Last I heard, the setting-specific modes were unchangable, so if you ran it in "Eberron-mode", you were limited to stuff from the core books plus the Eberron setting book (hypothetically to be extended with other stuff as more Eberron books are released), and the ECS stuff was only available through the Eberron mode. Has this been changed in later patches?
Is etools worth it now?
- Thread starter Gundark
- Start date
shady
Explorer
Some stuff - eg races - you can add via the GUI.
A small range of stuff (including classes) have to be added via a free, third party tool called EThelper which can hack into the underlying Access DB. However, most classes (and for that matter new creatures) might have special abilities or dependencies which you may in turn want to model. You can again add these via ETHelper (or at a stretch Access), as long as they fit the underlying data model. I've used ETHelper to successfully add new classes and prestige classes. It is fiddly though.
As an example, the Gear Wyrm (first monster in the Monsternomicon) has special attacks of Energy Discharge 1D4-1 and Trample 1D8+7. You can use Access to add these new special attacks, but there's nowhere (as I remember) to make the 1D4-1 as the data model doesn't allow it (the -1). The Trample is possible as the +7 equals the attack bonus anyway. It's mostly doable though, in my experience, especially if you're willing to accept just a line (eg create a new attack of "energy discharge 1D4-1" and don't worry about getting the data model right - you have everything you really need when the stats are printed out anyhow.
You also have to be careful that the dataset updates don't overwrite all your custom stuff.
On the earlier note about RPG Toolkit superceding e-tools. The position from CMP is that RPG toolkit will be sold at discount to e-tools owners, and the data sets will be a free upgrade (assuming you surrender your e-tools rights to them). I don't think RPG toolkit will come out for a while either, though it's due sometime in 2005.
A small range of stuff (including classes) have to be added via a free, third party tool called EThelper which can hack into the underlying Access DB. However, most classes (and for that matter new creatures) might have special abilities or dependencies which you may in turn want to model. You can again add these via ETHelper (or at a stretch Access), as long as they fit the underlying data model. I've used ETHelper to successfully add new classes and prestige classes. It is fiddly though.
As an example, the Gear Wyrm (first monster in the Monsternomicon) has special attacks of Energy Discharge 1D4-1 and Trample 1D8+7. You can use Access to add these new special attacks, but there's nowhere (as I remember) to make the 1D4-1 as the data model doesn't allow it (the -1). The Trample is possible as the +7 equals the attack bonus anyway. It's mostly doable though, in my experience, especially if you're willing to accept just a line (eg create a new attack of "energy discharge 1D4-1" and don't worry about getting the data model right - you have everything you really need when the stats are printed out anyhow.
You also have to be careful that the dataset updates don't overwrite all your custom stuff.
On the earlier note about RPG Toolkit superceding e-tools. The position from CMP is that RPG toolkit will be sold at discount to e-tools owners, and the data sets will be a free upgrade (assuming you surrender your e-tools rights to them). I don't think RPG toolkit will come out for a while either, though it's due sometime in 2005.
shady
Explorer
the December 04 updates give you the option of loading all your non-setting 3.5 datasets into eberron mode, so the only thing you can't load in (I think) is the Dragonlance setting (which is another mode again). So currently you can't use Eberron and Dragonlance together, but can use everything else with either.Staffan said:
Kid Charlemagne
I am the Very Model of a Modern Moderator
E-Tools is fine, and its worth it. I've got it, and I use it.
My biggest issue with Code Monkey is their total lack of communications savvy. Okay, they've got a major program update/replacement coming up in 2005.
Don't you think they'd have some kind of link to info on it somewhere on their main page? Perhaps in their forums? Or on their news page?
Nah!
I found an ad, but otherwise I looked for a half hour and could only find some posts in the E-Tools forums that talked about it - and that was just customers - no official word anywhere to be found. Argh.
My biggest issue with Code Monkey is their total lack of communications savvy. Okay, they've got a major program update/replacement coming up in 2005.
Don't you think they'd have some kind of link to info on it somewhere on their main page? Perhaps in their forums? Or on their news page?
Nah!
I found an ad, but otherwise I looked for a half hour and could only find some posts in the E-Tools forums that talked about it - and that was just customers - no official word anywhere to be found. Argh.
Almost... 
e-Tools is not dead, we still produce new data sets, we still do updates to existing ones, and will continue to do updates on released sets up to 2 years after RPG Toolkit is released (there just won't be any new ones).
There will be an upgrade price break for users that have bought e-Tools directly from our store and we will convert data sets over to RPGT for free. We will have all tte current data sets released converted the same day that RPGT is released
BTB - The full name for the new system is: RPG Toolkit: Core Rules Forge*
* CMP reserves the right to change this last word at our sole simian minds.
The reason for the "Core Rules X" designation is because it'll be the 'core engine' that drives everything else... including different game systems. Currently we have the new engine working for 1st Ed, 2nd Ed, 3 & 3.5 Ed, 90% working for a LARP of the 'undead character variety', d6, d10, and a point buy system that is generically universal.
It's also a 'Core Engine' for 3 planned add-ons; a Campaign Management module, a Mapping Module, and a Combat management module.
Yes, it _will_ be cross platform, yes it is ambitious, yes it is planned (still, for now.) by the end of 2nd Quarter 2005.
It's _NOT_ being written in Java, it's being written in C++ with QT for the GUI and SQLite for the database portion.
We plan on having a 'user definable' output sheet 'designer' - sorta similiar to the old Core Rules program for 2nd ed - it'll be by 'blocks' of information to make it easier, but that bit is still in early planning stage.
We have _true_ randomization ploanned/partially working now and plan on having options for the randomization (Total, some user definition, strictly by the rules)....
Meh, that's enough teasers for now.
Henry said:Word of warning: Codemonkey Publishing, the publisher of E-tools, is working on releasing something called RPG tookit, this year, at which time they cease all active support of e-tools. If you can survive a short while without it, I'd keep an eye on their website and forums for information on RPG Toolkit. If you don't feel like you'd be cheated by buying now, however, I hear it's a quite good product now, with all patches in place (Eric Noah recommends it) PCGen is also available, and worth checking out, is free to use, but is not recommended for all users - it's well worth a look-see, however.
e-Tools is not dead, we still produce new data sets, we still do updates to existing ones, and will continue to do updates on released sets up to 2 years after RPG Toolkit is released (there just won't be any new ones).
There will be an upgrade price break for users that have bought e-Tools directly from our store and we will convert data sets over to RPGT for free. We will have all tte current data sets released converted the same day that RPGT is released
BTB - The full name for the new system is: RPG Toolkit: Core Rules Forge*
* CMP reserves the right to change this last word at our sole simian minds.
The reason for the "Core Rules X" designation is because it'll be the 'core engine' that drives everything else... including different game systems. Currently we have the new engine working for 1st Ed, 2nd Ed, 3 & 3.5 Ed, 90% working for a LARP of the 'undead character variety', d6, d10, and a point buy system that is generically universal.
It's also a 'Core Engine' for 3 planned add-ons; a Campaign Management module, a Mapping Module, and a Combat management module.
Yes, it _will_ be cross platform, yes it is ambitious, yes it is planned (still, for now.
) by the end of 2nd Quarter 2005.It's _NOT_ being written in Java, it's being written in C++ with QT for the GUI and SQLite for the database portion.
We plan on having a 'user definable' output sheet 'designer' - sorta similiar to the old Core Rules program for 2nd ed - it'll be by 'blocks' of information to make it easier, but that bit is still in early planning stage.
We have _true_ randomization ploanned/partially working now and plan on having options for the randomization (Total, some user definition, strictly by the rules)....
Meh, that's enough teasers for now.
Zulithe
Explorer
Mynex, thank you. RPGToolkit sounds like the holy grail of character generators. I look forward to it!
I do not own eTools but given the flexibility and wealth of new cool stuff that RPGToolkit will contain, and factor in my dislike of the slow java-based PCGen, this may be the electronic tool for gaming I ever purchase.
I do not own eTools but given the flexibility and wealth of new cool stuff that RPGToolkit will contain, and factor in my dislike of the slow java-based PCGen, this may be the electronic tool for gaming I ever purchase.
I'm sorry - I thought it was pretty easy to use. Was there something in particular that you didn't like about it that I could improve?
kingpaul
First Post
Both. eTools comes with the 3.0 core books. If you want 3.5, you need to purchase those datasets separately.Gundark said:
My understanding is that once RPGT comes out, no new material for eTools will be produced. CMP will continue to provide updates to the eTools datasets in existence for 2 years after RPGT's launch.Gundark said:
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