Community

At the same time, I never want to get up in front of you again (live or  via this column) and tell you that something is coming and then discover  later that we just couldn’t deliver on the promise.

That line has really dissapointed me, if not caused me to lose some respect for Bill.  He's gun-shy over the launch fiasco.  Bill, I want to see you man up, and fix the actual problem.  Get better at setting your deadlines and making realistic promises.  Don't stop giving us information altogether.

Also, his list of reasons he likes the program isn't very compelling.

There are five things I really, really like about the new Character Builder.

1. It’s ultimately portable. I can use it on any computer or computer-like device, wherever I am.
2. It’s both PC and Mac friendly. I can access it from either kind of machine.
3. There are multiple character sheet options. I can pick an  Essentials character sheet or a sheet that takes advantage of the  digital medium, and we can add other versions of sheets as demand  warrants.
4. The user interface is better. We’ve learned a lot, tested a lot, and made a tool that is easier to navigate and use.
5. Content filters are better. The D&D game is loaded with  content, and the new Character Builder offers lots of ways to filter  that content for you. You can make choices up front to limit the amount  of information you’re bombarded with, and you can add more elements  later as your play style and game mastery demands.

#1 - Its not ultimately portable.  It doesn't work on any computer or computer like device.  It doesn't work on any linux machines.  It doesn't work on any smart phones except maybe a winphone7. No androids.  No iPhones. No iPads.
#2 - Unless you don't have internet access.
#3 - But not the original sheet with all the numbers and math on display.
#4 - Can't comment on this, because no one outside of WotC has seen it in action.
#5 - Really?  Because that's not what I heard.  I seem to recall hearing that you are filtering themes from anything that isn't dark sun.  I also seem to recall (although I can't find the quote) that the filtering in general wasn't as good as the CB Classic.  Offer some more detail on what makes the new filtering better, please.

At least when he finally gets to #6 and 7, as appendixes to his list, he gets those right.

-----------

Class Compendium... The word compendium has come to mean for me a complete collection.  This doesn't give me that. The book itself looks interesting, but I think its poorly named.  I do like the Weaponmaster build though.  That may be the very next fighter I build.

So rather than new build, in the Heroes of Swords and Spell, they're re-packaging existing classes and selling them again...

This isn't invalidating the original books how? The Compendium will include all to-date errata, I assume, so along with the Rules Compendium, the PHB1 is going to be completely, utterly superseded. Way to waste my money and try to sell me things twice!

Man, I feel good about this... it's like... I can burn my PHB 1 and have that little extra space.

Wolf.