If I was buying physical copies I would pay less than what you are charging for your supposed "LEGENDARY REDACTED" WTF $519.00 and NO PHYSICAL COPY. SO D&D IS WOC'S LITTE REDACTED NOW HUH!!
Yeah, I was playing around with the Character Sheet generator and browsing the site and thought, wow, this is great. Then I started looking at what everything cost and I could not believe this was their pricing model. I used to play a ton of 2nd Edition. Absolutely love the game. Now my kids are finally old enough and interested enough to play and I can't afford it. I am going to DM their first campaign and then let them take it from there. I have 6 or 7 kids coming to learn and play and thought this would be the best option for them to get access, learn and manage their character but it costs a fortune (not to mention I already bought 4 books that I would have to repurchase). It's a shame but they are pricing kids right out of the game. I wanted to buy an adventure, it was only slightly cheaper than buying the actual book but the adventure doesn't even come with all the magic items. You have to pay extra just to get access to the magic items that you are going to be giving out during the campaign. Ludicrous. I created a Half-Elf Sorcerer with one of my sons and a basic cantrip thats in Players Handbook wasn't available to add. I would have to buy a digital copy of Players handbook so he could add it to his digital character sheet.
I know I am just ranting, I don't normally do that. I was just so excited when I discovered this site and then so utterly disappointed when I found out the pricing model. Will always love D&D but hope that some day they have a system like this with a more reasonable pricing model. Lot's of people seem to love it so maybe I am in the minority.
I understand the criticisms of the service and pricing model, having discussed it a few times over the past two years. Giving D&D Beyond an initial review can lead to a bit of sticker shock, being presented with Legendary Bundle prices right off the bat. However, individual books are listed here as they would be in a physical game store, or even Amazon - at comparable pricing. I'm currently showing D&D Beyond - Player's Handbook listed as $29.99 (everyday price) and Amazon - Player's Handbook listed as $29.66 (Sale 41% off from list price: $49.95). You'll also find that there are frequent discount codes floating around our forums, Twitch Channel, and Discord server which yield up to an additional 25% off ($22.49). I've added all the source and adventure book content to my Amazon cart and reached $638. D&D Beyond remains a lower price point for the content.
I don't want to throw out numbers and attempt justify it though. There are a few additional features here that allow players and DMs to skirt the repurchase. One of these features would be to only include the items you need to build character sheets. These can be individual subraces, subclasses, spells, backgrounds, etc. (depicted as you scroll down this page). A few bucks and full digital character sheet availability isn't bad. It helps to keep in mind that moving to digital is a luxury, rather than a requirement. Pencil and paper will always remain an available option. Another solution would be to use the homebrew system here. This enables you to replicate the entire source book piece-by-piece if you wish (keeping the content private), without having to purchase a thing. Sure, it may take some time to enter a full book's worth of content, but for individual items - it isn't bad at all (plus you can create your own custom creations!)
I've included a few links below from community members to assist with discussing these topics. Some don't realize that D&D Beyond is not owned by Wizard of the Coast, but a separate retailer offering digital content and toolset instead of physical books. They are accountable for the same intellectual property licensing that the local game store would be per copy sold.
Well written Sedge, I appreciate the thoughtful response. I love the idea and for this group of 11 - 13 year old boys would gladly pay something so they can access all the material and share their character sheets, it's just a tough pill to swallow. I still have a problem with the whole thing but I appreciate the response and your viewpoint on it.
If you have all the books, what might (or might not) work for you would be to buy things piecemeal as kids decide on their characters. It would mean buying a master tier subscription, so you could enable campaign sharing. But you could just buy the spells, subclasses, etc. As needed. For example, just the cantrip needed for your son’s sorcerer, not the whole PHB. Or, without the master tier, each kid could purchase only what they needed in their own account. Or use a combo of individual purchases and homebrewing stuff.
Any piecemeal purchase applies to the purchase of the associated in-book bundle (e.g. spells) and to the purchase of the book itself. I worked this way with monsters as a DM, and slowly worked my way up to purchasing the Monster Manual.
There are usually codes available for a % off “book” purchases (often you can only use a given code once), and at least some of those apply even when you have already purchased some items from that “book.”
You may still decide that it’s not worth it to you, and/or that you find the pricing system unconscionable, and you have a right to your opinions and choices, so I’m not pushing you to buy in. I just wanted to make sure you knew what the options were.
Back in the AD&D days, we used the books and paper. To Wizards' credit, you can do exactly the same thing today.
If you already own the books (and some dice), you have everything you need to play. There's absolutely no requirement to use D&D Beyond to play D&D.
You can share the physical books with your players, though one PHB for an entire group might be a bit inconvenient. I picked up a second copy of the PHB for that reason. This may seem weird to some people, but when I bought a second copy of the PHB, it didn't even occur to me that already owning a copy should earn me a discount.
Sharing two books between a bunch of players is still inconvenient though. Every player should really have their own PHB. I'm not sure five copies offers any bulk discount though.
And that's where the D&D Beyond sweet spot sits. Buy the PHB and a subscription. Share the PHB with your players. Everybody has 24/7 access. Plus you get a great character builder.
You don't need D&D Beyond, but for the cost of a PHB and a subscription you get a lot of convenience. You just have to decide if it's worth it.
The thing that I love about D&D Beyond's pricing model is that you can buy the items or books you want, and you eventually get everything without overpaying.
You can buy individual elements from a book, such as the spells from the PHB or the magic items from the DMG, and the amount you pay gets applied as a discount to purchasing the rest of that book later. You buy individual subclasses, feats, or spells for $2 each; eventually, you can pay the difference to unlock all of the PHB subclasses or spells, or even the whole PHB. (If you're mainly using DDB for the character builder, you can skip the compendium content: you get the text of spells, races, and classes in the Game Rules section and on the character sheets.)
This also applies to the DDB bundles; each item or book you buy gets deducted from the price of any related bundle—as you buy items and whole books, the price to complete that Legendary bundle gets smaller and smaller. DDB offers coupon codes from time to time, which can shrink that discounted bundle price even more.
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If I was buying physical copies I would pay less than what you are charging for your supposed "LEGENDARY REDACTED" WTF $519.00 and NO PHYSICAL COPY. SO D&D IS WOC'S LITTE REDACTED NOW HUH!!
Yeah, I was playing around with the Character Sheet generator and browsing the site and thought, wow, this is great. Then I started looking at what everything cost and I could not believe this was their pricing model. I used to play a ton of 2nd Edition. Absolutely love the game. Now my kids are finally old enough and interested enough to play and I can't afford it. I am going to DM their first campaign and then let them take it from there. I have 6 or 7 kids coming to learn and play and thought this would be the best option for them to get access, learn and manage their character but it costs a fortune (not to mention I already bought 4 books that I would have to repurchase). It's a shame but they are pricing kids right out of the game. I wanted to buy an adventure, it was only slightly cheaper than buying the actual book but the adventure doesn't even come with all the magic items. You have to pay extra just to get access to the magic items that you are going to be giving out during the campaign. Ludicrous. I created a Half-Elf Sorcerer with one of my sons and a basic cantrip thats in Players Handbook wasn't available to add. I would have to buy a digital copy of Players handbook so he could add it to his digital character sheet.
I know I am just ranting, I don't normally do that. I was just so excited when I discovered this site and then so utterly disappointed when I found out the pricing model. Will always love D&D but hope that some day they have a system like this with a more reasonable pricing model. Lot's of people seem to love it so maybe I am in the minority.
Good afternoon!
I understand the criticisms of the service and pricing model, having discussed it a few times over the past two years. Giving D&D Beyond an initial review can lead to a bit of sticker shock, being presented with Legendary Bundle prices right off the bat. However, individual books are listed here as they would be in a physical game store, or even Amazon - at comparable pricing. I'm currently showing D&D Beyond - Player's Handbook listed as $29.99 (everyday price) and Amazon - Player's Handbook listed as $29.66 (Sale 41% off from list price: $49.95). You'll also find that there are frequent discount codes floating around our forums, Twitch Channel, and Discord server which yield up to an additional 25% off ($22.49). I've added all the source and adventure book content to my Amazon cart and reached $638. D&D Beyond remains a lower price point for the content.
I don't want to throw out numbers and attempt justify it though. There are a few additional features here that allow players and DMs to skirt the repurchase. One of these features would be to only include the items you need to build character sheets. These can be individual subraces, subclasses, spells, backgrounds, etc. (depicted as you scroll down this page). A few bucks and full digital character sheet availability isn't bad. It helps to keep in mind that moving to digital is a luxury, rather than a requirement. Pencil and paper will always remain an available option. Another solution would be to use the homebrew system here. This enables you to replicate the entire source book piece-by-piece if you wish (keeping the content private), without having to purchase a thing. Sure, it may take some time to enter a full book's worth of content, but for individual items - it isn't bad at all (plus you can create your own custom creations!)
I've included a few links below from community members to assist with discussing these topics. Some don't realize that D&D Beyond is not owned by Wizard of the Coast, but a separate retailer offering digital content and toolset instead of physical books. They are accountable for the same intellectual property licensing that the local game store would be per copy sold.
A Buyer's Guide for D&D Beyond
D&D Beyond vs Physical Books: An Explanation
I look forward to helping address any additional concerns you might have. Please just drop a reply and we can discuss!
Enjoy your week!
Well written Sedge, I appreciate the thoughtful response. I love the idea and for this group of 11 - 13 year old boys would gladly pay something so they can access all the material and share their character sheets, it's just a tough pill to swallow. I still have a problem with the whole thing but I appreciate the response and your viewpoint on it.
If you have all the books, what might (or might not) work for you would be to buy things piecemeal as kids decide on their characters. It would mean buying a master tier subscription, so you could enable campaign sharing. But you could just buy the spells, subclasses, etc. As needed. For example, just the cantrip needed for your son’s sorcerer, not the whole PHB. Or, without the master tier, each kid could purchase only what they needed in their own account. Or use a combo of individual purchases and homebrewing stuff.
Any piecemeal purchase applies to the purchase of the associated in-book bundle (e.g. spells) and to the purchase of the book itself. I worked this way with monsters as a DM, and slowly worked my way up to purchasing the Monster Manual.
There are usually codes available for a % off “book” purchases (often you can only use a given code once), and at least some of those apply even when you have already purchased some items from that “book.”
You may still decide that it’s not worth it to you, and/or that you find the pricing system unconscionable, and you have a right to your opinions and choices, so I’m not pushing you to buy in. I just wanted to make sure you knew what the options were.
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
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I'm not sure I understand the issue.
Back in the AD&D days, we used the books and paper. To Wizards' credit, you can do exactly the same thing today.
If you already own the books (and some dice), you have everything you need to play. There's absolutely no requirement to use D&D Beyond to play D&D.
You can share the physical books with your players, though one PHB for an entire group might be a bit inconvenient. I picked up a second copy of the PHB for that reason. This may seem weird to some people, but when I bought a second copy of the PHB, it didn't even occur to me that already owning a copy should earn me a discount.
Sharing two books between a bunch of players is still inconvenient though. Every player should really have their own PHB. I'm not sure five copies offers any bulk discount though.
And that's where the D&D Beyond sweet spot sits. Buy the PHB and a subscription. Share the PHB with your players. Everybody has 24/7 access. Plus you get a great character builder.
You don't need D&D Beyond, but for the cost of a PHB and a subscription you get a lot of convenience. You just have to decide if it's worth it.
The thing that I love about D&D Beyond's pricing model is that you can buy the items or books you want, and you eventually get everything without overpaying.
You can buy individual elements from a book, such as the spells from the PHB or the magic items from the DMG, and the amount you pay gets applied as a discount to purchasing the rest of that book later. You buy individual subclasses, feats, or spells for $2 each; eventually, you can pay the difference to unlock all of the PHB subclasses or spells, or even the whole PHB. (If you're mainly using DDB for the character builder, you can skip the compendium content: you get the text of spells, races, and classes in the Game Rules section and on the character sheets.)
This also applies to the DDB bundles; each item or book you buy gets deducted from the price of any related bundle—as you buy items and whole books, the price to complete that Legendary bundle gets smaller and smaller. DDB offers coupon codes from time to time, which can shrink that discounted bundle price even more.