Heroic-Tier Red Dragon

In line of the vampire class from Heroes of Shadow, here is a pdf for a heroic-tier red dragon race-class combo. Lemme know what you think about the powers, layout, progression, etc. If people like it, I’ll wrap up the paragon and epic tiers, too.

DDI: Monster Builder "Update"

I was pretty excited to get a message at work that the “brand new” Monster Builder was launched today. Unfortunately, when I got home and fired up Adventure Tools, I was pretty bummed to see that it not only still has the graphic indicating that it’s Beta software, that–aside from perhaps an Import feature–there is nothing about it to differentiate it from the beta software. Naively I hoped it was a mix up, and checked back a few hours later to discover that, no, same old beta-build. Fortunately directly beneath it is a link to download the older, yet oddly more functional Monster Builder, so DMs with a creative itch still have an avenue.

What I don’t understand is why it is taking so long for them to simply take an existing software application and transitioning it to another platform. I know why they want to–mitigation of piracy and hopefully integrate it with Virtual Table and other tools–but it’s been in a second beta for months. At this point, we have a monster viewer, with limited ability to rename a monster’s name and powers, and to adjust its level (again, same as before). In terms of utility, this places it far beneath D&D Compendium, which has the added benefit of being able to view any content. 

Adventure Tools Beta

The Beta was opened last night, but there’s not much to see: you can browse monsters, change their level and power names, and print them. That’s it.

More from the Virtual Table

As part of a side-project, I copied the level 2 delve “The Broken Tower” from Dungeon Delve. Here’s what I got:

I might have mentioned before that there aren’t a lot of tokens to use, so I had to use the orc and hobgoblin to represent a bugbear and goblin underboss. The tile library also didn’t have the 1×1 gong, a 2×1 broken alter (or even an alter, for that matter), or a 2×2 throne. Thankfully, you can draw that stuff in, though you get a very small assortment of colors to choose from. Again, this is Beta.

Here’s a zoomed in shot of the second floor, with the visibility mask removed:

You can place hidden notes for yourself, as well as public notes for all the players to see. I generally use public notes for “Features of the Area”, and to call out certain objects so they know what it is (in the case that I have to draw them in). Private notes let me easily reference what an object does, or a skill DC. You can also make monsters and entire sections invisible to the players. This is good for monsters using Stealth, or letting you gradually reveal the dungeon as they explore the area.

My major complaints are lack of ability to import monsters and characters from the compendium. Though I think I’m starting to figure out what format works the best, it’s a pain in the ass if someone else makes and adventure and writes things up differently. Also, the whole keying it all in by hand is a nuisance in general.

Virtual Table: Twisted Hall

This is the adventure out of Starter Set. I plan on putting the ddav file up when I’m done mapping and statting.

Virtual Table: Whispering Cairn Map

Here’s what I’ve been able to do thus far in copying the map from The Whispering Cairn. There aren’t a lot of tiles to work with, but the ability to block off parts of the map and drop notes for them to see is neat. I’d like to see a function that allows you to attach skill modifiers to elements that players automatically notice if their modifier is high enough.

For example, I find myself dropping hidden notes for myself, but it would be better if I could place a note that characters with a high enough Passive Perception score detect automatically. There’s some tracks that they could identify with a high enough Nature skill, so having the note display to players with a high enough “passive” Nature would be cool.