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So I like using Excel to keep track of things while I'm GMing. Part of my preparation style (besides reading the scenario) is to make an Excel file that has different tabs for each encounter of the scenario. Under each tab, I have columns designated for Initiative and showing the bonus for the rolls of each of the baddies. I also have another area listing the health of each baddie and how much they have left (and Con modifier if that's important for someone's Faction mission).
Anyway, I got to thinking last night as I finished up GMing a session that wouldn't it be cool to have all that information already in an Excel file? You could open up a document, input your player's names so that they'll auto-populate on all tabs, and then select from a scrolldown list of the scenario you are GMing and what Subtier it is, and then hit a button to auto-populate the other information that you track (like the ones I listed earlier).
Would this be a neat tool? I know there are other GMs out there that, despite the awesomeness of the GameMastery Pad, prefer to keep track of things on a computer. I have already started to design how the sheet will work, but it will take some time 1. get all of the scenarios (I wish I had that type of cash to drop right now) and 2. input all the information into the database.
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Would this be a neat tool? I know there are other GMs out there that, despite the awesomeness of the GameMastery Pad, prefer to keep track of things on a computer. I have already started to design how the sheet will work, but it will take some time 1. get all of the scenarios (I wish I had that type of cash to drop right now) and 2. input all the information into the database.
It could very well be, however you should create a version which is only a framework which the GM has to plug in the monsters stats unique to the mod they are playing for reasons which I believe should be obvious.
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It could very well be, however you should create a version which is only a framework which the GM has to plug in the monsters stats unique to the mod they are playing for reasons which I believe should be obvious.
I think I could do that fairly easily. I'll try and have something for folks by the end of the day (or at least by tomorrow morning).
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Introducing Joe's Nifty PFS GM Aid
I would like to share with y'all a very basic spreadsheet that outlines what I'd like this sheet to eventually do. As it stands currently, this sheet will auto-populate your PC's names on every encounter page, as well as the stats I have listed for enemies and the PA to be earned during each encounter. All you have to do is enter the information on the front page.
When you are on individual encounter pages, enter in the initiative for all PCs and baddies in the 'Initiative' column, and then select the range and click on the 'Sort Descending' button on the toolbar. Make sure you Okay the 'Expand Selection,' so it sorts the names with the Initiative.
When doing damage to monsters, input the damage taken by the enemy into the 'Damage' column. 'Total Damage' will accumulate the total damage taken. If you want to heal the enemy at all, just add a '-' in front of whatever amount you enter into the 'Damage' cell.
You can also keep track of PA during the different encounters. After most PFS combats, players can do things to earn PA. Enter the PA to be gained on the 'Start Here' page, and it will auto-populate during what encounters PA can be gained. You can then enter how much PA they've actually earned. On the 'End Here' page, the 'PA Earned' column will give you a total of the PA earned throughout the scenario for each character. This page is also a nice little summary of the information you will need to fill out for report to Paizo.
That should be about it. I am open to suggestions as to other things GMs might find useful to keep track of and any and all feedback would be much appreciated.
PS. I would like to start implementing some macros to take care of things (like the total damage accumulator and being able to reset the sheet for a new scenario aka wiping the page clean of inputs from a previous GM session). I will be working on that when I get a chance.
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My impressions using it filling it up with data from a game I ran last night:
- The player faction should be a drop down.
- You should enter the CON of the mob, not the CON modifier. You can calculate that for me.
- You should probably make the player init work like the mob init, so they should enter the PC init mod on the first sheet. Honestly PC and mob tracking should be identical in that respect for con (mod), AC, init mod, hp, damage and total damage.
- Something appears to be wrong with the damage/total damage stuff at least on the mac version of excel. It looks like a simple formula but I'm getting some serious bad values after trying to enter in some damage and then zero it out etc. When I enter damage in the 2nd enemy it also added that damage to the total for the 1st as well, so that's how it spun out of control I guess.
- End page doesn't appear to accurately tally PA earned when identified as earned from encounter page.
- Maybe more uses of if testing to exclude display of 0/empty values? IE: Only 6 players
If you want to do some more direct feedback testing you can email me at zizazat@gmail.com. Hope that helps!
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Thanks to Mark's suggestions, I've made some changes / enhancements.
- The factions are now drop down.
- That was just a label error on my part. The it was just supposed to be Con. I wanted to include that just because there are so many encounters where you might have to keep someone alive.
- Player init now works like mob init. I will add AC and other stuff later.
- I got rid of the the Total Damage. There is no good way of doing it that would allow all users to utilize the sheet, because the solution I do have utilizes Macros. For now, you'll just have to total the damage in your head and put that in the 'Damage' cell.
- I think the end page should accurately tally PA now.
- Cells do not show anything until values are enter on the starting page.
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I updated everything so all the references should be good (I even got to test it last night as I GM'ed). The sheet also handles Touch AC and Flat footed AC for PCs and NPCs alike.
I hope this in some way helps some of ya'll!
Interesting I use a version of this (much more basic to keep track of combat stats this is quite a bit more advanced...
I might try it out in the future. I have my sessions mapped out for the next few weeks though.|
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Hey ya'll. Sorry I haven't updated this in a while.
I've made some modest improvements over the last one and fixed some bugs. I am also considering adding columns for Fort / Ref / Will saves for baddies. My hesitation for never adding them in the first place was because of the prevalence of monsters having different saves to different types of spells / effects.
I hope ya'll enjoy and use the sheet!
