I'm rather disappointed in the rollout of the character builder and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything's integration. I don't feel I've received the expected value of my subscription, nor of the product I purchased.
Not me.... I understand this was a MAJOR behind the scenes effort, and since WoTC didn't give Beyond the book more than a month ahead of time, I am really impressed at how much is done, and how little is missing. And every day they have done a great job of fixing bugs and adding more of the content. I cant imagine just how hard its been for them, and the fact that I'd say it 90%+ works is really impressive.
If you don't like Tasha's, I suggest letting WoTC know, since beyond has nothing to do with them other than be another digital source like roll20 or fantasy grounds (minus a VTT, but with way better character generator). If you have a problem with the execution, then I would suggest reading the 44 page long forum thread of them announcing the bugs, and giving constant updates on which ones are closed and open.
As for me, I think this book is an absolute game changer to 5e, and Beyond has gone far beyond my expectations, including the work that is currently going on still. Their transparency leading up to this, for about the last year, has been really good, and at no point was I surprised.
Not to mention the subscriptions do not include the ability to use the toolset, that's given to everyone for free so I would say given that you are paying 0$ for it, you are getting pretty good value. They didn't promise they could have everything available for use when the book came out. The toolset is and probably always will be a free work in progress.
I'm waiting on purchasing Tasha's digitally until the book is completely running in the Toolset (at least the character content of the book). I may even just homebrew a bunch of it.
The big lift would be the class variant features. I'd like to see them up and running and hopefully see it as a step toward homebrew variant features which would consequently enable de facto homebrew class creation. The roll out was what I was expecting. My players aren't that demanding, so I'm content to see how DDB adapts and implements Tasha's at which case I'll run with it more.
That said, I think there may be some aspects of Theros (epic boons?) that have yet to be implemented in the toolset, so if that's still the case I can appreciate some of the grief being cast.
I'm a little bit disappointed about the whole alternate class features, and how they were delayed over and over again, barely being ready by release. This is then compounded by the sidekicks not being available. I guess we'll see how beyond develops going forwards, but my trust has been hit for sure.
I'm waiting on purchasing Tasha's digitally until the book is completely running in the Toolset (at least the character content of the book). I may even just homebrew a bunch of it.
The big lift would be the class variant features. I'd like to see them up and running and hopefully see it as a step toward homebrew variant features which would consequently enable de facto homebrew class creation. The roll out was what I was expecting. My players aren't that demanding, so I'm content to see how DDB adapts and implements Tasha's at which case I'll run with it more.
That said, I think there may be some aspects of Theros (epic boons?) that have yet to be implemented in the toolset, so if that's still the case I can appreciate some of the grief being cast.
Most of the class variant features are up and running and were by the end of launch day. Homebrew variant features are already possible in the subclass homebrew system, based on comments I’ve seen in the forums (I haven’t tried making them myself)
I'm waiting on purchasing Tasha's digitally until the book is completely running in the Toolset (at least the character content of the book). I may even just homebrew a bunch of it.
The big lift would be the class variant features. I'd like to see them up and running and hopefully see it as a step toward homebrew variant features which would consequently enable de facto homebrew class creation. The roll out was what I was expecting. My players aren't that demanding, so I'm content to see how DDB adapts and implements Tasha's at which case I'll run with it more.
That said, I think there may be some aspects of Theros (epic boons?) that have yet to be implemented in the toolset, so if that's still the case I can appreciate some of the grief being cast.
Most of the class variant features are up and running and were by the end of launch day. Homebrew variant features are already possible in the subclass homebrew system, based on comments I’ve seen in the forums (I haven’t tried making them myself)
The homebrew work around your talking about for variant features is a work around as oppose to a truly enabled CVF. The feature you're "variating" is still on the sheet, plus you require making a variant for every subclass you'd want the variant to be active in. Let's say any of the ranger variants. If that wasn't an official option and I wanted to homebrew the variant, I'd have to do so for every ranger subclass, and the variant I'm swapping out would still be on the character sheet.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
the multitude of issues to categorize is outside the scope of this post.
my discontent and disappointment is rooted in features being unavailable and broken at launch. I expected to be able to use my product when I purchased it. Reviewing the product, I did not see a disclaimer that stated 'not all features will be available when you purchase this product, so don't expect to be able to use this product until we get around to solving the problems in which ever order we see fit.' to see posts that say 'here is a place holder, we cannot figure out how to do this, and have no idea how we are going to do this' really piss me off. especially since those statements are being made about, what i believe to be, popular parts of the product.
If i had read a disclaimer that the character builder, campaign builder, etc would not be available at release I would have reconsidered my purchase.
I was excited to build new characters, then use them online. but i cannot. because they are broken. I cannot play in person. manually implementing all the new features is cumbersome, and im not interested in messing with that. I pay for these products for the convenience. if the convenience is not being delivered, then I am not receiving the product i'm paying for.
I don't expect you to agree with me, and you may be an apologist for DND Beyond, and blame shift to WotC or whom ever, but I don't care about excuses. The final determination is that I have purchased a product, they knew it wasn't fully operational, and it was not fully disclosed that it wasn't fully operational. and that is fully the fault of DND Beyond and no one else because they accepted payment.
the multitude of issues to categorize is outside the scope of this post.
my discontent and disappointment is rooted in features being unavailable and broken at launch. I expected to be able to use my product when I purchased it. Reviewing the product, I did not see a disclaimer that stated 'not all features will be available when you purchase this product, so don't expect to be able to use this product until we get around to solving the problems in which ever order we see fit.' to see posts that say 'here is a place holder, we cannot figure out how to do this, and have no idea how we are going to do this' really piss me off. especially since those statements are being made about, what i believe to be, popular parts of the product.
If i had read a disclaimer that the character builder, campaign builder, etc would not be available at release I would have reconsidered my purchase.
I was excited to build new characters, then use them online. but i cannot. because they are broken. I cannot play in person. manually implementing all the new features is cumbersome, and im not interested in messing with that. I pay for these products for the convenience. if the convenience is not being delivered, then I am not receiving the product i'm paying for.
I don't expect you to agree with me, and you may be an apologist for DND Beyond, and blame shift to WotC or whom ever, but I don't care about excuses. The final determination is that I have purchased a product, they knew it wasn't fully operational, and it was not fully disclosed that it wasn't fully operational. and that is fully the fault of DND Beyond and no one else because they accepted payment.
DDB could have been way more transparent about the issues they're having, but they're not that kind of company. For some reason, they think it's better to spring a surprised half-baked product on its customers. Their weekly dev posts are nothing but lip service. All it wou,ld have taken is a post saying "We're having trouble implementing these features, here's a list of what issues we know about that wont be ready at launch". But then again, why would they change? They're the exclusive digital content partner for WoTC. They can be a shitty as they want because there's no competition.
I wish the ability score increase (from Tasha's) issue was off by default and could be turned on. It doesn't at all feel like DnD and instead feels like some sort of forced design that only makes races more bland. I as a GM am NOT allowing it because it ruins the idea of choosing a race. And yet now I'm being bombarded by my players asking what the heck it is. How much of my time am I supposed to dedicate to talking to them about this? I'd rather it just not show up to them at all. It should be a variant rule like Flanking or Milestones.
That issue should be brought up to WotC... the issue of having it be able to be turned off is a dndbeyond issue.
I wish the ability score increase (from Tasha's) issue was off by default and could be turned on. It doesn't at all feel like DnD and instead feels like some sort of forced design that only makes races more bland. I as a GM am NOT allowing it because it ruins the idea of choosing a race. And yet now I'm being bombarded by my players asking what the heck it is. How much of my time am I supposed to dedicate to talking to them about this? I'd rather it just not show up to them at all. It should be a variant rule like Flanking or Milestones.
That issue should be brought up to WotC... the issue of having it be able to be turned off is a dndbeyond issue.
I don't own Tasha's digitally, but it looks like I can customize my racial origin _if_ I enable customization. It looks to me like the default for a race selection is as defined in the PHB or wherever the race first showed up in print. To deviate from the traditional race build, you have to willfully do it, otherwise you go to the default. I'm not sure what your complaint is because it seems to work precisely the way you want it to. So, maybe operator error?
I wish the ability score increase (from Tasha's) issue was off by default and could be turned on. It doesn't at all feel like DnD and instead feels like some sort of forced design that only makes races more bland. I as a GM am NOT allowing it because it ruins the idea of choosing a race. And yet now I'm being bombarded by my players asking what the heck it is. How much of my time am I supposed to dedicate to talking to them about this? I'd rather it just not show up to them at all. It should be a variant rule like Flanking or Milestones.
That issue should be brought up to WotC... the issue of having it be able to be turned off is a dndbeyond issue.
It's already off by default and can be turned on by using the Optional Toggle...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I think they want the toggles to not be on the sheet editor at all unless the DM turns them on or you own Tasha's.
well then you wouldn't be able to homebrew new variants would you? Which by the way, is something that can be done.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
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I'm rather disappointed in the rollout of the character builder and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything's integration. I don't feel I've received the expected value of my subscription, nor of the product I purchased.
Anyone else?
Your question is difficult to answer without some more detail as to what disappoints you.
Not me.... I understand this was a MAJOR behind the scenes effort, and since WoTC didn't give Beyond the book more than a month ahead of time, I am really impressed at how much is done, and how little is missing. And every day they have done a great job of fixing bugs and adding more of the content. I cant imagine just how hard its been for them, and the fact that I'd say it 90%+ works is really impressive.
If you don't like Tasha's, I suggest letting WoTC know, since beyond has nothing to do with them other than be another digital source like roll20 or fantasy grounds (minus a VTT, but with way better character generator). If you have a problem with the execution, then I would suggest reading the 44 page long forum thread of them announcing the bugs, and giving constant updates on which ones are closed and open.
As for me, I think this book is an absolute game changer to 5e, and Beyond has gone far beyond my expectations, including the work that is currently going on still. Their transparency leading up to this, for about the last year, has been really good, and at no point was I surprised.
Not to mention the subscriptions do not include the ability to use the toolset, that's given to everyone for free so I would say given that you are paying 0$ for it, you are getting pretty good value. They didn't promise they could have everything available for use when the book came out. The toolset is and probably always will be a free work in progress.
I'm waiting on purchasing Tasha's digitally until the book is completely running in the Toolset (at least the character content of the book). I may even just homebrew a bunch of it.
The big lift would be the class variant features. I'd like to see them up and running and hopefully see it as a step toward homebrew variant features which would consequently enable de facto homebrew class creation. The roll out was what I was expecting. My players aren't that demanding, so I'm content to see how DDB adapts and implements Tasha's at which case I'll run with it more.
That said, I think there may be some aspects of Theros (epic boons?) that have yet to be implemented in the toolset, so if that's still the case I can appreciate some of the grief being cast.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm a little bit disappointed about the whole alternate class features, and how they were delayed over and over again, barely being ready by release. This is then compounded by the sidekicks not being available. I guess we'll see how beyond develops going forwards, but my trust has been hit for sure.
Most of the class variant features are up and running and were by the end of launch day. Homebrew variant features are already possible in the subclass homebrew system, based on comments I’ve seen in the forums (I haven’t tried making them myself)
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;
Check your entitlements here. | Support Ticket LInk
The homebrew work around your talking about for variant features is a work around as oppose to a truly enabled CVF. The feature you're "variating" is still on the sheet, plus you require making a variant for every subclass you'd want the variant to be active in. Let's say any of the ranger variants. If that wasn't an official option and I wanted to homebrew the variant, I'd have to do so for every ranger subclass, and the variant I'm swapping out would still be on the character sheet.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
the multitude of issues to categorize is outside the scope of this post.
my discontent and disappointment is rooted in features being unavailable and broken at launch. I expected to be able to use my product when I purchased it. Reviewing the product, I did not see a disclaimer that stated 'not all features will be available when you purchase this product, so don't expect to be able to use this product until we get around to solving the problems in which ever order we see fit.' to see posts that say 'here is a place holder, we cannot figure out how to do this, and have no idea how we are going to do this' really piss me off. especially since those statements are being made about, what i believe to be, popular parts of the product.
If i had read a disclaimer that the character builder, campaign builder, etc would not be available at release I would have reconsidered my purchase.
I was excited to build new characters, then use them online. but i cannot. because they are broken. I cannot play in person. manually implementing all the new features is cumbersome, and im not interested in messing with that. I pay for these products for the convenience. if the convenience is not being delivered, then I am not receiving the product i'm paying for.
I don't expect you to agree with me, and you may be an apologist for DND Beyond, and blame shift to WotC or whom ever, but I don't care about excuses. The final determination is that I have purchased a product, they knew it wasn't fully operational, and it was not fully disclosed that it wasn't fully operational. and that is fully the fault of DND Beyond and no one else because they accepted payment.
DDB could have been way more transparent about the issues they're having, but they're not that kind of company. For some reason, they think it's better to spring a surprised half-baked product on its customers. Their weekly dev posts are nothing but lip service. All it wou,ld have taken is a post saying "We're having trouble implementing these features, here's a list of what issues we know about that wont be ready at launch". But then again, why would they change? They're the exclusive digital content partner for WoTC. They can be a shitty as they want because there's no competition.
I wish the ability score increase (from Tasha's) issue was off by default and could be turned on. It doesn't at all feel like DnD and instead feels like some sort of forced design that only makes races more bland. I as a GM am NOT allowing it because it ruins the idea of choosing a race. And yet now I'm being bombarded by my players asking what the heck it is. How much of my time am I supposed to dedicate to talking to them about this? I'd rather it just not show up to them at all. It should be a variant rule like Flanking or Milestones.
That issue should be brought up to WotC... the issue of having it be able to be turned off is a dndbeyond issue.
I don't own Tasha's digitally, but it looks like I can customize my racial origin _if_ I enable customization. It looks to me like the default for a race selection is as defined in the PHB or wherever the race first showed up in print. To deviate from the traditional race build, you have to willfully do it, otherwise you go to the default. I'm not sure what your complaint is because it seems to work precisely the way you want it to. So, maybe operator error?
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
It's already off by default and can be turned on by using the Optional Toggle...
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I think they want the toggles to not be on the sheet editor at all unless the DM turns them on or you own Tasha's.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
well then you wouldn't be able to homebrew new variants would you? Which by the way, is something that can be done.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"