Character Builder omissions

[Engilbrand]

I just noticed that last month's new Artificer build wasn't included in the new update for the Character Builder. Has anyone else noticed things missing that should be in there? I mean, they included the Ardent, and that came out today.

 

[Dannager]

The Ardent is included because it is PHB3 preview material. Preview material is usually included in the Character Builder update for that same month.

The Artificer build is Dragon material. It is not preview material. Because it was part of the November issue of Dragon, you can expect to see it in the January Character Builder update. This is true of all Dragon material, and here's why:

When material is first published in Dragon (or Dungeon), it isn't necessarily in its final form. The full issue of the digital magazine isn't compiled until the end of the month, after all of the material has been released, and up until that final compilation comes out at the end of the month, the material may continue to be revised. Because of this, the true "final" version of Dragon material isn't released until the end of any given month. The D&D Insider tools team then needs time after that final version is released to prepare it for the Character Builder, so it ends up being released a little over a month later when the Character Builder updates. In essence, there is a two-month gap between material being first published online in Dragon or Dungeon and that material appearing in the Character Builder/Adventure Tools/Compendium.

 

[Daern]

the last update was missing the Abyssal Genasi. Hopefully their in the new one.

 

[Dannager]

the last update was missing the Abyssal Genasi. Hopefully their in the new one.

Again, the last update wasn't "missing" the article's content. It was scheduled to appear in this month's update. This month's update lists content from Dragon 380 as appearing in the Character Builder update. The Abyssal Genasi article was in Dragon 380. It should be in the Character Builder now.

 

[Engilbrand]

They are. Thanks.

 

[avin]

Don't you guys find interesting that a "preview" material is considered more done than a Dragon article?

My major disappointement (?) is about Monster Builder, tho. No templates so far? Still in beta? Pfff...

 

[MrMyth]

Don't you guys find interesting that a "preview" material is considered more done than a Dragon article?

More specifically, I think the following is true:

1) It is considered more important to get into the Character Builder, both to help enhance it as a premier feature of DDI, as well as to get the most use out of it as advance information.

2) It probably is in a more complete form than an article which had its final version posted two weeks ago. More than that, if it does change between now and the final product, it will get updated then, rather than needing a seperate process with which to do so.

Don't get me wrong, I think the potentially two month+ delay on dragon articles is absolutely terrible, but I don't think there is anything strange about them pointing out some specific key content and making sure it gets a 'fast track' to the character builder/compendium.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

Don't you guys find interesting that a "preview" material is considered more done than a Dragon article?

My major disappointement (?) is about Monster Builder, tho. No templates so far? Still in beta? Pfff...

Not at all. It's not like the old playtest articles, such as the Artificer and Barbarian ones.

The preview material is, theoretically, in its ready-to-release final form. Of course, there's bound to be something that gets changed between now and the final printing, but it's in a very refined state as compared to a Dragon article.

Also, the preview content is made primarily (entirely?) by WotC employees; Dragon content is often done by a mix of WotC and freelancers. Though Dragon is reviewed/edited/balanced/whatever, there's still a bit more room for error when it's a freelancer versus "guy who works on D&D for a living"