Here is another idea as long as we are on recording characters. My CHARGen is a web based system that walks you through character creation, helps update the character when you get XP and allows you to access it anywhere you have access to the internet. When you are ready to print, it renders (albeit an ugly one) a functional PDF character sheet.

Personally, I think such systems are woefully under utilized and are a great why to lure people into using a system.

Bill

Quote from: HinterWeltHere is another idea as long as we are on recording characters. My CHARGen is a web based system that walks you through character creation, helps update the character when you get XP and allows you to access it anywhere you have access to the internet. When you are ready to print, it renders (albeit an ugly one) a functional PDF character sheet.

Personally, I think such systems are woefully under utilized and are a great why to lure people into using a system.

Bill

That sounds like a thing of beauty.

Quote from: SpikeI used to do that long ago. Then I found I could often not find stuff when I needed it.

Then I discovered good, premade character sheets. I rather like them now, and I have, occasionally, learned more about the game's rules from them than I thought possible. Thus, I am fond of good, informative, Character sheets.

I think I am not alone in this.

Probably not. I've used premade sheets before, and I still do write one up if I expect the DM to need to consult my sheet a lot, but I like the formatting freedom plain blank paper gives you.

The best character sheets I've seen on blank paper tend to use the ability to determine the relative size and proximity of clusters of stats to one another and other graphic cues of the sort you see in pre-made ones, but tailored to the individual's own preferences. My buddy Rob, for example, who usually plays melee characters, keeps the bottom sixth or so of the page just for BAB-related calculations, so that he can label all the bonuses and penalties he gets, and keep small notes on how specific activities like having his character jump down onto someone have affected his attack bonus.

Quote from: Malcolm CraigOne thing on character sheets that I find all to rarely is is a space for the name of the other characters. It's one of those handy things that doesn't crop up that often, but I feel really should be there. Saves scribbling it down on the back of the sheet, or a scrap of paper or whatnot.

When I recently started a new game, one thing one of the participants said was "Yay! A character sheet with space for other peoples names!"

Anyone else think this is kind of useful or is it just me?

Cheers
Malcolm

Hugely useful, hugely.

I know I owe you feedback by the way, I do have some thoughts so shall message you this week.

But yeah, a space for other PC names would be golden.  Maybe people could make room for it by not having the title of their game in 18 point font at the top of the sheet, in case we forget what we're playing.

Quote from: HinterWeltCharacter sheets are very important. Let's look at an example of presentation and for. I have one that I did and one a fan who is a graphic designer did. Both have the same information but widely differing presentation.

Before (197 K PDF)

After (1 M PDF)

Bill

My god but that second sheet is an improvement, kickass example Bill.

In Icar, I don't use a single or twin sheet set - I bombard the players with loads of bits of paper. Each weapon they carry, for example, has its own sheet. Apart from the two main character sheets (which lists stats, close combat combos, skills and some equipment) everything is on folded sheets. If you gain a weapon during the session, just take a new weapon sheet. If you lose it, hand it back. No rubbing out or writing in required. Contacts are kept on smaller folded sheets that look like playing cards.

The main evidence for this is that players during a campaign end up with hundreds of bits of paper anyway, so you might as well start with that in mind.

I've received a fair bit of flak for my character sheets but I do aim for the game to be different, so I accept that it's not to everyone's taste.

There aren't rules on the main character sheets (because there's not a lot on there) but there certainly is on each weapon/vehicle/space craft sheet.