Best Online Tool?

[Pat Smith]

Hi All,

We've started a new PFS group in my area and I'm one of the several GM's in the group. When I play in an adventure I'd like to be able to run it for another group in order to gain the rewards for a second PC or third PC I'd like to have developing.

The problem is that once we run it I can't run it again in this area because everyone except the GM has played it already.

Online GMing for others outside my locale seems a possible way to accomplish my goal while also providing some play opportunities for others.

What are the best online virtual table tops you've seen with Pathfinder? I've used maptools in the past with 4th edition LFR gaming I used to do, but that's the extent of my experience.

Any pointers and experiences with virtual table tops would be greatly appreciated!

Pat

[Stormfriend]

I use TTopRPG myself, with the VTT handling maps, minis and initiative (as well as status and hp summaries) and I then roll dice for everything. The players either use macros to roll attacks and skills, which take a few seconds to create, or if I know them well enough they just roll dice and tell me the results. I value speed and simplicity and TTop does that perfectly.

I've used MapTools as a player, but it tries to do too much for me and is therefore over complicated. If I was using the full suite of calculations for stuff then my view might be different.

The biggest issue with TTop is that it's Windows only, so It limits the players who can use it. Most find a way however, with virtual machines etc.

[Elorebaen]

Maptool plus Skype for me.

[Leonal]

Fantasy Grounds with d20_JPG ruleset+ madman's extension and fully parsed Core+APG modules make it a very good choice.

It's not free*, but definitely worth the one time cost IMO.

+your favorite VoIP client of choice (Skype/Mumble/Ventrillo/TeamSpeak/GSC/Steam/MSN/etc. etc.)

*unless you're lucky enough to have a GM with an ultimate license.

[Lilith]

Mumble is quite good - doesn't chew up as many computer resources as Skype.

I prefer TTopRPG myself (Windows-only, alas), but have used d20 Pro, MapTool, and FantasyGrounds in the past.

[Azmyth]

Definitely Painlord is the best online tool.