You might want to tweak some of the features of a background so it better fits your character or the campaign setting. To customize a background, you can replace one feature with any other one, choose any two skills, and choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages from the sample backgrounds. You can either use the equipment package from your background or spend coin on gear as described in the Equipment section. (If you spend coin, you can’t also take the equipment package suggested for your class.) Finally, choose two personality traits, one ideal, one bond, and one flaw. If you can’t find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
So I've only been on it for a little bit but on the character creator and these are my thoughts:
health should be included after the stat page to ensure that players who roll stats know how it's added up
it's a character creator, you should be able to change your decisions on class/race without restarting the character creator and making a new one
your skills from your background are given, not selected
tool proficiencies should only give you the type you can have (different lists for gaming sets, instruments, tools, etc.)
It may be reaching a little but under the notes having short little examples of everything so they have a basis of how to build a character
make the manage equipment window movable, people will want to see the suggested starting equipment when they are first starting or give them the option to start with it and add the gold from the background to it and have a secondary purchasing screen.
But I also want to say that the way the classes are set up is awesome and i can't wait to see what else y'all add to it. Overall it's a phenomenal product so far. Thanks!!!
2. You can change race, the ability to remove classes will be added later.
3. Some DMs let you change those skills you get with background. The RAW ones are the "suggested" ones.
4. See 3.
6. The option to add default starting equipment would be good.
Warlock cantrip advancement is flubbed. They should have a third cantrip known at 4th level, but my Fighter 1/Warlock 4 cannot pick up that additional cantrip. He gets the 5 spells like he should, just the cantrips are wrong.
Besides missing content (I know about this), there were a few ordering choices I found odd.
As I was creating a character, I thought it odd that I had to choose my ability score bonuses before I had chosen a class. While many people might know what want to use as a class, it's possible that a beginner would not, so they wouldn't know what options are best for ability score bonuses. Also, if they were done later, the system might be able to make recommendations.
Also, choosing a feat directly after choosing a race (ie: variant human) can lead to the ability to pick a feat without consideration of prerequisites. For example, Grapple has 13+ STR as a prereq, but ability scores have not yet been done, so it's not yet known if this is a valid option. (side note: you're also given the option of Svirfneblin Magic, even if you're not a Gnome, even after choosing race).
I think on the Character Details page, that the Background should be chosen at the top, not the bottom, or at least before Personal Characteristics, so that things like Flaws and Ideals can be added from the Background more easily. In fact, a click-to-select ability for the suggested characteristics from the Background description would be great. That is, selecting will auto-add them to the editable list of characteristics so you don't have to type it yourself, and you can add your own custom ones.
Again, Alignment is chosen after race, but could be limited by the race or class, or could limit the race/class options, so it seems like that should be chosen earlier. For example, building a Paladin would limit alignment options (or alignment could exclude Paladin as an option), and the alignment of the Paladin could affect the options available for their Oath if making a higher-level character.
I would suggest that there be a final page containing all languages, feats, skills, ability score bonus, and proficiency options, after ability scores, class, alignment, etc have been chosen, to help guide the feats/proficiencies/etc selected, also to more easily keep track of them. Another bonus would be for editing, it would make them easier to find instead of having to look at the race page, then the class page, then the background page, etc to find the skill you want to change.
I know it's hard to say that there's a "right way" and a "wrong way" to build characters. This is just my opinion on the order.
I just made a quick build variant human. It gave him the Grappler feat even though his Strength is 8. It also put both his Ability Score Increases in Charisma but they should go in two different Ability Scores.
I just made a quick build variant human. It gave him the Grappler feat even though his Strength is 8. It also put both his Ability Score Increases in Charisma but they should go in two different Ability Scores.
They're working on it.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Again, Alignment is chosen after race, but could be limited by the race or class, or could limit the race/class options, so it seems like that should be chosen earlier. For example, building a Paladin would limit alignment options (or alignment could exclude Paladin as an option), and the alignment of the Paladin could affect the options available for their Oath if making a higher-level character.
Except 5th edition has removed all alignment restrictions from race and class selections allowing me to play both a Chaotic Good Drow Paladin and a Lawful Evil Aasimar Paladin if I so chose. Even iconic spells and abilities like Detect Evil and the Paladin's Divine Sense no longer detect alignment instead detecting the presence of Fiends, Undead and Celestials.
Yeah, alignment per race is more of a suggestion. PHB even uses terms as "tend to", "usually", "most", and "lean strongly" when talking about most of the races. Half-orc and half-elf are the only ones that use wording to make their alignment seem concrete, I believe. The ones in documentation are heavy suggestions, but it all comes down to how you want to play the character.
Edit: Volo's uses that wording for the new player races as well.
"Magical Secrets" and "Additional Magical Secrets" show switched in the Bard Abilities progression. In other words, "Additional…" shows first at 6th level, and every other entry at later levels (10, 14…) has just "Magical Secrets".
Magical Secrets is a class feature and Additional Magical Secrets is a subclass feature. At a guess, you can't tell because there's only one subclass included in the D&D Beyond beta.
Good to know. I suppose it's naming confusion, then, and not an error in placement or order.
One reminder: Blessings (DMG p. 227-8). Example is Blessing of Health -- raises both ability and maximum by 2. Need option to add to character sheet and support for all six abilities.
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--
DM -- Elanon -- Homebrew world
Gronn -- Tiefling Warlock -- Amarath
Slim -- Halfling Cleric -- CoS (future Lord of Waterdeep 😁)
In the character builder: currently no way to add Eldritch Knight as a Martial Archetype for Fighter (or any martial archetype other than Champion). The other martial archetypes aren't even in the Compendium, either...
In the character builder: currently no way to add Eldritch Knight as a Martial Archetype for Fighter (or any martial archetype other than Champion). The other martial archetypes aren't even in the Compendium, either...
During the beta test of D&D Beyond, they'll only be including content that is freely available from Wizards of the Coast, including the D&D 5th edition SRD, D&D 5th edition Basic Rules, Elemental Evil Companion and potentially others. The beta will not include additional content from a Commercially Released Book, Module or Supplement.
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How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat On - Mod Hat Off
During the beta test of D&D Beyond, they'll only be including content that is freely available from Wizards of the Coast, including the D&D 5th edition SRD, D&D 5th edition Basic Rules, Elemental Evil Companion and potentially others. The beta will not include additional content from a Commercially Released Book, Module or Supplement.
Thanks for the prompt response and the info. I had assumed that it was intended to cover everything in the standard Player's Handbook, but I guess it makes some sense to limit the beta's scope.
Again, Alignment is chosen after race, but could be limited by the race or class, or could limit the race/class options, so it seems like that should be chosen earlier. For example, building a Paladin would limit alignment options (or alignment could exclude Paladin as an option), and the alignment of the Paladin could affect the options available for their Oath if making a higher-level character.
Except 5th edition has removed all alignment restrictions from race and class selections allowing me to play both a Chaotic Good Drow Paladin and a Lawful Evil Aasimar Paladin if I so chose. Even iconic spells and abilities like Detect Evil and the Paladin's Divine Sense no longer detect alignment instead detecting the presence of Fiends, Undead and Celestials.
Yeah, alignment per race is more of a suggestion. PHB even uses terms as "tend to", "usually", "most", and "lean strongly" when talking about most of the races. Half-orc and half-elf are the only ones that use wording to make their alignment seem concrete, I believe. The ones in documentation are heavy suggestions, but it all comes down to how you want to play the character.
Edit: Volo's uses that wording for the new player races as well.
You know, I didn't notice that subtle change in language. Thanks for letting me know.
I noticed a bug in the character sheet where I accidentally added a level to a character that I shouldn't have and now can't un-level them back to normal.
I noticed a bug in the character sheet where I accidentally added a level to a character that I shouldn't have and now can't un-level them back to normal.
Yes, levelling a character down is not possible right now. But it will be soon.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Warlock cantrip advancement is flubbed. They should have a third cantrip known at 4th level, but my Fighter 1/Warlock 4 cannot pick up that additional cantrip. He gets the 5 spells like he should, just the cantrips are wrong.
Besides missing content (I know about this), there were a few ordering choices I found odd.
As I was creating a character, I thought it odd that I had to choose my ability score bonuses before I had chosen a class. While many people might know what want to use as a class, it's possible that a beginner would not, so they wouldn't know what options are best for ability score bonuses. Also, if they were done later, the system might be able to make recommendations.
Also, choosing a feat directly after choosing a race (ie: variant human) can lead to the ability to pick a feat without consideration of prerequisites. For example, Grapple has 13+ STR as a prereq, but ability scores have not yet been done, so it's not yet known if this is a valid option. (side note: you're also given the option of Svirfneblin Magic, even if you're not a Gnome, even after choosing race).
I think on the Character Details page, that the Background should be chosen at the top, not the bottom, or at least before Personal Characteristics, so that things like Flaws and Ideals can be added from the Background more easily. In fact, a click-to-select ability for the suggested characteristics from the Background description would be great. That is, selecting will auto-add them to the editable list of characteristics so you don't have to type it yourself, and you can add your own custom ones.
Again, Alignment is chosen after race, but could be limited by the race or class, or could limit the race/class options, so it seems like that should be chosen earlier. For example, building a Paladin would limit alignment options (or alignment could exclude Paladin as an option), and the alignment of the Paladin could affect the options available for their Oath if making a higher-level character.
I would suggest that there be a final page containing all languages, feats, skills, ability score bonus, and proficiency options, after ability scores, class, alignment, etc have been chosen, to help guide the feats/proficiencies/etc selected, also to more easily keep track of them. Another bonus would be for editing, it would make them easier to find instead of having to look at the race page, then the class page, then the background page, etc to find the skill you want to change.
I know it's hard to say that there's a "right way" and a "wrong way" to build characters. This is just my opinion on the order.
I just made a quick build variant human. It gave him the Grappler feat even though his Strength is 8. It also put both his Ability Score Increases in Charisma but they should go in two different Ability Scores.
I'm on the DM's Guild: click here
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Yeah, alignment per race is more of a suggestion. PHB even uses terms as "tend to", "usually", "most", and "lean strongly" when talking about most of the races. Half-orc and half-elf are the only ones that use wording to make their alignment seem concrete, I believe. The ones in documentation are heavy suggestions, but it all comes down to how you want to play the character.
Edit: Volo's uses that wording for the new player races as well.
Good to know. I suppose it's naming confusion, then, and not an error in placement or order.
Overall, great step forward.
One reminder: Blessings (DMG p. 227-8). Example is Blessing of Health -- raises both ability and maximum by 2. Need option to add to character sheet and support for all six abilities.
--
DM -- Elanon -- Homebrew world
Gronn -- Tiefling Warlock -- Amarath
Slim -- Halfling Cleric -- CoS (future Lord of Waterdeep 😁)
Bran -- Human Wizard - RoT
Making D&D mistakes and having fun since 1977!
In the character builder: currently no way to add Eldritch Knight as a Martial Archetype for Fighter (or any martial archetype other than Champion). The other martial archetypes aren't even in the Compendium, either...
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DDB Guides & FAQs, Class Guides, Character Builds, Game Guides, Useful Websites, and WOTC Resources
Can the character sheet default view please show the damage for a weapon as well as the to hit bonus?
Can the character trait, flow, bond etc be drop down lists based on the background, as well as a blank for editing if desired?
Can the starting equipment be added more easily? a checkbox selection perhaps, rather than disconnected text?
For the sorcerer, there is no way to select the draconic heritage, just a text drop down. will this be made easier?
I noticed a bug in the character sheet where I accidentally added a level to a character that I shouldn't have and now can't un-level them back to normal.
Okay, good to know. Thank you!
Will it be possible to manually edit the entire character sheet at some point, for homebrew purposes or otherwise?
Also, does already owning a physical copy of the PHB or any other core rulebooks qualify you for the additional customization options?
Finally, are there any estimates for how much access to the PHB/core books options would cost?