What is THE BEST program for monster creation?

[Khan the Warlord]

Well, the title is kinda self-explanatory. Basically, what in your opinions, is the *best* program for monster creation?

And could you provide a link to whatever you list?

Thanks!

 

[Luke]

By "monster creation", do you mean "creature creation"? I tend to view characters, NPCs, and monsters as being all pretty much the same. They all share the common aspect of being creatures that have a race, with possibly race levels, class levels and templates added to them.

The best one for an individual, is the app that's meets their needs the best.

What are you looking for, from the following?
1. Adding class levels to any basic race.
2. Add equipment (random generation?).
3. Add skills, feats, and magic spells (random generation?)
4. Add more race levels to the standard creature.
5. Add templates.
6. Ability to create more monster types.
7. Calculated statblock from all race, class, equipment, feat etc. modifiers.
8. Add in-game calculations on top on statblock (eg choices for Expertise points, Power Attack points, option for Monk BAB, option for Rapid Shot, option for barbarian rage), and conditions (eg. Blinded, grappled).

Any other points?

I don't know much about CS, but the apps I'd consider relevant here include E-Tools, PCGen and RPM (which I develop).

[Step in and correct me where I get it wrong guys ]

E-Tools would probably have strength with accuracy of a massive race database, and fall down badly if you needed templates. It also has the benefit on being the only app "getting away" with providing non-core material online (Wizard's copyright-protected).

PCGen wouldn't be particularly friendly to adding new creatures (of course there are a lot who have learned the "lst" lingo, and now find it easy).

RPM alone does the options stuff in point 8 (why I added it, of course - but hey, it's impotant! ). Its of most use if you have a computer at the gaming table.

 

[Leopold]

If your looking for already existing creatures and wish to add levels or HD from any of the other books then PCGen will do just that. If you want to build your own monsters unless you know the "lst lingo" that luke pointed out then PCGen won't be your best solution.

 

[Twin Rose]

What are you looking for, from the following?
1. Adding class levels to any basic race.
2. Add equipment (random generation?).
3. Add skills, feats, and magic spells (random generation?)
4. Add more race levels to the standard creature.
5. Add templates.
6. Ability to create more monster types.
7. Calculated statblock from all race, class, equipment, feat etc. modifiers.
8. Add in-game calculations on top on statblock (eg choices for Expertise points, Power Attack points, option for Monk BAB, option for Rapid Shot, option for barbarian rage), and conditions (eg. Blinded, grappled).

I don't know much about CS

As it happens, I do know something about it.

1: CS Does it
2: CS Does it
3: CS Does it
4: CS Does it
5: CS Does it
6: CS Does it (full editor)
7: CS Does it
8: CS is a pre-game calculator but does keep notes in sections to allow it to be handled.

 

[theT0rmented]

Shameless plug

I wrote a small program in javascript when I was converting monsters:

http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/shadows/Handbook/MonsterCalc.html

It's not the best, but it was good enough for me.

Suggestions for improvement welcome.

 

[Janik]

Hello Khan,

My program, DM Genie (www.dmgenie.com/download.shtml) has a full monster editor (I call it a Race Editor, because you can theoretically create a PC from any type of monster).

DM Genie also has a nice feature where if you copy/paste a block of text that looks like this:

Drider
Large Aberration
Hit Dice: 6d8+18 (45 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 15 ft.
AC: 17 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural)
etc...

...it automatically enters all the data for you. You can also create a block of text like this if you've entered the data manually. This can be cool if you get a race from a webpage and want to enter it quickly.