Note: The dates are offset back by one day because someone pointed out that when I make these, most people aren't on Friday yet because they're not also in Australia.
Not having played with it yet, is it possible to display HP on tokens to the players?
WOTC_Zac: Right now, no. There was some thinking about it, but it turned into a lot of forking decisions, each with UX and UI impact. Is it global or per token? if it's per token, where is that setting? If that setting is on, how do you indicate that X token's hp is visible to players but Y token's hp isn't, etc etc.
If there's a lot of demand for it, we can look into it again. But whenever very tiny feature turns into a 4 or 5 layered cake of complexity, that's a good warning we're about to violate our "Honda Accord, not F-16" product philosophy.
There are lots of ways to implement it. The UX question is less about "how" and more about "are the consequences of the added complexity worth it?"
The answer isn't clearly no, but it's not clearly yes either.
WOTC_Zac: We've been hesitant to add a bloodied feature because I'm worried about the universality of it. Will you always want it on? Will you always want it visible to players on every token? Will you always want to play by the official rules and use the 50% HP mark, or would you want it to trigger at other thresholds? Does it reveal information accidentally that the DM didn't want to reveal?
Very simple feature to implement from an engineering standpoint. Very complex set of questions it introduces. You could have options for all those things, but that starts to violate our Honda Accord versus F-16 policy.
We have a diverse audience of people who like to play many ways. With the rigidity of software it's very easy to railroad people into playing certain ways, which we try to avoid.
WOTC_Zac: This was step 1 in a multi phase project to get to that and condition tracking. The old token menu was getting overloaded, too wide, and couldn't support a lot of the cool things we'd like to do in the future, so we started by building our new foundation.
This was a post I made on Reddit with a bunch of small VTT suggestions, that got a detailed response. I've included the suggestion and the response for the ones that were addressed.
Highlight bloodied creatures with a partial red box like the Encounter Builder. Bloodied is a relevant condition now, (even though it wasn't on the conditions preview) and it's important for the DM to know which creatures are bloodied or not. Additionally be able to toggle showing this to the players (some DMs don't like to convey it mechanically). Bonus points if you can add a red teardrop to the token on the map to show that it's bloodied as well.
Highlight dead creatures with a Skull on the token, and grey them out or cross-hatch them in the combat tracker, so that the DM can see at a glance in a list of creatures which are still alive.
WOTC_Zac: We have a bloodied feature, but we decided not to roll it out because it can give away information the DM may not want to give away. We considered making it an option in Settings, but have leaned away from that (trying to avoid option-overload). We just (literally yesterday) started converting it to a "Token Dead" feature though, so we can automatically indicate that.
Remove Creatures from Combat Tracker through Token
Provide a way to remove a creature from the Combat Tracker through their token menu. If there are 10 goblins on the map and in the Combat Tracker, and I want to remove a specific one, I have to remove them all then add back 9 or just guess and hope. The "Add" button greys out, just allow it to be clicked again to remove them, with a confirmation.
WOTC_Zac: We could consider this. This wasn't included because we were nervous about tokens accidentally getting removed due to mis-clicks, and we didn't feel like things get removed from combat before combat being over too often, so it didn't feel like a good risk-reward trade-off. But I can think on it more.
Expand the Combat Tracker to Full Width
Allow the DM to expand the Combat Tracker to full screen, and have a separate panel for statblocks. The old Encounter Builder allows you to see the initative list and roll on a statblock at the same time. There's more than enough space, and it would satisfy those of us who use the Combat Tracker 'without' the Map, as a replacement for the Encounter Builder.
WOTC_Zac: We're looking at ways to better support DMs who want to use our tools but may not want to use the virtual tabletop itself (or "theater of the mind" encounters). This is definitely on the list. :)
Favourite Reveals
Provide the ability to Favourite Reveals to prepare for a session. The list is huge for many of us, so I have to write down on a notepad or piece of paper where to find the reveals I've selected for my session, then click through the menus to find them when required. A star/favourite menu would make that much easier.
WOTC_Zac:You're going to like the DM Tools section of our roadmap. :) We haven't done it yet because we've had plans since before Reveals came out of how we wanted to do it, we just had to do some other things first.
Search All Maps
The new Map Browser is great, but it lacks the ability to search across all categories at once. If I'm looking for a Tavern or a Ship to drop into my game, and I'm not running a specific campaign, I have to click through each category and type into the search bar again to search each category. It's tedious and unnecessary.
WOTC_Zac: Yeah... this was the goal, but it was going to require a lot of backend work we didn't have time budgeted for. So "filter what's on screen" became the thing we could do with the time we had. One day I hope to get back to it and get a proper search going...
Show CR on the Token Browser
If I'm searching for a quick monster of a reasonable level for an encounter, I have to open each statblock one after another to see what the CR of the monster is. I don't really need to see the monster's Saving Throws or Ability Bonuses on that screen, but the CR is far more important at that moment.
WOTC_Zac: Great feedback. We have work we're planning on doing on the token browser, i'll pass this to the designers.
Move Creatures on a Grid
The ruler is great for those who want the "true wargaming" experience, but the vast majority of tables play by grid squares. You know where those grid squares are, because you asked for them when adding the map. So have a toggle to turn on "Snap to Grid", which will keep the tokens on the relevant points on the map.
Then we can have the ability to move creatures and players showing movement in squares, including diagonals, and multiple direction changes. Bonus points for tracking how much movement the creature has used prior to their next turn.
WOTC_Zac: We've avoided snap to grid because physical tables don't have snap to grid, and it's generally worked well there for a long time. :) In my research, I've heard a lot of people who really want it, and also a lot of people who talk about how irritating it is when things don't align perfectly or it snaps to the wrong place. We could add it as an option, but we're always extremely conservative in adding more options, per our "Honda Accord not F-16" product philosophy.
Ability to Change Initative Mid-Combat
This is another of the "We could do it with the Encounter Builder" ones, but there's no way to adjust a creature's initiative once combat starts, without removing it from the battle and re-adding it, which is super clunky.
WOTC_Zac: We already have this working, but we found a bug. Just trying to track down the bug then it'll go out.
big exhale
Other Comments
WOTC_Zac: Hi! PM for Maps here. 😄
It's the exact same process as before, just with a facelift. In both the new and old version, you'd click into the HP section (there it was a "22/35" and here it's a button that says "HP"), then a panel would slide out (now it's below, before it was above) and you'd have a text input field (which you can start typing in right away without clicking into), then you have to select HEAL or DAMAGE from the left or right.
You are correct, we did miss the HP modifier menu in the Encounter Builder. That wasn't part of our UX overhaul and we missed it. My apologies. We moved Damage to the left side because it was the more common action, and when you click on HP your mouse is closer to the left than the right.
We're always open to constructive feedback.
So I gotta wonder: is mapless use of the VTT EB a roadmapped use case and design consideration?
WOTC_Zac: As I said in my response to the OP, we made no changes to the functionality, ux, or number of clicks as part of this update. The goal of the token menu refresh was parity with the old menu, so I wouldn't read too much into the design intent here. I even reverted to the old menu on my local version to double check. There are no additional clicks necessary to do anything.
As I've said in other places, the standalone and encounter builder does a lot of things really really well, but is incredibly difficult to work. Meanwhile, the encounter manager in maps does a lot of other things really really well, but I understand it is not currently a drop-in replacement for the Old Encounter Builder.
This is a thing we're aware of, and want to tackle. I've been collecting a lot of the reasons why people like the old encounter Builder, and before we start building, I fully intend to do a bunch of open research with the community to make sure what we build is something that works well for as many people as possible.
Ultimately, we want to build tools that support you in playing the way that you want to play. If that's on a virtual tabletop, sweet. If you want to play fully analog with a physical map and physical minis and physical dice, but the DM still wants some digital assistance- sweet. We want to help with that too.
WOTC_Zac: I just tested the old menu on my local machine and confirmed the functionality is exactly the same as before. Previously the menu did pop up when you moved a token.
That being said, the new menu is bigger, so I can understand how it's causing UX problems the old menu didn't.
I'm paying attention to the feedback. While I haven't yet made the decision to change anything, we are brainstorming and exploring options.
We want any new feature to be discoverable, but we ESPECIALLY want any changes to existing features to be discoverable.
LaTiaJacquise: We won’t be bringing back à la carte in that manner because of the strain it was beginning to put on the back end, but something like our new Starter Packs isn’t a bad idea!
I don’t have the link handy right now, but u/WOTC_BrianPerry did an AMA back in December where the reasoning for that was discussed.
REF: WOTC_BrianPerry: First, we know that a la carte disappeared without much notice, and we apologize for the way it was handled. Things like this AMA help create the level of transparency the community deserves. We are going to be working on ways to give players access to smaller packages of content based on what character they want to build. A la carte exactly like before is unlikely. What was starting to happen with tens of thousands of items needed to be individually checked for entitlements by our services. This was impacting site speed and stability.
On Legends of Greyhawk publishers releasing a different region:
LaTiaJacquise: I don't want to assume that you know exactly what Legends of Greyhawk is, but I'd suggest you read up on it here if you're unfamiliar. Similar to Living Greyhawk, our organizers write adventures based in the regions we've assigned them. What we're putting out is the adventures that are played at conventions and as part of this organized play program so that they can be played at home or at game stores. We're not completely revamping all of the Greyhawk adventures.
LaTiaJacquise: Maps is our VTT. Right now the digital maps and other features aren't able to be shared with your players yet (for example, if you are the Master Tier subscriber and your friend wants to DM, but they're not subscribed, you're able to share your maps with them)
LaTiaJacquise: It's not viewable in the mobile app yet. We're still working with the mobile team to make Drops accessible there; it's more complex than first imagined.
We'll make sure to keep everyone updated on that progress!
Thanks as always for summarising these. Lot of interesting stuff in the pipeline but also a lot of "we hope we can do this after the rebuild" so fingers crossed they can deliver. As for the a la carte I can fully understand their explanation for removing it (even if I'd have liked some notice to scoop up a few more bits) and buying the individual pieces at $2 a time must create a lot of admin but I really hope that we at least get a return to being able to buy *all* the monsters from a book or *all* the subclasses without buying the book. That wouldn't be too far from the packets so hopefully doable and I think it would satisfy a lot of people
I went and read the original on Reddit, and they were not as easy to read as when you summarize them. All of your summaries are great. It is very helpful :)
Cheers!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
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Previous Week: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/240630-reddit-posts-and-comments-from-wotc-staff-for-the
Note: The dates are offset back by one day because someone pointed out that when I make these, most people aren't on Friday yet because they're not also in Australia.
Sources:
Posts:
Comments:
Changelog Comments
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u0hlat/comment/oqiqmxp/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u0hlat/comment/oqjsw4w/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u0hlat/comment/oqm5wur/
Maps Suggestions
This was a post I made on Reddit with a bunch of small VTT suggestions, that got a detailed response. I've included the suggestion and the response for the ones that were addressed.
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u2yh1l/maps_dd_beyond_vtt_ideas/
Response: https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u2yh1l/comment/or2eak5/
Other Comments
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u2hiy3/comment/oqymy6f/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u2hiy3/comment/or2s55w/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1twxvnj/comment/opw3mnw/
REF: https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/1phmm0i/comment/nt7chhu/
On Legends of Greyhawk publishers releasing a different region:
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u1ak0f/comment/oqqdabg/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u39o3i/comment/or45pcf/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u39o3i/comment/or45c37/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndbeyond/comments/1u0hlat/comment/oqiqquz/
Thanks as always for summarising these. Lot of interesting stuff in the pipeline but also a lot of "we hope we can do this after the rebuild" so fingers crossed they can deliver. As for the a la carte I can fully understand their explanation for removing it (even if I'd have liked some notice to scoop up a few more bits) and buying the individual pieces at $2 a time must create a lot of admin but I really hope that we at least get a return to being able to buy *all* the monsters from a book or *all* the subclasses without buying the book. That wouldn't be too far from the packets so hopefully doable and I think it would satisfy a lot of people
Yes, Thank you!
I went and read the original on Reddit, and they were not as easy to read as when you summarize them.
All of your summaries are great.
It is very helpful :)
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.