I do believe dndbeyond's compendium only is in fact the most inexpensive legal way to purchase the PHB, and probably everything else they publish for WoTC, new.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
Please note that Wizards of the Coast only has a small number of digital partners, as noted on their website (for example here on Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden). As well as outlets for the physical books, it lists D&D Beyond, Fantasy Grounds, and Roll20.
Any other websites or apps that host the content from those sourcebooks are NOT doing so legally, regardless of what they may claim.
Simply put, it's theft of other people's ideas, time & effort.
These sites are not heroes, providing D&D to the community for free - they are criminals who are profiting off the work of others (again, regardless of what they may be claiming).
Please do not derail this discussion with further discussion of illegally hosted content. Such comments are against the D&D Beyond forum rules and will be removed.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
First you wanted 1/2 or 1/3 the regular price and I proved ddb is already 40-60% cheaper than the MSRP. Now you want 1/4 of the regular price? Make up your freaking mind in how much you want ddb to bend to your wallet
"This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal."
Only the SRD version of the rules, ie the basic rules you can access here for free. If any site or app is offering anything for use that's not in the SRD for free, it is not legal.
"With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books."
Far too* expensive.
And wrong. As a player, you only need to buy the Race/Class/ Subclass/ Spells/ Feats you want if you want to make a character on the DDB Builder. D&D is a hobby. You spend or don't spend what you want on a hobby. It is a choice, not a requirement. Anywhere from $1.99 to how ever much you want to spend.
"They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books."
copies and*
No. They don't . DND Beyond is not Hasbro/ WotC. Fandom are a company licensing the rights to sell the books in a different format. Much like buying a Beadle and Grimm's Deluxe Edition of a 5E module. It's the exact same thing, with the exact same module. It just has more shiny things with it. Buying the physical books from any retailer is in NO way, shape or form connected to buying it on DND Beyond. Just like buying a physical copy of Rime of the Frostmaiden would give you a copy of the alternate cover as well.
"Eather way there current prices are far too high"
Either* way their*
Far too high compared to what? It's a hobby and a choice. No one is forcing you to use DND Beyond, or Roll20, or Fantasy Grounds or anything else digital. Your old physical versions still work and are still fine.
In addition to playing D&D for the last 41 years, I'm also a model railroader. When I started HO when I was 14, I had no idea N scale existed, but due to space limitations and moving, I switched to N scale a few years later. Does that give me the right to have all my new N Scale track, rolling stock, and scenery for free or heavily discounted because I had already paid for them in HO? No. Because it, like D&D, is a hobby.
Regardless, the point stands. Buying one thing from one company does not imply consent and right to ownership for a product from another company, even if that product is the exact same media in a different format.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
Seeing as how DDB is the single least expensive way to legally access D&D books (other than receiving them as gifts), I don’t see how that’s possible.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
Seeing as how DDB is the single least expensive way to legally access D&D books (other than receiving them as gifts), I don’t see how that’s possible.
Second hand is legal. But for anyone that's bought a used game game from Game Stop, that digital code ain't gonna work. So a second hand Essentials Kit (the only physical copy/ddb crossover I'm familiar with) might not have the digital benefits.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
Seeing as how DDB is the single least expensive way to legally access D&D books (other than receiving them as gifts), I don’t see how that’s possible.
Second hand is legal. But for anyone that's bought a used game game from Game Stop, that digital code ain't gonna work. So a second hand Essentials Kit (the only physical copy/ddb crossover I'm familiar with) might not have the digital benefits.
Second hand still usually costs more than the $20 DDB charges for a compendium.
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
Seeing as how DDB is the single least expensive way to legally access D&D books (other than receiving them as gifts), I don’t see how that’s possible.
Second hand is legal. But for anyone that's bought a used game game from Game Stop, that digital code ain't gonna work. So a second hand Essentials Kit (the only physical copy/ddb crossover I'm familiar with) might not have the digital benefits.
Second hand still usually costs more than the $20 DDB charges for a compendium.
Usually. And you run the risk of older, out of date editions.
I wish there was a way for ddb to promote the miserly approach to d&d in general and the advantage of their digital copy.
Not sure how to get into dungeons and dragons? Sticker shock at the price of books on Amazon or our own Legendary Bundle? If the Basic Rules have caught your attention and you're interested in learning more about dungeons and dragons, Try the Player's Handbook (Compendium only)! 60% cheaper than picking up a physical copy, you'll have access to dndbeyond's unique and easily searchable version of the PHB. If you want to build a player character using the new options you've found in the PHB you can use dndbeyond's built in homebrew feature to recreate any of these new options or purchase those specific options separately.
Remember that any purchases you make through dndbeyond count towards larger bundles you might be interested in getting later. Want to get all of the options in the PHB turned on in your character sheets? That's only $10 now. Both Sourcebook and Legendary bundles are both $19.99 cheaper after you get the Player's Handbook (Compendium only).
It's like that for everything. Purchase only to options you want, only the books you want. Get a subscription and try out the community's homebrew and even share your digital books with the other people at your digital table.
I totally support you guys I love your app some of my friends who have never played d&d before have a really really hard time and struggle with creating a character with a physical character sheet with the books where as your app simplifies things and makes it new user-friendly keep up the good work
There's a difference between physically going into a store and online purchases giving you digital access. If you physically went into a store and asked, yes I would understand the clerk not providing you that book; it cost resources to make. Although, If someone has a hardcopy and something else is locked behind a paywall online, that book should give you access to the content. The difference between your example and D&DBeyond is that it is not a physical store, It is an online provider. If the books are just digital then the hard copies should be able to give you that digital access. ESPECIALLY IF THE HARD COPIES COST MORE! A lot of places do the exact thing people are discussing in this forum, so to infer that it wouldn't make sense would be ridiculous. Locking something behind a paywall, digitally, when someone has the physical copy is just money hungry. I go to college for business, it's just a tactic to get you to spend more money.
Although, I doubt D&DBeyond can do anything about that(contracts). This discussion should be brought up to the providers of the books themselves, they would be the ones providing codes.
I personally don't care, I love D&Dbeyond no matter what; even if I can't put my books on here.
In every case I've seen cited of companies providing digital access with a physical copy, it has been the same company providing both: WOTC and DDB are separate companies. Plus what is available here isn't just a digital copy of the book: not even if we are talking about only the compendium. The books have been tool tipped and linked extensively. The maps and other images have been designed so you can pull them up in separate windows. When possible, DDB staff have taken the map images and removed the DM layers on copies of each map to provide player versions that the physical books don't have. All that takes labor and money. And that's before we get to the character builder, or the searchable and filterable listings for spells, magic items, and monsters. Which also takes labor and money, as does the website, etc. Which means for physical book purchases to also get you access here, WOTC would have to either cut their profit margins to share the profit from sales of their books with DDB, or they would have to raise their prices in order to do so. EIther way, then Role20 and Fantasy grounds, who also provide digital access to official D&D sources are left out in the cold, as are their customers..
That's why I said, "Although, I doubt D&DBeyond can do anything about that(contracts). This discussion should be brought up to the providers of the books themselves, they would be the ones providing codes." To get anything changed, I am directing these people to the actual people that would change it. Posting here on the forum about it will get them nowhere.
I literally just started playing D&D for the first time in 10+ years so far be it from me to poke the bear on this one, but when Amazon sells every book that comes out for the same $30 many of you keep touting as a huge discount on the digital copies (including Tasha's, which i bought day 1 for $29.99) it doesn't make sense to keep insisting we compare DDB prices to MSRP $50. Now I'm not saying DDB should give me the digital copy free nor that they don't provide additional services, but it is misleading.
I literally just started playing D&D for the first time in 10+ years so far be it from me to poke the bear on this one, but when Amazon sells every book that comes out for the same $30 many of you keep touting as a huge discount on the digital copies (including Tasha's, which i bought day 1 for $29.99) it doesn't make sense to keep insisting we compare DDB prices to MSRP $50. Now I'm not saying DDB should give me the digital copy free nor that they don't provide additional services, but it is misleading.
DDB’s equivalent is the “Compendium Only” which is only $19.99. The “Full Version” with all the bells and whistles is the deluxe model. The print version has no such model. And why should we compare to Amazon, who is one retailer, when the other 99.99999% of retailers are charging $49.99?
So I've only read some of this thread, but here's my thoughts anyway. I don't think D&D Beyond is who we are trying to get more from, it's WotC. Yes, the end result we desire is to have the physical count toward the digital. The thing is, asking the "bookstore" isn't going to make any sense. WotC should provide a code or something with the purchase of their books, because THEY are getting paid twice. They could very easily offer something with a simple proof of purchase. Those who purchased them online have the easiest method of providing that information, yes, but it would be just as simple to create something for distributors of the books to provide to their gaming stores for the same purpose. I do not object to D&D Beyond making a profit here, I object to paying WotC twice, because despite who we hand the money to, they are still taking our money twice. I have the paid subscription, I probably will not buy paper copies going forward, but some sort of nod toward our patronage (again, from WotC, NOT D&D Beyond) is most certainly warranted.
So I've only read some of this thread, but here's my thoughts anyway. I don't think D&D Beyond is who we are trying to get more from, it's WotC. Yes, the end result we desire is to have the physical count toward the digital. The thing is, asking the "bookstore" isn't going to make any sense. WotC should provide a code or something with the purchase of their books, because THEY are getting paid twice. They could very easily offer something with a simple proof of purchase. Those who purchased them online have the easiest method of providing that information, yes, but it would be just as simple to create something for distributors of the books to provide to their gaming stores for the same purpose. I do not object to D&D Beyond making a profit here, I object to paying WotC twice, because despite who we hand the money to, they are still taking our money twice. I have the paid subscription, I probably will not buy paper copies going forward, but some sort of nod toward our patronage (again, from WotC, NOT D&D Beyond) is most certainly warranted.
you realize that a code would be DDB made 0 money right? So you don't mind paying DDB but want a code to get a free copy on DDB when you purchase a physical book....
So I've only read some of this thread, but here's my thoughts anyway. I don't think D&D Beyond is who we are trying to get more from, it's WotC. Yes, the end result we desire is to have the physical count toward the digital. The thing is, asking the "bookstore" isn't going to make any sense. WotC should provide a code or something with the purchase of their books, because THEY are getting paid twice. They could very easily offer something with a simple proof of purchase. Those who purchased them online have the easiest method of providing that information, yes, but it would be just as simple to create something for distributors of the books to provide to their gaming stores for the same purpose. I do not object to D&D Beyond making a profit here, I object to paying WotC twice, because despite who we hand the money to, they are still taking our money twice. I have the paid subscription, I probably will not buy paper copies going forward, but some sort of nod toward our patronage (again, from WotC, NOT D&D Beyond) is most certainly warranted.
In that case, the folks everyone should be addressing are here: https://dnd.wizards.com, there is a link to WotC customer support at the bottom of the page.
I do believe dndbeyond's compendium only is in fact the most inexpensive legal way to purchase the PHB, and probably everything else they publish for WoTC, new.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal.
With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books.
They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books.
Eather way there current prices are far too high
Any website offering copyrighted material that isn't theirs for free is absolutely under no circumstances legal.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
Please note that Wizards of the Coast only has a small number of digital partners, as noted on their website (for example here on Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden). As well as outlets for the physical books, it lists D&D Beyond, Fantasy Grounds, and Roll20.
Any other websites or apps that host the content from those sourcebooks are NOT doing so legally, regardless of what they may claim.
Simply put, it's theft of other people's ideas, time & effort.
These sites are not heroes, providing D&D to the community for free - they are criminals who are profiting off the work of others (again, regardless of what they may be claiming).
Please do not derail this discussion with further discussion of illegally hosted content. Such comments are against the D&D Beyond forum rules and will be removed.
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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!"🔊
First you wanted 1/2 or 1/3 the regular price and I proved ddb is already 40-60% cheaper than the MSRP. Now you want 1/4 of the regular price? Make up your freaking mind in how much you want ddb to bend to your wallet
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
"This may be true, however there are many apps and websights that offer the information for free and its legal."
Only the SRD version of the rules, ie the basic rules you can access here for free. If any site or app is offering anything for use that's not in the SRD for free, it is not legal.
"With this in mind I would say d&d beyond is still far to expensive for the average consumer. As it stands only a dm is likely to buy the online books."
Far too* expensive.
And wrong. As a player, you only need to buy the Race/Class/ Subclass/ Spells/ Feats you want if you want to make a character on the DDB Builder. D&D is a hobby. You spend or don't spend what you want on a hobby. It is a choice, not a requirement. Anywhere from $1.99 to how ever much you want to spend.
"They stand to sell far more copy's & make bigger profits if they sold the online books at half price or offered it for 1/4th the price if you bought the physical books."
copies and*
No. They don't . DND Beyond is not Hasbro/ WotC. Fandom are a company licensing the rights to sell the books in a different format. Much like buying a Beadle and Grimm's Deluxe Edition of a 5E module. It's the exact same thing, with the exact same module. It just has more shiny things with it.
Buying the physical books from any retailer is in NO way, shape or form connected to buying it on DND Beyond. Just like buying a physical copy of Rime of the Frostmaiden would give you a copy of the alternate cover as well.
"Eather way there current prices are far too high"
Either* way their*
Far too high compared to what? It's a hobby and a choice. No one is forcing you to use DND Beyond, or Roll20, or Fantasy Grounds or anything else digital. Your old physical versions still work and are still fine.
In addition to playing D&D for the last 41 years, I'm also a model railroader. When I started HO when I was 14, I had no idea N scale existed, but due to space limitations and moving, I switched to N scale a few years later. Does that give me the right to have all my new N Scale track, rolling stock, and scenery for free or heavily discounted because I had already paid for them in HO? No. Because it, like D&D, is a hobby.
Regardless, the point stands. Buying one thing from one company does not imply consent and right to ownership for a product from another company, even if that product is the exact same media in a different format.
Seeing as how DDB is the single least expensive way to legally access D&D books (other than receiving them as gifts), I don’t see how that’s possible.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Second hand is legal. But for anyone that's bought a used game game from Game Stop, that digital code ain't gonna work. So a second hand Essentials Kit (the only physical copy/ddb crossover I'm familiar with) might not have the digital benefits.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
Second hand still usually costs more than the $20 DDB charges for a compendium.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Usually. And you run the risk of older, out of date editions.
I wish there was a way for ddb to promote the miserly approach to d&d in general and the advantage of their digital copy.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
I totally support you guys I love your app some of my friends who have never played d&d before have a really really hard time and struggle with creating a character with a physical character sheet with the books where as your app simplifies things and makes it new user-friendly keep up the good work
There's a difference between physically going into a store and online purchases giving you digital access. If you physically went into a store and asked, yes I would understand the clerk not providing you that book; it cost resources to make. Although, If someone has a hardcopy and something else is locked behind a paywall online, that book should give you access to the content. The difference between your example and D&DBeyond is that it is not a physical store, It is an online provider. If the books are just digital then the hard copies should be able to give you that digital access. ESPECIALLY IF THE HARD COPIES COST MORE! A lot of places do the exact thing people are discussing in this forum, so to infer that it wouldn't make sense would be ridiculous. Locking something behind a paywall, digitally, when someone has the physical copy is just money hungry. I go to college for business, it's just a tactic to get you to spend more money.
Although, I doubt D&DBeyond can do anything about that(contracts). This discussion should be brought up to the providers of the books themselves, they would be the ones providing codes.
I personally don't care, I love D&Dbeyond no matter what; even if I can't put my books on here.
In every case I've seen cited of companies providing digital access with a physical copy, it has been the same company providing both: WOTC and DDB are separate companies. Plus what is available here isn't just a digital copy of the book: not even if we are talking about only the compendium. The books have been tool tipped and linked extensively. The maps and other images have been designed so you can pull them up in separate windows. When possible, DDB staff have taken the map images and removed the DM layers on copies of each map to provide player versions that the physical books don't have. All that takes labor and money. And that's before we get to the character builder, or the searchable and filterable listings for spells, magic items, and monsters. Which also takes labor and money, as does the website, etc. Which means for physical book purchases to also get you access here, WOTC would have to either cut their profit margins to share the profit from sales of their books with DDB, or they would have to raise their prices in order to do so. EIther way, then Role20 and Fantasy grounds, who also provide digital access to official D&D sources are left out in the cold, as are their customers..
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
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That's why I said, "Although, I doubt D&DBeyond can do anything about that(contracts). This discussion should be brought up to the providers of the books themselves, they would be the ones providing codes." To get anything changed, I am directing these people to the actual people that would change it. Posting here on the forum about it will get them nowhere.
I literally just started playing D&D for the first time in 10+ years so far be it from me to poke the bear on this one, but when Amazon sells every book that comes out for the same $30 many of you keep touting as a huge discount on the digital copies (including Tasha's, which i bought day 1 for $29.99) it doesn't make sense to keep insisting we compare DDB prices to MSRP $50. Now I'm not saying DDB should give me the digital copy free nor that they don't provide additional services, but it is misleading.
DDB’s equivalent is the “Compendium Only” which is only $19.99. The “Full Version” with all the bells and whistles is the deluxe model. The print version has no such model. And why should we compare to Amazon, who is one retailer, when the other 99.99999% of retailers are charging $49.99?
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
So I've only read some of this thread, but here's my thoughts anyway. I don't think D&D Beyond is who we are trying to get more from, it's WotC. Yes, the end result we desire is to have the physical count toward the digital. The thing is, asking the "bookstore" isn't going to make any sense. WotC should provide a code or something with the purchase of their books, because THEY are getting paid twice. They could very easily offer something with a simple proof of purchase. Those who purchased them online have the easiest method of providing that information, yes, but it would be just as simple to create something for distributors of the books to provide to their gaming stores for the same purpose. I do not object to D&D Beyond making a profit here, I object to paying WotC twice, because despite who we hand the money to, they are still taking our money twice. I have the paid subscription, I probably will not buy paper copies going forward, but some sort of nod toward our patronage (again, from WotC, NOT D&D Beyond) is most certainly warranted.
you realize that a code would be DDB made 0 money right? So you don't mind paying DDB but want a code to get a free copy on DDB when you purchase a physical book....
I'm sorry, where did I state the word free? I also very clearly stated that the only loss should be to WotC, if it can be called a loss.
In that case, the folks everyone should be addressing are here: https://dnd.wizards.com, there is a link to WotC customer support at the bottom of the page.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting