Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed with stacks of RPG character sheets and unsure which one to start with? Every player has their preferences, whether it’s the official sheet or one created by a fan. In this article, I will introduce you to my favorite character sheet for the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. With this method, you’ll know your character inside and out by the end of the process.
Creating Your Character with the D&D Character Builder
First and foremost, I create my character using the Dungeons and Dragons Character Builder. It is by far the easiest and most efficient way to create a character for the 4th edition. Every available option for each selection is displayed, and with just a few clicks, you can create a complete character. As an analytical and slightly competitive person, I usually enjoy character creation. However, it does take time. I typically spend between 1 to 2 hours to complete this step. At the end of the process, I have a fully playable and printable character. This is where most people stop. They don’t look at the character sheet between its creation and the gaming session and, as a result, don’t really know their character very well.
The Problem with the Official Character Sheet
The problem is, I hate the official Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition character sheet. It’s a mess in terms of design. I’ve been playing the 4th edition for five years, and I still struggle to find information easily on the sheet. My favorite sheet is the one from Kiznit’s Dungeons and Dragons 4e, an editable sheet that you can easily find with a quick Google search. I removed the power and item cards from the template because I don’t use them. Then, I transcribe all the character information from the official sheet to the Kiznit sheet. This is a good time to double-check all the math calculations, as the character builder can sometimes make mistakes. Transcribing and verifying the information will make you very familiar with the character and its mechanics. I also delete the third page if my character doesn’t use rituals. The Kiznit sheets provide enough space to add background notes and combat notes, such as what the character’s skills do.
Customizing the Character Sheet
Sometimes, I stop there. I convert the Kiznit sheet to PDF and glue the official power/item cards on the back of the Kiznit PDF sheet, and I’m done. Other times, I decide to create my own power cards. This is often the case for psionic characters, as printing three power cards per at-will attack capability is ridiculous. I then switch to the DNDItalia power card generator. You can easily fill out the power cards, save the file for editing during level-ups, and convert them to PDF for printing. They have a great look and offer different background options to match various tastes. It’s also an incredible resource if you’re a Game Master and want to create professional custom powers for your players. Unfortunately, the first time around, it takes a bit of work. After that, you just need to add 1 to 2 powers at a time in the saved file.
Printing the Character Sheet and Power Cards
Once my Kiznit sheet is complete and the power cards are added to the PDF file, I’m ready to print. I print my Kiznit sheet in landscape mode with two pages per printed sheet. This makes the sheet a bit more challenging to read, but now it’s only two pages that I can easily flip through. I then print the power/item cards normally, nine per page. This minimizes the number of sheets I have to refer to. A level 1 character who doesn’t use rituals can easily fit in a double-sided plastic sheet protector.
Conclusion
By following this process in its entirety, you have double-checked all the math calculations and transcribed every facet of your character. This intensive process guarantees almost perfect mastery of your character and their abilities compared to anyone at the gaming table. Not only that, but you’ll have a better understanding of the mechanics of the 4th edition.
So, what are you waiting for? Try this method for creating your Frankenstein character sheet and feel the difference in your next RPG session!
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