If you search the forums, you will see this issue has been discussed extensively. A few points from those discussions:
-DDB is not WOTC; they have to pay licensing fees to WOTC for the content they sell here; furthermore, they have put a ton of labor into converting that content and creating the tools that use the content here
-If you went into another FLGS, would you expect to get a second copy of the books for free?
-Depending on how you want to use DDB, there may be no need to “repurchase” everything. Options include home brewing content for your private use, and purchasing individual character options as needed. The Buyer’s Guide in my signature lays out several different use case scenarios, and purchasing (or free) options for those use cases.
-You have every right to decide that the convenience of the tools provided here are not worth the asking price; indeed you are the only one who can decide if they offer sufficient value for you; if you decide they aren’t, that’s fine, while I find the tools incredibly helpful, there are in no way necessary in order to play D&D.
I have purchased PH, DMG, MM, VGM, XGtE, and the EK from my friendly neighborhood game store.
Is it really WOTC contention than I must now re-purchase these items in order to access them from DNDBEYOND?
This is outrageous and distasteful. It will also dissuade me (mega fan) from purchasing more content.
:-(
Ben
Not sure if upvoting is a thing in here, but I concur.
If you search the forums, you will see this issue has been discussed extensively. A few points from those discussions:
-DDB is not WOTC; they have to pay licensing fees to WOTC for the content they sell here; furthermore, they have put a ton of labor into converting that content and creating the tools that use the content here
-If you went into another FLGS, would you expect to get a second copy of the books for free?
-Depending on how you want to use DDB, there may be no need to “repurchase” everything. Options include home brewing content for your private use, and purchasing individual character options as needed. The Buyer’s Guide in my signature lays out several different use case scenarios, and purchasing (or free) options for those use cases.
-You have every right to decide that the convenience of the tools provided here are not worth the asking price; indeed you are the only one who can decide if they offer sufficient value for you; if you decide they aren’t, that’s fine, while I find the tools incredibly helpful, there are in no way necessary in order to play D&D.
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 would direct the conversation to the 40 pages on the topic: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/6230-d-d-beyond-vs-physical-books-an-explanation
These aspects have been discussed at depth.