What makes a good character sheet for you?

[Desdichado]

The most important thing for me is customizability. If I'm using Sanity, for instance, I need a place to put it. If I'm using Action Points, I need a place for that.

Second most important is concise output. I want a character sheet that I can print out on a single sheet of paper (double sided) max, with possibly a supplemental sheet for spells if I'm playing a spellcaster (which I pretty much never do, so it's not an issue.)

 

[Particle_Man]

I would like one that doesn't "Waste" the particular character's space. For instance, if a character does not have ranks in certain "trained only" skills, then there is no reason to list those skills. More obviously, there is no reason for Joe the barbarian to have a spells section, nor for Johannus the Sorceror to have "spells for the day" listed.

The extra "Space" could allow other categories to have a bigger font, or more space to write things down on later, or even a "wounds" box (since that tends to get "rubbed out" a lot on a character sheet). (So if you are getting all computerish, is there a way for a user to increase the size of a box, and correspondingly increase the font size of stuff inside the box? (or even make it an option to incrase the font size or not, and in the latter case just putting more white space or lines within the box so that stuff could be written down with a pencil in-game?)

Anyhow, these are some of my ideas, but I don't know how feasible they are.

 

[Mac Callum]

A character sheet has to (1) be customizable to take variant rules into account; (2) break down and show the additive value for AC, BAB, skills, etc.; (3) have some blank space for random effects in various sections (e.g., to note "reduced Fire Resistance by 5" ); and (4) not waste space with rules/ sections that character isn't using.

No, I've never found an automated sheet that does this. Pen & paper half the time, or Word when I'm feeling fancy.

 

[irdeggman]

Commonly referenced things should jump out and be easier to see.

IMO these include:

AC

HP (and adquate space to make adjustments for current HP total)

Saving throws adjustments (Basically wha the total modifiers are and where the adjustmens come from)

To hit and damage (for each weapon used - at least the primary ones)



Other things that are useful but not as important for a first glance quick to see listing:

Character name and race

Player's name

Exp total and exp needed for next level

Skills and total check modifiers

Feats

Class Abilities

Classes and their levels

Spells known

Spells per level per day

Spell information (by spell): Name, DC, save, components

Equipment worn (location slots are useful here) and carried

Equipment owned (and location)

Magic items carried and owned (inlcuding a place to record charges left for charged items)


What I would like is a different input sheet and print out sheet. Basically there is more information that can be input but not all of it needs to be in the print out. For example the print out sheet should only include the classes that the character has levels in and not list every possible class.

Easy to use customization (to include new classes, prestige classes, races, spells), This should also account for House-rules.

There can (and probably should) be different sheets for spells known and most equipment (i.e., the stuff that is not worn/carried).

Skills should probably be on a separate sheet too. This is only to make the sheets more readable since a complete list of skills is usually necessary since most can be attempted untrained but the sheer volume of these makes it hard to squeeze them onto the same sheet as the character's basic infor.

 

[Orius]

Not only is it not OD&D, it's also not Basic D&D, 1e AD&D, and 2e AD&D. I often find myself writting Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con, Cha if I use plane paper to roll up a character. Old habits die hard...

2e placed the scores Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha too. I know the other way is more "classic", but I find the more "modern" organization of scores to be a little more logical. Or maybe I'm just more used to it.

 

[Psion]

Well I could fiddle around with what's in front, what's in back, etc., but there are a few absolute requirements that I see violated commonly in sheets:

1) Base melee and base ranged should always be on front.
2) You should check boxes for skills if they ARE class skills. The skill lists aren't phrased in terms of cross class skills.
3) Blanks for feats, not feat lists with check boxes. There will often be a feat not there and there will always be feat spots you don't use. Blanks are better for this reason.