Play testing tools (i.e. Redshark)

[WinkWinkNudgeNudge]

(Warning NooB Post)

I have been using Redshark (downloaded from Pokebeach) for play testing and learning a lot about how to play the cards I can't afford to buy. I have found it to be infinitely better than the Excel spreadsheet I was using prior to that. However, having just participated in the pre-releases this weekend I want to experiment with the GE cards. I selected some of the older Pokemon to sub for the new and then I refer to the research tower for card detail information.
Is there a better solution?
Is Apprentice better, worse or different?
Is there any way to enter the new cards into the Redshark card database?
(Is this the right place to post this kind of question?)

 

[Magic_Umbreon]

Sinle cards is generally more appropriate for this sort of discussion or RTC I think.

I'm really interested in the Excel Spreadsheet you use: who made it; how does it work?

 

[WinkWinkNudgeNudge]

Pokemon Excel Spreadsheet

The spreadsheet is nothing fancy just something I did on the bus.

Sheet#1 - I save all of my decks and test decks here. 60 rows with sixty cards one col per deck.
Sheet#2 - tracks the the status of player #1's Deck
Sheet#3 - tracks the status of player #2's Deck
Sheet#4 - is player1's play area.
Sheet#5 - is player2's play area.

On the playmat I have table areas for draw, hand, active/bench, discard and prizes. I use the random function to deal cards and flip coins. If the card is already used it comes up with "used" in the description rather than the card name. Basically you type the card number(1-60) in the right column to keep track of the game play. It worked very with simple decks like Blissy or any T2 for that matter. It drove be a bit crazy trying to play GG mirror. Redshark keeps a chat log so you can easily check if you already used a power or attached NRG etc.

Two tricks to the spreadsheet were manual re-calculation, this keeps the draw cards from changing while you make moves on the board and conditional formatting (I leave all of the cards I've drawn in the hand column but highlight them in yellow when they are played.)

You are welcome to a copy of the spreadsheet just PM me your email address. I'm sure it could be improved but Redshark has all of the card info. Just hover over a card to see it's attacks, powers, etc. It seems to work very well locally I have't tried to use it over the internet.

 

[SPARTA]

Excel eh? Facinating idea, never thought about that before....
Apprentice is better IMO because more people use it than Redshark. Redshark is basically just a Pokebeach thing, whereas alot more sites use Apprentice.

 

[Chromecatz]

Another reason that Apprentice is better than Redshark...
You can make your own cards on apprentice, with redshark you have to wait for the creator to make a patch with all the cards, which could take a very long time.

 

[Water Pokemon Master]

The next version of Redshark lets you make your own cards. Remember, the program is constantly being improved upon and upgraded, and eventually, it will be better than Apprentice in all respects. It's still less than a year old.

 

[SPARTA]

The next version of Redshark lets you make your own cards. Remember, the program is constantly being improved upon and upgraded, and eventually, it will be better than Apprentice in all respects. It's still less than a year old.

Time will tell, but for now Apprentice is the better option due to sheer volume of options and playerbase.

 

[Magic_Umbreon]

The spreadsheet is nothing fancy just something I did on the bus.

Sheet#1 - I save all of my decks and test decks here. 60 rows with sixty cards one col per deck.

So that would be in the format

Rare Candy
Rare Candy
Rare Candy
Rare Candy

not 4 Rare Candy? There's a way to convert that format back and forth (in formulae or macros) I'd guess but I haven't tried it.

Sheet#2 - tracks the the status of player #1's Deck
Sheet#3 - tracks the status of player #2's Deck
Sheet#4 - is player1's play area.
Sheet#5 - is player2's play area.

On the playmat I have table areas for draw, hand, active/bench, discard and prizes. I use the random function to deal cards and flip coins. If the card is already used it comes up with "used" in the description rather than the card name. Basically you type the card number(1-60) in the right column to keep track of the game play. It worked very with simple decks like Blissy or any T2 for that matter. It drove be a bit crazy trying to play GG mirror. Redshark keeps a chat log so you can easily check if you already used a power or attached NRG etc.

Two tricks to the spreadsheet were manual re-calculation, this keeps the draw cards from changing while you make moves on the board and conditional formatting (I leave all of the cards I've drawn in the hand column but highlight them in yellow when they are played.)

You are welcome to a copy of the spreadsheet just PM me your email address. I'm sure it could be improved but Redshark has all of the card info. Just hover over a card to see it's attacks, powers, etc. It seems to work very well locally I have't tried to use it over the internet.

That sounds really cool. I might work on a few simple macros to assign damage counters to pokémon so you can retreat or evolve and it understands. The more I think about it, Excel is a really neat way to playtest because as well as not needing internet connection you can just add random things like %s of topdecks and such.