My group is using maptool right but we are not all that happy with it. Has anyone used both maptool and d20 pro that can give a review of them both and which one they like better.
Fantasy Grounds. ;)
Though MapTools if you want dynamic shadows and have more focus on the map than the table top feel.
Been using MapTool for about a year now, and we really like it.
We haven't tried other remote map systems.
It's admittedly quirky and takes a bit of getting used to, but it's hard to beat the price!
Maptool for exploration and fancy effects.
D20Pro for combat automation.
You get what you pay for...d20Pro looks a lot more polished and projector/gaming table compatible.
You get what you pay for...d20Pro looks a lot more polished and projector/gaming table compatible.
It's not.
I use both, and although d20pro's interface is more colorful, it is also basically a CRPG from the 1990s in appearance.
A dedicated GM with a touch of HTML skills can make maptool look like anything at all.
It would be annoyingly intensive to make Maptool automate combat to the extent that d20pro does, but on every other level Maptool is superior, including projector play, because it has a full-screen mode that can be used on the projector client. D20pro's combat automation is really thorough and effective, but like any such automation it can chafe a little when you're trying to do things that don't fit very neatly into the combat system.
I have seriously considered using both in a single campaign, D20pro for rigid combats and maptool for everything else... but that's crazytalk, am I right?
I have seriously considered using both in a single campaign, D20pro for rigid combats and maptool for everything else... but that's crazytalk, am I right?
:strokes goatee:
Hmmm... is that 'crazytalk' or GENIUS?
It would be annoyingly intensive to make Maptool automate combat to the extent that d20pro does...I don't find it so. I think lMarkus's FW beats d20Pro's hands down. What do you find it can't handle?
I actually agree with Evil Lincoln.... I also think that D20Pro automates combat alot better... ie it makes the rolls (and let the GM adjust them if they want to before they are shown to the players). Then it automatically applies the damage to the tokens. If you as per higher babs get more attacks it will still keep you in "attack mode" until you have done all your main attacks.
Combatwise I dare to say D20pro is quite a bit better... However when it comes to flexibility then Maptool rules and also remember maptool is a free software.
So currently it all runs down like this for me...
Playing with my players over internet = D20Pro
Playing a more traditional tabletop adventure = Maptools for visualising
/Thrilled
d20pro is currently third in my ranking.
I'd say the roll20, MapTool, and d20pro all work for different styles of game. I haven't found another VTT worth investing in at this time.
Currently, the two groups I GM for are having a great experience with D20Pro -- the main thing is to keep your image files small. I'm still learning the tool, but we've used it now 7 times with very little trouble and half of those were 6 hour game sessions.
A major feature I can't wait for my players to experience is lighting effects. Very easy to implement and lots of fun!
Here's an update. I've switched my group to MapTool and they like it much better.
I will always keep my eye on D20Pro, but MapTool for fundamental VTT seems to have a better, more complete design.
D20Pro does have additional features but my group feels more development work is needed to smooth out some rough edges. Hopefully, some investment will be done to fix it up because D20Pro has lots of (in my opinion) untapped potential. With a bit of work, it could be the industry leader -- however, right now, I feel that title belongs solidly to MapTool.
I've also looked at Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds. As a GM building campaigns, I do not see anything there for me. Roll20 seemed to take too long to build my campaign, and FG seemed too limited in that you have to buy data sets and there aren't very many for Pathfinder. D&D on FG could be a different story.