Here is a list of things, outlined as respectfully as possible, that the homebrewing community of DDB would like to see the developers put a little more love and attention into for their own sakes, and the good of the site overall in some cases.
Number 5 - Homebrew Ammunitions Some 3 and half years ago now, a post appeared on the DDB forums detailing the inability to copy/create homebrew ammunitions for use in the character viewer. This seemingly simple problem, while acknowledged several times since then, has remained unaddressed for a long time. It is a rather simple inconvenience that has caused many homebrewers no small amount of stress, having to find work-arounds like renaming existing ammunitions in a characters inventory, which requires all players (including casual players who have no patience for managing such things) to undergo the process for each new item.
It can be disheartening as a DM to have a player elect not to use the content you lovingly craft for them simply because they lack the patience to set it up and manage it. One of the reasons we love DDB so much is because it makes it so simple and easy for players (especially newer ones) to jump in and build/manage a character without the hassle of digging through piles of books and rules. So, to have this inconsistency with what makes the site so appealing is disheartening for some DMs.
If this were to be fixed, it would probably lighten up the days of most if not all of the predominant users of the DDB homebrew systems. Bonus points if, while the devs are at it, they can get that homebrew equipment (nonmagical items) tool happening (post).
Number 4 - "Options" Consistency When making a Feat, Subclass Feature, or Racial Trait for a piece of homebrew on DDB, one of the first ways to program mechanical benefits into the ability (thus making it functional), is the "Options" category. Options are a very useful tool with very intricate ways of setting up how many of and when they become available. However, not all of these "Options" are created equally, which is very confusing considering they appear to run off the same framework as one-another.
Subclass Feature Options are the most versatile, as they can contain not just "Actions", but also "Modifiers", "Spells", and even "Creatures" can be added. Racial Trait Options have roughly the same amount of functionality, offering the same programable benefits as Subclass Feature Options, but implementing a little differently and altering how they can be used in tandem with their base trait. However, getting down to Feat Options, you find that they offer very little in the way of programable benefits, only offering an "Actions" section as opposed to the assortment seen in the others. (shoutout to this post)
This inconsistency has always struck as odd, for 2 reasons: the first being as said before, these programable "Options" seem to all be running on the same framework, so one lacking functionality that the others have seems irrational. The second reason is, making them all function consistently would benefit the site as a whole. If you look at how Feats are handled in the character builder, you can see that some feats have been split into multiple different versions in order to effect the character sheet differently, but this wouldn't need to be the case had the "Options" functionality of Feats been made consistent with the other types of homebrew.
Take the Resilient Feat for example. If Feat Options were able to hold "Modifiers", then 6 options could be made for each ability score under the one feat, and the ASI and Proficiency given by the feat could be applied to the character sheet. Fixing this issue would not only benefit the homebrew community, it would also benefit the average user in improving ease of use. Bonus points if the other programmable functions, such as the new "Additional Spell Lists", were also added to use under the "Options".
Number 3 - Homebrew Class Feature Variants Recently (at time of writing) DDB implemented its systems that allow players to use the coveted Class Feature Variants rules that were released with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. By proxy, the homebrewing tools were updated with means of adding similar variations to features for homebrew subclasses and homebrew races, which while impressive, leaves more than a little to be desired. The bulk of optional features included under those rulesets were for class features (specifically only two of the new features were for subclasses), so being unable to create homebrew features of our own design has left most homebrew heavy DMs feeling left out. (shoutout post) (shoutout post)
Implementing the ability for DMs to create their own Class Feature Variants would be a big step in the right direction for the site. Not only would it allow DMs to implement house rules for official class features (and subclass features ideally), but it could act as a stand-in for the long awaited (and seemingly even longer delayed) addition of homebrew classes to the site, letting DMs replace every feature of an existing class in order to build one of their own conception.
One last thing to note on this topic is that it would be better to have a new, independent tool to make variants for features in official classes, races, and subclasses. Simply waiting for the Homebrew Classes to be added to DDB, and allowing DMs to duplicate official classes and make variants for them that way, will clutter the character builder UI, and make it a worse experience for players. It is important that this feature be implemented in a way so as to target the official listings of the classes and subclasses, not require you to duplicate them and edit the copies. Bonus points of course if the Homebrew Classes can be added as soon as possible (i could include this in this list, but it has been shouted to death. poll).
Number 2 - Better "Actions" Actions are probably the most important part of any class or subclass. Be it a special ability you can use to give yourself and your allies an edge in combat, or a personalised attack that is unique to your subclass or character, our actions are far and beyond the most important part of our turn in combat. The most common kind of "Action" you will make for a piece of homebrew on DDB are what they call "General" actions, these being simple descriptive pieces that have specified effects on you, your allies, or your enemies. General Actions are handled as well as they reasonably need to be currently, offering you spaces to describe their effects, setting action requirements, limited use data, and how often those uses return to you.
This starts to get more limited when it comes to the other two types of actions you can make, those being "Weapon" actions and "Spell" actions. If you wanted to make a simple natural weapons trait that draws from a single ability, does fixed damage, and has fixed range with no special properties, the current tools work well enough. But if you wanted to make a more in-depth, interactive attack, your probably going to struggle. I wont go into the numerous combinations that could not be achieved with the current systems, but will instead just list things that could be added to significantly improve them;
Being able to elect more than one "Ability Score Type", and automatically using the characters highest ability score of the ones specified to resolve the calculations.
Being able to input a second set of damage dice, and choosing to either have it display in the same fashion as a Versatile weapon in the character sheet, or as additional damage on top of the first value.
Being able to better define ranges, ala the thrown property (related post).
Being able to select multiple damage types, displaying both in the sheet for the player to choose from when using it, or with the second damage type applying to the additional damage (as described above).
A "Weapon Properties" section that appears when making a weapon, down with the "Level Overrides" and "Limited Use" sections, that allows you to add existing weapon properties to a weapon action (This could feasibly contain some functions of the first 2 points in this list).
Adding programable functions like these to the "Actions" would be a great step up from the current systems, and allow DMs to get more creative/have more control over the actions they create for their homebrew. Bonus points if they could also change the "Spell" side of actions to actually appear (or maybe add a checkbox that lets you choose whether it appears or not) as a spell in your list of castable spells in the character sheet, with other additional options like letting you choose if it has charges or consumes a spell slot.
Honourable Mentions There are many other things that could be improved for DDB, but since this list pertains mainly to the sites Homebrew Tools, here are some honourable mentions that other members of the community might prefer be focused more on (i will edit this part to include any good points others make in the comments, with credit to the first person to bring it up);
Combat tracker displaying character information (like health and conditions) for the DM in real time.
Encounter builder featuring a rudimentary map tool to place monster tokens in the rough positions they should appear.
Campaigns having a means of placing more important characters at the top of the list, while not cutting off shared content from the inactive characters (who may still be getting worked on, or adventuring on the sidelines).
As pointed out by Mehrkat, more organisation tools in general would be appreciated for campaigns.
An interactive map tool akin to those found on Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds, with official adventures having premade maps and locales to suit (a slow rollout of this would be understandable).
Being able to go beyond level 20 in the character builder (post).
Being able to force a spell to be learned or prepared (related post).
Being able to add notes to a custom action (in character sheet) (shoutout post).
For spell scrolls to not stack in inventory (like weapons).
Toggles in character builder for optional rules like proficiency die's and spell points (post and post).
Option to Permanently Delete previously Deleted homebrews (or at least stop them from appearing in the drop downs when making new homebrew).
"Actions" for magic items (relevant shoutout post).
There are some "Modifier" options, like "Kensei", that seem to be hidden and inaccessible. If they could all be made available, that would be nice.
A place where only purchased/owned content can be viewed, independent of all other unowned content (post).
"Race Groups" for all races.
The ability to add homebrew options for class features (such as invocations, metamagic, and fighting styles) and have them appear along side those features (and the new feats presented in tasha's) akin to how homebrew subclasses appear alongside the official subclass options.
Making the way "Spells" work when added to Magical Items, Feats, and Subclasses all function consitantly.
Number 1 - Content Bans for Campaigns Probably the one thing that i see requested the most of my top 5 is being able to ban and allow content on a case by case basis, whether its the homebrewing side of the community or other facets. Lots of DMs have houserules that alter or ban specific content, and while its easy to copy a piece of content on DDB and alter it to your needs, it creates a lot of clutter in the character builder, and its annoying for everyone when your players constantly have to ask you what they can and can't use in the mess of content that has built up over the years.
Currently, there is a rudimentary content ban system that is built into campaigns, but its a little less than what we need. The system we have now can only bar the sharing of certain whole books with the Campaigns "Content Sharing" feature. This works great if you have a bunch of new players who own nothing themselves, and you want to start off with just the 3 core books with them (PHB, MM, DMG), or if there's one particular entry to the game that you don't appreciate the balance and design decisions made therein (cough cough Tasha's cough), but is a little limited when it comes to the individual interpretations and preferences that more dedicated DMs have.
A system that allows a DM to go through each subclass, spell, background, feat, and whatever else have you, then ban them at their leisure would be far superior, and allow the DMs the customization they need to make their houserulings as easy for their players to use as possible, hiding unwanted content from their characters for that campaign. No need for a "bonus points if..." this time, this change by itself would be more than enough for a passing grade.
Funding These Features All things cost money, and at the end of the day, Fandom (the owners of DDB) are a business who need to prioritize their bottom line. I can say with certainty that i would take no issue with locking some of the things i have proposed here behind the master tier subscription, or even a new higher level subscription that includes the master tier and these tools. Points 5, 4, and 2 would be a little hard to paywall, but 3 and 1 could almost definitely be.
Conclusion To close, I wont lie in saying I myself have been a little bit over-zealous with my posts recently. This comes from a place of frustration. From a point of view that, while shared by others, has been seemingly ignored for years. My repeated posts on these matters is to draw attention to this alleged neglect, explain to those who may not care much about it why it is stressful, and perhaps even increase the chances of these long standing problems being fixed. I have tried to make up for my past transgressions by outlining my thoughts in a composed and respectable manner, and hope that this is enough to spark conversation instead of controversy.
I do not come here to incite conflict or belittle the developers or say i could do better, nor do i claim to. All i want is for everyone to have their voices heard in regards to what they want to see more work put into for the site for, and thats what ive come to do. If everyone still wants to flame me in the comments for simply even daring to have an opinion, i wont be responding to you. If you want to go to bat for a corporation, by all means do so, but you wont be getting a reaction out of me for it.
But for anyone who also has grievances with the current direction of DDB, wants to discuss further the things i have listed or their own desires, or even has critique of my points, i will be happy to further the conversation. (shoutout to this post. Mine is more about feature requests than fixing the underlying issues with the framework, so i would also like to draw attention to another well articulated post on similar terms)
I know I'm probably in the minority but I really don't care about dndbeyond adding mapping tools. I play multiple game systems and I wouldn't be able to use dndbeyond mapping for those games and there are already good mapping systems that are generally functional. Unless dndbeyond wanted to stretch into being useful for multiple games it would just take away from programming resources for other things. Some suggestions that I didn't see.
Campaign organization tools are vastly lacking.
Folders, character specific notes, more robust combat tools where you cold load specific pcs and specific enemies and track each turn including hits remaining hp, to be honest the campaign tools barely do anything. Connection trees for games
I know I'm probably in the minority but I really don't care about dndbeyond adding mapping tools. I play multiple game systems and I wouldn't be able to use dndbeyond mapping for those games and there are already good mapping systems that are generally functional. Unless dndbeyond wanted to stretch into being useful for multiple games it would just take away from programming resources for other things. Some suggestions that I didn't see.
Campaign organization tools are vastly lacking.
Folders, character specific notes, more robust combat tools where you cold load specific pcs and specific enemies and track each turn including hits remaining hp, to be honest the campaign tools barely do anything. Connection trees for games
Im not to worried about a map tool either, most of my games are run in person, and roll20 functions when its needed.
More organisation for my campaigns would be great though, DDB could take a lot of ques from places like worldanvil, imo. The combat tracker might actually be useful when it gets integration with the rest of the site in real-time.
Being able to customize Classes and not just Subclasses is my major point as well. You can't alter the base features and given that the base ranger Favored Enemy was nerfed to useless in 5E its been frustrating not being able to homebrew it. I can add stuff to a homebrew subclass but then it just creates more clutter.
Being able to customize Classes and not just Subclasses is my major point as well. You can't alter the base features and given that the base ranger Favored Enemy was nerfed to useless in 5E its been frustrating not being able to homebrew it. I can add stuff to a homebrew subclass but then it just creates more clutter.
Yes, this is a big one for me as well, arguably the biggest of my top 5 (even though i put it in the number 3 slot). Not only would it lets us fix the rules released in tasha's, it would let us implement houserules seamlessly, and allow us a stand-in for homebrew classes (we could replace all the features of an existing class with features for a class of our own design).
it is really important that it is done in a way that lets us effect the official classes and subclasses, not make us have to duplicate them to add the changes in that way.
Here is a list of things, outlined as respectfully as possible, that the homebrewing community of DDB would like to see the developers put a little more love and attention into for their own sakes, and the good of the site overall in some cases.
Number 5 - Homebrew Ammunitions
Some 3 and half years ago now, a post appeared on the DDB forums detailing the inability to copy/create homebrew ammunitions for use in the character viewer. This seemingly simple problem, while acknowledged several times since then, has remained unaddressed for a long time. It is a rather simple inconvenience that has caused many homebrewers no small amount of stress, having to find work-arounds like renaming existing ammunitions in a characters inventory, which requires all players (including casual players who have no patience for managing such things) to undergo the process for each new item.
It can be disheartening as a DM to have a player elect not to use the content you lovingly craft for them simply because they lack the patience to set it up and manage it. One of the reasons we love DDB so much is because it makes it so simple and easy for players (especially newer ones) to jump in and build/manage a character without the hassle of digging through piles of books and rules. So, to have this inconsistency with what makes the site so appealing is disheartening for some DMs.
If this were to be fixed, it would probably lighten up the days of most if not all of the predominant users of the DDB homebrew systems. Bonus points if, while the devs are at it, they can get that homebrew equipment (nonmagical items) tool happening (post).
Number 4 - "Options" Consistency
When making a Feat, Subclass Feature, or Racial Trait for a piece of homebrew on DDB, one of the first ways to program mechanical benefits into the ability (thus making it functional), is the "Options" category. Options are a very useful tool with very intricate ways of setting up how many of and when they become available. However, not all of these "Options" are created equally, which is very confusing considering they appear to run off the same framework as one-another.
Subclass Feature Options are the most versatile, as they can contain not just "Actions", but also "Modifiers", "Spells", and even "Creatures" can be added. Racial Trait Options have roughly the same amount of functionality, offering the same programable benefits as Subclass Feature Options, but implementing a little differently and altering how they can be used in tandem with their base trait. However, getting down to Feat Options, you find that they offer very little in the way of programable benefits, only offering an "Actions" section as opposed to the assortment seen in the others. (shoutout to this post)
This inconsistency has always struck as odd, for 2 reasons: the first being as said before, these programable "Options" seem to all be running on the same framework, so one lacking functionality that the others have seems irrational. The second reason is, making them all function consistently would benefit the site as a whole. If you look at how Feats are handled in the character builder, you can see that some feats have been split into multiple different versions in order to effect the character sheet differently, but this wouldn't need to be the case had the "Options" functionality of Feats been made consistent with the other types of homebrew.
Take the Resilient Feat for example. If Feat Options were able to hold "Modifiers", then 6 options could be made for each ability score under the one feat, and the ASI and Proficiency given by the feat could be applied to the character sheet. Fixing this issue would not only benefit the homebrew community, it would also benefit the average user in improving ease of use. Bonus points if the other programmable functions, such as the new "Additional Spell Lists", were also added to use under the "Options".
Number 3 - Homebrew Class Feature Variants
Recently (at time of writing) DDB implemented its systems that allow players to use the coveted Class Feature Variants rules that were released with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. By proxy, the homebrewing tools were updated with means of adding similar variations to features for homebrew subclasses and homebrew races, which while impressive, leaves more than a little to be desired. The bulk of optional features included under those rulesets were for class features (specifically only two of the new features were for subclasses), so being unable to create homebrew features of our own design has left most homebrew heavy DMs feeling left out. (shoutout post) (shoutout post)
Implementing the ability for DMs to create their own Class Feature Variants would be a big step in the right direction for the site. Not only would it allow DMs to implement house rules for official class features (and subclass features ideally), but it could act as a stand-in for the long awaited (and seemingly even longer delayed) addition of homebrew classes to the site, letting DMs replace every feature of an existing class in order to build one of their own conception.
One last thing to note on this topic is that it would be better to have a new, independent tool to make variants for features in official classes, races, and subclasses. Simply waiting for the Homebrew Classes to be added to DDB, and allowing DMs to duplicate official classes and make variants for them that way, will clutter the character builder UI, and make it a worse experience for players. It is important that this feature be implemented in a way so as to target the official listings of the classes and subclasses, not require you to duplicate them and edit the copies. Bonus points of course if the Homebrew Classes can be added as soon as possible (i could include this in this list, but it has been shouted to death. poll).
Number 2 - Better "Actions"
Actions are probably the most important part of any class or subclass. Be it a special ability you can use to give yourself and your allies an edge in combat, or a personalised attack that is unique to your subclass or character, our actions are far and beyond the most important part of our turn in combat. The most common kind of "Action" you will make for a piece of homebrew on DDB are what they call "General" actions, these being simple descriptive pieces that have specified effects on you, your allies, or your enemies. General Actions are handled as well as they reasonably need to be currently, offering you spaces to describe their effects, setting action requirements, limited use data, and how often those uses return to you.
This starts to get more limited when it comes to the other two types of actions you can make, those being "Weapon" actions and "Spell" actions. If you wanted to make a simple natural weapons trait that draws from a single ability, does fixed damage, and has fixed range with no special properties, the current tools work well enough. But if you wanted to make a more in-depth, interactive attack, your probably going to struggle. I wont go into the numerous combinations that could not be achieved with the current systems, but will instead just list things that could be added to significantly improve them;
Adding programable functions like these to the "Actions" would be a great step up from the current systems, and allow DMs to get more creative/have more control over the actions they create for their homebrew. Bonus points if they could also change the "Spell" side of actions to actually appear (or maybe add a checkbox that lets you choose whether it appears or not) as a spell in your list of castable spells in the character sheet, with other additional options like letting you choose if it has charges or consumes a spell slot.
Honourable Mentions
There are many other things that could be improved for DDB, but since this list pertains mainly to the sites Homebrew Tools, here are some honourable mentions that other members of the community might prefer be focused more on (i will edit this part to include any good points others make in the comments, with credit to the first person to bring it up);
Number 1 - Content Bans for Campaigns
Probably the one thing that i see requested the most of my top 5 is being able to ban and allow content on a case by case basis, whether its the homebrewing side of the community or other facets. Lots of DMs have houserules that alter or ban specific content, and while its easy to copy a piece of content on DDB and alter it to your needs, it creates a lot of clutter in the character builder, and its annoying for everyone when your players constantly have to ask you what they can and can't use in the mess of content that has built up over the years.
Currently, there is a rudimentary content ban system that is built into campaigns, but its a little less than what we need. The system we have now can only bar the sharing of certain whole books with the Campaigns "Content Sharing" feature. This works great if you have a bunch of new players who own nothing themselves, and you want to start off with just the 3 core books with them (PHB, MM, DMG), or if there's one particular entry to the game that you don't appreciate the balance and design decisions made therein (cough cough Tasha's cough), but is a little limited when it comes to the individual interpretations and preferences that more dedicated DMs have.
A system that allows a DM to go through each subclass, spell, background, feat, and whatever else have you, then ban them at their leisure would be far superior, and allow the DMs the customization they need to make their houserulings as easy for their players to use as possible, hiding unwanted content from their characters for that campaign. No need for a "bonus points if..." this time, this change by itself would be more than enough for a passing grade.
Funding These Features
All things cost money, and at the end of the day, Fandom (the owners of DDB) are a business who need to prioritize their bottom line. I can say with certainty that i would take no issue with locking some of the things i have proposed here behind the master tier subscription, or even a new higher level subscription that includes the master tier and these tools. Points 5, 4, and 2 would be a little hard to paywall, but 3 and 1 could almost definitely be.
Conclusion
To close, I wont lie in saying I myself have been a little bit over-zealous with my posts recently. This comes from a place of frustration. From a point of view that, while shared by others, has been seemingly ignored for years. My repeated posts on these matters is to draw attention to this alleged neglect, explain to those who may not care much about it why it is stressful, and perhaps even increase the chances of these long standing problems being fixed. I have tried to make up for my past transgressions by outlining my thoughts in a composed and respectable manner, and hope that this is enough to spark conversation instead of controversy.
I do not come here to incite conflict or belittle the developers or say i could do better, nor do i claim to. All i want is for everyone to have their voices heard in regards to what they want to see more work put into for the site for, and thats what ive come to do. If everyone still wants to flame me in the comments for simply even daring to have an opinion, i wont be responding to you. If you want to go to bat for a corporation, by all means do so, but you wont be getting a reaction out of me for it.
But for anyone who also has grievances with the current direction of DDB, wants to discuss further the things i have listed or their own desires, or even has critique of my points, i will be happy to further the conversation. (shoutout to this post. Mine is more about feature requests than fixing the underlying issues with the framework, so i would also like to draw attention to another well articulated post on similar terms)
Zis is fair points fren
I know I'm probably in the minority but I really don't care about dndbeyond adding mapping tools. I play multiple game systems and I wouldn't be able to use dndbeyond mapping for those games and there are already good mapping systems that are generally functional. Unless dndbeyond wanted to stretch into being useful for multiple games it would just take away from programming resources for other things. Some suggestions that I didn't see.
Campaign organization tools are vastly lacking.
Folders, character specific notes, more robust combat tools where you cold load specific pcs and specific enemies and track each turn including hits remaining hp, to be honest the campaign tools barely do anything. Connection trees for games
Im not to worried about a map tool either, most of my games are run in person, and roll20 functions when its needed.
More organisation for my campaigns would be great though, DDB could take a lot of ques from places like worldanvil, imo. The combat tracker might actually be useful when it gets integration with the rest of the site in real-time.
For me, I really want the ability to alter the classes as its the last bit of the game I can't easily homebrew in D&D Beyond.
Adding new fighting styles, new eldritch invocations, and metamagics are on the top of my list with custom class features right behind them.
Being able to customize Classes and not just Subclasses is my major point as well. You can't alter the base features and given that the base ranger Favored Enemy was nerfed to useless in 5E its been frustrating not being able to homebrew it. I can add stuff to a homebrew subclass but then it just creates more clutter.
Yes, this is a big one for me as well, arguably the biggest of my top 5 (even though i put it in the number 3 slot). Not only would it lets us fix the rules released in tasha's, it would let us implement houserules seamlessly, and allow us a stand-in for homebrew classes (we could replace all the features of an existing class with features for a class of our own design).
it is really important that it is done in a way that lets us effect the official classes and subclasses, not make us have to duplicate them to add the changes in that way.