Hero Lab vs Pcgen

Struggling to choose between Hero Lab and Pcgen? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Hero Lab is a Gaming Software solution with tags like tabletop, rpg, pathfinder, dd, character-creation, character-management.

It boasts features such as Character creation and management, Automated calculations for stats, skills, abilities, Inventory management, Customizable character sheets, Rules enforcement and validation, Support for multiple game systems like D&D and Pathfinder, Shared character libraries and content and pros including Saves time with automation and calculations, Reduces errors in character creation, Easy to build complex characters, Customizable and extensible, Helps new players learn the rules, Reduces bookkeeping during play.

On the other hand, Pcgen is a Games product tagged with rpg, character-generator, d20.

Its standout features include Character generator for D&D 3.5, Pathfinder and other d20 systems, Manage characters, races, classes, feats, spells, equipment, Automatically calculate ability scores, skill ranks, etc based on rules, Generate printable character sheets, Share character data between users, Extendable and customizable via datasets, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Comprehensive rules implementation, Automates complex character creation, Works across multiple d20 systems, Customizable and extensible.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Hero Lab

Hero Lab

Hero Lab is character creation and management software for tabletop roleplaying games like Pathfinder and D&D. It helps players build characters, track abilities, manage inventory, calculate modifiers, and more.

Categories:
tabletop rpg pathfinder dd character-creation character-management

Hero Lab Features

  1. Character creation and management
  2. Automated calculations for stats, skills, abilities
  3. Inventory management
  4. Customizable character sheets
  5. Rules enforcement and validation
  6. Support for multiple game systems like D&D and Pathfinder
  7. Shared character libraries and content

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Saves time with automation and calculations

Reduces errors in character creation

Easy to build complex characters

Customizable and extensible

Helps new players learn the rules

Reduces bookkeeping during play

Cons

Can be expensive compared to pen and paper

Requires learning curve

Limited flexibility compared to paper character sheets

Requires constant updates as rules change

Can slow down gameplay


Pcgen

Pcgen

Pcgen is a free, open-source character generator and maintenance program for tabletop role-playing games. It supports Dungeons & Dragons 3.5, Pathfinder, and other d20-based RPG systems. Pcgen allows users to create and manage characters, races, classes, feats, spells, equipment, and more.

Categories:
rpg character-generator d20

Pcgen Features

  1. Character generator for D&D 3.5, Pathfinder and other d20 systems
  2. Manage characters, races, classes, feats, spells, equipment
  3. Automatically calculate ability scores, skill ranks, etc based on rules
  4. Generate printable character sheets
  5. Share character data between users
  6. Extendable and customizable via datasets

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Comprehensive rules implementation

Automates complex character creation

Works across multiple d20 systems

Customizable and extensible

Cons

Steep learning curve

Clunky and outdated UI

Limited support for newer systems

Data management can be complex

Requires manual work for unusual character concepts