What is the best D&D Assistant Software for me?

[Max]

The latest version of Campaign Suite, CSX, includes support for 3.5 right now. Currently in beta, you can find it here: http://twinrose.net/csxbeta.php

CSX does not do in game management, but it doesn't sound like that was a requirement for you, Murrdox. One advantage CSX has over some other options is it is very easy to add custom information. There is no scripting or special programming language that you need to learn.

Each of the programs mentioned in this thread has a very unique "feel" to it, so I suggest checking them all out and see what clicks for you.

Max

 

[Luke]

CSX does not do in game management... There is no scripting or special programming language that you need to learn.

You wouldn't necessarily expect scripting if you don't do any in-game management.
Cobbling stats together for static printouts is generally fairly achieveble using non-scripted data entries (RPM calls them "modifiers" and PCGen calls them "tags").
Its only when you start to do things such as implement in-game features that scripting becomes an issue - such as a Cleave performing another attack, or a weapon with Disruption capability go off when its detected that its striking an undead.

I've seen people create datasets without script code, and then turn to myself, or the wider RPM community, for some final scripting help to make it do an in-game "song and dance".

Its a nice option to have available to you...

 

[Max]

You wouldn't necessarily expect scripting if you don't do any in-game management.

Its only when you start to do things such as implement in-game features that scripting becomes an issue - such as a Cleave performing another attack, or a weapon with Disruption capability go off when its detected that its striking an undead.

No arguement from me. I realize that any program that handles in game combat has to do a lot more than one that doesn't.

I own both RPM and CSX, and appreciate each of them on their own merits. If someone wants in game combat, character generation, and campaign management all in one package RPM is the way to go IMHO.

If you don't need combat management, and just need character generation and campaign management then CSX is my personal preference. Adding custom data to CSX couldn't be easier; there is no question that part of the reason for that is because it doesn't try to implement all those feats and skills in a combat management system.

Both have active programmers and groups of supporters who can help novices input their custom data. It just depends on what you need to do, and how well you click with a program. Each person needs try them out and see what works for them.

Max

 

[d20books]

Start with the Free, and move your way up

We could argue the virtues of the various applications out there forever.

Lets forget that for a moment and help you get what YOU need.

There are a bunch of free software suites out there. Start with the free ones. Look at the requirements they have and see if you want to deal with that (needs java, or something else).

After you root those out, try them.

If they're too frustrating or not what you want, go back and see if adding java or something else to your computer is worth not having the frustration and try those other free suites.

If that still fails, check into the shareware suites. Test them out.

If that still fails, look into the pay suites.

If all else fails, you could pay someone to code you up your own program ;-) You could then put it on the internet as freeware, shareware, or for pay and we'll all go check it out.

Everyone can recommend something, but everyone has different needs and tastes. I'm a techie and work with Java a bunch. I also have a bunch of third party publishers. PCGen gives me what I need and I am savvy enough to deal with its quirks.

 

[Murrdox]

Why use PCgen over Etools?

I used the freeware version of PCgen that came with my original PHB... it was pretty good.

You think it's better than Etools for generating NPCs? It can Prestige Class, add templates, and generate magic equipment for NPCs and such?

I'm kind of puzzled by the continued existance of PCgen since Etools seems to do everything that PCgen does and more.

Does PCgen do MORE in some ways than etools? Is the interface just better?

 

[Nylanfs]

Originally Posted by Murrdox
Why use PCgen over Etools?

I used the freeware version of PCgen that came with my original PHB... it was pretty good.

You think it's better than Etools for generating NPCs? It can Prestige Class, add templates, and generate magic equipment for NPCs and such?

I'm kind of puzzled by the continued existance of PCgen since Etools seems to do everything that PCgen does and more.

Does PCgen do MORE in some ways than etools? Is the interface just better?

Murrdox, the copy that came with the original PHB is NOT PCGen, it's not even close to eTools It was just a cobbled together piece of ...

check out http://pcgen.sourceforge.net

It has LOTS of sources, I think 64 non-WotC sourcebooks. The only drawback is that if you want to use all the WotC splatbooks (ie Sword and Fist, Tome and Blood etc.) you have to either create the feat/spell/skill yourself using the editors that come with the program or but the datasets from CMP http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com I bought all the splat books for about $15US two months ago.

And as Paul King posted earlier the 3.5 info is ALMOST ready, it should be done in about a week, maybe two (note: I'm not working on them myself so this is just a estimate) but you can get the info from the yahoo group file site and it should work for what you need.

Edit: And yes PCGen can apply templates to base creatures and it's a LOT more flexible than the current eTools. Although there is a new version of eTools in the works that should address lots of those problems.

 

[kingpaul]

I used the freeware version of PCgen that came with my original PHB... it was pretty good.

Ummm...As Paul said, that wasn't PCGen. That was the beginnings of the doomed Master Tools. eTools was the successor of Master Tools.

 

[Murrdox]

Thanks everyone for your help, but now you've doomed me!

I've tried out PCGen, and I really like it! Etools doesn't support Templates... BAD!!! and PCGen seems very robust in its capabilities.. I'm playing with it and I can't make up my mind.

I can't afford to buy the datasets for BOTH programs. Grrrr.....

Someone help me decide.

I'm currently trying to make sense of PCGen's printing... seems pretty good.

 

[kingpaul]

I can't afford to buy the datasets for BOTH programs. Grrrr.....

Someone help me decide.

I'm currently trying to make sense of PCGen's printing... seems pretty good.

Alright, I am not an agent of CMP, but I'll try to help you out on this decision (just remember, I am an agent of PCGen, so I'm biased).

What material do you wish to use? Just WotC, or 3rd party as well? If you only deal with WotC, than either program would work for you. I know the folks at CMP are working dilligently to fix the code that WotC handed them when they signed on as a licensee. If you are looking at using 3rd party material, then PCGen is your program. Although, to be fair, CMP is working with WotC to see if they can get 3rd party material in eTools as well. There is ETHelper that allows users to add your own material to the database (I've not used it yet, keep meaning to, so I can't speak on how intuitive this is).

Did that help you out at all? Or did I just muddy the waters further?

 

[Davin]

Someone help me decide.

I'm also biased, both as the author of ET Helper and with an informal affiliation with CMP.

Rather than tell you directly what I think (which would be driven by my own motivations and not yours), I'd like to instead point out to you a concept that's not always considered in questions like this. PCGen is free (which gives it quite a large psychological advantage), but this can also serve to work against it. Unless the contributors in such projects are highly motivated & organized (or extremely large in number), it is quite easy for development progress to slow to a crawl. (I'm not saying that it has or will to PCGen, only that it happens all to frequently in similar situations.) OTOH, a commercial product lives and dies by its sales, which are often driven solely by its ability to make rapid improvements. Therefore, a commercial product has a built-in incentive to keep making things better and better, while a free product has little such incentive. So as a general rule, over time, you could usually expect a commercial program to advance much further and faster and eventually give you a better total product.

So if you need something immediately, and you can live with it indefinitely or can afford to replace it later (including both cash and time costs), then PCGen could be a good choice. But if you want to be in it for the longer haul, you'd be wise not to let eTools too far out of sight and consideration.

[Edit: Grammar]