New D&D Monster Builder Coming March 22

[Derulbaskul]

Well it's 23 March 2011 in Singapore and either I have missed the news that the Monster Builder is available or I have won my bet.

I think I will double down on my bet. Any takers?

 

[webrunner]

Well it's 23 March 2011 in Singapore and either I have missed the news that the Monster Builder is available or I have won my bet.

I think I will double down on my bet. Any takers?

WOTC usually posts Tool updates around afternoon EST (which is morning where they are) on the release date.

Although at least once it was pretty late evening. I'd at least wait until midnight PST before proclaiming it late.

 

[Baz King]

I've been twitchy all day waiting for this, then realised we're 8 hours ahead here in the UK. The WotC crew are only just finishing their breakfast I reckon.

It will be here, and it will be fine.

 

[mudbunny]

I have heard from a little bird that the update is in the process of being done.

 

[Stumblewyk]

I'm not sure if this is still the version that was in beta earlier when I was testing it or not, but there *is* a monster builder up here.

This link didn't work a couple days ago, and it does work today. So, take that for what it's worth.

EDIT: Just noticed the big, giant "BETA" still at the top. Never mind.

 

[webrunner]

I'm not sure if this is still the version that was in beta earlier when I was testing it or not, but there *is* a monster builder up here.

This link didn't work a couple days ago, and it does work today. So, take that for what it's worth.

EDIT: Just noticed the big, giant "BETA" still at the top. Never mind.

Looks like that's the version they're posting:
Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Tool (D&D Adventure Tools)

Which is a shame since it seems like the main missing feature of the monster builder is the ability to build monsters.

 

[Stumblewyk]

Yeah, that is disappointing. You can't "build" squat. I don't know why they're calling it a Monster Builder at all. It's a Monster Reflavorer at best. You can change power names, and level a creature up and down. That's it.

Better than nothing, but hardly close to as useful as the offline version was.

Won't they ever learn? At this point, I can't even half-heartedly defend WotC. They continually beat themselves with the NerfBat, and then act surprised when players and DM's throw their hands up in the air and go "Really? This is the best you can do?"

 

[Dannager]

Adventure Tools Update Info

They know it lacks a ton of features, they'll be adding them as time goes on. I guess for now it's probably best to view it as an online tool that does what it does, and to keep using the offline builder when you need to create monsters.

 

[ender_wiggin]

It has some minor use currently as I use the classic adventure tools on multiple computers and it can be a hassle sometimes making sure my monsters are up to date. Now I can just import them into the online builder.

As far as WOTC's 'lackluster' performance lately, there is some performance cost associated with moving all of their content into web-based applications entirely. However, in the future I have only the highest of expectations for their products. For $5-10 dollars a month, it's imperative that you offer modern software. We don't live in the 2000s anymore, when you can get away with shoddy software and people will think going digital is 'good enough'.

For example, Monster Builder has to be faster. A modern program is not allowed to stutter for a half second. Database management (which is really what the monster builder is) is a solved problem. They can do better than this, and while they have my faith and my $$ for now, I really expect them to go balls out their software quality in the coming months.

 

[Aegeri]

I hate being right.

I so hate being right.

This is really poor, as what use is a monster builder that cannot build monsters?