In Digital Insider (#18), Bill Slavicsek includes the first page of the character sheet and one page of power cards for a level 30 ranger. And while the demonstration that the app goes that high is nice the pages clearly show that the Character Builder does not generate useful data.

1) The Feats, Race Features, and Class Features sections:

The first failure here is that Wizards is trying to combine two sets of useful data resulting in a useless blob:

1. List of all the character’s abilities and selections
2. Quick reference summary of available abilities or bonues

When constructing a character or referencing the build it is always useful to have a list of all the feats (or any other selections) made for the character, but during play this information can be largely useless.  For example, under class features Prime Shot is listed and under Feats Improved Prime Shot is listed — but when in combat all I care about is that I have a +2 bonus to hit with ranged attacks if no ally is closer to the target.  The result is that even with ~30% of the page devoted to these sections, there is still not enough space to include the full list of feats and features and the necessary descriptive text to understand what the feat or feature provides.

Second, this information is also frequently a duplicate of data stored elsewhere on the first page of the character sheet: the bonuses for Defensive Mobility and Combat Anticipation are in the Defenses section, Sneak of Shadows is reflected in the Skills Section (training in Thievery) and should create an additional power card, the bonuses for Improved Initiative and Skill Focus (Perception) are included in the Initiative and Skills sections.  Space on the first page is very precious and should not be wasted on unnecessary duplication.

Third, the data is not categorized in a way that makes it useful during play.  During play grouping abilities by origin is not useful.  This requires me to look in several locations on the character sheet to find a particular ability which at high level might be modified by data that has another origin.  As in the example above, Prime Shot and Improved Prime Shot are listed in two different sections of the page instead of being grouped together or, preferably, combined into one line item.  Wizards seems to partially recognize this, because as I point out above much of the information is duplicated in domain specific sections, but they failed to follow through.

2) Wasting space with Addition

The current character sheet is the same sheet that was designed to be filled out by hand, thus it has boxes to add the expected bonuses for a particular score to ease computation.  But for a computer generated character sheet this becomes wasted space. The skills section takes up about 1/6th of the first page of the character sheet but it could easily be reduced by half with the removal of the unnecessary computation space.

I do appreciate being able to see where a particular score comes from (such as a +29 to Acrobatics), but that can be accomplished by a separate printed page that can be carried with your character sheet and referenced as needed.  This reference page would also be able to have significantly more space to explain all of the applicable bonuses and their origin.

3) Healing Section is too small

In 4E encounters take longer, which results in more damage taken and healed during combat.  This means that it is necessary to have a large box for tracking the character’s current hit points.  The box on the WotC Character Sheet is very small, which requires that the player write very small or make frequent use of an eraser — both are suboptimal solutions.  Several classes also make extensive use of temporary hit points (Helllock, Barbarian, Battlerager Figher) and will need significantly more space than is provided.

Even at the start of the Heroic tier of play, characters will encounter numerous temporary conditions (buffs and debuffs) with short durations.  The single Current Conditions and Effects line isn’t even close to be able to track your buffs let alone your debuffs — which means that the DM has to keep track of the debuffs and several of the buffs can fall through the cracks unless someone remembers.  By providing a large space with room for info on a condition and its duration players are better armed to track their own state.

4) Conditional & Additional Effects

On each attack power card there is an Additional Effects section that includes some optional or conditional bonuses/effects that could be applicable to the power.  Unfortnately this space is quite small.  There is room for three short lines of text, which is sufficient for the first few levels of play, but it will quickly become inadequate.  This 30th level ranger has 10 feats/features that provide conditional bonuses or optional effects (3 attack bonuses and 7 damage bonuses).  There is no way to know about most of them from the tiny provided space, and as I pointed out in my first point above, the character sheet doesn’t display that information either.

It is far more efficient to have your conditionals stored in a single easily referenced location rather than trying to repeatedly cram them onto each power card.

5) The Senses Section

Wow this has to be one of the most pointless sections of the character sheet.  Even the most math-illiterate newbie can add 10 to get the passive senses score — and more importantly this is info that the DM should have on hand without having to ask the characters for their score.  It just needs to be cut.

Doing it right

Soon I’ll follow up with a post showing my current character sheet and how I resolve these issues.

The workers do deserve their money, but Republic has no money to distribute, so the workers are demanding that Bank of America “loan” Republic the money to pay them even though there is zero chance that they’ll get the money back. It is of course a stupid idea, but I don’t want to heap scorn on the workers (or even their union) because they’re just trying to get what they deserve. I do have nothing but scorn for the politicians that have rushed to embrace this cause — particularly Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D).

The governor rushed to embrace the cause and has even ordered all state agencies to stop doing business with BoA until they accede to the workers demands. Nice. This is exactly what got us in the financial crisis in the first place — government pressure on business to act in an irresponsible way to achieve a social end. The actions of this douche just piss me off.

But then I saw the news this morning: Governor Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell an appointment for Obama’s senate seat.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Sorry, I usually try not to enjoy the misfortune of others — but the his tears are so sweet. I love it when corrupt politicians get what is coming to them, and this douche just adds another layer of joy to his misfortune.

And of course most reports either fail to mention that Blagojevich is a Democrat or do so in later paragraphs…

Let’s look at each element of D&DI:

1) Dragon and Dungeon magazines. These are up and running and I have been happy with the content and presentation. I really like the landscape page layout because it minimized column length and allows for better inclusion of sidebars, stat blocks, and resources. Good work Wizards!

2) The D&D Compendium. This has been a bit of a let down, but they are making improvements (posted by our favorite gnome) and soliciting feedback. But it looks like you still can’t search by keyword — such as “at-will”. [CORRECTION: You can! This makes the compendium much more useful.] Doing search right and satisfying everyone is hard as long as Wizards keeps improving the functionality, I won’t get too ranty.

3) The Bonus Tools. I suppose for “bonus items” I shouldn’t complain, but both the Encounter Builder and Ability Generator while having some limited usefulness are pretty clunky and not very friendly. If I had made them for myself I would be satisfied, but for a product for customers they need some more work.

4a) The Character Visualizer. I have never cared about the Visualizer. Creating a portrait of my character really isn’t important to me. I only have the vaguest impression of what my characters look like — it is the personality and effectiveness that I care about. Additionally since this is a Windows client application, I won’t be using it.

4b) The Character Generator. This is the application that I have been fairly excited about — to simplify my desire to find an build for optimal flavor and efficacy, and to simplify the process for those that I play with so that they don’t have to invest time into meticulously copying powers and computing bonuses. But the latest update dashed my hopes. I finally noticed that this is a Windows client application. WTF?!?! There is nothing about generating a character sheet and power cards that prevent this from being a web application. This also explains why this isn’t ready yet. Looks like I may be using what I learned creating spellbook to create a character generator of my own (for my personal, not public, use).

5) Dungeon Builder. It would be nice if this was also a web app, but since it isn’t I probably won’t be using it. Wizards believes that it is “mostly done” but since the Game Table (below) isn’t ready the primary use of the application is negated. Wizards should let people give this a try so that DMs can discover bugs now so they can be resolved before there is a crush of bug reports for the Game Table.

6) The Game Table. Another Windows client application that seems could be significantly more simple as a 2D web application. The minimum set of functionality for on-line playing of D&D is chat (voice chat would be great), a 2D map that players can interact with via their character and DM can add monsters, traps, etc. While 3D is neat-o, it is entirely unnecessary and is only add-on eye candy. But since this is a Windows client app, I doubt I’ll ever use it.

7) Pricing. Since none of the client applications are ready they’ll be staring with a “web-only” price of $4.95/month (with a 12 month commitment). This price is fair (for Dragon and Dungeon alone) and I will pony up the cash. I do hope that Wizards has thoroughly though out on-line payment — they don’t want a crush of people trying to subscribe only to fail because of some bug in the process. If after the client applications are available the web-only option is eliminated it is highly likely that I will be unwilling to pay $9.95/month (with a 12 month commitment) for D&DI — there is just too much that I won’t be able to use.

Senario 1: You are attacking a troll. The troll is unaware of you so you have Combat advantage — +2 to your attack roll.

Senario 2: You are going to attack a troll. Two of your companions have flanked the troll, and the troll is dazed from an attack by your warlock companion. You have remained hidden so the troll is unaware of you. You have combat advantage 2 ways (dazed, unaware), or 3 ways in my reckoning (flanked, dazed, unaware), but your bonus to your attack roll is still +2.

When fighting stronger opponents it is very helpful to be able to stack as many tactical advantages as possible to increase your chances of hitting and doing damage — in other words wolf pack tactics. But it doesn’t make sense to stack some of the conditions (like Surprised and Stunned). My rule:

Combat Advantage (Mental): The defender’s mental condition has been compromised such that it is less able to defend itself. The attacker gains a +2 Mental Combat Advantage bonus to attack if the defender is Dazed, Helpless, Stunned, Surprised, or Unconscious.

Combat Advantage (Physical): The defender’s physical situation limits its ability to defend itself. The attacker gains a +2 Physical Combat Advantage bonus to attack if the defender is Balancing, Climbing, Prone (melee only), Restrained, Running, Squeezing.

Combat Advantage (Tactical): The attacker (or his allies) has the defender in a advantageous tactical situation. The attacker gains a +2 Tactical Combat Advantage to attack if the defender is Flanked, Unable to see the attacker, or Unaware of the attacker.

Stacking: Combat Advantage bonuses do not stack within type, but an attacker can stack Combat Advantages of multiple types. For example, an attacker would have a +6 bonus against an unconscious opponent with a melee attack (Mental: Unconscious, Helpless; Physical: Prone; Tactical: Unaware of, Unable to see attacker).

This is more complicated but strongly rewards parties (and nasty DMs) when they think creatively to place and opponent in the worst possible situation.

Natural 20: If you roll a 20 on the die when making an attack roll, you score a critical hit if your total attack roll is high enough to hit your target’s defense. If your attack roll is too low to score a critical hit, you still hit automatically.

From a realism perspective, this rule is fine — even though the 1st level Fighter rolled a natural 20 to hit the Ancient Dragon (and thus scored a miraculous hit) she shouldn’t do critical damage because it was a fluke that she could even hit the dragon. But from a game perspective this is just an additional rule complication that shouldn’t be necessary. Just about any opponent you face should be able to be hit by a 20 + your attack bonuses (and the reverse). If not the encounter is not balanced properly. Why not just simplify matters and have a 20 always be critical?

Natural 20: If you roll a 20 on the die when making an attack roll, you score a critical hit.

My rule change would be to add a new condition to the list of conditions on page 277 of the PHB:

Flanked
* You grant combat advantage

You would gain the Flanked condition under the same rules on page 285 of the PHB, but once flanked anyone attacking you would have combat advantage.

This rule change will help encourage parties (and nasty DMs) to use the tactical roles better. If two melee beaters maneuver to flank (perhaps with assistance from a leader), not only will they have an easier time hitting, but the fragile ranged specialists (e.g., bow wielding ranger, warlock, or wizard) will be able to take advantage of the opponents compromised position.

Since switching to the Mac, I have been very happy. Though there are three things that annoy me occasionally:

1) missing keys — Steve Jobs obsession with minimizing the number of buttons helps create wonderfully simple and clean devices, but the missing ‘Home’, ‘End’, ‘Page Up’, ‘Page Down’ keys took me a while to adjust to — and there are still some instances where I really miss them.

2) only one mouse button — what the hell is up with this? There is no reason to not have two buttons except for Jobs’ obsession.

3) Very few configuration options — with almost all Linux applications there are configuration options to modify every minor aspect of the app’s behavior (of course it takes a lot of research to figure out what many of the options do, and determine what is best), but with the Mac there are frequently only a couple of options. For example iMovie allows you to output your video in 4 resolutions and that’s it. Avidemux has hundreds of options, iMovie has one option with 4 values — which is not acceptable. I like iMovie’s format for selecting clips to include, but I haven’t been satisfied with the output.

But with those annoyances, I have been very happy — until Wednesday night when my Mac got sad. After burning a DVD, I was opening a couple windows and then the power just cut out. The Mac immediately started to reboot, but the power cut out again when I tried to log in. Eventually I figured out that when I applied pressure to a 3 inch square area on the left palm rest the power would cut out. So I finished some work and then left the laptop alone for the night. In the morning it didn’t repeat the behavior. But while at work it started again. Damn. I took the laptop back to the University Bookstore, and demonstrated the behavior — they were quite bewildered (not good). As of 5 PM last night, they had completed the Apple Hardware and Software diagnostics and discovered no errors — but they could still replicate the failure.

So I’ve switched back to my Dell, and I no really appreciate the usability of the Mac — particularly the multi-touch touchpad. I’m sad over my sad Mac.

1) Slobodan Milosevic (1994), Carter inserted himself into the ongoing Bosnian war.

2) Kim Jong-il (1994): Carter brokered a deal over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions without the approval or support of the Clinton administration — a deal the North Korean’s shamelessly violated.

3) Hugo Chavez (2003): Carter (and his organization) gave his stamp of legitimacy on the recall election against Chavez — despite some extremely strong evidence of government interference and independent exit polls showing the opposition winning by 20 percent.

4) Omar al-Bashar (2007): While touring Sudan, Carter criticized the West for labeling the genocide in Darfur as a genocide, because it wasn’t helpful in reaching a peaceful settlement.

And now, Carter adds terrorists to the list of murderers that he’s willing to embrace and pay homage to. Today he embraced a leading Hamas figure and layed a wreath at the grave of Yasser Arafat. Nice.

I-960 (2/3 + Elections for Tax Increases): NO — Another attempt to financially handcuff legislators ability to raise taxes. While I’m all for lower taxes the best way to do that is elect Republicans, not elect Democrats and handcuff them.

R-67 (Sue your Insurance Company): NO — Trial lawyers are for it so I’m against it. I would be fine with additional guarantees of rights for insurance policyholders, but this law is bacon wrapped around a poisonous gift to the plaintiff’s bar.

ESSJR 8206 (Mandatory Rainy Day Fund): YES — I like it mainly because it pisses off the Legislature’s committee chairs. It is probably a bad idea though.

SJR 8212 (Prison Slave Labor): NO — I’ve never liked the idea of pimping out prisoners to private business.

EHJR 4204 (Majority Rule for School Levies): NO — The proponents of the change are absolutely correct that it is only fair that school levies should only take a majority, the problem is that levies are generally voted on by themselves in Spring elections which means that a quiet campaign for a levy could result in passage without the general public noticing. If levies were only voted on in November, I’d vote for it.

SHJR 4215 (Properly Invest Higher Ed Trust Funds): YES — Investing only in near-zero risk investments means you earn very little. Some balancing with higher risk/return is *prudent*.

King County I-25 (Elected Elections Director): HELL YES! — This is long overdue. King County is the only county in the state with an Elections Director that serves another politician and not the voters. Both election reform commissions formed after the disastrous 2004 election recommended this reform but Commissar Sims and the Democrats of the Council like controlling our votes.

King County Prop 1 (Medic One): NO — I always vote against these as a protest since the county loves to give general revenue away to liberal causes/charities rather than funding core services — and then those core services need to be funded with levies. Total scam.

Sound Transit/RTID Prop 1 (ST2): NO — This prop will do nothing to reduce traffic congestion and almost all of the money goes to more trains — that will carry a very limited number of people. Sound Transit is 10 years late on the 1996 plan (that was supposed to finish in 2006), why are we giving them more money to spend on wild promises when they can’t meet there current promises? Hell even Commissar Sims opposes it…

Seattle Charter Amendment 17 (Add Charter Fluff): NO –There is no need to alter the charter to add fluff text.

Seattle Charter Amendment 18 (More Mandatory Speeches): NO — I don’t want to hear more from Mayor Hutt.

Seattle Council

Seat 1: Szwaja — Yes he’s a loony green, but Jean Godden has been a nightmare — and by putting him on the council we’ll get him out of his teaching job…. Win, Win.
Seat 3: Harrell — He’s not an offensive drunk driver.

Seat 5: Joseph B. Walker — Rasmussen is unopposed so I’m voting for myself.

Seat 7: Della — I both like and hate each candidate, but Della opposed Mayor Hutt’s tunnels so he’s got my vote.

Seat 9: Fenton — No chance but Clark supports all the wrong things.

School District

District 3: Martin-Morris — Wow Blomstrom is a nutjob: “I also advocate socialism – not Soviet-style, but more in line with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ vision.” So you think that we should have a President for Life with the power to legislate without the consent of the Congress? I don’t want G.H.W. Bush to be president after 1/20/2009… But honestly Blomstrom lost me with: “America is being destroyed by corporate corruption…” NEXT.

King County

Prosecuting Attorney: Satterberg — I don’t want a carpet bagger who moved to Seattle and has been trying to get elected to any office for the past couple year. Satterberg is a fine candidate, and having the Prosecuting attorney be of the opposite party as the Executive is a bonus in my book.

Assessor: Nobles — No reason really.

Council Seat 2: Joseph B. Walker — Again unopposed goon, voting for myself

Port 2: Tarleton — She’s not the incumbent and has relevant experience.

Port 5: Bryant — He’s not the incumbent and has relevant experience.

[S]he has Celine Dion’s “You and I” as the campaign’s official theme song. Ms Dion is Canadian!! There were no American singers available? And it was chosen by a web-contest? What this tells me is that Hillary wants to be popular. A theme song is supposed to inspire, to let us know what you believe in. Hillary tells me that she wants a popular song, and that she doesn’t have enough confidence to voice an opinion on a song she likes.

My roommate for my Sophomore year of college came up with the best campaign song (particularly for a Presidential campaign): Megadeth’s Peace Sells

What do you mean, I don’t believe in god?
I talk to him every day.
What do you mean, I don’t support your system?
I go to court when I have to.
What do you mean, I cant get to work on time?
I got nothing better to do
And, what do you mean, I don’t pay my bills?
Why do you think I’m broke? huh?

Chorus
If theres a new way,
I’ll be the first in line.
But, it better work this time.

What do you mean, I hurt your feelings?
I didn’t know you had any feelings.
What do you mean, I ain’t kind?
I’m just not your kind.
What do you mean, I couldn’t be president, of the United States of America?
Tell me something, its still we the people, right?

Chorus (repeat)

If theres a new way I’ll be the first in line, but, it better work this time. can you put a price on peace?
Peace,
Peace sells…,
Peace,
Peace sells…,
Peace sells…,but who’s buying?
Peace sells…,but who’s buying?
Peace sells…,but who’s buying?
Peace sells…,but who’s buying?
No, peace sells…