D&D 5E Cyano's Full, Compact, and Minimalist Character Sheets

[Cyanobacterium]

Hello!

After reading The Lost Art of Packing It All In, I was inspired to design a new D&D character sheet intended to place the emphasis on where the character is keeping their items instead of adding up the total weight. As I was creating this character sheet, I realized that I also wanted to have a one-page sheet and a half-page sheet for when I roll-up quick characters for one-shot adventures (no need to record all the details for a one-session character). After a bit of work (in my very limited free time), I came up with this:
https://github.com/cyanobacterium/Cyanos-DnD5E-Character-Sheet/releases

I know there are already hundreds of homebrew D&D character sheets posted on this forum, but I'd love it if someone could give my character sheets a quick look to see if I'm missing anything important. Also, an honest critique of my (under-developed) artistic skills would be helpful (i.e. "How ugly are my character sheets and what would make them less ugly?").

Thanks!

Addendum: If you like my character sheets, you are free to use and redistribute them. They're licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

 

[Redthistle]

I always like the detail of placing items in specific containers/locations.

A point of interest: you chose Strength in re Encumbrance as a threshold for extra items. I tend to chose Dexterity in re "retrieving items" as the critical consideration. That puts us in that apples and onions comparison spot, it appears.

 

[Cyanobacterium]

Interesting, I hadn't thought of using Dexterity. I was just trying to make it such that you would have approximately the same carrying capacity limits as one would get from using the rules in the Player's Handbook.

I think strength and dexterity would both matter in a real-world situation, but D&D already over-values Dexterity so I try not to add new benefits to that particular stat (fortunately 5E is not as nearly bad as previous editions in this regard). I tend not to take a simulationist approach to role-playing games, if that helps you label me as an Apple or an Onion

 

[Satyrn]

Hello!

After reading The Lost Art of Packing It All In, . . .

I know there are already hundreds of homebrew D&D character sheets posted on this forum, but I'd love it if someone could give my character sheets a quick look to see if I'm missing anything important. Also, an honest critique of my (under-developed) artistic skills would be helpful (i.e. "How ugly are my character sheets and what would make them less ugly?").

Thanks!

Addendum: If you like my character sheets, you are free to use and redistribute them. They're licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Heh. I assumed you were talking about packing all the info into a character sheet, not packing in items. But bravo on doing both. Your condensed sheet is nicely done, looks great and is one I may actually use in play.

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

Also, an honest critique

I like the minimalist approach, so I like these. THe idea of having separate boxes on the sheet for belt and pouch is a great idea.

I'm getting a bit lost on all the horizontal lines, though. One change might be to fill in the top and bottom of the scrolls, to sort-of look like the back of the scroll. I think that will delineate the sections a bit better.

I'll print the sheets out and give them to my players next week. THey all think they have magic backpacks that can retrieve any item in a free action, so this might help organise their gear.

 

[Redthistle]

I think strength and dexterity would both matter in a real-world situation, but D&D already over-values Dexterity so I try not to add new benefits to that particular stat (fortunately 5E is not as nearly bad as previous editions in this regard). I tend not to take a simulationist approach to role-playing games, if that helps you label me as an Apple or an Onion

Perhaps applying advantage/disadvantage to a retrieve item check, depending on where it's been stored?

 

[Satyrn]

Perhaps applying advantage/disadvantage to a retrieve item check, depending on where it's been stored?

A retrieve item check? Why would you do that?

 

[Henry]

Fantastic sheets, particularly the full one.

Nitpick: Condensed sheet has "Equiment" instead of "Equipment." I know it's condensed, but...

 

[Redthistle]

A retrieve item check? Why would you do that?

You're right. I'm overthinking the action mechanic.

What was in my mind was the idea of retrieving an item during combat. Some things will be at the top of a backpack, others will be lower in it, taking moments longer to get at.

I have a tendency to pull complicating factors into play, even when that slows down play, and upon occasion I need to be called on that.

Grazie!

 

[Cyanobacterium]

Condensed sheet has "Equiment" instead of "Equipment." I know it's condensed, but...

Oops! LOL. Yeah, I didn't intent to condense the spelling too.

Perhaps applying advantage/disadvantage to a retrieve item check, depending on where it's been stored?

I did put notes on the character sheet reminding the player that withdrawing an item is a bonus action if it is in a belt pouch (or sheath) and a standard action (or more) anywhere else. That's enough of a penalty (for my players, anyway) to effectively keep backpack items from being used in combat. And that isn't a house rule, that's what the PHB says about using drawing and using items.

That being said, if a player were trying to pull something really delicate and dangerous (like a destruction orb from Princes of the Apocalypse), I might call for a Dexterity check and grant advantage/disadvantage depending on how they stowed it in their inventory .

I'm getting a bit lost on all the horizontal lines, though. One change might be to fill in the top and bottom of the scrolls, to sort-of look like the back of the scroll. I think that will delineate the sections a bit better.

Good idea! I've now uploaded a new version (DrCyano's D&D 5E Character Sheet v1.03) with shading on the scrolls (and fixed the "Equiment" typo). Let me know if you think the shading helps or went over-board.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. This is very helpful!