I'm certain this has been said, but I'm going to reiterate it, because I just gave another character creator, an auto-updating PDF sheet that shall remain nameless, a try, and it was a convoluted mess trying to figure everything out. I hate to bring them up again, because I know they are, sort of, competition, but if D&D Beyond's character software isn't as easy to use, with as friendly and intuitive an interface, as Hero Lab, I'll have a lot of trouble paying anything for it. Overcoming a huge learning curve is not my cup of tea. :)
So far with two glaring exceptions DnDBeyond has had a pretty good interface. I'll admit that "so far" has been the easy part but I have seen other sites and apps that have screwed up even this content.
The exceptions I mentioned -
A site wide search function with advanced filtering. While I've been assured it's coming it should have been in here from the start. Essentially letting me search for topic (Gems for example) whether the topic is in the rules, the spells, under monsters, or in the forums and then letting me apply filters like excluding the forums.
The compendium section claimed to include all the rules from the SRD... But it didn't include the openly available class descriptions or tables. I understand they want to release all the character related content when they release phase 2 and character sheets but I still feel that the "rules/descriptions" should have been included in phase one. I really want to use DnDBeyond instead of some other resources so I can give adequate feedback, but the class descriptions are often critical to what I am looking up. And once I have a difference resource open I'll usually use it instead of DnDBeyond
I'm not sure if this has been suggested yet, I thought about it and came up with an idea of dynamically changing character sheets. Something like... If I use a spell to increase my AC or other abilities, perhaps a check box next to that spell in my spells page saying it's active, and then all bonuses of the spell are automatically added to my stats. Then when the spell is over I can uncheck the box and my stats return to normal.
The idea of a combat tracker and roll generator has been mentioned (IE: You click on "attack" next to your bow and it rolls to hit and deducts an arrow from inventory) ... If we get that much functionality then what you are asking for is the logical next step.
I'm certain this has been said, but I'm going to reiterate it, because I just gave another character creator, an auto-updating PDF sheet that shall remain nameless, a try, and it was a convoluted mess trying to figure everything out. I hate to bring them up again, because I know they are, sort of, competition, but if D&D Beyond's character software isn't as easy to use, with as friendly and intuitive an interface, as Hero Lab, I'll have a lot of trouble paying anything for it. Overcoming a huge learning curve is not my cup of tea. :)
So far with two glaring exceptions DnDBeyond has had a pretty good interface. I'll admit that "so far" has been the easy part but I have seen other sites and apps that have screwed up even this content.
The exceptions I mentioned -
A site wide search function with advanced filtering. While I've been assured it's coming it should have been in here from the start. Essentially letting me search for topic (Gems for example) whether the topic is in the rules, the spells, under monsters, or in the forums and then letting me apply filters like excluding the forums.
The compendium section claimed to include all the rules from the SRD... But it didn't include the openly available class descriptions or tables. I understand they want to release all the character related content when they release phase 2 and character sheets but I still feel that the "rules/descriptions" should have been included in phase one. I really want to use DnDBeyond instead of some other resources so I can give adequate feedback, but the class descriptions are often critical to what I am looking up. And once I have a difference resource open I'll usually use it instead of DnDBeyond
You must not have gotten the memo on classes/races or the omni search functionality that will be available on release. ;)
As a DM I would love the ability to "quick generate" a random character, with the ability to seed initial values (level, race, class, etc.). When in the middle of a session when things go wild it would be great to be able to improvise an NPC with full stats. Just in case ;)
Above all, I want ease-of-use. It should feel intuitive to make a character. It should be character-driven, if you will.
When I go to choose a race and class and background, all the flavor should be at least as visible as the mechanics. I should not only know what I get in terms of mechanics but should feel like I'm building a unique person. I want it to have all the character options that even the most advanced player would want, but with a design that makes it easy enough for a novice to build a character.
In addition, when I hit 300 XP and it's time to go to 2nd level (and all the levels thereafter), I should get a quick overview of what I get, including those new things (such as HP and automatic class features) that the computer could just tally and add for me. It's cool to see the benefits advancing in level brings.
In the D&D DM guide book, there's information on 2 variant rules stats, honor and sanity. If the character sheets are made online, could these be added please?
Many options should have a way to turn 'on' and 'off' when used. Since once we get into the homebrew realm this would come in very handy.
I would love to see a feature similar to the decks which were sold. Meaning I could have the spells as a quick reference card attached to my sheet, with an ability to track spell slots and usage or for my invocations etc..
Essentially, I am hoping that these sheets will be viable for use in actual tabletop play!
on the Character info, the section of the background i find that there are some of them missing from what can be found in the books, will them be added later for this app?
During the beta test of D&D Beyond, we'll only be including content that is freely available in the D&D 5th edition SRD and D&D 5th edition Basic Rules and will not include additional content from a Commercially Released Book or Supplement.
All of the remaining published content from the PHB, DMG, MM and other D&D 5th edition books will be added to D&D Beyond for product release - the cost for accessing this material has not yet been announced.
Custom Class (add this feature along with officials) Either start from fresh, or being able to edit an official class or download a homebrew class from a "content creator" or "DMs Guild"
Custom Race (add this feature) with the ability to be copied, dragged, or pinned from DM homebrew campaign or create your own where the DM can verify and add it into the games campaign page.
Inventory or Equipment that is home brewed has a different colour or perhaps an icon to the right of the text. So the DM can see if some item has been homebrewed. Perhaps with different colours (Red, yellow and green) depending on if a DM has approved a proposal.
Home Brew rules for Short Rests and Long Rests.
Every rule that is homebrewed or modified has the texts colour change and again it could have a colour code involved from red, yellow and green. (Green approved, yellow moderated/undecided, red declined/unseen)
All these must have some kind of compatibility with Roll20. Or I say now you will dine in the 9 hells for eternity!! (a conversion API for roll20 pro users would be minimal)
I very much want the bolded part! I already have Matt Mercer's Gunslinger class and several others I'd love to add as well as a re-imagining of the Necromancer class (I'm not a big fan of the official version).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To everyone working on DDB - you folks are AWESOME! Thank you for letting us all into your beta! To the community - thank you for being the friendliest I've ever experienced in a forum!
I would love the extra races. I'm a big fan of Tabaxi and Warforged myself. The diversity of the races and the many types of characters you can create, each with a unique backstory, is what makes this a RPG game rather than just a war game. It adds the flavor to experience. This is why I would love it if we could get all the races together here. Looking up races for D&D is somewhat complicated as each website makes its own list, excluding or including based on when it was made and what it considers "official". This is a chane to gather together the large host of different races. If someone is concerned with having too many non- "official" races then perhaps AU races could have a AU icon in the corner showing that they are playtest material.
Custom Class (add this feature along with officials) Either start from fresh, or being able to edit an official class or download a homebrew class from a "content creator" or "DMs Guild"
Custom Race (add this feature) with the ability to be copied, dragged, or pinned from DM homebrew campaign or create your own where the DM can verify and add it into the games campaign page.
Inventory or Equipment that is home brewed has a different colour or perhaps an icon to the right of the text. So the DM can see if some item has been homebrewed. Perhaps with different colours (Red, yellow and green) depending on if a DM has approved a proposal.
Home Brew rules for Short Rests and Long Rests.
Every rule that is homebrewed or modified has the texts colour change and again it could have a colour code involved from red, yellow and green. (Green approved, yellow moderated/undecided, red declined/unseen)
All these must have some kind of compatibility with Roll20. Or I say now you will dine in the 9 hells for eternity!! (a conversion API for roll20 pro users would be minimal)
I very much want the bolded part! I already have Matt Mercer's Gunslinger class and several others I'd love to add as well as a re-imagining of the Necromancer class (I'm not a big fan of the official version).
I agree with you MrVod. Even with all the AU, EE, and other classes and races, one of the most important aspects is being able to create your own experience.
Something I think would be a "neat" feature is the ability to add character art or even have a source where artists could share their art for their character. I've seen plenty of fantastic drawings done by player and DM alike get ruined by a spilled food item or misplaced character sheet causes them to lose their creation.
Will an online character sheet be compatible with home brew rules? Specifically thinking about a home brew Paladin Oath, but the same concept for other things like backgrounds... More work for everyone including the user to update as you level up, but I feel it would be worth it.
Has anyone else tried using the new "character's tab in real use on a phone. on my laptop its gorgeous. on my iPhone though it just seems to take too long to drag through. I think it would be better if maybe it was JUST tiles or some kind of other placeholder? with the race picture and name. And then you click into it, you get all the detail. again on my laptop its gorgeous. but on my iPhone 6s plus, its slow to scroll down to what i'm looking for. Anyone else feel like they are having similar issues with the race and classes?
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Please feel free to message either Sorce or another moderator if you have any concerns.
Oh snap... yeah followed the email link to this thread and missed the reveal... I feel like a genie just granted me a wish.
As a DM I would love the ability to "quick generate" a random character, with the ability to seed initial values (level, race, class, etc.). When in the middle of a session when things go wild it would be great to be able to improvise an NPC with full stats. Just in case ;)
Above all, I want ease-of-use. It should feel intuitive to make a character. It should be character-driven, if you will.
When I go to choose a race and class and background, all the flavor should be at least as visible as the mechanics. I should not only know what I get in terms of mechanics but should feel like I'm building a unique person. I want it to have all the character options that even the most advanced player would want, but with a design that makes it easy enough for a novice to build a character.
In addition, when I hit 300 XP and it's time to go to 2nd level (and all the levels thereafter), I should get a quick overview of what I get, including those new things (such as HP and automatic class features) that the computer could just tally and add for me. It's cool to see the benefits advancing in level brings.
I'm on the DM's Guild: click here
I'm right there with Dustin's ideas, nicely expressed. Variants of this have been shared so this seems to sum up some of the main things it has to do.
PbP - Beregost Blues - Portia Starflower, Half Elf, Cleric, Life Domain
PbP - Tome of Annhilation - Vistani Mocanu, Human, Bard
I hope they add extended races and classes like the unearthed arcana classes or races like aarakocra.
you should use races and classes from sword coast adventurer's guide
I would love to see a feature similar to the decks which were sold. Meaning I could have the spells as a quick reference card attached to my sheet, with an ability to track spell slots and usage or for my invocations etc..
Essentially, I am hoping that these sheets will be viable for use in actual tabletop play!
on the Character info, the section of the background i find that there are some of them missing from what can be found in the books, will them be added later for this app?
During the beta test of D&D Beyond, we'll only be including content that is freely available in the D&D 5th edition SRD and D&D 5th edition Basic Rules and will not include additional content from a Commercially Released Book or Supplement.
All of the remaining published content from the PHB, DMG, MM and other D&D 5th edition books will be added to D&D Beyond for product release - the cost for accessing this material has not yet been announced.
Site Rules & Guidelines --- Focused Feedback Mega Threads --- Staff Quotes --- Homebrew Tutorial --- Pricing FAQ
Please feel free to message either Sorce or another moderator if you have any concerns.
To everyone working on DDB - you folks are AWESOME! Thank you for letting us all into your beta! To the community - thank you for being the friendliest I've ever experienced in a forum!
I would love the extra races. I'm a big fan of Tabaxi and Warforged myself. The diversity of the races and the many types of characters you can create, each with a unique backstory, is what makes this a RPG game rather than just a war game. It adds the flavor to experience. This is why I would love it if we could get all the races together here. Looking up races for D&D is somewhat complicated as each website makes its own list, excluding or including based on when it was made and what it considers "official". This is a chane to gather together the large host of different races. If someone is concerned with having too many non- "official" races then perhaps AU races could have a AU icon in the corner showing that they are playtest material.
Something I think would be a "neat" feature is the ability to add character art or even have a source where artists could share their art for their character. I've seen plenty of fantastic drawings done by player and DM alike get ruined by a spilled food item or misplaced character sheet causes them to lose their creation.
Will an online character sheet be compatible with home brew rules? Specifically thinking about a home brew Paladin Oath, but the same concept for other things like backgrounds... More work for everyone including the user to update as you level up, but I feel it would be worth it.
Has anyone else tried using the new "character's tab in real use on a phone. on my laptop its gorgeous. on my iPhone though it just seems to take too long to drag through. I think it would be better if maybe it was JUST tiles or some kind of other placeholder? with the race picture and name. And then you click into it, you get all the detail. again on my laptop its gorgeous. but on my iPhone 6s plus, its slow to scroll down to what i'm looking for. Anyone else feel like they are having similar issues with the race and classes?
For example if you scroll through the spells list section you can quickly select all the spells by class by clicking the icon of that class.