So, initially I was very hyped for the idea. Now after spending a few hours attempting to make a character, I have a few complaints.
Also when selecting a background D&D Beyond really needs to show the Ability Scores and Background table so I can see at a glance, what Abilities are tied to which background!
The main complaint I have is SINGLE FEAT choices with each background. That feels waaay too limiting. I feel strongly that each background should have a choice from 1-3 feats!
the entertainer feat really should allow you to use calligraphy kit and disguise kit instead of forcing you to chose 3 instruments, as a bard you get forced to chose 7 instruments, yet you can't put on stage makeup by using the disguise kit, you can't make stage costumes by using it either and you can't write your plays and poems down in a decent manner either, nor as a lore bard can you do a decent job of recording your information for the libraries and universities that you gather in, 7 instrument types is as much use as a chocolate fireguard
D&D Beyond really needs to look at the hard copy book and do a major update on the Custom Background tool. Make it so as you're creating a Custom Background you have the charts and information presented in chapter 2, so that it's easy to make informed choices without needing the hard back book next to you.
Also, what would be even better, allow you to easily edit any of the existing backgrounds. Let me select the Guide background but change the default feat. As Jason comments above, let someone pick the Entertainer feat but change it so you don't have to take 3 instruments.
The pre-build backgrounds should be more of a suggestion Vs a you have to do it this way.
You might be right that if you select custom it's going to the old 2014 Background instead of a new 2024.
They need to organize and flag more stuff at OLD or 2014. I for one primarily only want the new stuff.
Also, you're wrong the new 2024 Backgrounds have Ability Scores built in on that page. When you go to configure a Custom background, it has three selections:
Proficiency/Language Choices
Background Feature (Feat)
Background Characteristics
Despite selecting something for option 3, it does not show up on the background page like it should.
You might be right that if you select custom it's going to the old 2014 Background instead of a new 2024.
They need to organize and flag more stuff at OLD or 2014. I for one primarily only want the new stuff.
Also, you're wrong the new 2024 Backgrounds have Ability Scores built in on that page. When you go to configure a Custom background, it has three selections:
Proficiency/Language Choices
Background Feature (Feat)
Background Characteristics
Despite selecting something for option 3, it does not show up on the background page like it should.
UGH, okay you're right that it shows up on the abilities tab. That's awkward non-intuitive and needs to be changed so it shows up on the Background tab.
Where does the feat choice show up? (Does it show up?)
I read the rules for the new Warlock and was excited to try one out for the first time. I started making a character and after looking through the backgrounds I can't find a single background I want to use. The set combinations of Ability Score improvements, skills, and starter feat make it impossible to find something I want to use. This system makes it so I don't even want to use the 2024 Player's Handbook.
I read the rules for the new Warlock and was excited to try one out for the first time. I started making a character and after looking through the backgrounds I can't find a single background I want to use. The set combinations of Ability Score improvements, skills, and starter feat make it impossible to find something I want to use. This system makes it so I don't even want to use the 2024 Player's Handbook.
This, ten thousand times. I cannot imagine what the designers were thinking to both eliminate custom backgrounds as an option, and to tie critical ability score bonuses to two specific skill proficiencies and one specific Origin feat. It destroys customization and promotes cookie-cutter builds. And despite including choices such as Acolyte (STR, INT, WIS) and Noble (STR, INT, CHA) which appeal to about one class between the two of them combined, bizarrely, there are no backgrounds at all which offer as your three Ability choices:
STR, CON, CHA
STR, CON, INT
STR, WIS, CHA
DEX, INT, CHA
No matter which background you choose, there's usually at least one piece wrong which you're stuck with. Backgrounds used to be there in part to help give customization for skills because most classes only give you two from a short list. Now, because ASI's are so critical, you're stuck with specific skills which might not fit and you may not want.
Wasn't the whole point of decoupling ASI's from races to give more freedom to what you want to play? Aren't the ASI choices, the origin feats and skill choices suppose to be balanced with each other? Why can't DDB just offer these things as a custom option in a drop-down menu?
I read the rules for the new Warlock and was excited to try one out for the first time. I started making a character and after looking through the backgrounds I can't find a single background I want to use. The set combinations of Ability Score improvements, skills, and starter feat make it impossible to find something I want to use. This system makes it so I don't even want to use the 2024 Player's Handbook.
This, ten thousand times. I cannot imagine what the designers were thinking to both eliminate custom backgrounds as an option, and to tie critical ability score bonuses to two specific skill proficiencies and one specific Origin feat. It destroys customization and promotes cookie-cutter builds. And despite including choices such as Acolyte (STR, INT, WIS) and Noble (STR, INT, CHA) which appeal to about one class between the two of them combined, bizarrely, there are no backgrounds at all which offer as your three Ability choices:
STR, CON, CHA
STR, CON, INT
STR, WIS, CHA
DEX, INT, CHA
No matter which background you choose, there's usually at least one piece wrong which you're stuck with. Backgrounds used to be there in part to help give customization for skills because most classes only give you two from a short list. Now, because ASI's are so critical, you're stuck with specific skills which might not fit and you may not want.
Wasn't the whole point of decoupling ASI's from races to give more freedom to what you want to play? Aren't the ASI choices, the origin feats and skill choices suppose to be balanced with each other? Why can't DDB just offer these things as a custom option in a drop-down menu?
I participated in the playtest and this is not what was in it. Most of what was in the playtest isn't in this book. I did a lot of playtesting and wrote a lot of feedback with ideas I had on how to make things better. The custom background they had in the playtest was great. I have no idea why they changed it. I don't understand why people think allowing player's free rain over building their characters is a bad thing. Honestly, I might just work on modifying Mutants and Masterminds 3e for a fantasy genre game. The system is just better in every way.
In the physical book chapter 2, the way it presents backgrounds is much more, "Here you can customize it to fit your character concept," and is done well. The section that comes later for actual backgrounds (in the book) is so forced, ridged and unfriendly I'm really surprised they shipped the book in that state.
Not to mention there being sooooo few Origin feats, it blows my mind that they gave us so few to choose from.
D&D beyond really needs to embrace the customization build your own background because the default ones are just not fun.
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So, initially I was very hyped for the idea. Now after spending a few hours attempting to make a character, I have a few complaints.
Also when selecting a background D&D Beyond really needs to show the Ability Scores and Background table so I can see at a glance, what Abilities are tied to which background!
The main complaint I have is SINGLE FEAT choices with each background. That feels waaay too limiting. I feel strongly that each background should have a choice from 1-3 feats!
the entertainer feat really should allow you to use calligraphy kit and disguise kit instead of forcing you to chose 3 instruments, as a bard you get forced to chose 7 instruments, yet you can't put on stage makeup by using the disguise kit, you can't make stage costumes by using it either and you can't write your plays and poems down in a decent manner either, nor as a lore bard can you do a decent job of recording your information for the libraries and universities that you gather in, 7 instrument types is as much use as a chocolate fireguard
D&D Beyond really needs to look at the hard copy book and do a major update on the Custom Background tool. Make it so as you're creating a Custom Background you have the charts and information presented in chapter 2, so that it's easy to make informed choices without needing the hard back book next to you.
Also, what would be even better, allow you to easily edit any of the existing backgrounds. Let me select the Guide background but change the default feat. As Jason comments above, let someone pick the Entertainer feat but change it so you don't have to take 3 instruments.
The pre-build backgrounds should be more of a suggestion Vs a you have to do it this way.
Also currently, the Custom Background is completely broken. It won't let you pick/apply any stats bumps!
Because it's the 2014 custom background maker and the stat bumps are under the Abilities tab.
You might be right that if you select custom it's going to the old 2014 Background instead of a new 2024.
They need to organize and flag more stuff at OLD or 2014. I for one primarily only want the new stuff.
Also, you're wrong the new 2024 Backgrounds have Ability Scores built in on that page. When you go to configure a Custom background, it has three selections:
Despite selecting something for option 3, it does not show up on the background page like it should.
Once again... It shows up on the Abilities tab.
UGH, okay you're right that it shows up on the abilities tab. That's awkward non-intuitive and needs to be changed so it shows up on the Background tab.
Where does the feat choice show up? (Does it show up?)
Or the equipment options from the background? This roll out/update to D&D Beyond is shockingly un-polished.
This is the 2014 background builder. I don't expect the 2024 one out until the DM Guide is released.
This is just a workaround until it is released.
And, yes, this roll out is astonishingly bad.
I read the rules for the new Warlock and was excited to try one out for the first time. I started making a character and after looking through the backgrounds I can't find a single background I want to use. The set combinations of Ability Score improvements, skills, and starter feat make it impossible to find something I want to use. This system makes it so I don't even want to use the 2024 Player's Handbook.
This, ten thousand times. I cannot imagine what the designers were thinking to both eliminate custom backgrounds as an option, and to tie critical ability score bonuses to two specific skill proficiencies and one specific Origin feat. It destroys customization and promotes cookie-cutter builds. And despite including choices such as Acolyte (STR, INT, WIS) and Noble (STR, INT, CHA) which appeal to about one class between the two of them combined, bizarrely, there are no backgrounds at all which offer as your three Ability choices:
No matter which background you choose, there's usually at least one piece wrong which you're stuck with. Backgrounds used to be there in part to help give customization for skills because most classes only give you two from a short list. Now, because ASI's are so critical, you're stuck with specific skills which might not fit and you may not want.
Wasn't the whole point of decoupling ASI's from races to give more freedom to what you want to play? Aren't the ASI choices, the origin feats and skill choices suppose to be balanced with each other? Why can't DDB just offer these things as a custom option in a drop-down menu?
I participated in the playtest and this is not what was in it. Most of what was in the playtest isn't in this book. I did a lot of playtesting and wrote a lot of feedback with ideas I had on how to make things better. The custom background they had in the playtest was great. I have no idea why they changed it. I don't understand why people think allowing player's free rain over building their characters is a bad thing. Honestly, I might just work on modifying Mutants and Masterminds 3e for a fantasy genre game. The system is just better in every way.
In the physical book chapter 2, the way it presents backgrounds is much more, "Here you can customize it to fit your character concept," and is done well. The section that comes later for actual backgrounds (in the book) is so forced, ridged and unfriendly I'm really surprised they shipped the book in that state.
Not to mention there being sooooo few Origin feats, it blows my mind that they gave us so few to choose from.
D&D beyond really needs to embrace the customization build your own background because the default ones are just not fun.