Improvement: One client, multiple characters

[Valarian]

Certainly happens in my The One Ring games - extension of Foundation Core.
Can't reproduce it in the 3.5e ruleset, so the method of identity switching (single click rather than right-click and select activate) is working there. The double-click on the character sheet is also showing the correct identity for the roll.

[larzz48]

Alright, I've just tested this to verify that it is still and issue and it is. I will do my best to describe the behavior, though I may not have the vocabulary to accurately name the FG2 features that referencing. I game with PolishZeus (the original poster) and we use the 3.5E ruleset exclusively.

The scenario is from the PC point of view, not the GM. I run three PCs from one client. I keep all three character sheets open at all times (thank a higher power for dual 24” monitors!). During combat, I often move from PC A to the next (PC B) without clicking on the portrait because the character sheet is already open. If I make an attack from PC B without FIRST clicking on the portrait for PC B (an unnecessary step in my mind), then the attack is labeled in the chat as being made by PC A (not PC B as it should have been).

To be clear, when I say “make an attack from PC B”, I mean that I either drag attack dice from the PC B character sheet, or I select a target and double-click the attack on the PC B character sheet. Each has the same outcome.

This could be considered a minor issue, as the group usually knows whose initiative it was and that the attack actually came from PC B. However, this same behavior applies for all rolls. Initiative is another case that usually doesn’t matter too much because the Combat Tracker appropriately interprets the rolls, even though the chat does not label them correctly. However, last gaming session the GM accidently rerolled ALL initiatives instead of just the NPCs. We wanted to keep the initiatives that were rolled by the players. Easy enough, right? We just look at the chat to see what the rolls were. WRONG! The chat showed three initiative rolls for PC A and none for PC B or PC C.

This is also a much bigger issue when rolling Saves or Skill Checks. Since these are often not automatically applied, it is essential that rolls be labeled correctly, especially when rolled in the dice tower where the GM is the only one that sees the result. The PC is no longer able to watch the outcomes and help the GM determine which roll is applied to whom.

I hope this is clear enough.

[Griogre]

That's a good description of the issue. Can you also have your DM look and see what the Options setting for "Chat: Show roll actor" is?

[Moon Wizard]

larzz48,

I believe that the issue you reported is not the same as part the original poster's issue (though I may be wrong). However, I'm glad you reported it, since I was able to reproduce. Specifically, I had to turn off the portrait chat option and turn off the "show roll actor" option.

It's an interesting view for me into how everything has evolved in the ruleset. At this point, I'm not even sure that it makes sense not to show the roll actor for GM or player. If the GM doesn't want the players to see the name on a roll, then they can hide all their rolls or use the dice tower.

I'll probably change this after v2.9.3. For now, the workaround is for the GM to turn on the Chat: Show roll actor option.

Regards,
JPG

[PolishZeus]

larzz48,

I believe that the issue you reported is not the same as part the original poster's issue (though I may be wrong). However, I'm glad you reported it, since I was able to reproduce. Specifically, I had to turn off the portrait chat option and turn off the "show roll actor" option.

It's an interesting view for me into how everything has evolved in the ruleset. At this point, I'm not even sure that it makes sense not to show the roll actor for GM or player. If the GM doesn't want the players to see the name on a roll, then they can hide all their rolls or use the dice tower.

I'll probably change this after v2.9.3. For now, the workaround is for the GM to turn on the Chat: Show roll actor option.

Regards,
JPG

Thank you for looking into this and considering making the change. Larzz48 and I do game so his understanding of the issue is correct.

I appreciate VERY much all of the back and forth that has been described. To once again clarify my original post and what larzz48 said----

I have two character sheets open (we'll go with player A and player B....very creative I know). Player A is highlighted but it is player B's turn to attack. Without switching, I double click on player B's character sheet for an attack and the chat log reports it as person A attacking.

The work around that you listed moon_wizard will definitely help in the meantime. Even though the color of dice does not change, it will at least give us an opportunity to correctly represent which player is rolling.

I will be sure to post these recommendations in the right spot next time. Is it worth doing it now that you know it's on the radar?

[Moon Wizard]

I never doubted that it was worth doing; just needed to understand and formulate a strategy. I think that the strategy is going to require some more code changes than I want to include in v2.9.3 at this point, so I'm going to push to following release.

Regards,
JPG

[larzz48]

moon_wizard,

Thank you for your attention on the issue. It's been a real frustration. We used your proposed workaround in our gaming session tonight and it worked well. Thank you for that. However, the one place that we noted it failed was when rolling in the dice tower. I think the issue deserve a look to see if the mechanics could be improved. Thank you again.

[Moon Wizard]

Thanks for the additional information. I'm working on pushing v2.9.3; and I'll slate a fix for v2.9.4.

Regards,
JPG