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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MrMyth" data-source="post: 5671092" data-attributes="member: 61155">I've been in a campaign using Maptools for a year or two, and I've dabbled a couple times with the DDI VT.  There is no real chance our group will ditch Maptools for the VT - simply because we've had time to get used to it, and being able to write detailed macros and use the gorgeous and detailed maps crafted by the DM is of far too much benefit to give up for the VT. And yet, if we were starting a new campaign today, the VT might be the way to go - it offers unparalleled ease of use and intuitive play, even before one adds in the benefit of integration with the other tools.  I think Dannager's dismissal of Maptools benefits as simply being 'flexibility with systems and house rules' is unfair - the benefit is that it allows a much, much larger level of investment in automation/details/etc. The VT is not at that point yet, and may never go that far.  For groups that do want to reach that level, Maptools is probably the better option - but only if you are willing to spend the time to code those macros, make those maps, set up those campaign settings. Being able to do so and, with the click of a button, have the program roll your AoE attacks, check for crits on each target, apply conditional bonuses to damage, etc - absolutely brilliant. If, again, you want to spend the time to master the program and create those macros.  For groups that want to just hop in and start gaming, the VT is amazing. I remember my first forays into online gaming, which was playing LG games on... OpenRPG, I think. And I remember just how much of a hassle it was, and how long the games took, and how much disconnect between the group there was. Even with Maptools, even with a close group of friends, even with half of us gaming in the same room via the same computer... it still is slower paced than normal play.  The DDI VT on the other hand, moves smoothly and seamlessly, and really does feel like new players can just hop right in and get started. That's huge. And has a nice format, various nifty tricks, and will only get better with time.  Dedicated gamers can probably get more out of Maptools... but only by investing a lot more into it. For casual play, pick up games, new gamers, or even just those who want to spend time on gaming instead of prep, the VT seems the way to go. And there are a lot of advances (including many of the suggestions in this thread) that I feel like they can put into the program eventually.  So while I find it a nice option now, I'm very interested to see where they take it over the next year or two.</blockquote>

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