I am the obligatory dude who points to AboveVTT, which is already great in alpha and will be totally amazing when done.
I am here to second AboveVTT. Thanks to your comment I found out about it and will never switch back. Integrates perfectly with all my DNDBeyond content i already own
I tried AboveVTT today with a small group doing a one-shot adventure from Storm Lord’s Wrath. It didn’t have all the bells and whistles of Roll20 but it was easy to use and I found it to be very close to the experience of playing at a real table. Being able to access all of my content was the biggest plus. Sometimes Roll20 starts to feel more like a video game than a table top game. AboveVTT was a nice reminder of how it felt to play in person. If DnDBeyond buys a VTT, I hope it’s this one because it integrates so well already.
It's on their roadmap, but not for this year, they will be tying the features they have currently to work more fluidly. So I'd guess 2022, as once they get all of what they have refined, it will be 60-70% of the VTT in place.
But I own Foundry and have it hosted, and will absolutely switch once they have their own VTT, Foundry is good, but it is not the be all end all that people make it out to be. It has drawbacks, the char creation within Foundry is horrific, and even with all the modules, there isn't a perfect integration between using dndbeyond inside Foundry without each player becoming a patreon so they can upload back and forth between Foundry and DnDB. And that is trusting the patreon they support with their cobalt cookie storing their login. So I like Foundry, but it's far from perfect. Now if DnDB would allow their freaking API already, We can have some smooth games until they get theirs out.
Roll20 is a hopeless cause. They are like 2 years behind in everything. They can't even get their new dynamic lighting to work right.
I just did some big survey last week about the (possible) future of D&D Beyond, and it was asking about a VTT, customization for character tokens, paying a single yearly/monthly price for access to all of the books (instead of buying them individually) etc. Sounds like change is coming.
AboveVTT looks incredible from the video you embedded. I think I might still prefer Owlbear, just for its absolute simplicity, but I'm curious enough now to give this a try. Quick question, but does it work in any browsers other than chrome? I prefer Firefox, is all. :)
Edit: I've seen people mention it a lot, so I thought I'd say I do use the encounter builder, quite a lot. I'll usually go ahead of time and build all the likely encounters my groups are going to face, and organise them all neatly with titles and descriptions. I also use it to help design my encounters (as much as the CR rating system is helpful, I guess). For a tool still in alpha, I think it works really well for my needs, and I'll keep using it. I will say it's incredibly annoying when my players summon in animal companions mid-fight, and I've got no way to add that creature into a combat in progress, but hey... alpha.
AboveVTT has a Firefox extension as well. And about encounters, I currently use Kobold Fightclub. I just hadn't ever meet anyone who had used the DDB encounter builder, but from the sound of it, maybe it's better than I thought.
Tested AboveVTT last night with our group. It is amazing how well it integrates with DNDbeyond (ie, character sheet statuses show directly also in tokens) and most of its very automated. Very easy to import maps and align thoswe with grid. It really makes DM work much easier.
It still has some bugs and missing features (ie, my players would have liked to draw themselfs in map, customize more their tokens and disabling HP/AC is pointless when you can see those still from combat tracker), but overall it is very good and I think it will replace roll20/foundry/etc for most DNDbeyond users when most of its features are available. Biggest drawback at the moment is that has no "campaing tracker" feature. No logs, handouts, etc that can be shared for whole campaing. For campaing you have to use something else (Discord, google docs, etc)
AboveVTT has a Firefox extension as well. And about encounters, I currently use Kobold Fightclub. I just hadn't ever meet anyone who had used the DDB encounter builder, but from the sound of it, maybe it's better than I thought.
Since my table of grumpy grognard players still want to be able to draw on the map, we haven't yet migrated full time to AboveVTT and use Owlbear for a while longer.
But I regularly use the DBB encounter builder - not for matching monster strength to players, since that is best handled by DM judgement anyway in 5e - but to have stat blocks of opponents in an encounter ready at hand. With AboveVTT that will no longer be necessary, but it still would be nifty if the encounter builder will be integrated some time in the future.
As someone who plays lots of different systems I refuse to pay for a one system only VTT, I dislike Roll 20 so the option of choice is foundry because I can spin up my cyberpunk, world of darkness, call of Cthulhu and DnD campaigns.
there isn't a perfect integration between using dndbeyond inside Foundry without each player becoming a patreon so they can upload back and forth between Foundry and DnDB.
Actually only one person needs the patreon for the DDB importer module, as long as all characters are in a campaign owned by that person.
I mean, at this point I don't know if I'm even willing to invest in DDB should another edition come around. Tired of downloading extensions, paying paetreon for additional functionality just to get get the "official online resource" for D&D to be useful outside of its own website.
My humble opinion is that, they could do an API or Modules for Foundry VTT would be the best. Foundry is better than Roll20 IMHO and you just need to partner up with Foundry or create an official module for it, and profit.
Don't get me wrong Foundry lovers, I know that there's a module in Foundry that enables you to import EVERYTHING from DNDBeyond to Foundry, but hey, if they created an official module and implement it for subscribers, wouldn't it be a win-win for all parties, except for the original module creator. Foundry will get more recognition, People will just buy DNDBeyond's books, players could roll on either DNDBeyond or Foundry's Character Sheet coz it has character import "natively", GMs could spend on only DNDBeyond excluding one time purchase of Foundry.
Because in the end, GMs will need to pay for Foundry (one time purchase), Purchase all the books on DNDBeyond (choose which they want) and finally, DNDBeyond's subscription. Currently, some GMs pay subscription for Roll20 and DNDBeyond for content sharing and need the books for both DNDBeyond and Roll20 ($$$$$$$$)
My humble opinion is that, they could do an API or Modules for Foundry VTT would be the best. Foundry is better than Roll20 IMHO and you just need to partner up with Foundry or create an official module for it, and profit.
Don't get me wrong Foundry lovers, I know that there's a module in Foundry that enables you to import EVERYTHING from DNDBeyond to Foundry, but hey, if they created an official module and implement it for subscribers, wouldn't it be a win-win for all parties, except for the original module creator. Foundry will get more recognition, People will just buy DNDBeyond's books, players could roll on either DNDBeyond or Foundry's Character Sheet coz it has character import "natively", GMs could spend on only DNDBeyond excluding one time purchase of Foundry.
Because in the end, GMs will need to pay for Foundry (one time purchase), Purchase all the books on DNDBeyond (choose which they want) and finally, DNDBeyond's subscription. Currently, some GMs pay subscription for Roll20 and DNDBeyond for content sharing and need the books for both DNDBeyond and Roll20 ($$$$$$$$)
Dndbeyond is not going to partner up with a currently indirect, eventually direct, competitor because it brings nothing to the table for their business model.
In my humble opinion, until ddb rolls out their own virtual table top, it really would encourage their bottom line to unofficially suggest using a browser extension, like AboveVTTT mentioned in comments above, because that solution encourages it's userbase to stay on their site and not leave for another source provider.
In my humble opinion, until ddb rolls out their own virtual table top, it really would encourage their bottom line to unofficially suggest using a browser extension, like AboveVTTT mentioned in comments above, because that solution encourages it's userbase to stay on their site and not leave for another source provider.
That is an amazingly good point! To get knee deep in some other VTT and invest $$$ into it would mean a much tougher time to convert a user to 'DDB's Solution' (if it ever happens and they have hinted that they are with the dev updates and 'shared table'). So yeah, they probably want AboveVTT to really succeed.... until they finally do their own.
My humble opinion is that, they could do an API or Modules for Foundry VTT would be the best. Foundry is better than Roll20 IMHO and you just need to partner up with Foundry or create an official module for it, and profit.
Don't get me wrong Foundry lovers, I know that there's a module in Foundry that enables you to import EVERYTHING from DNDBeyond to Foundry, but hey, if they created an official module and implement it for subscribers, wouldn't it be a win-win for all parties, except for the original module creator. Foundry will get more recognition, People will just buy DNDBeyond's books, players could roll on either DNDBeyond or Foundry's Character Sheet coz it has character import "natively", GMs could spend on only DNDBeyond excluding one time purchase of Foundry.
Because in the end, GMs will need to pay for Foundry (one time purchase), Purchase all the books on DNDBeyond (choose which they want) and finally, DNDBeyond's subscription. Currently, some GMs pay subscription for Roll20 and DNDBeyond for content sharing and need the books for both DNDBeyond and Roll20 ($$$$$$$$)
Dndbeyond is not going to partner up with a currently indirect, eventually direct, competitor because it brings nothing to the table for their business model.
In my humble opinion, until ddb rolls out their own virtual table top, it really would encourage their bottom line to unofficially suggest using a browser extension, like AboveVTTT mentioned in comments above, because that solution encourages it's userbase to stay on their site and not leave for another source provider.
Yeah, true enough. They do want the userbase to stay longer on DNDBeyond. It's true that my opinion is considered an option that won't happen. But yeah, I really do hope they roll out a VTT that enables us to use the books here. Pay only 1 site, for all things D&D
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I am here to second AboveVTT. Thanks to your comment I found out about it and will never switch back. Integrates perfectly with all my DNDBeyond content i already own
Have to agree, AboveVTT is an amazing free VTT that melds this site with a VTT better than anything before it.
I tried AboveVTT today with a small group doing a one-shot adventure from Storm Lord’s Wrath. It didn’t have all the bells and whistles of Roll20 but it was easy to use and I found it to be very close to the experience of playing at a real table. Being able to access all of my content was the biggest plus. Sometimes Roll20 starts to feel more like a video game than a table top game. AboveVTT was a nice reminder of how it felt to play in person. If DnDBeyond buys a VTT, I hope it’s this one because it integrates so well already.
It's on their roadmap, but not for this year, they will be tying the features they have currently to work more fluidly. So I'd guess 2022, as once they get all of what they have refined, it will be 60-70% of the VTT in place.
But I own Foundry and have it hosted, and will absolutely switch once they have their own VTT, Foundry is good, but it is not the be all end all that people make it out to be. It has drawbacks, the char creation within Foundry is horrific, and even with all the modules, there isn't a perfect integration between using dndbeyond inside Foundry without each player becoming a patreon so they can upload back and forth between Foundry and DnDB. And that is trusting the patreon they support with their cobalt cookie storing their login. So I like Foundry, but it's far from perfect. Now if DnDB would allow their freaking API already, We can have some smooth games until they get theirs out.
Roll20 is a hopeless cause. They are like 2 years behind in everything. They can't even get their new dynamic lighting to work right.
Foundry is life, throw roll20 where it belongs: in the trash.
I just did some big survey last week about the (possible) future of D&D Beyond, and it was asking about a VTT, customization for character tokens, paying a single yearly/monthly price for access to all of the books (instead of buying them individually) etc. Sounds like change is coming.
AboveVTT looks incredible from the video you embedded. I think I might still prefer Owlbear, just for its absolute simplicity, but I'm curious enough now to give this a try. Quick question, but does it work in any browsers other than chrome? I prefer Firefox, is all. :)
Edit: I've seen people mention it a lot, so I thought I'd say I do use the encounter builder, quite a lot. I'll usually go ahead of time and build all the likely encounters my groups are going to face, and organise them all neatly with titles and descriptions. I also use it to help design my encounters (as much as the CR rating system is helpful, I guess). For a tool still in alpha, I think it works really well for my needs, and I'll keep using it. I will say it's incredibly annoying when my players summon in animal companions mid-fight, and I've got no way to add that creature into a combat in progress, but hey... alpha.
Looks very encouraging! what is the latest 1.0 release date? thanks!
Fandom, for the love of Oghma please hire the dev of AboveVTT. That one person did in a month what your staff haven't been able to do for years.
AboveVTT has a Firefox extension as well. And about encounters, I currently use Kobold Fightclub. I just hadn't ever meet anyone who had used the DDB encounter builder, but from the sound of it, maybe it's better than I thought.
Tested AboveVTT last night with our group. It is amazing how well it integrates with DNDbeyond (ie, character sheet statuses show directly also in tokens) and most of its very automated. Very easy to import maps and align thoswe with grid. It really makes DM work much easier.
It still has some bugs and missing features (ie, my players would have liked to draw themselfs in map, customize more their tokens and disabling HP/AC is pointless when you can see those still from combat tracker), but overall it is very good and I think it will replace roll20/foundry/etc for most DNDbeyond users when most of its features are available. Biggest drawback at the moment is that has no "campaing tracker" feature. No logs, handouts, etc that can be shared for whole campaing. For campaing you have to use something else (Discord, google docs, etc)
Since my table of grumpy grognard players still want to be able to draw on the map, we haven't yet migrated full time to AboveVTT and use Owlbear for a while longer.
But I regularly use the DBB encounter builder - not for matching monster strength to players, since that is best handled by DM judgement anyway in 5e - but to have stat blocks of opponents in an encounter ready at hand. With AboveVTT that will no longer be necessary, but it still would be nifty if the encounter builder will be integrated some time in the future.
AboveVTT is nextgen DDB vtt. It's pretty good even considering its early lifecycle and for sure it's the best vtt for ddb users so far.
As someone who plays lots of different systems I refuse to pay for a one system only VTT, I dislike Roll 20 so the option of choice is foundry because I can spin up my cyberpunk, world of darkness, call of Cthulhu and DnD campaigns.
Actually only one person needs the patreon for the DDB importer module, as long as all characters are in a campaign owned by that person.
I mean, at this point I don't know if I'm even willing to invest in DDB should another edition come around. Tired of downloading extensions, paying paetreon for additional functionality just to get get the "official online resource" for D&D to be useful outside of its own website.
My humble opinion is that, they could do an API or Modules for Foundry VTT would be the best. Foundry is better than Roll20 IMHO and you just need to partner up with Foundry or create an official module for it, and profit.
Don't get me wrong Foundry lovers, I know that there's a module in Foundry that enables you to import EVERYTHING from DNDBeyond to Foundry, but hey, if they created an official module and implement it for subscribers, wouldn't it be a win-win for all parties, except for the original module creator. Foundry will get more recognition, People will just buy DNDBeyond's books, players could roll on either DNDBeyond or Foundry's Character Sheet coz it has character import "natively", GMs could spend on only DNDBeyond excluding one time purchase of Foundry.
Because in the end, GMs will need to pay for Foundry (one time purchase), Purchase all the books on DNDBeyond (choose which they want) and finally, DNDBeyond's subscription. Currently, some GMs pay subscription for Roll20 and DNDBeyond for content sharing and need the books for both DNDBeyond and Roll20 ($$$$$$$$)
Dndbeyond is not going to partner up with a currently indirect, eventually direct, competitor because it brings nothing to the table for their business model.
In my humble opinion, until ddb rolls out their own virtual table top, it really would encourage their bottom line to unofficially suggest using a browser extension, like AboveVTTT mentioned in comments above, because that solution encourages it's userbase to stay on their site and not leave for another source provider.
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That is an amazingly good point! To get knee deep in some other VTT and invest $$$ into it would mean a much tougher time to convert a user to 'DDB's Solution' (if it ever happens and they have hinted that they are with the dev updates and 'shared table'). So yeah, they probably want AboveVTT to really succeed.... until they finally do their own.
Yeah, true enough. They do want the userbase to stay longer on DNDBeyond. It's true that my opinion is considered an option that won't happen. But yeah, I really do hope they roll out a VTT that enables us to use the books here. Pay only 1 site, for all things D&D