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d20 Online Game Tools
JerikTelorian
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I figured to add to the new forum, I would post these helpful tools I've used to play RPG's online. If we get more, we can post them here to make it easier to start games in the future.
DM Tools For Online RPG's
This thread is here to give a listing of any tools you may want to use as a DM or player for online RPG's. Many are made for d20 system, but some are available for any other systems, and should be compatible with most games.
Downloadable Tools
Here's the section for programs and other things you have to download to use. Best mainly for live over-the-net games.
Dungeons & Dragons Chat
There's no need to use this for D&D alone; In fact, I've used it only for d20 modern.
Terragen
This is a handy tool that you can use to generate terrain. It might be nice if you want to visualize your world a little more. I don't have much experience with the program, but I have seen it in action, and it can render some really beautiful landscapes; there's a gallery on their webpage.
The program is entirely free for the first version, and there's a second version in current development, though for a hefty cost.
RPtools
While this is a website, and some of the tools can be run straight from your browser, I placed it here because thay can be used offline.
A rather expansive set of extremely flexible tools, this website can be your only resource for computer-GMing. The tools are available as a web-start download, or a .zip.
DiceTool
Dicetool, the first tool in the set, is a great way to keep track of all of your NPC rolls. There's one-click buttons for d2, d3, d4, etc. rolls, and a clever tabbing concept that can be used to set up formulas for characters. For instance, let's say you have an encounter with a boss NPC and his minions. YOu might have one tab for the boss NPC, with his ranged attack, melee attack, weapon damage and spell damage all set up under one tab, with one click to get you your number. A second tab can be set up for the minions and their relevant rolls, keeping all your information close at and hand consistent. The forumulas can be changed and added on-the-fly incase of attribue changes.
MapTool
A nice tool, though it requires some extra searching to get what you want. MapTool has moveable tokens, dry-marker drawing, and fog of war. Other players can network to you and you can all edit the map in real time. In addition, it will calculate things like visibility distance, and spell radius from a given token on the map. The only disadvantage to it is that you must get a map background from somewhere else, and as of yet I do not know where you can obtain/create these maps. TokenTool goes along with this, allowing you to easily create tokens from any images you have on your computer.
InitTool
This tool helps the GM keep track of character initiavtive in combat. You can also pre-make your NPC groups for encounters to keep track of which enemies you want in an encounter, and then can choose which groups appear in battle.
All of these tools are available from the RPtools website. (Thanks Duo, trevorscroft)
Gametable
Gametable is a handy, no-frills mapmaking program. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of other maps, but is very simple to use. The basic texture is the "parchment" style background found on most rubber mats, and can be augmented with a few nondescript premade texture shapes. The program also includes character tokens, known as "pogs" in Gametable. The drawing pen is one of the best features of the program, with a freeform pen mode and a line mode that snaps to nearby points, allowing you to make nice straight lines and angles, or curves, at your lesiure. (Thanks leareth)
Web Tools
The section for standalone web tools- dice rollers, character generators, databases, etc.
Invisible Castle
This website is an online dice roller, and just an online dice roller, but it does this very well. I recommend this for the forum games, where proving a roll can be hard. So, when you go to the site, and click for a roll, you type in a character name, no login required. Your DM, and you, can go back and check the roll using a stats page. To make this easy, when you get your results, the page generates a slice of BBCode, which you can copy-and-paste to your forum post, and will state the reason you made the check, the formula, and final result, all as a link for checking.
E.g.
PA forum example (1d20+5=9)
The site also has a stats generator, for making new characters; assuming you don't use point buy, that is.
Hypertext d20 SRD
This is, as it sounds, a hypertext version of the d20 System Resource Document. It has all the rules and information you need to play, except for character creation and advancement (they need some reason to have you buy the 3.5 rules). Using this, you, as the DM, can set up a game for people who don't own any of the books- they should have most of the pertinent information right there. It's also a good reference document for the DM, the search feature is very handy and good for finding obscure rules.
It has some information from other books (a fairly comprehensive list of enemies) and other bits of information from the DM's guide, but depend on having those books if you intend on taking heavily from them.
d20 Treasure Generator
A quick and easy treasure generator for your campaign. It has all of the info you might want from the DM's guide to pick out some loot for your party. There's a general search which will pick items appropriate for your party's level, or a more specific search for certain kinds of items. (Thanks panksea06)
Birched's NPC Generator
A very comprehensive NPC generator for D&D 3.5. Goes as far to give the NPC's name, weapons, armor, items, skills, feats, mount... everything they need to be playable. (Thanks panksea06)
Town Generator
Creates an NPC town with all the pertinent data, for those into statistics. The page also has links to various other D&D 3.0/3.5 generators by the creator. (Thanks panksea06)
Stuff that costs money
I can't give much info on these products because I dont have them, but the links are here, if you are interested.
Screen Monkey
Fantasy Grounds RPG Client
DM Tools For Online RPG's
This thread is here to give a listing of any tools you may want to use as a DM or player for online RPG's. Many are made for d20 system, but some are available for any other systems, and should be compatible with most games.
Downloadable Tools
Here's the section for programs and other things you have to download to use. Best mainly for live over-the-net games.
Dungeons & Dragons Chat
A good, all around d20 Chat System. You have to register a username, but registration is free. Once you've registered, you go to a master room list, from where you can set up a game, or join one in progress. This program has some very useful features: an in-game die roller, DM's can whipser to players and do secret rolls, and the program also sports a 26x28 battle map. Individuals can mark their own positions on the map with a variety of colours. The only problem with the map is that if someone joins the game late, they will only see changes made to the map after they join.Tri Axe Network wrote:A chat program created and implemented for the use of DM's and PC's in a D&D environment.
There's no need to use this for D&D alone; In fact, I've used it only for d20 modern.
Terragen
This is a handy tool that you can use to generate terrain. It might be nice if you want to visualize your world a little more. I don't have much experience with the program, but I have seen it in action, and it can render some really beautiful landscapes; there's a gallery on their webpage.
The program is entirely free for the first version, and there's a second version in current development, though for a hefty cost.
RPtools
While this is a website, and some of the tools can be run straight from your browser, I placed it here because thay can be used offline.
A rather expansive set of extremely flexible tools, this website can be your only resource for computer-GMing. The tools are available as a web-start download, or a .zip.
DiceTool
Dicetool, the first tool in the set, is a great way to keep track of all of your NPC rolls. There's one-click buttons for d2, d3, d4, etc. rolls, and a clever tabbing concept that can be used to set up formulas for characters. For instance, let's say you have an encounter with a boss NPC and his minions. YOu might have one tab for the boss NPC, with his ranged attack, melee attack, weapon damage and spell damage all set up under one tab, with one click to get you your number. A second tab can be set up for the minions and their relevant rolls, keeping all your information close at and hand consistent. The forumulas can be changed and added on-the-fly incase of attribue changes.
MapTool
A nice tool, though it requires some extra searching to get what you want. MapTool has moveable tokens, dry-marker drawing, and fog of war. Other players can network to you and you can all edit the map in real time. In addition, it will calculate things like visibility distance, and spell radius from a given token on the map. The only disadvantage to it is that you must get a map background from somewhere else, and as of yet I do not know where you can obtain/create these maps. TokenTool goes along with this, allowing you to easily create tokens from any images you have on your computer.
InitTool
This tool helps the GM keep track of character initiavtive in combat. You can also pre-make your NPC groups for encounters to keep track of which enemies you want in an encounter, and then can choose which groups appear in battle.
All of these tools are available from the RPtools website. (Thanks Duo, trevorscroft)
Gametable
Gametable is a handy, no-frills mapmaking program. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of other maps, but is very simple to use. The basic texture is the "parchment" style background found on most rubber mats, and can be augmented with a few nondescript premade texture shapes. The program also includes character tokens, known as "pogs" in Gametable. The drawing pen is one of the best features of the program, with a freeform pen mode and a line mode that snaps to nearby points, allowing you to make nice straight lines and angles, or curves, at your lesiure. (Thanks leareth)
Web Tools
The section for standalone web tools- dice rollers, character generators, databases, etc.
Invisible Castle
This website is an online dice roller, and just an online dice roller, but it does this very well. I recommend this for the forum games, where proving a roll can be hard. So, when you go to the site, and click for a roll, you type in a character name, no login required. Your DM, and you, can go back and check the roll using a stats page. To make this easy, when you get your results, the page generates a slice of BBCode, which you can copy-and-paste to your forum post, and will state the reason you made the check, the formula, and final result, all as a link for checking.
E.g.
PA forum example (1d20+5=9)
The site also has a stats generator, for making new characters; assuming you don't use point buy, that is.
Hypertext d20 SRD
This is, as it sounds, a hypertext version of the d20 System Resource Document. It has all the rules and information you need to play, except for character creation and advancement (they need some reason to have you buy the 3.5 rules). Using this, you, as the DM, can set up a game for people who don't own any of the books- they should have most of the pertinent information right there. It's also a good reference document for the DM, the search feature is very handy and good for finding obscure rules.
It has some information from other books (a fairly comprehensive list of enemies) and other bits of information from the DM's guide, but depend on having those books if you intend on taking heavily from them.
d20 Treasure Generator
A quick and easy treasure generator for your campaign. It has all of the info you might want from the DM's guide to pick out some loot for your party. There's a general search which will pick items appropriate for your party's level, or a more specific search for certain kinds of items. (Thanks panksea06)
Birched's NPC Generator
A very comprehensive NPC generator for D&D 3.5. Goes as far to give the NPC's name, weapons, armor, items, skills, feats, mount... everything they need to be playable. (Thanks panksea06)
Town Generator
Creates an NPC town with all the pertinent data, for those into statistics. The page also has links to various other D&D 3.0/3.5 generators by the creator. (Thanks panksea06)
Stuff that costs money
I can't give much info on these products because I dont have them, but the links are here, if you are interested.
Screen Monkey
(Thanks leareth)leareth wrote:Web Based DM tools with a ton of features. Only the DM needs the software, everone else connects using a web browser. A "Lite" edition is available, with 90% of the functionality. NBOS appears to have some other cool DM tools (map generators and the like) the I suspect interface with Screen Monkey.
Fantasy Grounds RPG Client
(Thanks leareth)leareth wrote:Another feature RPG client with some pretty attractive graphics and interface. DM's much purchase the Full Version ($35) and players only have to purchase the Lite ($20.) The system allows for the game to be run hosted on the DM's computer or throught the Fatasy Grounds server.
SteamID -- JerikTelorian
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
EtherealWalrus wrote: »Anyone notice how some things (mattresses and the copy machines in Highrise) are totally impenetrable? A steel wall, yeah that makes sense, but bullets should obliterate copy machines.
I don't know about you, but I always buy a bullet proof printer. Its a lot more expensive, but I think the advantages are apparent.
JerikTelorian on
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Like a map/ miniature program, a dice rolling program, a program that would let you create charts and character sheets and pull more than one on the screen at once.
So it would be like a DM screen you could use on a laptop.
If I ever finish learning to program I will have to make it.
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
Reminds me of a guy I knew who took the entire character creation and experience system of this one game and turned it into an auto-fill excel sheet.
Yeah, it was command promp only though.
I don't think I would use their dice roller in an online game, but the rest of it worked pretty well last year. I can only imagine how much they've done since then.
One thing I always want to do is just use VoIP to communicate.
Everyone always has lame excuses for not doing it though. "I'm 22, but sound like I'm 12." Or, "I don't want my parents to think I'm weird." Or, I might wake my hamsters up."
Pffft.
Number Uno) No one is going to make fun of how you sound, or poke fun at you. We only want a better way then typing.
Deux) Simply telling whoever asks what you're doing the truth will get them to leave you alone, and not care. Because lets face it, if you're willing to RP, you should be willing to accept what others think of the passtime.
San) That damn Hamster sleeps too much and you know it.
So. Yeah. Rant over.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
Just roleplay it out.
"Guys, the program crashed again. Uh...a vortex has opened and all your items are gone. What do you do?"
Ayliana Moonwhisper Ecksus Cerazal
GameTable - *Free* Java based RPG whiteboard system for online RPG action. Includes a public dice roller.
Screen Monkey - By Nbos Software - *Not Free* Web Based DM tools with a ton of features. Only the DM needs the software, everone else connects using a web browser. A "Lite" edition is available, with 90% of the functionality. NBOS appears to have some other cool DM tools (map generators and the like) the I suspect interface with Screen Monkey.
Fantasy Grounds RPG Client - *not Free* Another feature RPG client with some pretty attractive graphics and interface. DM's much purchase the Full Version ($35) and players only have to purchase the Lite ($20.) The system allows for the game to be run hosted on the DM's computer or throught the Fatasy Grounds server.
Anway I have a few useful sites (ripped from an email I sent myself to keep track of them):
http://www.d20srd.org/ -Already mentioned but it is great, very useful compiled info and spell and monster lists and sorting, and all searchable. I could run my campain with only this site more likely than not.
http://www.ajs.com/~ajs/cgi-bin/mktreasure.cgi- treasure generator
http://www.hailscape.com/ -Npc Generator (very good)
http://www.aarg.net/%7Eminam/towns.cgi?size=0&seed= -town generator
Also I was looking for some applications to have on my new MacBook, and found a few widgets, a Fantasy name generator (for characters, towns, taverns, guilds, items and more). Also have a widget Dice roller but its nothing special, I will link to those once I get back on that machine.
Terragen looks nice and runs on OS X so may have to try that out
http://www.sylnae.net/3eprofiler/
is the link to the 3eprofiler, an increadibly handy online character sheet that will calculate modifiers and load maxes, will auto mark class skills for you (I believe it only does the core classes, but I havent messed with it too much) but you have to put the class into the class space. It will calculate any size modifiers based on what size you put down. You can choose to make characters public knowledge or only allow a select few people view them. All in all, I find it very handy. Free to use, but you have to register an account.
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
http://pcgen.sourceforge.net/01_overview.php
Quite handy and complete character creation tool, mostly focusing on d20 games. They have game rules files tied into the program that you can use to build off of. At one time they had all of D&D in the program but WoTC asked them to remove it, though you can build classes and rules to work off of so you could put just about anything you want in it if you took the time. Has some DM tools in it from what I've seen but I've not used that side of it as much as the PC building siding of it.
There are people using MapTool (http://rptools.net) for play-by-post. It has built in screenshot capabilities, including direct post-to-ftp. A new feature soon to be available is an on-screen coordinate display which helps pbp players indicate where they are talking about.
We are also very open to feature requests that help out different types of play, and are always in active development. Drop on by our forums !
RPTools.net - Free RPG tools
http://battlegroundsgames.com/links.html
RPTools.net - Free RPG tools
And, thanks, trevor. RPTools looks pretty cool.
You are awesome, both of you.
This tools got a bit of a learning curve but even just a touch of fooling around and it's a nice mapmanager. I didn't get annoyed with it as quickly as I did Dundjinni so take that for what it's worth. Not as pretty though.
It tracks light ranges! Okay, not a huge deal but kinda neat.
For a shared table top this looks very nice.
I approve.
GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS!
Here is what you do...
make all the spaces a square, then color the squares you want each color...
Center and bold all the text for the entire thing.
Make a key...
With google spreadsheets i can make a usable map in < 10 minutes that provides all the information that I need in an encounter.
It edits fast, and I can allow my players to edit it if I want as well. It is as close to you can get to an online map service that stores your maps and characters and does all the view calcs etc for you.
Its fast, its easy, its great. Its not a mapper, but anyone you want can see it whenever they want and you dont have to store any info on your or their machines.
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
what about normal tabletop tools?
XBL: LiquidSnake2061
This is probably the most useful thread in the entire forum.
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
oh weak.
This is even more reason for me to go ahead and install 3eprofiler on my own web space.
I logged on tonight and got my char sheet normally, but it did say that it's closing on the 19th.
It's done for any and all who want to use it (I have oodles of bandwidth I don't use, thanks to Dreamhost providing me with an absurd amount)
http://3eprofiler.bradley-online.com
Heroforge
I use it for pretty much everything I make that I want a little customization with. Some of them generate statblocks along with the entire sheet.
Change the name that appears at the top of all the pages to RPGWebProfiler? Done.
Replace almost all the references to 3eProfiler with RPGWebProfiler? Done.
Have a SourceForge project called RPGWebProfiler? Done.
Name the download file rpgwebprofiler... and make 4 releases ? Done.
Create and add character sheets for RPGs that aren't even d20? Done!
Move the largest install of it in the world from Sylnae.net to a site called rpgwebprofiler.net? Done!
And yet every one still calls it 3eProfiler. :evil:
It's a losing battle.
So yeah, the point of this post is to say that the Sylnae.net instance has moved to the above link, and has been upgraded from the old 3eProfiler to RPGWebProfiler v0.4.0.
Oh, and DeVryGuy, this is nothing personal at all, as practically everyone I have come across still calls it 3eProfiler. It great to see people having their own installs of it, as personally I think it works better than a single big install.
Campaign Cartographer 3 looks fantastic, but money isn't growing on trees for me at the moment.
SoogaGames Blog
It seems like it would be relatively simply to do a spread sheet that would track all this, but I'm hoping that somebody's already done the work.