Mar 20, 2018 1:38 pm
A guide to a super helpfull character generator.
Character Generator Tool:
Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for our forums.
Mar 20, 2018 1:46 pm
Introduction
The character generator is located here and is available for free: CLICK ME
The first thing to keep in mind is that instructions on how to use this character generator is written up by the author of the excel file in the first 'Instructions' tab. There probably won't be much I'll say in this thread that isn't already covered there.
The second thing to note is this excel file doesn't operate like a normal excel file. You don't add data to this file and then save it. Instead, use this excel file as an application. You fill out your character information, it generates details of your character, then when you're ready to save, go to the 'Character Generation' tab and click Save Character. This will save a .rtc file. When you close this excel file, don't save the excel file itself. And the next time you open this excel file, to restore your saved character details, click the Load Character button in the 'Character Generation' tab, select the previously saved rtc file, and all your details will be loaded up!
The third thing to note about this character generator is that it is not perfect. There are bugs/mistakes here and there that I've noticed as well as certain things that it does not take into account. For example, attaching a 'mono' upgrade to a primitive weapon will remove the 'primitive' attribute from that weapon. With this character generator, the primitive attribute is still displayed when viewing the character sheet. It's possible to manually tweak and fix items like this but be aware that if you see a discrepancy between this character generator's output and what you believe should be on your character sheet, it's possible that you've found one of these bugs/mistakes.
The character generator is located here and is available for free: CLICK ME
The first thing to keep in mind is that instructions on how to use this character generator is written up by the author of the excel file in the first 'Instructions' tab. There probably won't be much I'll say in this thread that isn't already covered there.
The second thing to note is this excel file doesn't operate like a normal excel file. You don't add data to this file and then save it. Instead, use this excel file as an application. You fill out your character information, it generates details of your character, then when you're ready to save, go to the 'Character Generation' tab and click Save Character. This will save a .rtc file. When you close this excel file, don't save the excel file itself. And the next time you open this excel file, to restore your saved character details, click the Load Character button in the 'Character Generation' tab, select the previously saved rtc file, and all your details will be loaded up!
The third thing to note about this character generator is that it is not perfect. There are bugs/mistakes here and there that I've noticed as well as certain things that it does not take into account. For example, attaching a 'mono' upgrade to a primitive weapon will remove the 'primitive' attribute from that weapon. With this character generator, the primitive attribute is still displayed when viewing the character sheet. It's possible to manually tweak and fix items like this but be aware that if you see a discrepancy between this character generator's output and what you believe should be on your character sheet, it's possible that you've found one of these bugs/mistakes.
Last edited March 20, 2018 1:48 pm
Mar 20, 2018 1:50 pm
Character Generation Tab
Generally speaking, this tab will be used primarily to generate your character. After you've generated your character, I see only two reasons to come back to this tab:
1. To save or load your character using the save and load buttons
2. Something happened to your character in-game and you need to manually edit your character's characteristics. For example, something bad happened to my character and he takes a permanent -20 to Strength. That -20 is noted in the Strength row under the Bonus column.
The first thing to note about using this tab are the words Rogue Trader at the top in orange. If you click it, you'll see that you have dropdown options to select other rule systems: Dark Heresy, Deathwatch, and Grey Knight. For our purposes, we're playing Rogue Trader so no need to change the ruleset.
Aside from that, you'll pretty much just enter values or select dropdown options from the grey-colored cells. The values to be entered or selected are pretty much self-explanatory if you're following the character generation rules in the core rulebook.
A nifty feature is the Random Dice Rolls shown in green. Every time you enter a value or select a dropdown option then hit Enter, the dice rolls update. So it's basically a built-in dice roller if you want to use it.
On the far right, there is a list of Options and House Rules. They can be used to toggle content off and on (e.g. remove all rules and equipment related to the Hostile Acquisitions book) or modify the behavior of this character generator. I generally leave both of these alone as this character generator is already a pretty complicated excel file and I figure there is no need to really tinker around with these items.
Note that for initial character generation, you won't be using this tab only. You'll also have to use these tabs to fully complete your initial character generation.
- Skills, Talent, Advancement: You may or may not use these tabs during initial character generation when spending that initial 500XP every character gets at the beginning of the game
- Shop: You'll use this tab to indicate what starting equipment you have
- Equipment: You'll use this tab to actually equip your equipment onto your character
Generally speaking, this tab will be used primarily to generate your character. After you've generated your character, I see only two reasons to come back to this tab:
1. To save or load your character using the save and load buttons
2. Something happened to your character in-game and you need to manually edit your character's characteristics. For example, something bad happened to my character and he takes a permanent -20 to Strength. That -20 is noted in the Strength row under the Bonus column.
The first thing to note about using this tab are the words Rogue Trader at the top in orange. If you click it, you'll see that you have dropdown options to select other rule systems: Dark Heresy, Deathwatch, and Grey Knight. For our purposes, we're playing Rogue Trader so no need to change the ruleset.
Aside from that, you'll pretty much just enter values or select dropdown options from the grey-colored cells. The values to be entered or selected are pretty much self-explanatory if you're following the character generation rules in the core rulebook.
A nifty feature is the Random Dice Rolls shown in green. Every time you enter a value or select a dropdown option then hit Enter, the dice rolls update. So it's basically a built-in dice roller if you want to use it.
On the far right, there is a list of Options and House Rules. They can be used to toggle content off and on (e.g. remove all rules and equipment related to the Hostile Acquisitions book) or modify the behavior of this character generator. I generally leave both of these alone as this character generator is already a pretty complicated excel file and I figure there is no need to really tinker around with these items.
Note that for initial character generation, you won't be using this tab only. You'll also have to use these tabs to fully complete your initial character generation.
- Skills, Talent, Advancement: You may or may not use these tabs during initial character generation when spending that initial 500XP every character gets at the beginning of the game
- Shop: You'll use this tab to indicate what starting equipment you have
- Equipment: You'll use this tab to actually equip your equipment onto your character
Mar 20, 2018 1:51 pm
Mutations Tab
This tab is used to select the effects of your character's current insanity level, corruption level, and mutations.
If your character has gained a mutation, then select 'Yes' next to the mutation and the effects will be reflected on the character sheet.
When your character has gained enough insanity or corruption, the Advancement tab will prompt you to come to this Mutations tab to check trauma or malignancy. Follow the rules in the core book starting at page 296 or 299, then record the results here in the Mutation tab.
Overall, I've never used this tab much, but perhaps that'll change with how fast we've been racking up insanity and corruption so far!! (Which has been pretty cool, don't get me wrong!!)
This tab is used to select the effects of your character's current insanity level, corruption level, and mutations.
If your character has gained a mutation, then select 'Yes' next to the mutation and the effects will be reflected on the character sheet.
When your character has gained enough insanity or corruption, the Advancement tab will prompt you to come to this Mutations tab to check trauma or malignancy. Follow the rules in the core book starting at page 296 or 299, then record the results here in the Mutation tab.
Overall, I've never used this tab much, but perhaps that'll change with how fast we've been racking up insanity and corruption so far!! (Which has been pretty cool, don't get me wrong!!)
Mar 20, 2018 1:52 pm
Skills Tab
This tab is used to spend XP on skills. When a skill is available to your character in accordance with your character's class (aka career path) and current rank, the skill's cell is marked grey and a number appears representing the XP cost to purchase that skill.
If you'd like to purchase the skill, just click the tickbox and your character sheet will be updated with your skill's updated stat and the appropriate XP amount will be deducted. Each time your character ranks up, the skills available to you on this tab will be updated.
Skills that are not normally available to your character are marked in yellow but still can be selected in case something occurs in-game that gives you access to that skill. Presumably something special happened dictated by the GM that gives you access to a skill that you normally would not have access to.
In addition, there is the Misc Bonus columns. These two columns allow you to enter numeric values to add a bonus (which can also be negative) to a specific skill as well as enter an XP value to be deducted from your XP pool. Generally, these columns are used if you decide to purchase an elite advance but can be used to modify any of your skill values if needed.
Note that there will be some grey cells with the number zero that are ticked. This represents the starting skills that your character came with during initial character creation.
This tab is used to spend XP on skills. When a skill is available to your character in accordance with your character's class (aka career path) and current rank, the skill's cell is marked grey and a number appears representing the XP cost to purchase that skill.
If you'd like to purchase the skill, just click the tickbox and your character sheet will be updated with your skill's updated stat and the appropriate XP amount will be deducted. Each time your character ranks up, the skills available to you on this tab will be updated.
Skills that are not normally available to your character are marked in yellow but still can be selected in case something occurs in-game that gives you access to that skill. Presumably something special happened dictated by the GM that gives you access to a skill that you normally would not have access to.
In addition, there is the Misc Bonus columns. These two columns allow you to enter numeric values to add a bonus (which can also be negative) to a specific skill as well as enter an XP value to be deducted from your XP pool. Generally, these columns are used if you decide to purchase an elite advance but can be used to modify any of your skill values if needed.
Note that there will be some grey cells with the number zero that are ticked. This represents the starting skills that your character came with during initial character creation.
Mar 20, 2018 1:52 pm
Talents Tab
Similar to the Skills Tab, the Talents Tab is used to spend XP on talents. Based upon your character's rank, the Talents available to your character will be listed on this tab. To purchase a talent, simply click the tickbox of the desired talent and the XP cost will be deducted from your available XP pool. This tab is pretty simple and straightforward.
Similar to the Skills Tab, the Talents Tab is used to spend XP on talents. Based upon your character's rank, the Talents available to your character will be listed on this tab. To purchase a talent, simply click the tickbox of the desired talent and the XP cost will be deducted from your available XP pool. This tab is pretty simple and straightforward.
Mar 20, 2018 1:53 pm
Shop Tab
This tab is used to identify what gear your character has acquired. Just put a number under the Owned column indicating how many of any particular item your character has acquired. By default, the sheet will also copy that number over to the Carried column. If your character doesn't carry the item around, go ahead and delete the value in the Carried column.
For example, all characters pretty much start off with a void suit, but if we're planetside or on board our ship, we probably won't be carrying a void suit with us at all times.
Some items are grayed out. I have no idea why but if you figure it out, let me know!
This tab is used to identify what gear your character has acquired. Just put a number under the Owned column indicating how many of any particular item your character has acquired. By default, the sheet will also copy that number over to the Carried column. If your character doesn't carry the item around, go ahead and delete the value in the Carried column.
For example, all characters pretty much start off with a void suit, but if we're planetside or on board our ship, we probably won't be carrying a void suit with us at all times.
Some items are grayed out. I have no idea why but if you figure it out, let me know!
Mar 20, 2018 1:55 pm
Equipment Tab
This tab allows you to equip your armor, weapons, and provides a free text box to allow you to type in any non-standard gear you've acquired that is not listed in the Shop tab.
To equip your armor, identify the craftsmanship from the drop down list and the next cell below will list the armor that you own based upon your selections in the Shop tab. Select the armor you want to equip and everything else will be filled in.
For weapons, similarly, select the weapons to equip from the dropdown (which is populated by the weapons you've selected in the Shop tab). In the Quality column, identify the craftsmanship of the weapon.
Weapon upgrades can also be attached to weapons here. In the Shop tab, if you've purchased any weapon upgrades, then in the column to the right of the "Hand" column, identify the upgrade. That column becomes the name of the upgrade. Then within that column, identify the weapon that the upgrade is attached to and select 'Yes' in that upgrade's column. This part is not intuitive, so here's a screenshot of Aaron's character Kuros' Mono upgrade that is attached to his sword. Hopefully, the picture clears up any confusion.
This tab allows you to equip your armor, weapons, and provides a free text box to allow you to type in any non-standard gear you've acquired that is not listed in the Shop tab.
To equip your armor, identify the craftsmanship from the drop down list and the next cell below will list the armor that you own based upon your selections in the Shop tab. Select the armor you want to equip and everything else will be filled in.
For weapons, similarly, select the weapons to equip from the dropdown (which is populated by the weapons you've selected in the Shop tab). In the Quality column, identify the craftsmanship of the weapon.
Weapon upgrades can also be attached to weapons here. In the Shop tab, if you've purchased any weapon upgrades, then in the column to the right of the "Hand" column, identify the upgrade. That column becomes the name of the upgrade. Then within that column, identify the weapon that the upgrade is attached to and select 'Yes' in that upgrade's column. This part is not intuitive, so here's a screenshot of Aaron's character Kuros' Mono upgrade that is attached to his sword. Hopefully, the picture clears up any confusion.
Mar 20, 2018 1:57 pm
Advancement Tab
There's a lot going on in this tab. Attached is an image of this tab for my character Val. Generally speaking, this tab is used to 1) track your alternate ranks, 2) spend XP on characteristics, 3) mark down XP gained, 4) make adjustments to your character's current fate/insanity/corruption/profit factor/initiative, and 5) to spend XP on elite advances.
In the upper left corner there is the Career Path track. Every time your character spends enough XP to attain a new rank, you should select the drop down to select the new rank for your career path under the 'Name' column. This opens up the new rank's skills and talents on the Skills and Talents tabs for you to purchase with XP. Also, if applicable, you can select an alternate rank under the Alternative column. For example, this is where I selected 'Reaver' for Val.
In the Advancement table in the upper center/right, you can spend XP to increase your characteristics. XP is spent in the same manner as buying skills or talents, by clicking the tickbox. The spreadsheet will then deduct the XP cost from your currently available XP pool. For Val, you'll see that I've spent XP on WS, S, T, and Int. Note that there is a column to the far right labelled Unnatural. If you have a characteristic that is unnaturally high (which means your bonus value for that characteristic is doubled or tripled or more), then you can indicate that here. Val has a Cortex Implant that gives him x2 unnatural intelligence. So with an intelligence of 60, his normal intelligence bonus is 6 but unnatural intelligence boosts that to 12.
In the section that begins with the words 'Current Rank', there is a cell that allows you to enter the XP you've earned. So far in this campaign, Val has earned 750XP. Further down this column, the total XP spent is indicated as well as the XP left that is currently unspent.
This character generator tracks all the categories in which you've spent XP in the next column to the right with the heading 'XP Spent'. For Val, you'll see that I've spent 800XP on characteristics and 200XP on talents. So far, I've spent no XP on skills. The 'Other' option allows you to enter any number you want to be marked as spent XP for whatever purposes you may need, such as spending XP to reduce corruption or insanity.
In the next set of columns to the right the headers are marked 'Adjustments' and 'Current Values'. This allows you to track your fate, insanity, corruption, profit factor, and initiative values. Your fate will generally stay the same unless you have to burn fate to avoid death...or if something awesome happened and the GM grants you extra fate. Insanity and corruption will generally go up and whenever you gain either, entering the value here will add it to the character sheet's running total. In Val's case, at character creation, he already had 17 insanity (such is the fate of reaver pirates). Throughout this campaign so far, he's gained 7 points, so the current running total is 24. Profit factor can also be tracked here but is generally used only by the Rogue Trader since it is the same profit factor applied to the entire group. We could always use it simultaneously on our individual sheets in case the person playing the Rogue Trader forgets to keep it up to date. This reminds me, we had previously set our rogue trader's (Artimis) profit factor to 55. I'll make a note of that in my character sheet for this campaign. Initiative will generally stay the same but if something happens in game that permanently adjusts your initiative up or down, this is the place to note it.
And finally, towards the bottom of the screen is the 'Elite Advances' table. This allows the player to buy talents or traits that are not normally within the character's career path. All talents and traits are listed in the dropdowns and a customized XP cost can be entered. If the talent/trait received is unique, then you can also type in anything and not use the dropdowns. In Val's case, there are three talents listed with zero XP cost. This is because all three talents were received as a part of rewards from completing missions during this campaign. The first one Peer (Nobility) is a standard talent that I selected from the dropdown list. The second two, however, are new house-ruled talents that the GM created, so I typed in the talent name and descriptions manually.
There's a lot going on in this tab. Attached is an image of this tab for my character Val. Generally speaking, this tab is used to 1) track your alternate ranks, 2) spend XP on characteristics, 3) mark down XP gained, 4) make adjustments to your character's current fate/insanity/corruption/profit factor/initiative, and 5) to spend XP on elite advances.
In the upper left corner there is the Career Path track. Every time your character spends enough XP to attain a new rank, you should select the drop down to select the new rank for your career path under the 'Name' column. This opens up the new rank's skills and talents on the Skills and Talents tabs for you to purchase with XP. Also, if applicable, you can select an alternate rank under the Alternative column. For example, this is where I selected 'Reaver' for Val.
In the Advancement table in the upper center/right, you can spend XP to increase your characteristics. XP is spent in the same manner as buying skills or talents, by clicking the tickbox. The spreadsheet will then deduct the XP cost from your currently available XP pool. For Val, you'll see that I've spent XP on WS, S, T, and Int. Note that there is a column to the far right labelled Unnatural. If you have a characteristic that is unnaturally high (which means your bonus value for that characteristic is doubled or tripled or more), then you can indicate that here. Val has a Cortex Implant that gives him x2 unnatural intelligence. So with an intelligence of 60, his normal intelligence bonus is 6 but unnatural intelligence boosts that to 12.
In the section that begins with the words 'Current Rank', there is a cell that allows you to enter the XP you've earned. So far in this campaign, Val has earned 750XP. Further down this column, the total XP spent is indicated as well as the XP left that is currently unspent.
This character generator tracks all the categories in which you've spent XP in the next column to the right with the heading 'XP Spent'. For Val, you'll see that I've spent 800XP on characteristics and 200XP on talents. So far, I've spent no XP on skills. The 'Other' option allows you to enter any number you want to be marked as spent XP for whatever purposes you may need, such as spending XP to reduce corruption or insanity.
In the next set of columns to the right the headers are marked 'Adjustments' and 'Current Values'. This allows you to track your fate, insanity, corruption, profit factor, and initiative values. Your fate will generally stay the same unless you have to burn fate to avoid death...or if something awesome happened and the GM grants you extra fate. Insanity and corruption will generally go up and whenever you gain either, entering the value here will add it to the character sheet's running total. In Val's case, at character creation, he already had 17 insanity (such is the fate of reaver pirates). Throughout this campaign so far, he's gained 7 points, so the current running total is 24. Profit factor can also be tracked here but is generally used only by the Rogue Trader since it is the same profit factor applied to the entire group. We could always use it simultaneously on our individual sheets in case the person playing the Rogue Trader forgets to keep it up to date. This reminds me, we had previously set our rogue trader's (Artimis) profit factor to 55. I'll make a note of that in my character sheet for this campaign. Initiative will generally stay the same but if something happens in game that permanently adjusts your initiative up or down, this is the place to note it.
And finally, towards the bottom of the screen is the 'Elite Advances' table. This allows the player to buy talents or traits that are not normally within the character's career path. All talents and traits are listed in the dropdowns and a customized XP cost can be entered. If the talent/trait received is unique, then you can also type in anything and not use the dropdowns. In Val's case, there are three talents listed with zero XP cost. This is because all three talents were received as a part of rewards from completing missions during this campaign. The first one Peer (Nobility) is a standard talent that I selected from the dropdown list. The second two, however, are new house-ruled talents that the GM created, so I typed in the talent name and descriptions manually.
Mar 20, 2018 1:58 pm
Powers, Chapter, DW Mode Tabs
These three tabs are not used for Rogue Trader, so we'll just ignore these for this campaign.
These three tabs are not used for Rogue Trader, so we'll just ignore these for this campaign.
Mar 20, 2018 1:59 pm
Character Sheet, Modern CS, Text CS Tabs
These are all variations of the same thing - your character sheet. So based on ALL the info you had previously entered, these tabs display the end result as your character sheet. Thing is, I have found the 'Character Sheet' horribly ugly and difficult to read. I have found little use for the Text Character Sheet. So out of these three, the only one I really look at is the Modern Character Sheet, which is also what I print to PDF and make available for viewing for this campaign. Personally, I think the yellow color is awful, but hey, it's free!
These are all variations of the same thing - your character sheet. So based on ALL the info you had previously entered, these tabs display the end result as your character sheet. Thing is, I have found the 'Character Sheet' horribly ugly and difficult to read. I have found little use for the Text Character Sheet. So out of these three, the only one I really look at is the Modern Character Sheet, which is also what I print to PDF and make available for viewing for this campaign. Personally, I think the yellow color is awful, but hey, it's free!
Mar 20, 2018 2:00 pm
Talent Summary, Gear Summary Tabs
These two tabs are exactly what they sound like. They are listings of your character's Talents/Traits and Gear. These tabs provides more details about your character's Talents, Traits, and Gear than what is listed in the Character Sheet tabs. It's useful if you need to review exactly what your talents, traits, and equipment can do for you.
These two tabs are exactly what they sound like. They are listings of your character's Talents/Traits and Gear. These tabs provides more details about your character's Talents, Traits, and Gear than what is listed in the Character Sheet tabs. It's useful if you need to review exactly what your talents, traits, and equipment can do for you.
Mar 20, 2018 2:01 pm
This pretty much concludes the guide. If there are any questions, feel free to ask!!