Making the jump to MapTool

[DeadReborn]

Due to one of our group not being able to get OpenRPG to work on their comp, I've decided to give MapTool a shot. I've never had anything against it, I've just grown used to OpenRPG and never felt the need to change.

My initial concerns were that my computer, being the dinosaur that it is, would not be able to handle using MapTool to run a game. The second fear was port forwarding. Before this, I didn't even know what that was let alone how to do it. I've since purchased a better laptop and I think I got the port forwarding thing figured out, which brings me to the point of this topic. How do the macros from MT compare to nodes from ORPG? Making simple character sheets with simple dice rolls was a breeze in OpenRPG, can the same be said for MapTool? I've noticed there are other tools such as DiceTool, a character sheet tool, and an initiative tool, do I need those to run a game?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions later.

[alcyone]

I've run a couple of games with MapTool, and it didn't take me too long to set up macros, though I did it in a quick and dirty and non-general way. I am a computer programmer by profession, though, so I don't know if I just had a head start or it's that easy.

I play in nwelte's game using MapTool, and he has it set up pretty nicely; we all have sheets that inherit from a master (a 'sheet' is just a list of key/value pairs, though the value may itself be an expression), and the sheets contain buttons that key off of the sheet, so that work only needs to be done once. The buttons let us make SIEGE checks, heal, damage, attack with your main ranged or melee weapons with calculated bonuses, and roll initiative. He has it hooked into an initiative tracker, and I don't know how that works, but I don't think any of those standalone tools like DiceTool or InitiativeTool are necessary, but maybe a plugin on his end, maybe he can correct me.

He also has plugins installed that give us handout access.

The way things seem to work is everything is token-centric; your token has a sheet, and buttons, and a portrait, and tokens can inherit from other tokens, so you can make a template pc or template monster and make all of the others inherit from those so they have consistent buttons and stats.

[nwelte1]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns. It has a master map with token images, library macros, and etc.

I find MT to be pretty user friendly once you figure out basic dice expressions. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. I am not a programmer but have enjoyed messing around with MT. Its almost an addiction.

I run games every other Sunday. If you are interested you can pop in an see my session in action on August 7, 2011.

[DeadReborn]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns.

I'll definitely take you up on that. If you need it, my email is ghastly66@yahoo.com. And I hear you about the addiction, just creating maps with this program has kept me up the past couple nights.

Thanks guys.

[DeadReborn]

Another question: Is there a difference in having your players connect to the server you create or directly to your computer? Is one way better than the other?

[Aramis]

Another question: Is there a difference in having your players connect to the server you create or directly to your computer? Is one way better than the other?

We have tried both. On occasion it has appeared that "Direct Connect" has enabled us to load maps faster (large high resolution maps with many tokens can take a few minutes to load). However, we have not done it enough to know if it was in fact faster or just seemed that way.

By the way, I have posted this a few times for related questions, but if you missed it, here are some video tutorials that walk you through various aspects of maptools:

http://www.rptoolstutorials.net/

[DeadReborn]

Thanks!

[mordrene]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns. It has a master map with token images, library macros, and etc.

I find MT to be pretty user friendly once you figure out basic dice expressions. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. I am not a programmer but have enjoyed messing around with MT. Its almost an addiction.

I run games every other Sunday. If you are interested you can pop in an see my session in action on August 7, 2011.

My group is running to the same problem. could i pop in as well?

[nwelte1]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns. It has a master map with token images, library macros, and etc.

I find MT to be pretty user friendly once you figure out basic dice expressions. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. I am not a programmer but have enjoyed messing around with MT. Its almost an addiction.

I run games every other Sunday. If you are interested you can pop in an see my session in action on August 7, 2011.

My group is running to the same problem. could i pop in as well?

Sure

Game starts at 7:00 p.m. central and I will have the server up before that so people can connect. I will try to be on Skype earlier as well so that I can attempt to answer any questions.

[DeadReborn]

I'm starting to get the hang of it, but I'm gonna try to jump on tomorrow night and get some pointers. My Skype ID is deadreborn1. Which build do you guys use?

[nwelte1]

.85 cause on of our Canadian's has issues with .86. I am on. Feel free to long in as DM. Server - Nate's Game Password -TOEE.

Skye id nwelte

[DeadReborn]

I'm a little late getting on. Was going to lurk for a while, if you don't mind.

[DeadReborn]

On second thought, I don't want to interupt you guys. I'll try some other time.

[mordrene]

Sorry for missing as well. i was playing with my son and realized it was 7:30 your time.

[Falafel Brother]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns. It has a master map with token images, library macros, and etc.

I find MT to be pretty user friendly once you figure out basic dice expressions. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. I am not a programmer but have enjoyed messing around with MT. Its almost an addiction.

I run games every other Sunday. If you are intereste you can pop in an see my session in action on August 7, 2011.

I would appreciate a copy of your campaign template please

[MWJ258]

I can give me you my template campaign file that I use to start all of my Maptool campaigns. It has a master map with token images, library macros, and etc.

I find MT to be pretty user friendly once you figure out basic dice expressions. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. I am not a programmer but have enjoyed messing around with MT. Its almost an addiction.

I run games every other Sunday. If you are interested you can pop in an see my session in action on August 7, 2011.

I have just been volunteered to run something for our group on map tool, and I would be very grateful for a copy of your template. I aim to run a pathfinder adventure path using castles and crusades. My email is maconflynn@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks
Mark