Data Builder

An editor for game data: units, points, options, profiles and rules text. Use it to fill gaps in existing data, fix mistakes, or build a game system from scratch, then share the result with anyone using Armorium.

• Installing
• Opening data
• Finding your way around
• Adding units
• Editing entries
• Modifiers and conditions
• History and undo
• Sharing your data
• Editing a host's data

Installing

• Windows: run the installer. It installs for your user only and doesn't need admin rights. The installer isn't signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen will warn you the first time: choose More info → Run anyway.
• Linux: make the AppImage executable (chmod +x) and run it.

Opening data

Start from existing data or from nothing. Under Data → Add data you can open:

• GitHub: a repository of BattleScribe or New Recruit files, Armorium bundles or an Armorium data folder. Paste owner/repository, or a link to a branch or folder. Private repositories need a GitHub token, which is stored on your device only.
• Armorium: the address of another Armorium's data.
• Link: a direct link to a .gst, .cat, .bsr, .zip, Armorium bundle or New Recruit export.
• File: any of the same, from your computer.

Choose which armies to keep. Shared catalogues they depend on come along automatically.

Finding your way around

Pick a game system, then a book (catalogue). Entries are listed on the left; the selected one opens for editing on the right. The Missing text filter lists every rule that still has no rules text, which is the quickest way to see what's left to fill in.

Adding units

• + Unit creates a new, empty unit in the current book.
• Duplicate on an existing unit is usually the quickest start for a similar one: copy it, rename it, then change what differs.
• New book is for an army that isn't in the data yet. It starts empty and can use the shared weapons and rules.

Editing entries

Each entry has its points, options and upgrades, profiles (characteristics) and rules. Options can be limited (minimum and maximum) and grouped, and rules can be shared between units so they only need writing once.

Modifiers and conditions

Every entry has an Advanced section showing its raw data in the BattleScribe-style structure the engine reads. Use it for anything the forms don't cover, such as modifiers (an option changes points, a limit or a characteristic) and the conditions that trigger them.

Check your change in a test list: the list builder shows points, limits and problems exactly as players will see them.

History and undo

Every save is recorded. Pick nothing on the left to see the full history; any save in it can be undone.

Sharing your data

• As a file: Save as file writes a whole game system as one Armorium bundle (.armorium.json). Anyone can load it with Data → Add data → File.
• On GitHub: put your bundles or data folder in a repository. Others add it as a GitHub source and get updates automatically: sources are checked once a day, and only changed files are downloaded.
• On a host: give the bundle to your group's host admin to add (see Adding game data).

Only share data you have the right to share.

Editing a host's data

If you're an admin on an Armorium Host, the same Data Builder is available in the app under Data. Your changes are saved on the host, with the same history and undo, and everyone gets them the next time their app loads the data.