RPG character generation software

[LWDKen]

Just wanted to point you to

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=364340

Let's face it, free stuff is free stuff... and if you're interested in an RPG character generator, free is about the best price you're gonna get.

Seriously, I'd like to ask what past expeeriences have been with character creation software. I've used several, with varying levels of satisfaction, and I have friends who swear by one or the other. For instance, I have a friend who is totally committed to Hero Creator, and it really looks like *the* way to make a Hero Systems character.

I've also used PC-Gen, e-tools, and some various home-brewed excel spread sheets (a friend's Rolemaster spreadsheet was *masterful*).

 

[Nylanfs]

Hiya Ken!

PCGen is extremely powerful, but has a fairly steep learning curve. Plus the interface is NOT the best for beginning users.

But since the data files are all pure-text parsing the only thing that you need to learn is the tag system details in the specs and a copy of a text editor (like Notepad). The only thing that PCGen can't handle is guided generatiof of gesault characters (note you can design your own though by copying and pasting the relevent text from other classes info).

I've also used eTools (both Pre and Post CMP), which was decent interface but had some serious design flaws with calculations and the code wasn't flexible enough to deal with an exceptions based rule system like d20, which I'm sure you're running into .

 

[LWDKen]

Hey Nylanfs,

I used PCGen for several years, too. A friend showed it to me around 2002. There really wasn't anything else that produced the fully calculated results, so I was using it right up until the end of last year.

The regular character generation stuff wasn't problematic for me, though the equipping process could get really slow sometimes - like the computer was thinking *really* hard - but adding custom content threw me quite a bit (and I consider myself a bit of a techy). Like you said, it was a matter of mastering certain tags and syntax.

If you have a chance, go ahead and try the Hero Lab demo. I'd like to hear what you think. It's a pretty easy to use interface, and the creation process is quite simple. I started using it way before joining LWD (while I was working at AEG), and what impressed me initially was how easy it was to create new content, from Classes to Races, Feats to Domains - it's all surprisingly simple.

Oops- have a WFRP game at the local store tonight - talk w/you later.

 

[dpmcalister]

I've used PCGen, Heroforge, and now (thanks to getting a free licence yesterday ) Hero Lab. While I like both PCGen and Heroforge my inability to add in my own content is a major pain. However, after a quick read-through of the tutorials earlier this evening, I had the Beguiler from PHB2 inputed (more or less - I need to finish adding the spells and work out the Advanced learning aspect) without any problems (I purposely picked the Beguiler because of the various differences it has with standard spell-casting classes).

Anyway, having had no problems, I'm going to work on some Skull & Bones stuff when I get some time (although I don't know if it will be able to handle some of the non-character class aspects of those rules).

 

[LWDKen]

Congrats on winning a license, dp!

I'm glad you're liking Hero Lab. I was using it for months before joining LWD, and was really impressed. 'Course I'd used Army Builder for years, but Hero Lab was a pleasant surprise in RPG software.

The promotion lasts til next Friday, so tell your friends about it! And thanks for the kind words!