I don't know how WOTC would do this, but it would be great for sitting at a table, because it would give me a much easier way to access all the information without paying extra, and I could give the book to someone who doesn't have one and still have all I need. Taking the book back at the end of the session, of course. May be you could use serial numbers to make sure the same one was never used twice?
Yeah, the books don't have an S/N or any unique identifier. There are megathreads that DxJxC linked to that explain it thoroughly.
I only linked to 1 thread that explains it (there is at least 1 more I think). The second link (FAQ) just links to the first one. I included it in case they had any more questions that are certain to have been answered before.
If WotC wanted to start printing physical books with DDB codes or registering serial numbers for them, that is up to WotC. DDB has no say in it.
The new Essentials kit comes with a DDB code for all of the content in the kit. This doesn't affect previously purchased material, but is a potentially promising sign moving ahead. Perhaps future publishings of the PHB and so on will include a digital copy as well. Might be a pipe dream, but it's what I'm hoping for.
The essentials kit has a code because it's a sealed product and thus the code can be secured. This is the same for the Beadles and Grimm special editions; I know the Waterdeep Dragon Heist platinum edition included a code for the book on DDB, again because it was a sealed product.
Moving forward, there's nothing stopping them from sealing the books in a bag or box, or devising some other tamper-evident way of including a code with the books.
And they can have display copies with the codes removed for people to look through. Or use an older copy that never had a code. There are plenty of reasonable, functional options that would have no impact on sales. Previous threads be damned. My point is that it can be done moving forward, as progress does. In fact, with DDB increasing in popularity and usefulness, I'd imagine book stores will start seeing less and less sales of physical books unless this kind of integration takes place.
Plenty of shops have display copies of sealed items so that customers can see what they're purchasing inside a box. It's not that uncommon. And of course it could be sold, with the customer caveat that it has been used as a display copy and has no digital code inside. This is a lot of pushback to the idea that more of this integration could, and should, happen in the future.
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I don't know how WOTC would do this, but it would be great for sitting at a table, because it would give me a much easier way to access all the information without paying extra, and I could give the book to someone who doesn't have one and still have all I need. Taking the book back at the end of the session, of course. May be you could use serial numbers to make sure the same one was never used twice?
No. It cant be done. The problem is that DDB is not owned or operated by WotC, they are a separate store/service with a licence agreement with WotC.
If WotC wanted to start printing physical books with DDB codes or registering serial numbers for them, that is up to WotC. DDB has no say in it.
You can buy just the character options piecemeal or homebrew them out of the book (as long as you dont publish).
This question gets asked 3-5 times a month (maybe more) and the answer is always the same. You can find a link to this (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/6230-d-d-beyond-vs-physical-books-an-explanation) thread in the FAQ (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/bugs-support/20491-d-d-beyond-pricing-purchase-faq).
Yeah, the books don't have an S/N or any unique identifier. There are megathreads that DxJxC linked to that explain it thoroughly.
I only linked to 1 thread that explains it (there is at least 1 more I think). The second link (FAQ) just links to the first one. I included it in case they had any more questions that are certain to have been answered before.
The new Essentials kit comes with a DDB code for all of the content in the kit. This doesn't affect previously purchased material, but is a potentially promising sign moving ahead. Perhaps future publishings of the PHB and so on will include a digital copy as well. Might be a pipe dream, but it's what I'm hoping for.
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ModeratorThe essentials kit has a code because it's a sealed product and thus the code can be secured. This is the same for the Beadles and Grimm special editions; I know the Waterdeep Dragon Heist platinum edition included a code for the book on DDB, again because it was a sealed product.
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Moving forward, there's nothing stopping them from sealing the books in a bag or box, or devising some other tamper-evident way of including a code with the books.
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ModeratorGame stores don't want sealed books because consumers want to be able to look through them. This has been addressed a lot in previous threads
D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). (he/him/his)
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This gets asked a lot.
No, having the physical books does not mean you can get the D&D Beyond versions for free.
D&D Beyond is a different company than Wizards, which still has to pay a licensing fee for the books.
See this thread for more information and the value you get
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And they can have display copies with the codes removed for people to look through. Or use an older copy that never had a code. There are plenty of reasonable, functional options that would have no impact on sales. Previous threads be damned. My point is that it can be done moving forward, as progress does. In fact, with DDB increasing in popularity and usefulness, I'd imagine book stores will start seeing less and less sales of physical books unless this kind of integration takes place.
display copies with the codes removed for people to look through. Or use an older copy that never had a code.
Now the store has to either stock two different SKUs or have a product dedicated to sitting on the shelf and can never be sold.
Site Info: Wizard's ToS | Fan Content Policy | Forum Rules | Physical Books | Content Not Working | Contact Support
How To: Homebrew Rules | Create Homebrew | Snippet Codes | Tool Tips (Custom) | Rollables (Generator)
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Feats | Spells | Magic Items
Other: Beyond20 | Page References | Other Guides | Entitlements | Dice Randomization | Images Fix | FAQ
Plenty of shops have display copies of sealed items so that customers can see what they're purchasing inside a box. It's not that uncommon. And of course it could be sold, with the customer caveat that it has been used as a display copy and has no digital code inside. This is a lot of pushback to the idea that more of this integration could, and should, happen in the future.