Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it! In hindsight I was pretty tired when I wrote most of that up and probably should of waited but I wanted to jot down what was fresh in my mind having just worked on a few characters. As to the underwhelming comment that mostly comes from (I think) me not fully understanding what this product fully was until a few days ago. I had heard of D&D beyond for a while and each time I tried all I saw was the very limited options from the PHB without ever really understanding what this service is/was so I found it very underwhelming when building a character. Now that I understand this is a licensed product and users pay to access content I understand it much better and find the builder much more useful with the purchases I have made - I don't necessarily like the model considering I still prefer the physical books but that's another discussion. I do think there's a lot of PR work to be done for outsiders to fully understand/embrace this.
Yeah, they need to get someone to put together a short, simple, easily understood FAQ and put it somewhere easy to find.
I'll try to clarify my points below but most of my comments do indeed refer to the PDF export as that's primarily what I use this for.
1. The common theme comment was more around the few pages out of the 100+ on this thread that I had read where I found similar comments to mine. Maybe it's not as common as I think and I definitely give right-of-way to you as the product lead having read likely all of this :) Other then that I think you got my request.
2. I think this one can be disregarded the more I use the system. For someone new coming in it feels weird having to 'equip' multiple weapons but it really just comes down to what you want to name the button to make armor/weapons 'active' on a character. Breath weapons still need to move, though.
5. What I'm looking for is the option, from the time I hit 'build character' to limit what sources the builder users. If the DM says "only stuff from the PHB" then there's really no way to filter out background, gear, etc from other books. The race selector is close in that it lets me filter to a single source but there may be instances where I want to pull from all sources except for Volo's guide or Sword Coast. Hope that clears up the request.
Good idea. Set it up the same way most of the rest of the site is set up. I'm still waiting for them to do that for the main equipment listing (my first post), though, so don't get your hopes too high.
6. I'm going to throw one in. Please add an index! Maybe I'm just too set in my ways with physical books but I was really struggling to try to find some info in Sword Coast last night. I did eventually find it and after I found it the location of said info made sense. In my mind it would be so much easier to have an index for the digital books where I can look for the keywords I'm looking for and they reference me to the right section of the digital book.
Thanks again for the response and I look forward to watching the product grow!
An index would be rather handy, I suppose.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
6. I'm going to throw one in. Please add an index! Maybe I'm just too set in my ways with physical books but I was really struggling to try to find some info in Sword Coast last night. I did eventually find it and after I found it the location of said info made sense. In my mind it would be so much easier to have an index for the digital books where I can look for the keywords I'm looking for and they reference me to the right section of the digital book.
Have you tried the global search?
I found several things in the SCAG using it a couple days ago.
You can filter the results to only show compendium hits, so that you don't get endless results from the forums.
I was using the character creation tool and found it pretty easy to use but there were a couple of things I think would make the Feat options work a bit smoother.
On the site, if you choose a Feat during character creation you're presented with a massive list that you could potentially have no idea what most of them do. Is there a way that when you're presented with the list of feats, as you scroll your cursor over them it then opens a caption/ smaller window that describes what the feat does. I think this would save time instead of having to click on each feat individually just to see what they do.
Also, with feats such as Spell Sniper, where you're given a cantrip/ spell. Is there a way of getting these 'learnt' in your spellbook. That way you know that you already have certain spells through other feats/ racial traits. Once again, it could have either a note, or a window if you scroll over it, telling you if you're only able to use it once between rests, for example.
Just a couple of thoughts, but so far looking good :)
Hello, I noticed that magic items, like "Wave" for example, link to it's extra features in the magic item listing but don't when equipped on the character sheet.
Wave reads, in part: "The weapon also functions as a trident of fish command and a weapon of warning. It can confer the benefit of a cap of water breathing while you hold it, and you can use it as a cube of force by choosing the effect, instead of pressing cube sides to select it."
On the items listing, Cube of Force, Trident of Fish Command, etc all link to the relevant item and explain the effect. It would be super helpful for it to also do that on the character sheet.
It would be nice to be able to build a character at a high level, then view them as if they were an arbitrary level on the path there. I like doing some amount of character planning in advance, but I don't want to have to have a second copy of them for the 'planned' version and the 'current' version; I'd much rather be able to 'view as level 2' or something along the lines.
It would be nice to be able to build a character at a high level, then view them as if they were an arbitrary level on the path there. I like doing some amount of character planning in advance, but I don't want to have to have a second copy of them for the 'planned' version and the 'current' version; I'd much rather be able to 'view as level 2' or something along the lines.
You can go down in levels on characters. It won't subtract your rolled HP, but it will make all other adjustments.
This may very well have been answered before, and it may be a problem that only I'm having, but here goes:
When I try to make characters, a lot of build options are not available. Certain races, like Tabaxii, are not listed. When I choose feats, the drop down menu only contains two to choose from. Not all class specializations are available.
Normally I'd chalk this up to beta testing, but from what I've read on the forums it seems as though others have been able to build characters with more feats. And it doesn't look like these are features that open up once you start a subscription.
Am I alone with these problems? Did I miss a crucial and obvious note somewhere about it?
This may very well have been answered before, and it may be a problem that only I'm having, but here goes:
When I try to make characters, a lot of build options are not available. Certain races, like Tabaxii, are not listed. When I choose feats, the drop down menu only contains two to choose from. Not all class specializations are available.
Normally I'd chalk this up to beta testing, but from what I've read on the forums it seems as though others have been able to build characters with more feats. And it doesn't look like these are features that open up once you start a subscription.
Am I alone with these problems? Did I miss a crucial and obvious note somewhere about it?
You have to unlock non-free content with a purchase. Check the Marketplace.
The Minor Illusion cantrip from Forest Gnomes isn't being added to list of known cantrips.
This is currently as intended, since the race spellcasting ability should not be included in the class spellcasting ability. The race spellcasting ability shows up as Innate Spellcasting below the Class spellcasting box.
It would be nice to be able to build a character at a high level, then view them as if they were an arbitrary level on the path there. I like doing some amount of character planning in advance, but I don't want to have to have a second copy of them for the 'planned' version and the 'current' version; I'd much rather be able to 'view as level 2' or something along the lines.
You can go down in levels on characters. It won't subtract your rolled HP, but it will make all other adjustments.
Yes, but it loses all choices you make past the new level when you do so and you have to reenter them when you level up, which defeats the point of having a 'planned' version of the character.
This may very well have been answered before, and it may be a problem that only I'm having, but here goes:
When I try to make characters, a lot of build options are not available. Certain races, like Tabaxii, are not listed. When I choose feats, the drop down menu only contains two to choose from. Not all class specializations are available.
Normally I'd chalk this up to beta testing, but from what I've read on the forums it seems as though others have been able to build characters with more feats. And it doesn't look like these are features that open up once you start a subscription.
Am I alone with these problems? Did I miss a crucial and obvious note somewhere about it?
You have to unlock non-free content with a purchase. Check the Marketplace.
I'm in a Master Tier Campaign where content sharing is enabled and I can see all of the source books. I have one character that after a few days of fiddling, finally got the expanded race, subclass, scag cantrips, feats, etc. Not sure exactly what fixed it for that character. I was about to post on the forum, and tried opening up all of the rulebooks, and then the problem just disappeared.
But when I went to make another character.... same problem, back to only the free sources. Can't seem to fix it this time.
I am sure this has been mentioned before, but I have to reiterate this about the weapons listing on the character sheet: Both the printed and online sheets should show all weapons carried with the appropriate dmg options for versatile, etc regardless of which is currently readied.
This is a relatively minor detail that quickly derails the flow of combat. "I drop my shield and handaxe and rush the goblin with my warhammer!" becomes a quest for either the weapon's listing in the PHB or to navigate to the character on DND Beyond to switch the readied weapon. Call me crazy, but I'm going old school here and thinking I can trust the guy across the table to remember what weapon he had readied last turn...and failing that, that the other players will "gently" remind him. I don't want the character sheet to limit access based on what is readied or not. If they have access to it, even if it will take ten minutes of digging through a wagon to find it, I want them to have the stats on hand so we can focus on the action.
The same goes for spells as others have already stated: I want a full list of what my player has available, prepared or not, with the core info needed. A simple flag on the sheet (printed or online) can show which spells are readied. Having played D&D in it's various forms for 40 years, everyone I have ever played with has made it a priority to have notes about their equipment, spells, etc, on hand and more readily available than cracking open a book or web tool. I'm really enjoying the potential of DND Beyond, but if my players have to refer to their iPad, smartphone, or laptop to remember what spells they can ready during a long rest, I'm not going to easily convince them it is worth their time and effort long term.
I'm still learning the tool and I look forward to the improvements as time progresses. Keep up the good work!
Hey, I believe I found a bug with the Character Builder.
On the "2. Class" tab, I attempted to modify my HP through the "Manage Hit Point" menu. I set an HP Modifier of -2. As I understand it, setting this should reduce my HP by 2 from whatever my fixed HP value is. This is reflected while I'm still in the Character Builder, but as soon as I open my character sheet the modifier I set is gone. When I return to the Character Builder, it's also gone. It seems like it's simply not being saved.
I'm in a Master Tier Campaign where content sharing is enabled and I can see all of the source books. I have one character that after a few days of fiddling, finally got the expanded race, subclass, scag cantrips, feats, etc. Not sure exactly what fixed it for that character. I was about to post on the forum, and tried opening up all of the rulebooks, and then the problem just disappeared.
But when I went to make another character.... same problem, back to only the free sources. Can't seem to fix it this time.
Did you follow the Join a Campaign link then click Create a Character? Any character created outside of creation within a campaign with content sharing enabled won't have access to any content not purchased on your account. If you follow the Join a Campaign link after creating a character and join with that character, that character can then be edited with all of the content shared within that campaign.
I am sure this has been mentioned before, but I have to reiterate this about the weapons listing on the character sheet: Both the printed and online sheets should show all weapons carried with the appropriate dmg options for versatile, etc regardless of which is currently readied.
This is a relatively minor detail that quickly derails the flow of combat. "I drop my shield and handaxe and rush the goblin with my warhammer!" becomes a quest for either the weapon's listing in the PHB or to navigate to the character on DND Beyond to switch the readied weapon. Call me crazy, but I'm going old school here and thinking I can trust the guy across the table to remember what weapon he had readied last turn...and failing that, that the other players will "gently" remind him. I don't want the character sheet to limit access based on what is readied or not. If they have access to it, even if it will take ten minutes of digging through a wagon to find it, I want them to have the stats on hand so we can focus on the action.
I'm still learning the tool and I look forward to the improvements as time progresses. Keep up the good work!
Equipment > (Manage) > Inventory > Mark all of your weapons as being wielded They will then show up on both the digital and exported character sheets. The sheet on DDB will include the damage options for versatile weapons; if you save the exported sheet, you can edit it to include both damage dice.
Hey, I believe I found a bug with the Character Builder.
On the "2. Class" tab, I attempted to modify my HP through the "Manage Hit Point" menu. I set an HP Modifier of -2. As I understand it, setting this should reduce my HP by 2 from whatever my fixed HP value is. This is reflected while I'm still in the Character Builder, but as soon as I open my character sheet the modifier I set is gone. When I return to the Character Builder, it's also gone. It seems like it's simply not being saved.
HP Modifier only works with positive numbers. It's for bonuses that temporarily increase your Max HP, such as Heroes Feast. It probably should reprogrammed to be able to save negative modifiers though since spells and monsters that reduce a creature's max HP exist.
Can't pick the Entertainer background in the character builder even though it's a standard part of the player handbook and is even listed as the background to pick for a quick build bard.
Can't pick the Entertainer background in the character builder even though it's a standard part of the player handbook and is even listed as the background to pick for a quick build bard.
Yeah, they need to get someone to put together a short, simple, easily understood FAQ and put it somewhere easy to find.
Agreed; the terminology needs more work.
Good idea. Set it up the same way most of the rest of the site is set up. I'm still waiting for them to do that for the main equipment listing (my first post), though, so don't get your hopes too high.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
HI DROSS!
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How are we all doing?
I was using the character creation tool and found it pretty easy to use but there were a couple of things I think would make the Feat options work a bit smoother.
On the site, if you choose a Feat during character creation you're presented with a massive list that you could potentially have no idea what most of them do. Is there a way that when you're presented with the list of feats, as you scroll your cursor over them it then opens a caption/ smaller window that describes what the feat does. I think this would save time instead of having to click on each feat individually just to see what they do.
Also, with feats such as Spell Sniper, where you're given a cantrip/ spell. Is there a way of getting these 'learnt' in your spellbook. That way you know that you already have certain spells through other feats/ racial traits. Once again, it could have either a note, or a window if you scroll over it, telling you if you're only able to use it once between rests, for example.
Just a couple of thoughts, but so far looking good :)
Hello, I noticed that magic items, like "Wave" for example, link to it's extra features in the magic item listing but don't when equipped on the character sheet.
Wave reads, in part: "The weapon also functions as a trident of fish command and a weapon of warning. It can confer the benefit of a cap of water breathing while you hold it, and you can use it as a cube of force by choosing the effect, instead of pressing cube sides to select it."
On the items listing, Cube of Force, Trident of Fish Command, etc all link to the relevant item and explain the effect. It would be super helpful for it to also do that on the character sheet.
It would be nice to be able to build a character at a high level, then view them as if they were an arbitrary level on the path there. I like doing some amount of character planning in advance, but I don't want to have to have a second copy of them for the 'planned' version and the 'current' version; I'd much rather be able to 'view as level 2' or something along the lines.
The Minor Illusion cantrip from Forest Gnomes isn't being added to list of known cantrips.
This may very well have been answered before, and it may be a problem that only I'm having, but here goes:
When I try to make characters, a lot of build options are not available. Certain races, like Tabaxii, are not listed. When I choose feats, the drop down menu only contains two to choose from. Not all class specializations are available.
Normally I'd chalk this up to beta testing, but from what I've read on the forums it seems as though others have been able to build characters with more feats. And it doesn't look like these are features that open up once you start a subscription.
Am I alone with these problems? Did I miss a crucial and obvious note somewhere about it?
D&D Beyond can be used for free and contains information from the following "free to use" sources published by Wizards of the Coast: D&D 5th edition SRD , D&D 5th edition Basic Rules and Elemental Evil Companion.
Content from other sources, such as the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide or Monster Manual will need to be purchased from the Marketplace, or accessed via another user sharing content with you via their Master Tier Subscription.
I'm in a Master Tier Campaign where content sharing is enabled and I can see all of the source books. I have one character that after a few days of fiddling, finally got the expanded race, subclass, scag cantrips, feats, etc. Not sure exactly what fixed it for that character. I was about to post on the forum, and tried opening up all of the rulebooks, and then the problem just disappeared.
But when I went to make another character.... same problem, back to only the free sources. Can't seem to fix it this time.
I am sure this has been mentioned before, but I have to reiterate this about the weapons listing on the character sheet: Both the printed and online sheets should show all weapons carried with the appropriate dmg options for versatile, etc regardless of which is currently readied.
This is a relatively minor detail that quickly derails the flow of combat. "I drop my shield and handaxe and rush the goblin with my warhammer!" becomes a quest for either the weapon's listing in the PHB or to navigate to the character on DND Beyond to switch the readied weapon. Call me crazy, but I'm going old school here and thinking I can trust the guy across the table to remember what weapon he had readied last turn...and failing that, that the other players will "gently" remind him. I don't want the character sheet to limit access based on what is readied or not. If they have access to it, even if it will take ten minutes of digging through a wagon to find it, I want them to have the stats on hand so we can focus on the action.
The same goes for spells as others have already stated: I want a full list of what my player has available, prepared or not, with the core info needed. A simple flag on the sheet (printed or online) can show which spells are readied. Having played D&D in it's various forms for 40 years, everyone I have ever played with has made it a priority to have notes about their equipment, spells, etc, on hand and more readily available than cracking open a book or web tool. I'm really enjoying the potential of DND Beyond, but if my players have to refer to their iPad, smartphone, or laptop to remember what spells they can ready during a long rest, I'm not going to easily convince them it is worth their time and effort long term.
I'm still learning the tool and I look forward to the improvements as time progresses. Keep up the good work!
Hey, I believe I found a bug with the Character Builder.
On the "2. Class" tab, I attempted to modify my HP through the "Manage Hit Point" menu. I set an HP Modifier of -2. As I understand it, setting this should reduce my HP by 2 from whatever my fixed HP value is. This is reflected while I'm still in the Character Builder, but as soon as I open my character sheet the modifier I set is gone. When I return to the Character Builder, it's also gone. It seems like it's simply not being saved.
Any character created outside of creation within a campaign with content sharing enabled won't have access to any content not purchased on your account.
If you follow the Join a Campaign link after creating a character and join with that character, that character can then be edited with all of the content shared within that campaign.
They will then show up on both the digital and exported character sheets.
The sheet on DDB will include the damage options for versatile weapons; if you save the exported sheet, you can edit it to include both damage dice.
It probably should reprogrammed to be able to save negative modifiers though since spells and monsters that reduce a creature's max HP exist.
Can't pick the Entertainer background in the character builder even though it's a standard part of the player handbook and is even listed as the background to pick for a quick build bard.
D&D Beyond can be used for free and contains information from the following "free to use" sources published by Wizards of the Coast: D&D 5th edition SRD , D&D 5th edition Basic Rules and Elemental Evil Companion.
Content from other sources, such as the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide or Monster Manual will need to be purchased from the Marketplace, or accessed via another user sharing content with you via their Master Tier Subscription.