Help request(s) from one new to FG2

[Laconiclament]

Hey all!

So I recently got FG2, hoping to eventually find some games to play in as well as transition my existing rl D&D 3.5 game into a virtual format. I'm bound to have more than a couple of questions as I set out on this, so I figured I'd start my own thread. Apologies for any redundant questions, but while I've found many helpful threads thus far I haven't found answers specific to my needs. Please bear with me!

Firstly, I feel I'm missing something. For instance, I downloaded the free module The Wizards Amulet. In its readme it has the following line:

UnZip The Wizards Amulet.zip into your /fantasygrounds/campaigns/ directory.

There are no sub-directories under my fantasygrounds folder! Am I to just create the folders myself and FG2 will recognize them upon launch? If so, I assume specific syntax is required? Maybe I'm just a total fool and looking in the wrong place?

I have more questions already, but I figure that's probably the best place to start. I appreciate any and all help!

[JohnD]

Look in your Start Menu under FG and there's a link there to the right location. There are two directories... the install and the active directory where your campaigns etc... go.

If I'm wrong, someone more knowledgeable like Trenloe will come along and correct me. Welcome! :)

[Laconiclament]

Okay, I think I see what you're saying and if so I was initially barking up the wrong tree. However, I'm still with a dilemma even if this is the case.

You would be referring to the Application Data Folder, I assume? Clicking that takes me to My Computer. o.O

[Valarian]

Windows File Explorer (My Computer) will open, but the Application Data folder should be displayed not the base My Computer (showing the drives you have and the space available). Application Data is a hidden folder, so you won't be able to see it normally unless you've set the "See Hidden Files" in Folder Options.

Windows 7
The folder is C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Fantasy Grounds II
If you can't see the folder, go to Organise, Folder and Search options, View tab, Show hidden files, folders and drives

Windows XP
The folder is C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Fantasy Grounds II
If you can't see the folder, go to the View, Options, View tab, Show hidden files, folders and drives

[Cerowlol]

You can actually set the folder to be anywhere you'd like during the installation, as you get to choose two paths (one for the main folder with the executable and one for your Data).

If you are going to DM I'd strongly recommend you to change the folder to a more suitable place. The easiest way might be to just leave it where it is and create a shortcut to its current location. If you use Windows 7 you might even want to create a library for all your d&d stuff and include it there.

You can also just change the path itself. Just open the FG launcher and click Settings, in the following menu just choose a new path for your Data directory. This might also be the most convenient way to check the current location. I am not entirely sure if you need to copy the files from the old location to the new one yourself, I'd just do it anyway to be sure nothing is missing.

[Laconiclament]

Thanks for all the great help and suggestions, guys! It's very much appreciated. I'll take a look at it all again later, when I'm off of work; but I'm sure with these pointers it'll be a snap.

[Laconiclament]

Also, am I correct in understanding that since I have an Ultimate license I can have my friends download the demo (unregistered) version and still join my games? I know the directions for getting them to find my campaign and join it are on the site, so I can read up on that but I was just hoping for a quick affirmative on that so I can point them to the correct downloads. Getting all those ducks in a row, one step at a time! Thanks again!

[Mgrancey]

Yep, they'll only be able to edit their characters while in your game with unlicensed versions. FGII does come with a converter for Hero Labs, DnD Insider Character Builder and PCGen so they can build them there and then bring them in, but as a warning last time I had to use it (couple of months I think) it had problems with mounts/pets/companions/familiars and wouldn't convert them. They need to be built seperately or pulled out of their core xml and put into a new xml file.

[Valarian]

Also, am I correct in understanding that since I have an Ultimate license I can have my friends download the demo (unregistered) version and still join my games?
Just to clarify, the Unregistered licenses are still installed from the same installer as all the others - the one at the top of the downloads page. You just don't enter a licence key when installing. The demo version is an older standalone demo, which can accept a single client connection and you're unable to save anything.

[Laconiclament]

So I'm copying my players' chars over into FG2 now, and am a little unclear on some basic stuff there. Where the character sheet asks me for the class and level, do I just type that in? I thought one of the many great things about FG2 was that it would automatically assist you with level up process/keeping accurate base attack bonus/etc once it knew what your class was. I've been having a hard time finding the exact documentation that would best help me in figuring out if I've just been misleading myself or am just not best utilizing FG2. Thanks again!

[JohnD]

So I'm copying my players' chars over into FG2 now, and am a little unclear on some basic stuff there. Where the character sheet asks me for the class and level, do I just type that in? I thought one of the many great things about FG2 was that it would automatically assist you with level up process/keeping accurate base attack bonus/etc once it knew what your class was. I've been having a hard time finding the exact documentation that would best help me in figuring out if I've just been misleading myself or am just not best utilizing FG2. Thanks again!
If you use Hero Lab you can import into FG without having to do much adjusting. Otherwise you are entering your information manually.

Not sure where you got that impression from... FG does all the calculations (exceptionally helpful for Rolemaster) but only if you input the data appropriately in the first place.

[Mgrancey]

It does, but it doesn't automatically assign stuff for classes, there are too many variables in classes to do everything without alot more work. For levels you just put in the number, though you have to add Caster level for spell casting classes and the casting stat, after that it will auto calc standard DCs.
It will do the math for ac, attack, weight, skills, standard spell DCs (bonuses still need to be added manually), track spell usage if setup right, auto perform spell saves by NPCs if targeted before casting, effects and durations on NPCs and PCs. I think that's everything, but there could be more.
In effect it handles alto of nitty-gritty of gaming, but people still have to build and manage their character on their own.

[Laconiclament]

Is the Pathfinder toolset/feature of Hero Labs interchangeable with 3.5? I can't see any mention of 3.5 anywhere on Hero Labs page and would like to be sure the program can suit my needs before I shell out another $29.99 for something that, at its core, is a convenience.

Regardless, thank you for the previous clarifications!

[JohnD]

More or less, yes you can use Pathfinder with 3.5e. It isn't perfect, but it can and does work (I'm running the same campaign for separate 3.5e and Pathfinder groups with minimal changes).

When you buy Hero Lab you can choose what rule set you want to have come with it; d20/3.5e or the Core Pathfinder rules (IIRC).

Edit: if you plan on creating adversaries that have classes and special abilities, HL is an absolute must as far as I am concerned... export a stat block and import into FG and you've done away with a huge amount of fiddling.

[Mgrancey]

The two big differences that you can't avoid is the way skills work (to get around this, have PC's not select any skills as class skills) and 0-level spells (which are unlimited free castings). Every other automation for PF is similar enough that it doesn't make a big difference.

[Laconiclament]

I didn't realize that 3.5 was (or always has been) the exact same as d20 system. I'd just get d20, then, as I'm a tried and true fanatic of 3.5. My physical copies of every supplemental book is evidence of such, but that's besides the point!

I would be keen on trying out some Pathfinder, though. I've always been curious to see just how similar or different they are.

[Laconiclament]

Do characters I add to my campaign under the NPC tab automatically become visible by players, or do I have to share them first? This is definitely a question I need to ask before my next session (first one since the transition to FG2!) lol

[Trenloe]

I suggest you spend some time watching some of the videos the community has put together - links are available under the "Downloads" link at the top of this page.

The general, 4E and Pathfinder videos will all be relevant to you running 3.5e. While watching these have Fg running at the same time. Pause the video, try something in FG, resume the video, etc..

Also, the 3.5e user guide is handy: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/userguide35E/

There is a lot of info in here - keep an eye on the menu items in the sidebar, more sub menus appear when you click and item. It is easy to think that there is little info on a subject when there are actually a lot of headings that have just appeared in the left hand sidebar.

[Trenloe]

Additionally... you can connect as a player to your campaign and see what the players would see. Open another instance of FG on the same computer where the FG session of the GM campaign is running and "join game" as a player - user localhost as the host address.

[Laconiclament]

Thanks again for the patience and help. I know I grasp things more fully when asking something directly and being handled personally, but I know too how tedious or annoying this can become so I have been trying to temper the rate of release on my newbieness. I'll redouble my efforts to find the answers on my own, so that I can avoid asking the redundant; but thank you again for the understanding in the meanwhile. Apparently, it takes a while for this one to get familiar with all the resources here, but I promise I strive to not be a newbie forever! :P

[Mgrancey]

There isn't much in the way of differences, the basics changes are in

monsters
skills - simplified ranks and some condensed skills,
Combat Manuevers - trip, grapple, etc one or two rolls instead of several,
class structure - classes are slightly more powerful (melee characters get more benefits and spell casters get a bit more magical effects
and spell casting -- basicly 0-level spells are unlimited

[dr_venture]

I don't think anyone hit on this yet, but my number 1 tip for new GMs is to open a 2nd instance of FG and log in to your game as a player. You do this by first launching FG as normal, then once it's loaded and running, launch the FG app a 2nd time... but this time, select the "Join Game" option, and for the host address enter "localhost".

This will give you both the GM's view and the player view, which is incredibly useful. When I first got FG, I entered the characters, then ran some mock encounters and situations as both player and GM, so by the time I ran with a real player, I had a good idea of what was going on. Actually, I still have a player instance of the game running whenever I GM, just so I can switch over and get a reality check on what the players are seeing.

[Trenloe]

I don't think anyone hit on this yet, but my number 1 tip for new GMs is to open a 2nd instance of FG and log in to your game as a player.
Post #19.

:D