What software do you use for D&D, and why?

[Sam]

I'm thinking about taking my work laptop home on D&D nights to use when I run my campaign. Question is, I'm not sure which software makes sense to use. I mean, really use to good effect during a game. I've heard a lot of stories how the use of a laptop actually slows the game down, and I certainly don't want that to happen (hard enough keeping the game moving with 7 PCs). I'd like to use it for notes, combats and Monster/NPC information.

I had high hopes for E-Tools, but from everythign I've read over the last few days, it doesn't look like that's going to do it.

So, what do you use to help you run your game, and why?

 

[Lily Inverse]

Personally, WHEN I use a laptop it's simple notepad, spreadsheet app, and MAYBE pre-generated PCGen character sheets. All of it pre-loaded and ready to be looked at with a quick alt-tab. All the evidence I've seen suggests wetware is just more effective at the actual running of the game than any software currently out there.

 

[Sam]

All the evidence I've seen suggests wetware is just more effective at the actual running of the game than any software currently out there.

I've been toying with the idea of having a laptop at my side for two reasons. 1) I'd like to have a convienent way to take notes (without having to later type them into my desktop); and 2) I want a way to lookup monster & spell stats without pulling out the MM or PHB, etc. Once I grab a book, the players know it's combat time, or that I'm casting a spell. They then start applying metagame thinking and try to figure out based on what and where I am looking, what they are combating or otherwise up against. I'd like to keep them thinking in game as much as possible (which, with my group of rules lawyers and combat junkies is hard enough without book-grabbing distractions).

If I could get a good tool to accomplish point 2, I could use Word for 1. I've looked at a few, but none seemed intutitive or user-friendly enough to make it to the gaming table.

I figured with all of the (obviously) D&D/d20 enmeshed people that read these boards and particpate in the EN World community that I could be pointed towards some good ideas.

 

[Lily Inverse]

I'm not aware of what E-Tools contains in the way of monster stats, but your best bet may be to use an Access database to type up the statblocks of the monsters you'll be using ahead of time. That, plus reading what their various SQs do before the game, should be enough for you to run encounters. However, a pen or pencil and paper can work perfectly well for this purpose too.

Also, learning curves being what they are a laptop will probably slow you down at first no matter how you try to set it up. It's just a matter of getting to know a new way of doing things.

 

[Sm!rk]

I'm not aware of what E-Tools contains in the way of monster stats, but your best bet may be to use an Access database to

I've been using the monster window in etools to bring up monster stat blocks during an adventure, it has a stat block tab that will generate the block of the selected monster, I can also advance them on the spot and one click to a stat block. Pretty neat. I hope the other characters get this function.

 

[Eternalknight]

For character generation, I use PC Gen. This is also used to stat out my NPC's. Quick, easy and effective.

During play, I use DM Buddy (I made the thing, so I should use it!) - the link is in my sig. This keeps track of the characters, monsters, XP, initative, etc.

I also use My Info, for keeping adventure notes and conversions if I am running an adventure from a previous edition.

Currently I'm looking for a battle-mat type of program to keep track of movement during combat.

 

[Luke]

I also use My Info, for keeping adventure notes and conversions if I am running an adventure from a previous edition.

Currently I'm looking for a battle-mat type of program to keep track of movement during combat.

RolePlayingMaster (RPM) has a BattleMap that'll do this for you. You'll find that it's just the tip of the iceberg. It's got heaps of useful features for combat tracking, including:
- Use a blank map backdrop, an imported map (such as from DungeonCrafter), or RPM's own quick and smart TileMapper.
- Correct working out of initiative (from rolls, feats, dex, flatfootedness and other conditions).
- Shows the current movement, and distance moved on the map. Keeps tabs of steps, moves and actions.
- Works out XP and distributes amongst the party.
- Works out attacks, saves, damage, skills etc., as well as damaged conditions (staggered, dead, stable, dying etc).
- Spell effects create conditions which can automatically apply effects to the creatures/characters.
- etc etc

There's also a Campaign Encyclopaedia that fulfils the MyInfo need. You can copy and paste pictures, wordprocessing text, spreadsheets etc from apps like Word to get info in, or use the built-in wordprocessing. If you check out the "BaneWarrens" thread, you'll see how this will also be available for adventures you enter.

It also has full character/NPC/monster generation capabilities with full flexibility on randomized stats (with correct racial bias), templates, monsters with class levels, and full calculations based on any equipment, class abilities, feats, etc.

Regards,

 

[Eternalknight]

Thanks Luke. I have to admit I tried RPM about 8 months ago and wasn't overly impressed (no offence, I just couldn't seem to get it working right). Has it changed much?

 

[jmettraux]

In the "I use what I have done/coded" style,

I personally use dgsh that I built to keep track of my party and its opponents.

I cannot rival with Luke's RPM battlemap functionality. I didn't felt the need for developing such a feature because
1) dgsh is pure console (text-only output)
2) I draw dungeons and places on paper with grid and the players have their own miniatures (for the villains I use Claudio Pozas' excellent lines of counters)
3) we meet physically for each game session (no need for remote display of battlefield...)

Originally posted from Sam
2) I want a way to lookup monster & spell stats without pulling out the MM or PHB, etc. Once I grab a book, the players know it's combat time, or that I'm casting a spell.

to view monster stats :
dgsh> d troll
dgsh> d goblin

to view spell stats :
dgsh> spell magic_missile
dgsh> spell daze

get in combat mode and roll a patrol of 4 gobs :

dgsh> fight
dgsh-combat> inst goblin 4 gob

(they will be named gob1 to gob4 and dgsh will roll their hit points)

you could also load one of your villain :

dgsh-combat> load villains/feanor_bad.xml opp

You can browse a piece of dgshed game session.

Only a few monsters are currently digitized for dgsh, but I'm working on a stat block parser.

Also under work (and nearly finished) is a GameClock (scenario time tracking).

 

[Cergorach]

Thanks Luke. I have to admit I tried RPM about 8 months ago and wasn't overly impressed (no offence, I just couldn't seem to get it working right). Has it changed much?

Sorry for answering for Luke, but... YEAH! It has improved much! Just download the latest version and run the tuturial Luke has provided. It's of course not yet fully functional, but it works enough to make combat encounters with four 13th-14th level characters a lot more manageable.

My advice, keep the notebook closed in roleplaying situations, it's rather distraction (both for the players and the dm)...