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How complete is the Pathfinder database?

S

Shaihalud222

New member
First off, please excuse me if this isn't the right place for this sort of question; I can see that the threads are regarding primarily, development.

I'm considering purchasing Hero Lab, and just took the demo for a test run in Pathfinder, and was a little concerned at what wasn't there. I'm accustomed to using the Pathfinder SRD website - will most everything I find there be available in Hero Lab? Specifically, I'm looking to start working on Psionic classes.

How does the update process work?

I suppose I have a ton of questions.... most importantly, will I be happy with Hero Lab? Thanks! :)
 
The database is as up to date as you want it to be based on purchase of the data sets. This can make HL seem a bit expensive to begin, but it does not have to be that way, map out what you must have, and start with the core HL with pathfinder and those "required" books as data sets. Then add to them over time.

Update process is handled through a window when you first boot up, it is a bit of a kludgey interface and is HL's worst user feature, but hoping they migrate it to the new coming market place for Realm Works. However saying this, as it is HLs only real weak point, is saying a lot. But it works, and allows for community based files to be updated as well, ShadowChemosh maintains a fantastic repository of community files shared through the HL update portal, now how cool is that?

Telling you what you will happy with is impossible, but I can tell you after the first member of our group bought HL so many years ago for our Pathfinder play, all 7 of us now own it and use it. A few on Ipads, a few on Suface tablets and windows lappies. Our GMs now use it for encoutners, with its tactical console. See you can load up all the PCs (if they use HL), and the encounter (the comunity files have them all done for you for most APs) and run it via the console, this also allows you to buff, debuff and track all stats for the encoutner baddies, just like players do. No more notes and remembering what has been cast on what mob, just a few clicks and the effect or condition can be set on the mob, and HL will give you the new stats. Money!

Will you be happy? No idea, but we all love it, and frankly wouldn't consider playing with out it....ever.
 
I have every official Paizo dataset released so far plus Frog God's tome of horrors complete and IV and Open Design - Midgard Bestiary, you can never have to many beasties.

Yep, it's expensive to buy them all in one job lot but I had HL for D20 before Pathfinder existed and purchased the packages as they were released each month.

It is by far one of the better Game aids I have invested in, if not the best.

The usefulness of HL for Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder was worth my investment IMO plus you can add custom content, which does mean studying code but that's the flexibility of the program.

For Psionics that drops under the 3PP Dreamscarred Press community packages which are entered by the HL user community F.O.C.


YMMV.
 
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Specifically regarding your question about psionics, as mentioned by ExMortis, ShadowChemosh maintains a set of community packages, one of which is dream scarred press ultimate psionics
It's not complete yet (is a huge amount of work) but a lot of the core stuff is there, and many of the archetypes
If you're talking about the quasi-psionics being added via PF occult guide, official paizo rulebooks become available to buy as sourcebooks in HL at our shortly after their print/PDF release
 
But please keep in mind that Playtest content is only available for free until the final version is published in a paizo book. In this case, Occult Adventures is supposed to be out at GenCon.
 
Thanks a lot for your responses! Well, I think that I will be purchasing Herolab here pretty soon. I wasn't quite expecting the price tag for all the licensing, but I have no problem paying for something of value to me - I'm just frugal is all :P

I suppose the one daunting task ahead of me is deciding what to purchase with the budget I've set for myself this month. Disappointing at first to not have everything available, but on second thought, I think I might rather look forward to a limited selection to choose from starting off. I can get pretty burnt out scouring the entire library as I build a character.

Last thought... I have an incredible DM who has spent the last 2 years building a completely original campaign setting as we played through it. It looks like with a little programming I can add whatever I want in to HeroLab, eh?

Edit: Just playing with the demo a little more - wow - this going to make playing a prepared spellcaster tolerable!
 
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Shaihalud222 said:
Thanks a lot for your responses! Well, I think that I will be purchasing Herolab here pretty soon. I wasn't quite expecting the price tag for all the licensing, but I have no problem paying for something of value to me - I'm just frugal is all :P

I suppose the one daunting task ahead of me is deciding what to purchase with the budget I've set for myself this month. Disappointing at first to not have everything available, but on second thought, I think I might rather look forward to a limited selection to choose from starting off. I can get pretty burnt out scouring the entire library as I build a character.

Last thought... I have an incredible DM who has spent the last 2 years building a completely original campaign setting as we played through it. It looks like with a little programming I can add whatever I want in to HeroLab, eh?

Edit: Just playing with the demo a little more - wow - this going to make playing a prepared spellcaster tolerable!
Click to expand...

First there is nothing wrong with frugal, just do not be cheap :D

HeroLab has been here a while and has just about every poissible paizo release that can be utilized, so yeah its no different then starting to play PF and needing to buy every book. TIP if you buy the PDFs from paizo rather then the hard book, you save enough to buy the HL dataset!!

I am creating my own campaign as well, and so far I have every race, deity, and even custom weapons/gear in Hero Lab full functional. It can be done, and if you hit a road block, the peeps here are hella helpful in getting you back on track.

Now show HL off to the rest of the group, your GM, and bring them to the forums, more the merrier.. HL has an encounter builder, so the GM can use HL to run encounters, as well as the initiative combat tracker, if all players and encounters are done with HL, they can use it top track the combat, better yet use HL to track buffs, debuffs, changes and eveything mobs do when they try to make those meddling kids pay!

BTW welcome into the fold.
 
its definitely pretty sweet. i'm still learning things in the editor but get great help here on the boards when i have questions from both LoneWolf staff and community members. as mentioned psionics is not complete yet but multiple ppl are working on it and ShadowChemosh does a stellar job hosting the community files. just find one of his posts and the links he has in his signature
 
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