E-Tools: Should I or Shouldn't I?

[Aopy]

Okay - a buddy of mine has bought e-tools for me but I still have the option of returning it. (unopened and with the reciept) Now I have heard quite a bit of bashing on it on these boards and others but I need to know if I should keep it. It is worth over $80 here (Canadian) and that could buy an awful lot of other d20 stuff!

Basically, I am asking - should I or shouldn't I keep it?

I don't have a great deal of time to learn a new software program so I hope the learning curve is not too intensive. I also get the impression that there are a great many bugs in it! Is this true? Are there patches available and where can I download user created files to easily import?

Thanks in advance.

Aopy

 

[theoremtank]

Return eTools and buy some books. Those that bought eTools when it was first released have been waiting over 4 months for a patch. Wizards of the Coast has made no commitment to support it and have shown little next to nothing in support. You will be frustraded at the fact that such little bugs were overlooked and have yet to be fixed. Buy some d20 books instead! A better generator will eventually come along.

 

[DMFTodd]

If you want a character generator, you should check out Campaign Suite first. They have a free demo you can test drive to make sure it will do what you want.

If money is tight, you can brave PCGen.

If you're really computer-literate, don't mind buggy software, can install updates created by other fans, enjoy wet toilet seats; then stick with E:Tools if you really, really have to have character generation software.

If you want random tables, ditch E:Tools and get Tablesmith.

 

[KenM]

Etools is a complete waste of money. I tryed it, still waiting for a real patch. They have a beta "patch" but all it does is add new features, does not fix ANYTHING, not a real patch, IMO. Go with PCGen, it works, and has support. Etools is the only software I ever threw in the trash.

 

[Jay Lofstead]

If you ONLY use the core 3 rulebooks, I have found it to work ok (not great). As soon as you introduce the first house rules or non-core prestige classes, etc., the ability of the tool to provide value quickly diminishes.

I'd save my money and go with another tool instead. CampaignSuite just released a US$9.95 player only edition that just has character editing (you should be able to download it shortly). I find it and PCGen to be fairly equivalent in their functionality.

Really, before deciding on anything, I'd wait for the WotC announcement that is supposed to happen this month in regards to their negotiations with the PCGen team. The guesses are that they at least will be given non-SRD material rights (which would put it clearly beyond what e-tools could provide).

 

[shadowlight]

Absolutely take it back and buy books.

It took me way too long to figure it out without manuals and has less content than PCGen! (which also has WAY more functionality and customization ability, and is free)

 

[KnowTheToe]

Return yours and buy mine. That way everybody is happy.

 

[Hopping Vampire]

Return yours and buy mine. That way everybody is happy.

hehe good one. but really, E:Tools sucks, there are better character generators out there

 

[jdavis]

If you want to try and make E-tools work for you try starting at
http://groups.msn.com/eTools/homepage.msnw
to get more information.

I use e-tools all the time and get plenty of use out of it, but it is not a good program by any means.

 

[DDK]

I've only ever seen one person, out of HUNDREDS, since E-Tools was released, say that they liked it. But he was a moron so I say take it back