I am running for two groups who are 100% dependent on character creation apps. (I'm not saying that you cannot play the systems without the apps - just that they're both complicated enough that the character sheets are very hard to parse by people who do not live and breathe RPGs.) [If you're curious, we're talking D&D 4e and PF2.]
For the 4e game, this becomes tedious when I have 5-6 character sheets to manage, updating them and printing them every couple sessions. (I'm the only one with an installed Character Builder program. And really the only one who understands character creation or advancement.)
For the PF2 game, it's less intrusive because at least the resources are freely available. Still, if we need to level up, that's the end of the session. Stop, load up Pathbuilder, look through hundreds of options, figure out how to apply what you want on the character sheet. Then audit to make sure everyone's got the specified amount of magic items and treasure.
This is supposed to be fun, right? I have to manage everyone's characters while creating adventures, running the sessions, etc. It's a lot of work.
Guess I'm just ranting. But these games feel more like work than a hobby.
For the 4e game, this becomes tedious when I have 5-6 character sheets to manage, updating them and printing them every couple sessions. (I'm the only one with an installed Character Builder program. And really the only one who understands character creation or advancement.)
For the PF2 game, it's less intrusive because at least the resources are freely available. Still, if we need to level up, that's the end of the session. Stop, load up Pathbuilder, look through hundreds of options, figure out how to apply what you want on the character sheet. Then audit to make sure everyone's got the specified amount of magic items and treasure.
This is supposed to be fun, right? I have to manage everyone's characters while creating adventures, running the sessions, etc. It's a lot of work.
Guess I'm just ranting. But these games feel more like work than a hobby.