D&D Insider - My main beef

[Chainsaw]

I think character builder inadvertently dumbs things down. I game with guys who have no idea how to level up their character without it. I'm not kidding. Ask them how many hit points they get per level - they have no idea. Ask them how their hit bonus is figured - they have no idea. Adjustments made in game are invariably wrong. Ironically, these are the same guys that also have trouble with any DM fiat or non-standard conflict resolution - "I've never heard of that rule."

I refuse to use it myself because I find that I learn more about the game and am more inclined to "think outside the box" if I'm actually reading through the physical books.

 

[Pseudonym]

I refuse to use it myself because I find that I learn more about the game and am more inclined to "think outside the box" if I'm actually reading through the physical books.

I refuse to use it because it requires a version of .NET which neither FreeBSD nor any of my Linux distros can emulate.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I think character builder inadvertently dumbs things down. I game with guys who have no idea how to level up their character without it. I'm not kidding. Ask them how many hit points they get per level - they have no idea. Ask them how their hit bonus is figured - they have no idea. Adjustments made in game are invariably wrong. .

I have noticed that with players who use any character generator, not jsut DDI and not just 4E.

And yes, it is annoying as a DM.

 

[pauljathome]

Whereas while I have no problems with DDI subscriptions, I have non-DDI-related problems with PayPal. lol

Its a pretty random guess on my part as to why I'm "special" .

Given that I live about 25km from the border its unlikely to be distance related ;-)

 

[Dice4Hire]

Its a pretty random guess on my part as to why I'm "special" .

Given that I live about 25km from the border its unlikely to be distance related ;-)

WEll, WOTC has a long ..... reach

 

[Destil]

It is only frustrating because Character Builder is such a useful tool to the point of being almost a requirement, especially with the ever-increasing proliferation of stats from various sources. I suppose that one could use CB as a resource and make classes by hand, but one of the main perks to CB is that it doesn't miss any modifiers--everything is calculated for you.

Actually, it frequently makes mistakes, and in the case of hit/damage there's no way to correct them. This is my current biggest complaint with it.

The lack of any house-rule support is my #2, though.

 

[MrMyth]

I think character builder inadvertently dumbs things down. I game with guys who have no idea how to level up their character without it.

This is admittedly true - but the counterpart to that is that it also solves so many problems for those who have trouble with the math in the first place. I've know quite a few people, all of them great friends, excellent roleplayers and enthusiastic gamers... who have absolutely no head for the system itself. Having something that puts all the numbers right in front of them nice and easy? Has completely changed the way they play, and finally put them on a level playing field with those that really know the system.

 

[Chainsaw]

This is admittedly true - but the counterpart to that is that it also solves so many problems for those who have trouble with the math in the first place. I've know quite a few people, all of them great friends, excellent roleplayers and enthusiastic gamers... who have absolutely no head for the system itself. Having something that puts all the numbers right in front of them nice and easy? Has completely changed the way they play, and finally put them on a level playing field with those that really know the system.

There are times when it can be useful, for sure. I'm just not sure total reliance on it really benefits people in the long run. Maybe I'm biased - I have had adult RPGA LFR people look at me like I have three heads when I present a non-standard character sheet filled out in pencil. I can see them struggling not to say "You're not allowed to do that." My experience is that character builder contributes to resistance toward anything non-standard, including house rules. YMMV.

 

[MrMyth]

There are times when it can be useful, for sure. I'm just not sure total reliance on it really benefits people in the long run. Maybe I'm biased - I have had adult RPGA LFR people look at me like I have three heads when I present a non-standard character sheet filled out in pencil. I can see them struggling not to say "You're not allowed to do that." My experience is that character builder contributes to resistance toward anything non-standard, including house rules. YMMV.

Oh, I don't disagree - I'm just saying that the damage it does is often countered by the benefits it offers. I'm fine having it become the default, but not having it become the only way to play - I'm in agreement there. But I haven't yet run into that viewpoint, and while I hope it won't become pervasive, I wouldn't want to lose what the CB offers just out of fear of what it could become.

 

[Chainsaw]

Oh, I don't disagree - I'm just saying that the damage it does is often countered by the benefits it offers. I'm fine having it become the default, but not having it become the only way to play - I'm in agreement there. But I haven't yet run into that viewpoint, and while I hope it won't become pervasive, I wouldn't want to lose what the CB offers just out of fear of what it could become.

I hate technology, ok, so leave me alone! Just kidding of course.

I agree that it can be a great way to bring in new or hesitant players quickly and easily. My wife, for example, is probably unlikely to play if I ask her to read the books and fill out a form by hand, but she might if I handed her a completed sheet. Usage just needs to be coupled with proper tutelage (proper according to me, of course, Muahahah!).