D&D 4th Edition Character Builder – Test Report
My new cleric is RPGA legal.
In late 2008, Wizards of the Coast released a free beta version of their new online Character Builder. After extensive testing, Robot Viking is happy to report that this may be the greatest computer aid for D&D that Wizards has ever produced.
Sadly, that’s not saying much, since past DM utilities were either totally non-functional or so confusing it was easier to just use the old pencil, paper and dice method. Still, even for a beta release, the new Character Builder is pretty nice. It allows you to set your stats using standard point array methods or point buy systems, which will keep your character 100% RPGA legal. If you prefer to roll some D6s the old-fashioned way, or your DM has her own byzantine method of generating SCDIWC numbers, you can input your stats directly on the character sheet. Whenever you make any changes to your character, everything on the character sheet updates automatically. Boost your Dexterity and your Reflex Defense and all Dexterity based skills improve as well.
If you’re worried that an automatic character builder will be too limiting, considering all the new options and rules being released, have no fear. Even the beta version has all the optional feats, weapons and other goodies from the Adventurer’s Vault and Martial Power books, plus new classes from the Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide and recent issues of Dragon Magazine. The only thing missing is the Ranger Beast Master powers from Martial Power, but that will be included when the full version is eventually released. This tool makes whipping up a new character (such as when your Eladrin Warlord buys the farm in the introductory adventure in the DM’s Guide) a breeze, and lets you experiment with different feats and powers with a few mouse clicks. It’s very cool.
Click to see a full-size screenshot of Valandar of Araath.
The best part might be the customizable character sheet. Once your character is complete, the Builder will generate a printable sheet for you. Each “module” on the sheet (the section with your AC, or the part that lists all your skills, for example) can be unlocked, then dragged around the sheet. You can completely reorganize your character sheet, delete parts you don’t use, and put ones you refer to frequently in prominent locations. Don’t like the way skills are on the left now? Move them to the middle. Want to group your defenses with your hit points? No problem. This feature alone makes the Character Builder a pretty great utility.
There are some flaws, however. Some feats simply turn up missing when you try to select them. Expanded Spell Book (a bread and butter feat that’s actually recommended in the Player’s handbook) was nowhere to be found, and some of the Armor Proficiency feats were AWOL as well. Selecting rituals is not especially intuitive, particularly is you decide to use the alternate Alchemy rules from the Adventurer’s Vault. This is a beta release after all, so these flaws can be forgiven, assuming they’re fixed in time for the full release. Of course, by then, you’ll have to pony up a “D&D Insider” monthly fee to access it, along with the online-only versions Dragon and Dungeon Magazines and some other software tools. That’s something I know a lot of players and DMs are balking at, but if WotC can maintain the level of quality promised by the Character Builder, it could be worth it.
I have one last caveat regarding the Character Builder: players should learn to make characters without it. I know I sound like your high school math teacher (“Why should I learn this stuff if I have a calculator?” “Because you need to understand how it works.”). All your players should sit down with the PHB, a pile of dice, and a pencil and create a few characters so they can see how the abilities, skills and feats interact. They’ll have a much better grasp of game mechanics than if they just let the Character Creator do all the work for them.
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January 14th, 2009 7:41 PM
The Armor Proficiency feats might have been AWOL because it doesn’t show feats you have from class features or feats you don’t qualify for.
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I like your suggestion to learn the rules. I know all sorts of people who use character generation crutches and don’t actually know how to make a character without them. This does cover my next biggest issue with the crutches – that third party crutches usuallly don’t cover new material.
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Lastly, my biggest problem with this is that it doesn’t offer a mode for online use. I usually use excel for my character sheets and it’s easy to make fields to keep track of damage, healing surges, power use, etc. This would make the use perfect.