you can easily verify the number. (It's also a good reminder for new players.)
• I like to have a space for notes next to weapons, so if I have a weapon with special properties, I can write a brief reminder of that next to the weapon (e.g. "+2d6 dmg on crit").
• Similarly, space for special properties of armor would be nice.
• Speed being under "Attacks" is a little weird.
• There's only space for one type of ammunition. (Admittedly, few characters need more than one, but it does happen.)

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

I'm probably in a minority here, but I like character sheets with....character. Little doodles and such, The AC box in the shape of a kite shield, HP box in the shape of a heart, an open book instead of a box for the spells, font that looks more like it was written by hand (or at the very least a serif font - sans serif looks good on screen, serif looks good on paper). Perhaps simply use watermarks of things like shields, weapons, hearts, etc for each section. I don't know, but I want something with more artistic flavour than a technical spec sheet.

I absolutely agree, and this will happen. As I mentioned in the opening post, I'm still in the prototyping stage, so I'm mostly focused on basics of layout and usability.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

• First of all, it should probably say "Dungeons & Dragons Character Record Sheet" somewhere at the top, especially on the version you enter into the contest.

I agree. I think I'll attach it to the character portrait when I move beyond the prototype phase.

• I'd also prefer class and level to be next to each other (especially when the multi-class rules are in).

An interesting thought. I'll put some consideration into it.

• "Use ability score to" is not a good heading for the skills, because it seems to imply that, for example, you can't use your strength to break an object unless the box is checked.

I've been meaning to add some simple instructions regarding trained skills. I may have found a way, so thank you for pointing out that this was a concern.

• Ideally, assuming the rules for them don't change, the feats that let you use a skill die (Disarm Traps, Open Locks) would also be listed with the skills.

Good point. Why these aren't just skills in the first place, I don't know.

• The AC section has spaces for armor and shield, but it doesn't have spaces for dex bonus, barbarian's iron hide, ioun stones, or anything like that. I know those will be written somewhere else on the sheet, but I think it's convenient to list everything that affects AC together, even if it's a little redundant, so you can easily verify the number. (It's also a good reminder for new players.)

I tend to agree. I'm going to have to do a lot more prototyping on the defense section to get this right.

• I like to have a space for notes next to weapons, so if I have a weapon with special properties, I can write a brief reminder of that next to the weapon (e.g. "+2d6 dmg on crit").

• Similarly, space for special properties of armor would be nice.

Again I agree. I'd like to work in a properties section, if nothing else. More significant details will still have to be left for an expanded equipment sheet.

• Speed being under "Attacks" is a little weird.

I would prefer to turn it more into an "Actions" section.

• There's only space for one type of ammunition. (Admittedly, few characters need more than one, but it does happen.)

Agreed. I know that I can make room for another when I move beyond the prototype, as I'll have more control over spacing, but I think I may have an idea that will improve this now.

Thank you for this feedback.

 

[Nytmare]

The bubbles under defense are a hit point tracker. I've been adding them to D&D sheets for a long time and they've proven quite popular at the table.

I have to agree with this. Circles for hitpoints, ammo, and components have been the only addition to my character sheets that my jerk players have ever commented on or complimented.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Release 0.2

This release made several changes based on the feedback given.

I've also further embraced the concept of a modular character sheet. The first two pages are core, and relate to everyone. Additional optional pages add detail for those who want it.

I'm also providing the LibreOffice Calc file I'm using for reference.

Changelog

• Added missing labels in several places
• Reorganized the character biography to keep game related information together and at the top.
• Added description of how to use abilities and skills
• Redesigned the Attacks and Defense sections to allow for more content
• Added entry for Initiative
• Restyled the Class and Race section and added tracking for class features with limited uses.
• Expanded Carrying Capacity information
• Added section to track coinage
• Created optional sheet for recording magic items
• Created optional sheet for tracking hit points, spell effects, conditions, and adventure notes, plus bookkeeping for experience, and treasure.

 

[GX.Sigma]

Quick notes:

You might want to change "deity" to "religion."

Fields for coinage could have the conversion rates.

Different subheads for different types of magic items ("Weapons & Armor" and "Rings & Wondrous Items") seems unnecessary, especially since they use the same template.

Loling at the XP and treasure invoice section. It actually seems very useful, but just a little silly.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Quick notes:

You might want to change "deity" to "religion."

Fields for coinage could have the conversion rates.

Different subheads for different types of magic items ("Weapons & Armor" and "Rings & Wondrous Items") seems unnecessary, especially since they use the same template.

Loling at the XP and treasure invoice section. It actually seems very useful, but just a little silly.

Good call on religion.

I'd like to add the conversion rates (I had them at one point), but I haven't found a concise method that doesn't eat up more equipment slots. Electrum really throws a wrench in there.

I generally agree on the magic item subheadings, but I also need something to separate the two rows visually. White space alone wasn't doing the trick. I'll think on it.

As for the invoices, they're terribly silly, yet highly useful for answering, "where did that money go?" or "when did we reach sixth level?" But they also fly in the face of everyone who hates bookkeeping.