There are a few things that I think would highly improve the usability of the DND Beyond website.
1 - the ability to create a list of additional languages to utilize in your homebrew campaign. Making this list accessible for character creation in campaigns that have the homebrew options selected would be additionally helpful.
2 - A "creation balancing comparing interface". When creating homebrew races, classes, items, etc. the current data entry screen is amazingly indepth for the more advanced designers to create anything they would like. This interface would be intended to allow users to compare the balance of creations against those in their available pool. Helping them see how well they integrate with source material. This is not meant to limit creations, just provide a guide for those wishing to utilize and streamline creating.
3 - The addition of an NPC Creator, not dissimilar from the Character Creator. While allowing for manual input of ability scores and other stats, the default would be based off the creature listing in the Monster Manual. The point here would be allowing Dungeon Masters to create and tweak unique NPCs that are in a separate list from the created characters that are not necessarily scaled as the heroes are.
What I have in mind isn't automating the balance, so much as creating a scale of comparison. For one example, if a drag and drop gui method were utilized possibly having a rating system of the spells, powers and abilities incorporated that can approximate the CR change of a Goblin that I have decided should be able to cast teleport, charm, and fireball compared to just guessing myself. Or for that matter a list of powers currently available in magical items to select from for the creation of hombrew magic items. Upon adding the power, the gui might list all items in the source material that utilizes that power, for example casting Freindship. The point of this would be to help gauge how rare the item might be in comparison to what already exists in the manuals. No it would not be perfect or exact but such an interface could help reduce the trial and error utilization.
For the NPCs, obviously utilizing stat blocks from the Monster Manual would be the simplest option. However, I have noticed that many players and DMs enjoy the feel of customized worlds or adventures. Even if I use the stats of a Bronze Dragon and all I am changing is some story elements, such as this dragon's hoard consists of Vampire Romance novels, it would be useful to be able to safe this NPC information for future reference in any campaigns I run. Without changing the method of creating new or variant Monsters, this would allow you to have any tweaked NPC be stat block based with story-line specifics saved to the DM's DND Beyond creations.
Of course this is perhaps all superfluous and I may be the only one who sees a benefit here, but that is what the poll is for.
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There are a few things that I think would highly improve the usability of the DND Beyond website.
1 - the ability to create a list of additional languages to utilize in your homebrew campaign. Making this list accessible for character creation in campaigns that have the homebrew options selected would be additionally helpful.
2 - A "creation balancing comparing interface". When creating homebrew races, classes, items, etc. the current data entry screen is amazingly indepth for the more advanced designers to create anything they would like. This interface would be intended to allow users to compare the balance of creations against those in their available pool. Helping them see how well they integrate with source material. This is not meant to limit creations, just provide a guide for those wishing to utilize and streamline creating.
3 - The addition of an NPC Creator, not dissimilar from the Character Creator. While allowing for manual input of ability scores and other stats, the default would be based off the creature listing in the Monster Manual. The point here would be allowing Dungeon Masters to create and tweak unique NPCs that are in a separate list from the created characters that are not necessarily scaled as the heroes are.
Option 2 isn't really possible, balance isn't something that could be automated (otherwise UA wouldn't need to go through playtest).
Option 3 already exists; NPCs just use monster stat blocks, usually a commoner. That's what I do when I need an NPC to have stats.
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Thank you for your feedback.
What I have in mind isn't automating the balance, so much as creating a scale of comparison. For one example, if a drag and drop gui method were utilized possibly having a rating system of the spells, powers and abilities incorporated that can approximate the CR change of a Goblin that I have decided should be able to cast teleport, charm, and fireball compared to just guessing myself. Or for that matter a list of powers currently available in magical items to select from for the creation of hombrew magic items. Upon adding the power, the gui might list all items in the source material that utilizes that power, for example casting Freindship. The point of this would be to help gauge how rare the item might be in comparison to what already exists in the manuals. No it would not be perfect or exact but such an interface could help reduce the trial and error utilization.
For the NPCs, obviously utilizing stat blocks from the Monster Manual would be the simplest option. However, I have noticed that many players and DMs enjoy the feel of customized worlds or adventures. Even if I use the stats of a Bronze Dragon and all I am changing is some story elements, such as this dragon's hoard consists of Vampire Romance novels, it would be useful to be able to safe this NPC information for future reference in any campaigns I run. Without changing the method of creating new or variant Monsters, this would allow you to have any tweaked NPC be stat block based with story-line specifics saved to the DM's DND Beyond creations.
Of course this is perhaps all superfluous and I may be the only one who sees a benefit here, but that is what the poll is for.