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Players using Hero Lab in-game?

S

swhite58

Member
We've just started playing Pathfinder, and we used HL form the start to create and print character sheets. Several players wanted their own HL licenses so they could maintain their own characters, so now we have three out of seven players with HL, plus me the GM. It has occurred to me that it wouldn't cost that much to get HL for the other four players, and then we can use it in-game, so they can record changes in state, barbarian rage, damage etc.

How many of you do this? Is it worth the money and effort? HL has quite modest system requirements, so I'm sure we can scavenge enough laptops to do the job.

Thanks
 
swhite58 said:
How many of you do this? Is it worth the money and effort? HL has quite modest system requirements, so I'm sure we can scavenge enough laptops to do the job.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I do, it's an expense but worth it for the convenience.

I GM and have all the player portfolios on my system linked into a Dropbox account. When the session is over any changes are propagated to my players and vice versa.
 
Our group uses it at the table. It makes life a lot easier. Especially at higher levels when you have a lot of buffs on the characters. It is hard to remember what your character has that gives it a Morale bonus (Just using that one as an example), but HL figures it out for you.

Plus trying to remember all the details of spells or abilities, all you have to do is hover over it to see what it does.

As a GM, having all of your players characters right there makes it easier for you as well. It has definately made gaming easier as both a player and a GM having it at the table. (Though you have to be careful with people surfing the net in game. Have to get onto people from time to time, but usually not a problem.)
 
Thanks for the encouraging answers. I don't have or need many add-ons so it would only cost them $16 each. I can network all of the laptops but block internet access if necessary :)
 
Yea just wanted to say I think all my players are now using it at the game. One was a hold out for a few games saying he likes to do it on paper. But then saw how easy it was for everyone track stuff and apply conditions and buffs to a character.

After just two games he showed up with his Mac book and been using it HL at the game now also... :)
 
I have started using it at PFS games on my Windows 8 tablet (full version, not RT, so it runs desktop software), and it is marvelous. All my characters are in one place, and I don't have to manually calculate the effects of multiple buffs when the cavalier/bard and cleric both get going.
 
My players are sadly jobless post High-schoolers, and being unable to buy things, they don't use it at the table. I wish they did though.
 
I use Hero Lab as a player around the table, and plan to use it as a GM.

One of the other players bought HL too, after I showed him what it can do, and he now uses it for his GMing as well. He has no intention of ever going back. A third player will most certainly buy HL when it'll be available for the iPad.
 
We have a group of 7 and we all have our own copy of the software. Not everyone has all the add on content as they just buy what they need... and some of them create their own items/spells/etc as needed. Each player has a mini-netbook for their character and it works great.

The DM uses a full PC with two monitors. One that he can see and one that is hooked up to the LCD hanging on the wall. The DM keeps the DM stuff on the small screen and he throws pictures and what not up on the large TV for the group as needed. (We also use D20 Pro.)
 
After using various Excel spreadsheets, PcGen, and even good-ole pencil & paper, I eventually found HeroLab.

I downloaded the demo, and within 30 minutes of trying to break it, I bought it.

At first it was just to make characters. PcGen is free, but it's easy to break and confuse. Change your race at 10th level? Good luck.

Eventually I discovered the In-Play, Adjust, and Condition tabs, and I haven't looked back since. Just a few clicks, and all my bonuses from cleric buffs, power attack, paladin auras, shared favored enemies, all right there. All accounted for.

What? The GM decided that we all suck when we're in town, and he's giving us all 2 more skill points per level?!? No problem.

Love love love love HL.


I'm just about to start a custom, high-power, gestalt campaign with my group, and I've started creating custom Archetypes using the editor to help make the character creation process easy.
 
Yep, 2 players use it at the table and find the in play adjustments and conditions invaluable. I as GM run it on my Android (via remote desktop) for complicated npc's, as the laptop has map tool running. When i play i run it on my tablet as well, so much better than a laptop, doesn't get in the way and no cords.

Also have access to it at work via rdp :)
 
Most of my players would be lost without it.... those that don't have the tool, use a pdf either on their computer or as a print out from my version of hero lab for their character.

Plus I also show the tool on a second screen so that players can see it during play if they need to refer to things, but as that screen also shows d20 pro and realm works at the moment if can be a little busy but fun. :)
 
swhite58 said:
We've just started playing Pathfinder, and we used HL form the start to create and print character sheets. Several players wanted their own HL licenses so they could maintain their own characters, so now we have three out of seven players with HL, plus me the GM. It has occurred to me that it wouldn't cost that much to get HL for the other four players, and then we can use it in-game, so they can record changes in state, barbarian rage, damage etc.

How many of you do this? Is it worth the money and effort? HL has quite modest system requirements, so I'm sure we can scavenge enough laptops to do the job.

Thanks
Click to expand...

So long as you and each player remain in lockstep with add-on data files, it should work just fine. I bought all of my players copies of Hero Lab, and it ended up being a waste of money and/or a restriction of my use of other books because they didn't go and buy, for instance, Ultimate Equipment.
 
I've been playing D&D since 1978. Misc and various other game systems too. But once 3e came out, there was no way you could make a character without eTools or something along the lines of it with all the sourcebooks, magazines and class adjustments.
I've been on the HL chain gang for a long time and everybody I know knows I have totally forgotten how to make a character without HL. I have all the PF data sets, the majority of the SR4e and the d20 set. Expensive, but very worthwhile.
I even modify the npc's for the campaign with HL - working on Carrion Crown book 4 baddies. giving them some levels of fighter and more rogue.
 
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