Hello folks! I would love to try being a DM on Roll20 but i honestly find the amount of stuff you could do with the interface intimidating. Can anyone recommend a good guide to the basics or somesuch?
Hello folks! I would love to try being a DM on Roll20 but i honestly find the amount of stuff you could do with the interface intimidating. Can anyone recommend a good guide to the basics or somesuch?
They have a tutorial on their website.....
I am absolutely aware of that! However, it didn't really work for me -- which is why I was asking for something else!
I had to go through their tutorial a few times (and play a few sessions) to get used to it, but I'm not sure how much more there really is to it. A few features like grid alignment isn't in there, but the basics of using their website/app are. Is there a specific part that you aren't understanding?
I had to go through their tutorial a few times (and play a few sessions) to get used to it, but I'm not sure how much more there really is to it. A few features like grid alignment isn't in there, but the basics of using their website/app are. Is there a specific part that you aren't understanding?
I think I just didn't get on with the way the tutorial was laid out. It went a little in depth too quickly and i lost the tutorial 'prompt' at one point, so I couldn't continue it. I'd prefer to just read through something first so I wasn't getting lost in the menus, if that makes sense!
Have you checked out their wiki yet? There's a Crash Course section that might be closer to what you're looking for. A quick google also shows a lot of Youtube tutorials and other websites like this one that seem to explain a lot of it.
Have you checked out their wiki yet? There's a Crash Course section that might be closer to what you're looking for. A quick google also shows a lot of Youtube tutorials and other websites like this one that seem to explain a lot of it.
I'll take a look at those, thank you! It was a good few months ago that I first searched, and a lot of the youtube videos I turned up then were either a little... dry, to put it politely, or rambly. Maybe I just need to drink five energy drinks and give myself an incentive to get through it.
The best thing for me was to just use it, honestly. Like, in the tutorial, or make your own campaign, and then just spend a few minutes/hours playing around.
I normally DM (but I do sometimes play) and I've toyed around with Roll20 though I do prefer the fact to face interaction that DnD used to bring and would rather stick with that. It just seems more atmospheric and nicer/friendlier. I don't know. I'm just an old fashioned player who'd prefer to stick with the old table, pizza and dice.
One of the trickiest parts of Roll20 is getting the tokens set up correctly, it's one of the things my DM struggles with (half the time I'm setting things up and importing them into his game).
The only downside of Roll20 is lack of non-verbal communication, even with web cameras (which our group don't use even). It's said that 70% of human communication is facial expressions, gestures, tonal changes and other non-verbal stuff which makes it bit more difficult over voice chat.
But on every other department I think VTT is superior. I don't need to spend time to travel, every minute spent is potential gaming time. It's so much easier to recruit exactly the type of players you like when you're free of geographical constraints. Tools available for Roll20 make running the game so much easier and though there seems to be a lot or prepping to do, all of it actually pays back during the game.
If you are fit in descriptive/ narrative playstiles Google hangouts works fine as well. The guys over at Table Top terrors use it for their sessions.
But if you need the maps or your players just dont work well without it, then Roll20 is better for a non descriptive stile of gaming as it makes the interaction with maps and items easier.
The DnD twitch shows that I watch usually use Zoom, so there's another option. Interesting how few people seem to use Skype anymore.
One of the trickiest parts of Roll20 is getting the tokens set up correctly, it's one of the things my DM struggles with (half the time I'm setting things up and importing them into his game).
If he wants or needs helps, there are a few DM's for Roll20 that have gotten together to help get stuff simply and quickly resolved. we have group to do walk through, and brainstorming and "best practices", tips, tools, and tricks.
I'm a new DM in general. Running the beginners box for some friends on Roll20. I have watched a lot of Roll20 games on twitch or YouTube, and learn bits and pieces from there. Or playing around without the players present. I find getting the light sources can be hard.
One of the guys who does a lot of Dming is Adam Koebel. He did a number of short tutorial on how to use Roll20. They might help...
Roll20 is the only way I have ever played DnD. I have a horrible work schedule and could not find a local group that had a game time that fit with my free time. I probably would never have started playing DnD if not for Roll20.
I had to go through their tutorial a few times (and play a few sessions) to get used to it, but I'm not sure how much more there really is to it. A few features like grid alignment isn't in there, but the basics of using their website/app are. Is there a specific part that you aren't understanding?
Have you checked out their wiki yet? There's a Crash Course section that might be closer to what you're looking for. A quick google also shows a lot of Youtube tutorials and other websites like this one that seem to explain a lot of it.
The best thing for me was to just use it, honestly. Like, in the tutorial, or make your own campaign, and then just spend a few minutes/hours playing around.
I normally DM (but I do sometimes play) and I've toyed around with Roll20 though I do prefer the fact to face interaction that DnD used to bring and would rather stick with that. It just seems more atmospheric and nicer/friendlier. I don't know. I'm just an old fashioned player who'd prefer to stick with the old table, pizza and dice.
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Skype is a resource hog, so I expect that is why it's going out of fashion!
we have group to do walk through, and brainstorming and "best practices", tips, tools, and tricks.
He'd be welcome - have him PM me on there.
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I'm a new DM in general. Running the beginners box for some friends on Roll20. I have watched a lot of Roll20 games on twitch or YouTube, and learn bits and pieces from there. Or playing around without the players present. I find getting the light sources can be hard.
One of the guys who does a lot of Dming is Adam Koebel. He did a number of short tutorial on how to use Roll20. They might help...
https://youtu.be/djT-5NN5kd0
Roll20 is the only way I have ever played DnD. I have a horrible work schedule and could not find a local group that had a game time that fit with my free time. I probably would never have started playing DnD if not for Roll20.
Player here
I just like that I can be a lazy roller. Just click a button and all the maths are done for me! Push. All. The. Buttons!