Thanks for this guide. I'm a DM and I'm hoping to start with Beyond by generating a bunch of NPCs. Should I start by subscribing under master level and buy a spell bundle - maybe the whole PHB? It's a shame to have all of the printed books (and possibly soon alternate covers of the same books... rrrr. Dang you, D&D marketing!) and have to buy them all over again just for the convenience of generating NPCs digitally AND pay for a subscription - but that's what modern capitalism is all about, I guess.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“If I were creating a world, I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!”
Thanks for this guide. I'm a DM and I'm hoping to start with Beyond by generating a bunch of NPCs. Should I start by subscribing under master level and buy a spell bundle - maybe the whole PHB? It's a shame to have all of the printed books (and possibly soon alternate covers of the same books... rrrr. Dang you, D&D marketing!) and have to buy them all over again just for the convenience of generating NPCs digitally AND pay for a subscription - but that's what modern capitalism is all about, I guess.
Hi there,
for homebrewing monsters you do not need a subscription at all. Also, for those spells which are not free, you can homebrew those and keep it for private use without spending anything.
Thanks for this guide. I'm a DM and I'm hoping to start with Beyond by generating a bunch of NPCs. Should I start by subscribing under master level and buy a spell bundle - maybe the whole PHB? It's a shame to have all of the printed books (and possibly soon alternate covers of the same books... rrrr. Dang you, D&D marketing!) and have to buy them all over again just for the convenience of generating NPCs digitally AND pay for a subscription - but that's what modern capitalism is all about, I guess.
Are you planning on creating the NPCs as PCs or as Monsters? If you use the PC method, you will need probably need the Hero Tier subscription, so that you have infinite character slots. If you build them as monsters (using the monster homebrew tools--see note below), then you don't need a subscription at all, if all you are after is building NPCs. The Master Tier is only necessary if you want to share purchased content with players.
If you choose the monster homebrew route, note that you can base a "monster" on an existing one (e.g. the acolyte) and just change what needs changing. What you can't (currently) do is adjust hit points easily during combat if you go the monster route (unlike creating an NPC using the character generator).
I would suggest you start with the free tools, and try generating NPCs both using the character generator and the homebrew monster editor and see what you think. Then continue by either homebrewing or purchasing only those elements you need/want. Anything you spend on individual purchases reduces the cost of bundles and/or the whole book by the amount you have spent. If you eventually decide you want the whole PHB, then you haven't lost anything. Or, if all you want DDB for is NPC character generation, you may decide that you don't want any of the full books, just the spell, class, race, etc. bundles from the various books, or only those individual options you are interested. All those things can be homebrewed here, as Filcat mentioned, it's just a matter of the time to do so.
Keep in mind that a lot--though not all--of the spells from the PHB are also in the SRD and thus are free, as are all of those that were in EEPC. The latter have been updated to the wording/mechanics found in Xanathar's, but they remain free if they were first published in the EEPC.
Thank you both for your help. The first batch of NPCs I'm generating are going to be used as hireling for my PCs. We had 4 players - but grad school and work changes have reduced us to two players. So until we get a few more players, the PCs will hire a few meat bags - er - hirelings to round out the party. I also like having monsters and spells available - either as paper cards or on my iPad - while I use my computer for interacting with offsite players.
I'll take your advice and play around for free until I know what I need. Thanks again!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“If I were creating a world, I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!”
As the OP, I'd rather see it left unlocked, for questions like the ones cpt_safety asked. Given my comment in the first post about not wanting to debate the pricing policy, I'd be fine with the mods moving posts that only complain about pricing policy elsewhere.
Hey i know this is probably a silly question, but if i make a purchase on the DDB app for android tablet will i be able to access that same content via the DDB website. I assume that you can, just wanted to make sure be for i bought anything.
Hey i know this is probably a silly question, but if i make a purchase on the DDB app for android tablet will i be able to access that same content via the DDB website. I assume that you can, just wanted to make sure be for i bought anything.
Yes you can - I'd recommend checking the prices those in both the app and the website - due to the way the Google/Apple app stores price things and convert currencies, there may be a slight difference in price.
I was just wondering, under the subscription section of D&D Beyond it says that Hero Tier allows for Unlimited character slots and unlimited devices.
So as DM, if I had an account with a Hero Tier, could (for example) 4 of my friends each make a character on that one account and access their own character at the same time on their separate devices?
I ask this because I have the digital PHB and would want to give them access to it whilst we play a campaign, however I’m unable to pay for the Master Tier.
I've DM'd a few times, and I'm having a rocky start for Hoard of the Dragon Queen. We're supposed to meet weekly, but we've played 1 out of the last 5 weeks because stuff keeps coming up. I'm going to ask my players to get DDB accounts so that I have access to their PCs. I built a sample character just so I'd know what I"m doing, but there's some stuff from the PHB that's not on there.
1. If I buy the PHB from the marketplace and get a master subscription, I should be able to share PHB rules with everyone, right? Can I homebrew everything that's missing from the PHB and avoid purchasing it for now?
2. Any idea when XGE might be available for purchase? I have a drunken master monk in the party.
3. If I buy the HoDQ content, what do I get? Just the book? Are there items that I get, too, or NPC stats that I can access?
I've DM'd a few times, and I'm having a rocky start for Hoard of the Dragon Queen. We're supposed to meet weekly, but we've played 1 out of the last 5 weeks because stuff keeps coming up. I'm going to ask my players to get DDB accounts so that I have access to their PCs. I built a sample character just so I'd know what I"m doing, but there's some stuff from the PHB that's not on there.
1. If I buy the PHB from the marketplace and get a master subscription, I should be able to share PHB rules with everyone, right? Can I homebrew everything that's missing from the PHB and avoid purchasing it for now?
2. Any idea when XGE might be available for purchase? I have a drunken master monk in the party.
3. If I buy the HoDQ content, what do I get? Just the book? Are there items that I get, too, or NPC stats that I can access?
Thanks,
TopHat
1) yes. Your players will only be able to use what you bought to build characters if those characters are in the campaign, but they can see all the descriptions if classes, spells, etc as long as you (or someone in group) has a master tier sub and has turned on content sharing
2) it's available now. Keep in mind you can buy just the drunken master, you don't have to buy whole book if that's all you need.
3) full text of the book; any monsters or NPCs that are statted in the book will be in the monster listings; same for spells, magic items, and character options that are printed in the book's appendices (if there are any). Maps and handouts can be opened in a new browser window and printed. In most adventures, there are player copies of the maps, too.
I'm a DM and own all of the Hardcover books 5E books so far. Is their a way to unlock the digital content at a lower price point? I feel like I am being punished for being a good DM. If we weren't talking about a considerable chunk of money I wouldn't feel this way.
I'm a DM and own all of the Hardcover books 5E books so far. Is their a way to unlock the digital content at a lower price point? I feel like I am being punished for being a good DM. If we weren't talking about a considerable chunk of money I wouldn't feel this way.
No, there's not. As I said in the opening post, I don't want this thread to be used to debate that issue. If you want to know more about why this is not the case, see this thread and this thread.
Well, never say never, but it's probably unlikely for the immediate future since they did a 25% off code with Critical Role for their Kickstarter that ended in June. There are a few 25% off codes floating around right now, but I think they all exclude the Legendary Bundle.
Keep in mind that anything you spend on content (not subscriptions) is credited toward the cost of the legendary bundle. So if having certain content now would be really helpful to you, you don't lose anything by purchasing those things now while you work up to the cost of the bundle. Also keep in mind that the cost of the bundle will go up as new content is released. So when Ravnicia and the two Waterdeep "books" are released, the legendary bundle price will go up accordingly.
Yeah, that's the real bastard about the LB. When D&D Beyond first started it was, what, $180? When I got it, it was $360 and the CR code dropped it to $270. By the beginning of the year it's going to be like $460. Eventually they might have to cut it back to just the rulebooks and not the adventures because if they keep up this rate of releases it's going to start getting ridiculously expensive. :)
(Not that I want them to slow down the release schedule. MORE PLEASE)
There is no option to redeem the digital content with the hardcover purchase.
Thanks for this guide. I'm a DM and I'm hoping to start with Beyond by generating a bunch of NPCs. Should I start by subscribing under master level and buy a spell bundle - maybe the whole PHB? It's a shame to have all of the printed books (and possibly soon alternate covers of the same books... rrrr. Dang you, D&D marketing!) and have to buy them all over again just for the convenience of generating NPCs digitally AND pay for a subscription - but that's what modern capitalism is all about, I guess.
“If I were creating a world, I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!”
-The Evil One - Time Bandits
Hi there,
for homebrewing monsters you do not need a subscription at all. Also, for those spells which are not free, you can homebrew those and keep it for private use without spending anything.
Are you planning on creating the NPCs as PCs or as Monsters? If you use the PC method, you will need probably need the Hero Tier subscription, so that you have infinite character slots. If you build them as monsters (using the monster homebrew tools--see note below), then you don't need a subscription at all, if all you are after is building NPCs. The Master Tier is only necessary if you want to share purchased content with players.
If you choose the monster homebrew route, note that you can base a "monster" on an existing one (e.g. the acolyte) and just change what needs changing. What you can't (currently) do is adjust hit points easily during combat if you go the monster route (unlike creating an NPC using the character generator).
I would suggest you start with the free tools, and try generating NPCs both using the character generator and the homebrew monster editor and see what you think. Then continue by either homebrewing or purchasing only those elements you need/want. Anything you spend on individual purchases reduces the cost of bundles and/or the whole book by the amount you have spent. If you eventually decide you want the whole PHB, then you haven't lost anything. Or, if all you want DDB for is NPC character generation, you may decide that you don't want any of the full books, just the spell, class, race, etc. bundles from the various books, or only those individual options you are interested. All those things can be homebrewed here, as Filcat mentioned, it's just a matter of the time to do so.
Keep in mind that a lot--though not all--of the spells from the PHB are also in the SRD and thus are free, as are all of those that were in EEPC. The latter have been updated to the wording/mechanics found in Xanathar's, but they remain free if they were first published in the EEPC.
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
Thank you both for your help. The first batch of NPCs I'm generating are going to be used as hireling for my PCs. We had 4 players - but grad school and work changes have reduced us to two players. So until we get a few more players, the PCs will hire a few
meat bags- er - hirelings to round out the party. I also like having monsters and spells available - either as paper cards or on my iPad - while I use my computer for interacting with offsite players.I'll take your advice and play around for free until I know what I need. Thanks again!
“If I were creating a world, I wouldn't mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!”
-The Evil One - Time Bandits
As the OP, I'd rather see it left unlocked, for questions like the ones cpt_safety asked. Given my comment in the first post about not wanting to debate the pricing policy, I'd be fine with the mods moving posts that only complain about pricing policy elsewhere.
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
Hey i know this is probably a silly question, but if i make a purchase on the DDB app for android tablet will i be able to access that same content via the DDB website. I assume that you can, just wanted to make sure be for i bought anything.
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ModeratorYes you can - I'd recommend checking the prices those in both the app and the website - due to the way the Google/Apple app stores price things and convert currencies, there may be a slight difference in price.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
Thanks, I'll check that out that, that was the only thing stopping me from buying anything its a really nice app easy to use in my opinion.
I was just wondering, under the subscription section of D&D Beyond it says that Hero Tier allows for Unlimited character slots and unlimited devices.
So as DM, if I had an account with a Hero Tier, could (for example) 4 of my friends each make a character on that one account and access their own character at the same time on their separate devices?
I ask this because I have the digital PHB and would want to give them access to it whilst we play a campaign, however I’m unable to pay for the Master Tier.
Is what I’m suggesting frowned upon?
Sharing your account with other people is against the Terms of Service.
Not a problem, thanks for the reply.
Hello,
I have 3 questions.
I've DM'd a few times, and I'm having a rocky start for Hoard of the Dragon Queen. We're supposed to meet weekly, but we've played 1 out of the last 5 weeks because stuff keeps coming up. I'm going to ask my players to get DDB accounts so that I have access to their PCs. I built a sample character just so I'd know what I"m doing, but there's some stuff from the PHB that's not on there.
1. If I buy the PHB from the marketplace and get a master subscription, I should be able to share PHB rules with everyone, right? Can I homebrew everything that's missing from the PHB and avoid purchasing it for now?
2. Any idea when XGE might be available for purchase? I have a drunken master monk in the party.
3. If I buy the HoDQ content, what do I get? Just the book? Are there items that I get, too, or NPC stats that I can access?
Thanks,
TopHat
1) yes. Your players will only be able to use what you bought to build characters if those characters are in the campaign, but they can see all the descriptions if classes, spells, etc as long as you (or someone in group) has a master tier sub and has turned on content sharing
2) it's available now. Keep in mind you can buy just the drunken master, you don't have to buy whole book if that's all you need.
3) full text of the book; any monsters or NPCs that are statted in the book will be in the monster listings; same for spells, magic items, and character options that are printed in the book's appendices (if there are any). Maps and handouts can be opened in a new browser window and printed. In most adventures, there are player copies of the maps, too.
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
I'm a DM and own all of the Hardcover books 5E books so far. Is their a way to unlock the digital content at a lower price point? I feel like I am being punished for being a good DM. If we weren't talking about a considerable chunk of money I wouldn't feel this way.
No, there's not. As I said in the opening post, I don't want this thread to be used to debate that issue. If you want to know more about why this is not the case, see this thread and 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
Is it likely the Legendary bundle will go on sale sometime this year? I'm toying with picking it up, but my budget isn't quite there yet:)
Well, never say never, but it's probably unlikely for the immediate future since they did a 25% off code with Critical Role for their Kickstarter that ended in June. There are a few 25% off codes floating around right now, but I think they all exclude the Legendary Bundle.
Keep in mind that anything you spend on content (not subscriptions) is credited toward the cost of the legendary bundle. So if having certain content now would be really helpful to you, you don't lose anything by purchasing those things now while you work up to the cost of the bundle. Also keep in mind that the cost of the bundle will go up as new content is released. So when Ravnicia and the two Waterdeep "books" are released, the legendary bundle price will go up accordingly.
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
Yeah, that's the real bastard about the LB. When D&D Beyond first started it was, what, $180? When I got it, it was $360 and the CR code dropped it to $270. By the beginning of the year it's going to be like $460. Eventually they might have to cut it back to just the rulebooks and not the adventures because if they keep up this rate of releases it's going to start getting ridiculously expensive. :)
(Not that I want them to slow down the release schedule. MORE PLEASE)