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I'm curious if anyone uses army building software, as opposed to building armies with pen and paper.

If so, what do you use, and how effective is it, how much effort is required on your part to use it ( how much of the information do you have to load into the software your self as opposed to its ready to build an army )?

I use hq-builder.com, web based so can use it on any device.
Also it requires 0 effort.

I've been using Battlescribe ever since Army Builder stopped updating files. Honestly I just like not having to memorize every single point value of every single item in my codex, which is especially handy with Tau (who have a ton of different wargear options for their suits). I've found that it can be a little odd at times depending on the data file, but it's a great tool nonetheless. Honestly my only complaint, and this is basically with the specific datafiles rather than the program itself, is that you can't seem to get rid of the Forge World options for each army if they're included. It's can be a little bit of a hassle trying to find one unit when the list is filled up with units marked [FW].

As for how much effort is required, it's pretty user-friendly, though I admit I sometimes miss the way that Army Builder automatically enforces the rules; Battlescribe just gives you a tiny error message in the corner when you make an illegal unit. You do have to load your own datafiles into the program as well, but there's a tutorial of sorts that opens as soon as you start it up.

Best of all, it's free.

I use Battlescribe. It's free to use, and there is generally no effort involved, as you can find catalogues that other people made. Of course, if you wish to make your own, building catalogues isn't too much effort.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
@Locclo, if you have the computer version, (and know what you are doing), you can go through and remove all Forgeworld units.

Of course in my own personal catlogues, I'm leaving an option for supplements and forgeworld. It won't remove the options but will make them illegal.

I use battlescribe on my Computer,Cellphone and Ipad ;D

I use army builder. It updates quite a lot and is pretty accurate. It's from that I managed to calculate my 3300 point army

I still use the old-fashioned way of putting an army book/codex on my lap, grabbing a blank sheet of paper, and doing all the calculations myself. Afterwards, if I need an 'official' version, I just type it out in Word. Works just fine for me, TBH.

 Happyjew wrote:

Automatically Appended Next Post:
@Locclo, if you have the computer version, (and know what you are doing), you can go through and remove all Forgeworld units.

Yeah, that's kind of the trouble. I don't know what I'm doing.

A pen and a piece of paper is enough for me.

PS the poll is broken.

Besides Battlescribe, I use spreadsheet, and I use pen and paper. It all depends on how much of a rush I'm in to make a list.

Battlescribe is FANTASTIC!! After playing Warmachine and being spoiled by the War Room app, it was nice to find an app that was convenient.

I will work out a list on the tablet, then save it to word, where I can edit and add it rules and notes and things.

Army Builder was clunky when I used it, and I felt ripped off.

Quartermaster is brilliant, why put yourself through having to do a spreadsheet when its so easy? I also spend a disturbing amount of time making up list now.

Online Codex is the best I've seen so far, sadly it's only available in german.

You put the first poll response in the field for poll question.

That would be my answer, too, since I make lists by hand.

Quartermaster app - simple to use easy to export out of.

http://hq-builder.com/

I use that for lists of 8000 points or more (which isnt used too often)

and anything less is pen and paper.

 Rippy wrote:
I use hq-builder.com, web based so can use it on any device.
Also it requires 0 effort.

Thanks mate! Didnt know about it, awesome! I usually work with just word and codex, but for makin tourney lists is this much better!

Really glad I found this thread. I just downloaded Battlescribe and input my current list. It's great! It has my special rules, points, everything.

Really grateful and thanks for creating this thread. I had no idea things like this existed.

I would now change my vote from excel sheet to iOS.

I'm using Quartermaster and I'm realy happy with it, the only problem is that I now spend lots of time on the app just writing army lists and coming up with stuff that I want to buy

 UlrikDecado wrote:

 Rippy wrote:
I use hq-builder.com, web based so can use it on any device.
Also it requires 0 effort.

Thanks mate! Didnt know about it, awesome! I usually work with just word and codex, but for makin tourney lists is this much better!

You are welcome, they regularly update it as well.

I use battlescribe. Very little effort to find the data files. Also very easy to write you own data files, or update old ones.

I updated the necron one to include the FAQs, Forge World models, Apocalypse models and all Formations. Same can be done for any army with a little work.
Also wrote the Dark Harvest army list from IA-12.

 Locclo wrote:
I've been using Battlescribe ever since Army Builder stopped updating files. Honestly I just like not having to memorize every single point value of every single item in my codex, which is especially handy with Tau (who have a ton of different wargear options for their suits). I've found that it can be a little odd at times depending on the data file, but it's a great tool nonetheless. Honestly my only complaint, and this is basically with the specific datafiles rather than the program itself, is that you can't seem to get rid of the Forge World options for each army if they're included. It's can be a little bit of a hassle trying to find one unit when the list is filled up with units marked [FW].

As for how much effort is required, it's pretty user-friendly, though I admit I sometimes miss the way that Army Builder automatically enforces the rules; Battlescribe just gives you a tiny error message in the corner when you make an illegal unit. You do have to load your own datafiles into the program as well, but there's a tutorial of sorts that opens as soon as you start it up.

Best of all, it's free.

Army Builder has recently update just 4 days ago their warhammer 40k and warhammer lists and they seem to be all in order. They may not update as regularly as other newer software apps but their interface is one of the best

HQ Builder online is the next best it being free etc - would be good if there was an offline version of this online wonder. Its quick and easy to use

 Chopper Greg wrote:
I'm curious if anyone uses army building software, as opposed to building armies with pen and paper.

If so, what do you use, and how effective is it, how much effort is required on your part to use it ( how much of the information do you have to load into the software your self as opposed to its ready to build an army )?

I'm currently working on a piece of software that will min/max a list for me that will have the best odds of killing a pre-defined list.

I could probably sit down and work it out for myself, but this will just brute force through all the units to come up with the best combination for alpha striking.

Doesn't really help with tactics though as I've currently just set it to only consider weapons with 24+" range and only shooting attacks are considered.

 Avatrass wrote:
A pen and a piece of paper is enough for me.

PS the poll is broken.

Sorry about that - first time I have done a poll on Dakka, and the preview option wouldn't show the questions, so I couldn't see if there was a problem.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
So let me ask this-

Has anyone used both Battlescribe and HQ-Builder?

If so, how do they compare?

AB on a laptop.
Only because I don't want to deal with the BS of putting it on my tablet.

It's a pain having it on more than one device I'd love it on my desktop too but "oh well"

I use http://www.epicroster.com/

Lovely piece of software, all web-based, produces incredibly convenient and complete outputs. Not sure how its escaping GW's hammer. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 Chopper Greg wrote:

 Avatrass wrote:
A pen and a piece of paper is enough for me.

PS the poll is broken.

Sorry about that - first time I have done a poll on Dakka, and the preview option wouldn't show the questions, so I couldn't see if there was a problem.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
So let me ask this-

Has anyone used both Battlescribe and HQ-Builder?

If so, how do they compare?

I have battlescribe as a backup on my phone, but use HQ-builder as my primary. I like the layout and simplicity of HQ-Builder, and the fact that you can access on anything that has a web browser. Also they keep it regularly updated as lee the twitter feed linked on their site. Just waiting for imperial knights to be added now, I have my list ready minus 375 points!

Greg - you can always edit your original post and fix the poll.

I am looking to upgrade from my spreadsheets to something abit more modern.

I have logged into HQ Builder but i don't seem to allow me to add a Baneblade to my Guard list :(

Quartermaster is fantastic!