Charwoman Gene
Adventurer
Pointing out that there are a lot of ways to make the CB output better doesn't mean that a variant output, like WotC's pregen sheets wouldn't be better still.
Something Essentials won't solve (DDI rant) and proposals for new char. sheet format
- Thread starter brehobit
- Start date
This is what mine looks like. It's not much to look at, but I have most everything I need on one page. There are a lot of things I just "know" about my character and about the game, that I don't feel I have to spell out (like I know I have a +2 magic longsword, that does +2d6 damage on a crit, but I don't have this information on the character sheet). And if I need the exact wording on a power, I always have the CB print out to refer to, so I use this sheet in conjunction with CB.
As I use encounter/daily powers, I just put a mark next to it, and erase when I take short/extended rest.
View attachment Whitesword.pdf
brehobit
Explorer
Artoomis
First Post
I stand alone... ?
Am I alone in liking the CB character sheets?
Not that I don't think they could be better, but I like the general format.
I do think they should have multiple formats from which to select, though. But I am reasonable happy with it as is.
I have many more issues with Chargen then the character sheets. For starters, how about they fix all those known issues they've ad since day one?!?
Am I alone in liking the CB character sheets?
Not that I don't think they could be better, but I like the general format.
I do think they should have multiple formats from which to select, though. But I am reasonable happy with it as is.
I have many more issues with Chargen then the character sheets. For starters, how about they fix all those known issues they've ad since day one?!?
kaomera
Explorer
I've had my own issues with the CB... I agree that the character sheet formatting, and especially the cards (which I tent to use more than the sheet, anyway) can be unhelpful. In addition I've had problem with the program outputting bad math, although I've had a helpful suggestion not to leave the character viewer open while I'm editing the character...
Really, for me, I think the "fix" for these issues is to use an external character sheet & power cards. I'm still looking for a good set of cards to use, I like the old Shado sheet for that end of things. This has the added advantage that I can check the numbers as I enter them (at least eyeball them). It would be very nice if I didn't have to go through this extra step, and I'm especially disappointed because this is a WotC product that I am paying for (on an ongoing basis, even); I think I'd be more forgiving it it was third-party, or even free... I haven't got much hope that the CB will get much better any time soon, as they seem to be having enough trouble keeping everything updated with new data, etc; and Essentials seems like it won't help that at all.
But, after this Sunday, I think I'm upgrading my opinion from "Why am I paying for this, again?" to "It's good enough but I've got my fingers crossed that they can someday make it better." One of the players in the game I run was using the packs of power cards and a hand-filled character sheet, and his numbers where just ridiculously off... He was missing out on +4 to attacks and +5 or so to damage on all of his powers... I mean, it would be even better if he would read the rules and actually know what applies to what and why, but I can't really ask for everything, can I? If he's used the CB (or in this case, emailed me and had me use it for him) he would have at least had the mostly-correct numbers, even if he had no idea where they where coming from...
Really, for me, I think the "fix" for these issues is to use an external character sheet & power cards. I'm still looking for a good set of cards to use, I like the old Shado sheet for that end of things. This has the added advantage that I can check the numbers as I enter them (at least eyeball them). It would be very nice if I didn't have to go through this extra step, and I'm especially disappointed because this is a WotC product that I am paying for (on an ongoing basis, even); I think I'd be more forgiving it it was third-party, or even free... I haven't got much hope that the CB will get much better any time soon, as they seem to be having enough trouble keeping everything updated with new data, etc; and Essentials seems like it won't help that at all.
But, after this Sunday, I think I'm upgrading my opinion from "Why am I paying for this, again?" to "It's good enough but I've got my fingers crossed that they can someday make it better." One of the players in the game I run was using the packs of power cards and a hand-filled character sheet, and his numbers where just ridiculously off... He was missing out on +4 to attacks and +5 or so to damage on all of his powers... I mean, it would be even better if he would read the rules and actually know what applies to what and why, but I can't really ask for everything, can I? If he's used the CB (or in this case, emailed me and had me use it for him) he would have at least had the mostly-correct numbers, even if he had no idea where they where coming from...
ExploderWizard
Hero
If a player cannot keep track of all the modifiers and bonuses that make up the stats then the system may be a little overly complex.
Charwoman Gene
Adventurer
ExploderWizard said:
So, a system with an acceptable level of complexity must be have modifiers that no player anywhere can ever forget?
Honestly, it sounds like this player would have trouble with AD&D!
"There are two bonuses: from your Strength score and from your magic weapon."
"What was the middle one again?"
I get very frustrated with conditional bonuses (bonus to Opportunity Attacks, I'm looking at you) and temporary bonuses, but as a rule I find using the 4e system is very easy to make characters correctly with.
Cheers!
Merric,
Wow.. surprise to see you here and off the geek
I personally dont have a problem with the CB and in fact, think that WotC has done much in the last months to improve the overall quality of the program. When I first downloaded it over a year ago, THAT was a computer slug... I'm much happier with the resource drain nowadays (and yes.. it can still drain). Also, I really like the new CS viewer... much, much bette than what they offered before. :/
As for the power cards and too much info- my thought is that clasically, you would have kept track of all the same stuff on your character sheet anyway, and so they are trying to give you something to take its place (reference sheet). I think if you didnt have all those different attacks, you would be scrounging over your CS to find them.
Unfortunately (i'll admit), hardly anyone every uses them anyway, as, whether you have to figure it out on a power card, or on the actual CS, its too much work - we always just go with the attack # on the top left of the card.
As for the "5 plus your wisdom ability modifier (+4)" thing.. well, it doesnt really bother us it makes the players feel good about buffing up a certain attribute. It also helps once leveling up a characer, because then you can just change the # instead of printing out a new card altogether.
ciao!
gjnave
Wow.. surprise to see you here and off the geek
I personally dont have a problem with the CB and in fact, think that WotC has done much in the last months to improve the overall quality of the program. When I first downloaded it over a year ago, THAT was a computer slug... I'm much happier with the resource drain nowadays (and yes.. it can still drain). Also, I really like the new CS viewer... much, much bette than what they offered before. :/
As for the power cards and too much info- my thought is that clasically, you would have kept track of all the same stuff on your character sheet anyway, and so they are trying to give you something to take its place (reference sheet). I think if you didnt have all those different attacks, you would be scrounging over your CS to find them.
Unfortunately (i'll admit), hardly anyone every uses them anyway, as, whether you have to figure it out on a power card, or on the actual CS, its too much work - we always just go with the attack # on the top left of the card.
As for the "5 plus your wisdom ability modifier (+4)" thing.. well, it doesnt really bother us it makes the players feel good about buffing up a certain attribute. It also helps once leveling up a characer, because then you can just change the # instead of printing out a new card altogether.
ciao!
gjnave
I do still post here a bit, you know.
I haven't used CB much as a player... not at all, in fact. My first experience with it as a player will be this weekend. I'm wondering if I can create an alternative character sheet viewer by then... a few hours of happy coding tonight might do it.
I've used it as a DM for a couple of NPCs, in particular Splug the Goblin Rogue (currently 20th level!), and it's been useful for that, but I don't pay so much attention to the powers.
I've noticed certain players at the table have a lot of trouble finding stuff on it, but other players don't have a problem.
Cheers!
I haven't used CB much as a player... not at all, in fact. My first experience with it as a player will be this weekend. I'm wondering if I can create an alternative character sheet viewer by then... a few hours of happy coding tonight might do it.
I've used it as a DM for a couple of NPCs, in particular Splug the Goblin Rogue (currently 20th level!), and it's been useful for that, but I don't pay so much attention to the powers.
I've noticed certain players at the table have a lot of trouble finding stuff on it, but other players don't have a problem.
Cheers!
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