These are the types of responses that are so frustrating. You've ignored everything that was written and fallback into "I want Curse to give me stuff for free."
I own the legacy bundle, I have the master-tier subscription, and the character building tools are mostly useless to me. I've explained why that's so, over and over again. It comes down to the fundamental issue that the current design of the tool is dependent of the purchase of the content here. If that's how Curse wants to have it setup, that's fine and is up to them. They are currently in the process of doing a re-design, which they've said will allow for a lot more flexibility, so hopefully that actually makes it useable for me. If not, I'll keep using what I'm using.
I addressed everything that was written. The first half of your post tried to say that its false that D&D doesn't require purchases to use. Guess what, it doesn't. Is there some advertisement that I'm missing where Beyond is being promoted as offering free access to all of the WotC's content?
Your second half says: "The frustration from the community is really about the character sheet requiring a purchase or re-purchase of content even when they don't want the digital goods - they just want to create their character using the source book on their desk. Don't misunderstand - this isn't about entitlement, it's about wanting to use the content already owned to create the character. That means the player entering in the data themselves from the book for their character."
Thing is, they cancreate their character using the source book on their desk. They canuse the content already owned to create the character. They canenter the data themselves from the book for their character. They have the all information and all the tools that they purchased to do so. But that's not what they want. They want the full interactive features of a fancy new tool being offered by a completely different company instead... and somehow that isn't entitlement?
Ultimately I don't care what bundles you own because it doesn't change what you typed. So much complaining about people having to "purchase or re-purchase" things, only to act like having to purchase or re-purchase things isn't the root of those complaints. Most of my post isn't even about you or your own use of the service, but rather the specific claims you have made regarding community frustration.
How are you tracking your class feature abilities with the character sheet? You aren't because you cannot do it (putting it in the notes is another hack to workaround the limitations of the tool).
Lol. So Beyond's character sheet (both the digital tools AND the pdf version it offers) let you enter in custom notes for being able to track things like class feature abilities and literally anything else you want, and your fallback is pretending it magically doesn't count because such character notes are visible on the rightside of the screen and not the leftside. 🙄 Suuuuure. The parenthesis of that sentence recalls a kid with their eyes closed, fingers in their ears screaming nanananana.
There's always room for improvements, sure. They already said they're working on it, and I don't see any reason for the service not to do anything but improve with time. But if you think Beyond in its currently state isn't sufficient for building characters from the PHB, honestly I'd hate to see how you got along with the game prior to 2017.
Lol. So Beyond's character sheet (both the digital tools AND the pdf version it offers) let you enter in custom notes for being able to track things like class feature abilities and literally anything else you want, and your fallback is pretending it magically doesn't count because such character notes are visible on the rightside of the screen and not the leftside. 🙄 Suuuuure. The parenthesis of that sentence recalls a kid with their eyes closed, fingers in their ears screaming nanananana.
I really don't understand how you can argue that having your class features listed in notes section is equivalent to integration into the features, and subsequently the limited use and other areas of the sheet, including stat increases and proficiency gains. It's not. Why bother with any of it if you're just going to write it all in the notes section? You are better off just use the form-fillable PDF if that's your end goal.
There's always room for improvements, sure. They already said they're working on it, and I don't see any reason for the service not to do anything but improve with time. But if you think Beyond in its currently state isn't sufficient for building characters from the PHB, honestly I'd hate to see how you got along with the game prior to 2017.
If you buy the class you want from the PHB, you can build it. If you don't buy it, you have hack a lot of via homebrew items. If that's how Curse wants to keep it, they can. My argument was never about being required to purchase something; my argument has always been that the sheet is not flexible enough. One of the side-effects of that rigidness is that it requires you to purchase content as you cannot duplicate that on your own if you want that integrated into the tool. That's a design decision you can see baked in from the first version. I don't want the flexibility so I can add in classes from the PHB, I want the flexibility so I can have my own homebrew stuff work properly within the toolset instead of trying to explain to my characters: "oh, well, for that you need to do this, and for this you need to do that - oh... and that thing actually works as you'd expect it to."
For my online games, I use digital tools. I'd love to have it all in one spot. Currently DDB doesn't provide that.
I understand the fact that you need to buy the books in hard copy or a digital copy. It would be nice If I could add existing books that I currently bought and would like to be able to view them in digital format. The fact that the D&D beyond is made by a different company is understandable. It would be nice to have a pdf format of any book that you buy. I would like to say that this shows promise but it appears it may be way off from a finished version. I think it would be great if you could have a way to upload sheets with notes into the program that are related to the game session and things that were done. I use this as a recap after the last game session with my players to refresh their memories of the past gaming sessions.
As someone who isn't happy with the product, I'm going to summarize this discussion.
To summarize complaints.
1) People feel they should not have to pay to use content they already payed for in the online tool.
2) People would like the PDF to be easily editable once information from the character builder has been imported.
3) People would like the character builder to import all the information to the PDF, which it currently doesn't.
4) People would like a bare-bones automated character builder like MPMB for more experienced players.
5) People would like options like AL Compliance.
To summarize the majority of responses (not in any particular order):
1. Shut up, you are a stupid entitled whiner for wanting that.
2. It's probably coming sometime.
3. Be happy for what you were given.
4. Here's some mental gymnastics to show you that really if you squint you are already getting everything you want!
Glad we had this productive discussion.
Here's the thing, you complain that these posts get made often. MAYBE that's a clue that WOTC and/or Curse are not actually listening to what the non-rabid fanbase wants. Maybe that's a clue that YOU, the handful of apologists, are actually the exception.
In the end, you can continue to pay. I already rebought the PHB and bought XGTE (so that's a sale my LGS won't be getting, sucks for them). I will not pay any more until I am happy with the product. I've expressed my concerns, echoed by many people I play with IRL. You've met those concerns with scorn and dismissal. And if the product fails and is abandoned in a year or two, you'll blame all those folks who just wouldn't be happy with the product instead of admitting maybe it was the faults in the product and pricing model that caused it to fail.
I'm out. But I'll be sure to jump to the defense of anyone else with complaints that you belittle though. Not going to let the only voices heard be those that trivialize customers legit complaints.
I agree with him the MPMB sheet is basically everything i want in DND Beyond, and I have purchased all the Rules books in both the digital and print medium so I have 0 problems feeling bad about using something that "violates" copyrite. I have no problem waiting for the development, but it seems like they are trying to push toward using tablets / laptops at the table, and I think that would make it harder for DnD games.
Here's the thing, you complain that these posts get made often. MAYBE that's a clue that WOTC and/or Curse are not actually listening to what the non-rabid fanbase wants.
You need to realize that Curse literally has no control over what WotC does with their content. The staff pushed hard to get what we have right now, and have done nothing but listen to the community on what features they want to see in the final product. If you think Curse doesn't listen to people on pricing, I'd like you to show me where you can get any of the books for the prices listed on D&D Beyond. The complaints that we see the most often are about pricing. "Why do we have to pay again?" Well, you aren't paying again. You're buying the content on a different platform, and if that upsets you, or doesn't work for you, stick with what you enjoy the most. D&D Beyond might not be the right place for you, but it does answer a need that has been requested by the community for a long time.
As someone who isn't happy with the product, I'm going to summarize this discussion.
To summarize complaints.
1) People feel they should not have to pay to use content they already payed for in the online tool.
2) People would like the PDF to be easily editable once information from the character builder has been imported.
3) People would like the character builder to import all the information to the PDF, which it currently doesn't.
4) People would like a bare-bones automated character builder like MPMB for more experienced players.
5) People would like options like AL Compliance.
To summarize the majority of responses (not in any particular order):
1. Shut up, you are a stupid entitled whiner for wanting that.
2. It's probably coming sometime.
3. Be happy for what you were given.
4. Here's some mental gymnastics to show you that really if you squint you are already getting everything you want!
Glad we had this productive discussion.
Here's the thing, you complain that these posts get made often. MAYBE that's a clue that WOTC and/or Curse are not actually listening to what the non-rabid fanbase wants. Maybe that's a clue that YOU, the handful of apologists, are actually the exception.
In the end, you can continue to pay. I already rebought the PHB and bought XGTE (so that's a sale my LGS won't be getting, sucks for them). I will not pay any more until I am happy with the product. I've expressed my concerns, echoed by many people I play with IRL. You've met those concerns with scorn and dismissal. And if the product fails and is abandoned in a year or two, you'll blame all those folks who just wouldn't be happy with the product instead of admitting maybe it was the faults in the product and pricing model that caused it to fail.
I'm out. But I'll be sure to jump to the defense of anyone else with complaints that you belittle though. Not going to let the only voices heard be those that trivialize customers legit complaints.
It's fun how, presented with constructive reply, you dismiss it as nothing more than people being blind and unreasonable to the truth you and few others seem able to see.
Can I ask you, with all respect everyone's opinion deserve, to contest my replies to you in a constructive and civil way? I believe I did not say that you are stupid or to shut up, as I also believe I provided constructive examples and explanations of some of the things that seem to have been overlooked in your posts. I am quite sure, though, that there is quite a level of entitlement feeling, willing or otherwise, that I personally fail to grasp. I'd appreciate you helping me understand.
You are perfectly in your right not to be happy with the product as it is now, but as you are not happy with people trying to convince you that it is not so bad in the end, please understand that there are people that do not agree with your opinions and actually want to keep up with the development of these tools and try to see the potential. I believe all the points you stated as genuine and valid complains (and they are, I am not dismissing them or saying they are otherwise) have been met, in one post or the other, with a response that was aimed to try and let you see another side of this, and possibly things that it seems you have not taken into consideration when presenting your complains.
By all means keep on defending your opinions, that is the only real way there can be a conversation that can improve the status of things, but, please, as most of us are not simply dismissing your points with the replies you have listed, do us the favor of not treating us as poor sheeps blind to some universal truth.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
What do you mean by intuitive? The character builder kinda makes you have to work backwards when creating a character, and it makes things annoyingly complicated. I think you should Start with Race, then Background, then stats, then class. That is a more linear format as to how character creation typically happens. It also allows you to have all your preset skills (from Racial and Background) before having to go through the pick-list for the skills you get with your class. I also find the equipment process quite clunky and overly complex. I should not have to pick an item, then go to a different menu to equip it, then go to a third menu to attune to it.
The PDF format is just the worst. I love DND Beyond and the potential it offers, but it needs to improve before it can replace the MMPBB and (do not give me crap over the illegal content, as i have bought every rule and reference and preordered Tome of Foes) be my primary character sheet.
To summarize the majority of responses (not in any particular order):
1. Shut up, you are a stupid entitled whiner for wanting that.
2. It's probably coming sometime.
3. Be happy for what you were given.
4. Here's some mental gymnastics to show you that really if you squint you are already getting everything you want!
Glad we had this productive discussion.
Pretty much. I'm really, really hoping that the new character sheet allows us the full flexibility as other alternatives do. Not only will it make for a better product all around, all of these complaints would be addressed (albeit, PDF export may still not be).
I think all of us want DnD Beyond to be better than the MPMB sheet, but in order to do that we need to state what we like about that sheet, and what we do not like about what is provided with the DND Beyond Service.
You may have already read my first response, but it was rude (in response to rudeness), and I'm trying to not let myself get heated over silly internet arguments.
Instead I will politely say that there are lots of answers to each of your concerns on this forum and in the Q&A livestreams.
What do you mean by intuitive? The character builder kinda makes you have to work backwards when creating a character, and it makes things annoyingly complicated. I think you should Start with Race, then Background, then stats, then class. That is a more linear format as to how character creation typically happens. It also allows you to have all your preset skills (from Racial and Background) before having to go through the pick-list for the skills you get with your class. I also find the equipment process quite clunky and overly complex. I should not have to pick an item, then go to a different menu to equip it, then go to a third menu to attune to it.
I've talked about this at length in another thread, but I can't find it currently, so not surprised that you haven't seen it. :)
Wizards of the Coast defined how the character builder has to work. They were quite specific that the character builder needed to follow the same build order as in the Player's Handbook. They did this with good reason - the design in the Player's Handbook was created over many iterations of the 5e playtest phase and is the way that the majority of playtesters preferred.
side note - I don't personally like the order - I prefer the old school stats -> race -> class, but that's likely because I've been playing since the early 80s. However, this order is something that was more intuitive for the majority of players, so I am good with that.
The PDF format is just the worst. I love DND Beyond and the potential it offers, but it needs to improve before it can replace the MMPBB and (do not give me crap over the illegal content, as i have bought every rule and reference and preordered Tome of Foes) be my primary character sheet.
The PDF is the standard sheet from the Wizards D&D site, with a minor graphical change.
Producing a PDF export just wasn't in the original design of D&D Beyond (it's a digital toolset that will offer offline access - why would anyone need a PDF export?)
During the pre-launch phase beta testing, quite a lot of people requested the ability to export their character to PDF. The Curse team listened, but knew they had limited availability to work on this, due to the other features they were working on that needed to be completed. The question was asked back to the community - would you rather have a "rough and ready" PDF export now, with a full version later when we have time, or wait until later for the full version. People opted for the rough and ready version.
Should the export to PDF function be better? Hell yes, it should and WILL be massively better than it is currently, but the facts about how we got to where we are often lost or overlooked.
I would agree. If something is so very wrong that it's getting someone fired up on a forum about what they believe they shouldn't pay for, what they expect to receive, what features may or may not be included, etc - it might just not be the product for you at this point.
Nobody is required to purchase anything on D&D Beyond to enjoy the hobby of Dungeons & Dragons. Nobody is required to purchase anything here to play with someone who does. Nobody is required to purchase anything here if they don't like what is offered, or if it doesn't apply to their needs.
So please, look over what the product IS, what features are planned to be deployed, and what the pricing model looks like. If you disagree with any of these topics, you can decline to purchase. We welcome feedback the above topics. Lets be realistic though - the decisions which led to what the product is, pricing structures, etc were made by multiple parties and aren't likely to be changed. Like it or hate it, that's just the way it is.
What do you mean by intuitive? The character builder kinda makes you have to work backwards when creating a character, and it makes things annoyingly complicated. I think you should Start with Race, then Background, then stats, then class. That is a more linear format as to how character creation typically happens.
The character builder suggests you do things in the same order that the PHB suggests you do things. Operative word here being "suggests," as there is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing things in the exact order that you prefer. As a matter of fact, that's the order I usually do things in using DDB's character builder. You are free to skip around all you want; the fact that the sections are numbered does not limit your ability to create a character in a way that feels more logical to you.
It also allows you to have all your preset skills (from Racial and Background) before having to go through the pick-list for the skills you get with your class.
In addition to there being no set order to character building, the builder tells you if a proficiency has already been granted, so you can choose a different one instead. It's actually a really elegant way to let you build a character in the suggested order without having to skip around. Though you are of course free to do background first and then go back to stats and class.
I also find the equipment process quite clunky and overly complex. I should not have to pick an item, then go to a different menu to equip it, then go to a third menu to attune to it.
I'm not following. You don't have to use three different menus to equip an item. Unless you are saying you would like to be able to equip a certain item as you add it to your inventory? Which, hey, that's a pretty good suggestion. But you're making the process of equipping an item sound a lot more difficult than it really is.
The PDF format is just the worst. I love DND Beyond and the potential it offers, but it needs to improve before it can replace the MMPBB and (do not give me crap over the illegal content, as i have bought every rule and reference and preordered Tome of Foes) be my primary character sheet.
The thing here is that I'm not sure DDB is meant to "replace" any of those other tools. Maybe that's the problem, that people for some reason feel this is being shoved down their throat as the only way to play D&D? But it's not. Even the way it's described is as an official toolset, not the official toolset. There's nothing stopping you from using other tools that work better for you. In this case, DDB wasn't even originally intended to have a PDF export, so I'm not sure it's particularly reasonable to set that as your chief complaint about the service. It feels like you're not really engaging with DDB on its own terms. DDB set out in part to be an alternative to paper character sheets at the table, not a new (or yet another) way to create them; their priority has not changed, but they have heard the message loud and clear that many people would like the ability to export PDFs for use at the table. They added the functionality (pretty damn quickly I might add), people weren't happy with it, now they're tweaking it. They are on the record with that being one of the things that's coming soonest.
As for "do not give me crap over the illegal content," do what you want to do, but you know that's not how licensing works, don't you?
I have no interest in telling anyone that they are wrong to not be happy with DDB. There are things that I'm not happy about, and a few posts up I address what I think are pretty legitimate complaints about DDB, even if I don't necessarily see things the same way. But most of what you're saying here is factually inaccurate. And an argument based on bad premises is a bad argument. You don't need to rely on bad arguments. You'll have an easier time getting your point across if you don't.
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 agree with him the MPMB sheet is basically everything i want in DND Beyond, and I have purchased all the Rules books in both the digital and print medium so I have 0 problems feeling bad about using something that "violates" copyrite. I have no problem waiting for the development, but it seems like they are trying to push toward using tablets / laptops at the table, and I think that would make it harder for DnD games.
DDB is a digital tool. It is intended to be used on a phone/tablet/laptop at the table. For people who want paper, the books and physical character sheets haven't changed and this site isn't the tool for them.
Here's the thing, you complain that these posts get made often. MAYBE that's a clue that WOTC and/or Curse are not actually listening to what the non-rabid fanbase wants. Maybe that's a clue that YOU, the handful of apologists, are actually the exception.
Or maybe here's the thing. There are demonstrably thousands of users here on DDB. The handful of rabid voices on either side of these arguments are a very minor percentage, whether pro or con. It seems pretty clear to me that most users find the tools perfectly serviceable and worth the price. Theh may see the incremental improvements and feel that Curse IS listening and acting on thier custoner's feedback. To my eye, BOTH sides arguing endlessly about this here on the forums are the exception.
All of your complaints are about the Character Builder. There are only two legit options for Character Builders: D&D Beyond and Fantasy Grounds. FG requires the DM be online for players to use their resources in the character builder. FG is cheaper in the long run, and has support for playing the game online. I think it's a tough call between the two.
Your complaints ignore the great parts of D&D Beyond. Full digital versions of all the books, searchable database of the monsters, spells, and items, and the ability to share the content with other players in multiple campaigns.
All of your complaints are about the Character Builder. There are only two legit options for Character Builders: D&D Beyond and Fantasy Grounds. FG requires the DM be online for players to use their resources in the character builder. FG is cheaper in the long run, and has support for playing the game online. I think it's a tough call between the two.
Your complaints ignore the great parts of D&D Beyond. Full digital versions of all the books, searchable database of the monsters, spells, and items, and the ability to share the content with other players in multiple campaigns.
So because one part is satisfactory but the other part isn't, we shouldn't complain? Obviously if someone has an issue with the character builder they aren't going to complain about the searchable database, they have nothing to do with each other. It's like saying I shouldn't complain about the super salty mashed potatoes because the steak is cooked to perfection. This response doesn't make any sense in the discussion. In fact the OP says this, that D&D Beyond isn't all terrible and is great for a reference tool.
So because one part is satisfactory but the other part isn't, we shouldn't complain? Obviously if someone has an issue with the character builder they aren't going to complain about the searchable database, they have nothing to do with each other. It's like saying I shouldn't complain about the super salty mashed potatoes because the steak is cooked to perfection. This response doesn't make any sense in the discussion. In fact the OP says this, that D&D Beyond isn't all terrible and is great for a reference tool.
I am saying the character builder is a small part of the offering. So to say you're disappointed in D&D Beyond when they succeed at a 95% of being an online reference tool isn't fair to the service.
I don't think anyone actually means to suggest that you cannot complain about the character builder. It is perfectly reasonable to have complaints. I am sure that most of us here do. I think the thing is, though, that it's really about the adoption of DDB as a new ecosystem, a set of interlinked tools versus primarily a tool to create characters. Where the platform really shines is in the former, so complaints that focus exclusively on the latter can feel somewhat myopic, kind of like you are missing the point of the service. Now, I'm not saying that's entirely fair. People are going to use DDB for what they want to use it for and it's okay if they only want to use one part of the tool. But maybe that is why comparing DDB to MPMB's sheet or to OrcPub or whatever feels like it is missing the point. Absolutely they should continue working to improve the character builder. From the sounds of it that is the number one thing that they are currently working on, and I have a lot of faith that they have been listening to people's feedback and will incorporate it. But I think it can be really frustrating for people to hear arguments that maybe are not engaging with the platform on its own terms .
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DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder) Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
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I addressed everything that was written. The first half of your post tried to say that its false that D&D doesn't require purchases to use. Guess what, it doesn't. Is there some advertisement that I'm missing where Beyond is being promoted as offering free access to all of the WotC's content?
Your second half says: "The frustration from the community is really about the character sheet requiring a purchase or re-purchase of content even when they don't want the digital goods - they just want to create their character using the source book on their desk. Don't misunderstand - this isn't about entitlement, it's about wanting to use the content already owned to create the character. That means the player entering in the data themselves from the book for their character."
Thing is, they can create their character using the source book on their desk. They can use the content already owned to create the character. They can enter the data themselves from the book for their character. They have the all information and all the tools that they purchased to do so. But that's not what they want. They want the full interactive features of a fancy new tool being offered by a completely different company instead... and somehow that isn't entitlement?
Ultimately I don't care what bundles you own because it doesn't change what you typed. So much complaining about people having to "purchase or re-purchase" things, only to act like having to purchase or re-purchase things isn't the root of those complaints. Most of my post isn't even about you or your own use of the service, but rather the specific claims you have made regarding community frustration.
Lol. So Beyond's character sheet (both the digital tools AND the pdf version it offers) let you enter in custom notes for being able to track things like class feature abilities and literally anything else you want, and your fallback is pretending it magically doesn't count because such character notes are visible on the right side of the screen and not the left side. 🙄 Suuuuure. The parenthesis of that sentence recalls a kid with their eyes closed, fingers in their ears screaming nanananana.
There's always room for improvements, sure. They already said they're working on it, and I don't see any reason for the service not to do anything but improve with time. But if you think Beyond in its currently state isn't sufficient for building characters from the PHB, honestly I'd hate to see how you got along with the game prior to 2017.
I really don't understand how you can argue that having your class features listed in notes section is equivalent to integration into the features, and subsequently the limited use and other areas of the sheet, including stat increases and proficiency gains. It's not. Why bother with any of it if you're just going to write it all in the notes section? You are better off just use the form-fillable PDF if that's your end goal.
I understand the fact that you need to buy the books in hard copy or a digital copy. It would be nice If I could add existing books that I currently bought and would like to be able to view them in digital format. The fact that the D&D beyond is made by a different company is understandable. It would be nice to have a pdf format of any book that you buy. I would like to say that this shows promise but it appears it may be way off from a finished version. I think it would be great if you could have a way to upload sheets with notes into the program that are related to the game session and things that were done. I use this as a recap after the last game session with my players to refresh their memories of the past gaming sessions.
As someone who isn't happy with the product, I'm going to summarize this discussion.
To summarize complaints.
1) People feel they should not have to pay to use content they already payed for in the online tool.
2) People would like the PDF to be easily editable once information from the character builder has been imported.
3) People would like the character builder to import all the information to the PDF, which it currently doesn't.
4) People would like a bare-bones automated character builder like MPMB for more experienced players.
5) People would like options like AL Compliance.
To summarize the majority of responses (not in any particular order):
1. Shut up, you are a stupid entitled whiner for wanting that.
2. It's probably coming sometime.
3. Be happy for what you were given.
4. Here's some mental gymnastics to show you that really if you squint you are already getting everything you want!
Glad we had this productive discussion.
Here's the thing, you complain that these posts get made often. MAYBE that's a clue that WOTC and/or Curse are not actually listening to what the non-rabid fanbase wants. Maybe that's a clue that YOU, the handful of apologists, are actually the exception.
In the end, you can continue to pay. I already rebought the PHB and bought XGTE (so that's a sale my LGS won't be getting, sucks for them). I will not pay any more until I am happy with the product. I've expressed my concerns, echoed by many people I play with IRL. You've met those concerns with scorn and dismissal. And if the product fails and is abandoned in a year or two, you'll blame all those folks who just wouldn't be happy with the product instead of admitting maybe it was the faults in the product and pricing model that caused it to fail.
I'm out. But I'll be sure to jump to the defense of anyone else with complaints that you belittle though. Not going to let the only voices heard be those that trivialize customers legit complaints.
I agree with him the MPMB sheet is basically everything i want in DND Beyond, and I have purchased all the Rules books in both the digital and print medium so I have 0 problems feeling bad about using something that "violates" copyrite. I have no problem waiting for the development, but it seems like they are trying to push toward using tablets / laptops at the table, and I think that would make it harder for DnD games.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
I believe I did not say that you are stupid or to shut up, as I also believe I provided constructive examples and explanations of some of the things that seem to have been overlooked in your posts. I am quite sure, though, that there is quite a level of entitlement feeling, willing or otherwise, that I personally fail to grasp. I'd appreciate you helping me understand.
I believe all the points you stated as genuine and valid complains (and they are, I am not dismissing them or saying they are otherwise) have been met, in one post or the other, with a response that was aimed to try and let you see another side of this, and possibly things that it seems you have not taken into consideration when presenting your complains.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
What do you mean by intuitive? The character builder kinda makes you have to work backwards when creating a character, and it makes things annoyingly complicated. I think you should Start with Race, then Background, then stats, then class. That is a more linear format as to how character creation typically happens. It also allows you to have all your preset skills (from Racial and Background) before having to go through the pick-list for the skills you get with your class. I also find the equipment process quite clunky and overly complex. I should not have to pick an item, then go to a different menu to equip it, then go to a third menu to attune to it.
The PDF format is just the worst. I love DND Beyond and the potential it offers, but it needs to improve before it can replace the MMPBB and (do not give me crap over the illegal content, as i have bought every rule and reference and preordered Tome of Foes) be my primary character sheet.
I think all of us want DnD Beyond to be better than the MPMB sheet, but in order to do that we need to state what we like about that sheet, and what we do not like about what is provided with the DND Beyond Service.
You may have already read my first response, but it was rude (in response to rudeness), and I'm trying to not let myself get heated over silly internet arguments.
Instead I will politely say that there are lots of answers to each of your concerns on this forum and in the Q&A livestreams.
Jumping in with some info for this discussion.
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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!
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I would agree. If something is so very wrong that it's getting someone fired up on a forum about what they believe they shouldn't pay for, what they expect to receive, what features may or may not be included, etc - it might just not be the product for you at this point.
Nobody is required to purchase anything on D&D Beyond to enjoy the hobby of Dungeons & Dragons. Nobody is required to purchase anything here to play with someone who does. Nobody is required to purchase anything here if they don't like what is offered, or if it doesn't apply to their needs.
So please, look over what the product IS, what features are planned to be deployed, and what the pricing model looks like. If you disagree with any of these topics, you can decline to purchase. We welcome feedback the above topics. Lets be realistic though - the decisions which led to what the product is, pricing structures, etc were made by multiple parties and aren't likely to be changed. Like it or hate it, that's just the way it is.
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The character builder suggests you do things in the same order that the PHB suggests you do things. Operative word here being "suggests," as there is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing things in the exact order that you prefer. As a matter of fact, that's the order I usually do things in using DDB's character builder. You are free to skip around all you want; the fact that the sections are numbered does not limit your ability to create a character in a way that feels more logical to you.
In addition to there being no set order to character building, the builder tells you if a proficiency has already been granted, so you can choose a different one instead. It's actually a really elegant way to let you build a character in the suggested order without having to skip around. Though you are of course free to do background first and then go back to stats and class.
I'm not following. You don't have to use three different menus to equip an item. Unless you are saying you would like to be able to equip a certain item as you add it to your inventory? Which, hey, that's a pretty good suggestion. But you're making the process of equipping an item sound a lot more difficult than it really is.
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
All of your complaints are about the Character Builder. There are only two legit options for Character Builders: D&D Beyond and Fantasy Grounds. FG requires the DM be online for players to use their resources in the character builder. FG is cheaper in the long run, and has support for playing the game online. I think it's a tough call between the two.
Your complaints ignore the great parts of D&D Beyond. Full digital versions of all the books, searchable database of the monsters, spells, and items, and the ability to share the content with other players in multiple campaigns.
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
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I don't think anyone actually means to suggest that you cannot complain about the character builder. It is perfectly reasonable to have complaints. I am sure that most of us here do. I think the thing is, though, that it's really about the adoption of DDB as a new ecosystem, a set of interlinked tools versus primarily a tool to create characters. Where the platform really shines is in the former, so complaints that focus exclusively on the latter can feel somewhat myopic, kind of like you are missing the point of the service. Now, I'm not saying that's entirely fair. People are going to use DDB for what they want to use it for and it's okay if they only want to use one part of the tool. But maybe that is why comparing DDB to MPMB's sheet or to OrcPub or whatever feels like it is missing the point. Absolutely they should continue working to improve the character builder. From the sounds of it that is the number one thing that they are currently working on, and I have a lot of faith that they have been listening to people's feedback and will incorporate it. But I think it can be really frustrating for people to hear arguments that maybe are not engaging with the platform on its own terms .
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)