18 replies to this topic

[numma_cway]

There are so many build editors around, so why make a new one? Well...

• team builds
  
• create builds with your friends over the internet
  
• save and manage the builds on your computer
  
• nearly all equipment and attribute effects being calculated
  
• useful tools
  
• free download
  
• no ads

If you want that, you need paw·ned‹4›2 (paw·ned for 2), created by a team of developers and wikians (of the German wiki) over the past 10 months and tested by more than 30 testers.

paw·ned‹4›2 in use. This screenshot was made from multiple ones.

So what’s in? Here’s the list:

• Team builds: Create a team build offline on your computer, or with your friends in a channel on our server. Weaponsets, slot skills, traits, amulets and upgrades are synced across the users in a channel and directly affect damage, boon and condition values in skill descriptions. There is also a detailed list of each character’s attributes.
  
• Browser: Builds are saved in a subfolder of your Guild Wars 2 profile folder. You can open them as a document or load into a channel. The browser also provides you with options to rename or move files.
  
• you·pawned: How to move builds from one computer to another and how do you give builds to other players without them vandalizing your channel? Well, that’s why we created you·pawned. Just one click and your build is in the cloud and you are given a number so everyone can access it. There is also a history of received numbers.
  
• Screenshots: Create a screenshot of your build by choosing from 3 designs.
  
• Playlist Editor: Guild Wars 2 provides an interface for custom music. If you don’t want to bother about filenames and file formats, then the playlist editor might be just for you. Simply drag and drop files and click save.

What are you waiting for? Oh, the download...
DOWNLOAD (5.16 MiB)
It’s an installer, but you can also extract it with some tools like 7-Zip.

As people might find EXE files suspicious, here’s some info on the tool’s background and its authors:

• There is no interaction with the Guild Wars 2 client. And there won’t ever be.
  
• Some of the developers already brought you paw·ned². It gained popularity on Guild Wars Guru back in 2009.
  
• The release of the German version had a news on Germany’s biggest fansite Wartower one week ago.
  
• We’re of course checking the releases via VirusTotal.
  
• I’m not entirely sure if this will run on Linux using wine.

We all hope you enjoy it and would like to hear your feedback.

Edited by numma_cway, 07 October 2012 - 11:32 AM.

[MHSwiffle]

Interesting enough, will test it out.

[numma_cway]

To be honest, I expected more feedback. Any type of feedback is welcome, especially suggestions for new features.

Anyway, here's the changelog to date:

Quote

tables.dll, descriptions-de.csv, skillbasics-de.csv, skillbasics-en.csv - 201210081726
(October 8th Game Update)

• (tables.dll) Moved Guardian Greatsword skills.
  
• (tables.dll) Fixed severe bug with the Spectral Walk effect display.
  
• (skillbasics-de.csv, skillbasics-en.csv, descriptions-de.csv) Updated

pawned42.exe - unknown

• Fixed a display bug related to skills with multiple types.

pawned42.exe - 201210090054

• Fixed a bug with the screenshot window when saving files without having the auto-close checkbox checked
  
• Fixed a bug that prevented the tab caption of you·pawned downloads from refreshing
  
• PNG and JPG screenshots can now contain metadata, allowing paw·ned‹4›2 to restore the build from them. Screenshots saved with this feature enabled have a note in the bottom right saying “Build in Image”.
  
• There are two features to load such builds: by file or by download. The latter is basically not necessary because starting with Windows XP, one can enter URLs in the open dialog for files.

pawned42.exe - 201210090110

• Fixed a severe bug that displayed wrong trait numbers.
  
• You can no longer copy a teambuild to its own tab.

Official release (new installer)

items-upgrades-jewels.dds - 201210120848

• Updated the Perfect Drakspar Jewel’s icon.

pawned42.exe, tables.dll - 201210130036

• (tables.dll) Renamed a lot of skills in the German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• (tables.dll) Fixed a recently re-introduced bug that mixed up the two Burning Speeds
  
• (tables.dll) Swapped toolkit 3 and 5
  
• (tables.dll) Added missing translations in German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• (tables.dll) Added English description for Prowl effect.
  
• Changed order of some tables which does not currently make a difference but may do so later.
  
• You can copy item chatcodes to your clipboard, either the upgraded ones or the components alone.
  
• (pawned42.exe) Added context menu to pet list so you can use the context menu for pets skills.
  
• Added feature to copy skill chatcodes for non-pets skills.
  
• Added two types of chatcodes (because of limited chat length) for certain character infos.
  Skills: Weapons without upgrades, skills, traits
  Items: Weapons with upgrades, armor upgrades (grouped by using stack sizes)
  Do you have an idea for new chatcode templates? Send it to me. The maximum length is 199 characters. Upgraded items count as 19 character, everything else counts as 11. The way traits look in the current skill chatcode needs roughly 50 characters.

tables.dll, descriptions-de.csv, descriptions-en.csv, skillbasics-de.csv, skillbasics-en.csv, slots-engineer.dds - 201210131253

• Added underwater replacements: Box of Piranhas, Deploy Mine
  
• (tables.dll) Renamed a lot of skills in the German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• (skillbasics-de.csv, skillbasics-en.csv, descriptions-de.csv) Updated (with focus on racial skills)
  
• (descriptions-en.csv) Updated

tables.dll - 201210131255

• Updated effect table

tables.dll - 201210131259

• Fixed context text (left of the icon in the related skills bar) of the newly-introduced two skills

pawned42.exe, gfx.dll - unknown

• The application does now properly disconnect if it notices a connection loss while pinging the server
  
• Added menu icons for Build in Image
  
• Added icon for cast time, which is not in use yet

pawned42.exe - 201210142205

• Fixed bug with chatcodes for professions with only one weaponset

descriptions-de.csv, descriptions-en.csv, skillbasics-de.csv, skillbasics-en.csv, misc-engineer.dds, weapons-mesmer.dds, gfx.dll - 201210161329

• (tables.dll) Renamed a skill in the German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• Added mesmer skill: Into the Void
  
• Added the following engineer skills: Grenade Barrage (underwater), underwater Elixir tossing skills and their detonation chain skills
  
• (tables.dll) Fixed incorrect Necromancer Warhorn chatcodes.
  
• (tables.dll) Renamed two skills in the German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• Added new effect for Protection without duration
  
• Renamed some skills in the German version. (Details not given in the English changelog)
  
• (tables.dll) Fixed chat codes of the following thief skills: Blackpowder, Detonate Cluster
  
• (gfx.dll) Added two new effect icons
  
• (tables.dll) Added and updated effects

tables.dll - 201210161333

• This file was not properly put into the update queue with the last update

tables.dll - 201210200353

• Fixed English name of Dark Water
  
• Added chatcodes for most pet skills

[okaygo]

Hi numma,

I use the program from time to time to save/share builds and make comps with my teams. Some things are unclear with the UI to new users, but after a few times of using it I think I have figured most of it out.

Ex: Trait selection may need icons too to add/remove points.

Another things is that sometimes it seems like the stats aren't right, but I'm not sure where the difference is coming from.

It would be cool if we could share public builds/then browse them etc.

Try to find a streamer team to promote this tool as it is very useful atm since there is no ingame build editor and no other team editor like this.

Thank you for the tool!!

[Niamak]

Great tool !

I think It would be cool if we could have more than 5 builds per channel/template for easier builds sharing.

[numma_cway]

okaygo, on 02 November 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Ex: Trait selection may need icons too to add/remove points.

Sound like an idea. There is this space between the skill bar and the trait line name, which was originally intended for small icons for the corresponding attributes (like power and condition damage), but the space was too small for the icons to be distinct (condition damage and critical damage looked nearly the same). Arrows however might just be perfect for that space. I'll check that out.

okaygo, on 02 November 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Another things is that sometimes it seems like the stats aren't right, but I'm not sure where the difference is coming from.

Can you give me an example? I will then take a look.

okaygo, on 02 November 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

It would be cool if we could share public builds/then browse them etc.

I already thought about creating a website that does simply list the builds uploaded. However, I'd rather not be able to add all the skill effects as they require some calculations.
However, such a list would require you to build some sort of community around it for rating the builds to not get lost in the big number of builds. I'm a little scared of the “side effects” doing this (like spamming and illegal stuff). However, I could try this if people want.

okaygo, on 02 November 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Try to find a streamer team to promote this tool as it is very useful atm since there is no ingame build editor and no other team editor like this.

I'm not actually interested in GW2 itself as I still like GW much more. I do this just because programming is so much fun ... sometimes. I'd however appreciate any type of promotion for the tool.

Niamak, on 02 November 2012 - 09:07 PM, said:

I think It would be cool if we could have more than 5 builds per channel/template for easier builds sharing.

There is sadly not enough space for this. There's the “internal clipboard” feature, so if you store alternative builds in another file, you can copy single builds to the teambuild.

[okaygo]

numma_cway, on 03 November 2012 - 03:45 AM, said:

Can you give me an example? I will then take a look.

Next time I find one I will post it here.

numma_cway, on 03 November 2012 - 03:45 AM, said:

I already thought about creating a website that does simply list the builds uploaded. However, I'd rather not be able to add all the skill effects as they require some calculations.
However, such a list would require you to build some sort of community around it for rating the builds to not get lost in the big number of builds. I'm a little scared of the “side effects” doing this (like spamming and illegal stuff). However, I could try this if people want.

Why not write a server application that the client interfaced with that submitted whatever scheme it is you use into a database somewhere. Have this generate a list of builds that we can look at, rate and copy.

Speaking of which, the internal copy/paste functions are confusing to the End User UI. They seem to work, onetime it bugged and threw an exception.

numma_cway, on 03 November 2012 - 03:45 AM, said:

I'm not actually interested in GW2 itself as I still like GW much more. I do this just because programming is so much fun ... sometimes. I'd however appreciate any type of promotion for the tool.

That is a shame as GW2 has a lot of depth to it (for the most part), and the engine is way better. This tool is really only useful for putting together team comps, so for the best feedback you need to get some teams using it.

Edited by okaygo, 03 November 2012 - 01:48 PM.

[numma_cway]

okaygo, on 03 November 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Why not write a server application that the client interfaced with that submitted whatever scheme it is you use into a database somewhere. Have this generate a list of builds that we can look at, rate and copy.

That is, indeed, also a very good idea. I'll keep this in mind.

okaygo, on 03 November 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Speaking of which, the internal copy/paste functions are confusing to the End User UI.

There is no useful output that would have any external use.

okaygo, on 03 November 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

They seem to work, onetime it bugged and threw an exception.

I'll have a look at this.

okaygo, on 03 November 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

That is a shame as GW2 has a lot of depth to it (for the most part), and the engine is way better.

I don't agree. I was quite successful in GW high-ranked PvP and don't see this complexity in GW2. Additionally, GW2 has only one sixth of the PvP content GW had when it was initially released. That's a joke. But that's another topic.

okaygo, on 03 November 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

This tool is really only useful for putting together team comps, so for the best feedback you need to get some teams using it.

It's quite popular already in Germany, as the largest fansite posted a news on its release. In the past month, 95% of all users were using the German version. However, we're at 85% this month.

[Roland Der Meister]

can you make it so that it shows pve armor stats and pve accessory

[Haze]

I'm happy to see a familiar tool that I used quite commonly during it's time in GW1. I'm also glad to see that the interface still feels very similar to GW1's pawned.
However, I'm disappointed to see you're not as interested in this game as GW1, but that's aside the point.

Some suggestions:
-Traits modifying skills (this would be a rather massive implementation). Say, a trait extends the duration of a skill by 50%, the skill description should change to match it.
-Skill Templates based on Profession, with the ability to change Weapons (or potentially Race) without having to create a new skill template.
-Display how various weapons and armor effect your skills/stats.
-UI is a little dry compared to the pawned for GW1. Only a minor quirk though

Edited by Haze, 04 November 2012 - 11:13 PM.

[numma_cway]

Roland Der Meister, on 04 November 2012 - 02:54 AM, said:

can you make it so that it shows pve armor stats and pve accessory

Is having the exact stats of accessory crucial? I mean a complete set of PvE accessories comes generally close to the stats of PvP.

Haze, on 04 November 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

-Traits modifying skills (this would be a rather massive implementation). Say, a trait extends the duration of a skill by 50%, the skill description should change to match it.

This is a massive implementation indeed. paw·ned is and was always supposed to have as little stuff hardcoded as possible.

Haze, on 04 November 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

-Skill Templates based on Profession, with the ability to change Weapons (or potentially Race) without having to create a new skill template.

This sentence makes no sense. You can always change your profession. Or do you want a single build feature? There was one planned, but development paused when development on the team feature began.

Haze, on 04 November 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

-Display how various weapons and armor effect your skills/stats.

Any degree further than the current would lead to an addition that would be as massive as the trait one.

Haze, on 04 November 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

-UI is a little dry compared to the pawned for GW1. Only a minor quirk though

Can you give an example?

[Roland Der Meister]

yes having PvE stats will be a huge help in planning a PvE Toon cause PvE states are gneraly more higher then in PvP cause of the extra states from weapons and armor it will also bring something to your team builder every other team builder lacks

[radamant]

Excellent work No2! Keep it up, i liked and used your gw1 pawned app too

[AndrewSX]

Wow, the return of Pwned.

I LOVED the GW1 one - gonna test this out definitely.

Plus, it would be the first one working w/o internet connection, i guess?

[numma_cway]

It will indeed work offline, but as far as I know, it's not the first.
Additionally, when running Linux, keep in mind that Wine does not support the name of the folder it saves your builds to, so you can only save your builds to disk when running Windows.

[Arxae]

I loved the first version. But i was wondering if there is an option of a more single character interface too? Like New > Characterbuild. I wanted to use it to manage different builds of a single character. But atm it doesn't really work all that well for it since i get 1 tiny bar / character.

[numma_cway]

Arxae, on 13 November 2012 - 08:34 AM, said:

I wanted to use it to manage different builds of a single character.

I doubt a "characterbuild" feature would help you with that.
Some infos on how the equipment part of that feature was planned can be found in a post above.

[Arxae]

I just meant a feature where you can make a character you want to go to. Not necessarily all the gear, but the traits and upgrade components, but on a single character level, not 5.

Edited by Arxae, 15 November 2012 - 07:06 AM.

[Roland Der Meister]

numma_cway, on 15 November 2012 - 12:24 AM, said:

I doubt a "characterbuild" feature would help you with that.
Some infos on how the equipment part of that feature was planned can be found in a post above.

  PvE Calculator like this with all the prefixes and such PvE gear in GW2 has way high stats then its PvE counter parts