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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Niveria" data-source="post: 2009339" data-attributes="member: 3414">Okay...I'll go ahead and open myself to ridicule by defending eTools.  I will say that I consider myself a typical gamer, but I do own and have a basic understanding of Access (XP version), so I may have a leg up on the "average gamer" when it comes to using this product.  Despite that, I think that even people who do not have that kind of knowledge can get a lot out of eTools, for several reasons.  Here goes (we'll start with the cons):Cons:1. Price. eTools sells for somewhere between $30 and $60 depending on how much retailers can get for it.  This broad range of prices makes determining its value to you a bit difficult.  Given all the hype and then the backlash,  I think consumers really needed a more guide price to go by when making their decisions.  I know MSRP may not be all that common for software, but it is for D&D products, so it wouldn't have been that difficult to come up with one.2. Capability. eTools does not provide support for custom classes, user-defined prestige classes, or monster templates.  The loss of these three aspects does severly limit the functionality of the software.  However, Fluid is listening and will probably implement these functions--assuming they don't end up trashing the project altogether.3. Bugs.  Yes, there are a lot of bugs.  Some of these bugs seem ridiculous, given the length of time (from the first discussions of MT all those years ago) it's taken to release the software.  But once you've seen the Access database, you realize the complexity of this software.  Just the brief discussion on the Fluid message boards of how to handle the attack bonuses for the Xill (from the MM) gives a perfect example of how much work has gone into making sure everything comes together in accordance with even the most obscure rules.  It has also been pointed out that the Beta test, organized by Wizards, not Fluid, consisted of an insufficient number of people to locate enough of the bugs before the product hit the market.  Given the bizarre track record of the MT-to-ET evolution, I'm not surprised to see so many bugs.Pros:1. Online Manual.  Contrary to others' complaints, I think the online manual is quite helpful.  The manual included in the Help files contains overviews of all the basic functions of the software.  As long as you're staying within the limits of unedited eTools usage, you can find instructions on how to do everything possible in the program.  What's more, the manual contains tons of text from the actual Core Rules books, which makes easy referencing for those skills, spells, or other material you want to add to your latest creation.2. Support.  Fluid's help and support pages are fantastic.  Although they are currently offline, the message boards at Fluid's website have been providing an excellent source of information, where users can ask questions that are answered by Fluid staff members, Eric and Scott.  These guys are first rate.  They genuinely love gaming and want to improve on what they've started with eTools.  Not only that, but they're soliciting input from eTools users to find out what we want most.3.  Layout.  Unlike some of its competitors (in terms of ET being an electronic character creator), eTools' layout and user interface is efficient and pretty much intuitive.  Once you've figured out the key 'secret' of the software--that the race editor is the core of the program--you can create just about any creature you can imagine and then use it as either a monster or character in accordance with Third Edition D&D rules.  The creation of a race is a step-by-step process that uses clear, concise screens, moving from one to another by following a simple "directory tree" type of format.  The lack of mouse-over "tooltips" for the buttons is a bit frustrating, but it doesn't take more than a few clicks to figure out which button opens what.Unarguably, the eTools software needs some work.  It has some limitations that drastically reduce its attractiveness to most users.  However, at its core, eTools is a well thought out package that fulfills its stated function admirably.  As a Character and Monster Generator for Core Rules characters and monsters, eTools is fantastic.  Given the complexity of the 3rd Edition Rules, software like this is a must when creating those special monsters and villains for your players to battle.  Added to the fact that Fluid is dedicated to improving and (where possible) expanding their product, the positives of eTools outweigh the negatives, in my opinion.  I give it 3 out of 5 stars.  While it probably doesn't make sense to recommend that someone buy a product because of what it might eventually become, I am enjoying the use of eTools and certainly don't consider it a waste of my hard-earned cash.</blockquote>

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