I think the whole point of the bundles is for people to jump in with a lot or all the content at a discount and get future discounts as a perk for having jumped in with so much stuff at once. But anyone patient enough to get deals on everything within the bundle and save even more money I wouldn't think the bundles discount wouldn't be of much significance. Other than my initial purchase of the legendary bundle there hasn't been a lot of new content available to buy and the few things that I did get I believe the coupon code was a greater savings than the discount for having gotten the bundle. I do wonder if I had not gotten the bundle and been more patient though could I have saved even more.
Supposedly, the 15% discount from the legendary bundle stacks on other discounts. So, you'd still get 15% off plus the discount per book. At least, a lot of people mentioned that during the Cyber Monday sale.
They certainly do stack, yes, so once you've gone in for the LB, you'll always have a 15% disc in addition to any coupon codes on future buys.
Hello, I am testing my ability to post and see if my info shows up in the manner I expect.
I am very pleased with the DnDBeyond platform so far. I have looked at a few other RPG platforms. Fantasy Grounds specifically took a great deal of my time before I decided to scrap it until it becomes web-based.. I am always a bit concerned when purchasing electronic book content, because it often cannot be shared between platforms. So for example if I should decide to use a virtual tabletop like Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds, I will have to purchase the same content again to use it easily on FG.
These are the reasons why I chose to make the leap and purchase bundles:
1) DnDBeyond is internet based. Therefore, I nor my friends have to download programs onto our computers to use it. (With an Apple sometimes I have to download a 2nd program to get the 1st program to work .)
2) The ability to share content with my friends. This was a big one. I am unwilling to ask my friends to spend money on a program to play with me. If they choose to do so, great but it can not be a prerequisite or leave me at a disadvantage on including them. I also have the ability to download character sheets so that I can email them to my players. With DnDBeyond, my friends and I can share purchased content so that it does not have to be purchased more than once. This help offset the costs and overcome my concern about repurchasing content listed in point 3.
3) DnDBeyond is user friendly. So far, it is intuitive. I have a bible software program on my computer that is so complicated it is a major endeavor to figure out how to use it and therefore normally I find my answers elsewhere even after I have purchased hundreds of dollars in Theology books. (Pro-Tip. If you have to watch a series of tutorial videos to be able to work your program. Reconsider.)
4) DnDBeyond - Search abilities and in content links. Okay, there are a lot of great websites out there with D&D content that I have used for years when I was playing 3.5. They worked well for me. But with DnDBeyond, the search abilities and all the links inside the content makes it so much better. For example: if I am reading the stats on a monster and it says it can grapple and I have a momentary mind-blank and cannot remember the rules on grappling. With DnDBeyond, I can click the link given and I am taken directly to the PHB entry on grappling and I can read it directly from the source. Before I would have to pull up another tab and do another search on grapple and I would not be reading directly from the source.
5) All this is great but what was it that brought me over the tipping point and I made the actual purchase? The Dev Updates. I watched about 2 months worth of Dev updates and I felt I got a real understanding of the direction they are going with the software and the fact that they were full-filling the promises they made. After watching the Dev Updates. I made the purchase.
Thank you very much guys for all the work you have done and plan to do. Good luck on your future updates.
I really do wish the digital books were discounted better. At $29.99 USD, it becomes $40.00 CAD. I can buy a physical for $35 new on Amazon. There isn't much if any saving when I start to look at the other books. I would love to be able to take advantage of DND Beyond but with the digital copies being as much as the books, there isn't any value buying the books twice.
Please note that I specifically request in the opening thread that the pricing structure not be debated in this thread. If you want to discuss the pricing model, I encourage you to start a new thread.
Because it is not directly related to the pricing structure, I will point out that DDB provides far more than a digital copy of the books. If you want to read more about the difference about physical books and what is available here, I would suggest you look at this thread. Note: while Sillvva is a moderator now, they were not a moderator when they started that thread; they were, like me, an active user.
None of that may change your assessment of DDB’s value to you, and that’s just fine. You are the only one who can decide if DDB is worth it to you; no worries if it is not.
That's where you're wrong though the pricing model is directly connected to the pricing structure. One directly affects the other.
I did look on the thread, thank you for providing it. I can see there is a lot of value in DND Beyond and what it offers. I can see the value and benefit for the different subscription tiers. Where I have an issue, is where DND Beyond is charging retail pricing for a PDF. A PDF that I don't actually own, nor can i view outside of the DND Beyond portal. The fact that its linked to DND Beyond isn't really the issue (again i see the value and understand the model DND is providing). Charging retail for a PDF that I don't own is a little crazy though.
Sites like DriveThruRPG sell PDF's for other IP's at a fraction of the cost vs a physical copy. These are files people get to own, not just licence to use. There is nothing physical to deal with, so what gives here? What makes these books so special? Granted there might be some back end variables in the equation here, but from my perspective it appears to be nothing more then just soaking up the profit margin.
KrypticZ, I really do wonder what the root of your issue is. Having been a member for over two and a half years, it would seem a bit late to just now start bickering about pricing. Also, what's being sold aren't mere PDFs as you claim. You can compare to DriveThruRPG, but I don't see 5e offered on there, but its kind of a moot point anyway. Beyond, for what it has, is much cheaper than comparative offerings from other digital online resellers. You've also "lived through" the hugely discounted sales that Beyond has previously offered. So...to just now be throwing a fit over a $30 dollar purchase is a bit ridiculous and comes off as more attention getting behavior than anything.
You've also had that two and half years to take advantage of massive sales and are familiar with how the pricing structure works. So, it's extremely difficult to work up any sympathy for you when all I see is a manufactured excuse to complain.
Like, ArwensDaughter said, it's finally left up to your own individual assessment to determine if it's right for you. Nobody else can decide that for you.
That's where you're wrong though the pricing model is directly connected to the pricing structure. One directly affects the other.
An important delineation that ArwensDaughter was making was separating how things are priced from why they're priced that way. The latter proposition is an often contentious topic and I think it's fair we respect what Arwen requested about keeping it to separate threads. The how and why may be related, but that does not mean you can't discuss one without the other.
I did look on the thread, thank you for providing it. I can see there is a lot of value in DND Beyond and what it offers. I can see the value and benefit for the different subscription tiers. Where I have an issue, is where DND Beyond is charging retail pricing for a PDF. A PDF that I don't actually own, nor can i view outside of the DND Beyond portal. The fact that its linked to DND Beyond isn't really the issue (again i see the value and understand the model DND is providing). Charging retail for a PDF that I don't own is a little crazy though.
D&D Beyond does not host PDFs, it hosts indexed, cross referenced, interactive digital versions of the books (compendium content). It also separates those books up into their constituent parts for quick access (the listings) and makes them compatible with the tools that DDB produces; character builder, encounter builder and now the encounter tracker. Comparing DDBs offerings to PDFs is a bit unfair.
Also, it should be noted that DDB doesn't charge retail; the MSRP of most books is $49.99 and DDB charges on average $29.99, before discount codes and bundles.
Also, it's possible to access the books offline through the D&D Beyond app. Both D&D Beyond and PDFs require you use a digital device to read them and it's possible to print or save locally both for personal use.
Sites like DriveThruRPG sell PDF's for other IP's at a fraction of the cost vs a physical copy. These are files people get to own, not just licence to use. There is nothing physical to deal with, so what gives here? What makes these books so special? Granted there might be some back end variables in the equation here, but from my perspective it appears to be nothing more then just soaking up the profit margin.
Again, DDB doesn't host PDFs, and DriveThruRPG is purely a sales platform, not a toolset.
I would really recommend you have a dabble with the character builder (using the free character options provided as part of the SRD) and the encounter builder (again, using the many monsters provided via the SRD) to see what DDB offers beyond the book compendiums. I would also suggest having a browse of the basic rules themselves and compare them to the functionality of a PDF; tooltips, cross linking, functionality you won't find in the average PDF.
That's where you're wrong though the pricing model is directly connected to the pricing structure. One directly affects the other..
It is not my intent to make a distinction here between pricing model and pricing structure. I don't want a debate about either (if they are distinct) happening in this thread. I pointed you to Sillvva's thread because it discusses--at length--the services available here and how they are different from that of physical books. Those differences are not--in my mind--directly related to the pricing structure/model. One can discuss what services/tools are available here on DDB, and how they are different from physical books, without ever getting into a debate about pricing. For that reason, I decided that raising that issue, and pointing you to Sillvva's thread was consistent with my request that pricing issues not be debated in this thread.
I think the whole point of the bundles is for people to jump in with a lot or all the content at a discount and get future discounts as a perk for having jumped in with so much stuff at once. But anyone patient enough to get deals on everything within the bundle and save even more money I wouldn't think the bundles discount wouldn't be of much significance. Other than my initial purchase of the legendary bundle there hasn't been a lot of new content available to buy and the few things that I did get I believe the coupon code was a greater savings than the discount for having gotten the bundle. I do wonder if I had not gotten the bundle and been more patient though could I have saved even more.
Supposedly, the 15% discount from the legendary bundle stacks on other discounts. So, you'd still get 15% off plus the discount per book. At least, a lot of people mentioned that during the Cyber Monday sale.
It does.
I have no idea why this is still an issue with pricing. I order the physical book as well as get it on here and with the discount codes I get both for less that what retail is on the physical book. I can understand a minor that has no job being upset that a parent wouldn't buy them both, just be upset and quiet or just complain to them, not us. For us normal working stiffs, this is a very cheap hobby! I'll never spend as much on DND as I did on plane repairs last year, UGH!
Sorry, kind of new here (been playing DnD on and off for decades though) - I recently bought the 5E special box with Players Guide, DM guide, Monster Manual and screen - I assume there's no way hard back purchases can be aligned with e-content on here? It would save me a lot of time photographing and editing things from the book (ie to make creature/item cards) and might make me more inclined to buy future books direct from here...
EDIT: I think ArwensDaughter may have already answered this question above with a link the thread about Beyond vs Physical Books
Sorry, kind of new here (been playing DnD on and off for decades though) - I recently bought the 5E special box with Players Guide, DM guide, Monster Manual and screen - I assume there's no way hard back purchases can be aligned with e-content on here? It would save me a lot of time photographing and editing things from the book (ie to make creature/item cards) and might make me more inclined to buy future books direct from here...
EDIT: I think ArwensDaughter may have already answered this question above with a link the thread about Beyond vs Physical Books
Per the info at that link, you are correct. There is no way to get the content on DDB even though you purchased the books in hardcopy. The only exception is the newest Essentials box set which does include DDB codes for the Icepeak adventures and a significantly discounted PHB.
I bought the players book, so how come when I go to build my characters I still have only the limited options? For example, I can only be a Monk following the Way of the Open Hand Tradition.
I bought the players book, so how come when I go to build my characters I still have only the limited options? For example, I can only be a Monk following the Way of the Open Hand Tradition.
This is really best asked as its own thread. Sometimes it takes a bit for purchases to register. But usually not more than a half an hour or so. Try logging out and logging back in again. That presumes you bought the whole book and not the compendium only option.
I bought the players book, so how come when I go to build my characters I still have only the limited options? For example, I can only be a Monk following the Way of the Open Hand Tradition.
Did you buy the full book or the Compendium only version?
Compendium only version is just a digital version of the book. For the character sheet options, crosslinking and easy lookups you need to pay the full price (or the options piecemeal).
If you did get the full book then try logging out, clearing cookies and cache and log back in.
If that did not work check that the transaction went through correctly and content unlocked.
If it did, Contact Support using the Contact us link at the bottom of the page.
I am looking into dipping my toes into the water into DM'ing (played for a few years a few years ago), with both our Quarantine group (4 of us!) and for an online group.
I just purchased (and have had delivered yesterday!) PHB, DMG, MM, Xanthers & Descent into Avernus. Of course, immediately after that I discovered DnDBeyond...
Descent will be the face to face game, still thinking about the online version - and what will play nicely with a VTT.
However, I have seen a few mentions of discount codes, and being able to gain credit for physical purchases - is there any way I can account for the my physical purchases if I look at a legendary purchase & ongoing Master subscription?
However, I have seen a few mentions of discount codes, and being able to gain credit for physical purchases - is there any way I can account for the my physical purchases if I look at a legendary purchase & ongoing Master subscription?
Hi there and welcome to Dungeons & Dragons!
As you'll have noticed from the mentions you saw of being able to gain credit for physical purposes - this isn't something that happens, for many, many reasons that are detailed at length in those threads.
With regards discount codes - yes, there are some! They are mentioned in this thread:
Hi Y'all, I believe I have gotten everything on the store (stuff on pre-order too), however I still see the Critter Bundle, and the Critter Beyond Bundle. Is there something new in those bundles That I may not have?
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They certainly do stack, yes, so once you've gone in for the LB, you'll always have a 15% disc in addition to any coupon codes on future buys.
Hello, I am testing my ability to post and see if my info shows up in the manner I expect.
I am very pleased with the DnDBeyond platform so far. I have looked at a few other RPG platforms. Fantasy Grounds specifically took a great deal of my time before I decided to scrap it until it becomes web-based.. I am always a bit concerned when purchasing electronic book content, because it often cannot be shared between platforms. So for example if I should decide to use a virtual tabletop like Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds, I will have to purchase the same content again to use it easily on FG.
These are the reasons why I chose to make the leap and purchase bundles:
1) DnDBeyond is internet based. Therefore, I nor my friends have to download programs onto our computers to use it. (With an Apple sometimes I have to download a 2nd program to get the 1st program to work .)
2) The ability to share content with my friends. This was a big one. I am unwilling to ask my friends to spend money on a program to play with me. If they choose to do so, great but it can not be a prerequisite or leave me at a disadvantage on including them. I also have the ability to download character sheets so that I can email them to my players. With DnDBeyond, my friends and I can share purchased content so that it does not have to be purchased more than once. This help offset the costs and overcome my concern about repurchasing content listed in point 3.
3) DnDBeyond is user friendly. So far, it is intuitive. I have a bible software program on my computer that is so complicated it is a major endeavor to figure out how to use it and therefore normally I find my answers elsewhere even after I have purchased hundreds of dollars in Theology books. (Pro-Tip. If you have to watch a series of tutorial videos to be able to work your program. Reconsider.)
4) DnDBeyond - Search abilities and in content links. Okay, there are a lot of great websites out there with D&D content that I have used for years when I was playing 3.5. They worked well for me. But with DnDBeyond, the search abilities and all the links inside the content makes it so much better. For example: if I am reading the stats on a monster and it says it can grapple and I have a momentary mind-blank and cannot remember the rules on grappling. With DnDBeyond, I can click the link given and I am taken directly to the PHB entry on grappling and I can read it directly from the source. Before I would have to pull up another tab and do another search on grapple and I would not be reading directly from the source.
5) All this is great but what was it that brought me over the tipping point and I made the actual purchase? The Dev Updates. I watched about 2 months worth of Dev updates and I felt I got a real understanding of the direction they are going with the software and the fact that they were full-filling the promises they made. After watching the Dev Updates. I made the purchase.
Thank you very much guys for all the work you have done and plan to do. Good luck on your future updates.
Epic work.
Check out my yt: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoN6SZzVnYnQJRQ6m34C0ZA?view_as=subscriber
is it illegal to do that? ^^
I really do wish the digital books were discounted better. At $29.99 USD, it becomes $40.00 CAD. I can buy a physical for $35 new on Amazon. There isn't much if any saving when I start to look at the other books. I would love to be able to take advantage of DND Beyond but with the digital copies being as much as the books, there isn't any value buying the books twice.
Please note that I specifically request in the opening thread that the pricing structure not be debated in this thread. If you want to discuss the pricing model, I encourage you to start a new thread.
Because it is not directly related to the pricing structure, I will point out that DDB provides far more than a digital copy of the books. If you want to read more about the difference about physical books and what is available here, I would suggest you look at this thread. Note: while Sillvva is a moderator now, they were not a moderator when they started that thread; they were, like me, an active user.
None of that may change your assessment of DDB’s value to you, and that’s just fine. You are the only one who can decide if DDB is worth it to you; no worries if it is not.
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
That's where you're wrong though the pricing model is directly connected to the pricing structure. One directly affects the other.
I did look on the thread, thank you for providing it. I can see there is a lot of value in DND Beyond and what it offers. I can see the value and benefit for the different subscription tiers. Where I have an issue, is where DND Beyond is charging retail pricing for a PDF. A PDF that I don't actually own, nor can i view outside of the DND Beyond portal. The fact that its linked to DND Beyond isn't really the issue (again i see the value and understand the model DND is providing). Charging retail for a PDF that I don't own is a little crazy though.
Sites like DriveThruRPG sell PDF's for other IP's at a fraction of the cost vs a physical copy. These are files people get to own, not just licence to use. There is nothing physical to deal with, so what gives here? What makes these books so special? Granted there might be some back end variables in the equation here, but from my perspective it appears to be nothing more then just soaking up the profit margin.
KrypticZ, I really do wonder what the root of your issue is. Having been a member for over two and a half years, it would seem a bit late to just now start bickering about pricing. Also, what's being sold aren't mere PDFs as you claim. You can compare to DriveThruRPG, but I don't see 5e offered on there, but its kind of a moot point anyway. Beyond, for what it has, is much cheaper than comparative offerings from other digital online resellers. You've also "lived through" the hugely discounted sales that Beyond has previously offered. So...to just now be throwing a fit over a $30 dollar purchase is a bit ridiculous and comes off as more attention getting behavior than anything.
You've also had that two and half years to take advantage of massive sales and are familiar with how the pricing structure works. So, it's extremely difficult to work up any sympathy for you when all I see is a manufactured excuse to complain.
Like, ArwensDaughter said, it's finally left up to your own individual assessment to determine if it's right for you. Nobody else can decide that for you.
An important delineation that ArwensDaughter was making was separating how things are priced from why they're priced that way. The latter proposition is an often contentious topic and I think it's fair we respect what Arwen requested about keeping it to separate threads. The how and why may be related, but that does not mean you can't discuss one without the other.
D&D Beyond does not host PDFs, it hosts indexed, cross referenced, interactive digital versions of the books (compendium content). It also separates those books up into their constituent parts for quick access (the listings) and makes them compatible with the tools that DDB produces; character builder, encounter builder and now the encounter tracker. Comparing DDBs offerings to PDFs is a bit unfair.
Also, it should be noted that DDB doesn't charge retail; the MSRP of most books is $49.99 and DDB charges on average $29.99, before discount codes and bundles.
Also, it's possible to access the books offline through the D&D Beyond app. Both D&D Beyond and PDFs require you use a digital device to read them and it's possible to print or save locally both for personal use.
Again, DDB doesn't host PDFs, and DriveThruRPG is purely a sales platform, not a toolset.
I would really recommend you have a dabble with the character builder (using the free character options provided as part of the SRD) and the encounter builder (again, using the many monsters provided via the SRD) to see what DDB offers beyond the book compendiums. I would also suggest having a browse of the basic rules themselves and compare them to the functionality of a PDF; tooltips, cross linking, functionality you won't find in the average PDF.
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It is not my intent to make a distinction here between pricing model and pricing structure. I don't want a debate about either (if they are distinct) happening in this thread. I pointed you to Sillvva's thread because it discusses--at length--the services available here and how they are different from that of physical books. Those differences are not--in my mind--directly related to the pricing structure/model. One can discuss what services/tools are available here on DDB, and how they are different from physical books, without ever getting into a debate about pricing. For that reason, I decided that raising that issue, and pointing you to Sillvva's thread was consistent with my request that pricing issues not be debated in this thread.
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
My request about not debating pricing structure in this thread cuts both ways. Please don't continue this discussion here.
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
It does.
I have no idea why this is still an issue with pricing. I order the physical book as well as get it on here and with the discount codes I get both for less that what retail is on the physical book. I can understand a minor that has no job being upset that a parent wouldn't buy them both, just be upset and quiet or just complain to them, not us. For us normal working stiffs, this is a very cheap hobby! I'll never spend as much on DND as I did on plane repairs last year, UGH!
What part of "DON'T DISCUSS PRICING IN THIS THREAD" is hard for people to understand?
Sorry, kind of new here (been playing DnD on and off for decades though) - I recently bought the 5E special box with Players Guide, DM guide, Monster Manual and screen - I assume there's no way hard back purchases can be aligned with e-content on here? It would save me a lot of time photographing and editing things from the book (ie to make creature/item cards) and might make me more inclined to buy future books direct from here...
EDIT: I think ArwensDaughter may have already answered this question above with a link the thread about Beyond vs Physical Books
Per the info at that link, you are correct. There is no way to get the content on DDB even though you purchased the books in hardcopy. The only exception is the newest Essentials box set which does include DDB codes for the Icepeak adventures and a significantly discounted PHB.
I bought the players book, so how come when I go to build my characters I still have only the limited options? For example, I can only be a Monk following the Way of the Open Hand Tradition.
This is really best asked as its own thread. Sometimes it takes a bit for purchases to register. But usually not more than a half an hour or so. Try logging out and logging back in again. That presumes you bought the whole book and not the compendium only option.
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
Did you buy the full book or the Compendium only version?
Compendium only version is just a digital version of the book. For the character sheet options, crosslinking and easy lookups you need to pay the full price (or the options piecemeal).
If you did get the full book then try logging out, clearing cookies and cache and log back in.
If that did not work check that the transaction went through correctly and content unlocked.
If it did, Contact Support using the Contact us link at the bottom of the page.
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Hi Folks,
I am looking into dipping my toes into the water into DM'ing (played for a few years a few years ago), with both our Quarantine group (4 of us!) and for an online group.
I just purchased (and have had delivered yesterday!) PHB, DMG, MM, Xanthers & Descent into Avernus. Of course, immediately after that I discovered DnDBeyond...
Descent will be the face to face game, still thinking about the online version - and what will play nicely with a VTT.
However, I have seen a few mentions of discount codes, and being able to gain credit for physical purchases - is there any way I can account for the my physical purchases if I look at a legendary purchase & ongoing Master subscription?
Hi there and welcome to Dungeons & Dragons!
As you'll have noticed from the mentions you saw of being able to gain credit for physical purposes - this isn't something that happens, for many, many reasons that are detailed at length in those threads.
With regards discount codes - yes, there are some! They are mentioned in this thread:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/21324-what-are-the-current-active-d-d-beyond-coupon?comment=1430
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Hi Y'all, I believe I have gotten everything on the store (stuff on pre-order too), however I still see the Critter Bundle, and the Critter Beyond Bundle. Is there something new in those bundles That I may not have?