Character Sheets: What do you use?

[megamania]

One thing that intrigues me is what players use for character sheets. For myself, pretty much ever since I started playing in a campaign (about 15 years ago), I've used a computer to design my own sheets, and print off a new version each time I gain a level or the old sheet gets too messy.

What do you use?

Cheers!

I did also. It is very detailed breaking down the bonuses per race and / or class as the character rises. The down sideside is it is three pages long vs 1 sheet (front / back).

 

[Orius]

the 3.5 PHB has a character sheet at the end. However, this year, they're coming out with Deluxe Player Character Sheets.

Does anyone even buy the official sheets? When I first started playing, this was 10 years ago, everyone I played with just wrote up sheets on notebook paper. Now free sheets printed off the internet seem to be pretty popular as well. Last time I was in the local Borders, I asked two guys who were looking at some d20 product or other if they ever seen anyone use them, and one of then said, "I think I used them once, when I first started playing, then we just wrote everything down." I think they said their group was using some Internet sheet too. Who uses the official store-bought sheets? They've been around in almost every edition, but I have yet to see someone actually pull them out.

 

[johnsemlak]

Who uses the official store-bought sheets? They've been around in almost every edition, but I have yet to see someone actually pull them out.

Just a guess

Store-bought sheets are a bit of a tradition carried down from the older editions. In the 'old days' there were no internet sheets and even photocopiers were less available (especially for kids). So there was more reason to buy them.

I think the sheets may still appeal to those who just prefer the convenience of simply buying the sheets along with their PHB/DMG/MM and saving themselves some minor hassle. They're not that expensive anyway.

Plus, don't the sheets come with some additional accesory?

 

[MerricB]

Plus, don't the sheets come with some additional accesory?

Generally not. (I agree with you on the tradition bit!)

DM's screens normally come with something extra,though I don't think the Deluxe screens for 3.5E do. Having a d20 Modern screen as well doesn't count! (Mind you, apparently DM screens sell amazingly well).

Cheers!

 

[johnsemlak]

Generally not. (I agree with you on the tradition bit!)

DM's screens normally come with something extra,though I don't think the Deluxe screens for 3.5E do. Having a d20 Modern screen as well doesn't count! (Mind you, apparently DM screens sell amazingly well).

Cheers!

I believe it was you who said "You can never have enough screens"

 

[MerricB]

I believe it was you who said "You can never have enough screens"

Was it? It may well have been. The very first DM screen I bought was for the SPI "Universe" RPG. I've got two different editions of the 1E DM's screens (including a player's screen), the first version of the 2E DM's screen, a WEG Star Wars screen, the 3E DM's screen from WotC, the 3E FR screen, and the 3.5E DM's screen from Dragon magazine. I think there's also a copy of the Werewolf RPG's screen lurking about...

...and I'll probably get the WotC 3.5E Deluxe Screens for no really good reason! I really don't use the tables on the 3E screens much at all!

Cheers!

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Mad Irishmen’s forum fallible when in person, (not very often) or something I barrowed from someone else in the PbP games.

 

[Orius]

Just a guess

Store-bought sheets are a bit of a tradition carried down from the older editions. In the 'old days' there were no internet sheets and even photocopiers were less available (especially for kids). So there was more reason to buy them.

I think the sheets may still appeal to those who just prefer the convenience of simply buying the sheets along with their PHB/DMG/MM and saving themselves some minor hassle. They're not that expensive anyway.

Plus, don't the sheets come with some additional accesory?

That might be it, but the pencil and paper tradition goes back to the old days too, and after all back then, there really wasn't that much on the character sheet to begin with (no feats, skills, etc.).

It might be a convenience thing too, I don't know. And AFIAK, extra stuff never came with sheets, but the DM screens. Now, I have bought screens in the past, 'cause they're a pain in the ass to make up on your own. And some of the old TSR campaign boxes included screens too.

 

[Zad]

Microsoft Excel is my best friend. I use a set of sheets I created myself, and adapt them for each character. I also paste in some sheets (such as spell sheets). For my high level game, it will track buffs and the associated bonuses, to to the point where I can't play any more without my laptop at the ready. (I had it there anyway to take notes for the story hour.)

 

[EPRock]

Custom Modified Steve E's Sheet

Well I took the last incarnation of Steve E's sheet, and modified many things.

- Converted it to 3.5
- Added all the newer equipment from A&E guide.
- Corrected many issues and bugs
- Added all the magic items to the list.

Basically it prints out complete character details in four pages.
Gives descriptions and reference for almost all items
Easily updateable and changable