D&D 4E Where can I find a good 4e character builder program?

[UltimaGabe]

So, I've come across the trial for WotC's character builder, and I really like it. However, it's only for the first three levels, and the Character Visualizer doesn't work.

Does anyone know where I can find a good, freeware character builder program? Preferably with some sort of feature similar to the Character Visualizer?

 

[Artoomis]

Alas, I don't think you really have any other viable choice. WotC is not being as generous with their intellectual property this time around, so their will not be (I think) third-party character generators.

Also, the character generator they provide is not quite totally done, but at least they are working on it and they are taking feedback (bug reports, feature requests etc.).

 

[Trevelyan]

So, I've come across the trial for WotC's character builder, and I really like it. However, it's only for the first three levels, and the Character Visualizer doesn't work.

Does anyone know where I can find a good, freeware character builder program? Preferably with some sort of feature similar to the Character Visualizer?

The free version of the character builder is only three levels, but if you pay for the full version it includes all 30 levels and updates with new information pretty mcuh as it is released.

Obviously this doesn't fulfill the freeware requirement, but as others have said, free generators are likely to be thin on the gorund with 4E.

 

[UltimaGabe]

The free version of the character builder is only three levels, but if you pay for the full version it includes all 30 levels and updates with new information pretty mcuh as it is released.

Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no. Some people may be unaffected by the economy, and free to game with multiple laptops and all sorts of expensive gadgets and whatnot, but some other people are struggling to get by as it is. I loathe the idea of D&D Insider and the fact that they plug it at every given opportunity.

 

[Sir Brennen]

Also, the character generator they provide is not quite totally done, but at least they are working on it and they are taking feedback (bug reports, feature requests etc.).

It is done. The final version went live a couple of weeks ago. They also had an update a couple of days ago. (Character Builder Update (Feb 2009)). Of course, as with any software, there still are probably bugs to report, and data errors will crop up as they release new material each month.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no. Some people may be unaffected by the economy, and free to game with multiple laptops and all sorts of expensive gadgets and whatnot, but some other people are struggling to get by as it is. I loathe the idea of D&D Insider and the fact that they plug it at every given opportunity.

See it this way: The DDI is the cheapest way to get all the rules material in the books (whether you own them or not). And a good way to get some fluff, too (Dragon & Dungeon for that).


I am afraid I don't have really good news for you otherwise - it doesn't look like you get a good Character Builder without DDI, unless maybe you only want something that does basic stuff like telling you how many feats and powers you have or what your modifier for a given ability score is.

The General RPG Forums has two threads and a few forks regarding this topic and recent events. Basically, offering rules material online (free or otherwise) is not appreciated by WotC, and this would hamper most attempts to build a (decent) Character Generator.

I suppose there might be a way to create a builder where you can enter all a power details manually, but I think you could do this with an Excel Sheet already ) (Well, depending on your ability to use Excel or Open Office Calc)

 

[jgsugden]

The character builder update goes live tonight, IIRC - maybe MOnday or Tuesday night.

As for the old subscription debate: I hope you don't have a shelf full of books from 3E or 3.5. Because those books tended to come out on a pretty much monthly basis. If you bought one book a month, you're paying a subscription - you just didn't realize it.

 

[Revinor]

I would suggest to reconsider Insider. While subscription is not a bad choice (don't think about it as payment for Char builder - think that you are getting monthly Dragon and Dungeon issues for 5$ a month), you may think about ninja subscription. Spend 8$ once every half year or so and grab updated version of everything (which means Char builder at the moment). I'm not sure how it works for Dragon&Dungeon - you will get issues for that month for sure, but maybe you will be also able to grab past issues - in such case, it would be a real bargain.

Think about it different way - if you get up to date Char Builder once, you don't have to buy neither Martial Power nor Adventurers Vault - there is exactly zero content in those books outside of what you get in Char Builder (even pictures are posted on insider zone for you to download). I suppose it might be also the case for PHB2, AV2, Arcane Power, Divine Power, Primal Power etc.

 

[Dan'L]

Of course, as with any software, there still are probably bugs to report, and data errors will crop up as they release new material each month.

Yeah, the biggest "bug" I've spotted is that it is completely and utterly useless to a Mac user like me. Wonder when they'll fix that?

-Dan'L

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Yeah, but I refuse to continue to sink more and more money into WotC's pockets. I'm fine with buying the odd book here and there (despite the fact that they continue to be degrading in quality), but monthly fees? Heck no.

Is the "Despite the fact they continue to degrade in quality" a standard anarchist line whenever you discuss WOTC? Because the quality of the recent books is as good or better than it has ever been. Much better than late 3.5, IMO.

At any rate, DDI is the best deal WOTC is putting out by a longshot. If your budget is tight and you buy only one thing, you get DDI. All the crunch from all the book is in there and you still get a fair amound of fluff thanks to Dragon magazine. And Dragon seems better than whan I was buying it in the early years of 3E.