So to clarify if I buy FoundryVTT + Forge I can import my Ghosts of Saltmarsh from DDB (what about FGU or Roll20) into forge an voila it works in Foundry with all their bells and whistles?
There are a number of things to help with importing content from DDB > foundry. Adventure imports right now are the most lacking. There is a module that has not been well maintained and is hit or miss. As was mentioned KaKaRoTo is working on something for the forge but is not ready yet. Monster, Character , items, spells, etc are all easily imported in bulk with a foundry module called ddb-importer. There are foundry converters for Fantasy grounds and roll20 as well. These importers and converters do have a cost with them but its not that much, usually between $5-$7.
If you get a forge subscription come join us in the discord over there and we will help get you going.
I am thinking of trying Foundry VTT, I have a few questions for anyone that is currently using it.
If I pay the $50 for it as the DM do my players get access for free? Does it have dynamic lighting? If so is it easy to setup with custom maps? Does the lighting include, torch light, Darkvision (60, 90, 120) distances. What about monster tokens, does it include none, some, all from D&D 5e? Does it have a combat tracker?
Any pain points or anything missing that you think should be included with FoundryVTT? thanks for taking the time to reply.
1) Anyone can connect to a Foundry VTT licence holder's 'world' for free.
2) Yes it has dynamic lighting
3) If the maps are made properly, it's as simple as choosing the file in your folder, telling it what the ppi (pixels per inch) is and you're good to go. DungeonFog and DungeonDraft both export in a format that can be directly imported into Foundry VTT (and other VTT's I guess).
4) Foundry VTT includes light sources, of all kinds, with all kinds of effects.
5) Foundry VTT doesn't have a license from WotC to sell or distribute 5e content. Therefore they only have SRD content available and their own custom artwork for some of those SRD monsters. However, assigning a token to a creature is as simple choosing a map for the background. Pick the artwork from your folder.
6) Yes it has a combat tracker.
You can see most of what you're asking in action via youtube, for example this series meant to teach and showcase how to use Foundry VTT: Encounter Library
Foundry VTT also has an active discord with lots of enthusiastic members and helpful people that can answer all kinds of questions.
There are also Demo Worlds you can join to see firsthand how it works: DEMO worlds
If I pay the $50 for it as the DM do my players get access for free? -- YES
Does it have dynamic lighting? - YES
If so is it easy to setup with custom maps? - YES
Does the lighting include, torch light, Darkvision (60, 90, 120) distances. - YES - they call it something else (dim vision I think), but they can account for both darkvision and blindsight. You have to specify it on each token, or there are mods that automate it, although I can't say much about those because I just do it manually.
What about monster tokens, does it include none, some, all from D&D 5e? It does not include official D&D 5e pictures, because it is not an official partner with WOTC. You will have to import them, use the default ones provided (which are OK, but IMO, not great), or make your own.
Does it have a combat tracker? - YES. Much, much better than the one here. And mods to alter it if you need more.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Thanks for all the info that was very helpful regarding FoundryVTT
For your information, you can give Foundry a try for yourself on the Forge before buying a license. Our Explorer Mode lets you explore Foundry fully, so you can see how the interface works, dynamic lighting, etc..
The Explorer Mode creates a temporary Foundry license for you which lasts 1 hour, then once it expires, the game and its data are deleted, then you have a one hour cooldown before you can give it a try again to continue exploring if that first hour wasn't enough for you. See how it works here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJUIDvaqPcg
Youtube videos and guides are great (and they'll be very helpful for you while you explore Foundry), but hands on experience is invaluable. Also, it lets you poke at the various modules and how they can improve the experience, which is something you can't do on public demos.
I am a big fan of Maptool. I was researching vtt's a couple years ago and finally settled on Maptool because it is free. Our weekly session has been using it for years. I have been googleing best vtt's and it seems maptool is flying way under the radar. I encourage anyone who is looking for a free, no subscription, powerful VTT to do themselves a favor and check out Maptool.
I will join in the Necroposting because I do not see mention on ABOVEvtt - I have been using this for the last month or so, and it is a very powerful Chrome/Firefox Extension with great features that links with DnDBeyond for pretty seamless integration - It's free to boot ( though the developers do appreciate Patreon backers to fund the project ) It is dead simple to use, and has some nice built-in maps and they are improving on it constantly based off user feedback in their Discord.
Will add, having posted way back in time that we used Foundry, my group have switched to Abive VTT because it does all we need, seamlessly intergrates with DND beyond and allows me to use the encounter builder in DND beyond.
There are a number of things to help with importing content from DDB > foundry. Adventure imports right now are the most lacking. There is a module that has not been well maintained and is hit or miss. As was mentioned KaKaRoTo is working on something for the forge but is not ready yet. Monster, Character , items, spells, etc are all easily imported in bulk with a foundry module called ddb-importer. There are foundry converters for Fantasy grounds and roll20 as well. These importers and converters do have a cost with them but its not that much, usually between $5-$7.
If you get a forge subscription come join us in the discord over there and we will help get you going.
I am thinking of trying Foundry VTT, I have a few questions for anyone that is currently using it.
If I pay the $50 for it as the DM do my players get access for free? Does it have dynamic lighting? If so is it easy to setup with custom maps? Does the lighting include, torch light, Darkvision (60, 90, 120) distances. What about monster tokens, does it include none, some, all from D&D 5e? Does it have a combat tracker?
Any pain points or anything missing that you think should be included with FoundryVTT? thanks for taking the time to reply.
1) Anyone can connect to a Foundry VTT licence holder's 'world' for free.
2) Yes it has dynamic lighting
3) If the maps are made properly, it's as simple as choosing the file in your folder, telling it what the ppi (pixels per inch) is and you're good to go. DungeonFog and DungeonDraft both export in a format that can be directly imported into Foundry VTT (and other VTT's I guess).
4) Foundry VTT includes light sources, of all kinds, with all kinds of effects.
5) Foundry VTT doesn't have a license from WotC to sell or distribute 5e content. Therefore they only have SRD content available and their own custom artwork for some of those SRD monsters. However, assigning a token to a creature is as simple choosing a map for the background. Pick the artwork from your folder.
6) Yes it has a combat tracker.
You can see most of what you're asking in action via youtube, for example this series meant to teach and showcase how to use Foundry VTT: Encounter Library
Foundry VTT also has an active discord with lots of enthusiastic members and helpful people that can answer all kinds of questions.
There are also Demo Worlds you can join to see firsthand how it works: DEMO worlds
If I pay the $50 for it as the DM do my players get access for free? -- YES
Does it have dynamic lighting? - YES
If so is it easy to setup with custom maps? - YES
Does the lighting include, torch light, Darkvision (60, 90, 120) distances. - YES - they call it something else (dim vision I think), but they can account for both darkvision and blindsight. You have to specify it on each token, or there are mods that automate it, although I can't say much about those because I just do it manually.
What about monster tokens, does it include none, some, all from D&D 5e? It does not include official D&D 5e pictures, because it is not an official partner with WOTC. You will have to import them, use the default ones provided (which are OK, but IMO, not great), or make your own.
Does it have a combat tracker? - YES. Much, much better than the one here. And mods to alter it if you need more.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Thanks for all the info that was very helpful regarding FoundryVTT
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InsidersFor your information, you can give Foundry a try for yourself on the Forge before buying a license. Our Explorer Mode lets you explore Foundry fully, so you can see how the interface works, dynamic lighting, etc..
The Explorer Mode creates a temporary Foundry license for you which lasts 1 hour, then once it expires, the game and its data are deleted, then you have a one hour cooldown before you can give it a try again to continue exploring if that first hour wasn't enough for you. See how it works here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJUIDvaqPcg
Youtube videos and guides are great (and they'll be very helpful for you while you explore Foundry), but hands on experience is invaluable. Also, it lets you poke at the various modules and how they can improve the experience, which is something you can't do on public demos.
I hope that helps.
And I will add to the above, just use The Forge. It is awesome and so much easier than trying to deal with stuff yourself.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I own the Forge and like it but complexity is a bit high.
I have been using https://encounter.plus/ | Encounter Plus and like it's simplicity.
I am a big fan of Maptool. I was researching vtt's a couple years ago and finally settled on Maptool because it is free. Our weekly session has been using it for years. I have been googleing best vtt's and it seems maptool is flying way under the radar. I encourage anyone who is looking for a free, no subscription, powerful VTT to do themselves a favor and check out Maptool.
I will join in the Necroposting because I do not see mention on ABOVEvtt - I have been using this for the last month or so, and it is a very powerful Chrome/Firefox Extension with great features that links with DnDBeyond for pretty seamless integration - It's free to boot ( though the developers do appreciate Patreon backers to fund the project ) It is dead simple to use, and has some nice built-in maps and they are improving on it constantly based off user feedback in their Discord.
Also voting for AboveVTT. It's very simple, and works! Syncs with your D&DBeyond sub to load in maps you paid for, etc., which is another huge plus.
Will add, having posted way back in time that we used Foundry, my group have switched to Abive VTT because it does all we need, seamlessly intergrates with DND beyond and allows me to use the encounter builder in DND beyond.
AboveVTT all the way.
I don't think DnDBeyond has enough features to be a proper VTT but AboveVTT's integration with DDB fixes that - and it's FREE!!!!