Comments on: How good is the D&D Character Builder software? http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software The D&D Blog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:54:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dragonborn Cleric http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-10181 Dragonborn Cleric Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:19:20 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-10181 i don't think ddi is gonna have much trouble from Heroforge. It's a lot easier in ddi, and it prints the power cards, which might be enough to win out in the first place. i don’t think ddi is gonna have much trouble from Heroforge. It’s a lot easier in ddi, and it prints the power cards, which might be enough to win out in the first place.

]]> By: Laures http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-8702 Laures Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:52:27 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-8702 You do realise that every update of the CB results in new CONTENT. That the stuff you normaly only find in a book. So if you pay for a subscription you are not only getting the dungeon/dragon stuff and the compendium. you also get the content of the books, which would normaly be more than double the subscription. It gets even better if you only subscripe for a month every 2-3 months. You do realise that every update of the CB results in new CONTENT. That the stuff you normaly only find in a book.

So if you pay for a subscription you are not only getting the dungeon/dragon stuff and the compendium. you also get the content of the books, which would normaly be more than double the subscription. It gets even better if you only subscripe for a month every 2-3 months.

]]> By: Blue Eladrin http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-7851 Blue Eladrin Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:22:44 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-7851 I agree with "al" it's frustating that you must pay "subscription" for this program... Other things I noticed are: - lots of bugs when you enter a Houserule - lots of bugs with using imported images to char apperance window - some times it prints many repeated cards for itens... at least in pdf printing But the most boring thing is the payment... They should make this: send a code within each book you bought... when you use the code in the site, it become "attached" to your account. each code could give a 3, 4 or 6 month subscription... If they found the code in the internet (piracy) they could block the user or take back the months for that code... it's simple and easy... but I think that they're becoming a group of merchantilists dorks... I agree with “al” it’s frustating that you must pay “subscription” for this program…
Other things I noticed are:
- lots of bugs when you enter a Houserule
- lots of bugs with using imported images to char apperance window
- some times it prints many repeated cards for itens… at least in pdf printing
But the most boring thing is the payment…
They should make this: send a code within each book you bought… when you use the code in the site, it become “attached” to your account. each code could give a 3, 4 or 6 month subscription… If they found the code in the internet (piracy) they could block the user or take back the months for that code… it’s simple and easy… but I think that they’re becoming a group of merchantilists dorks…

]]> By: al http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-7833 al Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:43:35 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-7833 It’s ridiculous that Wizards requires a subscription to access and update the character builder for the game we’ve already purchased. I could see including it as a “free bonus” to subscribers, but for those of us that don’t care about any of the other stuff that comes with the insider subscription, there should be another option. For example: Steve Jackson Games sells their GURPS Character Builder software for a one-time fee, and you can update it freely whenever patches or new material is added (just like most any other software you’ve paid money for.) It’s almost like Wizards is trying to get in on the MMO cash-cow without actually making an MMO. Heroforge (a free D&D 4e character creator) goes into open beta in May: http://www.heroforgesoftware.com. If Wizards keep charging a monthly fee for their character builder after Heroforge is released, they’ve got balls of depleted uranium. It’s ridiculous that Wizards requires a subscription to access and update the character builder for the game we’ve already purchased. I could see including it as a “free bonus” to subscribers, but for those of us that don’t care about any of the other stuff that comes with the insider subscription, there should be another option.

For example: Steve Jackson Games sells their GURPS Character Builder software for a one-time fee, and you can update it freely whenever patches or new material is added (just like most any other software you’ve paid money for.)

It’s almost like Wizards is trying to get in on the MMO cash-cow without actually making an MMO.

Heroforge (a free D&D 4e character creator) goes into open beta in May: http://www.heroforgesoftware.com. If Wizards keep charging a monthly fee for their character builder after Heroforge is released, they’ve got balls of depleted uranium.

]]> By: Geo http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6627 Geo Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:13:51 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6627 This program should maybe require a one time payment and updates after than should be free, its nice but not nice enough to pay a subscription. This program should maybe require a one time payment and updates after than should be free, its nice but not nice enough to pay a subscription.

]]> By: Vinius http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6081 Vinius Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:36:38 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6081 e-tools was definitely very useful to me for 3.0-3.5. I used it extensively. I definitely like the character builder. The simple fact that the power cards automatically calculate your attacks and damage give them a leg-up over the '3rd party' power cards out there. e-tools was definitely very useful to me for 3.0-3.5. I used it extensively. I definitely like the character builder. The simple fact that the power cards automatically calculate your attacks and damage give them a leg-up over the ‘3rd party’ power cards out there.

]]> By: rekres http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6056 rekres Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:52:20 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6056 "The first major software release by WOTC is now available for beta testing." Not! Does anyone remember the Character Creator CD that was included in the 3.0 PHB? Not to mention Magic Online from who? WotC? It'd be more accurate to say the first major software release by WotC for D&D 4E. But then again, that's not exactly the greatest track record.... (have you seen the abomination that is MTGO v3?) “The first major software release by WOTC is now available for beta testing.”

Not! Does anyone remember the Character Creator CD that was included in the 3.0 PHB?

Not to mention Magic Online from who? WotC?

It’d be more accurate to say the first major software release by WotC for D&D 4E.

But then again, that’s not exactly the greatest track record…. (have you seen the abomination that is MTGO v3?)

]]> By: Geek's Dream Girl http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6054 Geek's Dream Girl Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:44:12 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6054 @ Dave - I had a similar problem when trying to print to PDF. I really like the program because I'm one of those people that always forgets SOMETHING when leveling up. It's good to have the program to do the hard work and math for you. I also love the ability to move the blocks on the character sheet to whatever arrangement you like. That's really handy. Oooh, and power cards. I've always been too lazy to find/make power cards. Woot for pre-done ones! @ Dave – I had a similar problem when trying to print to PDF.

I really like the program because I’m one of those people that always forgets SOMETHING when leveling up. It’s good to have the program to do the hard work and math for you. I also love the ability to move the blocks on the character sheet to whatever arrangement you like. That’s really handy. Oooh, and power cards. I’ve always been too lazy to find/make power cards. Woot for pre-done ones!

]]> By: Nathan http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6052 Nathan Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:10:20 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6052 @Yax: I've considered getting parallels and xp, mostly in the interest of setting up autocad for my girlfriend but the cost is a bit prohibitive, especially with the uncertainty in this economy. I haven't had a windows machine for about 6 years now, but this is one instance where I wish I did. @Yax: I’ve considered getting parallels and xp, mostly in the interest of setting up autocad for my girlfriend but the cost is a bit prohibitive, especially with the uncertainty in this economy.
I haven’t had a windows machine for about 6 years now, but this is one instance where I wish I did.

]]> By: Yax http://www.dungeonmastering.com/reviews/how-good-is-the-dd-character-builder-software#comment-6051 Yax Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:04:53 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=726#comment-6051 @Dave: You're welcome. @Dave: You’re welcome.

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