v13 – prioritise new Adventurers League level system over Magic Item support?
Added 2018-07-30 13:40:15 +0000 UTCI know I have been keeping all of you waiting a long time already for the magic items addition. I honestly didn’t expect it would take well over a year to implement, but here we are...
With the recent announcement from WotC about how gaining levels is going to work in Adventurers League season 8, I am proposing a change in schedule. For deciding on this change, I would like to ask you for input. Please let me know what you’d prefer to get priority for v13, using the poll in this post.
1. Magic Item support has priority, everything else will have to wait
If this option is chosen, I will continue working on the magic item addition and only once that is finished will version 13 of the sheets become available. Only after that will other features, like the AL levelling system, be added.
2. Adv.League levelling system has priority, version 13 without Magic Item support is preferable over waiting (even longer…)
If this option is chosen, I will stop working on the magic item addition for now and first make a version 13 that has support for the AL levelling system (as well as a system without experience points). Magic item support will come in a later version (like v13.1). Note that support for the AL levelling system is a lot easier to code than all magic items, so it should be a lot faster to finish. Certainly in time for AL season 8 to start (August 30).
3. Include both the Adv.League levelling system and Magic Item support in v13
If this option is chosen, I will make a version 13 that will include support for both things. For obvious reasons, choosing this option of the three will cause v13 to take the longest to finish.
4. Who cares? It is not like I expect v13 to ever be finished (a.k.a. just show me the results)
Only select this option if you have no opinion one way or the other but would just like to see the results. If this option is somehow the winner, I guess I will just roll a d3 and let fate decide ;)
To give a bit of context about the Magic Item delay, every time I continue working on it I think of new improvements that would be much easier and better to implement before adding support for magic items. This results in the new feature being pushed back more. For example, I am currently working on harmonizing all the different syntaxes (class features, class feature choices, races, racial features, feats, and magic items) to utilize one and only one way of adding stuff to the sheet.
Up to and including v12.999, everything has a different function dedicated to adding things like actions, speed, limited features, etc. Whenever I want to change how one of those work, I have to change it in 6 different places and I can’t just copy-paste, all of them are coded slightly different (my own fault of course). With this new change, I will be able to add functionality to all things much faster and easier, and all of them will work the exact same way. Meaning that we will immediately have things like level-dependent feats and magic items, and once I make an easier way of things to add attacks/armour, that will immediately be available for all of them. I hope to save a lot of future work with something like this while simultaneously making it easier to write custom additions, but it is a time investment up front.
Comments
I don't know how I missed this poll! Thanks for responding to my other question.
Cory Tennyson
2018-11-08 19:24:02 +0000 UTCCool thanks, I mentioned it because it was co-written by one of the Adevnturers League Admins and approved for AL
Erik T.
2018-08-26 15:50:11 +0000 UTCI only write the import code for official WotC content. Any third-party materials like a background from a Guild Adept product you will have to add yourself using import scripts you or somebody else writes. I get many requests each day to add third-party materials and I simply don't have time to transcribe all possible (howebrew) options for D&D 5e. Adding a background is the easiest of all the import scripts. Just follow the syntax on my GitHub: <a href="https://github.com/morepurplemorebetter/MPMBs-Character-Record-Sheet/blob/master/additional%20content%20syntax/Homebrew%20Syntax%20-%20BackgroundList%20%26%20BackgroundFeatureList.js" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://github.com/morepurplemorebetter/MPMBs-Character-Record-Sheet/blob/master/additional%20content%20syntax/Homebrew%20Syntax%20-%20BackgroundList%20%26%20BackgroundFeatureList.js</a> If you need help and/or want to share the script you create, please take a look at the /r/mpmb subreddit: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/mpmb/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.reddit.com/r/mpmb/</a>
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-26 15:48:38 +0000 UTCIt’s in the Guild Adept Adventure Rats of Waterdeep
Erik T.
2018-08-26 15:20:16 +0000 UTCI don't know of any WotC product with the detective background. Where was it published?
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-26 11:34:50 +0000 UTCHas the Detective Background been added in?
Erik T.
2018-08-25 21:26:33 +0000 UTCAs these are indeed significant changes I will have to pass on updating the script for now. I'm swamped with other things, including making a lot of scripts for Sorcerer and Soothsayer-tier patrons and just don't have the time to look into updating older scripts. Anybody is welcome to make the changes and make a pull request on GitHub, as long as the changes adhere to the standards used.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-10 09:08:06 +0000 UTCOnce a syntax is available, I will certainly ask the community for help.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-10 09:06:34 +0000 UTCHi, I worked with you to have u/Zarieth's Witch class transcribed for MPMB's sheet. He recently came out with a new version, v1.1 that makes some significant changes to the subclasses and the spell list. The version on the Github doesn't include those updates. Could I request that the Witch class be updated?
Mark Wilkins
2018-08-09 19:11:43 +0000 UTCI'm pretty sure this has been asked in other posts, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask. When your done coding the syntax for the magic items, will there be a post requesting assistance to add items to decrease the release time.
Aliqux
2018-08-07 20:36:07 +0000 UTCYou mean like typing 'Int' into it? There is currently nothing parsing the input in the description field of the Magic or Misc fields. I don't think it would be such a valuable things that it is a good addition for just this. Typing 'Int' in the Magic or Misc field of the armour section and 'Bladesong' in the respective description field is the best solution in my opinion. Especially considering Bladesong is not always active.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-05 18:11:21 +0000 UTCYou can find custom content ready made for the sheet on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/mpmb/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the /r/mpmb subreddit</a>. There you will find an overview post at the top with a lot of materials found on my GitHub and stuff made by the mods. There are also regular postings of people who have written their own addition. You are also free to create your own script for importing additional materials. The documentation of how to do that is found on <a href="https://github.com/morepurplemorebetter/MPMBs-Character-Record-Sheet/tree/master/additional%20content%20syntax" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">my GitHub</a>. The Sorcerer and Soothsayer-tiers of this Patreon are there if you want me to create new content for the sheet.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-05 18:07:48 +0000 UTCRandom suggestion, have the sheet Auto Generate the Bonus to AC from Bladesong if you add it to the Armor>Magic field.
Erik T.
2018-08-05 17:29:03 +0000 UTCNot sure how hard this would be - but I'd love to see Sterling Vermin's classes incorporated into the homebrewed section. (Pugilist, Scholar, Magus, etc.)
LaserFowl
2018-08-05 06:37:07 +0000 UTCI am up for the Magic Items, although all the syntax changes to make things easier seem to be an even better priority, but I assume you are working on that anyway. Upfront delays to make the future easier is a no-brainer in my book. The Al tracking would be easy enough without it being added to the sheet.
Ben S.
2018-08-05 00:07:48 +0000 UTCI play AL, and I am not too concerned about the AL update. All the AL players I know are not worried about S08 yet. So, IMO, no hard rush on this, especially since the current logsheet easily suffices.
Buckley C
2018-08-02 18:00:10 +0000 UTCWithout the syntax for the items being done, there is no way to transcribe any. The time delay is not (yet) with transcribing the insane amount of magic Items, but with making code to accommodate their (basic) functionality.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-08-01 07:11:24 +0000 UTCHey man, thats pretty interesting. It is really is not great. On the FB page it looks like they are still taking feedback. I'm not sure where they got the feedback initially that lead to this huge change.
Stuart Watkinson
2018-08-01 01:43:54 +0000 UTCIs releasing the sheet with whatever items you've added so far an option? Maybe do a release every time you add another X items?
Erik T.
2018-07-31 21:13:42 +0000 UTCSeason 8 is killing adventurers league, my whole store is going organized homebrew.
AllesazPrettyFace
2018-07-31 12:11:08 +0000 UTCIt is going to suck when these changes go live my logs live and die on your sheet.
Kyle
2018-07-31 00:26:06 +0000 UTCAt this point, I really just want the 12.XXXXX sheet but with fast spell generation. I'm going to vote for the last option because of that.
Erik T.
2018-07-31 00:02:19 +0000 UTCI honestly haven't caught up on these new AL changes, only heard some people complain that it's ruining AL. That being said, I don't have any real intention to play AL so incorporating these changes doesn't give me any benefit.
Menirz
2018-07-30 20:21:30 +0000 UTCNever played AL, no intention of playing AL in the near future. Magic Items would be neat but really, I just love these sheets and would be happy with anything :')
Molly Storm
2018-07-30 19:43:10 +0000 UTCI have primarily used these sheets for my AL characters. Also since it can be done fast, I don't feel like it would have that big of an impact on the magic items
CrimsonFang
2018-07-30 16:53:10 +0000 UTCI would like the magic items system completed first; although, that is because I don't play AL. However, I think that the new point system is pretty simple to track with the current sheet anyhow, in numerous ways. Just add enough XP to level up; or, just increase the level in the class dialog and let the sheet add enough XP.
Lawrence R. Hoy
2018-07-30 16:13:53 +0000 UTCNot an AL player, so no real interest in having the new system as part of the sheets. Magic Items please :D
Werner Dohse
2018-07-30 16:03:43 +0000 UTCAs someone who plays al I couldn't care less about a new al sheet. The new checkpoint system is stupid anyways, and there isn't a lot to track anyways, I can just use the current sheet just fine with the new system. Keep up the good work!
Max Tompkins
2018-07-30 15:54:26 +0000 UTCPersonally, I don't care about AL at all, but I feel like getting something useful out quickly is probably better than holding both up because of how much work the Magic Items system is. I would echo Nick Scipio though and say that it's good to get new features implemented and then go back and optimize. Of course, that depends greatly on the nature of your code and just how much work optimization now would be vs implementing a new feature and optimizing later. Either way, best of luck, and I look forward to v13!
Nova Rose
2018-07-30 15:45:13 +0000 UTCMagic Items first please.
Robert Rodriguez Jr.
2018-07-30 15:15:36 +0000 UTC"Best is the worst enemy of good." My advice (as a long-time software development manager): prioritize your list into <em>manageable</em> release objectives. Then stick to your list. If you add something new, add it <em>after</em> your current working objective. If you keep releasing regular iterations of a "good" version of the sheet, 90% of us will be happy. But if you delay and wait to release a "perfect" version, <em>none</em> of us will be happy. Food for thought. You might also start looking for a coding partner or small team. Then you can approach this like an open-source software project. Again, food for thought.
Nick Scipio
2018-07-30 15:10:52 +0000 UTCI do use the sheet for AL, but the Magic Item system is one of the really standout aspects of your work, so I'm all for you taking the time to make upkeep easier in the future. Thanks for such a great product! I tell everyone I can about your Patreon!
Melani
2018-07-30 14:59:19 +0000 UTCI would actually just love a stable version that has the faster spell sheet generation.
Erik T.
2018-07-30 14:57:30 +0000 UTCAny idea how far out you are on magic items?
Erik T.
2018-07-30 14:54:29 +0000 UTCIf magic items are contingent on a back end clean up that will make everything else easier to implement, do that first. Everything else will end up being less work and come faster. That said, I understand burnout, and hammering the same spot over and over again can lead to it. I'm okay if you need to take a step back and work on another aspect. Do you have any kind of deadline or feature cap for these backend changes to combat scope creep?
Ross Ramsay
2018-07-30 14:41:58 +0000 UTCNo care for AL...bring on the magic!
Caspian Quicksilver
2018-07-30 14:23:01 +0000 UTCI'd like for magic items to be done first as it's been on the wait list longer as well as there are a lot of things it can change on the sheet. Plus, I don't play AL so that's moot to me and everything I've read is that there's a bunch of backlash on it so there might be a retraction? No idea on that, but I do know that magic items for for sure here to stay.
Larry Hook
2018-07-30 14:16:09 +0000 UTCAs a non AL player I'd rather see magic items. Wouldn't that be more helpful for both AL en non-AL players? something like a leveling system should be easily manageable on a piece of paper while magic items can sometimes be a hassle to integrate. Or is this new level system super complex or something?
Kyllian
2018-07-30 14:12:17 +0000 UTCI have been eagerly awaiting the magic item changes, and I'm not fond of the changes AL is throwing at the players. That being said, I would personally prefer changes to support AL be first. I'm not sure how much of the existing code base has to be changed to include those changes though. I would almost say, whichever you can complete first.
Brian Oppermann
2018-07-30 14:02:17 +0000 UTCI voted for AL since I would love that support, but realistically you should probably wait at least until August 30 before starting working on it (the start of Season 8 - hopefully the new system will be locked down by then).
J.D. Moyer
2018-07-30 14:00:07 +0000 UTCI always hate it when someone cuts in line because they feel "more important". Magic Items have been waiting in line a while longer. FIFO (First in, First out).
Wandering Knight
2018-07-30 13:58:52 +0000 UTCI don't play AL either, it is not really a thing in the Netherlands. However, I know that a considerable portion of people supporting this Patreon do, so hence the poll.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-07-30 13:56:15 +0000 UTCI would really love to have support for whatever AL throws at us, especially for a logsheet that will work with the new checkpoint tracking. I can't live without my MBMP sheet!
Carole Oliver
2018-07-30 13:56:02 +0000 UTCA standalone logsheet would be the same amount of work as integrating it in the main sheet, so that's not really a better alternative IMHO ;)
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-07-30 13:54:16 +0000 UTCMPMB's sheets are far and above better than dndbeyond for all purposes, but especially AL. AL integration is not really a thing, yet. If we can't get it built into the main sheet, a standalone logsheet in the MPMB style would be a nice stopgap.
T.J. Lanza
2018-07-30 13:53:27 +0000 UTCYou are absolutely right, of course! My proposal is to wait with the core code changes for v13.1 and first make the alternative levelling system(s) work with the current stable code.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-07-30 13:53:15 +0000 UTC...doesn't (yet) fully support AL. According to BadEyeAdam (content developer for DnD Beyond), it's on their development path, they are actively coding for it. It's just not yet ready for prime time.
Mark Wilkins
2018-07-30 13:52:42 +0000 UTCThe way I read the announcement from last Thursday, it didn't seem to me that these changes are under review, but more like they were coming for sure. However, I did see the community's response and haven't looked around to see other official announcements/responses so it might very well be that this proposed changes isn't going to be definitive.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
2018-07-30 13:52:10 +0000 UTCI voted AL changes first because I play in AL and have no plans of using D&D Beyond (which also doesn't fully support AL, by the way.)
Ken Livingston
2018-07-30 13:49:45 +0000 UTCI think any back end changes are the priority. If you're making changes to core parts of the code that needs to be stable before a .0 release. Everything else is .1 type stuff
Andrew Burke
2018-07-30 13:48:03 +0000 UTCThe Adventurer's League is of no interest to me. Would not AL players use WoTC's dndbeyond and forgo PDFs? (I really have no experience with it so I'm just speculating.) Thanks for asking and keep up the great work.
Keith Hanlan
2018-07-30 13:47:49 +0000 UTCInitially I've selected AL stuff, as I play actively... but at this point they may revise it 10 times. It's better if you can focus on things that are stable and defined.
Igor Kadir
2018-07-30 13:47:31 +0000 UTCI'd say a v13 that is steady and behaves well with imports - even just for your updates to the speed and functionality of the sheet without AL and magic items is still worth it.
Luna
2018-07-30 13:46:03 +0000 UTCI would say continue working on the Magic Items as the new AL system was just sent out for comment, and there are heated opinions on both sides on the proposed changes. AL admins are collecting comments and proposals for the next month or so. I'd wait for awhile to add that function. In the meantime, take whatever time you need to straighten out your code to make things easier in the future.
Mark Wilkins
2018-07-30 13:44:53 +0000 UTC
