As the title suggests, I want to invest in some books beyond the basic stuff, but I absolutely love having a physical copy to look at. If I buy hardcopies, can I also redeem a digital version to make use of that content on D&D Beyond? It makes sense to me as I would have already paid for the content of the digital version.
You are somewhere around the 1 millionth person to ask, and there are numerous places where this is addressed. The short answer is no because DDB is not owned by Wizards of the Coast. It's like buying a CD and asking iTunes for the digital version for free.
The only adventure that you get digitally if you buy the physical copy is Dragon of Icespire Peak. It is the adventure in The Essentials Kit, which also has the basic rules and a few other pieces to start off your journey as a DM/player, like dice, etc. There is a code inside that if you redeem it here on DDB, you get the digital version on your account. In addition, you get a further three adventures, called the Beyond Icespire Peak trilogy, in digital format for free. They take off from where Dragon of Icespire Peak ends, and takes you're characters up to level 13.
Beyond those, there are no digital copies given for free - you have to buy them separately, and are not in anyway discounted or made free for having bought a physical copy. The good news is that they're cheaper on DDB, but the bad news is that there are drawbacks, as some customers are finding.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
and you get a 50% discount on the digital PHB...making the Essentials Kit seriously the #1 item on my "you don't actually need to buy anything to play D&D, but if you do, buy this" list. Although the quality of the included DM screen seriously sucks.
If your just getting started I can't recommend the essentials kit and redeeming what you get on dndbeyond enough The 50% off player's handbook almost pays for the essentials kit and you get 2 or 3 extra adventures attached to icespire and it would make a pretty good first campaign. So somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 you get a really solid start on the hobby and enough hours of game play to have a satisfying campaign for no additional outlay. Heck dndbeyond even has digital dice so you don't even have to buy extra dice.
You are somewhere around the 1 millionth person to ask, and there are numerous places where this is addressed. The short answer is no because DDB is not owned by Wizards of the Coast. It's like buying a CD and asking iTunes for the digital version for free.
Better they ask than that they complain about it. ;) For an account that's been around for the better part of two years it's a bit of a surprising query to me, but rather this than another rant.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
You are somewhere around the 1 millionth person to ask, and there are numerous places where this is addressed. The short answer is no because DDB is not owned by Wizards of the Coast. It's like buying a CD and asking iTunes for the digital version for free.
Better they ask than that they complain about it. ;) For an account that's been around for the better part of two years it's a bit of a surprising query to me, but rather this than another rant.
I mean, you're right. I was trying to find the thread that the reply after me posted so that I could at least answer the question while I griped, but ironically I had a hard time doing so.
The only reason I was able to find it is because I know some users who have it in their signature for every post they make on the forum. I just found one of their posts and linked it that way.
Edit: It is pinned at the top of the Feedback section of the General Forums, which is fine but not really the first place I would look if I were new.
The only reason I was able to find it is because I know some users who have it in their signature for every post they make on the forum. I just found one of their posts and linked it that way.
Edit: It is pinned at the top of the Feedback section of the General Forums, which is fine but not really the first place I would look if I were new.
I knew it was pinned somewhere, but I didn't think to check the feedback section. I feel like it should be in general discussion...
So I've been playing for a bit over a year, but I always used my DM's books so it wasn't an issue. However we've swapped now, I'm DM for our current campaign, and while we homebrew almost all of our monsters, items, classes and races the new book coming out with 250 monsters in caught my attention, hence my question, as I prefer physical books but also want the integration with DnD Beyond. For something that for all intents and purposes is the "official" site it seems strange to me that Fandom and WotC haven't worked something out to allow redemption of a digital version of something you've paid them for.
For something that for all intents and purposes is the "official" site it seems strange to me that Fandom and WotC haven't worked something out to allow redemption of a digital version of something you've paid them for.
It's been discussed several times. There are some technical aspects that would be difficult or costly or both, especially with regards to stock that's already sitting in distributors' or retailers' inventory. Moreover, the contents of a book and the use of said contents in digital tools are not the same thing. They're different, so they have separate values and not everyone is interested in both - that means either making things complicated in order to be able to offer books with or without digital version, or increasing the price for everyone whether they want to make use of DDB or not.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
...For something that for all intents and purposes is the "official" site it seems strange to me that Fandom and WotC haven't worked something out to allow redemption of a digital version of something you've paid them for.
It's not all that strange.
The current business structure makes making DDB free or even significantly discounted across the board unfeasible. People need paying, servers need maintaining, etc. Could they change that? Yes. They could. They won't because it would cost a fair amount of money to do and WotC doesn't seem to think that it would lead to a large enough increase in profits to justify it.
What is most feasible is WotC releasing PDFs of their books. Other companies do it, WotC could to. They don't, for whatever reason (I hear suggestions that it is to try and prevent piracy, but nothing official). Personally, I think the piracy horse has already bolted, but they seem to disagree.
If you want digital copies for free, you have to persuade WotC that it would be a profitable feature.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
As the title suggests, I want to invest in some books beyond the basic stuff, but I absolutely love having a physical copy to look at. If I buy hardcopies, can I also redeem a digital version to make use of that content on D&D Beyond? It makes sense to me as I would have already paid for the content of the digital version.
You are somewhere around the 1 millionth person to ask, and there are numerous places where this is addressed. The short answer is no because DDB is not owned by Wizards of the Coast. It's like buying a CD and asking iTunes for the digital version for free.
I recommend reading this thread. Hardcover Books and You.
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
Thanks, that's the thread I was looking for to link in my reply!
The only adventure that you get digitally if you buy the physical copy is Dragon of Icespire Peak. It is the adventure in The Essentials Kit, which also has the basic rules and a few other pieces to start off your journey as a DM/player, like dice, etc. There is a code inside that if you redeem it here on DDB, you get the digital version on your account. In addition, you get a further three adventures, called the Beyond Icespire Peak trilogy, in digital format for free. They take off from where Dragon of Icespire Peak ends, and takes you're characters up to level 13.
Beyond those, there are no digital copies given for free - you have to buy them separately, and are not in anyway discounted or made free for having bought a physical copy. The good news is that they're cheaper on DDB, but the bad news is that there are drawbacks, as some customers are finding.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
and you get a 50% discount on the digital PHB...making the Essentials Kit seriously the #1 item on my "you don't actually need to buy anything to play D&D, but if you do, buy this" list. Although the quality of the included DM screen seriously sucks.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
If your just getting started I can't recommend the essentials kit and redeeming what you get on dndbeyond enough The 50% off player's handbook almost pays for the essentials kit and you get 2 or 3 extra adventures attached to icespire and it would make a pretty good first campaign. So somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 you get a really solid start on the hobby and enough hours of game play to have a satisfying campaign for no additional outlay. Heck dndbeyond even has digital dice so you don't even have to buy extra dice.
Better they ask than that they complain about it. ;) For an account that's been around for the better part of two years it's a bit of a surprising query to me, but rather this than another rant.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I mean, you're right. I was trying to find the thread that the reply after me posted so that I could at least answer the question while I griped, but ironically I had a hard time doing so.
The only reason I was able to find it is because I know some users who have it in their signature for every post they make on the forum. I just found one of their posts and linked it that way.
Edit: It is pinned at the top of the Feedback section of the General Forums, which is fine but not really the first place I would look if I were new.
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
I knew it was pinned somewhere, but I didn't think to check the feedback section. I feel like it should be in general discussion...
So I've been playing for a bit over a year, but I always used my DM's books so it wasn't an issue. However we've swapped now, I'm DM for our current campaign, and while we homebrew almost all of our monsters, items, classes and races the new book coming out with 250 monsters in caught my attention, hence my question, as I prefer physical books but also want the integration with DnD Beyond. For something that for all intents and purposes is the "official" site it seems strange to me that Fandom and WotC haven't worked something out to allow redemption of a digital version of something you've paid them for.
It's been discussed several times. There are some technical aspects that would be difficult or costly or both, especially with regards to stock that's already sitting in distributors' or retailers' inventory. Moreover, the contents of a book and the use of said contents in digital tools are not the same thing. They're different, so they have separate values and not everyone is interested in both - that means either making things complicated in order to be able to offer books with or without digital version, or increasing the price for everyone whether they want to make use of DDB or not.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
It's not all that strange.
The current business structure makes making DDB free or even significantly discounted across the board unfeasible. People need paying, servers need maintaining, etc. Could they change that? Yes. They could. They won't because it would cost a fair amount of money to do and WotC doesn't seem to think that it would lead to a large enough increase in profits to justify it.
What is most feasible is WotC releasing PDFs of their books. Other companies do it, WotC could to. They don't, for whatever reason (I hear suggestions that it is to try and prevent piracy, but nothing official). Personally, I think the piracy horse has already bolted, but they seem to disagree.
If you want digital copies for free, you have to persuade WotC that it would be a profitable feature.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'm going to lock this thread as this matter has been discussed comprehensively and discussed in the linked thread.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here