i had dnd insider for about 3 months when a group of us wanted to play and learn DnD on our own and it was a huge resource. However, we put a stop to it because we couldn't justify paying for a service we could do ourselves. (we mainly got it to ensure we were adding our bonuses from armor and weapons correctly) Especially with google being able to look up a lot of questions and monsters just as fast if not faster than insider could. I find it hard to own the monster manual, players handbook, and DM book as well as throwing more money towards DnD for 'simplicity' sake. Is it a great idea..yes. Is it a wonderful site..absolutley. Will I use it in my games..no doubt. But as stated before, a $10 fee can get you a lot nowadays and to justify 120 dollars a year seems out of hand to me when i've done just fine without it, and as previously stated, google could do.
furthermore: even some monsters such as displacer beast, and beholder are under copyright laws and can't be added. But not if you have google. All stats and pictures are right there. Yet again, something free and easily accessible on my phone does exist (at least as far as a 'monster manual' is involved, but also as far as 'conditions').
"D&D" is copyright too... It isn't a matter of copyright it is a matter of making the books worth buying, after all this is a WoTC endorsed product. Also, to be completely blunt using google to find stats for non SRD monsters is stealing/piracy. I don't see how anyone can say this product won't be worth $10 a year, at least as it has been represented so far. I mean think about it, people pay $10/month for Netflix and anywhere between $50-$100 a month for TV. That being said, I can 100% see why people wouldn't want to buy the books again, and I wouldn't either if it is priced at retail.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
So you are telling me that a giant monkey can beat the KING OF MONSTERS!? Do you want me to hate you?
I haven't followed this conversation from the beginning but was wondering if there has been any discussion of including or discounting the DnDBeyond service with an Amazon Prime account? Amazon=Twitch=Curse after all it would be a nice perk for those of use who already pay amazon a hundred bucks a year for free shipping on our DnD book purchases.
Owning all the books for the heroes I want to build already.... The only issue I have is with a good character builder or sheet. Now the question begins with... If you already own all the books... Why pay for beyond. if I didn't already have the books I could see it. But already owning the books and wanting to Ave a couple minutes on my sheet... Yeah probably voicing what a ton of others have already said.
And btw. II'm not a fan of electronic dice rolls. I feel like it straps away something from the game not using real dice. So a feature set for those that want it would be cool but useless for someone like me. :-/
Yeah I've bought every book too... Well except for that coloring book. Pretty sure my wife will get me that for my birthday. That said I think there is a place for a subscription here on top of the books. Particularly if it collates all that book content in one place AND adds content not in the books. Like releasing small adventure modules, new monsters, and magic items on the system as part of a content feed would be great. Campaign management and reference only goes so far. For all of DnD 5e's design goals of streamlining tabletop play there is only so much value in a tool that just lets me build encounters or reference what magic items my players are going to use. If this tool is going to be nothing but a reference option or a management tool it should have come out with the launch of the PHB because I'm positive most DMs have figured out how to do that stuff already.
My biggest fear is having to buy all the books all over again.. I really wish wizards would get with the time and give us some sort of digital code with our books, but i guess its too late for that now.
Maybe 6e will start with something like that.
I'd much prefer a one time fee or some sort of lifetime subscription.
The digital code idea would be a great start, but I would still like to see credit/or very deep discounts given to users that purchased Fantasy Grounds Editions of the modules/electronic rules sets. If DNDBeyond ends up being another Insider and does not have the integrated Rule Sets with Official Material/Game Table - I see no reason to consider purchasing a subscription.
Someone mentioned it earlier - holding their vote until we see what kind of bang we get for our buck - and how many bucks is it going to re-cost us (Again)?
I've been playing d and d for 25 years. It all comes down to making it easier and fun for the dm. A happy dm, makes for a fun adventure. unhappy dm, no adventure. Make maps and dungeons making easy. ie, click drag drop tavern here. make accessing multiple monsters in a conflict easy. lots of npc's already made up to use. can monster stats change. ie level 4 skeleton barbarian. loving the post and site. great job. I would pay for features like these
I can understand the need to pay for content, but surely something needs to be tied in with the purchase of the books. Like others, I have the core books, plus Starter set, Hoard, CoS, Volo's, and FR guide and have Yawning portal on pre-order. I would probably continue to purchase further publications (I like my real books) if relevant to me. However, it would feel like paying for content twice.
I think have little issue with paying a one off fee or small subscription BUT, would like some sort of recognition of having bought the books. The convenience of having the information online is probably worth some sort of fee, especially when character sheets / encounter building or other more interactive stuff comes available - can't wait to try that out!
It is difficult to place a vote without having an indication of the potential costs involved.
Will i be able to transfer books and stuff. Or will i loose all and have to pay again?
Or will i own it offline and have no problem changing account?
I understand that the subscription might be linked to a account, but that should just be for the monthly fee and not for the rest that i have payed for.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I'm not stupid. I'm just unlucky when I'm thinking.
Echoing what others have said. Until we can see what the system will have, it is hard to say what I would be willing to pay for.
If the program turns out to be basically a SRD, it would be annoying to pay for it. Especially when competitors (like Pathfinder) have free SRD's.
If the system has a great character builder, easy to use DM tools, great mobile support, ability to link your character sheet with your DM's campaign. I would likely pay for that.
Price point again, would be based off what ends up in the final product of this play test.
I don't see how anyone can say this product won't be worth $10 a year, at least as it has been represented so far. I mean think about it, people pay $10/month for Netflix and anywhere between $50-$100 a month for TV. That being said, I can 100% see why people wouldn't want to buy the books again, and I wouldn't either if it is priced at retail.
Ok..i'll retract my statement. If its $10 a year i am all for it. But only if the mobile application is easier to navigate. I have accessed it several times and currently would hate to use it. And i will have my phone and my fight club 5 app out already, i wouldn't mind have dndbeyond.com up as well to help. However, to lug my laptop around to utilize my money wisely seems a bit much, even for ten bucks.
However, i would assume that if they are going to do a once a year subscription it will be more than $10. But i truly hope i am wrong and they take your post seriously.
was wondering if there has been any discussion of including or discounting the DnDBeyond service with an Amazon Prime account? Amazon=Twitch=Curse after all it would be a nice perk for those of use who already pay amazon a hundred bucks a year for free shipping on our DnD book purchases.
This is a great idea. I assume they will push for a monthly subscription way more than a one time shot. That being said, i think if your already involved and giving money they should give some sort of discount as a show of loyalty. (sadly however, they will most likely not because all companies want money and if they can get multiple monies from you from multi angles, they will)
I own physical copies of every 5e book WoTC has put out thus far.
I have no issue paying a subscription -BUT- if paying a subscription doesn't garner me free access to online versions of that very same content I won't be bothering. I'm not buying the same thing twice!
A big part of why I haven't gotten heavily involved with VTT platforms like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds is because I can't imagine having to pay for all the material over again. As someone who primarily plays in-person campaigns (one as a DM, the other as a PC), the physical books are far more valuable to me than the system-specific material for Roll20 and FG. While I would be slightly more inclined to pay for the material again through DND Beyond (I can take it with me everywhere I go, it's not tied to a specific VTT platform) I'd still be pretty unhappy about it. If it's covered by a reasonable monthly subscription, sure, I could deal with that. But if I have to shell out another $40/book, not a chance. I just can't afford it, and I don't see how the benefit would justify the cost. Personally, I've never understood why the publishing industry hasn't embraced digital codes like the recording industry has. If I buy a book, include a code for the ebook version--or in this case, the DND Beyond content. That'd be ideal.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder) Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
I really don't think the monthly fee is for book access. It sounds like it is for advanced play features like it says home brew and more character slots. Probably dm tools too like encounter generators stuff like that. It seems clear they plan to sell digital resources for one time fee. And the fact that they talk about only buying what you need sounds like unlocking additional options in the character creator. Hopefully if you buy s whole book it unlocks all those options in the character creator. They could have a premium subscription that unlocks everything.
So you are telling me that a giant monkey can beat the KING OF MONSTERS!? Do you want me to hate you?
I haven't followed this conversation from the beginning but was wondering if there has been any discussion of including or discounting the DnDBeyond service with an Amazon Prime account? Amazon=Twitch=Curse after all it would be a nice perk for those of use who already pay amazon a hundred bucks a year for free shipping on our DnD book purchases.
Owning all the books for the heroes I want to build already.... The only issue I have is with a good character builder or sheet. Now the question begins with... If you already own all the books... Why pay for beyond. if I didn't already have the books I could see it. But already owning the books and wanting to Ave a couple minutes on my sheet... Yeah probably voicing what a ton of others have already said.
And btw. II'm not a fan of electronic dice rolls. I feel like it straps away something from the game not using real dice. So a feature set for those that want it would be cool but useless for someone like me. :-/
Yeah I've bought every book too... Well except for that coloring book. Pretty sure my wife will get me that for my birthday. That said I think there is a place for a subscription here on top of the books. Particularly if it collates all that book content in one place AND adds content not in the books. Like releasing small adventure modules, new monsters, and magic items on the system as part of a content feed would be great. Campaign management and reference only goes so far. For all of DnD 5e's design goals of streamlining tabletop play there is only so much value in a tool that just lets me build encounters or reference what magic items my players are going to use. If this tool is going to be nothing but a reference option or a management tool it should have come out with the launch of the PHB because I'm positive most DMs have figured out how to do that stuff already.
My biggest fear is having to buy all the books all over again.. I really wish wizards would get with the time and give us some sort of digital code with our books, but i guess its too late for that now.
Maybe 6e will start with something like that.
I'd much prefer a one time fee or some sort of lifetime subscription.
The digital code idea would be a great start, but I would still like to see credit/or very deep discounts given to users that purchased Fantasy Grounds Editions of the modules/electronic rules sets. If DNDBeyond ends up being another Insider and does not have the integrated Rule Sets with Official Material/Game Table - I see no reason to consider purchasing a subscription.
Someone mentioned it earlier - holding their vote until we see what kind of bang we get for our buck - and how many bucks is it going to re-cost us (Again)?
I've been playing d and d for 25 years. It all comes down to making it easier and fun for the dm. A happy dm, makes for a fun adventure. unhappy dm, no adventure. Make maps and dungeons making easy. ie, click drag drop tavern here. make accessing multiple monsters in a conflict easy. lots of npc's already made up to use. can monster stats change. ie level 4 skeleton barbarian. loving the post and site. great job. I would pay for features like these
I can understand the need to pay for content, but surely something needs to be tied in with the purchase of the books. Like others, I have the core books, plus Starter set, Hoard, CoS, Volo's, and FR guide and have Yawning portal on pre-order. I would probably continue to purchase further publications (I like my real books) if relevant to me. However, it would feel like paying for content twice.
I think have little issue with paying a one off fee or small subscription BUT, would like some sort of recognition of having bought the books. The convenience of having the information online is probably worth some sort of fee, especially when character sheets / encounter building or other more interactive stuff comes available - can't wait to try that out!
It is difficult to place a vote without having an indication of the potential costs involved.
I would prefer to pay for the books again as digital content if the Beyond was free.
To use Beyond as a holder, so i can use the books in the best possible way.
I'm not stupid. I'm just unlucky when I'm thinking.
Will the books and stuff be bound to account?
What happens if i want to change twitch account.
Will i be able to transfer books and stuff. Or will i loose all and have to pay again?
Or will i own it offline and have no problem changing account?
I understand that the subscription might be linked to a account, but that should just be for the monthly fee and not for the rest that i have payed for.
I'm not stupid. I'm just unlucky when I'm thinking.
Good questions. I'm sure much of it will be answered as the account details are revealed.
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I'm flexible about the details.
But if my homebrew info can't be exported easily if(when) they ever shut the service down, that is a no-go.
Echoing what others have said. Until we can see what the system will have, it is hard to say what I would be willing to pay for.
If the program turns out to be basically a SRD, it would be annoying to pay for it. Especially when competitors (like Pathfinder) have free SRD's.
If the system has a great character builder, easy to use DM tools, great mobile support, ability to link your character sheet with your DM's campaign. I would likely pay for that.
Price point again, would be based off what ends up in the final product of this play test.
Rev. 6:8
I paid $25-40 for every book that I bought on Amazon. Retail is for suckers.
I own physical copies of every 5e book WoTC has put out thus far.
I have no issue paying a subscription -BUT- if paying a subscription doesn't garner me free access to online versions of that very same content I won't be bothering. I'm not buying the same thing twice!
A big part of why I haven't gotten heavily involved with VTT platforms like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds is because I can't imagine having to pay for all the material over again. As someone who primarily plays in-person campaigns (one as a DM, the other as a PC), the physical books are far more valuable to me than the system-specific material for Roll20 and FG. While I would be slightly more inclined to pay for the material again through DND Beyond (I can take it with me everywhere I go, it's not tied to a specific VTT platform) I'd still be pretty unhappy about it. If it's covered by a reasonable monthly subscription, sure, I could deal with that. But if I have to shell out another $40/book, not a chance. I just can't afford it, and I don't see how the benefit would justify the cost. Personally, I've never understood why the publishing industry hasn't embraced digital codes like the recording industry has. If I buy a book, include a code for the ebook version--or in this case, the DND Beyond content. That'd be ideal.
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
I really don't think the monthly fee is for book access. It sounds like it is for advanced play features like it says home brew and more character slots. Probably dm tools too like encounter generators stuff like that. It seems clear they plan to sell digital resources for one time fee. And the fact that they talk about only buying what you need sounds like unlocking additional options in the character creator. Hopefully if you buy s whole book it unlocks all those options in the character creator. They could have a premium subscription that unlocks everything.
q
It will be interesting what they mean by more character slots.
Can i save my old characters as a file locally and just have the one i run right now?
Or do i have to delete characters that i dont use right now? And then create it again when i need it.
Cant wait to get more info about character creation, accounts and payment options.
I'm not stupid. I'm just unlucky when I'm thinking.