Character Generators: What are people using?

[ergeheilalt]

I had to take a visual basics course for Mechanical Engineering (creating programs that would test circuits, fuel consuption, etc).

In the end, I turned my new found knowledge into making my own little storage system. It works okay, I'm still fiddling with it to make *perfect*, but overall I'm happy.

Erge

 

[talwynor]

Is there someplace that explains the sheet a bit? For instance, the character sheets at the end of the spreadsheet...is there a way to autopopulate? (just one of many questions)

And I'll second it. HeroForge is, hands down, the best overall character generator around, especially if you're running a more-or-less standard game.

Once you get the hang of it, modifying the classes, etc. isn't any more difficult than PCGen, either. Actually, IMHO, it's a lot easier. But, I've done quite a bit of work with Excel over the years.

 

[frugal]

The speed issue does come up on many occasions. From what I understand, not being one of the coders for the project, this is due to the fact that its written in java, since PCGen is a cross-platform application.

PCGen is not slow because it is written in Java. It is slow because it is appalingly written. It recalculates huge amounts when it does not need to, it copied large blocks of memory unnecesserily etc.

PCGen was by Bryan's own admission his first java project and it is in dire need of re-writing from the ground up.

--
Frugal
PCGen Output Sheet Chimp

 

[The_Gneech]

E-Tools is, was, and will probably continue to be my favorite, particularly now that the 3.5 data is, er, mostly finished. I will not deny, however, that it is a problem child, as software packages go. But the good people at Code Monkey Publishing are busting their tails to make it work, and have come a long way with what limited resources they've got.

-The Gneech

 

[naloomi]

I play with my laptop at the table, so I created my own excel character sheet. It handles all the calculations for me, and it's a breeze leveling-up character. Fastest method I've used.

The rest of my group uses e-Tools.

As do I. I use a modified version of Steve's 3.0 characters sheet that I have been updating to the 3.5 rule set (including expansion books) slowly. Currently I have all the skills, Feats, and core classes from the PHB incorporated. Feats from the MM are included as well.

Unfortunately, as there is just me working on it, work is slow. I also have no one to help debug it. Any offers?

Naloomi

 

[Wonko the Sane]

*sticks hand up*

 

[Chacal]

I use PCgen.
I like having a campaign file to load just the files you need and set the options you want, including your house rules, and having that appearing in the campaign menu.

I just send zipped source files to my players and they can create their PC without bothering to know options and sources allowed.


Chacal

 

[TheAuldGrump]

PCGen.

The speed has never been a real problem for me, it is faster than doing the NPCs by hand. I like to create my NPCs from the ground up using the point buy method.

The Auld Grump, and in my experience all Java programs have speed issues, not just PCGen. The new version really isn't that bad.

 

[JimAde]

Another vote for PCGen. My machine is hardly cutting-edge and I find the speed acceptable. I'm sure it could be faster, but it's fine for me. The filters are powerful but cryptic. I believe the filter for getting the PHB races is Type.PC (someone please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have the app here to check).

The best thing about it is that it's so open. I can do data files for my home-brew magic items, etc.