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Effects

Effects are a method of tracking ongoing and instantaneous numerical modifiers on creatures.  Effects can represent status effects, positive or negative modifiers, and even damage or heal over time conditions.  Judges/DMs can create an effect on one or more units any time.  In addition, any time a player casts a spell, they get the option to apply an effect.

Quick How-To

  1. Select the unit or units to be affected
  2. Either right-click on a selected unit and choose Alter > Effect, or press the X key
  3. Select the modifiers, duration, and save (if any) you wish.
  4. Press the OK button (green check) to confirm your modifiers
  5. Press the OK button again to confirm targets and accept the effect.
A more detailed, step-by-step guide is listed below.



Creating an Effect

When you choose to create an effect, you will first be given a window to name your special effect, set numerical components, and select targets.  It's entirely possible to create an effect that has no numerical components - just a name and maybe a duration.  
  • Fill in the desired name (like Prayer)
  • If you need to add more targets, click on the Target line.  You will be given a new screen that displays current targets and your cursor will become a targeting reticule.  As you click on creatures, they are added to the list.  Remove creatures from the list by clicking the X next to their name.
  • When you are satisfied with the name & targets, click the Effect line




Editing an Effect

The Edit Effect window gives you several choices, including Saving/loading, setting modifiers, duration, and saves.

Saving/Loading

  • You can save an existing effect that you've created by clicking the Save button, then typing in a name into the field provided.  This closes the Edit Effect window, so make sure you have set the properties of your effect before you save it.
  • Likewise, you can load effects that you previously saved by clicking the pull-down arrow next to the buttons, then clicking Load.
  • To delete a previously saved effect, select the effect, then press the DELETE key on your keyboard.

Tabs

The following tabs are available for setting effect properties.  Screenshots are below.
  • Attack:  set specific modifiers, which can be either unnamed or have specific names for stacking consideration
  • Ability:  Apply modifiers to any ability score.  d20pro correctly makes all necessary adjustments to AC, hp, etc.
  • AC: any kind of AC modifier, even Custom ACs can be affected.
  • Hit Point:  This tab lets you set hp modifiers.  This can range from instantaneous damage or healing to temporary hit points.  Some notes:
    • Set diced or fixed amount of hit point adjustments by clicking on the buttons
    • Choose the type of hit point adjustments you want by selecting them from the pull-down lists (fire, cold, etc).
    • Healing is considered a TYPE and chosen from the pull-down list (see screenshot)
    • Temporary hit points do NOT stack (as per 3.5 rules) and d20pro automatically counts only the highest effect total.  d20pro also correctly deducts hp from the temporary ones first.
    • Fast healing occurs at the beginning of the creature's turn.  
    • To apply Damage over Time, type a negative number in the Fast Healing / DOT box.
  • Description:  This is a publicly visible description of the effect, viewable by any owner of an effected unit.  Players that don't own the unit will not see this.
  • Notes:  These are general notes that you may wish to make about the effect.  They don't appear on the unit or tooltips - just here.
click for larger view

Duration & Saves

You can set durations in rounds, minutes, hours, days, etc. and d20pro will track the durations of the effect, automatically dismissing it from all creatures whenever the effect expires.    

Saves:  Saving throw values can also be typed here.  Some notes:
  • If a save DC is set, all creatures targeted by the effect will automatically roll their saves when you apply it.  
  • Creatures that make their saves will have a green asterisk by their icon.  Creatures that fail their saves will have a red asterisk.
  • You can manually change whether a creature succeeds or fails their save by clicking on the Target line after saves have been rolled (when you see asterisks).  Then move the creatures to the succeed or fail columns via the arrow buttons.
  • When you are happy with the saves and effect, any effect or damage (if applicable) is applied to the creatures.
click for larger view



Active Effects Window

This window lists any effects that are currently on creatures.  
  • You can dispel any effect as a whole by clicking on the X next to the effect entry. This removes it from ALL creatures it is on
  • You can remove effects from one or more creatures individually by clicking on the X to the right of the creature listing under each effect.
  • Effect durations are also listed to the right.  They automatically count down as time is advanced or combat progresses.  Effects that expire are automatically dispelled.
  • Any numerical modifiers and descriptions are also shown.