E-Tools Is it Worth It?

[Morbog of Ghetto D]

I got the demo version of E-tools witha 3.5 PHB...I really like it and have been using it (even for my 3.5 stuff)

Anybody have feedback on this product.
Has it been updated to 3.5?
Anyone using dunjinni and e tools....seems like that would be a good combo.

Recommendations on this or other "DM" NPC/Badguy/adventure software would be helpful.

THX

 

[Henry]

Hi, Morbog, and welcome to posting to our forums!

I'll move this over to our software and computers forum - it's likely to see better responses there.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

It has been updated for 3.5, including template support. I think its a pretty good program at this point, and I get a lot of use out of it - especially for doing things like adding levels to monsters or advancing creature HD.

 

[Morbog of Ghetto D]

Thanks

Your word is gospel...I shall buy it..

 

[DClingman]

I use the new E-Tools at every gaming session I play. That's about 6-10 games per month.

It simply rocks!

Dustin

 

[Lizard]

I tried using both it and the free PCGen. Both had bugs. However, I *paid* for e-Tools, so, when I reported that it was impossible to add a half-dragon template to any non-PC creatures (resulting in a crash to desktop), I expected something more than, "Oh yeah. It does that."

I should fire it up and see if they've fixed it. As it was, that bug made it useless for my purposes. PC Gen has a lot of issues, but it's usually easier to work around them.

 

[LeifVignirsson]

I can't say that I have tested out the 3.5 version of it, but when it first came out I was less than thrilled. Of course, i am still of the opinion that the Master Tools, even when tweaked slightly, was better than nothing.

I have tried the others too, they have their strengths and their weaknesses... I think the only one that has really WOW'ed me was Redblade 3.5... but that is a bit more intense than I like as far as data input...

 

[kingpaul]

I tried using both it and the free PCGen. Both had bugs.

When was the last time you tried PCGen? We're constantly trying to improve the code/data to get rid of bugs

However, I *paid* for e-Tools, so, when I reported that it was impossible to add a half-dragon template to any non-PC creatures (resulting in a crash to desktop), I expected something more than, "Oh yeah. It does that."

CMP inherited the code from Fluid, and they didn't think, with how the code was written, that templates would be possible. Template support has been available now for a bit (1.4.1 IIRC). Version 1.5.0 is currently out.

I should fire it up and see if they've fixed it. As it was, that bug made it useless for my purposes.

As I said above, template support is now in. You can d/l the all-inclusive patch here

PC Gen has a lot of issues, but it's usually easier to work around them.

What issues in particular?

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I have both, but because I received E-Tools as a 'gift' (from someone who couldn't stand it, and gave it to me so as not to waste the purchase) back when it was still Fluid's puppy I got into the habit of using PCGen. Now I gather many of the problems have been fixed, but I have become used to PCGen. Plus I have data that I entered by hand for PCGen that I do not relish doing over for E-Tools.

The Auld Grump, who watched Master Tools become like unto Jonah's Gourd, growing in a night only to whither in a night... (It got too big, then it died, for the lyrically impaired.)

*EDIT* Reminded that I still have E-Tools I went to download the patch, my, that's a big patch...

 

[Lizard]

When was the last time you tried PCGen? We're constantly trying to improve the code/data to get rid of bugs

I use it constantly; I'm also on the mailing list. A quick look at the trackers shows it has remaining bugs. (The inability to handle non-standard animal companions is, right now, one of my major problems; the problem with half-dragons not getting their proper skill points is another; I believe both of these are trackered)

CMP inherited the code from Fluid, and they didn't think, with how the code was written, that templates would be possible. Template support has been available now for a bit (1.4.1 IIRC). Version 1.5.0 is currently out.

That's what I've got. If you'll check the thread at http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=6651, you'll see people discussing this. Add a template to a monster, ETools fall down go boom. I just asked if there was a recent patch, and was told 'No'.

Lemme verify again:
Go to 'new character'.
Choose 'MM Race'.
Choose 'Gorgon' (or anything else)
Go to 'Templates'
Choose 'White Dragon'
Click 'Add'.

Watch ETools quietly, and without any fuss, crash to desktop. No error message, no warnng, just takes its dice and goes home.

PCGen tends to add templates somewhat buggily, but I can hand-edit the results. I can't hand-edit the results of a crashed program, so, PCGen wins this round.