E-Tools?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Is it worth it? What have your experiences been?

 

[Fast Learner]

See the many threads on this topic over in the Software forum.

 

[MojoGM]

I really like it. I used to use the free version that came with the PHB, and then bought the full version when it came out.

THAT version was lacking in many ways, though it still saved me some time.

Now that CM has taken over, the program is great. There are occasional bugs, but they keep working at making it better.

Being able to crank out NPCs and monsters with various levels is worth it to me, since I have very limited time to prepare for games. Gives me more time to spend on story and plot, without spending hours making the opposition.

When the new program from CM comes out I'll probably move to that, but will not consider the money I've spent on E-Tools to be wasted. I've definately gotten value for my money.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I agree. The Code Monkeys have done a great job improving what was originally a suspect piece of software. My buddy is currently running a one-shot adventure for 13th-level characters. He and his 8-year-old son are having a blast going through the Monster Manual and picking out cool-looking creatures and using e-tools to advance them until they are a proper threat to the party.

If you use lots of non-core material it may take a while and a bit of change to get all the data sets required to make e-tools work with lots of supplemental materials. We're pretty much core rules only, so that's not a problem for us.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

It is in fact vastly improved. I am still much more likely to use PCGen for my NPC creation needs, but that has as much to do with force of habit as the program itself. I am looking forward to CMPs RPG Toolkit, which may displace PCGen.

The Auld Grump

 

[kingpaul]

When the new program from CM comes out I'll probably move to that, but will not consider the money I've spent on E-Tools to be wasted. I've definately gotten value for my money.

I could be mistaken, but I think CMP has said that those with eTools datasets who port over to RPGT will have their eTools datasets ported over as well. New d/l links, since the db's will be different.

 

[MojoGM]

I could be mistaken, but I think CMP has said that those with eTools datasets who port over to RPGT will have their eTools datasets ported over as well. New d/l links, since the db's will be different.

That would be great. I think I recall seeing something about that on the CM boards (where I see your posts a lot).

The data sets seem to be coming out at a good clip, so this program is getting better all the time.

 

[Vascant]

First let me state.. CMP has taken the product along way from where it originated.

but...

I still find nothing beats pen and paper for player character creation. Either adding the data into Etools or simply it cannot handle the vastly different PrCs, feats and such that is released within the d20 and ogl market (Please note: I know thats pretty much impossible). As far as for my DM'g needs, Etools has fallen very short of what I need, even beyond the reasons above. Which is the main reason I started my own NPC Generator, I needed something which I would think would be every DM's need: Easy access to countless NPC's. There are also other tools out there too, I would advise taking each for a test spin and get the one that meets your needs. Don't do what I have done over the course of a few years and end up purchasing a copy of RPM, CS, Etools and DMGenie..only to realize, nothing beats the original method.