Some suggestions for the Software

[Shadowchaser]

Hello, Lone Wolf folks! Just bought your application for building Mutants and Masterminds characters, and I love it! I have a few suggestions/requests to improve the utility of the software:

1) An 'External' Minion application. Building a library of minions (monsters, ninjas, whatever) that I can easily add to any character as part of the Summon Minion power or the Minions feat would be very handy.

(Edit) Okay, I really need to play with software longer before I make requests like this. I realize now that I can easily import characters from one portfolio to the next.

2) In the same vein, an 'Equipment' creation applet would be nice. Being able to build up my own library of gear, or even multiple libraries for different campaigns, would make handling equipment for different characters much easier. As it stands, I'll have to recreate the same things over and over.

(Edit) This part is also fairly easy, but doesn't allow for the creation of standalone Devices that could easily be migrated to other characters. I'd still like some kind of standalone Device function.

3) Splitting up the Extras, Feats, Drawbacks, and Flaws to different tabs would make navigating the list MUCH less cumbersome. Scrolling down the list is a pain with so many options. Being able to jump to different subheadings would be a nice alternative, or at least jumping to the first letter if I type it ('A' for 'Area' for example) would help speed up power creation.

(EDIT) Another option would be a filter button on the choice page so you can select Extras, Feats, Drawbacks, Flaws, or 'ALL'.

I'll make more comments later, but I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done, and drop these suggestions as they stand out to me as things that could stand significant improvement. Thanks again for your hard work! Good luck in the new year!

James Dawsey
Shadowchasers Illustrations

 

[Shadowchaser]

Errata

Found a small glitch. Under the 'Chi' power, the item listed as an 'Extra: Emotional' should be a flaw, not an extra.

 

[krathen]

You actually can create stand alone devices that can be used by any character by using the authoring kit, or editing data files yourself, it's not too terribly complicated and there are plenty of people here that are more then willing to help you.

 

[Colen]

1. You can currently build a library minions as independent characters,
then Import them by choosing Portfolio -> "Import Hero from Portfolio".
It won't give you exactly the same results as what you request, but
it'll be close.

2. This is something that we'd like to do, but there are some technical
hurdles in the way. It's definitely on our to-do list.

3. In an earlier version of the M&M files, there were 4 separate tables
for extras, feats, drawbacks and flaws, but that got cumbersome pretty
quickly. We're working on ways to let you restrict the list to only a
certain type, or jumping directly to an entry with the keyboard.

4. Thanks for the note about the Chi power - we'll get this fixed.

 

[Shadowchaser]

1. You can currently build a library minions as independent characters,
then Import them by choosing Portfolio -> "Import Hero from Portfolio".
It won't give you exactly the same results as what you request, but
it'll be close.

2. This is something that we'd like to do, but there are some technical
hurdles in the way. It's definitely on our to-do list.

3. In an earlier version of the M&M files, there were 4 separate tables
for extras, feats, drawbacks and flaws, but that got cumbersome pretty
quickly. We're working on ways to let you restrict the list to only a
certain type, or jumping directly to an entry with the keyboard.

4. Thanks for the note about the Chi power - we'll get this fixed.

Thanks for your responses! I'm glad to know you guys are still working on this toolset. It's very useful. I'll try and learn how to use the Editor soon... it's a bit overwhelming right now.

Oh, found another possible glitch. Under the (Strength Bonus) Strike option, shouldn't the DC be based on the character's Strength Bonus instead of the ranks of the power?

 

[Colen]

You're right - I don't think it shouldn't have a save DC at all, since it just modifies your unarmed attack. Thanks!

 

[Shadowchaser]

I'm here for you guys. =D

Still cranking out characters, by the way. I think I've built 20 or 30 in the short space of time I've owned the software. It's a great help!

 

[Colen]

Great! Glad to hear that it's helping you out

 

[nosdaddy]

I think it's terrible, I keep creating characters but never run a game. Curse you people! Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

I also noticed that in the equipment tab there is no Custom Armor option. I don't really use much of the customization options, I just like to be able to rename things, so if you could either make weapons and armor renameable, or add a Custom Armor option that would be very handy.

 

[Colen]

I'll see if I can enable right-click rename for armor within HL for the next release.

 

[Nigel Fogg The Wayfarer]

Not sure if this should be in this thread or a new "found a possible oversight" thread.

I am using the Ultimate Power add-on to M&M and when adding DRAIN I noticed the write-up says "If the save fails, each rank of Drain removes 1 power point from the affected trait."

However, U.P. changed that to: "If the save fails, the target loses 1 power point from the affected trait(s) for each point the save missed the DC, up to a maximum of the Drain rank."

 

[Nigel Fogg The Wayfarer]

I would expect Fascinate to be a "Skill" Feat like Attractive or Hide in Plain Sight, not a "Combat" Feat as combat has a chance to mitigate or negate it depending on whether the fascinated foe is near combat or directly threatened.

Mistake or was it decided to be labeled "Combat" due to the negative effects?

 

[Colen]

Oops, I hadn't noticed these - thanks for the poke in the other thread.

Thanks for the note about Drain. You're right, Fascinate should be a Skill feat - that was probably just a copy and paste error. I'll correct these for the next release.

Thanks!