Text reads: D&D Beyond AMA. Image displays a pensive Owlin in the foreground, as two magic students practice their craft in the background.
Welcome to our monthly D&D Beyond Staff AMA! Each month we bring one of our team members to answer questions here in our forums about themselves and their work with D&D Beyond.
The first guest for May 2022 is Dave Hartless (he/him), the VP of Engineering for D&D Beyond. Dave will be answering questions throughout his workday on Monday, May 2nd, between the hours of 07:00 - 16:00 PT / 09:00 - 17:00 CST (when is this for me?). We know that D&D Beyond has an international audience, so you can begin asking your questions now! The thread will be closed when Jared gives his last answer.
Who is Dave Hartless?
Dave Hartless is the VP of Engineering for D&D Beyond, and has been with the product since it first started. He works out of the main D&D Beyond office in Hunstville, AL. Dave will be continuing with the product along with the rest of DDB team in our transition to Wizards of the Coast!
What is an AMA?
AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything" - it's a thread on our forums, where you can go ahead and ask questions, and I'll answer them. Your questions can be anything from serious stuff about D&D Beyond, to general chat about what snacks Dave defaults to when he needs a quick mid-day pick-me-up.
AMA Guidelines
Please do not reply to nor answer the questions of other users, let our guest answer the questions given to them.
Unless more clarification is needed to properly answer your question, please refrain from asking follow-up questions to avoid clutter in the thread.
Remain respectful of our guest and their time. They will be answering questions throughout their regular workday, answers will not be instantaneous. While guests will try to answer every question, their department with the company may not be the right one for your inquiry. We will work to have guests from different departments each month.
I guess the big question on everyone's minds is "What changes will we see in D&D Beyond due to the Wizards of the Coast ownership?" I realize that you can't mention specifics or new features at this time, but will we see more employees at D&D Beyond? A change in the forums? More content? New features coming more often?
What is planned for new website updates? Also, are you working on homebrew classes, homebrew folders, and/or what homebrew you can use when creating a character in a campaign (like, what user’s homebrew you want to use)?
Has there been any talk about adding friendly NPC designations, NPC modifications (changing names w/o homebrew), or rolling random encounters on the encounter builder?
When monsters of the multiverse drops will it replace my current races or will these be new options to choose? Some of the changes are fine, but others will not be well received at my table...
I guess the big question on everyone's minds is "What changes will we see in D&D Beyond due to the Wizards of the Coast ownership?" I realize that you can't mention specifics or new features at this time, but will we see more employees at D&D Beyond? A change in the forums? More content? New features coming more often?
I expected this question to be at the top of everyone's minds. Two of us spent last week at Wizards' office in Renton with members of the current D&D team. While we didn't come away with a specific list of things for a roadmap (yet), we are having high-level discussions about what the next couple of years will look like. The ability to work as part of the D&D team is going to be extremely beneficial to DDB. We will have insight into upcoming releases much further in advance than we used to which will allow us to plan more effectively.
Although it may take several weeks to solidify a new roadmap as part of the overall D&D team, I have no doubt that the acquisition of DDB is the best thing for DDB, its users, and the team.
What is planned for new website updates? Also, are you working on homebrew classes, homebrew folders, and/or what homebrew you can use when creating a character in a campaign (like, what user’s homebrew you want to use)?
As someone who did a lot of work on the current homebrew systems in the first year, I acknowledge that their level of functionality is lacking. While we don't have anything currently planned in the near term for things like homebrew classes, a new feature that our Characters team is working on called the Generic Feature System, will get us closer to that reality than where we are today.
Has there been any talk about adding friendly NPC designations, NPC modifications (changing names w/o homebrew), or rolling random encounters on the encounter builder?
Better NPC handling in the Encounters system and having pre-built encounters (including from random tables) is something that we've discussed. We'll have to see where improvements like that fall in the roadmap after we get through with the transition from Fandom to Wizards.
When monsters of the multiverse drops will it replace my current races or will these be new options to choose? Some of the changes are fine, but others will not be well received at my table...
Monsters of the Multiverse is a little different from earlier sourcebooks that might have issued a change to an existing "thing". All previous monster versions will still be available for you to use if you currently have access to them, and they will display a "legacy" tag. The new versions in Multiverse will be separate for users to use as they see fit. A complete FAQ for what's going to happen with the Monsters of the Multiverse release can be found here.
What is planned for new website updates? Also, are you working on homebrew classes, homebrew folders, and/or what homebrew you can use when creating a character in a campaign (like, what user’s homebrew you want to use)?
As someone who did a lot of work on the current homebrew systems in the first year, I acknowledge that their level of functionality is lacking. While we don't have anything currently planned in the near term for things like homebrew classes, a new feature that our Characters team is working on called the Generic Feature System, will get us closer to that reality than where we are today.
What do you mean by “Generic Feature System”? Also, thanks!
Has there been any talk about adding friendly NPC designations, NPC modifications (changing names w/o homebrew), or rolling random encounters on the encounter builder?
Better NPC handling in the Encounters system and having pre-built encounters (including from random tables) is something that we've discussed. We'll have to see where improvements like that fall in the roadmap after we get through with the transition from Fandom to Wizards.
More options in the Encounters system sounds good. Are there other DM tools in the works?
What is planned for new website updates? Also, are you working on homebrew classes, homebrew folders, and/or what homebrew you can use when creating a character in a campaign (like, what user’s homebrew you want to use)?
As someone who did a lot of work on the current homebrew systems in the first year, I acknowledge that their level of functionality is lacking. While we don't have anything currently planned in the near term for things like homebrew classes, a new feature that our Characters team is working on called the Generic Feature System, will get us closer to that reality than where we are today.
What do you mean by “Generic Feature System”? Also, thanks!
The Generic Feature System is a system we're working on to allow us to composite class features more easily, and in a more extensible manner, when constructing the concepts that make up a character.
Has there been any talk about adding friendly NPC designations, NPC modifications (changing names w/o homebrew), or rolling random encounters on the encounter builder?
Better NPC handling in the Encounters system and having pre-built encounters (including from random tables) is something that we've discussed. We'll have to see where improvements like that fall in the roadmap after we get through with the transition from Fandom to Wizards.
More options in the Encounters system sounds good. Are there other DM tools in the works?
There may be some other tools that are being considered, but nothing that I can share publicly yet.
What is the best part of working for dndbeyond and I guess WOTC?
Building a system that helps players stay immersed in their characters/worlds. Have we done enough yet, in that regard, no. But that is my personal motivation since we started, and what I get the most enjoyment from.
Text reads: D&D Beyond AMA. Image displays a pensive Owlin in the foreground, as two magic students practice their craft in the background.
Welcome to our monthly D&D Beyond Staff AMA! Each month we bring one of our team members to answer questions here in our forums about themselves and their work with D&D Beyond.
The first guest for May 2022 is Dave Hartless (he/him), the VP of Engineering for D&D Beyond. Dave will be answering questions throughout his workday on Monday, May 2nd, between the hours of 07:00 - 16:00 PT / 09:00 - 17:00 CST (when is this for me?). We know that D&D Beyond has an international audience, so you can begin asking your questions now! The thread will be closed when Jared gives his last answer.
Who is Dave Hartless?
Dave Hartless is the VP of Engineering for D&D Beyond, and has been with the product since it first started. He works out of the main D&D Beyond office in Hunstville, AL. Dave will be continuing with the product along with the rest of DDB team in our transition to Wizards of the Coast!
What is an AMA?
AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything" - it's a thread on our forums, where you can go ahead and ask questions, and I'll answer them. Your questions can be anything from serious stuff about D&D Beyond, to general chat about what snacks Dave defaults to when he needs a quick mid-day pick-me-up.
AMA Guidelines
I guess the big question on everyone's minds is "What changes will we see in D&D Beyond due to the Wizards of the Coast ownership?" I realize that you can't mention specifics or new features at this time, but will we see more employees at D&D Beyond? A change in the forums? More content? New features coming more often?
https://sayeth.itch.io/
What is planned for new website updates? Also, are you working on homebrew classes, homebrew folders, and/or what homebrew you can use when creating a character in a campaign (like, what user’s homebrew you want to use)?
It pronounced Den Sake. It is not Japanese.
Website character sheet not working fix (Hopefully)
Semi-Expert at homebrew, just ask for my help.
Has there been any talk about adding friendly NPC designations, NPC modifications (changing names w/o homebrew), or rolling random encounters on the encounter builder?
When monsters of the multiverse drops will it replace my current races or will these be new options to choose? Some of the changes are fine, but others will not be well received at my table...
Hi all!
I'm excited to spend some time with you all today and have some fun discussions. With that, let's jump in to some of the first questions.
I expected this question to be at the top of everyone's minds. Two of us spent last week at Wizards' office in Renton with members of the current D&D team. While we didn't come away with a specific list of things for a roadmap (yet), we are having high-level discussions about what the next couple of years will look like. The ability to work as part of the D&D team is going to be extremely beneficial to DDB. We will have insight into upcoming releases much further in advance than we used to which will allow us to plan more effectively.
Although it may take several weeks to solidify a new roadmap as part of the overall D&D team, I have no doubt that the acquisition of DDB is the best thing for DDB, its users, and the team.
As someone who did a lot of work on the current homebrew systems in the first year, I acknowledge that their level of functionality is lacking. While we don't have anything currently planned in the near term for things like homebrew classes, a new feature that our Characters team is working on called the Generic Feature System, will get us closer to that reality than where we are today.
Better NPC handling in the Encounters system and having pre-built encounters (including from random tables) is something that we've discussed. We'll have to see where improvements like that fall in the roadmap after we get through with the transition from Fandom to Wizards.
Monsters of the Multiverse is a little different from earlier sourcebooks that might have issued a change to an existing "thing". All previous monster versions will still be available for you to use if you currently have access to them, and they will display a "legacy" tag. The new versions in Multiverse will be separate for users to use as they see fit. A complete FAQ for what's going to happen with the Monsters of the Multiverse release can be found here.
I am the Inquisitor Imperitus. I am judge, jury, and executioner. Draw your last breath now, as I send you to the Nine Hells.
As someone who did a lot of work on the current homebrew systems in the first year, I acknowledge that their level of functionality is lacking. While we don't have anything currently planned in the near term for things like homebrew classes, a new feature that our Characters team is working on called the Generic Feature System, will get us closer to that reality than where we are today.
What do you mean by “Generic Feature System”? Also, thanks!
It pronounced Den Sake. It is not Japanese.
Website character sheet not working fix (Hopefully)
Semi-Expert at homebrew, just ask for my help.
More options in the Encounters system sounds good. Are there other DM tools in the works?
The Generic Feature System is a system we're working on to allow us to composite class features more easily, and in a more extensible manner, when constructing the concepts that make up a character.
I am the Inquisitor Imperitus. I am judge, jury, and executioner. Draw your last breath now, as I send you to the Nine Hells.
There may be some other tools that are being considered, but nothing that I can share publicly yet.
I am the Inquisitor Imperitus. I am judge, jury, and executioner. Draw your last breath now, as I send you to the Nine Hells.
What is the best part of working for dndbeyond and I guess WOTC?
¯\_🤠_/¯
When will the missing content from the books be added?
Sidekicks from Tasha"s
Draconic Gifts from Fizbin's
Building a system that helps players stay immersed in their characters/worlds. Have we done enough yet, in that regard, no. But that is my personal motivation since we started, and what I get the most enjoyment from.
I am the Inquisitor Imperitus. I am judge, jury, and executioner. Draw your last breath now, as I send you to the Nine Hells.