Character maintenance

[PrinceZane]

Alrighty...

Almost time to leave for work, so I'll post this for something to read later. How do you keep up with character sheets from looking like crud? Between erasing in that same little block to change xp, what possessions you have, ammo used, etc. within a few game sessions i've almost rubbed through the sheet having to change sheets fairly frequent.

I've learned to have my char sheet as the layout, but to write everything that changes a bit on a legal pad (the big long yellow pads of paper). One page for possessions, one for treasure we find, one for xp, etc. It saves on the char sheets I have to redo and keeps things organized.

Just curious if anyone else had the problem and how they got over it.

 

[Sammael]

I use the Singin' Sheet (form-fillable, auto-calculating) and print a new version for every session.

 

[Palskane]

The actual character sheet itself I usually type up in an excel program or even just a document. I'll make notes in a notebook for various things like possessions gained, ammo used, etc. Then I just have to make minimal changes to my sheet. I keep track of combat and hp's in my notebook, and they don't ever really change on my sheet until I go up a level and such.

That means I have a notebook with all kinds of combat numbers, exp, treasure and the like, along with the dates they occured. And then a separate character sheet that is neatly typed and never changes due to erasing.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

I'll have a printed copy of a character sheet. And the XP list goes on a different page in a table made just for that purpose.

 

[Fraggleonacid]

Currently I 'cheat'. I have a Tablet PC and Windows Journal - does a great job, backed up by an HTML character sheet in IE for the static stuff.

As a cheaper alternative, that I used to use: pop the character sheet in to one of those plastic A4 filing pockets and use a chinagraph pencil on the plastic. The pencil doesn't come off the plastic quite as easily as felt tip or other water based inks (with the usual stains on your fingers), but does come off with the minimum of rubbing.

 

[orchid blossom]

As a cheaper alternative, that I used to use: pop the character sheet in to one of those plastic A4 filing pockets and use a chinagraph pencil on the plastic.

I have done something similar, using markers for overhead projectors. You can get them at any office supply store. That works for things like hp changes, temporary changes to stats, etc. Just make sure to record what things are at the end of a session, as it can get wiped off before the next game.

I have a notebook when I play a spellcaster and write out the days spell selection or my "slots used" chart for a sorcerer.

When I print out my character sheet, I only print out the front side with the offical character sheet. Instead of using the back, I type up a word document with all that info on, and a separate document for equpiment. I just go ahead and write with pencil on those, crossing out rather than erasing. Charged items I just make ticks behind the names for uses. With each new level I do a new character sheet, so it never gets too messy. And often there are so few changes to equipment that I don't have to reprint that.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

In my experience you just let them look like crud.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I make my own character sheets in Word. I use a notebook to keep track of variables like hit points and experience points, and print a new version of my sheet whenever the character changes significantly.

 

[MonkeyDragon]

I use a sheet that can be filled out on the computer, and keep it in plastic sleeves. Spells, notes, and hit points are recorded on a steno pad during sessions. Important things get noted on the sheet. I only have to reprint a sheet every few levels, which is also when I go through everything and make sure it all adds up correctly. This way, if I make a mistake on skill bonuses, weapon nonsense, or ability stuff, I catch it and can fix it. XP I keep on a different sheet, which has a chart I made in excel. I record all the XP separately: the game points, and all the bonus points for journaling, bringing food, etc. It helps me stay organized. since the major game that I play in is pretty complicated at times, I need all the help I can get.

 

[BadMojo]

In my experience you just let them look like crud.

That's what I do. I keep using the sheet until it looks like a herd of buffalo were using it as toilet paper, then I copy it on to a new sheet. Keeps me occupied.