Without character builder the players running spell casters need to copy down a lot of information onto their character sheet. We also realized in a big hurry that it’s a lot more work to create and run a character that can use magic (divine and arcane characters) than one who cannot. Without character builder we had to become pretty familiar with the printed materials in a hurry to know which parts were applicable to each character. We’re used to character builder where it shows you all the available options and none of the extraneous stuff that’s irrelevant for your PC. We had to read through everything to ensure that every option was reviewed before a decision was made. Without character builder, creating new characters took a long time. And even if we did come together it would just be six guys with six laptops individually creating their PCs. Sure we talk about who’s playing what kind of character and ensure we have all the roles covered, but we all make our own characters in isolation. We forgot how much fun it can be to actually get together with buddies and spend an entire gaming session just making characters.Įver since character builder was released character creation has become a very solidarity experience. After all, there was no character builder for a game that’s still in development. When we sat down to begin on that first night we realized that for the first time in years we had to make characters using a pencil and paper. My group is currently participating in the “Friends & Family” play testing for D&D Next. So when D&D Next is finally released what’s going to happen to character builder? I guess it really depends on how complicated character creation becomes.

Knowing these two things I’ve got to believe that Wizard will keep character builder alive in one form or another. Each player may not buy every book, but pretty much every player pays for a DDI subscription.Īs Wizards continues crafting and refining the rules for D&D Next they have to realize two very important truths: 1) DDI subscriptions generate significant revenue, and 2) character builder provides them with a wealth of information about the people playing their game. Of the seven regulars in my gaming group six of us have been subscribers since day one and the seventh guy pays for a few months a year as his wallet allows.

Between the character builder and the compendium I think that the subscription is well worth the money. I’ve got to think that the majority of us who play 4e D&D are subscribers. If you’re like me you have a subscription to DDI.

Downloadable 5e character builder