Character Builder/Compendium Update

[ferratus]

The factions were definitely what made Sigil interesting. I also liked how the natives thought they were cosmopolitan because the universe passed through their portals, but they were actually the most parochial douche bags in all the planes. I hope they don't keep the Victorian slang and the Dickensian London flavour text for 4e though, which was lame.

As for buying books in general, I definitely prioritize my purchases to 1) minis 2) adventures, 3) flavour text books like Manual of the Planes. For rulebooks, I'll probably pick up the Monster Manuals only, because those are the books I like reading. For creating characters, I like the character builder better.

If I didn't have a character builder, I probably would have bought Arcane Power and PHB2, but I would have bought less minis, and I wouldn't have finally manage to buy P1. (I lost my chance to buy H3 because I waited too long).

 

[Obryn]

When is the update supposed to be posted? I'm itching to update my party's characters (Arcane Power options have been taken).

Plus, I know my players will be happy with a new version of the demo as well.

Usually, it's the middle of the day.

Since you're on the east coast, and they're on the west, I'd say "middle of the day + 3 hours."

-O

 

[Piratecat]

The update should most likely hit today, probably late this afternoon.

Putting the first 3 levels of every class in the character builder demo is a great idea. Three of my players have subscribed to the DDI because of that demo. They hook you on it with free samples...

From a pure business perspective, continuing predictable income from subscriptions is preferable to more risky, unpredictable income from book sales. A known revenue stream helps smooth rough financial waters, and ensures that the ddi will continue to have resources devoted to it in the long term. That's only good news for us.

 

[Storminator]

I bought Arcane Power and was looking thru the powers. Wondering how it compared to the PHB and PHB2, I fired up the Character Builder and started making some PCs.

And concluded that the books suck rocks.

Character Builder all the way! As more and more of the materials go online, the better the online deal looks, and the less likely I am to buy books.

I predict 5e won't even have books.

Hmmmm. Is the errata pushed into the Character Builder? Because that would be an awesome way to keep PCs updated... just load and reprint!

PS

 

[Charwoman Gene]

I love the Character Builder and DDI, but I still like reading the books. I get "feel" for a class better seeing the powers laid out.

 

[Obryn]

Hmmmm. Is the errata pushed into the Character Builder? Because that would be an awesome way to keep PCs updated... just load and reprint!

Yup! And it notes when the errata changes were made.

For an example, check out the Encounter and Daily Attacks for the Elemental Tempest paragon path.

-O

 

[ferratus]

I predict 5e won't even have books.

I could see the need for a guidebook that you can flip open at the table, a "rules cyclopedia" if you will, which has the combat rules and other situational rules (such as environment rules) which you need to refer to at the table. Basically, everything you have a tab sticking out of in your PHB and DMG now.

I also wouldn't mind sourcebooks rich with fluffy flavour text information that are good for pleasure reading, but those don't seem to sell as well as the rules heavy books.

But races, classes, spells, and other stuff that you only need to refer to when making or leveling up the character? Nah, you don't need books for that.

Hmmmm. Is the errata pushed into the Character Builder? Because that would be an awesome way to keep PCs updated... just load and reprint!

Yes, the errata is automatically updated with the monthly update. This is why those withered and ancient Gen X-ers who insist that D&D rules must come in books are holding us back.

 

[Echohawk]

Three of my players have subscribed to the DDI because of that demo. They hook you on it with free samples...

Three of my players have also subscribed based on the demo, and given that that group bought a total of maybe four 3e books between them, that's a very good sign for WotC!

 

[ferratus]

You know, I wonder if people who bought a lot of 3e rulebooks found it a lot harder to switch to 4e.

Simply based on my own experience, it seems that there is a lot of overlap between people who are diehard 3e fans and people who collected the entire suite of rulebooks released over the 3e years.

 

[Shroomy]

I love the Character Builder and DDI, but I still like reading the books. I get "feel" for a class better seeing the powers laid out.

I pretty much feel the same way, but I no longer build any PCs by hand any more (math is hard, lets go shopping!). DDI all the way, even if I have to wait a month for an update!