Anyone try the new WoTC digital Character Generator for 4e?

[iwarrior-poet]

I am clinging on to 3.5. But if the Character Generator is slick... I might make the jump.
Is it any good?

 

[Jan van Leyden]

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.

 

[Enforcer]

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.

 

[Zaukrie]

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....

 

[Thanee]

I am clinging on to 3.5. But if the Character Generator is slick... I might make the jump.

You base your decision, whether you will be playing 4th Edition... on a... Character Generator!?

Bye
Thanee

 

[iwarrior-poet]

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.

 

[Thanee]

May seem odd, ...

Yes, it most certainly does. But hey, to each his own. And you seem to have good reasons. It's just a bit... odd... like you said.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Kristian Serrano]

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.

Right there with you, WP.

 

[DMFTodd]

being the old codger that I am, I really want a digital aide

That was ironic.

 

[Pyrex]

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.