Deanoth, I'm sorry if I caused any offence. This was not my intent. I think that Lone Wolf have done a great job in providing a product that is well loved. It is not my belief that their work should go unrewarded but simply that it could be provided to the customer at a lower price and still keep a healthy profit margin for those who created it.
I feel at this point I should take the chance to bow out as I my ability to explain my thinking is leading to problems.
Best wishes to you all.
I was just trying to say that I don't think there is a good way to do it for a cheaper price point. I do however respect your opinion and apologize if you felt in any way that I was attacking you personally over it.
Not to mention they would have to hire people to write and maintain the code and data. That would be a constant expense so I don't see a Paizo Character Generator costing any or that much less then Hero Labs.
Have you seen PCGen? It is an free open source multi-platform project that is run entirely by volunteers.
Not to mention they would have to hire people to write and maintain the code and data. That would be a constant expense so I don't see a Paizo Character Generator costing any or that much less then Hero Labs.Have you seen PCGen? It is an free open source multi-platform project that is run entirely by volunteers.
Yes, but he was referring to Paizo creating a package and including the data with the PDF.
Ah, I misunderstood you, then. Sorry about that.
Ah, I misunderstood you, then. Sorry about that.
NP, I have used PCGen in the past and worked for Code Monkey as a data monkey for awhile (on the E-Tools side). And I work for a company whose direct competitor is Open Source software (Wireshark) so I have what I think is a bit of a unique understanding of the trade offs.:)
Don't know if the OP is still reading, but while we're on the subject of PC Gen, PC Gen DOES generate statblocks (you want "statblock 5" as the output for Pathfinder style statblocks).
My only issue is I can't figure out how to get it from listing all the extraneous skills, which is annoying, but it's still a statblock generator, and it's free.
It's also easy to add templates and such to monsters, so if you want that "young troglodyte" for running Master of the Fallen Fortress or something, you can generate it quite quickly.
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Not to mention they would have to hire people to write and maintain the code and data. That would be a constant expense so I don't see a Paizo Character Generator costing any or that much less then Hero Labs.Have you seen PCGen? It is an free open source multi-platform project that is run entirely by volunteers.
PCGen is awesome software and I have used it several times. But it only does one thing and one thing decently. It generates characters. It does not have the abilities that Hero Labs has though. It might eventually have the ability to just add a monster in to it on a click and level it up on the fly with all the stats and such added in to it for the monster BEFORE it gets leveled up. Right now it does not have this ability. PCGen does not have a tactical console either. Where the DM can bring the console up and use it for running his game too. This is just two things that HL does that PCGen does not. If one mentions the conditions and such that one can click on and the software takes care of any and all penalties or bonuses. Being able to make an automatic level adjustment for negative levels and not have to figure this all out on your own. THis all makes Hero Labs extremely powerful. PCGen as a Character Generator is good... but not as a true GM's tool. :)
So yea PCGen does a good job but for the player. Hero Labs brings this a lot further and it is a DM tool and not limited to just being a tool for the player.
I'm not familiar with what Herolab can do besides create characters, as I can't even run the demo on my operating system, so I cannot say anything on that. PCGen however has a few GM support functions too, if you run it, check out the GMGen menu. I think it can network, too,. but I'M not familiar with these functions, too, as they do not appeal to me. I don't really want to use a computer at the table. I just use the program to maintain my players' characters and to prepare my NPCs and monsters.
This is not quite a true statement, I'll assume that you might not be as familiar with the program as a a regular user.
PCGen is awesome software and I have used it several times. But it only does one thing and one thing decently. It generates characters. It does not have the abilities that Hero Labs has though. It might eventually have the ability to just add a monster in to it on a click and level it up on the fly with all the stats and such added in to it for the monster BEFORE it gets leveled up. Right now it does not have this ability.
This is handled in PCGen via Kits. Start new character then either select some of the basic features (alignment &/ orrace) or simply click the Create Monster/Add Kit button on the Summary Tab (Or Add Kits on the toolbar). And select the default monster that you want to create.
PCGen does not have a tactical console either. Where the DM can bring the console up and use it for running his game too. This is just two things that HL does that PCGen does not. If one mentions the conditions and such that one can click on and the software takes care of any and all penalties or bonuses. Being able to make an automatic level adjustment for negative levels and not have to figure this all out on your own. THis all makes Hero Labs extremely powerful. PCGen as a Character Generator is good... but not as a true GM's tool. :)
Mistaken again, :) Click on Inventory > Temporary Bonuses > Select any that you want. Then check the Character Tab, you can turn any of these off and it affects your final totals, and then you can click any of the underlined blue and it gives you a random roll.
So yea PCGen does a good job but for the player. Hero Labs brings this a lot further and it is a DM tool and not limited to just being a tool for the player.
And plus if I remember right we had everything but the character tab before HeroLab came out. And functionality of the character tab was preceeded by the preview tab which was part of the GMGen code base that Devon Jones donated, back in 2007 if I remember right. So technically HeroLab is playing catch up.
hehe, just poking fun at you Rob :)
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No thanks. I'm willing to spend as much as $49.98 on a program but when I have to pay that for the program and then at least that much for EACH AND EVERY manual and book that I want to include in the program then no thanks. On top of that when I tried the free version I could not find a stat block generator. I could only seem to create character sheets and that's NOT WHAT I'm looking for.As for stat block you simply go in the top left hand corner and click file/Output active hero statblock and choose the output format you want and you get something that looks like.
** spoiler omitted **...
ummm that is what? $145? seriously?
And until the Mac version is out then HL is not even an option. 20% of new computer sales in 2010 were Macs...
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No thanks. I'm willing to spend as much as $49.98 on a program but when I have to pay that for the program and then at least that much for EACH AND EVERY manual and book that I want to include in the program then no thanks. On top of that when I tried the free version I could not find a stat block generator. I could only seem to create character sheets and that's NOT WHAT I'm looking for.As for stat block you simply go in the top left hand corner and click file/Output active hero statblock and choose the output format you want and you get something that looks like.
** spoiler omitted **...
ummm that is what? $145? seriously?
And until the Mac version is out then HL is not even an option. 20% of new computer sales in 2010 were Macs...
No it is NOT 145 dollars at all. Might want to read some of the posts AFTER the one you quoted to get the right costs and scoop on Hero Labs.
WTF, I posted in this forum and the post is now not showing up (it was an entirely different post than what I've typed below). But it's in my "recent posts" list.
This is not quite a true statement, I'll assume that you might not be as familiar with the program as a a regular user.
This is handled in PCGen via Kits. Start new character then either select some of the basic features (alignment &/ orrace) or simply click the Create Monster/Add Kit button on the Summary Tab (Or Add Kits on the toolbar). And select the default monster that you want to create.
PCGen is awesome software and I have used it several times. But it only does one thing and one thing decently. It generates characters. It does not have the abilities that Hero Labs has though. It might eventually have the ability to just add a monster in to it on a click and level it up on the fly with all the stats and such added in to it for the monster BEFORE it gets leveled up. Right now it does not have this ability.
Let me just add that also from there to be clear, you can add additional hit dice or class levels just like you would any other character. You can of course also add templates easily. I was doing the conversion of a 3.5 adventure mod that called for an ogre who was "smaller and weaker than his kin." I created a standard ogre with the kits function, then applied the Young template, adjusted the inventory, and had the statblock I needed.
Mistaken again, :) Click on Inventory > Temporary Bonuses > Select any that you want. Then check the Character Tab, you can turn any of these off and it affects your final totals, and then you can click any of the underlined blue and it gives you a random roll.
PCGen does not have a tactical console either. Where the DM can bring the console up and use it for running his game too. This is just two things that HL does that PCGen does not. If one mentions the conditions and such that one can click on and the software takes care of any and all penalties or bonuses. Being able to make an automatic level adjustment for negative levels and not have to figure this all out on your own. THis all makes Hero Labs extremely powerful. PCGen as a Character Generator is good... but not as a true GM's tool. :)
There's also the afflictions tab under feats.
GM Gen, accessed from the toolbar, also provides an initiative tracker amongst other tools for the GM.
I am a GM and while I own a copy of Hero Lab (though unlocked for Mutants and Masterminds, not Pathfinder), I prefer to use PC Gen as my NPC and monster generation and game tracking tool, if and when I need one.
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Hero Lab not only has a tab with all of the status conditions like Grappled, Nauseated, Frightened, etc, it also now has a similar set of features for the most common buffs, such as Bless, Bard's Inspire Courage, Paladin's Auras, Haste, Prayer, etc etc. They also have toggles for things like Power Attack and Combat Expertise. This is in addition to the manual override that lets you add any modifier to any number on the fly.
Hero Lab not only has a tab with all of the status conditions like Grappled, Nauseated, Frightened, etc, it also now has a similar set of features for the most common buffs, such as Bless, Bard's Inspire Courage, Paladin's Auras, Haste, Prayer, etc etc. They also have toggles for things like Power Attack and Combat Expertise. This is in addition to the manual override that lets you add any modifier to any number on the fly.
Nevermind i see that you can do that. Now can if I can add HD and class levels to monsters on the fly WITH proper feat applications and magic items i'll buy the program right now.
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Nevermind i see that you can do that. Now can if I can add HD and class levels to monsters on the fly WITH proper feat applications and magic items i'll buy the program right now.Here is the stock Satyr from Hero Lab:
Here is the Satyr Bard I generated in ~5 minutes (note that I didn't fiddle with equipment/magic items):
This handsome, grinning man has the furry legs of a goat and a set of curling ram horns extending from his temples.
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SATYR CR 4
Male Satyr
CN Medium Fey
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision; Perception +18
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DEFENSE
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AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15. . (+2 Dex, +5 natural, +1 dodge)
hp 44 (8d6+16)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +8
DR 5/cold iron
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OFFENSE
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee Dagger +6 (1d4+2/19-20/x2) and
. . Horns (Satyr) +1 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +6 (1d3+2/20/x2)
Ranged Shortbow +6 (1d6/20/x3)
Spell-Like Abilities Charm Person (At will), Dancing Lights (At will), Fear (1/day), Ghost Sound (At will), Sleep (At will), Suggestion (At will), Summon Nature's Ally III (1/day)
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 19
Base Atk +4; CMB +6; CMD 19
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Skill Focus: Perception, Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Disguise +9, Intimidate +9, Knowledge: Nature +10, Perception +18, Perform: Wind Instruments +21, Stealth +17, Survival +7
Languages Common, Sylvan
SQ Pipes (DC 18) (Su)
Combat Gear Dagger, Shortbow, Arrows (20); Other Gear Musical instrument, masterwork: Panpipes
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ECOLOGY
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Environment Temperate forests
Organization Solitary, pair, band (3-6), or orgy (7-11)
Treasure Standard (dagger, short bow plus 20 arrows, masterwork panpipes, other treasure)
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Damage Reduction (5/cold iron) You have Damage Reduction against all except Cold Iron attacks.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Mobility +4 to AC against some attacks of opportunity.
Pipes (DC 18) (Su) A satyr can focus and empower his magic by playing haunting melodies on his panpipes. When he plays, all creatures within a 60-foot radius must make a DC 18 Will save or be affected by charm person, fear, sleep, or suggestion, depending on what tune
This handsome, grinning man has the furry legs of a goat and a set of curling ram horns extending from his temples.
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SATYR CR 7
Male Satyr Bard 4
CN Medium Fey
Init +6; Senses Low-Light Vision; Perception +27
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DEFENSE
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AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15. . (+2 Dex, +5 natural, +1 dodge)
hp 78 (4d8+8d6+24)
Fort +5, Ref +12, Will +12
DR 5/cold iron
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OFFENSE
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee Dagger +9/+4 (1d4+2/19-20/x2) and
. . Horns (Satyr) +4 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +9/+4 (1d3+2/20/x2)
Ranged Shortbow +9/+4 (1d6/20/x3)
Special Attacks Bardic Performance (standard action) (15 rounds/da, Bardic Performance: Countersong, Bardic Performance: Distraction, Bardic Performance: Fascinate (DC 17), Bardic Performance: Inspire Competence +2, Bardic Performance: Inspire Courage +1
Spell-Like Abilities Charm Person (At will), Dancing Lights (At will), Fear (1/day), Ghost Sound (At will), Sleep (At will), Suggestion (At will), Summon Nature's Ally III (1/day)
Bard Spells Known (CL 4, +9 melee touch, +9 ranged touch):
2 (2/day) Heroism, Invisibility
1 (5/day) Hypnotism (DC 16), Confusion, Lesser (DC 16), Hideous Laughter (DC 16), Summon Monster I
0 (at will) Summon Instrument, Read Magic, Daze (DC 15), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation (DC 15), Resistance
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 20
Base Atk +7; CMB +9; CMD 22
Feats Ability Focus: Pipes, Bard Weapon Proficiencies, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Skill Focus: Perception, Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +20, Diplomacy +26, Disguise +10, Handle Animal +26, Intimidate +13, Knowledge: Nature +18, Perception +27, Perform: Wind Instruments +26, Stealth +21, Survival +7
Languages Common, Sylvan
SQ Bardic Knowledge +2 (Ex), Pipes (DC 23) (Su), Versatile Wind Instruments +26 (Ex), Well Versed (Ex)
Combat Gear Arrows (20), Dagger, Shortbow; Other Gear Musical instrument, masterwork: Panpipes
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ECOLOGY
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Environment Temperate forests
Organization Solitary, pair, band (3-6), or orgy (7-11)
Treasure Standard (dagger, short bow plus 20 arrows, masterwork panpipes, other treasure)
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Bardic Knowledge +2 (Ex) Add + 2 to all knowledge skill checks.
Bardic Performance (standard action) (15 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Bardic Performance: Countersong (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sound.
Bardic Performance: Distraction (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sight.
Bardic Performance: Fascinate (DC 17) (Su) One or more creatures becomes fascinated with you.
Bardic Performance: Inspire Competence +2 (Su) +2 competence bonus for one ally on a skill check.
Bardic Performance: Inspire Courage +1 (Su) Morale bonus on some saving throws, attack and damage rolls.
Damage Reduction (5/cold iron) You have Damage Reduction against all except Cold Iron attacks.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Mobility +4 to AC against some attacks of opportunity.
Pipes (DC 23) (Su) A satyr can focus and empower his magic by playing haunting melodies on his panpipes. When he plays, all creatures within a 60-foot radius must make a DC 18 Will save or be affected by charm person, fear, sleep, or suggestion, depending on what tune
Versatile Wind Instruments +26 (Ex) You may substitute the final value of your Perform: Wind Instruments skill for Diplomacy or Handle Animal checks
Well Versed (Ex) +4 save vs. bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependant effects.
Note that Hero Lab will output a bbcode stat block.
-Skeld
Can you add HD to monster stats though? like Advancing a wolf 4 HD?
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Can you add HD to monster stats though? like Advancing a wolf 4 HD?
This powerful canine watches its prey with piercing yellow eyes, darting its tongue across sharp white teeth.
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WOLF CR 1
Male Wolf
NN Medium Animal
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8
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DEFENSE
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AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12. . (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (2d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
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OFFENSE
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Spd 50 ft.
Melee Bite (Wolf) +2 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +2 (1d3+1/20/x2)
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STATISTICS
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Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 14 (18 vs. Trip)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception
Skills Perception +8, Stealth +6 Modifiers +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent
Languages--------------------
ECOLOGY
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Environment Cold or temperate forests
Organization Solitary, pair, or pack (3-12)
Treasure None
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
This powerful canine watches its prey with piercing yellow eyes, darting its tongue across sharp white teeth.
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WOLF CR 2
Male Wolf
NN Medium Animal
Init +4; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +10
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DEFENSE
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AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14. . (+4 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 17 (2d8+8)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +3
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OFFENSE
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Spd 50 ft.
Melee Bite (Wolf) +4 (1d6+4/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3/20/x2)
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STATISTICS
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Str 17, Dex 19, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 18 (22 vs. Trip)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception
Skills Perception +10, Stealth +8 Modifiers +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent
Languages--------------------
ECOLOGY
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Environment Cold or temperate forests
Organization Solitary, pair, or pack (3-12)
Treasure None
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.Created With Hero Lab® - try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com!
This powerful canine watches its prey with piercing yellow eyes, darting its tongue across sharp white teeth.
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WOLF CR 5
Male Wolf
NN Medium Animal
Init +3; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +10
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12. . (+3 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 43 (2d8+12)
Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +3
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OFFENSE
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Spd 50 ft.
Melee Bite (Wolf) +7 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +7 (1d3+1/20/x2)
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STATISTICS
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Str 13, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +4; CMB +7; CMD 18 (22 vs. Trip)
Feats Agile Maneuvers, Skill Focus: Perception, Weapon Finesse
Skills Perception +10, Stealth +9 Modifiers +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent
Languages--------------------
ECOLOGY
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Environment Cold or temperate forests
Organization Solitary, pair, or pack (3-12)
Treasure None
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell
For the "Wolf + Adv. Animal Template," all i had to do was add the template.
For the "Wolf + 4HD," I added +1 Dex and the Agile Maneuvers and Weapon Finesse feats. I decided not to add any animal tricks.
-Skeld
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No it is NOT 145 dollars at all. Might want to read some of the posts AFTER the one you quoted to get the right costs and scoop on Hero Labs.No thanks. I'm willing to spend as much as $49.98 on a program but when I have to pay that for the program and then at least that much for EACH AND EVERY manual and book that I want to include in the program then no thanks. On top of that when I tried the free version I could not find a stat block generator. I could only seem to create character sheets and that's NOT WHAT I'm looking for.As for stat block you simply go in the top left hand corner and click file/Output active hero statblock and choose the output format you want and you get something that looks like.
** spoiler omitted **...
ummm that is what? $145? seriously?
And until the Mac version is out then HL is not even an option. 20% of new computer sales in 2010 were Macs...
mmmm okay missed it by $45... at most... still $100 or more. I did read all of the posts... sorry to have pissed you off so much. After breaking the 3 digit dollar mark it doesn't really matter to me anymore.
Do I resent HL for the price they charge? Nope. Is it right they charge that much (little depending upon how you look at it)? Sure it is. BUT after forking out hundreds of dollars to get the books or PDFs, I just am not going to put out yet another $100. Obviously many many people do. Which is just fine. HL has done fine without my business before and will do fine without it later. No biggie.
But I noticed you didn't bother to add up the costs for me :)
BTW I am NOT saying I will not consider HL when it becomes available for Mac.
But at the moment I use PCGen, and I have not seen anyone show me anything that HL can do that PCGen cannot do. Other than cost me money. PCGen is free, and has regular updates. It is easy to modify and add your own content. I can essentially create an entire campaign in it.
In PCGen, I can create any character/monster I want. I can create a fast random character/monster. I can import the entire PC party and keep track of them. I can award XP to individual party members, generate treasure, track initiative for combat, track overland movement and even time spent in inns and associated costs, create random names, and even create encounters. I can create notes and connect to a server to play. It has a dice roller.
All of that for free.
For comparison what would I get in addition for my $100 from HL?
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For comparison what would I get in addition for my $100 from HL?
Instead of turning this into another PCGen versus Hero Lab fight thread (because there are several), how about we just point out the merits of the various tools available without running down the competing products? I'm fine pointing out where the OP and various others have been incorrect about HL or had misconceptions or to post up stat blocks if requested, but I'm not going to go into the laundry list of reason why my group didn't like PCGen and vowed not to use it again. The negativity isn't constructive.
If people want to use PCGen, that's great. If people want to use Hero Lab, that's great. Both groups, the same participants in most of these threads, seem to be pretty intractable in their opinions. I don't see one side convincing the other to abandon a beloved tool.
The best thing either side of this debate can do is to encourage newcomers to go out there, download the various tools (demos or what-have-you) and go with what you like and/or feel comfortable with.
-Skeld
Remember that you can download a free demo of Hero Lab, and of course PC Gen is free. You can always see for yourself the differences.
I would say that having used both, the main difference between the two is Hero Lab has a far more user friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface (although PC Gen you can adjust the size of your various panels, whereas---at least as of the last time I used Hero Lab--you can't adjust the display). No, I don't consider that worth the price either.
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For comparison what would I get in addition for my $100 from HL?Instead of turning this into another PCGen versus Hero Lab fight thread (because there are several), how about we just point out the merits of the various tools available without running down the competing products? I'm fine pointing out where the OP and various others have been incorrect about HL or had misconceptions or to post up stat blocks if requested, but I'm not going to go into the laundry list of reason why my group didn't like PCGen and vowed not to use it again. The negativity isn't constructive.
If people want to use PCGen, that's great. If people want to use Hero Lab, that's great. Both groups, the same participants in most of these threads, seem to be pretty intractable in their opinions. I don't see one side convincing the other to abandon a beloved tool.
The best thing either side of this debate can do is to encourage newcomers to go out there, download the various tools (demos or what-have-you) and go with what you like and/or feel comfortable with.
-Skeld
There is a LOT of support for HL and I am curious just what makes HL worth the cost. A user friendly interface is certainly important to me and is worth paying for. But in all seriousness (remember I never said I refuse to use HL and am open to using it when the Mac version is ready) I do want to know what other features are available in HL that are not available in PCGen. "Just try it and see" is all and good, but some user feedback would be appreciated as well. In the end, when the Mac version is ready, I WILL download a trial and try it out and make a final decision then. But some feedback is always useful.
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There is a LOT of support for HL and I am curious just what makes HL worth the cost. A user friendly interface is certainly important to me and is worth paying for. But in all seriousness (remember I never said I refuse to use HL and am open to using it when the Mac version is ready) I do want to know what other features are available in HL that are not available in PCGen. "Just try it and see" is all and good, but some user feedback would be appreciated as well. In the end, when the Mac version is ready, I WILL download a trial and try it out and make a final decision then. But some feedback is always useful.For comparison what would I get in addition for my $100 from HL?Instead of turning this into another PCGen versus Hero Lab fight thread (because there are several), how about we just point out the merits of the various tools available without running down the competing products? I'm fine pointing out where the OP and various others have been incorrect about HL or had misconceptions or to post up stat blocks if requested, but I'm not going to go into the laundry list of reason why my group didn't like PCGen and vowed not to use it again. The negativity isn't constructive.
If people want to use PCGen, that's great. If people want to use Hero Lab, that's great. Both groups, the same participants in most of these threads, seem to be pretty intractable in their opinions. I don't see one side convincing the other to abandon a beloved tool.
The best thing either side of this debate can do is to encourage newcomers to go out there, download the various tools (demos or what-have-you) and go with what you like and/or feel comfortable with.
-Skeld
I am not going to compare HL with PCGen and how it has something or other that PC Gen might or might not have or even do as well or not at all. What I can and will say though is that I love Hero Labs for the things it can do.
-it can track and apply conditions to the character/s as they occur and when they will expire. This is done automatically without the player/DM having to do any of the math involved with it.
-it can track and apply bonuses and negatives such as negative levels, applying bonus ability scores albeit temporary and the like. Disease and such too.
-It can track all creatures, NPC's and PC's involved in the fight and all applicable conditions and or spells along with relevant abilities and or special abilities like breath weapons and the like.
-The DM has the ability to add creatures, NPC's on the fly to any fight. Now this is straight from the bestiary or GMG or one that can be made by the GM. If it is from the Bestiary, then the GM can also add levels and such on the fly taking only moments from adding it and leveling it up without the players even knowing this is all happening. Keep in mind this is not something that the DM has to do beforehand like stating the monsters up or even one of the stock NPC's from the Game Mastery Guide (GMG). This can all be done and added from a drop down menu or if you do not have the Bestiary add on then the DM can create the creatures themselves through the editor.
-The player has the ability to track and create the PC as needed on the fly, track with a journal how much they earned per session for treasure, who it went to, how much it sold for, and the experience earned. This can also have the actual date and the in game date included. As said above all conditions, buff spells and the like can also be tracked. Custom gear, magic items, spells, feats, skills and the like can be added manually through the editor for the players PC too.
Can create custom templates, archetypes, advancements and leveling to any creature, NPC or PC. all on the fly. Traits and Flaws from the APG are also allowed and able to apply as the characters advance. Hero points can also be used.
The only true limitation I have seen thus far and what it can do is with the person using the software. Lone Wolf Development for Hero Labs provides the user with the same tools they use to develop Hero Labs. This is almost unheard of in Gaming software of this type, at least the type that is paid for. If the user chooses not to buy one of the add-ons, they (the user) can add the content from the book themselves. While I prefer to pay to have this done as I find my time valued at more then what I would pay for the add-on content. A user can do so themselves if they want to take the time. This is neither a bad or a good thing. Either way the add-ons are there if the user chooses to buy them, but as implied by many in this thread, the add-ons are not a necessary thing that the user HAS to buy, it is an option that they CAN buy if they choose to do so. They can also choose to add the content (the user) themselves.
Anyone have a good handle on speed?
I currently use PCGen, but on my laptop, PCGen is very slow. My laptop is a couple of years old, but I won't be replacing it until it goes to the big scrap heap in the sky.
Any chance that HL is any faster?
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Anyone have a good handle on speed?
I currently use PCGen, but on my laptop, PCGen is very slow. My laptop is a couple of years old, but I won't be replacing it until it goes to the big scrap heap in the sky.
Any chance that HL is any faster?
I've used HL on two systems; one was a first generation HP netbook with a VIA processor and truly terrible S3 Savage graphics. HL ran OK on this - not super snappy, and there were one or two things that took a noticeable delay to process (like adding a familiar or animal companion). However, this system is probably slower than a 2 year old laptop (it could not even run Flash video such as Youtube without stuttering).
On my current (2010) laptop it runs very, very fast. I have not, unfortunately, tried PCGen on this machine, so I don't have a direct comparison to relate. A large part of PCGen's sluggishness (when last I used it) was due to Java, though, and this hasn't really changed much outside the browser over the last couple years.If I get a chance I'll throw PCGen on here and let you know.
Anyone have a good handle on speed?
I currently use PCGen, but on my laptop, PCGen is very slow. My laptop is a couple of years old, but I won't be replacing it until it goes to the big scrap heap in the sky.
Any chance that HL is any faster?
I can't speak to whether HL is faster, I would guess that it is generally going to be faster than PCGen simply because they are writing their code for the operating system. Where as we are using Java to get cross-platform compatibility.
On the first part Java as a default only uses 64Kb of memory, if you just click on the PCGen.jar file it uses that value. In the last couple of years we have started making java use more memory by having this in the .bat file.
java -Xms128m -Xmx256m -jar pcgen.jar
and the following in the lowmem.bat file
java -Dswing.aatext=true -Xmx96m -jar pcgen.jar
I found this website quite a while ago, and if I remember correctly there is a link in another thread on these forums somewhere, but this seemed like an appropriate place to put it: Monster Advancer
Just click the quickened monster advancer and make sure to select the Pathfinder version. It creates monsters lickety-split.
While I am more than a bit biased, if stat blocks are what you want MendedWall12 has it right. Monster Advancer may be worth a look. The Monster Advancer tools all currently focus on DM needs but can often serve quite nicely for players too.
But as the name suggests, it was originally meant to help the Overlord run his gaming sessions more effectively without having boiler plate encounters. I hated having the same old creatures because I didn't want to take the time (or have the time) to add templates, increase hit dice and add class levels onto my creatures.
With that said, the random encounter generator, random encounter chart generator, the core advancer and quickened advancer all provide a lot of value completely free of charge. It isn't going to fill everyone's needs(at least not yet) and it only has started support for Pathfinder, but it is continuing to grow and find new and interesting ways to make things faster, easier and more fun.
(I also didn't even mention that I teamed up with Pathfinder SRD to release a lot of the charts from the Gamemastery guide so you can roll random stuff. Nor did I mention the custom loot generator that takes a more practical and customizable approach to loot/treasure generation.)
They are also all written in 100% Java and they are anything but slow. You can currently create charts with over 50 different advanced, templated, class-trained creatures in under 2 seconds.
Normally, I would hold my peace especially when the focus is on the big boys (HL and PCGen), but in this case, it seems pertinent and the extra comments about slowness being tied to Java also drew me into the conversation more than usual.
tl;dr Another free app to make creature stat blocks with a lot of cool tools (random encounter/treasure generators) and is not quite the same as Hero Lab and PCGen.
Don't know what monsters you want statted, but there are a bunch of fan made varients and a monster builder on d20pfsrd though admittidly the monster builder isn't that good, stil it's worth giving it a look and we have many of the varients in dragon age groups up.