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View Full Version : [4E]DnD Character Builder Beta is Open to public



NPCMook
2008-12-31, 04:32 AM
Title says it all

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/insider/characterbuilder

Lets you only build to level 3, seems to have everything up to Martial power in it, even lets you know if your character is RPGA legal, the read up of the character uses the WotC character sheet and includes a Power Cards print out for the powers you've chosen.

Malek
2008-12-31, 04:37 AM
It has been out for something like two weeks now.

Suleman
2008-12-31, 07:41 AM
This thing is so horribly clunky that I think I prefer the other ones out there. One that comes to mind is Pathguy's 4e Generator (http://www.pathguy.com/cg4.htm). I guess it's just a matter of preference.

Istari
2008-12-31, 07:52 AM
Problem with things like those is that you have to look up all the abilities and feats you want to take.

Mando Knight
2008-12-31, 04:24 PM
This thing is so horribly clunky that I think I prefer the other ones out there. One that comes to mind is Pathguy's 4e Generator (http://www.pathguy.com/cg4.htm). I guess it's just a matter of preference.

...Clunky? I find "straightforward" is a better word... each option is under a tab, feats are alphabetically sorted, and the computer automatically displays the option's Compendium entry, and will auto-calculate the stats of your powers (although apparently the thing thinks 4E characters can use the (Kamehame)Ha(doken) (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KamehameHadoken)... create a ranged Ranger, and choose your powers before you choose your equipment. Look at the stats for your ranged powers.)

NPCMook
2008-12-31, 06:01 PM
This thing is so horribly clunky that I think I prefer the other ones out there. One that comes to mind is Pathguy's 4e Generator (http://www.pathguy.com/cg4.htm). I guess it's just a matter of preference.

I have to agree with Mando, the WotC character builder is pretty straight forward.

Pathguy's seems more clunky than straight forward.

mrmaxmrmax
2009-01-01, 12:08 AM
Pathguy's works with my iMac, though. That's reason enough for me.

Maxwell.

Suleman
2009-01-01, 10:06 AM
By "clunky" I mean "uses a ton of processing power despite being an enormously simple concept" and "requires me to download a downloader to download an installer to install a generator".
Whereas I can just open up Pathguy's 4e generator in a link and immediately begin. Of course, it's not as fancy, but it works better for 1st level characters, houserules and can be used to make level 4+ characters. I'm not saying the Wizards one is bad, I'm saying that for what it is, it could be simpler.

Adumbration
2009-01-01, 10:17 AM
The download jammed on me twice, the installation somehow failed, and now the program refuses to work. Nice one!

KIDS
2009-01-01, 10:45 AM
For anyone having a long installation time, check out the note about Microsoft ActiveX. It does extend the installation time but overall it still took only several minutes.

Now, having tried the Character Builder I'm very impressed. It's neat and easy to use, and I found the interface extremely user-friendly. Generating and printing a character took barely a few minutes, with all options neatly lined up with everything marked as meeting or not meeting prerequisites.
All in all, while I admit that it could have been simpler, I was amazed by how practical it was and will definitely use it starting from now on.

Dublock
2009-01-01, 10:49 AM
yea, its not bad at all. The processing power...I didn't check how much it takes but on my office only laptop I was able to do that and use firefox just fine.

Although it did take a lot of time to get the installation working, I realized I didn't install the Windows Net 3.5 thing they mention. After I went to Mircosoft to install it, it worked just fine afterwards.