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I have resisted using my laptop at the gaming table for a long time. I have tried a couple of different software packages but they have not grabbed me.
What are people using - why are you using it and how easy is it to use at the table.
I am computer literate but I am not very interested in something that has a very steep learning curve. Money is not really an issue as long as it is a great program that will help me at the table and make things easier rather than harder.
I have a friend who uses something and I find that he spends a lot of time with the laptop and not with us (although sometimes I do to with stat blocks or text - so I see the trade off).
Maybe something to help make combat faster but it has to handle unique creatures and that then means a lot of input and I am not hot on that or even have the time.
DM Familiar has some of the AP inputted already but not enough to help me. The last one they did is the next one I will be running and then I have over run them.
Thanks in advance for your help.
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DM Familiar has some of the AP inputted already but not enough to help me. The last one they did is the next one I will be running and then I have over run them.Thanks in advance for your help.
DM's Familiar is the software I have been using at my table for almost 5 years now. Like any software it has a little learning curve and while learning you may stare at the screen more than players, but that is over with after a few sessions. New players to my group love how fast and smooth combat runs and I have to give a good amount of credit to DMF.
I have also used DMF to run Iron Heroes(modified 3.5), Star Wars SAGA, and recently started a 4e game. It takes a little know how to adjust to these different systems, but DMF's scripts are so versatile that I can run all these different systems without problems. Plus my own games are very heavily modified and I have had no issues putting those houserules into DMF or its scripts.
Last is that Todd the guy who made DMF's is always around to answer questions directly. Plus two great YahooGroups with datasets and answers are available supporting the software.
Official DMF Group
Unofficial DMF Fan Site
I have been checking out the demo of Hero Lab And it seems to be pretty solid, and has Pathfinder content updates. It start off at $30 for HL plus one set of rules. It seems pretty solid so far, but I've yet to decide if I will purchase it yet. The demo allows you to build characters, groups, and monsters. The only thing is you can't print them out or save them. Once you purchase the software you can the print pdf's out and save your pc's and npc's.
Check it out here: Hero Lab
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I don't use any software atm, mostly because I haven't found anything that I like. But, I do use it for all of my Campaign World files and .pdfs to keep the clutter at the table to a minimum. I also use it to keep track of notes, names of npc's, maps and handouts, etc. instead of handwriting everything - it's become a huge timesaver for me. Not to mention that if I need to share anything with my group before the game, I can just email it.
Edit: I just looked at HeroLab - didn't realize it was made by Lone Wolf. I use both their CardVault and ArmyBuilder and love those - guess I'll have to give HeroLab a shot now =)
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Yes but how does Hero Lab handle combat? I have played with it and I was unsatisfied.
Hero lab has an "In-Game" function that you can keep track of characters. I have not had time to truly explore it, but so far I can only open 1 PC at a time. There probably is a way to do it to keep track of multiple targets, like having them grouped, but I have not done anything like that yet.
I tend to build my own things as needed. I built a initiative tracker that was fairly basic. Rolled initiative for everyone, baddies included, and sorted them as needed. The d20 was kinda buggy, but my Hero one is spot on : )
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Yes but how does Hero Lab handle combat? I have played with it and I was unsatisfied.Hero lab has an "In-Game" function that you can keep track of characters. I have not had time to truly explore it, but so far I can only open 1 PC at a time. There probably is a way to do it to keep track of multiple targets, like having them grouped, but I have not done anything like that yet.
From what I just read at Lone Wolf looks like you'll have to activate the license to do more than one character, etc.
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From what I just read at Lone Wolf looks like you'll have to activate the license to do more than one character, etc.Yes but how does Hero Lab handle combat? I have played with it and I was unsatisfied.Hero lab has an "In-Game" function that you can keep track of characters. I have not had time to truly explore it, but so far I can only open 1 PC at a time. There probably is a way to do it to keep track of multiple targets, like having them grouped, but I have not done anything like that yet.
That's true. I do have a license and I can tell you that the tactical console works fairly well for combat rounds. The Dashboard function lets you view most player stats at a glance. It works well for me, anyway.
Right now it's not fully equipped to handle Pathfinder RPG, but that should change when the official Core books are released.
I dont own Hero Lab, but every thing really says it is mainly for character creation & management for one player, not a DM client. For that you would need to combine it with their other product, d20Pro. It is a virtual tabletop and DM management tool.
After reading all of Tintagel's posts about it, I got D20Pro for my Beta RotRL campaign. I will admit that my initial reason for getting it was to use his gorgeous maps of the Misgivings, but I think I can be forgiven for that... ;)
I mainly use it so I don't have to draw out maps anymore, which was one of my biggest time-killers for game prep (which I never have enought of). I've managed to convince my players to set aside their minis and go with digital versions on the maps, and they are liking it very much. Being able to handle spell AoEs, line of sight/effect, movement, altitude and even general health of the baddies with just a few mouse-clicks streamlines our combats so much.
And I'm not even using half of what it can do yet...but I'm breaking my players in gently :P
They have a free demo so you can take it for a 'test-drive'. Give it a try and see what you think:
D20Pro Downloads
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
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Dalesman - I heard not heard of this program. Do you upload the maps from the PDF of the AP and use them on the computers in real time. It looks like the program keeps track of the initiative too which is very nice.
I am probably going to go with something in the next few months but have not figured it out yet. I actually have Hero Lab and was very disappointed in the character creation stuff.
I have another similar program that I also did not like. This program looks promising if it lets me upload maps or if the creator recreate all the maps from the APs for use in the program.
I use DM Genie, and it's very configurable. Takes a bit to get the hang of, and to get some feats to automatically apply modifiers you need to know some scripting. Although, there are a bunch already there that you can cut/paste from and modify. There are some yahoo groups who you can also join, and get additional help from.
Now, if there was a more current one, that didn't require scripting to get the additional modifiers or something that was more plug and play. Where a new book comes out, you purchase the material and upload it to the software with everything ready to go. I would probably move over to that.
Nice things about it.
Calculates most modifiers on the fly during combat. Can set times on when they expire such as when a spell is cast.
Mass combat rolls for skill checks, or saving throws. Really can speed things up.
Fully customizable. Can go back and edit classes. Sometimes this needs clever creation of feats. For example to get the +3 bonus to skills requires some scripting for a feat for that class, that you then give to them as a bonus feat.
Can change calendar, days, number of moons, with a weather generator
Creates combat logs.
Between this and Table-smith for random things that might come up I've been pretty happy with this.
Hope it helps
Segallion
Heh, noticed in browsing the d20Pro site that the ship they use in their map/screen shot previews is mine! It's the Sanjeeda, a 90' Indian dhow I made nearly four years ago. Nice to see ones work "floating" around on the Internet!
d20Pro looks pretty nice. May have to try that out.
Dalesman - I heard not heard of this program. Do you upload the maps from the PDF of the AP and use them on the computers in real time. It looks like the program keeps track of the initiative too which is very nice.
I am probably going to go with something in the next few months but have not figured it out yet. I actually have Hero Lab and was very disappointed in the character creation stuff.
I have another similar program that I also did not like. This program looks promising if it lets me upload maps or if the creator recreate all the maps from the APs for use in the program.
Hi Shem,
I have been able to copy a map from the PDFs and then import from the clipboard into D20Pro. There's even a grid overlay you can add to the map before you save it, and I've been able to line it up to the grids on the maps fairly well for the most part.
The program will track initiative, but since I haven't used that feature yet I can't give any real feedback on it... :(
I hope that helps! :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
It does help. It would be very nice to be free from hand drawn maps. Does the mapping software show them just what they would see given their light source, etc.
That is a feature called FOG OF WAR on most mapping programs. I'm not sure if d20Pro has it, though. RPTools is a website with some tools for free. Haven't really had a chance to play with them much, but their tools are modular. Separate programs for Initiative and Maps and such, but can all 'talk' to each other.
It does help. It would be very nice to be free from hand drawn maps. Does the mapping software show them just what they would see given their light source, etc.
It seems that d20Pro only has one fog of war--i.e. all players see the same thing. Other systems, Battlegrounds RPG for instance, have more advanced fog of war capabilities so you can set different tokens (i.e. characters, monsters, etc.) with different light sources and/or vision types so that each only sees the appropriate things.
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Battlegronds looks good and I am now thinking that I might just throw a large screen TV in my gaming room so they can see what is going on all the time with their movement and such. I was not thinking mapping in the beginning of this conversation but am now. What about uploading maps in this program. I am not going to recreate all the maps I use.
Battlegronds looks good and I am now thinking that I might just throw a large screen TV in my gaming room so they can see what is going on all the time with their movement and such. I was not thinking mapping in the beginning of this conversation but am now. What about uploading maps in this program. I am not going to recreate all the maps I use.
Battlegrounds is great and the developer, heruca, is (well, at least he was back when I was active with them) very responsive to customer needs. You can definitely upload all sorts of maps to the program. I was in on the ground floor with BRPG when it was in beta and really liked the product. I need to get back in with them and get an updated version, as he's considerably spruced it up since then.
Interested in this topic as well.
I think I will definitely need help with character generation and tracking and in-game mechanics.
I'd love a basic mapping program. I use excel to create maps for my play-by-post game, but there is plenty of room for improvement.
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I downloaded the evaluation copy of Battlegrounds and DM Familiar but have not had time to play with them much yet.
Trying to figure out how to really make everything work the way it is in my head right now. May have to have the players bring laptops if I do the mapping software but then what about all my minis... Aaahhhh...
Yes but how does Hero Lab handle combat? I have played with it and I was unsatisfied.
First of all, when did you last play around with Hero Lab? The product has vastly matured with frequent enhancements since it's initial release three years ago. It's quite possible that we've added the stuff you felt was absent since you experimented with it.
That being said, what exactly are you looking for Hero Lab to provide for combat that isn't present? The Tactical Console was added for that express purpose and handles all sorts of stuff now. It manages initiative automatically - or you can use a combination of manual initiative for PCs and automatic initiative for NPCs/monsters. You can apply damage, conditions, and the like with just a few clicks. You've got a quick reference view of all the important combat stats for each participant (weapons, AC, saves, etc.). Full details for each character can be accessed with another click or two.
We're working on the Pathfinder RPG data files right now. So if there is something in particular that you want us to add, please let us know.
FYI, I don't spend lots of time on the various forums for different game systems. So it might take a little while for me to see and respond to posts here.
Hero lab has an "In-Game" function that you can keep track of characters. I have not had time to truly explore it, but so far I can only open 1 PC at a time. There probably is a way to do it to keep track of multiple targets, like having them grouped, but I have not done anything like that yet.
A portfolio always starts with a single character. You can add new characters to a portfolio via the "Portfolio" menu. For GMs, all your players can have their own copies of their PCs if you want. Then you can import their PCs into your own portfolio with a few mouse clicks.
There are also hundreds of "stock" NPCs and monsters provided. You can instantly import these with a few clicks for on-the-fly encounters. Or you can prepare an encounter in advance with an assortment of NPCs within a single portfolio, then import the entire encounter into Hero Lab with a few clicks during the game.
Sounds interesting.
Hero lab has an "In-Game" function that you can keep track of characters. I have not had time to truly explore it, but so far I can only open 1 PC at a time. There probably is a way to do it to keep track of multiple targets, like having them grouped, but I have not done anything like that yet.A portfolio always starts with a single character. You can add new characters to a portfolio via the "Portfolio" menu. For GMs, all your players can have their own copies of their PCs if you want. Then you can import their PCs into your own portfolio with a few mouse clicks.
There are also hundreds of "stock" NPCs and monsters provided. You can instantly import these with a few clicks for on-the-fly encounters. Or you can prepare an encounter in advance with an assortment of NPCs within a single portfolio, then import the entire encounter into Hero Lab with a few clicks during the game.
I picked up Hero Lab at Gencon a couple of years ago - tried it out and was not very happy at the time. I was then more interested in character generation and then Pathfinder came out.
I could reinstall it and get the new updates and see where we are I suppose.
I'd appreciate that. Lots has changed and evolved within the product since it's initial release, and I'd like to know if there are still facets of the product you don't like. If so, please point them out and we can look to improve those aspects or add suitable new functionality when we release the Pathfinder data files.
Thanks!