Several "How to" questions

[Weissrolf]

Hello, several questions about "how do I do this" came up lately:

- How do I start pointers (arrows, circles) from the field/center of a token (a grid field already occupied by a token)?

- How do I quickly switch GM rolls between visible/invisible without having to switch the settings first (keyboard modifier)?

- How do I get random/maxed HPs for pre-generated (Pathfinder AP) NPC?

- How do I quickly advance a day in the calendar?

- How do I lock tokens/pointers to full grid steps instead of half-steps (keyboard modifier)?

- How do I apply ongoing (aura/buff) effects to the whole group (party members standing within the aura range getting a permanent modifier)?

- How do I get a list of shared resources to quickly find/remove a share?

Thanks in advance!

[damned]

Hello, several questions about "how do I do this" came up lately:

- How do I start pointers (arrows, circles) from the field/center of a token (a grid field already occupied by a token)?

- How do I quickly switch GM rolls between visible/invisible without having to switch the settings first (keyboard modifier)?

- How do I get random/maxed HPs for pre-generated (Pathfinder AP) NPC?

- How do I quickly advance a day in the calendar?

- How do I lock tokens/pointers to full grid steps instead of half-steps (keyboard modifier)?

- How do I apply ongoing (aura/buff) effects to the whole group (party members standing within the aura range getting a permanent modifier)?

- How do I get a list of shared resources to quickly find/remove a share?

Thanks in advance!

1. simultaneously left and rick click and hold on the start position and move your mouse and release both buttons at the end point
3. which is it? maxed or random? check in options.
4. open calendar, click the new date, click the Set Selected Date button
7. open the campaign tool and click the All button bottom right and set it to Shared

[Weissrolf]

1. simultaneously left and rick click and hold on the start position and move your mouse and release both buttons at the end point
I tried that before posting here. Using both mouse-buttons registers as left-button when the mouse hovers over a token. This applies for players and GM, regardless of whether tokens are locked or not.


3. which is it? maxed or random? check in options.
Both don't seem to apply when I set the respective preference option. When I added several equal encounter creatures from the adventure module to the combat tracker they all got the same standard HPs.


4. open calendar, click the new date, click the Set Selected Date button
I found that, but hoped for a more accessible next/previous day button where I don't have to look for the current day first and then aim for the small calendar numbers.


7. open the campaign tool and click the All button bottom right and set it to Shared
Ah, great. Thank you! :)

[calexus]

For GM rolls, you can set rolls to visible in the settings and switch the dice tower on, that way when you need to make a hidden roll, you just drag the dice down to the dice tower and your players won't be able to see it

[Weissrolf]

Thank you, better than nothing, albeit I would prefer to roll the other way around (hidden with occasional open rolls). I mostly roll by double-clicking on entries, so the dice tower is a bit far off. I hoped for a keyboard shortcut to switch between hidden/open rolls.

[Griogre]

If you normally roll hidden, you can show the roll quickly by after it appears hidden in the chat, just drag the roll down and drop it - and chat will show the roll without modifiers. I do that for opposed rolls of note.

[Weissrolf]

Good tip, thanks!

[Kelrugem]

If you normally roll hidden, you can show the roll quickly by after it appears hidden in the chat, just drag the roll down and drop it - and chat will show the roll without modifiers. I do that for opposed rolls of note.

clicking on it with the middle mouse button works, too :)

[Weissrolf]

Good to know. Thank you.

Any hints on how to start pointers from below tokens? Currently we draw them at a different grid box and then move them to the token box, mostly for area effects that center on a token. But that's a bit awkward.

[Kelrugem]

I do this, too :) I do not know of any other better way; tokens sadly cover the note of the measure

[LordEntrails]

No, start pointers off of tokens etc and then move them into place.

[Weissrolf]

- How do I get random/maxed HPs for pre-generated (Pathfinder AP) NPC?

I would like to come back to this. Is this limitation with pre-made/bought adventure paths intentional or a bug?

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34451&d=1587977632
34451

This screenshot also demonstrates an issue with random NPC numbering. The first three NPCs in this encounter are *always* numbered 1,2,3 or 1,2,4. Even when I change the encounter to add single NPCs instead of 3 at a time the same thing happens. It also adds no number for single NPCs, which is kind of revealing.


- How do I apply ongoing (aura/buff) effects to the whole group (party members standing within the aura range getting a permanent modifier)?
Is there really no way of semi-permanently applying something like a +1 attack/damage with an easy on/off switch instead of having to manually apply the modifier with every roll?

[LordEntrails]

I would like to come back to this. Is this limitation with pre-made/bought adventure paths intentional or a bug?
Please post a screen shot of the NPC you added to the CT. My experience is that it depends upon if the NPC is setup correctly or not.


Is there really no way of semi-permanently applying something like a +1 attack/damage with an easy on/off switch instead of having to manually apply the modifier with every roll?
Create an effect, add it to everyone in the party and then the GM can turn the effect on or off as appropriate. Or have everyone create an effect of their own and make them responsible for turning it on or off.

[Weissrolf]

Thanks for the reply. Here is a screenshot of the Goblin Dog example I used earlier:

34473

I thought about the effect approach, but it seems that I lack knowledge on how to properly set this up. In the effect window I only seem to be able to set up a name and duration, there is no modifier automation happening based on the effect name (Inspire Courage) and I wonder how I would set up my own modifiers?! This is for PFRPG2, so I assume it depends on the ruleset being used?

[LordEntrails]

The random hit point thing might be a ruleset / NPC format thing. In 5E for example, NPC Hit Points are defined like "17 (4d6 + 3)" so that way FG knows what the normal is, but also how to calculate random and max. With PF2E example you gave, their is no way for FG to know how to calculate random or max. I would ask in the PF2E forum if those fields can use similar entries and what the proper format is.

For PF2E effects, I would ask in the PF2E sub-forum as that is going to be ruleset specific and I've never used it so couldn't even point you in the right direction (except to point to the wiki which I think you've probably already checked).

[Weissrolf]

Pathfinder 2's Bestiary works with fixed HP values instead of dice based ones, unlike PF1. So this likely is the main reason why Random/Maxed does not work then. I just checked a Pathfinder 1 campaign and there it works. So I guess PFRPG2 should just remove the Option, if rulesets are capable of doing so that is.

Adding effects that include modifiers would be very useful, but as far as I understand this is not part of CoreRPG then (on which PFRPG1/2 is built)?

[LordEntrails]

Rulesets can add and remove options. PF2E should have effects, other CoreRPG layered rulesets (PF1, D&D 5E, AD&D, etc).

The PF2E forum https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?105-Pathfinder-2-0 is still probably the best place to find or discuss specifics to that ruleset.

[Weissrolf]

Thanks, I will ask again there, but I already posted in a feedback thread that we have trouble getting an Inspired Courage effect working. So I don't expect an easy solution at the moment.

[Kelrugem]

Thanks, I will ask again there, but I already posted in a feedback thread that we have trouble getting an Inspired Courage effect working. So I don't expect an easy solution at the moment.

about effects see here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/PFRPG2_Effects :) (I didn't read everything here, but it sounded like you don't have the link :) )

[Weissrolf]

Thank you. I did look into the Wiki, searching for "Effects" and then clicked on the "Ruleset Guides" link. But then I made the mistake and used the "Effects" link under "Campaign tools", which brought me back to were I was before. I did not scroll down far enough to land on the PFRPG2 effects page that you linked to.

I see now that indeed one can include custom modifiers (like ATK and DMG) into the effect name field, although it does not automate from spell names alone. I tested this for "Inspire Courage;ATK:+1;DMG:+1" and it works perfectly, this is exactly what we need for various buff/debuff spell effects. Very nice and useful, many thanks for pointing me towards the right solution! :)

Now I have to wrap my head around how to allow PCs to target single and multiple friends and enemies to apply effects themselves.

[Weissrolf]

Ok, I got this. My player will like this a lot, as this has been our main hurdle during the first days of game-play. Thanks again.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34486&d=1588025013
34486

[Kelrugem]

Ok, I got this. My player will like this a lot, as this has been our main hurdle during the first days of game-play. Thanks again.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34486&d=1588025013
34486

Something with the image went wrong (at least I can't view it :D), but I guess you made e.g. an action in the actions tab for the effects? :) Targeting works as usual (in the toolbar are also buttons for targeting all friendly or non-friendly (N)PCs :) )

[Weissrolf]

Can you click on the attachment? All I did was upload an image attachment and then I used the img command to embed it into the post. I can use both the link and see the embedded image, but that does not seem to work for other users?!

Yes, I created an effect action for the Inspire Courage spell. I hope that these kind of effects are pre-included later when the PFRPG2 module has evolved further. I stumbled over another problem when I tried to create an AC: effect (is ignored), but I will post about this in the PFRPG2 forum.

So I assume the rest of my open questions are not available as features (anything modifier key/shortcut related for grid movement, calendar, rolls), so I have to post on the wishlist.

One more question came up, though: Is it possible to set a default "Group" for certain windows, especially the Story and Images & Maps windows or exclude modules? Having "All" as default is of very little use once the PFRPG2 module is loaded, because it swamps the list with stuff.

[Kelrugem]

Can you click on the attachment? All I did was upload an image attachment and then I used the img command to embed it into the post. I can use both the link and see the embedded image, but that does not seem to work for other users?!

Yes, I created an effect action for the Inspire Courage spell. I hope that these kind of effects are pre-included later when the PFRPG2 module has evolved further. I stumbled over another problem when I tried to create an AC: effect (is ignored), but I will post about this in the PFRPG2 forum.

So I assume the rest of my open questions are not available as features (anything modifier key/shortcut related for grid movement, calendar, rolls), so I have to post on the wishlist.

One more question came up, though: Is it possible to set a default "Group" for certain windows, especially the Story and Images & Maps windows or exclude modules? Having "All" as default is of very little use once the PFRPG2 module is loaded, because it swamps the list with stuff.

I just get the notification that the attachment is invalid; so, something went wrong seemingly :)

About the groups: No, the "all" group is standard :) I normally use the sear bar, and you can also click on the module name next to an entry to switch to that group :) (might be quicker than using the group dropdown)

[Weissrolf]

I also just noticed that the "SR Drag N Drop" module has those effects already pre-built into its spells, so I might just use that one instead of the official PFRPG2 module.

Here is the Inspire Courage example coming ready to use with "SR Drag N Drop": Inspire Courage; ATK: 1 status; DMG: 1 status; SAVE: 1 fear, status

Good stuff in there.

[Kelrugem]

I also just noticed that the "SR Drag N Drop" module has those effects already pre-built into its spells, so I might just use that one instead of the official PFRPG2 module.

Here is the Inspire Courage example coming ready to use with "SR Drag N Drop": Inspire Courage; ATK: 1 status; DMG: 1 status; SAVE: 1 fear, status

Good stuff in there.

that's a custom module? Yeah, custom modules can be created in such a way that the automatic spell parser will ignore custom-made spells; to do this:

1. Create the spell in someone's action tab, with cast, effect button etc.
2. Drag&drop the spell from the actions tab into the spells' group in the sidebar
3. that will create a spell entry there which will use your definitions of the spell, and the spell parser will ignore these spells (to avoid overwriting your changes) :) You may need to format the text, but that is just for aesthetics :)

(works similar for any other action, too, normally)

[Weissrolf]

It's a free module that can be downloaded here. It includes all PFRPG2 spells (and other things) including ready to use action effects. So I don't have to do these all manually, because someone else already did and shared their work. I only just understood this part of the package once I tried to do the action effects myself.

The official (paid) PFRPG2 module does not include these spell effects (yet), so it is a very welcome addition. Let's hope that SW does not pull it from the forum because of a paid for official version existing.

[Kelrugem]

It's a free module that can be downloaded here. It includes all PFRPG2 spells (and other things) including ready to use action effects. So I don't have to do these all manually, because someone else already did and shared their work. I only just understood this part of the package once I tried to do the action effects myself.

The official (paid) PFRPG2 module does not include these spell effects (yet), so it is a very welcome addition. Let's hope that SW does not pull it from the forum because of a paid for official version existing.

Yeah, I just explained how that free module was made :) Official modules often use the inherent spell parser from the ruleset, and, as typical for parsers, they do not work perfectly; that's the reason why someone made that module :) Just in case you ever want to make your own spells avoiding the parser :)

[Weissrolf]

Thanks again. Great info in this thread! ;)