DMEH vs VCC vs DND4eCM vs Initiator

[Andramelech]

It seems like I'm discovering these combat tracker programs all at once and getting overwhelmed. VCC looked really cool but gave me grief when trying to import some monsters. I like DnD4e Combat Manager, so far. Anyone try all of them yet?

My main software helper is maptool. They have frameworks like rumbles that supposedly take care of everything, but It takes forever to set up. I don't mind a little bit of prep time, but adding monsters and refining powers to work seems like too much work. Have you guys tried it? Is it worth it?

I use dorponds face to face framework, and might not even need that anymore with DnD4eCM.

I have a big HDTV and PC that takes the place of a battlemap, and I control the maptool server with my laptop, which doubles as a DM screen. I want all the benefits of using a PC without killing the spirit of the game. My players think maptool's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but we still want to use dice and anything else we can do to preserve the regular d&d feel.

I've also been experimenting with RPGdeck for music.

What kind of setups do you guys use. I already know I'm sticking with maptool so I don't need advice on rpg tabletop and all that.

I gave a quick look at master plan, and it looked cool, but it seemed more a tool to help you write adventures than something to speed up combat.

Anyone want to share their winning combination? What works?

 

[Jan van Leyden]

It seems like I'm discovering these combat tracker programs all at once and getting overwhelmed. VCC looked really cool but gave me grief when trying to import some monsters. I like DnD4e Combat Manager, so far. Anyone try all of them yet?

Mortaneus' Combat Tracker is my first choice. Preparation is rather painless, even if setting up conditions implied individual enemies.

What I really love is its usage of screen real estate; it's small enough, without any wasted space, that you can have other open documents on the desktop at the same time.

My main software helper is maptool. They have frameworks like rumbles that supposedly take care of everything, but It takes forever to set up. I don't mind a little bit of prep time, but adding monsters and refining powers to work seems like too much work. Have you guys tried it? Is it worth it?

I tried to set up a Maptools game about one year ago to switch a dissolving campaign to internet play. As you noted, it takes a lot of work to get it running in a sufficient automated mode. After a while I felt like Maptools became my hobby instead of roleplaying, so I dropped the idea.

 

[Andramelech]

I tried to set up a Maptools game about one year ago to switch a dissolving campaign to internet play. As you noted, it takes a lot of work to get it running in a sufficient automated mode. After a while I felt like Maptools became my hobby instead of roleplaying, so I dropped the idea.

I know what you mean. I had to take a break from it to learn the 4e rules.

 

[Andramelech]

Mortaneus' Combat Tracker is my first choice.

I found out this is the one I use: DnD4eCM. When I was lookinf though I found another one called Familiar.

 

[Andramelech]

bump

 

[Andramelech]

bump

 

[im_robertb]

Here are some notes I made comparing a few programs. It's not meant as an exhaustive list; I made them for my own purposes and thought that I might as well share them. I ended up going with DMBS.

Dungeon Master's Battle Screen
+ Can import from CB and AT
+ Can prepare battles in advance
+ Tracks statistics, including damage, healing, and time
+ Automatically reminds for and prompts to roll for recharge powers
+ Tracks effects and durations, and will prompt for their removal or for saving throws.
+ Can track monster powers.
- But not PC powers. At least, it doesn't grab them from CB.
- For consistency, I'll want to track PC HP, or I can get used to them appearing fine on the screen when they're not.

D&D 4e Combat Tracker
+ Can import from CB, Copy-Paste from AT
+ Can prepare encounters in advance
+ Tracks effects via submenu, looks like it can end them automatically too.
+ Can track monster AND PC powers, though PC powers lack text
+ Monsters show up with full statblock text, though imperfect formatting eg heading bars.
- PCs don't, but that isn't neccessary.

DM Encounter Helper
- Does not import from CB or AT. Dealbreaker.

 

[Andramelech]

I really like the way D&D 4e combat tracker can use the copy rich text to import monsters. I don't like having to edit a monster and save it, just to be able to export a monster file for a lot of other programs. I don't mind that I don't have all the power details. My players use the cards from the character builder. I haven't really tried (players haven't actually), delaying actions or redying them, so I don't know how good that works.

Masterplan seems awesome but just not for me (yet anyway). It looks like I need to check out Dungeon Master's Battle Screen.

 

[Hackmaster]

I like D&D 4e Combat Tracker over the others because it's the easiest to import things from the monster builder.

It does everything I need it to do, is easy to learn and is pretty lightweight.

 

[bryanlo]

Mort's 4e combat manager is the best. Was glad when DarkSir restarted work on it but he seems to have disappeared too. But he did update it enough so we could use the new Monster Builder format, which is great. Hope someone takes it under their wing again.