Power Cards - Do you use them?

[amysrevenge]

one card for skills

A while ago I put in a formal suggestion to make a skills card to complement the general info card. The skills box on the character sheet is already pretty much card-shaped as it is, so it would just need to go onto a card.

I also like to have cards for other, non-power abilities. For example: the +2 damage bump from MC barbarian, the temp hp from Valorous bard, the to-hit bonus for Combat Superiority for fighters, pact boons for warlocks, etc. Right now I just make Custom cards, but the interface is a bit clunky for that (and it marks you as houseruled, which is a cosmetic but still annoying effect).

 

[Longtooth Studios]

Completely and totally use them. We cut them out and slip them in the trading card protectors (which allow you to write over them with dry-erase pens, making bonus/penalites easier to keep track of).

One of the smoother ideas, imo, for 4th edition.

Exactly what we have been doing.

Expended powers go into a pile according to the refresh rate. When they become available again they get handed back out. The added interaction helps improve the experience.

 

[Herschel]

I use power cards in that I print them out. I don't use them in that I don't cut them up and use them as cards.

This is me, also.

 

[Anand]

For a heroic tier PC, I like to cut out the CB cards and put them in sleeves, but by the time we hit paragon, myself and most of my players have stopped cutting out the cards and just leave them in sheets. Table space is the number one limitation.

The same effect is happening to my players. In another group tough, some players rather have the powers in a list format.

 

[Zustiur]

My group uses them, I do not. I find having the information listed out on a single page in a more traditional manner is easier to work with. Essentially I have 4 pages of character sheet (two pieces of paper, both sides). One of those pages lists my powers and what they do.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

And stack them on top of each other because typical 2d tablespace is at a premium, while the vertical space is not. I can also store them in a typical card box which is smaller and easier to carry than a folder or portfolio, use the Magic card protector sleeves I already own thereby saving some money on sheet protectors, and (with dry erase markers) are easy to edit on the fly.

A friend of mine that doesn'T pay 4E regularly played in our group last week, and he cut out his power cards. The less space it requires certainly rocks.

I am seriously considering trying it out myself.

Especially since I occassionally play 2 characters (when we are short a player), and at 20th level, that means around 8 sheets of paper lying in front of me and it doesn't really feel that organized or efficient.

 

[Storminator]

In yesterday's session I set the sheet aside, and made a couple extra cards. Since it was a "day of game" decision and my printers are nearly dead, I did a hack job and was still very pleased with the results. I used the "play data" card for defenses and tracked hit points and surges on the back. I made a second card with skills on one side and basic and at-will attacks on the back.

I had a second epiphany and resorted my power cards. I have been stacking them according to refresh rate, and this time I sorted them by healing/attack (I play a cleric). Without cards for the at-wills, the attack pile looked pretty anemic.

Verdict: Awesometastic! I'll fiddle with the card I use for a sheet, and I'll rework my loot/XP/notes card. Overall I used about the same space as a sheet, and less than the sheet + cards I've been using.

PS

 

[Thanee]

Well, there is that check box to mark used.

Yes, you can do that. The advantage I meant is, that you do not have to.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Miphon]

It's a 50/50 split in my group... only one player has a DDI subscription, but he also uses the CB on his laptop instead of a character sheet. He and another player bought the official cards though and use them. The other 2 players seem to manage okay without cards however.

 

[SSquirrel]

No one in our group has subscribed so we don't use the CB. We have the magic set editor and print power cards off ourselves. I do need to get an update to all the most recent books for that