Seems like an easy fix would be to remove the stackable/quantity option from the scrolls. That way, each scroll that is added can be individually customized with the spell name, and would still give all the info currently in the scroll description. It would be nice if the spell could link to the scroll and then show in the character's spell list like item spells do, but adding in a little under 500 items in the equipment listing would probably get more negative reactions than positive ones if I had to make a guess.
You can add a custom item to the character sheet for each scroll - it only takes a few seconds.
When you click on the MANAGE EQUIPMENT button on the character sheet, there's a section "Custom Items" in the sidebar that appears. Expand that and you'll see "+ Add Custom Item"
Cool! But can you somehow add spellcasting ability to such a custom item?
Currently the only way to add spellcasting ability is to create a homebrew scroll. Just use the appropriate level scroll as a template, change it from a scroll to a wondrous item, then add the spell with the DC appropriate to the scroll level. Once you've done that it can be added to equipment, equipped, and the spell will show in that character's spell list.
Currently the only way to add spellcasting ability is to create a homebrew scroll. Just use the appropriate level scroll as a template, change it from a scroll to a wondrous item, then add the spell with the DC appropriate to the scroll level. Once you've done that it can be added to equipment, equipped, and the spell will show in that character's spell list.
Yup, thanks. I guess what I'm asking for is for DDB to provide actual scroll functionality and not have us use these kind of hacks.
This does seem like something that should be an easy add. When you add the item Spell scroll, it just asks which spell and what level. Clicking on the item would display the spell with appropriate modifiers.
Ideally, there should be a button to say "scribe" that checks a few things - 1. that you have a spellbook that is a legal target, 2. that you don't know the spell already, 3. that you have the correct amount of resources, 4. that you are the appropriate level to know the spell; then it adds the spell to the spellbook and deletes the scroll and reduces your gold.
This does seem like something that should be an easy add. When you add the item Spell scroll, it just asks which spell and what level. Clicking on the item would display the spell with appropriate modifiers.
Ideally, there should be a button to say "scribe" that checks a few things - 1. that you have a spellbook that is a legal target, 2. that you don't know the spell already, 3. that you have the correct amount of resources, 4. that you are the appropriate level to know the spell; then it adds the spell to the spellbook and deletes the scroll and reduces your gold.
Just had to say that I love everything about this post.
My party just found a cache of scrolls, and now I'm sad.
I'll add them as custom items, but this has been open for going on three years, and still open. I'll add them as custom items, but then they don't show up in the character sheet's "Action" list. I'm playing with my wife, who's new to the game. When she decides what to do, she looks at her action list, not down in the Custom Equipment list.
The ability to either remove the stack, customize the field, or even select the spell via a pulldown would fully integrate this into the rest of the UI and be a much better user experience.
To help her out, I created a new custom Ranged attack called "Read a Spell Scroll", with the description to check her inventory. Together this feels like the best we can do today.
For “Magic Item” select the spell scroll level with the correct level for the spell you wish the scroll to contain. SAVE!!
Scroll down the the “Spells” section and click “Add Spell”
Add the spell you want on the scroll by name in the name field.
Set the Modifier and DC to match the level of the scroll.
Set minimum and maximum charges to 1. SAVE!!
Rearrange the text from this: (I used a 3rd-level spell scroll as an example, each level of scroll has its own corresponding DCs already there)
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
This scroll contains a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
To This:
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
This scroll contains [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_], a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7. If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
SAVE!!!
**Where I wrote [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_] if you delete the underscores and insert the spell name it will look like this: Magic Circle. This is called a tooltip, they work almost everywhere except on the character sheet for some reason.
You can also make it a hyperlink like this, Magic Circle, by copying the URL from the spell’s page, and inserting with the tool button that looks like a chain (if you have no idea what I’m talking about turn your phone sideways). By making it a hyperlink it will function on the character sheet. The character sheet will make all of the text black lIke this—> Magic Circle, so it can be hard to see. I suggest making it bold and italics, so it stands out on the character sheet better like this: Magic Circle.
Or you could do both like this: Magic Circle. That way it works everywhichway.
There are more tips in posts further down in this thread, Posts #30, #31, #37, and #48.
I just used it, and am adding those to inventory now.
One downside is that when you're viewing the scroll description in the character view (i.e. not in the homebrew tool), the link to the [spell] tag doesn't work.
So I've had to start putting the spell effects in the scroll itself, like this:
Again, my goal is beginner-friendly, so having all the info available is important to our table. Even with experienced players, it's nice to have the details all right there. Keeps the game flowing smoothly.
I just used it, and am adding those to inventory now.
One downside is that when you're viewing the scroll description in the character view (i.e. not in the homebrew tool), the link to the [spell] tag doesn't work.
So I've had to start putting the spell effects in the scroll itself, like this:
Again, my goal is beginner-friendly, so having all the info available is important to our table. Even with experienced players, it's nice to have the details all right there. Keeps the game flowing smoothly.
If you make the tooltip (the tags you mentioned) you can also make it a hyperlink as well that will work on the character sheet.
If you make it a Wondrous Item instead of a Scroll, then you can "Use" it - which means the scroll shows up in your Spells list as one you can cast.
Note that you also need to change the # of charges min/max to 1, and spell level to the appropriate spell level when creating the item.
With all of that in place, I think this works really well.
Suggestion to the DDB engineers: if Scroll magic items can be "Use"d, then we'd get the same effect (spell shows up in spell list, # of charges is correct, etc.), for probably a lot less work on your part.
Post session - I can confirm that making the spell a Wondrous Item worked pretty well. Here are the ones I made - maybe as more people make homebrew spell scrolls we can slowly get coverage of all spells with this:
Post session - I can confirm that making the spell a Wondrous Item worked pretty well. Here are the ones I made - maybe as more people make homebrew spell scrolls we can slowly get coverage of all spells with this:
The only issue with this is that it will use the Attack Modifier and Save DC of the character, not the one intrinsic to the level of the scroll which are specified under the rules for scrolls. You will have to make sure to set the correct Modifiers and DCs and it would be good to list them in the descriptions of the items. I updated that in my original post above, see the numbered list.
It says, (Burning Hands, for example) "Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw."
I thought the DC of that save was the caster's spell ability DC number - so the creatures would roll, add their Dex bonus, and try to beat the caster's total.
That's what it says in the Rules for Saving Throws:
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
It says, (Burning Hands, for example) "Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw."
I thought the DC of that save was the caster's spell ability DC number - so the creatures would roll, add their Dex bonus, and try to beat the caster's total.
That's what it says in the Rules for Saving Throws:
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
It says, (Burning Hands, for example) "Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw."
I thought the DC of that save was the caster's spell ability DC number - so the creatures would roll, add their Dex bonus, and try to beat the caster's total.
That's what it says in the Rules for Saving Throws:
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and the scroll itself crumbles to dust.
The level of the spell on the scroll determines the spell’s saving throw DC and attack bonus, as well as the scroll’s rarity, as shown in the Spell Scroll table.
Spell Scroll
Spell Level
Rarity
Save DC
Attack Bonus
Cantrip
Common
13
+5
1st
Common
13
+5
2nd
Uncommon
13
+5
3rd
Uncommon
15
+7
4th
Rare
15
+7
5th
Rare
17
+9
6th
Very rare
17
+9
7th
Very rare
18
+10
8th
Very rare
18
+10
9th
Legendary
19
+11
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell’s level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
So if it’s a 3rd-level Spell Scroll, regardless of the stats or level of the caster, the Spell Save DC will always be 15, and the Attack Modifier will always be +7. That information is already in the description for each level of spell scroll, but you need to set those numbers when you add the spell to the scroll. That’s why I told you to use the wording that I did in the above post, it includes the exact rules for spell scrolls along with the appropriate numbers for the scroll level. Reread above posts number #28, steps 9 and 11.
For “Magic Item” select the spell scroll level with the correct level for the spell you wish the scroll to contain.
Scroll down the the “Spells” section and click “Add Spell”
Add the spell you want on the scroll by name in the name field.
Set the Modifier and DC to match the level of the scroll.
Set minimum and maximum charges to 1. SAVE!!
Rearrange the text from this: (I used a 3rd-level spell scroll as an example, each level of scroll has its own corresponding DCs already there)
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
This scroll contains a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
To This:
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
This scroll contains [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_], a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7. If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
SAVE!!!
**Where I wrote [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_] if you delete the underscores and insert the spell name it will look like this: Magic Circle. This is called a tooltip, they work almost everywhere except on the character sheet for some reason.
You can also make it a hyperlink like this, Magic Circle, by copying the URL from the spell’s page, and inserting with the tool button that looks like a chain (if you have no idea what I’m talking about turn your phone sideways). By making it a hyperlink it will function on the character sheet. The character sheet will make all of the text black lIke this—> Magic Circle, so it can be hard to see. I suggest making it bold and italics, so it stands out on the character sheet better like this: Magic Circle.
Or you could do both like this: Magic Circle. That way it works everywhichway.
Oh my goodness! I replied to your message to me in my thread and figured it would take too long before I had to go to work...but I made one easily! It was so great. Thank you!!!
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Seems like an easy fix would be to remove the stackable/quantity option from the scrolls. That way, each scroll that is added can be individually customized with the spell name, and would still give all the info currently in the scroll description. It would be nice if the spell could link to the scroll and then show in the character's spell list like item spells do, but adding in a little under 500 items in the equipment listing would probably get more negative reactions than positive ones if I had to make a guess.
Cool! But can you somehow add spellcasting ability to such a custom item?
Currently the only way to add spellcasting ability is to create a homebrew scroll. Just use the appropriate level scroll as a template, change it from a scroll to a wondrous item, then add the spell with the DC appropriate to the scroll level. Once you've done that it can be added to equipment, equipped, and the spell will show in that character's spell list.
Yup, thanks. I guess what I'm asking for is for DDB to provide actual scroll functionality and not have us use these kind of hacks.
This does seem like something that should be an easy add. When you add the item Spell scroll, it just asks which spell and what level. Clicking on the item would display the spell with appropriate modifiers.
Ideally, there should be a button to say "scribe" that checks a few things - 1. that you have a spellbook that is a legal target, 2. that you don't know the spell already, 3. that you have the correct amount of resources, 4. that you are the appropriate level to know the spell; then it adds the spell to the spellbook and deletes the scroll and reduces your gold.
Just had to say that I love everything about this post.
My party just found a cache of scrolls, and now I'm sad.
I'll add them as custom items, but this has been open for going on three years, and still open. I'll add them as custom items, but then they don't show up in the character sheet's "Action" list. I'm playing with my wife, who's new to the game. When she decides what to do, she looks at her action list, not down in the Custom Equipment list.
The ability to either remove the stack, customize the field, or even select the spell via a pulldown would fully integrate this into the rest of the UI and be a much better user experience.
To help her out, I created a new custom Ranged attack called "Read a Spell Scroll", with the description to check her inventory. Together this feels like the best we can do today.
Thanks fer listnin'.
How to Make a Spell Scroll: 📜
To This:
SAVE!!!
**Where I wrote [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_] if you delete the underscores and insert the spell name it will look like this: Magic Circle. This is called a tooltip, they work almost everywhere except on the character sheet for some reason.
You can also make it a hyperlink like this, Magic Circle, by copying the URL from the spell’s page, and inserting with the tool button that looks like a chain (if you have no idea what I’m talking about turn your phone sideways). By making it a hyperlink it will function on the character sheet. The character sheet will make all of the text black lIke this—> Magic Circle, so it can be hard to see. I suggest making it bold and italics, so it stands out on the character sheet better like this: Magic Circle.
Or you could do both like this: Magic Circle. That way it works everywhichway.
There are more tips in posts further down in this thread, Posts #30, #31, #37, and #48.
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This is awesome.
I just used it, and am adding those to inventory now.
One downside is that when you're viewing the scroll description in the character view (i.e. not in the homebrew tool), the link to the [spell] tag doesn't work.
So I've had to start putting the spell effects in the scroll itself, like this:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/1479427-scroll-of-sleep
Again, my goal is beginner-friendly, so having all the info available is important to our table. Even with experienced players, it's nice to have the details all right there. Keeps the game flowing smoothly.
If you make the tooltip (the tags you mentioned) you can also make it a hyperlink as well that will work on the character sheet.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
IamSposta shared another great tip:
If you make it a Wondrous Item instead of a Scroll, then you can "Use" it - which means the scroll shows up in your Spells list as one you can cast.
Note that you also need to change the # of charges min/max to 1, and spell level to the appropriate spell level when creating the item.
With all of that in place, I think this works really well.
Suggestion to the DDB engineers: if Scroll magic items can be "Use"d, then we'd get the same effect (spell shows up in spell list, # of charges is correct, etc.), for probably a lot less work on your part.
Post session - I can confirm that making the spell a Wondrous Item worked pretty well. Here are the ones I made - maybe as more people make homebrew spell scrolls we can slowly get coverage of all spells with this:
Burning Hands: https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/1480540-scroll-of-burning-hands
Detect Magic: https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/1480509-scroll-of-detect-magic
Sleep: https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/1480541-scroll-of-sleep
The only issue with this is that it will use the Attack Modifier and Save DC of the character, not the one intrinsic to the level of the scroll which are specified under the rules for scrolls. You will have to make sure to set the correct Modifiers and DCs and it would be good to list them in the descriptions of the items. I updated that in my original post above, see the numbered list.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
And please, just call me Sposta
DDB Buyers' Guide
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Thanks Sposta - only now I'm confused.
It says, (Burning Hands, for example) "Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw."
I thought the DC of that save was the caster's spell ability DC number - so the creatures would roll, add their Dex bonus, and try to beat the caster's total.
That's what it says in the Rules for Saving Throws:
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#SavingThrows
So yeah, it should be the caster's DC.
Spell Scrolls are different. The spells within them use a DC and attack bonus determined by the rarity of the spell scroll.
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So if it’s a 3rd-level Spell Scroll, regardless of the stats or level of the caster, the Spell Save DC will always be 15, and the Attack Modifier will always be +7. That information is already in the description for each level of spell scroll, but you need to set those numbers when you add the spell to the scroll. That’s why I told you to use the wording that I did in the above post, it includes the exact rules for spell scrolls along with the appropriate numbers for the scroll level. Reread above posts number #28, steps 9 and 11.
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Hardcovers, DDB & You
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Oh, awesome - today I learned. :)
Like my mother always said, “The day you stop learning is the day they throw dirt on top of you.”
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
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Epic Boons on DDB
Oh my goodness! I replied to your message to me in my thread and figured it would take too long before I had to go to work...but I made one easily! It was so great. Thank you!!!