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TrackWork: D&D Combat Tool For Initiatives, HP and More
Posted by Logan Booker at 3:00 PM on April 14, 2008
Last year I posted a small program I coded for my monthly sessions of D&D. I wasn't happy with any of the freely available tools for keeping track of initiatives in combat and decided a custom app would be best.
Yes, I'm a huge nerd. Yes, this is a bit off-topic. As such, interested parties can keep reading after the jump, while everyone else can enjoy their social lives.
With the passing of Gary Gygax recently, I went and made some improvements to the program. As a result it does all of the following:
• Tracks health, armour and initiative of multiple opponents
• Automated initiative step-through
• Can import data from PCGen PCG files
• Save fights in progress and restore them later
• Mass-add combatants
• Mass-roll Listen and Spot checks, including skill and stat bonuses
The last one is handy for rolling checks for PCs without their knowledge, or rolling checks for say, 50 orcs, without killing your arm.
It's by know means perfect, but it managed an actual session without bugging out. Regardless, you use this program at your own risk. If you have any problems, post a comment and I'll see what I can do. But no promises.
Note you'll need the .NET Framework 2.0 to run it. If you're using Windows Vista, then you're good to go.
Comments
Ben
Posted April 14, 2008 4:16 PM
I haven't played DnD for years... it's so hard to find a decent group now days (you know, ppl that do it just for fun and aren't too serious about it)...
Anyways, looks like a hella handy tool
dylillama
Posted April 14, 2008 6:28 PM
Logan - that is truly awesome.
Bob
Posted April 14, 2008 6:38 PM
Hey Logan, thanks for the app post. Always on the lookout for new programs to keep track of my group.
If you haven't seen it before, may I suggest checking out Andy Adamczak's excellent Campaign Manager program. As with most D&D managers out there, it's a work in progress, but it's being regularly updated and the features so far are amazing. I manage my entire group and their campaign including battles through this. Well worth a peek.
http://www.adamczak.com/Andy/D&D/
Funky J
Posted April 15, 2008 8:56 AM
Hate to rain on your parade Logan, but I think Wizards have done this with the new D&D rule set...
Check this out!
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=434
Logan Booker
Posted April 15, 2008 9:40 AM
Thanks for the links guys, I'll check those out.
I've seen WoTC's plans for software for 4th Edition, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Anyone remember the mess that was e-Tools?