I just have a really hard time seeing how the DDB builder doesn't already do that. I've seen some feedback that I understand, but on the whole it feels very much like the problem isn't that the builder isn't quick or efficient enough (I'm not a new player, and I think it's both those things; same for a lot of folks who've chimed up here and elsewhere) but that it doesn't function in a specific, idiosyncratic way that certain players have come to expect. I sincerely hope that the DDB dev team can find some kind of way to give y'all what you're looking for, or make the builder function well for the kind of player you are and some of the other folks in this thread are. Beyond that, it's just a bunch of arguing in circles.
I just have a really hard time seeing how the DDB builder doesn't already do that. I've seen some feedback that I understand, but on the whole it feels very much like the problem isn't that the builder isn't quick or efficient enough (I'm not a new player, and I think it's both those things; same for a lot of folks who've chimed up here and elsewhere) but that it doesn't function in a specific, idiosyncratic way that certain players have come to expect. I sincerely hope that the DDB dev team can find some kind of way to give y'all what you're looking for, or make the builder function well for the kind of player you are and some of the other folks in this thread are. Beyond that, it's just a bunch of arguing in circles.
I mean sure, it's all a matter of preference. But I can throw together a character at least 5 times quicker on MPMB than I can on DNDB. And I can edit values on MPMB much easier, such as custom attacks. And of course it prints out in a much more usable format for offline play.
I mean sure, it's all a matter of preference. But I can throw together a character at least 5 times quicker on MPMB than I can on DNDB. And I can edit values on MPMB much easier, such as custom attacks. And of course it prints out in a much more usable format for offline play.
I'd guess that much of that is simply needing to learn a new interface/system. For me, MPMB had a lot of options but it took forever to try to find things and work though them all. I suspect you've been using it for some time, so are able to do things very quickly in comparison. The builder here can be just as quick, you just need to figure out how things all work, IMO obviously.
As to the PDF export, yes - they are well aware of it's deficiencies are a completely revamped version is coming very soon now.
If there are specific things you feel are superior, please free to provide examples so that the dev team here could check them out for possible inclusion. They are always open to ideas to improve the site.
I just have a really hard time seeing how the DDB builder doesn't already do that. I've seen some feedback that I understand, but on the whole it feels very much like the problem isn't that the builder isn't quick or efficient enough (I'm not a new player, and I think it's both those things; same for a lot of folks who've chimed up here and elsewhere) but that it doesn't function in a specific, idiosyncratic way that certain players have come to expect. I sincerely hope that the DDB dev team can find some kind of way to give y'all what you're looking for, or make the builder function well for the kind of player you are and some of the other folks in this thread are. Beyond that, it's just a bunch of arguing in circles.
I mean sure, it's all a matter of preference. But I can throw together a character at least 5 times quicker on MPMB than I can on DNDB. And I can edit values on MPMB much easier, such as custom attacks. And of course it prints out in a much more usable format for offline play.
I tried MPMB and greatly prefer DNDB...
teak
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men... - Willy Wonka
And I mean at the end of the day it's okay to prefer MPMB if you do. DDB is never going to be all things to all people. Hopefully the devs can find a way to appeal more to that kind of player and that idiosyncratic approach to character building but it might just not be in line with their design vision or what the majority of the community wants or what WotC allows Curse to do with DDB (learning that the prescribed order of character building was mandated by WotC was interesting) etc and in that case it's good that other tools exist and it kinda becomes a question of whether you want the other things DDB offers (indexing, tooltips, at-table digital character management, limited but improving [eventually] campaign management and so on) and if so, are you willing to sacrifice your idiosyncratic approach to character building in order to gain access to that stuff? If not, it's okay to simply say DDB isn't for you and to move on .
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder) Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
I'm probably coming late to this thread, but since it shows up at the top of my google search, I will comment here (although it sounds like this thread is being closed). I have no issue with purchasing content. I have purchased all of the 5e hardcovers, the full set of books for Fantasy Grounds, and I am happy to purchase the content here as well. I love D&D and want to support anything that supports playing the game and attracts new players. This has been my opinion ever since the days of the basic set which I originally purchased.
The challenge I have is that honestly, all I want is a character builder. I'm old. I like hardcovers. I want a tool that let's me easily create a character sheet and print it out. If I use a iPad or laptop at the table as a player, I find myself more focused on that than becoming immersed in the story. As a DM looking out at a table of everyone staring at their iPads I feel more like I'm talking to myself. I know that this tool is meant to be more and that it may not be fair to the application, but for me that is what I personally want.
If this is going to be my only option to create a character sheet and print it out since the others are being shut down, okay. I get it. It great that an improved export is coming. I'm excited to see it. The first thing I did coming here was to create a sample character and print out the sheet which I find is unusable. It sounds like everyone gets that.
Yes, I can do this on pen and paper. Yes that is what I did with D&D all of these years, but it is great to have (and I'm willing to pay for) a tool which makes what I am trying to do easier. It let's me focus on playing instead of managing characters.
I hope that makes sense and I'm not just beating a dead horse. Please don't take this as inflammatory.
MarauderNET, I think I understand where you are coming from. I have worried a lot that playing D&D in person would become like an online site, with all of us just focused on our technology. I'm happy to say that for my group, this has not been the case. What I do find is I still like to read my paper books at home. But when I travel to the game, I don't want to lug all the books in addition to my maps, miniatures and dice. It is so nice to leave all the books home. And in the middle of a game, it is WAY easier to search online than go hunting through the books for something. I also like having access to all my players characters. It has been nice when thinking of encounters to look at the characters and find specific things that will let them shine with their skills. I'm still a new DM, but this has been a big help for me.
Now, I could really use some encounter and initiative tracking help! :)
As I stated earlier, I really like DND Beyond for what it is and am excited to see where it will go. But at the end of the day, it's just a tool to help me and my group have a good time. And if it ever gets in the way of that, I will stop using it. But, all it has done is make the good times better...so far! Happy adventuring!
Thanks. I appreciate the response. I completely get what you are saying. This app has the potential to satisfy everyone. I love lugging around my 40 pounds of stuff :) .
I have the same complaint about Fantasy Grounds. I feel more like I'm playing a computer game instead of focusing on the story we're making with the DM. As a DM I could definitely see myself using this more than as a player. I know that is just me. As a player for some reason I just want my character sheet, pencil and bag of dice.
I think people understand where I'm coming from. I mainly posted to try and help explain why some people may want the app only for the character building. Hopefully I have made myself at least somewhat understandable.
Thanks. I appreciate the response. I completely get what you are saying. This app has the potential to satisfy everyone. I love lugging around my 40 pounds of stuff :) .
I have the same complaint about Fantasy Grounds. I feel more like I'm playing a computer game instead of focusing on the story we're making with the DM. As a DM I could definitely see myself using this more than as a player. I know that is just me. As a player for some reason I just want my character sheet, pencil and bag of dice.
I think people understand where I'm coming from. I mainly posted to try and help explain why some people may want the app only for the character building. Hopefully I have made myself at least somewhat understandable.
Your feedback is helpful. I'm chagrined to admit that it took me some time to understand that some folks who tried DDB and expressed frustration and discontent *only* wanted a character creator, and one that they could print out to boot. Once I did get that, I had a lot more empathy for the frustration, both about features, and about cost. I know the export to pdf isn't there yet. I'm hopeful it will be eventually. And I would think the piecemeal purchase option would be helpful to at least some folks who want just a character builder.
I honestly fail to see how this is relevant to the topic of the thread, but I'll indulge you.
What do you mean exactly? As far as I know the only things "missing" in terms of archetypes used by Critical Role are the Sharpshooter and the monastic tradition Marisha is using with her new character in Campaign 2.
The first will most probably come when the Homebrew subclasses feature will be released (and if not, someone can just take it and create it with that, it's still a "pay what you want" DM's Guild resource), whle the second one is mostly a matter of rights, as it appears in the Tal'dore Guide, which is a book published by Green Ronin with Matthew Mercer, and therefore would need some sort of deal between Curse and Green Ronin to see its way here. Not saying it won't come, just that it's something we'll have to patiently wait for.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I know that there is a toggle for Critical Role content but one content is the College of the Maestro for the bard. I was hoping that it would be available in DnD beyond but I'm mistaken. I know that they have the blood hunter class so I am a little confused. Is that a mistake, something that will get figured out later, or something that will not be available at all. Thanks!
I know that there is a toggle for Critical Role content but one content is the College of the Maestro for the bard. I was hoping that it would be available in DnD beyond but I'm mistaken. I know that they have the blood hunter class so I am a little confused. Is that a mistake, something that will get figured out later, or something that will not be available at all. Thanks!
The only critical role content currently available is the Blood Hunter class. College of the Maestro may be added in the future, or may also be possible to homebrew once homebrew subclass functionality is added.
I'd even say it's a pretty embarrassing state of affairs if the app by the company who wrote the rule book couldn't do what they created in the first place.
Between that and the cost to play, I can't justify any investment.
I put some effort into giving it an honest try though. Their website constantly redirects to logging into my twitch app credentials. When I can log into the other account (usually an incognito tab) I can get my character. Until today. I have zero characters. They're gone. Zero info as I sit here at the table supposedly to play DnD. It's probably a good thing I kept my orcpub account, because it actually works - character sheets, calculated attacks, not completely losing my characters...
The only reason I have two accounts is because I wanted to watch twitch on my PS4 (quickly gave that lagfest up, and I only log in for the contest by Critical Role before going back to YouTube). I have a DnD beyond twitch account because I was forced to create one the year before cuz I wanted to try this app. Reaching out to support about various issues and to merge the accounts so I don't have these constant problems I just get a cut/paste reply "if you have a DnD beyond account, you already have a twitch account! Thanks for reaching out!"
I'd even say it's a pretty embarrassing state of affairs if the app by the company who wrote the rule book couldn't do what they created in the first place.
Between that and the cost to play, I can't justify any investment.
I put some effort into giving it an honest try though. Their website constantly redirects to logging into my twitch app credentials. When I can log into the other account (usually an incognito tab) I can get my character. Until today. I have zero characters. They're gone. Zero info as I sit here at the table supposedly to play DnD. It's probably a good thing I kept my orcpub account, because it actually works - character sheets, calculated attacks, not completely losing my characters...
The only reason I have two accounts is because I wanted to watch twitch on my PS4 (quickly gave that lagfest up, and I only log in for the contest by Critical Role before going back to YouTube). I have a DnD beyond twitch account because I was forced to create one the year before cuz I wanted to try this app. Reaching out to support about various issues and to merge the accounts so I don't have these constant problems I just get a cut/paste reply "if you have a DnD beyond account, you already have a twitch account! Thanks for reaching out!"
They want our money. They don't care about us.
None of what you said makes any sense.
First of all, Wizards of the Coast is the company that created Dungeons & Dragons 5e. D&D Beyond is the company which created this site and the app. The two are not the same company. One is owned by Hasbro and the other is owned by Curse (which is owned by Twitch, which is owned by Amazon).
How do you have zero characters? This site does not delete characters. Your Twitch account is your D&D Beyond account. The two are basically the same. The only thing you're doing when you sign up to this site is creating an ID to associate with the Twitch account. If you're not logging in with your Twitch credentials associated with the characters you've created, how do you expect to be able to use this site?
As for reaching out to support, they've answered you correctly.
Notes: moderator note - removed unpleasant comments
I'd even say it's a pretty embarrassing state of affairs if the app by the company who wrote the rule book couldn't do what they created in the first place.
Between that and the cost to play, I can't justify any investment.
I put some effort into giving it an honest try though. Their website constantly redirects to logging into my twitch app credentials. When I can log into the other account (usually an incognito tab) I can get my character. Until today. I have zero characters. They're gone. Zero info as I sit here at the table supposedly to play DnD. It's probably a good thing I kept my orcpub account, because it actually works - character sheets, calculated attacks, not completely losing my characters...
The only reason I have two accounts is because I wanted to watch twitch on my PS4 (quickly gave that lagfest up, and I only log in for the contest by Critical Role before going back to YouTube). I have a DnD beyond twitch account because I was forced to create one the year before cuz I wanted to try this app. Reaching out to support about various issues and to merge the accounts so I don't have these constant problems I just get a cut/paste reply "if you have a DnD beyond account, you already have a twitch account! Thanks for reaching out!"
They want our money. They don't care about us.
None of what you said makes any sense.
First of all, Wizards of the Coast is the company that created Dungeons & Dragons 5e. D&D Beyond is the company which created this site and the app. The two are not the same company. One is owned by Hasbro and the other is owned by Curse (which is owned by Twitch, which is owned by Amazon).
Pretty sure they are referring to the Critical Role content that the previous posts were talking about being missing.
How do you have zero characters? This site does not delete characters. Your Twitch account is your D&D Beyond account. The two are basically the same. The only thing you're doing when you sign up to this site is creating an ID to associate with the Twitch account. If you're not logging in with your Twitch credentials associated with the characters you've created, how do you expect to be able to use this site?
As for reaching out to support, they've answered you correctly so I don't see what your problem actually is.
It seems pretty clear to me that they didn't realize that at the time. They are trying to merge the two Twitch accounts into a single account.
Signed up a week ago, thought I'd treat my partner and our daughter to their first online character sheet for one of the games I run. Looking forward to showing them the morning after. Already drew up a couple of custom avatars too. They both play Drow, had to experiment with the contoring a little.
Turns out creating a Drow requires me to buy one of them digital books. Really ? Just because two of my players wanted to try something a little "exotic" to enhance their overal D&D experience?
Oh well. Back to the books I already payed for I guess.
Make what you will of my short tale. I'm not here for the pity points or anything of the like but I have little more to contribute than that. I dont have the time knowledge and experience to debate business models, the average salary or the app in needlessy excessive detail. I just thought I'd highlight my shortlived experience as I probably wasn't the first user to fall short at the first paywall and won't be last all because companies abusing another product for some extra spending money.
Turns out creating a Drow requires me to buy one of them digital books. Really ? Just because two of my players wanted to try something a little "exotic" to enhance their overal D&D experience?
Creating a Drow on DDB does not need to require a purchase of the PHB here. One can just purchase the race, or even homebrew it for free. If you would like to know more about those options, there’s a Buyer’s Guide link in my signature.
Of course, you are welcome to decide that the tools here don’t have enough value to you to pay for them, or to take the time to homebrew what you want. No harm, no foul if that is your choice.
I just have a really hard time seeing how the DDB builder doesn't already do that. I've seen some feedback that I understand, but on the whole it feels very much like the problem isn't that the builder isn't quick or efficient enough (I'm not a new player, and I think it's both those things; same for a lot of folks who've chimed up here and elsewhere) but that it doesn't function in a specific, idiosyncratic way that certain players have come to expect. I sincerely hope that the DDB dev team can find some kind of way to give y'all what you're looking for, or make the builder function well for the kind of player you are and some of the other folks in this thread are. Beyond that, it's just a bunch of arguing in circles.
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men...
- Willy Wonka
And I mean at the end of the day it's okay to prefer MPMB if you do. DDB is never going to be all things to all people. Hopefully the devs can find a way to appeal more to that kind of player and that idiosyncratic approach to character building but it might just not be in line with their design vision or what the majority of the community wants or what WotC allows Curse to do with DDB (learning that the prescribed order of character building was mandated by WotC was interesting) etc and in that case it's good that other tools exist and it kinda becomes a question of whether you want the other things DDB offers (indexing, tooltips, at-table digital character management, limited but improving [eventually] campaign management and so on) and if so, are you willing to sacrifice your idiosyncratic approach to character building in order to gain access to that stuff? If not, it's okay to simply say DDB isn't for you and to move on .
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
I'm probably coming late to this thread, but since it shows up at the top of my google search, I will comment here (although it sounds like this thread is being closed). I have no issue with purchasing content. I have purchased all of the 5e hardcovers, the full set of books for Fantasy Grounds, and I am happy to purchase the content here as well. I love D&D and want to support anything that supports playing the game and attracts new players. This has been my opinion ever since the days of the basic set which I originally purchased.
The challenge I have is that honestly, all I want is a character builder. I'm old. I like hardcovers. I want a tool that let's me easily create a character sheet and print it out. If I use a iPad or laptop at the table as a player, I find myself more focused on that than becoming immersed in the story. As a DM looking out at a table of everyone staring at their iPads I feel more like I'm talking to myself. I know that this tool is meant to be more and that it may not be fair to the application, but for me that is what I personally want.
If this is going to be my only option to create a character sheet and print it out since the others are being shut down, okay. I get it. It great that an improved export is coming. I'm excited to see it. The first thing I did coming here was to create a sample character and print out the sheet which I find is unusable. It sounds like everyone gets that.
Yes, I can do this on pen and paper. Yes that is what I did with D&D all of these years, but it is great to have (and I'm willing to pay for) a tool which makes what I am trying to do easier. It let's me focus on playing instead of managing characters.
I hope that makes sense and I'm not just beating a dead horse. Please don't take this as inflammatory.
MarauderNET, I think I understand where you are coming from. I have worried a lot that playing D&D in person would become like an online site, with all of us just focused on our technology. I'm happy to say that for my group, this has not been the case. What I do find is I still like to read my paper books at home. But when I travel to the game, I don't want to lug all the books in addition to my maps, miniatures and dice. It is so nice to leave all the books home. And in the middle of a game, it is WAY easier to search online than go hunting through the books for something. I also like having access to all my players characters. It has been nice when thinking of encounters to look at the characters and find specific things that will let them shine with their skills. I'm still a new DM, but this has been a big help for me.
Now, I could really use some encounter and initiative tracking help! :)
As I stated earlier, I really like DND Beyond for what it is and am excited to see where it will go. But at the end of the day, it's just a tool to help me and my group have a good time. And if it ever gets in the way of that, I will stop using it. But, all it has done is make the good times better...so far! Happy adventuring!
Thanks. I appreciate the response. I completely get what you are saying. This app has the potential to satisfy everyone. I love lugging around my 40 pounds of stuff :) .
I have the same complaint about Fantasy Grounds. I feel more like I'm playing a computer game instead of focusing on the story we're making with the DM. As a DM I could definitely see myself using this more than as a player. I know that is just me. As a player for some reason I just want my character sheet, pencil and bag of dice.
I think people understand where I'm coming from. I mainly posted to try and help explain why some people may want the app only for the character building. Hopefully I have made myself at least somewhat understandable.
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
Thanks! I appreciate the understanding.
I want critical role character archetypes
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I know that there is a toggle for Critical Role content but one content is the College of the Maestro for the bard. I was hoping that it would be available in DnD beyond but I'm mistaken. I know that they have the blood hunter class so I am a little confused. Is that a mistake, something that will get figured out later, or something that will not be available at all. Thanks!
I'd even say it's a pretty embarrassing state of affairs if the app by the company who wrote the rule book couldn't do what they created in the first place.
Between that and the cost to play, I can't justify any investment.
I put some effort into giving it an honest try though. Their website constantly redirects to logging into my twitch app credentials. When I can log into the other account (usually an incognito tab) I can get my character. Until today. I have zero characters. They're gone. Zero info as I sit here at the table supposedly to play DnD. It's probably a good thing I kept my orcpub account, because it actually works - character sheets, calculated attacks, not completely losing my characters...
The only reason I have two accounts is because I wanted to watch twitch on my PS4 (quickly gave that lagfest up, and I only log in for the contest by Critical Role before going back to YouTube). I have a DnD beyond twitch account because I was forced to create one the year before cuz I wanted to try this app. Reaching out to support about various issues and to merge the accounts so I don't have these constant problems I just get a cut/paste reply "if you have a DnD beyond account, you already have a twitch account! Thanks for reaching out!"
They want our money. They don't care about us.
As for reaching out to support, they've answered you correctly.
Here's my D&D beyond experience so far.
Signed up a week ago, thought I'd treat my partner and our daughter to their first online character sheet for one of the games I run. Looking forward to showing them the morning after. Already drew up a couple of custom avatars too. They both play Drow, had to experiment with the contoring a little.
Turns out creating a Drow requires me to buy one of them digital books. Really ? Just because two of my players wanted to try something a little "exotic" to enhance their overal D&D experience?
Oh well. Back to the books I already payed for I guess.
Make what you will of my short tale. I'm not here for the pity points or anything of the like but I have little more to contribute than that. I dont have the time knowledge and experience to debate business models, the average salary or the app in needlessy excessive detail. I just thought I'd highlight my shortlived experience as I probably wasn't the first user to fall short at the first paywall and won't be last all because companies abusing another product for some extra spending money.
Creating a Drow on DDB does not need to require a purchase of the PHB here. One can just purchase the race, or even homebrew it for free. If you would like to know more about those options, there’s a Buyer’s Guide link in my signature.
Of course, you are welcome to decide that the tools here don’t have enough value to you to pay for them, or to take the time to homebrew what you want. No harm, no foul if that is your choice.
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
I want to state that i love DND Beyond now and do not have any complaints about it. My friends and i all use it for our campaigns.