Recently, I have joined up with a new RPG group to get a different perspective and experience.  One of the early fruits of that is the exposure to the Tools available for D&D 4th Edition:

The first tool is something that can be used for any RP system, not just D&D.  Obsidian Portal is a Campaign Wiki/Log website.  A great tool to help both the DM and the Players organize and keep notes on the game.  That could include any NPC you met and might run into again, individual character backgrounds, session updates and more.  While the uses focus on helping each session continue, it is also a good way to keep people focused on the Role Playing and Story between sessions.

The next is a set of tools made by Wizards to help both Players but more so the DM for D&D 4th Edition.  Sadly most the tools are only available as a demo if at all unless you subscribe.  But it isn’t too bad if a group pitches in the entire 10 bucks (or less) a month for access to these.  You can find them all together at the Dungeons and Dragons Tools page.  What you get from this is:

1:  A Demo (or full if subscribed) of Character Builder.  A good resource for both the DM and Players as it contains all the character creation steps on one page.  No more sorting through a multitude of books or articles to find the right Race or Feat.  It is all right there with each step and it helps you level your characters as well.  The DM can even decide to make certain books unavailable to the players for this process (like the Ebberon setting books).  I personally am so used to sorting through books in order to work out my min-maxed characters that I don’t ‘need’ it but I have to admit it is an interesting and useful tool to everyone.

2: A Demo (or full if subscribed) of D&D Compendium.  I quote from the site as there isn’t a better explanation. “For details on powers, items, rituals, and monsters over 3rd level, plus all paragon and epic tier feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies, plus complete material beyond the PH, MM, and DMG.”  The biggest benefit is that they keep this up to date with Errata so if there is some contention over a Rule or Wording, you can try to find some help here.

3: Full Version (Beta) of Adventure Tools.  This is more a promise of DM tools at this point but still houses a great feature.  The only available tool in this set is the Monster Builder.  Just as it sounds, you can find, modify or even create Monsters to fit into your campaign.  Only of use to the DM but one that gives you infinite more options to make unique and story related enemies for your players.

4: Character Name Generator.  Just an interesting tool to come up with a bunch of names.  Use the ones given, mix em up a bit or just use them for inspiration.  Always handy (more so for a DM who makes NPCs).