That same mechanic could be useful for non-character attached beasties (familiars, war-horses, trained attack poodles, etc).
What's the better user experience?
Class-defined bestiaries built into a character sheet
or
User curated lists of things that can be added to a character sheet?
Clarinch's approach is much simpler in the end assuming you know/can reference the rules. Instead of the poor software loading a bunch of low CR critters you should simply be able to create "shape shift" profile ahead of time from some drop down templates, then save and play.
I for one would like active links or the ability to "click" on a known spell or ability which will bring me to the PHB's definition so I can quickly access that info rather than preparing note cards or excel doc's ahead of time. The prep work that goes into getting things just write for your pen and paper table top time is rewarding. I would like to be able to translate that same experience with everything ending up in one nice package. Managing multiple browser windows and documents all while focusing on the game and all of it's additional media is what detracts a lot from "online" table top gaming.
My #1 wished for feature would be for players to be able to easily share/send character sheets to their DM's to be easily referenced/studied.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." - Lynda Barry
It would be super useful as a DM to have a 'cheat sheet' be automatically be created alongside a character sheet that includes the character's Passive Perception, Wisdom Save, Armor Class, etc.
Wanted to check in and state that we are actively reviewing every suggestion in this thread. Even if you don't get a response to your specific post, trust that it is seen and considered. Also, most of what I've read so far is already in!
I just wanted to throw my hat in for multi-classing options. It know it's an optional rule in the PHB, but I hope it comes standard in D&D Beyond. Thanks!
Functionality for easy rules references ala 4E's character creator when printing from the Character Builder. See the images below for references to accompany the subsequent bullets.
Actions that are commonly available among all characters, such as dash, disengage, grapple, melee weapon attack, ranged weapon attack, etc.
Ability to include items, where appropriate, in said actions with completed attack/damage formulas.
Ability to choose which items (equipped, stowed, or in inventory) are shown on each card, where appropriate.
Spells and maneuvers that are usable by the character.
Ability to choose items, where appropriate, in said spells and maneuvers with completed attack/damage formulas.
Items in the character's possession, whether mundane or magical.
Display item properties for magical items (see Defensive Dagger +1 in image above).
Display item use rules for consumable items (see Potion of Cure Light Wounds in image above).
Display item description for items with non-specific uses.
All of these cards could be hidden in order to allow for as much customization and filtering of unnecessary data for each player as possible.
Digitally, a lot of these asks aren't needed, as folks who are using their phone, tablet, or laptop would be better suited to have tool tips on mouse-overs for spells, items, etc., but I suspect not everyone will want to keep a charger handy for their older devices or want to give up paper character sheets for play as well as creation. Only one of my players owns a tablet, for example, so the rest will be sticking with printed character sheets.
I'd like too suggest a random name generator. Race specific.
I would also like to see an age height and weight generator. It's just something that would help fill out the sheet which happens to be what a lot of players get stuck on.
Sorry, I just noticed this mega thread.
If you wanted to be really clever, DnD Beyond could show the dale reckoning year the character was born depending on the year of the campaign.
I would hope at least when we see the characters sheets is a spell list for spells you can know vs. ones you currently have prepared, along with details if you click on them
I would like an abbreviation next to, or a mouse over alt text, abilities, features, languages, skills, etc that would show the DM how it was gained (race, background, class, item)
If users are entitled to saving multiple character sheets, the ability to clone a character sheet in that management window - to allow a user to play with and save various configurations without having to go back and re-edit their original.
If your licensing allows, the ability to share a viewable character sheet for another person to view without them having to log into twitch.
Likewise, the ability to send a copy of a character sheet to another Beyond user for them to edit.
The ability to hotlink a character sheet on these forums.
The ability to disable tabs/pages on a character sheet. (Perhaps a user doesn't want to visually scan through a bar of tabs/pages they have no intention of using.)
The ability to reorder such tabs/pages with a click-and-drag.
Depending on the quantity of allowed character sheets, filtering options for organizing those.
Dice rolling using some kind of visual representation of dice, ala, Roll20's 3d dice. Customization of the appearance of those dice
DnDBeyond site/app theme options, A dark or night theme would be welcome.
For those players who prefer to play with pen and paper, it would be terrific if you could augment their play by using scannable symbols (aka bar codes) that print on their paper character sheets. Then, while in play at the table, they can bring up the D&D Beyond app and scan the code next to their item (example: spell or magic weapon). It would then pop up the related information (picture, stats, spell effects, etc.) on their phone or tablet screen - like a second screen experience. That way, they get to have the best of both worlds. This would keep the character sheet neat and tidy but also give the player all the info they need at their fingertips quickly. The ability to print the condensed, tidy version with codes vs the print-all version should be an option in case the player doesn't have access to an electronic device.
Something I saw in another forum that I think is worth mentioning here is printable cards that serve as cheat sheets for spells and item effects. I know they exist for purchase already but it would be nice to be able to make printouts of the information we can find here so we can access it offline as well as online. This may also be a nice addition to homebrew and character sheets, if that wasn't already there.
I'd love to see all of the RACE and CLASS abilities linked on the character sheet.
I'm guessing that clicking on the RACE or CLASS will link and take the user direct to the correct page for that, which is great.
So, clicking (or hovering over) the specific ability could bring up a pop-up. For a mobile app, it could be long-press to display the ability (or just tap I guess).
The pop-up shows all the text for that specific ability or spell.
Take a look at wowhead and the way that links display as pop-ups there, which I think would be awesome.
When certain feats, or a multiclass or ability will change an ability somewhere it would be handy to glow what ever it effects when you mouse over it. For example: if you take the Alert feat, when you mouse over the Alert feat in what ever window it would be listed, the border around your initiative modifier would glow and a tooltip would pop out and say "+5 initiative (Alert Feat)". This could be used for skill proficiency or cantrips/spells to remind why certain characters have those skills, whether it is from class, background or race. Someone could forget why a fighter has a Wizard Cantrip, because he's a high elf... etc. In summary: Tooltips for racial/class/feats would make reminding DM's and players how their character is being effected in multiple ways.
It would be super useful as a DM to have a 'cheat sheet' be automatically be created alongside a character sheet that includes the character's Passive Perception, Wisdom Save, Armor Class, etc.
Totally agree. I have all of the "basics" on an index card for my game now. Would be nice to be able to load this into a digital format, maybe even link it to an initiative tracker. Just a thought.
From reading the posts on this forum, it appears that most play a digital version, relying on laptops, tablets or phones for their game experience. However, my group uses paper character sheets and more "old school" solutions, probably because we have been gaming for 35 years and are comfortable with this. Anyway, the best of both worlds would be a sheet that would update abilities, saves, modifiers, and the like when a character levels automatically, so it could be printed out for the next game session. It would be good if there were some free form fields that would allow for equipment to be typed in as well.
Also, I have noticed that the font sizes on other character sheets for skill save bonuses are so small, they can't be read. Since I use a Chromebook, editing PDF's is challenging; the best fix for me would be to have the sheet have the ability to make changes to font sizes etc, built in.
Well, My hope for the character sheets is that they might be easily Portable to VTTs. Being able to put a link from my character sheet on DnDB into Roll20, and have the roll20 sheet automatically fill out would be awesome. Not that 5E sheets are that hard to fill out, it would just make it faster.
Also, an advanced Sheet option, that shows all of the equations, and allows you to click on a number to find out what is adding that number to the equation (Dex, Jack of All Trades, Rakkish Audacity, etc.)
I don't believe I have seen this listed anywhere, but what would be super useful is a Group style feature where players can join a DM's Group and from there they could see the player's character sheets. This would make things like passive perception easier to keep track of without cluttering up the game table with scraps of paper or having another program open. The number of benefits and opportunities are huge for both the DM and the Player if the DM can see the character sheets from this website. Maybe the DM wants to be more subtle about fudging the dice rolls in the character's favor or vice versa.
Definitely include character options for non-traditional races. Since Volo's guide came out, our DM has been planning a campaign where we play as goblinoid characters. While the book gives us the guidelines for character creation, have the new Character Sheet race templates include an "other" option if including everything would be too difficult!
Did I mention how great it is to have "official" forums back?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When the people of the future learn of my deeds, they'll surely say he was human - mistakes were made
Hi there many of my players are starting to multiclass and it would be great to have a small section detailing the options to multiclass. Like if the character was a Sorcerer multiclassing into a Wizard. You would need to have 2 separate save DCs and Spell Attack Bonuses. As well as the list of spells available to each class.
"We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." - Lynda Barry
It would be super useful as a DM to have a 'cheat sheet' be automatically be created alongside a character sheet that includes the character's Passive Perception, Wisdom Save, Armor Class, etc.
Wanted to check in and state that we are actively reviewing every suggestion in this thread. Even if you don't get a response to your specific post, trust that it is seen and considered. Also, most of what I've read so far is already in!
I just wanted to throw my hat in for multi-classing options. It know it's an optional rule in the PHB, but I hope it comes standard in D&D Beyond. Thanks!
I'm on the DM's Guild: click here
Functionality for easy rules references ala 4E's character creator when printing from the Character Builder. See the images below for references to accompany the subsequent bullets.
TCG-sized cards for the following:
All of these cards could be hidden in order to allow for as much customization and filtering of unnecessary data for each player as possible.
Digitally, a lot of these asks aren't needed, as folks who are using their phone, tablet, or laptop would be better suited to have tool tips on mouse-overs for spells, items, etc., but I suspect not everyone will want to keep a charger handy for their older devices or want to give up paper character sheets for play as well as creation. Only one of my players owns a tablet, for example, so the rest will be sticking with printed character sheets.
Dungeon Master - Writer - Mini Enthusiast
I'd like too suggest a random name generator. Race specific.
I would also like to see an age height and weight generator. It's just something that would help fill out the sheet which happens to be what a lot of players get stuck on.
Sorry, I just noticed this mega thread.
If you wanted to be really clever, DnD Beyond could show the dale reckoning year the character was born depending on the year of the campaign.
I would hope at least when we see the characters sheets is a spell list for spells you can know vs. ones you currently have prepared, along with details if you click on them
"Roll for kink."
My homebrews - Naturalcrit
I would like an abbreviation next to, or a mouse over alt text, abilities, features, languages, skills, etc that would show the DM how it was gained (race, background, class, item)
This quick list assumes much. Forgive me.
If users are entitled to saving multiple character sheets, the ability to clone a character sheet in that management window - to allow a user to play with and save various configurations without having to go back and re-edit their original.
If your licensing allows, the ability to share a viewable character sheet for another person to view without them having to log into twitch.
Likewise, the ability to send a copy of a character sheet to another Beyond user for them to edit.
The ability to hotlink a character sheet on these forums.
The ability to disable tabs/pages on a character sheet. (Perhaps a user doesn't want to visually scan through a bar of tabs/pages they have no intention of using.)
The ability to reorder such tabs/pages with a click-and-drag.
Depending on the quantity of allowed character sheets, filtering options for organizing those.
Dice rolling using some kind of visual representation of dice, ala, Roll20's 3d dice. Customization of the appearance of those dice
DnDBeyond site/app theme options, A dark or night theme would be welcome.
Thanks for all your work so far and to come!
I hate forum signatures.
For those players who prefer to play with pen and paper, it would be terrific if you could augment their play by using scannable symbols (aka bar codes) that print on their paper character sheets. Then, while in play at the table, they can bring up the D&D Beyond app and scan the code next to their item (example: spell or magic weapon). It would then pop up the related information (picture, stats, spell effects, etc.) on their phone or tablet screen - like a second screen experience. That way, they get to have the best of both worlds. This would keep the character sheet neat and tidy but also give the player all the info they need at their fingertips quickly. The ability to print the condensed, tidy version with codes vs the print-all version should be an option in case the player doesn't have access to an electronic device.
Something I saw in another forum that I think is worth mentioning here is printable cards that serve as cheat sheets for spells and item effects. I know they exist for purchase already but it would be nice to be able to make printouts of the information we can find here so we can access it offline as well as online. This may also be a nice addition to homebrew and character sheets, if that wasn't already there.
I'd love to see all of the RACE and CLASS abilities linked on the character sheet.
I'm guessing that clicking on the RACE or CLASS will link and take the user direct to the correct page for that, which is great.
So, clicking (or hovering over) the specific ability could bring up a pop-up. For a mobile app, it could be long-press to display the ability (or just tap I guess).
The pop-up shows all the text for that specific ability or spell.
Take a look at wowhead and the way that links display as pop-ups there, which I think would be awesome.
Pun-loving nerd | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
When certain feats, or a multiclass or ability will change an ability somewhere it would be handy to glow what ever it effects when you mouse over it. For example: if you take the Alert feat, when you mouse over the Alert feat in what ever window it would be listed, the border around your initiative modifier would glow and a tooltip would pop out and say "+5 initiative (Alert Feat)". This could be used for skill proficiency or cantrips/spells to remind why certain characters have those skills, whether it is from class, background or race. Someone could forget why a fighter has a Wizard Cantrip, because he's a high elf... etc. In summary: Tooltips for racial/class/feats would make reminding DM's and players how their character is being effected in multiple ways.
From reading the posts on this forum, it appears that most play a digital version, relying on laptops, tablets or phones for their game experience. However, my group uses paper character sheets and more "old school" solutions, probably because we have been gaming for 35 years and are comfortable with this. Anyway, the best of both worlds would be a sheet that would update abilities, saves, modifiers, and the like when a character levels automatically, so it could be printed out for the next game session. It would be good if there were some free form fields that would allow for equipment to be typed in as well.
Also, I have noticed that the font sizes on other character sheets for skill save bonuses are so small, they can't be read. Since I use a Chromebook, editing PDF's is challenging; the best fix for me would be to have the sheet have the ability to make changes to font sizes etc, built in.
Well, My hope for the character sheets is that they might be easily Portable to VTTs. Being able to put a link from my character sheet on DnDB into Roll20, and have the roll20 sheet automatically fill out would be awesome. Not that 5E sheets are that hard to fill out, it would just make it faster.
Also, an advanced Sheet option, that shows all of the equations, and allows you to click on a number to find out what is adding that number to the equation (Dex, Jack of All Trades, Rakkish Audacity, etc.)
I don't believe I have seen this listed anywhere, but what would be super useful is a Group style feature where players can join a DM's Group and from there they could see the player's character sheets. This would make things like passive perception easier to keep track of without cluttering up the game table with scraps of paper or having another program open. The number of benefits and opportunities are huge for both the DM and the Player if the DM can see the character sheets from this website. Maybe the DM wants to be more subtle about fudging the dice rolls in the character's favor or vice versa.
Definitely include character options for non-traditional races. Since Volo's guide came out, our DM has been planning a campaign where we play as goblinoid characters. While the book gives us the guidelines for character creation, have the new Character Sheet race templates include an "other" option if including everything would be too difficult!
Did I mention how great it is to have "official" forums back?
Hi there many of my players are starting to multiclass and it would be great to have a small section detailing the options to multiclass. Like if the character was a Sorcerer multiclassing into a Wizard. You would need to have 2 separate save DCs and Spell Attack Bonuses. As well as the list of spells available to each class.
Printable Landscape mode.
This would save so much space at the table.