A little while ago I got the 5th edition player's handbook. I used to play face-to-face for a while but now a friend is hosting a campaign using your services. I would like to redeem my book on your website though as I can now not use a lot of the content that I can use IRL. Is there any way that i can get the rights for using the player's handbook on your website as well?
Sadly that is not the way it works. DDB is a distributor, separate from WotC (the game creators).
It's like going to a game store and saying "I bought this game from your competitor, can I have a second copy from you for free?"
There is one exception with the essentials kit because DDB worked with WotC so all physical products have a code for the digital version, too. But that was a collaboration since before that product came out, which is why it is an exception.
As DxJxC said, Wizards of the Coast does not own D&D Beyond, so the physical books they produce do not contain a code to redeem a digital copy on D&D Beyond. The Essential's Kit is an exception and does contain a code.
As an alternative to purchasing the full books, you may also purchase individual races, subclasses, feats & magic items from the marketplace. Should you later wish to purchase the sourcebook that they came from, any such individual purchases are fully discounted from the price of the sourcebook.
You are also welcome to create your own content using the D&D Beyond homebrew tools.
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There has been no word of a change. And there are lots of reasons other than the ownership of the site that work against content being free here for folks who bought physical copies, including:
-needing to pay for all the costs (including wages) of adapting the content to the tools here and building said tools
-designing a theft-proof ( or at least highly resistent) method for providing and redeeming codes
-covering the cost of such a redemption process
Even if it were to happen (which I doubt), I see no way for it to apply to previous purchases.
Now that Wizards owns D&D Beyond, I'm re-opening this question.
Wizards has owned DDB for 5 days (what took you so long? Dozens of people started asking that weeks ago). They still have no way to confirm a previous purchase of a physical book and never will, so anything they do will only effect future sales. (And really if you are hoping for more, you might as well bring your books and all your receipts to the WotC headquarters and ask them directly...)
As for when: some time AFTER they decide they can make more money by doing so (IF they decide that...), and AFTER they set up the infrastructure to give out codes to paying customers and not just every thief that enters an LGS. I'd be surprised if they do this before 5.5 in 2024.
Does the front of the box say it includes free access at DDB? The first run of boxes did and had sheets of paper with QR codes and instructions. At some point they stopped provided those codes, so later printings don’t have them.
Dear reader,
A little while ago I got the 5th edition player's handbook. I used to play face-to-face for a while but now a friend is hosting a campaign using your services. I would like to redeem my book on your website though as I can now not use a lot of the content that I can use IRL. Is there any way that i can get the rights for using the player's handbook on your website as well?
Sincerely,
Quinten Maas
Sadly that is not the way it works. DDB is a distributor, separate from WotC (the game creators).
It's like going to a game store and saying "I bought this game from your competitor, can I have a second copy from you for free?"
There is one exception with the essentials kit because DDB worked with WotC so all physical products have a code for the digital version, too. But that was a collaboration since before that product came out, which is why it is an exception.
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ModeratorAs DxJxC said, Wizards of the Coast does not own D&D Beyond, so the physical books they produce do not contain a code to redeem a digital copy on D&D Beyond. The Essential's Kit is an exception and does contain a code.
As an alternative to purchasing the full books, you may also purchase individual races, subclasses, feats & magic items from the marketplace. Should you later wish to purchase the sourcebook that they came from, any such individual purchases are fully discounted from the price of the sourcebook.
You are also welcome to create your own content using the D&D Beyond homebrew tools.
Homebrew Rules || Homebrew FAQ || Snippet Codes || Tooltips
DDB Guides & FAQs, Class Guides, Character Builds, Game Guides, Useful Websites, and WOTC Resources
You can also use the homebrew tools to add and use the content from the book you own, just don't publish these.
Now that Wizards owns D&D Beyond, I'm re-opening this question.
There has been no word of a change. And there are lots of reasons other than the ownership of the site that work against content being free here for folks who bought physical copies, including:
-needing to pay for all the costs (including wages) of adapting the content to the tools here and building said tools
-designing a theft-proof ( or at least highly resistent) method for providing and redeeming codes
-covering the cost of such a redemption process
Even if it were to happen (which I doubt), I see no way for it to apply to previous purchases.
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;
Check your entitlements here. | Support Ticket LInk
Wizards has owned DDB for 5 days (what took you so long? Dozens of people started asking that weeks ago). They still have no way to confirm a previous purchase of a physical book and never will, so anything they do will only effect future sales. (And really if you are hoping for more, you might as well bring your books and all your receipts to the WotC headquarters and ask them directly...)
As for when: some time AFTER they decide they can make more money by doing so (IF they decide that...), and AFTER they set up the infrastructure to give out codes to paying customers and not just every thief that enters an LGS. I'd be surprised if they do this before 5.5 in 2024.
It’s very sad but I’m going to put a suggestion forward to be able to redeem a code
Captain_Comix
I love having physical books but i also use DDB a lot because the amazing tool it is. So I hope we can redeem our codes in the future.
I have the essentials kit. can anyone tell me where the code is physically located?
Does the front of the box say it includes free access at DDB? The first run of boxes did and had sheets of paper with QR codes and instructions. At some point they stopped provided those codes, so later printings don’t have them.
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;
Check your entitlements here. | Support Ticket LInk