Firstly, thanks a lot for the invite to the alpha test…!
Our group has been using Herolab for the last 10+ years, first for Pathfinder 1E and now for Pathfinder 2E. Although rough around the edges and quite cumbersome to customize, we liked the digital tool. However their new web version for Pathfinder 2E leaves a lot to be desired, so if you guys and girls can pull this off, our gaming group will be switching as soon as this will offer what we need.
Your off to a great start here, we know this is an alpha and lot of things are missing, but this definitely have the potential to be great.
The following list are the things I noted after my first round of character building, many of these things are probably already on your radar, and again I know this is the alpha, but I will list them anyway just in case they are not on the radar yet.
Break Down Overviews
Number break-downs are some of the most important functions on character builders, it is important because it gives new players a overview of why and where different modifiers comes from, but it also serves as an important tool to find potential bugs, when some modifiers are not calculated. Example, right now there are no break-down overview of my AC. So I can’t see why I am missing two points, due to the shield I have equipped are not “raised” and therefore not included in the calculations.
Although, I can see that the tool shows breakdowns on some calculations like saves, the following would be a “must” to include:
- Ability Scores - Only shows partial break downs
- Armor Class
- Attack Rolls
- Hit Points
- Perception
- Skills - Only shows partial break downs, equipment modifiers are partial listed
- Spell Attack Rolls
Possible Actions Listed on Skills
I would recommend that basic actions and “trained-only” actions are listed when you click on the skills, so player can see what they are able to do with the skills they have chosen.
Proper Support for Shield users
One of our biggest complains about Herolab, is the lack of proper shield support.
Please, please please, prioritize the ability to quickly see, add and remove hit point on shields, and customize their stats, as this is a big part of many classes in Pathfinder 2E.
Shield Block is default for fighters and many other classes benefits from this as well.
Also, add the ability to “raise shield” so you can include the shield modifiers to your AC.
Better Visuals of Common, Uncommon and Rare Categories
As this limits what you can take on character generation, Ancestry, Equipment, Feats and Spells should be highlighted or maybe color-coded to represent this.
No Lore Skills and Languages
Alpha, I know.
Simple Ability Boost
Maybe Consider a more simple way of boosting/choosing your ability scores, like the way they do in Herolab. One overview screen instead of boosting/choosing it in three to four different sub-menues. (see attached screendump)
Class Summery
Consider adding an easy overview of what the class gets in the different levels (see attached screendump)
This is my initial feedback of the character tools, I will be back with more, when I have spent more time on it. Like everyone else I also experienced sluggish performance, missing options and so on. I did not include info on this, as many other people have already mentioned it, and this is an alpha version. Again, Great Job on the initial build and presentation, this looks like a solid start..! Keep up the good work.
