Background: As it stands now, I find it difficult to use sidekicks during game play, especially spellcasters. Tracking spent resources is just not viable in the sidebar view it currently has. I was hoping that I could manage this myself with a custom homebrew class, but that is still in the long term plan and I thought this might be an easier job/implementation as much of the logic is already there :-)
User story: As a DM I would love the ability to create a sidekick "character" and use it the same way my players use DnD Beyond to track their characters.
Details: I envision a builder option to create sidekicks:
Character Creation Method: Sidekick
Character Preferences (some of the current ones are perfectly applicable to sidekicks as well, such as Advancement Type, Hit Point Type, Homebrew content etc.)
The Race/class tab would be Sidekick Subtype (or similar) where you select type of sidekick
Ability Score: could gain an additional generation method, Default that pre-fill the scores according to sidekick type
Description is fine the way it is, technically Background is not a sidekick option but I wouldn't mind that :-)
Equipment is also fine the way it is, the choices when selecting Equipment should then reflect sidekick subtype
Misc: You could lock this feature behind a hero tier subscription or purchase of a source book containing sidekick information should you choose.
So you want all the information from the creature statblock arranged into a character sheet with blank spots where there isn't "character" information. I like the monster stat blocks just fine.
To be faaaaair, there are lots of interesting tables regarding extensive backstories including companion NPCs. While I think it would be cool for DDB to take that stuff and generate frameworks so players can create extensive backstories either using guidance by DDB or by RNG like the current Details section of the character sheet, I feel confident to state that it's REALLY niche - not something many would actually use. (The most extensive backstory stuff is also in XGtE, something not everyone has.)
My brain keeps telling me that I encountered a NPC generator for companions online somewhere else, but darned if I can remember where (or if I'm even remembering accurately at all).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
if you use them as designed (which is what DDB has to comply to), its an option for the character, not the DM - so you're talking about 1 character tracking the resources of 1 sidekick - its not that much to keep track of. Sure, it'd help if there was a mini character sheet for them, but i can't see that being a priority at all - because the exact same argument would go for all pets and summoned creatures - so you're actually talking about a really wide-scope implementation.
You may not understand the full scope of the situation. We ARE using them as designed and they ARE broken.
The rules as canon include five scenarios that break sidekicks. In order of fuss (low to high in my opinion):
Tracking spell use. Minor annoyance but something that DNDB was built to address.
Tracking inventory. Sidekicks cannot hold items or attune to items. This adds an additional problem of the PC's encumbrance going over limit because they have to carry everything for the sidekicks too.
The rules (as canon) say that sidekicks can have their racial traits and bonuses, but their stat-blocks do not reflect that and homebrew is necessary, for each and every level, and that also triggers the other issues below. Similar for tracking optional languages (statblock says "Common plus one additional language").
As some sidekicks level up the rules explicitly state that the PC chooses proficiencies to take a bonus on (e.g. Expert at level 3 doubles proficiency bonus on two skills of choice). The only way to record this is homebrew. This isn't even taking any options on racial traits. It's right there in the book.
If you have had to homebrew (because of issues 3, 4 or other) then general levelling up is broken. Saving throw bonuses calculate correctly in the homebrew viewer but are too low in the character sheet. Skill bonuses (as explicitly listed in the level-up table in the book) calculate correctly in the character sheet but incorrectly in the homebrew viewer.
Managing sidekicks via homebrew each level is already a pain, but it just doesn't work. Really not what we paid for (speaking as both a purchaser of DIP and also a paid subscriber).
I know that they are working on two things that should help.
They are working on implementing the ability to track monster resources like spell slots for DM use, so I imagine that will have to encompass all Monster stat blocks.
Fixing how pets interact with the character sheet, which they have to do for Steel Defender etc. anyway.
Hopefully, when those are done things will be better.
My current issue is that I'm running Essentials with only 2 PCs - I need Sidekicks recognized as characters - or at least as assets to use the Encounter Builder to scale some of these encounters. I can add a Level 2 character - but are the sidekicks really equal to a full Level 2 PC? Should I be saying they are a level down?
There's no work around and that makes it broken in my book.
Your sidekick starts as a 1st-level character. As you and your sidekick adventure together, your sidekick gains experience points and reaches new levels the same way a player character does, using the rules in chapter 1.
As such, you would represent a sidekick in the encounter builder using a placeholder PC of the appropriate level
You may not understand the full scope of the situation. We ARE using them as designed and they ARE broken.
The rules as canon include five scenarios that break sidekicks. In order of fuss (low to high in my opinion):
Tracking spell use. Minor annoyance but something that DNDB was built to address.
Tracking inventory. Sidekicks cannot hold items or attune to items. This adds an additional problem of the PC's encumbrance going over limit because they have to carry everything for the sidekicks too.
The rules (as canon) say that sidekicks can have their racial traits and bonuses, but their stat-blocks do not reflect that and homebrew is necessary, for each and every level, and that also triggers the other issues below. Similar for tracking optional languages (statblock says "Common plus one additional language").
As some sidekicks level up the rules explicitly state that the PC chooses proficiencies to take a bonus on (e.g. Expert at level 3 doubles proficiency bonus on two skills of choice). The only way to record this is homebrew. This isn't even taking any options on racial traits. It's right there in the book.
If you have had to homebrew (because of issues 3, 4 or other) then general levelling up is broken. Saving throw bonuses calculate correctly in the homebrew viewer but are too low in the character sheet. Skill bonuses (as explicitly listed in the level-up table in the book) calculate correctly in the character sheet but incorrectly in the homebrew viewer.
Managing sidekicks via homebrew each level is already a pain, but it just doesn't work. Really not what we paid for (speaking as both a purchaser of DIP and also a paid subscriber).
Just wanna address these as they're all valid points of feedback:
Tracking limited use abilities, including but not limited to spell slots, on monsters is indeed something that's planned. As Adam has mentioned on the Dev Update a few times, this would be part of the scope of better functionality within the Combat Tracker, but would also extended to benefitting other areas.
This point will be addressed in the future through two different mentioned means; containers for inventory (you'll be able to specify a container for your sidekicks gear for example), and the 'monster builder', which will allow much quicker customisation of monsters, including but not limited to things like adding items and racial templates. Both of these are on the roadmap
Again, this will be covered by the proposed 'monster builder'
Again, eventual monster builder allowing quick customisation of sidekick stat blocks
This is an odd one because as far as I know, sidekick stats have to be manually configured and don't autocalculate based on anything in the PC character sheet (unlike say a wildshape). It could be a caching issue with homebrew changes not propagating, I'll have to make a note to look into this.
Ultimately all your feedback is completely valid and represents a lot of areas DDB wants to improve sidekicks, as well as the monster experience in general
We don't currently have feature support for the sidekicks rules, as presented in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. We will be building a proper system to handle sidekicks in a flexible manner.
We don't currently have feature support for the sidekicks rules, as presented in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. We will be building a proper system to handle sidekicks in a flexible manner.
Okay good because my players are asking for sidekick sheets.
Background:
As it stands now, I find it difficult to use sidekicks during game play, especially spellcasters. Tracking spent resources is just not viable in the sidebar view it currently has.
I was hoping that I could manage this myself with a custom homebrew class, but that is still in the long term plan and I thought this might be an easier job/implementation as much of the logic is already there :-)
User story:
As a DM I would love the ability to create a sidekick "character" and use it the same way my players use DnD Beyond to track their characters.
Details:
I envision a builder option to create sidekicks:
Misc:
You could lock this feature behind a hero tier subscription or purchase of a source book containing sidekick information should you choose.
So you want all the information from the creature statblock arranged into a character sheet with blank spots where there isn't "character" information. I like the monster stat blocks just fine.
To be faaaaair, there are lots of interesting tables regarding extensive backstories including companion NPCs. While I think it would be cool for DDB to take that stuff and generate frameworks so players can create extensive backstories either using guidance by DDB or by RNG like the current Details section of the character sheet, I feel confident to state that it's REALLY niche - not something many would actually use. (The most extensive backstory stuff is also in XGtE, something not everyone has.)
My brain keeps telling me that I encountered a NPC generator for companions online somewhere else, but darned if I can remember where (or if I'm even remembering accurately at all).
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
This is a good idea. Sidekicks on DNDB are just plain broken.
if you use them as designed (which is what DDB has to comply to), its an option for the character, not the DM - so you're talking about 1 character tracking the resources of 1 sidekick - its not that much to keep track of. Sure, it'd help if there was a mini character sheet for them, but i can't see that being a priority at all - because the exact same argument would go for all pets and summoned creatures - so you're actually talking about a really wide-scope implementation.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
You may not understand the full scope of the situation. We ARE using them as designed and they ARE broken.
The rules as canon include five scenarios that break sidekicks. In order of fuss (low to high in my opinion):
Managing sidekicks via homebrew each level is already a pain, but it just doesn't work. Really not what we paid for (speaking as both a purchaser of DIP and also a paid subscriber).
I know that they are working on two things that should help.
Hopefully, when those are done things will be better.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
My current issue is that I'm running Essentials with only 2 PCs - I need Sidekicks recognized as characters - or at least as assets to use the Encounter Builder to scale some of these encounters. I can add a Level 2 character - but are the sidekicks really equal to a full Level 2 PC? Should I be saying they are a level down?
There's no work around and that makes it broken in my book.
Sidekicks are treated as PCs of their level:
As such, you would represent a sidekick in the encounter builder using a placeholder PC of the appropriate level
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Just wanna address these as they're all valid points of feedback:
Ultimately all your feedback is completely valid and represents a lot of areas DDB wants to improve sidekicks, as well as the monster experience in general
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Thanks - it feels really weird to think of them as a full PC. :)
Tasha's is supposed to introduce sidekick classes as a character builder option. Will D&D Beyond have this option available on release?
From what I've seen, Tasha is just reprinting the existing classes, they may go to level 20 now though.
Per Jeremy Crawford, rules will be provided to create player characters with sidekick classes.
Here is another clip later when he returns to the subject of using these classes as player characters.
Oh, that is what you meant. I misread and thought you meant new sidekick classes other than warrior, expert, and mage.
Are sidekicks planned to be implemented in the character builder?
EDIT: I eventually stumbled upon an answer here:
Okay good because my players are asking for sidekick sheets.
Yay! I hope we get sidekick sheets soon!
Progress updates on Sidekick sheets?
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
I think it is planned for later this year. Maybe summer.