Hey all! I'm looking into buying the Player's Handbook online from DDB rather than a physical copy due to costs. However I notice DDB has subscriptions as well. So I need opinions/advice please!
Mainly I'd like to know, if I purchase the PHB from DDB, are all the backgrounds/subclasses/feats etc included in that purchase? And if they aren't, are they included if I were to purchase the Hero Tier subscription?
Also, which you think is better to have. I.e. just the digital or physical book or the online subscription.
The subscriptions and sourcebook/adventures are two completely different things here. Purchasing a subscription will get you more character slots, the ability to add homebrew to your collection, remove ads, and content sharing if you purchase the Master Tier.
The individual sourcebook or adventures will grant you the use of everything in those books to use with your character.
If you're just going to be a player I'd say buy the PHB to give yourself all the core options for character building. Then, if you enjoy this hobby you can look into the annual subscription and additional digital books.
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Lightning Strike - A rebranded Fire Bolt for Wizards & Sorcerers.
Spirit Bomb - A holy fireball for Clerics, Paladins, & Divine Soul Sorcerers!
Sword Dancer - A Cleric subclass specifically for the Drow goddess Eilistraee.
If I were on a budget, I would get the digital PHB. It has all the same content as the physical PHB, but you can use it with the character builder without having to homebrew the PHB classes, races etc. A hero tier subscription gets you very little in terms of functionality, without any of the books.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
If you purchase the “full version” of the digital PHB you will not only unlock everything to use with the digital character sheet here on DDB, but you will also be able to download the PHB using the free DDB reader app so you can use it offline. It’s like an e-reader.
The decision should likely be based on how much you're going to use DDB for your character creation and gaming. If you're in a position to use a tablet for everything I would say buying Digital for all the books is probably your best bet. If not or if you're an eccentric like me I prefer to have the books physically in hand. But I think the decision should be based on how much you intend to use the site.
As others have said, a subscription here does not get you access to content, but rather to other benefits.
I have much of the content on DDB, and I have access to many of the physical books as well. (My son prefers physical books over digital versions and has many of the physical books). Having access to both is nice, but if I had to choose between them, I would go with digital form, both for convenience (I can carry all the books on my ipad or laptop) and for the toolset here.
You might find the buyer's guide linked in my signature handy. It's long, but the bold phrases should help you skim quickly so you only have to fully read the sections that pertain to you.
Hey all! I'm looking into buying the Player's Handbook online from DDB rather than a physical copy due to costs. However I notice DDB has subscriptions as well. So I need opinions/advice please!
Mainly I'd like to know, if I purchase the PHB from DDB, are all the backgrounds/subclasses/feats etc included in that purchase? And if they aren't, are they included if I were to purchase the Hero Tier subscription?
Also, which you think is better to have. I.e. just the digital or physical book or the online subscription.
Thanks!
The Subscriptions on DDB have nothing to do with Content purchases. If you buy the PHB, or any other book, you get all it's content .... without any need to subscribe.
Case in point: myself. I recently bought the Sourcebook Bundle (cha-ching and/or ouch, but ... heh!). I do not have a subscription of any sort (yet), but I can use the Character Builder, accessing all of the not-inconsiderable amount of content I have unlocked. I can, of course, also peruse all of those rules at my liesure.
The only thing a lack of any subscription means to me, is:
I can only have six characters created and saved at one time (requires a Hero subscription to have more);
I cannot use Homebrew content, except my own (requires a Hero subscription);
I cannot Share my content with others via a Campaign (requires a Master subscription)
Hey all! I'm looking into buying the Player's Handbook online from DDB rather than a physical copy due to costs. However I notice DDB has subscriptions as well. So I need opinions/advice please!
Mainly I'd like to know, if I purchase the PHB from DDB, are all the backgrounds/subclasses/feats etc included in that purchase? And if they aren't, are they included if I were to purchase the Hero Tier subscription?
Also, which you think is better to have. I.e. just the digital or physical book or the online subscription.
Thanks!
The subscriptions and sourcebook/adventures are two completely different things here. Purchasing a subscription will get you more character slots, the ability to add homebrew to your collection, remove ads, and content sharing if you purchase the Master Tier.
The individual sourcebook or adventures will grant you the use of everything in those books to use with your character.
If you're just going to be a player I'd say buy the PHB to give yourself all the core options for character building. Then, if you enjoy this hobby you can look into the annual subscription and additional digital books.
Lightning Strike - A rebranded Fire Bolt for Wizards & Sorcerers.
Spirit Bomb - A holy fireball for Clerics, Paladins, & Divine Soul Sorcerers!
Sword Dancer - A Cleric subclass specifically for the Drow goddess Eilistraee.
Quicksilver & The Scarlet Witch - A pair of magical firearms for your Gunslinger or Artificer.
If I were on a budget, I would get the digital PHB. It has all the same content as the physical PHB, but you can use it with the character builder without having to homebrew the PHB classes, races etc. A hero tier subscription gets you very little in terms of functionality, without any of the books.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Subscriptions do not unlock content!
If you purchase the “full version” of the digital PHB you will not only unlock everything to use with the digital character sheet here on DDB, but you will also be able to download the PHB using the free DDB reader app so you can use it offline. It’s like an e-reader.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
The decision should likely be based on how much you're going to use DDB for your character creation and gaming. If you're in a position to use a tablet for everything I would say buying Digital for all the books is probably your best bet. If not or if you're an eccentric like me I prefer to have the books physically in hand. But I think the decision should be based on how much you intend to use the site.
As others have said, a subscription here does not get you access to content, but rather to other benefits.
I have much of the content on DDB, and I have access to many of the physical books as well. (My son prefers physical books over digital versions and has many of the physical books). Having access to both is nice, but if I had to choose between them, I would go with digital form, both for convenience (I can carry all the books on my ipad or laptop) and for the toolset here.
You might find the buyer's guide linked in my signature handy. It's long, but the bold phrases should help you skim quickly so you only have to fully read the sections that pertain to you.
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;
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The Subscriptions on DDB have nothing to do with Content purchases. If you buy the PHB, or any other book, you get all it's content .... without any need to subscribe.
Case in point: myself. I recently bought the Sourcebook Bundle (cha-ching and/or ouch, but ... heh!). I do not have a subscription of any sort (yet), but I can use the Character Builder, accessing all of the not-inconsiderable amount of content I have unlocked. I can, of course, also peruse all of those rules at my liesure.
The only thing a lack of any subscription means to me, is:
... end of list.
Thanks for the insight everyone!! I really appreciate it!