Review Template Troves 2: Aberrations and Oozes

[Andre]

Really that should be so hard to code. It would be time consuming to enter the data but it should be okay.

It sounds easy until you look at the specifics. Just a few examples:

*WOTC's half-fiend template add wings and flight, but only if the creature is at least Large.
*Apocalyptic and Dreadnaught templates add max HP per HD. Apocalyptic also increases the number of HD.
*Drider template adds Climb speed = half ground speed, unless creature already has a climb speed that is higher.
*Ebon Servitor gains +2 profane bonus to AC.
*Elemental template bestows a bonus to AC; the amount of the bonus depends on type of elemental and size.
*Elemental template (fire) adds fire damage to melee attacks; the amount of the fire damage is dependent on the elemental's size.
*Half-Nymph gains Charming Presence (Su), but only if its Charisma score is 11 or higher.
*Aberrant has four charts associated with it: Special Attacks, Special Abilities, Corrosive Slime damage, Poison damage.
*Ablative reduces HD and AC by 20%.
*Some templates can only be applied to certain types/subtypes - if enforced, we would need to include an override.
*Some templates change a base creature's type, prompting re-figuring stats. Unfortunately, the charts in the MM are full of exceptions (for instance, Humanoids gain one good save (any)). The program will need to prompt the user for a choice.

Now, each of these items (and many others) can be programmed into a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet, but the point is that they would have to be programmed in. Creating a sheet that adds a few bonuses to stats and lists a special ability or three is easy. Creating a sheet that accurately accounts for all the esoteric changes templates can bestow gets complicated. And we haven't even touched on the issue of multiple templates...

I'm not saying it's impossible. I am saying that it's not as easy as it looks at first glance (and no one is more disappointed by that fact than I am).

 

[Raloc]

I could probably do the template applying thing in a few days with XML->XSLT. Could take E-Tools xml files as the input.

 

[Man-thing]

I was kind of thinking the software over the excel route. Mutliple template would be a pain but a lot of the things you noted I think could be handled with if...else and case.

THe trick would be in the algorithming of the project so that each adjustable thing was accounted for first.

 

[CRGreathouse]

It sounds easy until you look at the specifics. Just a few examples:

[examples clipped]

Now, each of these items (and many others) can be programmed into a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet, but the point is that they would have to be programmed in. Creating a sheet that adds a few bonuses to stats and lists a special ability or three is easy. Creating a sheet that accurately accounts for all the esoteric changes templates can bestow gets complicated. And we haven't even touched on the issue of multiple templates...

I'm not saying it's impossible. I am saying that it's not as easy as it looks at first glance (and no one is more disappointed by that fact than I am).

I did something like this for 3.0 (sans upgradable database), so I think I know what's involved -- although I'd hate to think of doing it in Excel. As Man-thing mentions, multiple templates would be a pain; it's much easier in a scripting or programming language.

 

[Frilf]

Charles,

Check your email

 

[Man-thing]

The main problem I see is the inputting of all the monster features.

In order for comparisons you would have to have everything broken down into its key components.

natural bonus
divine bonus
profane bonus
...

So when you have statement like it gains an natural armour bonus of +7 unless it already prossesses a higher natural bonus. If natural bonus was a location in an array or in a record then you could check against it easily enough and make the appropriate adjustment.

I'd be concerned about the special abilities and qualities.
I'd think you need a location with a default description for each then another for a boolean does monster have X, yes or no?

Comparison should be easy. Data organizing is the pain.

Still it might be interesting to build a little program to add one specific template to get a grasp of how huge the project will be. Maybe a template that can only be applied to plants. Then you only need to worry about plant qualities for you first run at it.

 

[the Jester]

I would love a program like that. Especially if I could add to the database- that would be teh roxxor!

 

[Raloc]

It'd be extremely easy with XML->XSLT. XSLT was made for that kind of transformation. Excel isn't really. Also, XML and XSLT are free. I already have a sheet that does E-Tools XML to ORPG XML. It's quite handy.

 

[Andre]

It'd be extremely easy with XML->XSLT. XSLT was made for that kind of transformation. Excel isn't really. Also, XML and XSLT are free. I already have a sheet that does E-Tools XML to ORPG XML. It's quite handy.

No argument from me. My comment was based on the old adage "If all you have is a hammer, all your problems look like nails." I'm very good with Excel and VBA, but I know almost nothing about XML.

Now if someone else who does know XML can come up with something, even a bare-bones program, I'll volunteer in a heartbeat to help - testing, data entry, whatever.