Last week I reflected on my initial reaction of the new web based version of Character Builder. Overall, I was not impressed and if you’d like the details feel free to read the post entitled Character Builder: Working As Intended. However, what I did not do was review the new version. My reaction and major complaint is that the new version just has too many bugs and the release should have been delayed. This does not mean that it doesn’t have any good features.
Today we look at the Legacy and Silverlight version of Character Builder. We’ll compare the two as I build a new level one character. The point here isn’t to point out problems with one or the other but to look at the differences in the process and determine if the Silverlight version is actually a step forward, bugs aside, from the Legacy version.
To do this we’ll create a level 1 Fighter from scratch going step by step in each version of character builder noting the differences and functionality of each step.
User Interface
The new Character Builder has a more attractive interface. It appears cleaner and the colour pallet is more appealing. Of course this is purely an aesthitic observation and I’m sure that for everyone who likes the new version there is another who prefers the legacy version.
The basic options at the start up screen are essentially the same, load a character or create a new one. However, the new CB does one better by asking if you would like to create a ‘Quick Essentials Character’. While the legacy version also allows you to create a quick character it doesn’t present this option on the load screen.
This option is very “new player” friendly. It allows them to get into the game quickly using an Essentials build. The first question it asks is what type of character they would like and then presents further options from there. Even when selecting to build a custom character, players are asked their preferred play style. This limits the amount of classes a player needs to sort through.
Now as an experienced player who already knows what class I want to play or build before I load up the chracter builder this option is lost on me, I simply don’t need it. However, I can see this option being very useful for new players. There are over 24 character classes and for someone new to the game the pure amount of choices can be overwhelming.
Starting Options
Once a class is selected both versions move to race selections. Where the legacy version lists the races by there release, the new version first lists recommended races based on ability modifier synergies with the chosen class. Again we see that the new version is taking the existing system and inserting a way for new players to decide on a race that will make sense with their choices. Most experienced players are already going to have an idea of the race they want to play. The difference between the two, the new version is “new player” friendly while not do a disservice to more experienced players.
The ability score screen has also seen some enhancements with the new release. This is one screen I’m not a fan of. I enjoy having the point buy as the first screen I see. The new version displays various arrays that can be assigned to the attributes. The system is intuitive enough to put the high scores in the appropriate attribute based on class selection.
Powers and Feats
The two versions have slightly different takes on how to present power and feat selection. I can’t pick a clear favourite as I do enjoy the way that both versions present these options. The new version I do find more aesthetically pleasing, but this is a personal preference. I don’t think it does any better or worse of a job in presenting the options that are available to players. The one noticeable difference is the new version has an option to have the feat or power selected automatically.
Equipment
Again both versions of character builder provide all the options to players. My preference is for the legacy version of character builder. Perhaps it is familiarity, but I just enjoy the way the screen flows in the legacy version. I find it slightly more intuitive to use.
Character Sheets
Hands down the legacy version is doing a better job of this right now. The main reason for this is the ability to customize. I also feel the legacy version created a more useful power card. I printed off a character using both versions of character builder and held them up for my wife, who played D&D 20 years ago, to compare. Her response, the legacy version looks like it contains more information per page but the new version is easier to read. This could be translated to new versus experienced player friendly.
My hope is that we will eventually be able to customize the new character sheets to display information the way we want to see it.
Miscellaneous Items
There is one aspect of the new version I cannot stand and that is no scroll wheel on my mouse function. It seems a small thing, but I find it to be the biggest frustration and barrier to really getting into and enjoying the new character builder.
We all know that there are known bugs and issues with the new release, however I’m not here to rehash those arguments. The new release of Character Builder is good and once the bugs are worked out it will be great. They other day I spoke with someone who had just signed up for the DDI and had never used the legacy version of Character Builder. They loved the new version and thought the experience of creating a character was great.
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1 2 Next »Yes, on a sliding scale with the best possible result being "perfect", I would rank the new chracer builder as "hate crime". The only function of the character builder is to produce character sheets, and if I can't customize my sheet so that it's actually useful to me then the parent application is useless too.
i have a lot of problems with the new one. when you pick a race, say a gith for the sake of argument, it doesnt show their class power, it just uses text. you have to select the race, then go to the cb sheet (which cant be open at the same time), look, then if you dont like it, deselect. similarly, you cannot scroll through powers when you have one picked. the old cb you could, now you have to deselect, then cleick to choose, then scroll. it adds extra annoying steps to every single selection that did not used to be there. also, you have to check 'show all options' to see the powers, and this doesnt stick, you have to check it every time. the character sheets, my opinion is that they are trash. it either looks like a child mane it (the font on the essentials sheet), or there are no nuber breakdowns, so when you find one of the myriad bugs, you dont know which part isnt working correctly. so all crashing problems aside, it is not as user friendly as the old one. i actually hate it.
I agree that the new class and race screens are pretty good, and that the new app is very graphically attractive.
But I really, really don't like the lag between choices, and I just *can't stand* the new equipment/shop screens. They're simply abominable.
I also agree with the sheets - the new ones are clean, and I think it looks like someone who knows something about graphic design had a hand in them. However, I, for one, want to see the calculations that go into the numbers. I also need it to be customizable.
Finally, I think that while the old CB worked as both a tool and a toy, the new CB fills the "toy" role a lot worse. It's a lot less fun to work with, possibly in part because it can be such a chore to wait for the server.
As mentioned before, the scrolling is a pain!
I am still not sold on the new CB. It is very aesthetically pleasing, but like others mention;no customization. I also agree that the new CB creates sheets for new players. Everything is in excellent order and easy to find. It does cost me about 5$ to print the thing with all the ink it takes. I printed off my 16th level character and it took about 5-8 minutes from start to finish: and the amount of communication b/w printer and sheet is insane. My character, with powers, and only the magical equipment worn took 8 pages. That is a lot to deal with...for new players.
I cannot stand the way new feats are organized. Probably because I am used to searching feats on a 23 inch screen. I like the division by tier. I am not a sub-folder type of guy.
Another feature I am not happy with is the screen size adjustment. When maximizing the CB everything gets bigger. I don't need it to get bigger, I want to see more stuff on the screen. This is especially true when I am using my character sheet during virtual play. I want to be able to see what all my options are, not 3 at a time.
Still I am waiting to see what WotC is going to roll out to the CB in the next few months. I would be disappointed if they did not address some of the concerns, or implemented some of the features it should have.
It is very easy to use and I do like it and I think it will have a good future in the long run.
I'm using this as the excuse to walk away from 4e. From the way it was handled to the actual software delivered it was bad.
Wow. Everyone hates the new CB except me, who couldn't use it until WotC came up with a cross-platform solution. I subscribed to DDI for the first time after the new web-based CB was announced.
Your poll is also incredibly biased against CB. What about a "Now that I can use CB, I've signed up for DDI" selection?
I'm with Chip. I like the new CB except for the fact that it uses MS Silverlight. Wizards should remove the Silverlight dependency and develop using HTML 5. Then create an iPad Character Builder app (which I'd be willing to pay additional for) and I'll be all set.
The new version is ok but it is nowhere near as functional as the old one. I hope that they continue to work on it until it is ready.
The primary goal of both version is ostensibly to make character sheets. However much of the data I want is not available in *either* version. I'd like feats listed out in a way you can read the whole thing, and preferably with the book and page # they came from. Same thing for powers, though I like the newer power cards.
I'd also appreciate seeing the calculations for attacks and damage and their sources. If I lose my wand for whatever reason, I want to quickly remove that bonus. I also had a problem in the old CB (before the October update) where some of the calculations were way off and I would like a way to confirm that. I handled this in the old CB, but I wasn't able to get down to details.
Beyond all that, I hope they make an exportable character sheet so I can put it in other programs. I have an iPad, and would like to use the character in Dungeoneer, or i4E, not to mention many online sites.
While I am glad they came up with a cross-platform solution, it only crosses two platforms and not the 5-6 out there.
Silverlight likely will never work on my iPad or my Android, and if it did it would probably have the same resource needs as Flash. Why not make it in HTML5?
@Chip & skallawag
Don't get me wrong. I like it but as of now I am comparing to the old version and its functionality. I am very excited to see where the new CB goes from here. If they could get functionality into it, it will eventually(I mean a couple of months from now...hopefully) surpass its predecessor by far.