As many of you have expressed a desire for either added features, or for changes to existing planned features, I thought it would help everyone - the community AND WotC's Dev team - to have a consolidated list of feature requests for future consideration in the New Character Builder.
Let me be clear: this is NOT the place to rant about the direction that DDI and/or the CB are going in. If you're going to post here, please at least accept (however grudgingly) that the new CB is going to move online, and is likely going to stay there.
"Please don't make this change" - however its worded - is NOT a feature request, and will be ignored - and quite possibly reported for being off topic.
I'm going to assume that any features requested are *OPTIONS* (IE - "Give us the old character sheet" will be considered a request for that option, not as a feature that removes the Essentials Sheet, or the new sheet style).
I will be requesting this thread get stickied, and will monitor it for updates as well.
When posting a feature request, please try to include at least a couple sentences about why you want that feature, how you would use it, etc.
I'll try to list the feature requests I keep seeing in a sample format, to give some guidelines.
-------------------------------------------------- Requests listed in no particular order
1) Character Export (save to local PC) The ability to retain control over one's characters is important to many users, both for backup purposes, as well as for being able to quickly transport their data to another location for quick printing.
Additionally, there are third party tools (like the HIGHLY popular iplay4E) that read .dnd4e files, and allow players to interact with that data. Exporting gives customers great flexibility and control. To this end, sticking with the existing .dnd4e format is also of high value.
While some changes are expected to the .dnd4e format (as is normal with new features being added like Themes), keeping to the same basic structure is important, as opposed to creating a wholly-new filesave format.
WotC has stated this issue has been given high-priority in the feature list, and we can expect to see it added early on.
2) Character Sharing (within the cloud) Much like Character Export - many DMs like the option to verify character sheets, or even tweak them a little (as a storytelling tool) between play sessions. The option to share a character sheet (either publicly or to selected users/groups) would help facilitate this, and if done within the DDi Suite of tools, would save a few steps, as opposed to exporting the file, e-mailing it, re-importing it on the other end, etc.
Further to the issue of sharing - community site integration would also be a very welcome option, or at least using community groups to setup ACL permissions for who can see what characters.
Sample: If I start a "WolfStar's Thursday Night Game" group, I could share characters back and forth with others in that group - but not with the rest of the world.
PaoloM has said that this is something interesting that they are looking into.
3) Original Character Sheets While the new style of sheet may be optimized, and the Essentials sheet may be another option - some people very simply prefer the classic 4E sheet as originally laid out in the back of the PHB, and as printed in the original Character Builder. These users would like the option of formatting their character sheets to print in that classic style.
4) SSL/TLS Security [Description coming soon - I need to refresh my understanding of the isue]
5) More Storage Space Many users are, to say the least, disappointed in being limited to 20 characters. Some users simply have more than 20 characters (especially DMs for the RPGA, who might manage and keep copies of characters for a large number of players) - others like to save their character at every level, in case they ever need to roll-back for any reason. The current limit wouldn't (appear to) allow for even saving a single character through all 30 levels
WotC has stated that 20 characters is just a starting number, and that useage will be evaluated in considering changing this limit going forward.
6) Character Summary [description coming soon]
7) Editable Character Sheets (layout/design) Similar to the request for the Classic 4E Character sheets - The ability to change the layout, add pages, and otherwise make a sheet that works best for the individual player is something that is much appreciated in the offline Character Builder. That functionality would be just as greatly appreciated in the new online effort.
8) Offline Viewer The Character Sheet Viewer in the classic builder allowed users to check/uncheck boxes to track power use, and had other "interactive" features that made it a great way to track your character at the table on small computing devices (netbooks, iPads, etc). The new Character Builder's online-only feature will remove this option for many gamers who don't have wi-fi at their gaming table (be it in an FLGS, or in a basement where reception is poor, etc).
Users would appreciate an option to have a small Character Sheet Viewer for offline use that would simply read and interact with a created Character Sheet - without allowing any (permanent) edits to things like character stats/powers/equipment.
This way they can still take full advantage of the Builder at their gaming table.
9) Basic house-rule support. User would like the ability to house-rule sheets that is, at an absolute bare minimum on par with what the classic CB offered. Many groups give things like free expertise and other bonus feats, so using the web-CB if it can't handle importing that will be a great impairment
10) Advanced house-rule support and custom content. The ability to define new feats, items, races, etc.
While the content WotC puts out is fantastic, customers are also encouraged (especially in the Dungeon Master Guides) to go "off-roading" with their game - and to implement their own ideas into the game. The Character Build should fully support this kind of open play experience.
11) API Support An API for (authenticated) 3rd party applications to directly pull character information from the cloud. Exporting to .dnd4e is essential, and applications like DMBS (which I rely on heavily) or iPlay4e can import those exported files - but it would be great if they didn't actually need to.
12) Character Sorting/Organizing As many DMs keep digital copies of the characters for multiple campaigns (as well as designing some NPCs as full blown characters) the ability to divide their online storage area (using folders, labels, or other dividers) is being requested to help keep those files organized.
If the request for more storage space (#5, above) is put through, this becomes even more important, as the amount of data grows.
13) Native PDF Support While it's been stated that users will be able to install a PDF writer, and then print their character sheets to PDF via those 3rd party tools, bringing that into the software as a native feature is something that would add value to the application - especially for users who may not be on a computer that's under their immediate control (Internet Cafes, hotels, borrowing another user's system), or who aren't tech savvy or simply comfortable installing more software.
14) Use the cloud to suggest build options With WotC being able to data-mine builds that are stored on DDi - they should, in turn, be able to use that data to help suggest common/popular builds for new characters.
A character creating a new level / would be able to see the most popular options taken by players who have also chosen that race/class - or better still, as characters progress, what feats/powers/items players with similar builds (previously selected powers/feats/etc) chose at this new level.
Similar in nature to the well-known Amazon.com feature of "other customers who looked at "X" also looked at "Y" - it would help optimizers see popular/common choices.
15) Ritual Books (and similar) For characters that make heavy use of Rituals (or Martial Practices, or Alchemy), having a mere listing of names, while helpful, leaves the players wanting more. With rituals and the like spread across multiple books, it would make these kinds of "extras" a lot easier to manage if all of their relevant information were available as part of the character sheet (casting times, durations, costs, effects, etc).
Notably - because use of these features fluxuates (from some users with only one or two rituals, to some with a near-library of them), printing this information should be an option not everyone will need the full details with every re-printing of their character.
A power-card style format seems to be a popular example for this kind of option.
16) "Future-Proofing" While it's likely (hopefully?) far enough into the future that there are no current plans to change rules editions (5th Edition), many users are curious as to what plans WotC is, or will be making in regards to the new online Character Builder, when a new version of the game does release.
Will WotC continue, for a time at least, to offer access to the 4E toolset? Or will all support for 4E drop when 5E is (inevitably?) announced one day? Would a "last hurrah" offline version of the 4E tools be made available?
These decisions are a factor for many customers as to where they plan to spend their money going forward.
17) Lapsed-Subscription Access "Read Only" access to an already-generated character sheet that's been stored online is being requested.
This would allow a customer the chance to print out a "fresh" copy of his character, even if - for whatever reason - he's not a current subscriber. Financial times are tough, it's not unlikely that customers might need to skimp for a month or two here or there.
Leaving them access to their existing work in these times would server both as great customer relations, but would also be a good enticement for them to re-subscribe. As new books/power/gear come out, seeing their character and daydreaming of the new things they could assign that character could be a strong emotional pull to re-subscribe at the earliest opportunity.
On the flipside, being locked out of their existing work will only cause disfavor toward WotC, and eventually "out of sight, out of mind" experiences could set in - leading customers to see that they don't really want/need/miss the online toolset.
WolfStar76 Community Advocate (SVCL) for D&D Organized Play, Avalon Hill, and the DCI/WPN LFR Community Manager DDi Guide
1) Character Export (save to local PC) The ability to retain control over one's characters is important to many users, both for backup purposes, as well as for being able to quickly transport their data to another location for quick printing.
WotC has stated this issue has been given high-priority in the feature list, and we can expect to see it added early on.
I think this is not what people mean by local export - the focus of the "save to disk" or local export feature is that users who requested it want the builder to export .dnd4e files, not a format for printing. That file format is useful for 3rd party tools, importing and sharing of characters, and so forth.
Local / portable-printable format will already be available at launch, as I understand it, by printing to 3rd party PDF generators.
2) Character Sharing (within the cloud) Much like Character Export - many DMs like the option to verify character sheets, or even tweak them a little (as a storytelling tool) between play sessions. The option to share a character sheet (either publicly or to selected users/groups) would help facilitate this, and if done within the DDi Suite of tools, would save a few steps, as opposed to exporting the file, e-mailing it, re-importing it on the other end, etc.
Paolo answered this, kinda sorta, in the mega thread. I pulled it out here:
House-rule support that is at an absolute bare minimum on par with what the classic CB offered. Every group I'm involved in has free expertise and other bonus feats, so we can't very well start using the web-CB if it can't handle importing that.
Real house-rule support and custom content. The ability to define new feats, items, etc.
An API for (authenticated) 3rd party applications to directly pull character information from the cloud. Exporting to .dnd4e is essential, and applications like DMBS (which I rely on heavily) or iPlay4e can import those exported files - but it would be great if they didn't actually need to.
The ability to generate and save a PDF character sheet without having to install a PDF writer locally. We've developed multiple web applications at work that do this, it's trivial to implement.
1) Character Export (save to local PC) The ability to retain control over one's characters is important to many users, both for backup purposes, as well as for being able to quickly transport their data to another location for quick printing.
WotC has stated this issue has been given high-priority in the feature list, and we can expect to see it added early on.
I think this is not what people mean by local export - the focus of the "save to disk" or local export feature is that users who requested it want the builder to export .dnd4e files, not a format for printing. That file format is useful for 3rd party tools, importing and sharing of characters, and so forth.
Local / portable-printable format will already be available at launch, as I understand it, by printing to 3rd party PDF generators.
I knew that, but didn't mention it explicitly. I'll edit to clarify.
(I'm starting to wish I'd just made this a wiki. . . )
WolfStar76 Community Advocate (SVCL) for D&D Organized Play, Avalon Hill, and the DCI/WPN LFR Community Manager DDi Guide
I knew that, but didn't mention it explicitly. I'll edit to clarify.
Cool - just wanted to make sure that while printing and such was one reason, it wasn't the only reason. Notably, if cloud-sharing is enabled, then using .dnd4e files to transmit a character from one account to another is irrelevant, but until #2 appears, #1 might be the way to do it.
Character Sorting/Folder System: Similar to setting up different mailboxes and such on an email account, or as we can set up to add additional folders on the current one. With the limit of 20 characters, this isn't really an issue, but once this increases it will be well received.
Character Images: I haven't heard exactly how this will be handled, but the ability to use our own artwork, either uploaded, or just by providing link to where the picture is located to use, whichever works best.
On Essentials: Everyone deserves to play a class they enjoy.
Specifically .dnd4e Availability: This is for third party support, (namely iPlay4e from my perspective). Its my favorite way to be able to display my character on our group webpage. If this isn't possible then..
Character Summary Links: Be able to flag your character as public, so you can post a link to the character summary. Just the facts, with links to the compendium entries for details. Basically like how iPlay4e does it.
On Essentials: Everyone deserves to play a class they enjoy.
House-rule support that is at an absolute bare minimum on par with what the classic CB offered. Every group I'm involved in has free expertise and other bonus feats, so we can't very well start using the web-CB if it can't handle importing that.
Real house-rule support and custom content. The ability to define new feats, items, etc.
Another reason I've found house rule support important in the past was to work around occasional bugs that popped up now and then in the CB (missing Paladin Channel Divinity feats in an example). So I second this request.
Thank you.
OD&D, 1E and 2E challenged the player. 3E challenged the character, not the player. Now 4E takes it a step further by challenging a GROUP OF PLAYERS to work together as a TEAM. That's why I love 4E.
"Your ability to summon a horde of celestial superbeings at will is making my ... BMX skills look a bit redundant."
8) Offline Viewer The Character Sheet Viewer in the classic builder allowed users to check/uncheck boxes to track power use, and had other "interactive" features that made it a great way to track your character at the table on small computing devices (netbooks, iPads, etc). The new Character Builder's online-only feature will remove this option for many gamers who don't have wi-fi at their gaming table (be it in an FLGS, or in a basement where reception is poor, etc).
Users would appreciate an option to have a small Character Sheet Viewer for offline use that would simply read and interact with a created Character Sheet - without allowing any (permanent) edits to things like character stats/powers/equipment.
This way they can still take full advantage of the Builder at their gaming table.
+1 (really +5, since it affects many of my players) to this.
F-111 Interdictor Long (200+ squares) distance ally teleporter. With some warlord stuff. Broken in a plot way, not a power way. Thought Switch Higher level build that grants upto 14 attacks on turn 1. If your allies play along, it's broken. Elven Critters Crit op with crit generation. 5 of these will end anything. Broken. King Fisher Does an excellent job at keeping an enemy disabled in a few ways. Strong. Boominator Fun catch-22 booming blade build with either strong or completely broken damage depending on your reading. Very Distracting Warlock Lot's of dazing and major penalties to hit. Overpowered. Pocket Protector Pixie Stealth Knight. Maximizing the defender's aura by being in an ally's/enemy's square. Yakuza NinjIntimiAdin: Perma-stealth Striker that offers a little protection for ally's, and can intimidate bloodied enemies. Very Strong. Chargeburgler with cheese Ranged attacks at the end of a charge along with perma-stealth. Solid, could be overpowered if tweaked. Void Defender Defends giving a penalty to hit anyone but him, then removing himself from play. Can get somewhat broken in epic. Scry and Die Attacking from around corners, while staying hidden. Moderate to broken, depending on the situation. Skimisher Fly in, attack, and fly away. Also prevents enemies from coming close. Moderate to Broken depending on the enemy, but shouldn't make the game un-fun, as the rest of your team is at risk, and you have enough weaknesses. Indestructible Simply won't die, even if you sleep though combat. Sir Robin (Bravely Charge Away) He automatically slows and pushes an enemy (5 squares), while charging away. Hard to rate it's power level, since it's terrain dependent. Death's Gatekeeper A fun twist on a healic, making your party "unkillable". Overpowered to Broken, but shouldn't actually make the game un-fun, just TPK proof. Death's Gatekeeper mk2, (Stealth Edition) Make your party "unkillable", and you hidden, while doing solid damage. Stronger then the above, but also easier for a DM to shut down. Broken, until your DM get's enough of it. Domination and Death Dominate everything then kill them quickly. Only works @ 30, but is broken multiple ways. Battlemind Mc Prone-Daze Protecting your allies by keeping enemies away. Quite powerful. The Retaliator Getting hit deals more damage to the enemy then you receive yourself, and you can take plenty of hits. Heavy item dependency, Broken. Dead Kobold Transit Teleports 98 squares a turn, and can bring someone along for the ride. Not fully built, so i can't judge the power Psilent Guardian Protect your allies, while being invisible. Overpowered, possibly broken Unnamed Avenger|Runepriest/Hammer of Vengance Do lot's of damage while boosting your teams. Strong to slightly overpowered. Charedent BarrageA charging ardent. Fine in a normal team, overpowered if there are 2 together, and easily broken in teams of 5. Super Knight A tough, sticky, high damage knight. Strong. Super Duper Knight Basically the same as super knight, only far more broken. Mora, the unkillable avenger Solid damage, while being neigh indestuctable. Overpowered, but not broken. Swordburst Maximus At-Will Close Burst 3 that slide and prones. Protects allies with off actions. Strong, possibly over powered with the right party.
