Alternative army builders? (other than BattleScribe)

[Debauchery101]

The premium version is legit but on some devices its janky as hell.

 

The biggest annoyance I find is that for the last 2 or 3 months I will check off a selection or hit back after a selection. I'll choose to edit a different unit then say for example its some scouts...I load them up with cloaks, snipers and sgt loadout...I run 2 squads..I hit duplicate..I dont notice right away and start loading up other stuff..now I'm running low on pts and I see an Infiltrator squad of 5 dudes is now 205 pts vs 110..it wont let me edit those out of the squad and I have to back out like 12 times before it kicks to the main roster...that's not such a huge deal in that instance but ive also had it where it broke the app and I had to delete that Roster

 

2nd most annoying thing is that lately if I have 3 detachments in a list it most of the time will time out trying to load it. I now just take a Brigade

 

3rd issue I have is that there are some list entries that have compulsory options for gear, warlord traits, chants and unit size but wont include them....

 

4th and very specific thing is that the iPhone version seems to have delay in updates for the app and some marine chapter eliminators I noticed cant take 3 las fusils

 

Two things I'd like to be added, which I'd throw a couple bucks to get them started is a graph or an odds calculator for some math hammer. I would like to see a quick switch loadout option. So you can have preset traits, relics, gear etc for the same army and just hit like say vA, vB or vC on the army

Edited April 7, 2020 by Debauchery101

[Panzer]

And all the issues you guys as users have are nothing compared to the issues the people have which work behind the curtain trying to bend the app to their will so all the new rules and stuff are in there. The app works but it's bloated as hell the way it got written. :sweat:

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

The premium version is legit but on some devices its janky as hell.

 

The biggest annoyance I find is that for the last 2 or 3 months I will check off a selection or hit back after a selection. I'll choose to edit a different unit then say for example its some scouts...I load them up with cloaks, snipers and sgt loadout...I run 2 squads..I hit duplicate..I dont notice right away and start loading up other stuff..now I'm running low on pts and I see an Infiltrator squad of 5 dudes is now 205 pts vs 110..it wont let me edit those out of the squad and I have to back out like 12 times before it kicks to the main roster...that's not such a huge deal in that instance but ive also had it where it broke the app and I had to delete that Roster

 

2nd most annoying thing is that lately if I have 3 detachments in a list it most of the time will time out trying to load it. I now just take a Brigade

 

3rd issue I have is that there are some list entries that have compulsory options for gear, warlord traits, chants and unit size but wont include them....

 

4th and very specific thing is that the iPhone version seems to have delay in updates for the app and some marine chapter eliminators I noticed cant take 3 las fusils

 

Two things I'd like to be added, which I'd throw a couple bucks to get them started is a graph or an odds calculator for some math hammer. I would like to see a quick switch loadout option. So you can have preset traits, relics, gear etc for the same army and just hit like say vA, vB or vC on the army

ive never has any of these issues. Note it runs best on mobile platforms.

[NTaW]

We're straying pretty far afield of the initial topic here (myself included). 

 

Does anyone have suggestions for an army building app that isn't Battlescribe or a piece of paper and the current book(s)?

[NemFX]

Honestly, I don't mind being wrong on the topic of if battlescribe sucks or doesn't. I know lots of effort has been put into it. I am definitely more upset about the fact that nobody seems to have consensus on which thing we should default to, which is the larger issue. I explained the 3rd edition codex to someone today, and they were astonished at how easy it was, and I do wish we had an option like that again.

 

Honestly, if GW would just have some sort of digital index, just to say 'hey these are the point costs' or even just 'use the rules from X book for X unit' would be awesome. This edition has been so confusing that I haven't been able to play a single game, because the game stores I go to have had so many problems with the 8th rules that we literally don't use them. I have seen more 4th and 5th edition codexes than I thought I would ever see again.

 

(I just want to rip and tear with my Flesh Tearers, is it so much to ask?)

[Panzer]

Honestly, I don't mind being wrong on the topic of if battlescribe sucks or doesn't. I know lots of effort has been put into it. I am definitely more upset about the fact that nobody seems to have consensus on which thing we should default to, which is the larger issue. I explained the 3rd edition codex to someone today, and they were astonished at how easy it was, and I do wish we had an option like that again.

 

Honestly, if GW would just have some sort of digital index, just to say 'hey these are the point costs' or even just 'use the rules from X book for X unit' would be awesome. This edition has been so confusing that I haven't been able to play a single game, because the game stores I go to have had so many problems with the 8th rules that we literally don't use them. I have seen more 4th and 5th edition codexes than I thought I would ever see again.

 

(I just want to rip and tear with my Flesh Tearers, is it so much to ask?)

 

What do you mean no consensus on which thing to default to? For where to find the point costs? There is a clear consensus. The latest Chapter approved with the according FAQ/Errata. The Psychic Awakening books are supplements which only include a reprint of the same point costs for convenience sake.

 

No idea why it's this confusing for you.

[FlamingDeth]

Back when I used iOS stuff there was an app called Quartermaster that worked pretty well. I haven't used apple stuff in a while though and am finding battlescribe works fine for me.

[Interrogator Stobz]

I fully understand any frustration with figuring out lists as a casual player in 8th, it's gone mad.

I wouldn't call 8th merely well supported anymore, there's far too many books changing things too often and the 'support' does more harm than good for us casuals.

If GW make the 8th Ed to 9th Ed shift like the 2nd-3rd simplification It.Would.Be.Awesome.

I stopped playing 2nd due to bloat and have done the same with 8th.

My competative friends love 8th, so it's not all bad of course, but as a casual player 3rd was a revival for me and I'm ever optimistic that the wheels will turn in my favour again.

 

This relates directly to Battlescribe; the BS team does a pretty damned good job of collating the hot mess which is 8th; nothing's perfect, but look at what they are working with.

In answer to th OPs original question, nope, it's as good as you can get.

Edited April 8, 2020 by Interrogator Stobz

[Closet Skeleton]

I explained the 3rd edition codex to someone today, and they were astonished at how easy it was, and I do wish we had an option like that again.

 

(I just want to rip and tear with my Flesh Tearers, is it so much to ask?)

 

3rd ed Flesh Tearers were a codex, a codex supplement and a white dwarf article and even with that you were missing out on the Terminator invulnerable save rules which were in a different white dwarf or chapter approved. Comparing late 8th to early 3rd isn't a fair comparison. 3rd ed also had Chapter Approved rules and books and warzone supplements for jungle and city fighting and a complete overhaul of the vehicle rules and then beta versions of the 4th ed close combat rules thrown in at the end.

 

At least in 8th each version of Chapter Approved invalidates all the non-flavour stuff from the previous ones.

 

 

I fully understand any frustration with figuring out lists as a casual player in 8th, it's gone mad.

I wouldn't call 8th merely well supported anymore, there's far too many books changing things too often and the 'support' does more harm than good for us casuals.

If GW make the 8th Ed to 9th Ed shift like the 2nd-3rd simplification It.Would.Be.Awesome.

7th to 8th was a massive simplification. Current 8th has all the same problems as late 3rd but stuff is still easier to find, doing a big over-simplification again is just asking to be in the same place in 3 years.

Edited April 9, 2020 by Closet Skeleton

[Interrogator Stobz]

7th to 8th started as a great simplification and I really enjoyed it, but now it is now far worse than late 3rd for figuring out what to use and where things are and how they interact. But ymmv.

Comparing early 3rd with early 8th is totally valid, but 8th now is a totally different beast.

The extra books in 8th affect codexes and add additional things to adjust points and unit rules etc, by comparison the extra books in 3rd were supplementary to the core rules and didn't directly affect units and points.

 

Late 3rd warzone stuff was more optional than the current campaign books, 8th is by far worse for balancing on a site like BS.

Edited April 9, 2020 by Interrogator Stobz

[Interrogator Stobz]

+++This is important, any argument or discussion about that must remain on topic.+++ Edited April 9, 2020 by Interrogator Stobz

[NemFX]

I'm frustrated with battlescribe mostly because it says things are invalid, while the codex says its fine. It's frustrating because I can't make an army list for a game, unless everyone can agree with stuff :/

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Find other software.

[tychobi]

I'm frustrated with battlescribe mostly because it says things are invalid, while the codex says its fine. It's frustrating because I can't make an army list for a game, unless everyone can agree with stuff :/

I have found some stuff is just not where you think it is. What discrepancies are you talking about specifically?

[Sugarlessllama]

Sorry, I can't think of any other software that is currently in use. If you are struggling with building lists, I would suggest using pencil and paper. Your codex, and the Blood Angels entry from Psychic Awakening should be all you need.

 

I'm sorry that your local gaming group is having a hard time with 8th. But hopefully, if everyone picks up the PA book that covers their faction, they should be set when they combine that with the base information from their faction codex. 

 

I have found that when all else fails, pencil and paper is always best. :D 

[Dosjetka]

=][= We've left the realms of "alternative army builders" and firmly gone off onto tangents. Let's focus less on the "BattleScribe sucks" (because we could go on and on, back and forth for many days/weeks/months/years, to the point where it becomes repetitive and non-constructive) and more on the "what are the viable alternatives to this particular app". Thank you. =][=

[NemFX]

Specifically I have problems with wargear. The code says we can take power weapons for Death Company, but Battlescribe says we can't. Actually, it has problems with taking most upgrades. To settle the argument, should I just use the rules from the codex, and the point values from Battlescribe? I don't seem to have access to Chapter Approved since GW's site isn't selling anything right now

[MARK0SIAN]

Specifically I have problems with wargear. The code says we can take power weapons for Death Company, but Battlescribe says we can't. Actually, it has problems with taking most upgrades. To settle the argument, should I just use the rules from the codex, and the point values from Battlescribe? I don't seem to have access to Chapter Approved since GW's site isn't selling anything right now

I just tried adding some power weapons to death company. The option is there but to be fair it’s not immediately obvious. When you click on the death company marine you see two options: 1) Chainsword & Bolt pistol OR 2) Thunder hammer. If you untick the chainsword and bolt pistol option, all the power weapon options then appear.

 

It’s not very intuitive I’ll admit but it is there.

[Sky Potato]

You need to unselect the default codex options before you can select a new load out option.

 

Seems pretty intuitive to me - actively choosing to untick what the unit normally comes with in order to select something else.

[MARK0SIAN]

You need to unselect the default codex options before you can select a new load out option.

 

Seems pretty intuitive to me - actively choosing to untick what the unit normally comes with in order to select something else.

It’s fine for it to default to the standard option, however you can’t even see the other options until you untick the default option. Apart from the thunder hammer for some reason. That’s the bit that’s counter intuitive, it makes it look like they’re the only two options. Edited April 10, 2020 by MARK0SIAN

[Panzer]

It also doesn't help that different unit entries follow a different logic. That's what you get when you have multiple different people working on the files in their freetime trying to somehow make things work. :sweat:

[NemFX]

I have already done that, but when I click power sword (either one) it comes up with an error about not being allowed to take it.

[Panzer]

I have already done that, but when I click power sword (either one) it comes up with an error about not being allowed to take it.

 

Can't reproduce that behaviour. Do you use the latest version of the Blood Angels file as well as Battlescribe itself?

[Sky Potato]

Do you have Power Sword selected in both the “Melee Weapon” and “Ranged/Melee Weapon”?

 

Having two Power Swords selected is the only way I can a get the error icon at the top of my phone screen to appear.

[Vermintide]

You do have to learn your way around a lot of idiosyncrasies, but if you spend much time with it (who doesn't just sit and make lists for fun?) you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

For instance, some genius managed to get space marine scout squads to display as a single unit, like the codex entry. But for blood angels, the same scout squads each have their own individual entry, so you end up with line after line of "Scout (11pts), Scout (11pts) Scout (11pts) etc..." If BA and regular SM have different loadout tailoring rules, that would make sense; but as far as I'm aware neither allow you to freely mix the CC variant with ranged variants. Sometimes it just be like that.

You get used to it- Just remember to check with the codex to make sure what you have equipped is legal. And vice versa- Sometimes it doesn't let you do something that IS legal, so you just have to make a list it thinks is "invalid".