I have been trying to run my campaign using the maps functionality in D&D Beyond. While I like many aspects of it (like how easy it is to scale the map based on the size of a medium creature) I find that the lack of options to work on the map itself makes things much harder. Having used Roll20 for years, I feel that some simple additions inspired by that tool would go a long way (I'm not sure if any of these is actually possible at this point, but I couldn't find anything):
1. Allow DMs to write text on the maps. I would like to annotate the maps, if not writing a box of text at least being able to enumerate rooms on the map so that I can find their description somewhere else. I understand many of the ready-made campaign maps are already enumerated, but I like to change them or add my own maps to the campaigns.
2. Allow for adding generic tokens, maybe objects where one could add annotations (would possibly solve the first issue). Also, why not have tokens for regular objects and environmental features? That would make the visual experience on the map much richer.
3. Provide token-like objects for area effects: circles, cones and lines that players could use temporarily for spellcasting.
4. This is a big one: integrate the maps with the encounters so that the tokens on the map correspond to the creatures on the encounter. Right now, if one adds many of the same creatures to an encounter, they'll be enumerated with A, B, C... when the encounter is run. Then the DM has to rename the tokens on the maps for things to match. Not very practical. This was brought up in other threads, by the way (e.g. https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/d-d-beyond-feedback/187700-encounters-and-maps-merging-these-features). It would even cooler if the DM could access monster information through the token. Also why not be able to show the initiative order on the map tool too?
5. I don't think the draw tool is useful at all for these things; it's not precise enough and I just don't like it.
6. Beyond the Fog of War tool, having a 'DM layer' option would also be great. Otherwise the DM has to hide everything behind the fog.
Overall, I really appreciate that the maps tool is being constantly improved and I hope some of these points will be somehow addressed in future updates.
I would love to be able to use the Maps here, but unfortunately it just isn't usable at present (at least, not compared to Roll20) for all the reasons TheLateYormund mentioned.
Plus it needs the ability to make the maps and tokens moveable and usable only to the DM, except for the player's own token.
Honestly, using Roll20, and the Beyond20 integration plugin is super handy. Heck, a table I play at uses AboveVTT and it works better than maps. I could be wrong, but wasn't Maps originally discussed before WotC purchased DDB? It feels like not a lot of movement has been made on this feature, and I'm afraid they are going to let it dies quietly in favor of Sigil. I, personally, don't love the idea of Sigil as much as a fully integrated VTT. I play Baldur's Gate for my video game fix, I just want something so I don't have to draw/trace maps and can save on valuable table real estate since everyone uses a tablet or computer, lol.
I completely agree with TheLateYormund, I want encounters to be able to reflect in Maps. Once I start the encounter and we have Initiative set, I want the players to see that so they know who's up in the order. I want to have tokens easily linked to the names in the Encounter. I want Hitpoints displayed for the PCs or NPCs if I want that. I want to be able to designate a target for an attack roll and have it roll the attack and damage.
I get that people will use these tools independently depending on their table, but for those of us using the digital tools, more integration is needed. Sigil may have the pieces of this, but I'm concerned about being able to quickly throw up a map and get a game going, especially with a lot of remote people. 2D still has a lot of functionality, especially if I don't want to run an application specifically for this.
Considering Maps is still in Alpha, I believe the functionality will continue to expand and they will likely bring encounters and Maps together. What would be awesome is for the players to have a window that can be opened and closed similar to how the Game Log runs that gives them access to the mobile version of their character sheet in window, and in the token browser the ability to grab your encounter and place all of the tokens.
Plus it needs the ability to make the maps and tokens moveable and usable only to the DM, except for the player's own token.
That is already a function in Maps for the tokens at least. Look under Game Info -> Settings. Untick "Players can access and interact with monster tokens".
Making it so only the DM can move the map around is unfortunately not an option. That's what the ping is for.
Plus it needs the ability to make the maps and tokens moveable and usable only to the DM, except for the player's own token.
That is already a function in Maps for the tokens at least. Look under Game Info -> Settings. Untick "Players can access and interact with monster tokens".
Making it so only the DM can move the map around is unfortunately not an option. That's what the ping is for.
Ah, I think this must be new since the last time I looked, which was quite some time back. At least that's something.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I have been trying to run my campaign using the maps functionality in D&D Beyond. While I like many aspects of it (like how easy it is to scale the map based on the size of a medium creature) I find that the lack of options to work on the map itself makes things much harder. Having used Roll20 for years, I feel that some simple additions inspired by that tool would go a long way (I'm not sure if any of these is actually possible at this point, but I couldn't find anything):
1. Allow DMs to write text on the maps. I would like to annotate the maps, if not writing a box of text at least being able to enumerate rooms on the map so that I can find their description somewhere else. I understand many of the ready-made campaign maps are already enumerated, but I like to change them or add my own maps to the campaigns.
2. Allow for adding generic tokens, maybe objects where one could add annotations (would possibly solve the first issue). Also, why not have tokens for regular objects and environmental features? That would make the visual experience on the map much richer.
3. Provide token-like objects for area effects: circles, cones and lines that players could use temporarily for spellcasting.
4. This is a big one: integrate the maps with the encounters so that the tokens on the map correspond to the creatures on the encounter. Right now, if one adds many of the same creatures to an encounter, they'll be enumerated with A, B, C... when the encounter is run. Then the DM has to rename the tokens on the maps for things to match. Not very practical. This was brought up in other threads, by the way (e.g. https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/d-d-beyond-feedback/187700-encounters-and-maps-merging-these-features). It would even cooler if the DM could access monster information through the token. Also why not be able to show the initiative order on the map tool too?
5. I don't think the draw tool is useful at all for these things; it's not precise enough and I just don't like it.
6. Beyond the Fog of War tool, having a 'DM layer' option would also be great. Otherwise the DM has to hide everything behind the fog.
Overall, I really appreciate that the maps tool is being constantly improved and I hope some of these points will be somehow addressed in future updates.
I'm about to run my first campaign, a direct module. Would you recommend to use Maps for this, or really better off with Roll20?
I would love to be able to use the Maps here, but unfortunately it just isn't usable at present (at least, not compared to Roll20) for all the reasons TheLateYormund mentioned.
Plus it needs the ability to make the maps and tokens moveable and usable only to the DM, except for the player's own token.
Honestly, using Roll20, and the Beyond20 integration plugin is super handy. Heck, a table I play at uses AboveVTT and it works better than maps. I could be wrong, but wasn't Maps originally discussed before WotC purchased DDB? It feels like not a lot of movement has been made on this feature, and I'm afraid they are going to let it dies quietly in favor of Sigil. I, personally, don't love the idea of Sigil as much as a fully integrated VTT. I play Baldur's Gate for my video game fix, I just want something so I don't have to draw/trace maps and can save on valuable table real estate since everyone uses a tablet or computer, lol.
I completely agree with TheLateYormund, I want encounters to be able to reflect in Maps. Once I start the encounter and we have Initiative set, I want the players to see that so they know who's up in the order. I want to have tokens easily linked to the names in the Encounter. I want Hitpoints displayed for the PCs or NPCs if I want that. I want to be able to designate a target for an attack roll and have it roll the attack and damage.
I get that people will use these tools independently depending on their table, but for those of us using the digital tools, more integration is needed. Sigil may have the pieces of this, but I'm concerned about being able to quickly throw up a map and get a game going, especially with a lot of remote people. 2D still has a lot of functionality, especially if I don't want to run an application specifically for this.
Considering Maps is still in Alpha, I believe the functionality will continue to expand and they will likely bring encounters and Maps together. What would be awesome is for the players to have a window that can be opened and closed similar to how the Game Log runs that gives them access to the mobile version of their character sheet in window, and in the token browser the ability to grab your encounter and place all of the tokens.
That is already a function in Maps for the tokens at least. Look under Game Info -> Settings. Untick "Players can access and interact with monster tokens".
Making it so only the DM can move the map around is unfortunately not an option. That's what the ping is for.
Ah, I think this must be new since the last time I looked, which was quite some time back. At least that's something.