I am just starting out with DnD. Having some spare time and a little bit of design background, I decided to try and improve the character sheet, to make it a little bit less crowded, more modern and maybe simpler. So here's what I've got so far
This is still work in progress, but I would really appreciate any comments!
Nifty! That lightweight, almost minimalist look is something I haven't seen a lot of in character sheet design. And the Saves icons are great! That said, time spent playing on a sheet really makes one favor function over form, and there are a few things about the sheet that make me go EEK when I think about actually using it for play:
The "Senses" section is really too small--At a minimum, I've gotta be able to fit in "darkvision 60ft", preferably with room for 1-2 more entries.
Hit Dice are a resource you spend--I'd prefer to be able to track how many I've used.
Armor section seems large, as does weapons/cantrips. People usually have a couple ACs that matter, and like maybe 6 relevant weapons/cantrips.
Conversely, Features and Traits has only enough room to write the feature name? Players usually prefer to at least be able to jot down shorthand of what the feature does.
All in all, I think you're really onto something with the aesthetic piece--most of the sheets out there try to mimic the look of the official sheet (or the official sheet from a previous version) and this is the one of the first ones I've seen that really has it's own aesthetic opinion. If you want to try and take it somewhere, I'd recommend keeping on playing D and D, for starters--experience using a character sheet is the best teacher. I'd also suggest trying out some of the unofficial sheets on DM's Guild. Don't pay as much attention to the design aesthetic--I think you have a good thing going here in that sense--but get a feel for content layout, spacing, and what you find makes play easier.
I'll second the suggestions made by tinalbatross, and add one more: where that dragon graphic sits would be a good spot to put an area for documenting tool proficiencies the character has, since those could benefit from a spot to track a modifier like skills have.
If I print off my next character sheet I'll definitely use this. A lot easier on the eyes and like you said not so blocky. Definitely one of my favourites.
I'll second the suggestions made by tinalbatross, and add one more: where that dragon graphic sits would be a good spot to put an area for documenting tool proficiencies the character has, since those could benefit from a spot to track a modifier like skills have.
I was struck by a similar observation. You have a lot of space dedicated to proficiencies at the bottom. Since most proficiencies are check boxes under the skills list, I would extend that into the list you made available at bottom center. I don't think you would need a long list of proficiencies, but my imagination may be failing me at the moment; other than languages, which I would include at the bottom of the proficiency list, you have Thieves Pick and Tools, Bard instruments, various other tools, weapon classes and armor, and some traveling vessels, right? So the space from under the skills list to the bottom could cover all these proficiencies and languages in a single column long list. This opens up the bottom middle completely.
You still need money and equipment. I am a big RP guy so equipment is a big deal for me. Rations, bedrolls, tinder boxes, mess kit, ... Then, apart from equipment and money you need somewhere to write down unusual treasure. I think if you put money on the front, the entire back could be dedicated to equipment and treasure of all sorts.
I would mark the PROF block under level and it need only be a small block because you adjust everything else for proficiency and everyone knows their leveled proficiency bonus so I don't think a big space need be allocated to it.
The space for saving throws could likewise be captured because except for the two you get raised for your character class the others are all "standard." Consider placing the raw skill score at the top in another oval bubble, the modifier inside the big box, and have a row of ovals along the bottom as you have now for saving throws. These ovals would have a means of indicating 'proficient' saving throws with a bold dot or a bold oval outline, and the saving throws listed for each skill. Moving saving throws into this space allows you to pull the whole skill tree up another inch. This gives you another inch for languages and proficiencies in the list under the skills.
A space for hit dice could be broken into "check dots" with a small number indicating the max. The shield for AC could be eliminated and a check box next to the AC of the armor you list would suffice.
Without any of these modifications, I think it is a very nice character sheet, especially for NPCs the DM has to track. The items I listed are only intended as suggestions for you to consider. Good luck and thanks for sharing.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I am just starting out with DnD. Having some spare time and a little bit of design background, I decided to try and improve the character sheet, to make it a little bit less crowded, more modern and maybe simpler. So here's what I've got so far
This is still work in progress, but I would really appreciate any comments!
This looks really nice! I like it's horizontally based pattern, very easy to get the info I need at a glance without the page swimming before my eyes. Thanks for sharing your work!
I would give your weapons and cantrips section an edit: Your "To Hit" should be "To Hit/DC". Some of your spells require saves instead of just rolls to hit.
I'd move all of the background info (personality, ideals, etc.) to the second page where you may have a more lengthy background, deity, orgs, spells. etc.
Keep nothing but the mechanics on page 1 and all the flavor (plus spells) on page 2. Gives you more room for more details for the features and traits.
I am just starting out with DnD. Having some spare time and a little bit of design background, I decided to try and improve the character sheet, to make it a little bit less crowded, more modern and maybe simpler. So here's what I've got so far
This is still work in progress, but I would really appreciate any comments!
Looks nice.
Have you seen all of the official character sheets available on the Wizards of the Coast website?
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Sure, saw all of them. Still they seem to have a bit too much blocks and borders, which makes them too heavy too look at, I guess?
Nifty! That lightweight, almost minimalist look is something I haven't seen a lot of in character sheet design. And the Saves icons are great! That said, time spent playing on a sheet really makes one favor function over form, and there are a few things about the sheet that make me go EEK when I think about actually using it for play:
All in all, I think you're really onto something with the aesthetic piece--most of the sheets out there try to mimic the look of the official sheet (or the official sheet from a previous version) and this is the one of the first ones I've seen that really has it's own aesthetic opinion. If you want to try and take it somewhere, I'd recommend keeping on playing D and D, for starters--experience using a character sheet is the best teacher. I'd also suggest trying out some of the unofficial sheets on DM's Guild. Don't pay as much attention to the design aesthetic--I think you have a good thing going here in that sense--but get a feel for content layout, spacing, and what you find makes play easier.
It's a good start at a redesign.
I'll second the suggestions made by tinalbatross, and add one more: where that dragon graphic sits would be a good spot to put an area for documenting tool proficiencies the character has, since those could benefit from a spot to track a modifier like skills have.
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If I print off my next character sheet I'll definitely use this. A lot easier on the eyes and like you said not so blocky. Definitely one of my favourites.
Well put together!
I was struck by a similar observation. You have a lot of space dedicated to proficiencies at the bottom. Since most proficiencies are check boxes under the skills list, I would extend that into the list you made available at bottom center. I don't think you would need a long list of proficiencies, but my imagination may be failing me at the moment; other than languages, which I would include at the bottom of the proficiency list, you have Thieves Pick and Tools, Bard instruments, various other tools, weapon classes and armor, and some traveling vessels, right? So the space from under the skills list to the bottom could cover all these proficiencies and languages in a single column long list. This opens up the bottom middle completely.
You still need money and equipment. I am a big RP guy so equipment is a big deal for me. Rations, bedrolls, tinder boxes, mess kit, ... Then, apart from equipment and money you need somewhere to write down unusual treasure. I think if you put money on the front, the entire back could be dedicated to equipment and treasure of all sorts.
I would mark the PROF block under level and it need only be a small block because you adjust everything else for proficiency and everyone knows their leveled proficiency bonus so I don't think a big space need be allocated to it.
The space for saving throws could likewise be captured because except for the two you get raised for your character class the others are all "standard." Consider placing the raw skill score at the top in another oval bubble, the modifier inside the big box, and have a row of ovals along the bottom as you have now for saving throws. These ovals would have a means of indicating 'proficient' saving throws with a bold dot or a bold oval outline, and the saving throws listed for each skill. Moving saving throws into this space allows you to pull the whole skill tree up another inch. This gives you another inch for languages and proficiencies in the list under the skills.
A space for hit dice could be broken into "check dots" with a small number indicating the max. The shield for AC could be eliminated and a check box next to the AC of the armor you list would suffice.
Without any of these modifications, I think it is a very nice character sheet, especially for NPCs the DM has to track. The items I listed are only intended as suggestions for you to consider. Good luck and thanks for sharing.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
This looks really nice! I like it's horizontally based pattern, very easy to get the info I need at a glance without the page swimming before my eyes. Thanks for sharing your work!
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I would give your weapons and cantrips section an edit: Your "To Hit" should be "To Hit/DC". Some of your spells require saves instead of just rolls to hit.
This is amazing! I hope you send this to Wizards of the Coast and get this as an official character sheet.
Legend of Zelda is the best
I'd move all of the background info (personality, ideals, etc.) to the second page where you may have a more lengthy background, deity, orgs, spells. etc.
Keep nothing but the mechanics on page 1 and all the flavor (plus spells) on page 2. Gives you more room for more details for the features and traits.
There's only missing 2 things :
1 ) The page with the spells & short/long history of the character.
2 ) The message : Player 1 INSERT COIN
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Nice! Very organized.
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