I was wondering about this! I originally noticed that they'd removed a la carte when I was trying to quickly build a school of necromancy wizard ($30 for the PHB, for the subclass) with the metamagic adept feat ($30 for Tasha's where that feat is--in other words, $60 for an NPC that my players will probably kill in one session). Can these things be homebrewed? I've only ever homebrewed magic items and spells.
Just a reminder that if you really don't like the decision to remove piecemeal you can homebrew all the missing bits -- it's a lot more work, but it will allow you to bypass paying for any more content. If this causes a loss in revenue, maybe, just maybe, management will listen.
I was wondering about this! I originally noticed that they'd removed a la carte when I was trying to quickly build a school of necromancy wizard ($30 for the PHB, for the subclass) with the metamagic adept feat ($30 for Tasha's where that feat is--in other words, $60 for an NPC that my players will probably kill in one session). Can these things be homebrewed? I've only ever homebrewed magic items and spells.
Yes, it can totally be homebrew. Most, if not all, the mechanics will auto-apply to the character sheet as long as you set up the right modifiers, conditions, etc. It's mostly a pain because the settings are poorly documented and there are blocks against things that are "too similar" to existing items. It's not super hard, it took me 20 minutes to create a race. Maybe 10 minutes to create a simple feat.
Learned of this the hard way when I tried to purchase the Warforged race for a character I'm planning for a new campaign. Paying a few bucks would've been fine, but I most certainly won't pay $25 for a bunch of Eberron content I don't really need and won't use.
I'll also cancel my Master subscription (in fact, I kind of wish I had found out four days ago before the current billing cycle started). This stupid, greedy, and shortsighted idea plays against the very thing that made Beyond attractive in the first place - if it looked like this back when I considered using it, I wouldn't have made this decision.
Aaaaand, if that's not enough, the way it was (not) communicated makes the matter even worse.
First OGL2, and now this. GG, Wizards. At this rate, you'll quickly turn D&D back into the niche hobby it once was.
First OGL2, and now this. GG, Wizards. At this rate, you'll quickly turn D&D back into the niche hobby it once was.
I'm... actually not entirely opposed to this. Might just cleanse it of all the rot going on. Either way, it seems, they aren't gaining our trust back anytime soon. Again, just glad they have to actively ignore our feedback rather than passively.
hmm. actually, why does the dm need to buy books anymore? players are the ones utilizing purchased bits and bobs to cobble together their complicated 5e characters. and the dm can see their characters. if dm needs a reminder how 5e combat and skill checks work, then the srd / basic rules are online free. the mm is brimming with examples and the dmg has great advice... but i can't think of what's in there that a dm would be entirely lost without if their table is having fun. seems like it's the players hungry for sanctioned options.
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unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: providefeedback!
I was wondering about this! I originally noticed that they'd removed a la carte when I was trying to quickly build a school of necromancy wizard ($30 for the PHB, for the subclass) with the metamagic adept feat ($30 for Tasha's where that feat is--in other words, $60 for an NPC that my players will probably kill in one session). Can these things be homebrewed? I've only ever homebrewed magic items and spells.
So you are a Dm without any books?
Not sure how you got the idea @TheGnome5786 owns no books. In case you're too young to know what books actually are...
I think you may have the post reversed. The way I read it is:
@TheGnome5786 is asking why @khaggard may not own books, I may be wrong in my interpretation of the posts so just food for thought. Maybe @TheGnome5786 will clarify?
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CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL OF COWARDS and WANNA BE TYRANTS.
hmm. actually, why does the dm need to buy books anymore? players are the ones utilizing purchased bits and bobs to cobble together their complicated 5e characters. and the dm can see their characters. if dm needs a reminder how 5e combat and skill checks work, then the srd / basic rules are online free. the mm is brimming with examples and the dmg has great advice... but i can't think of what's in there that a dm would be entirely lost without if their table is having fun. seems like it's the players hungry for sanctioned options.
My thoughts would be to check for cheating shenanigans at in-person tables. "No, I know you don't get infinite Psi dice for your Psi Warrior. I've got the book right here..." Though of course this goes out the window as soon as the internet is involved. Just my two cents.
hmm. actually, why does the dm need to buy books anymore? players are the ones utilizing purchased bits and bobs to cobble together their complicated 5e characters. and the dm can see their characters. if dm needs a reminder how 5e combat and skill checks work, then the srd / basic rules are online free. the mm is brimming with examples and the dmg has great advice... but i can't think of what's in there that a dm would be entirely lost without if their table is having fun. seems like it's the players hungry for sanctioned options.
My thoughts would be to check for cheating shenanigans at in-person tables. "No, I know you don't get infinite Psi dice for your Psi Warrior. I've got the book right here..." Though of course this goes out the window as soon as the internet is involved. Just my two cents.
hmm. actually, why does the dm need to buy books anymore?
Convenience? Though I generally won't allow books in a game that I don't have access to.
i'm thinking out loud in context of this thread: no more piece meal / ala carte for new dms and new players. it's easy to say "homebrew!" but the caveat is things homebrewed might not be exactly official and things too close to official might be locked out (oh, they have programmer money for that, huh?). and the established dm's answer is... buy the whole book. why?
if a dm only needs the book only long enough to verify something like number of psi dice for one level of one character, then what's the point in a new dm purchasing a new copy of the full book? if hasbro has data saying we'll happily invent our own reasons, then they were right to change the marketplace. and they're not going to reverse course. and i can stop checking in.
i'm thinking out loud in context of this thread: no more piece meal / ala carte for new dms and new players. it's easy to say "homebrew!" but the caveat is things homebrewed might not be exactly official and things too close to official might be locked out (oh, they have programmer money for that, huh?). and the established dm's answer is... buy the whole book. why?
if a dm only needs the book only long enough to verify something like number of psi dice for one level of one character, then what's the point in a new dm purchasing a new copy of the full book? if hasbro has data saying we'll happily invent our own reasons, then they were right to change the marketplace. and they're not going to reverse course. and i can stop checking in.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I am in complete agreement with you. There are very few reasons to buy a full digital book nowadays, and becoming fewer. If someone wants a book, they best wait to find a physical copy elsewhere at a local store, used or on sale. I also understand it's easier to say "homebrew" than to implement it against the aforementioned caveat, but it is also becoming more tempting to deal with said caveat. If this causes them to crack down on the homebrew system (or remove it entirely) then they are hitting another important foundational pillar of this website.
I think you may have the post reversed. The way I read it is:
@TheGnome5786 is asking why @khaggard may not own books, I may be wrong in my interpretation of the posts so just food for thought. Maybe @TheGnome5786 will clarify?
I think you may have the post reversed. The way I read it is:
@TheGnome5786 is asking why @khaggard may not own books, I may be wrong in my interpretation of the posts so just food for thought. Maybe @TheGnome5786 will clarify?
...and you would be absolutely right.
Correct. I was asking why as a DM he already does not own the core three?
I can understand the supplements, but the core three are needed..They can be found used or just borrowed but they should be in your hands in one way or another while you DM.
I personally do not trust a DM who can not find a way to show me the rule during the game.
And if your using none of the official WOTC copies of the core three books then there is no reason to blame D&DB for not providing you a service.
Pretty green DnD player, came back to DNDBeyond after a long break between games to find I have to spend over 75 dollars and buy two separate books in their entirety to make my one singular player character. This is insanely anti-consumer and has put a very bad taste in my mouth. I came willing to spend $10-$15 for what I needed and am now instead I am going to spend $0 and just play my character with pencil and paper instead of continuing to use this site. Really crazy and I hope they will bring back the option to buy races/subclasses individually.
...And if your using none of the official WOTC copies of the core three books then there is no reason to blame D&DB for not providing you a service.
seems simple enough to assume they have access to print books since they knew what they wanted and where to find it.they just wanted to make a purchase in peace.
if i was trying to purchase just one necromancer mini from an unfamiliar flgs and the hangers-about began quizzing me on whether i was using official sized grids and definitely not lego figs and army guys and old coins on an up-turned whiteboard...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: providefeedback!
I think you may have the post reversed. The way I read it is:
@TheGnome5786 is asking why @khaggard may not own books, I may be wrong in my interpretation of the posts so just food for thought. Maybe @TheGnome5786 will clarify?
...and you would be absolutely right.
Correct. I was asking why as a DM he already does not own the core three?
I can understand the supplements, but the core three are needed..They can be found used or just borrowed but they should be in your hands in one way or another while you DM.
I personally do not trust a DM who can not find a way to show me the rule during the game.
And if your using none of the official WOTC copies of the core three books then there is no reason to blame D&DB for not providing you a service.
MJC's question still stands though. Why have you assumed he does not already own the core three books?
He would not have to buy them if he owned them already. If he owned the physical books he could just pencil and paper the NPC he wanted.
He would still have to buy them digitally if he wanted "to quickly build a school of necromancy wizard" as he stated, on D&DBeyond regardless of whether he owned the physical books. They are separate products. Sure he could pencil and paper his characters but that defeats the purpose of the character builder. There are plenty who already own the books that made $2-6 piecemeal purchases here to use the character builder just simply for conveniences sake.
Another bad faith, customer-hating move by the greedy Hasbro/WOTC executives. Depending on your subclass, background, race, and spell choices, you might end up having to spend roughly $400 just to build A SINGLE CHARACTER. Where exactly is all this money going if these are digital books? I know it's not to pay artists...
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if you want top buy a book that you have purchased ala carte items from contact the sites custoemr service and they will take care of you
So you are a Dm without any books?
Yes, it can totally be homebrew. Most, if not all, the mechanics will auto-apply to the character sheet as long as you set up the right modifiers, conditions, etc. It's mostly a pain because the settings are poorly documented and there are blocks against things that are "too similar" to existing items. It's not super hard, it took me 20 minutes to create a race. Maybe 10 minutes to create a simple feat.
Learned of this the hard way when I tried to purchase the Warforged race for a character I'm planning for a new campaign. Paying a few bucks would've been fine, but I most certainly won't pay $25 for a bunch of Eberron content I don't really need and won't use.
I'll also cancel my Master subscription (in fact, I kind of wish I had found out four days ago before the current billing cycle started). This stupid, greedy, and shortsighted idea plays against the very thing that made Beyond attractive in the first place - if it looked like this back when I considered using it, I wouldn't have made this decision.
Aaaaand, if that's not enough, the way it was (not) communicated makes the matter even worse.
First OGL2, and now this. GG, Wizards. At this rate, you'll quickly turn D&D back into the niche hobby it once was.
I'm... actually not entirely opposed to this. Might just cleanse it of all the rot going on. Either way, it seems, they aren't gaining our trust back anytime soon. Again, just glad they have to actively ignore our feedback rather than passively.
hmm. actually, why does the dm need to buy books anymore? players are the ones utilizing purchased bits and bobs to cobble together their complicated 5e characters. and the dm can see their characters. if dm needs a reminder how 5e combat and skill checks work, then the srd / basic rules are online free. the mm is brimming with examples and the dmg has great advice... but i can't think of what's in there that a dm would be entirely lost without if their table is having fun. seems like it's the players hungry for sanctioned options.
unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: provide feedback!
I think you may have the post reversed. The way I read it is:
@TheGnome5786 is asking why @khaggard may not own books, I may be wrong in my interpretation of the posts so just food for thought. Maybe @TheGnome5786 will clarify?
CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL OF COWARDS and WANNA BE TYRANTS.
My thoughts would be to check for cheating shenanigans at in-person tables. "No, I know you don't get infinite Psi dice for your Psi Warrior. I've got the book right here..."
Though of course this goes out the window as soon as the internet is involved. Just my two cents.
Convenience? Though I generally won't allow books in a game that I don't have access to.
i'm thinking out loud in context of this thread: no more piece meal / ala carte for new dms and new players. it's easy to say "homebrew!" but the caveat is things homebrewed might not be exactly official and things too close to official might be locked out (oh, they have programmer money for that, huh?). and the established dm's answer is... buy the whole book. why?
if a dm only needs the book only long enough to verify something like number of psi dice for one level of one character, then what's the point in a new dm purchasing a new copy of the full book? if hasbro has data saying we'll happily invent our own reasons, then they were right to change the marketplace. and they're not going to reverse course. and i can stop checking in.
unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: provide feedback!
Oh, don't get me wrong, I am in complete agreement with you. There are very few reasons to buy a full digital book nowadays, and becoming fewer. If someone wants a book, they best wait to find a physical copy elsewhere at a local store, used or on sale.
I also understand it's easier to say "homebrew" than to implement it against the aforementioned caveat, but it is also becoming more tempting to deal with said caveat. If this causes them to crack down on the homebrew system (or remove it entirely) then they are hitting another important foundational pillar of this website.
...and you would be absolutely right.
Correct. I was asking why as a DM he already does not own the core three?
I can understand the supplements, but the core three are needed..They can be found used or just borrowed but they should be in your hands in one way or another while you DM.
I personally do not trust a DM who can not find a way to show me the rule during the game.
And if your using none of the official WOTC copies of the core three books then there is no reason to blame D&DB for not providing you a service.
Pretty green DnD player, came back to DNDBeyond after a long break between games to find I have to spend over 75 dollars and buy two separate books in their entirety to make my one singular player character. This is insanely anti-consumer and has put a very bad taste in my mouth. I came willing to spend $10-$15 for what I needed and am now instead I am going to spend $0 and just play my character with pencil and paper instead of continuing to use this site. Really crazy and I hope they will bring back the option to buy races/subclasses individually.
seems simple enough to assume they have access to print books since they knew what they wanted and where to find it.they just wanted to make a purchase in peace.
if i was trying to purchase just one necromancer mini from an unfamiliar flgs and the hangers-about began quizzing me on whether i was using official sized grids and definitely not lego figs and army guys and old coins on an up-turned whiteboard...
unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: provide feedback!
MJC's question still stands though. Why have you assumed he does not already own the core three books?
Free Content: [Basic Rules],
[Phandelver],[Frozen Sick],[Acquisitions Inc.],[Vecna Dossier],[Radiant Citadel], [Spelljammer],[Dragonlance], [Prisoner 13],[Minecraft],[Star Forge], [Baldur’s Gate], [Lightning Keep], [Stormwreck Isle], [Pinebrook], [Caverns of Tsojcanth], [The Lost Horn], [Elemental Evil].Free Dice: [Frostmaiden],
[Flourishing], [Sanguine],[Themberchaud], [Baldur's Gate 3], [Lego].He would not have to buy them if he owned them already. If he owned the physical books he could just pencil and paper the NPC he wanted.
He would still have to buy them digitally if he wanted "to quickly build a school of necromancy wizard" as he stated, on D&DBeyond regardless of whether he owned the physical books. They are separate products. Sure he could pencil and paper his characters but that defeats the purpose of the character builder. There are plenty who already own the books that made $2-6 piecemeal purchases here to use the character builder just simply for conveniences sake.
Free Content: [Basic Rules],
[Phandelver],[Frozen Sick],[Acquisitions Inc.],[Vecna Dossier],[Radiant Citadel], [Spelljammer],[Dragonlance], [Prisoner 13],[Minecraft],[Star Forge], [Baldur’s Gate], [Lightning Keep], [Stormwreck Isle], [Pinebrook], [Caverns of Tsojcanth], [The Lost Horn], [Elemental Evil].Free Dice: [Frostmaiden],
[Flourishing], [Sanguine],[Themberchaud], [Baldur's Gate 3], [Lego].Just wanted to add that the only way they will get more money from me is to bring back the option to buy what you want. I don’t need full books.
Another bad faith, customer-hating move by the greedy Hasbro/WOTC executives. Depending on your subclass, background, race, and spell choices, you might end up having to spend roughly $400 just to build A SINGLE CHARACTER. Where exactly is all this money going if these are digital books? I know it's not to pay artists...