I've had multiple ideas for classes that I've wanted to make, but I cannot in dndbeyond because of their limitations. I always end up going to a different website to make it, or just using docs. I really think it would benefit them to let us create homebrew classes.
Think of this issue in the way of RPG video games. I love kotor, dragon age, fallout, etc., but they aren't perfect fantasy sandboxes. The developers can only program so many possibilities when working with game engines. They can't be infinitely flexible. Dndbeyond does the same thing with its platform. To expand the scope of their product past official classes to potentially infinite classes would make the system exponentially harder to implement. You're better off running homebrew classes on pen and paper.
I'm with donkleberg on this: DDB could implement homebrew classes, but it'd probably feel a lot like having to use Custom Lineage every time you wanted to homebrew a race (which you don't, just trying to find an analogy). The option would be there, but I personally would be too frustrated with the limitations to get any real value out of it.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I'm with donkleberg on this: DDB could implement homebrew classes, but it'd probably feel a lot like having to use Custom Lineage every time you wanted to homebrew a race (which you don't, just trying to find an analogy). The option would be there, but I personally would be too frustrated with the limitations to get any real value out of it.
I could see it being possible, but at the end of the day it would be a faustian bargain. They would have to drop systems that have a few choices, but good functionality, for essentially text boxes with almost no functionality other than to be readable. So digital pen and paper.
I seem to remember somewhere, maybe a DDB YouTube video where they said that basically we use the same system to home brew that they do to make everything here, except we don’t have access to all features. If they opened the system up to home brew with all the same tools they have (like for making home brew classes) you could inadvertently change something that could basically break existing classes or just break the site.
Or something to that effect. Unless I’m misremembering the video.
I seem to remember somewhere, maybe a DDB YouTube video where they said that basically we use the same system to home brew that they do to make everything here, except we don’t have access to all features. If they opened the system up to home brew with all the same tools they have (like for making home brew classes) you could inadvertently change something that could basically break existing classes or just break the site.
That can't be a thing. For one thing because the system is open with all the same tools they have already, just not for full classes, and for another because it'd be a terrible way to have things set up.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
DnD beyond has amazing features and tons of homebrew options. But for some reason, we can't create homebrew classes. Does anyone know why?
Because this would require some serious developmental effort, providing the flexibility to allow users to automate any special rules or abilities, giving them the ability to literally make up anything would be impossible. Remember many of the hidden benefits of classes and subclasses directly work themselves out in the character sheet, they are not just walls of text that players use.
DnD beyond has amazing features and tons of homebrew options. But for some reason, we can't create homebrew classes. Does anyone know why?
Because this would require some serious developmental effort, providing the flexibility to allow users to automate any special rules or abilities, giving them the ability to literally make up anything would be impossible. Remember many of the hidden benefits of classes and subclasses directly work themselves out in the character sheet, they are not just walls of text that players use.
I have been playing D&D since 7th grade, starting with Advanced D&D 2e and then playing 3/3.5e... but I skipped 4e when I was in college because I liked 3.5e too much and didn't want to spend all of that money to re-buy all my books, assuming they even had 4e counterparts. I'm now in my 30s and I recently started to play 5e to try it out.
After now playing 3.5e and 5e, I can say there are multiple things I like and things I dislike about 5e. D&D Beyond and its connective ability to Roll20 is it's biggest selling point, among the other changes I liked for 5e... but there are still enough problems with the changes in 5e that have prevented me from wanting to invest a lot of money in all of the digital content, paid subscription, and DM account.
However, being able to do Homebrew classes and subclasses would give me the ability to rectify most of my issues I have with 5e, and then invest hundreds of dollars in all of the digital content, paid subscription, and DM account; and put a rest to my 3.5e books and gaming. Until we get Homebrew classes and subclasses... looks like it's 3.5e and Pathfinder for me.
I have a terrible memory. Part of my brain says there are set 5e rules for homebrewing classes, but another part of my brain says that there aren't any solidly set rules for homebrewing classes.
If it's the former - set rules for creating a homebrew class, it's a possibility (not an easy one, but still a possibility).
If it's the latter - rules too vague to create a consolidated programmatic method, DDB won't (and shouldn't) do it.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
What is it that you want to make that you cannot make now?
If you want to make super flex everything then maybe look at a system that lets you super customize and flex everything. I'm not trying to be flippant, it's just that D&D is D&D. It has certain rules that are core to making the game what it is. There are games that have no class ;)
But seriously, Feats and Spells only cover the extras but not the foundations. Still if there are no officials rules for something so core to the gameplay, DDB is simply not allowed to do it. My brain can't decide if there are or aren't. I never paid much attention to alternate rules outside of Ch. 8/9 of DMG and I have no recollection of custom classes in those chapters.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
DnD beyond has amazing features and tons of homebrew options. But for some reason, we can't create homebrew classes. Does anyone know why?
Because there are enough classes and subclasses to cover all fantasy eventualities :-)
Not. Even. Close.
I mean you can reflavor anything as anything, but mechanically there are chunks missing.
I'm still unable to recreate my ideal set of characters. Genielock brought it a chunk closer though.
Then again parts of that are flaws with the system. The pieces are there, but the system prevents them being stuck together.
I've had multiple ideas for classes that I've wanted to make, but I cannot in dndbeyond because of their limitations. I always end up going to a different website to make it, or just using docs. I really think it would benefit them to let us create homebrew classes.
Think of this issue in the way of RPG video games. I love kotor, dragon age, fallout, etc., but they aren't perfect fantasy sandboxes. The developers can only program so many possibilities when working with game engines. They can't be infinitely flexible. Dndbeyond does the same thing with its platform. To expand the scope of their product past official classes to potentially infinite classes would make the system exponentially harder to implement. You're better off running homebrew classes on pen and paper.
I'm with donkleberg on this: DDB could implement homebrew classes, but it'd probably feel a lot like having to use Custom Lineage every time you wanted to homebrew a race (which you don't, just trying to find an analogy). The option would be there, but I personally would be too frustrated with the limitations to get any real value out of it.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I could see it being possible, but at the end of the day it would be a faustian bargain. They would have to drop systems that have a few choices, but good functionality, for essentially text boxes with almost no functionality other than to be readable. So digital pen and paper.
I seem to remember somewhere, maybe a DDB YouTube video where they said that basically we use the same system to home brew that they do to make everything here, except we don’t have access to all features. If they opened the system up to home brew with all the same tools they have (like for making home brew classes) you could inadvertently change something that could basically break existing classes or just break the site.
Or something to that effect. Unless I’m misremembering the video.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
That can't be a thing. For one thing because the system is open with all the same tools they have already, just not for full classes, and for another because it'd be a terrible way to have things set up.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Because this would require some serious developmental effort, providing the flexibility to allow users to automate any special rules or abilities, giving them the ability to literally make up anything would be impossible. Remember many of the hidden benefits of classes and subclasses directly work themselves out in the character sheet, they are not just walls of text that players use.
Because this would require some serious developmental effort, providing the flexibility to allow users to automate any special rules or abilities, giving them the ability to literally make up anything would be impossible. Remember many of the hidden benefits of classes and subclasses directly work themselves out in the character sheet, they are not just walls of text that players use.
I have been playing D&D since 7th grade, starting with Advanced D&D 2e and then playing 3/3.5e... but I skipped 4e when I was in college because I liked 3.5e too much and didn't want to spend all of that money to re-buy all my books, assuming they even had 4e counterparts. I'm now in my 30s and I recently started to play 5e to try it out.
After now playing 3.5e and 5e, I can say there are multiple things I like and things I dislike about 5e. D&D Beyond and its connective ability to Roll20 is it's biggest selling point, among the other changes I liked for 5e... but there are still enough problems with the changes in 5e that have prevented me from wanting to invest a lot of money in all of the digital content, paid subscription, and DM account.
However, being able to do Homebrew classes and subclasses would give me the ability to rectify most of my issues I have with 5e, and then invest hundreds of dollars in all of the digital content, paid subscription, and DM account; and put a rest to my 3.5e books and gaming. Until we get Homebrew classes and subclasses... looks like it's 3.5e and Pathfinder for me.
I have a terrible memory. Part of my brain says there are set 5e rules for homebrewing classes, but another part of my brain says that there aren't any solidly set rules for homebrewing classes.
If it's the former - set rules for creating a homebrew class, it's a possibility (not an easy one, but still a possibility).
If it's the latter - rules too vague to create a consolidated programmatic method, DDB won't (and shouldn't) do it.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
What is it that you want to make that you cannot make now?
If you want to make super flex everything then maybe look at a system that lets you super customize and flex everything. I'm not trying to be flippant, it's just that D&D is D&D. It has certain rules that are core to making the game what it is. There are games that have no class ;)
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Who wouldn't want a raging Monk? 😜
But seriously, Feats and Spells only cover the extras but not the foundations. Still if there are no officials rules for something so core to the gameplay, DDB is simply not allowed to do it. My brain can't decide if there are or aren't. I never paid much attention to alternate rules outside of Ch. 8/9 of DMG and I have no recollection of custom classes in those chapters.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
Probably because wizards doesn't want to be outperformed.
I just a my chef class...
You know this is.... D&D right? It is a super flex everything TTRPG.
D&D is. D&D Beyond, not so much.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Oh sorry! Meant to reply to someone else. D&DB is still pretty flexible though it just doesn't have classes.