Masterplan-less

[Jan van Leyden]

Once more I'm fooling around with some tools and trying to come to grips with the highly praised Masterplan.

Organizing the stuff is all nice and good, but after importing PCs from the CB via their .DND4E files, I see only the basic information.

I understand that powers aren't completely spelled out as they aren't contained in the file, but I don't even find their names or the possibility to manually add a power.

While the in-combat interface where you activate a monster's power by clicking on it in the stat block is ok, how would one handle this for PCs? I'd expect to activate a power, enter the result of the die roll, and assign a target.

How do the DMs using Masterplan for combat management handle this?

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

Wasn't this one of the things Masterplan had to kill after the C&D from WotC?

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Wasn't this one of the things Masterplan had to kill after the C&D from WotC?

They had to remove the data-mining capability which scraped off all information automatically from the Compendium database. But looking at a .DnD4e file generated with the Online CB you still see a lot of information which could be used to set up powers.

 

[D'karr]

They had to remove the data-mining capability which scraped off all information automatically from the Compendium database. But looking at a .DnD4e file generated with the Online CB you still see a lot of information which could be used to set up powers.

I've used Master plan mostly for campaign organization, not for combat tracking. You might want to look at a dedicated combat manager for this. I usually prefer to track simple initiative where all the players can see it, and don't use any electronic tracker for that.

I've heard good things about this one.

 

[Balesir]

I've heard good things about this one.

I'll second that - I have been using D&D Combat Manager for several sessions, now. If you don't mind having a PC at the gaming table (or on a small table just beside my GMing position, in my case), it works pretty well. It's flexible, intuitive and generally pretty intelligently set up in how it deals with condition tracking, return of 'recharge' powers, saving throws and so on. It tracks initiative, gives on-screen statblocks (entered manually - a pain - or copied in from the CB or MB; I use the offline versions, but I'm sure the online ones' output would work as well), hit points and conditions.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I've heard good things about this one.

Mortaneus' Combat Tracker has been my standard tool for several years. The only thing I don't like about it is the horrible way of target assignment, especially for attacks on multiple targets. You so often have to select other combatants than the current to apply damage or an effect that the chance of doing something on the wrong creature becomes much too high.

The next thing I'll offer will probably an online campaign with MapTool, so I'd had two switch my attention between two different tools. Therefore, I'M looking for a simpler solution.

And no, going the macro way in Maptools isn't a viable alternative for me.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

...

 

[Lindeloef]

The next thing I'll offer will probably an online campaign with MapTool, so I'd had two switch my attention between two different tools. Therefore, I'M looking for a simpler solution.

And no, going the macro way in Maptools isn't a viable alternative for me.

That sounds interesting, we should talk about this at some point

 

[cavalier973]

Anyone use Fantasy Grounds?

 

[CAFRedblade]

Although I'm now moving on from 4th ed, while I was DM'ing it I was using this program.
http://www.dragonpro.com/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&Itemid=53&view=viewcategory&catid=2

He hasn't done any further updates on it for over a year, and seems to have stopped any of his monster designer work, (never released it) but the tracker is a pretty good piece of software.

Looks like it got put on Github to help opensource development as life has been busy for the developer.
For any of those willing to do some coding:
https://github.com/DarkSir23/DnD4eCM
Not sure when/how a new version will be compiled and offered up.
Although I'm sure those with VB and the knowledge can compile it themselves.