We appreciate your interest and participation in the first phase of the DDB beta. We are committed to be your digital D&D source - a toolset that enhances the Dungeons & Dragons experience for all players. To pull that off, we need your help. Thanks for answering the call!
D&D is more popular now than ever, and it's no secret that the fifth edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game has seen incredible success. In my discussions with the D&D team, comments from other players, and my own experience, a common theme emerges - the comprehensive playtesting prior to launch made the difference. We want to walk that same path as we set out on this journey. If it isn't broke, you know?
This also informed our decision to open the beta to everyone. The more players we can get to engage and provide feedback the better!
Beta Phases
The beta will have three major phases to focus testing on specific features prior to launch this summer:
Phase 1 - Compendium, Listings, and Forums
Phase 2 - Character Builder and Character Sheet
Phase 3 - Homebrew Integration and Campaign Management
These are major features, but not everything that will be available at launch. Other content and features will also be pushed to beta status as they are ready to test.
We will provide updates as each phase goes live. Also look for more specifics and feature previews all along the way.
What's available in Phase One?
At this point, you can use all basic rules content in the Compendium, the three major Listings (Spells, Magic Items, and Monsters), and share feedback and talk all things D&D here in the Forums.
I've been using this stuff for a couple of months at my own table, and it's already hard to live without. We wanted to go ahead and share it with everyone else.
It's beta. Will I lose anything along the way?
We have no plans to "wipe" anything that you create or use during the beta before launch. This is less relevant for Phase One since all the content is reference material, but it applies to later phases.
Where and how can I provide feedback or ask questions?
To share your feedback or ask questions concerning the beta, create a new thread in the Beta Testing & Feedback forum. To report a bug or any other issues, create a thread in the Bugs & Support forum.
Also feel free to let your voice be heard in our other forums.
To the big one first - Phase 2 is not quite ready to enter testing, but it's getting closer each day. No release date to share as of yet.
We have talked many times internally about getting our current builds out to the community to start the testing process now as opposed to waiting for a more polished build. Unfortunately, the way that the world looks at beta testing has changed to a point where for players it often means "you better bring your 'A' game or I'm not coming back." While the character builder and sheet will not be perfect when they're released, we certainly want them to be closer than where we are as of today. We're well aware that many people will swarm the site once again (or come to it anew) as soon as Phase 2 drops - we have to do what we can to let the builder and sheet make a good impression.
Rest assured, we are still talking weeks and we'll certainly launch with everything this summer as originally announced. I ask for everyone to hang in there a little longer - it's all for the best.
As for Phase 3, it is actually as close (if not closer) to done as the builder and the sheet. In fact, we could have conceivably released what's in Phase 3 before we release Phase 2. The problem is, homebrew and campaign management (in its first iteration) won't be as valuable without the integration with character management coming from the second phase.
I'm bringing this up mainly to assure the community that the wait for Phase 3 once Phase 2 hits will without a doubt be significantly shorter than the wait between the first two phases. We will move from Phase 3 to launch (where everyone will be able to finally move beyond the Basic Rules/ SRD content) quickly after.
What we need is a couple of countdown clocks for the last two phases.
But like your download timer, and they randomly give both hope and desperation.
2 weeks! 4weeks! 2 days! 6 weeks!
7 years! 394 thousand decades! (Wait, am I doing this right?)
Sadly having countdown clocks will end up causing more chaos if they ever need to move out the release of a Beta phase. As Badeye mentioned, they are still committed to a Summer release, so we wont need to wait years for the rest.
excited to see phase two. Keep up the good work!
soon.
but how soon?
Just soon. I don't really know, that's what everyone says.
Latest phase 2 news: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/beta-testing-feedback/3125-beta-report-first-60-days
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Amen!
Welcome to phase 1 of the D&D Beyond Beta.
when is phase 2 going tho happen
"Soon-ish." Like maybe in the next few weeks unless it gets pushed back again.
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There wasn't, but as I understood it (maybe wrongly?), Phase 2 was expected "a few weeks ago"......a few weeks ago.
If you people who want to know when phase 2 comes out, read back... that question has been asked.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
What we need is a couple of countdown clocks for the last two phases.
But like your download timer, and they randomly give both hope and desperation.
2 weeks! 4weeks! 2 days! 6 weeks!
- Stu
#6321 on Discord.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
realy longing for the next phase
Haha, just having a dig..
but just remember, summer is a lot further away for some of us.. winter is coming down here in the bottom part of the world.
- Stu
#6321 on Discord.
For those of you at the lower half of the world, maybe a winter release?