What do the Bestiary files add to HL?

[H2Os]

was it mostly for creating NPCs from "monsters"?

[AndrewD2]

It adds all the races from each Bestiary. That includes the 0-HD races that are commonly used as player races as well as all the various monsters. Plus it includes the stock portfolios of the monsters exactly as they are in the bestiary for you to import and modify (or not) as you see fit.

[ShadowChemosh]

Originally Posted by AndrewD2

It adds all the races from each Bestiary. That includes the 0-HD races that are commonly used as player races as well as all the various monsters. Plus it includes the stock portfolios of the monsters exactly as they are in the bestiary for you to import and modify (or not) as you see fit.

Plus monster specific feats, languages, all the different Racial Specials, Types, Sub-types, Monster Templates and the universal monster abilities. I also think some equipment as a few races have specific race equipment. Templates are really nice so you can quickly make a new type of monster like a Half-Fiend Orc or something. With Bestiary package that is about 10 secs of work. Select Orc add Half-Fiend template. Boom done!

Basically if its in the Bestiary book it was inputted into HL.

[ChrisRevocateur]

Did you know that through the Tactical Console (under the Gamemaster menu), you can run combats, including tracking initiative, status effects, spells, hp, etc. Everything except the actual dice rolling (which you can do using the Dice Roller).

You can also set up encounter portfolios with all the creatures in a certain encounter, then when the players come across that encounter, you can import the portfolio in with your Players portfolio, open the tactical console and hit go, and bam, everything is all set up for combat in seconds.

If you already knew these things, then great, but I kinda insinuated from the way your question was worded (and the fact that you're REALLY new to the forums) that you might not have known that Hero Lab is more than just a character creation software. It handles the rules just as much as Realm Works handles the story.

[Mathias]

Also for players, there are several animal companion options and several improved familiar options that are only available if you've purchased the Bestiary that's from.

(All of B1's options of those types are in the core, but the other bestiaries require purchasing the package).