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1 year ago ::
Jan 19, 2012 - 6:37PM
#11
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Date Joined:
May 16, 2009
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I just moved my Sand's End Campaign (homebrew D&D 4e - 12th Session) from using Maptools to the D&D VTT. My players and I loved it.
One of my players wanted to write to Wizards to tell them how much he loved the interface. He wasn't sure how long it would take him to get used to using it, and within 45 minutes of futzing, he felt very comfortable. He loved that he could see all the information for his character on the table very easily, and he loved that he could customize the power descriptions and add new rolls to his character sheet as he needed. He liked begin able to take notes online, and he especially loved the integrated voice. With maptools, we used Teamspeak and Maptools simultaneously, a little more unweildy.
I loved it because I was able to recreate 5 or 6 maps complete with NPCs and monsters in only 2 or 3 hours. I enjoyed making the maps, importing the monsters and customizing monsters for each part of the adventures. It was a snap, and I feel like I was able to be a bit more creative (since I'm not a computer wiz) using the VTT. Working with NPCs and Monsters in VTT was much easier than trying to edit and use the maptool tokens. The VTT also performed much better technically. None of us had any problem with freeze up or ghost images, or slowing/lag of any kind.
I'm looking forward to my next session, and I'm really looking forward to a time when Wizards adds more tiles and token art.
What are your experiences with the VTT? Anything I should look out for in future sessions?
I've been running Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan on VT for a few weeks now and we're all really enjoying it.
A few things I'd rather happen in the system:
When a player chooses a power to attack and rolls for it the text below just says X rolls y+z vs def: Hit!
It would help so much of course if the players always said what attack power they were using, but it seems like VT could also very simply add the name of the power in this descriptor so we could all read it and know a little more of what happened (and be able to reference it later, a few rounds after). I'm thinking "Jad's Gloaming Strike (crossbow/ranged)...Hits/Misses" or "Ian's Slayer Song (short sword/melee)... Hits/Misses." That way I'm not asking what they used so I can figure out how to describe the action with flavor, and I also get a basic piece of information about whether I should be considering an opportunity attack or triggered reaction ("Ah, so Jad's bolt shoots and ..." or "Ian's short sword swings wildly and...").
It'd also be cool to have a Wake Up the Player button so I can recapture the attention of a specific player who has been distracted by a spouse or burning toast. Something that makes the screen blink an alarm.
Also: making conditions/effects automatically carry over to the hit victim would be sooooo cool. Of course, some are negated, but if DM and player could be prompted to confirm it somehow our lives would be so much more streamlined.
And if I could have the world it'd be sweet to be able to mute all other speakers except for specific players so I could privately chat with them about secret information. Otherwise I'm stuck texting wildly to let someone know something that the other players aren't privy to.
And, of course: more map tiles and tokens please! It's gonna be tough selling the idea that the heroes are in the desert with all the green grass on the tiles...
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1 year ago ::
Jan 20, 2012 - 2:10PM
#12
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Date Joined:
Sep 10, 2006
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The VTT is fantastic. I was questioning my renewal of DDI until I was granted access approx 1 year ago.
Issues I'd like to see improved:
1. Token graphics. A great job was done with the tiles. Furthermore, why not have some generic assigned graphics for certain monsters... if they had enough tokens, I'm sure I'd just use the default for "Goblin" rather than having to pick a similar token each time.
2. Game availability/sign up system. I don't have a great idea for this myself, but certainly some UI/usability expert would be able to come up with some great ideas. Something that will email me when changes occur in a game I'm a part of, or update my google calendar automatically, etc.
3. In line with #2, one of the biggest problems is flakey users. It seems like approx 10-15% of games are canceled at game time due to lack of participating and people showing up. Not much WOTC can do about this, but improvements to the signup system might help.
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1 year ago ::
Jan 20, 2012 - 3:42PM
#13
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Date Joined:
Dec 21, 2011
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jobygax -
I agree with you on all counts. I got a chuckle out of the "wake up" button. It made me think of a cattle prod or shock stick.
Cheers.
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1 year ago ::
Jan 20, 2012 - 10:46PM
#14
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Date Joined:
Apr 16, 2009
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When a player chooses a power to attack and rolls for it the text below just says X rolls y+z vs def: Hit!
It would help so much of course if the players always said what attack power they were using, but it seems like VT could also very simply add the name of the power in this descriptor so we could all read it and know a little more of what happened (and be able to reference it later, a few rounds after). I'm thinking "Jad's Gloaming Strike (crossbow/ranged)...Hits/Misses" or "Ian's Slayer Song (short sword/melee)... Hits/Misses." That way I'm not asking what they used so I can figure out how to describe the action with flavor, and I also get a basic piece of information about whether I should be considering an opportunity attack or triggered reaction ("Ah, so Jad's bolt shoots and ..." or "Ian's short sword swings wildly and...").
Carry this a bit further to also identify whom they are attempting to hit with each roll. Useful for any sort of multi-target power. Same for damage on multi-attacks.
"The world does not work the way you have been taught it does. We are not real as such; we exist within The Story. Unfortunately for you, you have inherited a condition from your mother known as Primary Protagonist Syndrome, which means The Story is interested in you. It will find you, and if you are not ready for the narrative strands it will throw at you..." - from Footloose
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1 year ago ::
Apr 11, 2012 - 9:31PM
#15
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...with a friend who does not have an account...
So I can invite players who do not have DDI accounts to play in my VT games?
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