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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DonTadow" data-source="post: 2802775" data-attributes="member: 22622">NPC Designer- Finally a true character generatorNPC Designer is possibly the most innovative piece of software to be independantly  developed in some time.  Separated from the Map makers, cartographing software, campaign management, and character builders, this is the first program that allows you to make complex NPC characters for both the 3.5 D&D system and the Arcana Evolved System. This is the Iron DM's first review.  I want to state I am not a cheering section nor a ra ra poster from the creator. I am a professional writer and the second winner of the Iron Dungeon Master Competition.   When I first downloaded this program in beta testing some months ago, I was skeptical.  There have been a few programs that claimed to be NPC generators but were nothing more than complex spreadsheets that calculated a few skills, abilities and feats that I had chosen.  I assumed that NPC Designer would be similiar.  Boy was I surprised.The installation of the program is quick and simple as is updating.  The creator always posts two updates, one for designers (those whom have added their own custom material) and those for regular user.  Installation normally takes 5 to 10 minutes.  As with most software, there is an activation key.  Activation keys are keyed to specific downloads.  If you download the program on one computer, it may not be guaranteedthat the key you receive will work on that download, which may be a problem to folks whom use multiple computers as I do.  The creator is very quick in providing another key for your other computer.  When I had the problem in January,  he responded to my inquiry within the hour with another key for my work computer.  You are then presented with a screen under the Core  tab.  This is the main tab where you build your NPCs. Here you can choose basic options for your NPCs including race, stats, sex, class, template, deity  and level.  There are  a dozen or so SRD monster races you may choose as well.  You can choose multiple levels and prestige classes.  If you get the gold edition, you can generate characters up to 50th level.     You also have profession, which are specific backgrounds keyed to different feats and skills choices.  There is a lengthy selection of NPC backgrounds as well such as farmers, carpenters and other townsfolk.    YOu can tailor your npcs as much as you like here, or randomize up npcs as much as you like.  After you've configured (or not configured) your NPC, hit the generate button and after a series of caculations, the program spits out a ready to copy and paste statblock.  You have options of the traditional statblock, the new dmg 2 statblock, a dmgenie statblock and two mini statblocks.  These statblocks also include spell lists for spell casters based on the profession you chose for the background.  Once the basics are mastered, there are advanced options under the NPC Designer tab.  This is where the program shines.  Here you can select specific ranks in skills, specific  feats and magical items.  AGain, the program does a good job of allowing you to be as thorough as you liked.  If you want to generate a bunch of characters whom have +2 weaponry you can do that or be specific and give them all +2 battle axes.  The final tabs at the bottom of the screen are designer and format tabs, both of which are used to manipulate the stat generation and stat block.  There is also a new tab, encounter designer, that allows you to generate a series of npcs one the fly.  It is still in development, but looks promising. If you are really adventerous, you can try developing your own material for NPC Designer.  Adding feats, skills, weapons, professions and to an extent, prestigate classes are very easily done in notepad.  Base classes area little more tricky and require some knowledge of basic language.  I'm in the process of adding Iron Heroes material and its going pretty good.  Another cool feature is, with a small tweak in the script, you can add Tablesmith compatability.  In my Egyptian Final Fantasy campaign (<a href="http://www.chrystaria.com" target="_blank">www.chrystaria.com</a>) , I've used this feature to have npc generator produce a whole town with egyptian names.  NPC Designer does have some snags.  Outside of the budding Encounter Designer, there is no way to generate more than one NPC at a time.  Also, there is not a way to have a random name for these characters.  For instance, When I generated my whole town I loved the unique names, but when I'm generating a small soldier troop, I'd love the option of having soldier 1, soldier 2 without me inputting them.  But those gripes are minor if that.  This is the best DM tool that I've ever used.  It's simple, yet productive.  I love campaign management software, but they are often complicated and require a learning curve.  NPC Designer has been very easy to use.  My girlfriend won't touch my DM Genie software for her game, but says the system is easy to use for the basics in her shackled city campaign (<a href="http://www.shackledcity.com" target="_blank">www.shackledcity.com</a>).</blockquote>

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