First thing I would do is set up your own game in which you can create and edit your characters. This game will not be publicly listed unless you make it so.
1) To do this, go to Games > Start New Game.
2) Call it something like Test Server and select the D&D 5E by Roll20 character sheet.
3) Then save and enter your game. In there, go to the Journal tab at the top of the chat bar.
4) To add a character sheet, go to Add > Character.
5) Open the character sheet and rename it Blank Character Sheet
The best thing to do now, is to set up a generic blank character sheet that you can copy for character creation. I personally like to add some generic macros to mine, so that I can easily access some basic rolls such as Initiative, saving throws, and my attacks, with 1 click. And then I don't need to have my sheet open all the time while I'm playing.
Generic Macros: (macros that all characters should have)
Macros are organized in the macro bar alphabetically so I like to prefix them like (A#:Attacks/Actions, B#:ExtraDamage (Sneak Attack, Hunter's Mark), C#:Initiative, D#:ST:ABI (saving throws)). Select your token to access your macro bar.
To add macros, go in your character sheet to the Attributes & Abilities tab. Under Abilities, click Add.
Also ensure the check mark for the token bar is selected.
6) Duplicate the newly set up blank sheet by opening the sheet and clicking Edit in the top right corner of the sheet window. Click Duplicate. It would probably be a good idea just to have a few extra copies.
Copying the sheet this way will copy any of the macros you have in place.
7) To create a character, follow this video guide:
7a) I'd add your equipment from the compendium before you generate your attacks, because adding a weapon from the compendium will automatically add the attack to your attack section.
8) You can then add some macros more specific to your character.
Specific Macros:
Macro Name = A1:AttackName @{repeating_attack_$0_rollbase}
The $0 means it is the 1st item in the Attacks & Spellcasting section of your character sheet. $1 is the 2nd item, $2 is the 3rd, and so on.
Macro Name = B1:BonusDamageRolls &{template:dmg} {{rname=Hunter's Mark}} {{dmg1flag=1}} {{dmg1=[[1d6]]}} {{dmg1type=Slashing}}
This part is optional. Edit the bold parts. In some cases you can create another attack and add the bonus damage to the attack configuration. For example, let's say you have a Longbow attack. You can make another Longbow attack and add a 2nd damage type.
Advanced options:
If you want a macro to prompt you for a choice, add the following bold text in place of the dice roll.
Macro Name = B2:Smite &{template:dmg} {{rname=Smite}} {{dmg1flag=1}} {{dmg1=[[?{Slot Level|1,2d8|2,3d8|3,4d8|4+,5d8}]]}} {{dmg1type=Radiant}}
This would then prompt you to choose the level of spell slot you used when doing a smite and roll the appropriate damage.
9) In the top right of the edit character window, click Edit.
10) Under permissions, make sure All Players can view (necessary) and edit (optional) the character. When you export the character to another game, if you have both set to All Players you'll be able to edit and control your token without any further actions by the DM of that game. If you leave the edit permission empty, the DM will have to assign you the permissions to do so.
11) Upload a picture for your token graphic. Square or circle images are recommended.
12) Save the character settings.
13) Drag your character from the journal (drag it by the name, not the image) to the map.
14) Select the token and open the token options by clicking on the gear icon.
15) Set the character's first name in the name box
16) Set the character's hit point current/max or use the dropdown to select hp.
17) Add any other limited resources (like superiority dice) to the left box, but leave the max blank unless you want to display a bar above your token indicating how much of that resource you've used.
18) Open the character sheet again and click Edit again.
19) With the token selected, click Use Selected Token. This will save all your token customization to the character sheet. And these custom token settings will be exported to other games automatically.
20) Save the character settings.
21) Finally, return to the Roll20 main page and go to your Character Vault.
22) Import your character from your Test Server game. From this screen, you will be able to export your fully optimized character sheet to any games you join.
Important Note
You cannot export characters from your vault to a game you create unless you have the All Access Vault level, which requires a subscription. So you can export your characters from your test server to the vault for free. But you can't export them from your vault to your test server without the subscription.
Player Tips: (Player Basics)
This video also explains how you can open your character sheet and click on saves, skills, attacks, etc and have them automatically roll or post an entry into the chat.
Looking for games to play?
For the most part you can find games in the Games > Join a Game page.
If you're looking for some Adventurer's League games, I'd check out the following resources:
Video (as in your webcam) is usually not used. Audio is usually done through Discord, but will sometimes be done with Skype. A lot of the time, audio will be required.
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Roll20 would also have its own integrated voice/video chat, but in my personal experience it's not enormously stable or reliable yet (last time I tried around a month ago, and my own webcam image was completely de-centered, making only 1/3 of myself visible, and the audio was not great either). Hopefully they will fix it soon.
In my party we usually use Skype, for the video capabilities as we like to see each other in the face as well, but in terms of audio-only Discord is better (more stable and with more options, aside from a better overall channel chat). Discord as well would have its own video chat, but it's a bit limited at the moment, and not entirely stable either. Another alternative (for both audio and video) could be Hangouts, but i've never used it for roleplaying (yet).
Other than that, Roll20 is a really good toolset for VTT, and me and my group are enjoying it very much.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
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Player Tips: (Creating Characters)
First thing I would do is set up your own game in which you can create and edit your characters. This game will not be publicly listed unless you make it so.
1) To do this, go to Games > Start New Game.
2) Call it something like Test Server and select the D&D 5E by Roll20 character sheet.
3) Then save and enter your game. In there, go to the Journal tab at the top of the chat bar.
4) To add a character sheet, go to Add > Character.
5) Open the character sheet and rename it Blank Character Sheet
The best thing to do now, is to set up a generic blank character sheet that you can copy for character creation. I personally like to add some generic macros to mine, so that I can easily access some basic rolls such as Initiative, saving throws, and my attacks, with 1 click. And then I don't need to have my sheet open all the time while I'm playing.
Generic Macros: (macros that all characters should have)
Macros are organized in the macro bar alphabetically so I like to prefix them like (A#:Attacks/Actions, B#:ExtraDamage (Sneak Attack, Hunter's Mark), C#:Initiative, D#:ST:ABI (saving throws)). Select your token to access your macro bar.
To add macros, go in your character sheet to the Attributes & Abilities tab. Under Abilities, click Add.
Also ensure the check mark for the token bar is selected.
Here is a useful tool to generate macros: https://codepen.io/Sillvva/full/xeXXRd
6) Duplicate the newly set up blank sheet by opening the sheet and clicking Edit in the top right corner of the sheet window. Click Duplicate. It would probably be a good idea just to have a few extra copies.
Copying the sheet this way will copy any of the macros you have in place.
7) To create a character, follow this video guide:
7a) I'd add your equipment from the compendium before you generate your attacks, because adding a weapon from the compendium will automatically add the attack to your attack section.
8) You can then add some macros more specific to your character.
Specific Macros:
Macro Name = A1:AttackName
@{repeating_attack_$0_rollbase}
The $0 means it is the 1st item in the Attacks & Spellcasting section of your character sheet. $1 is the 2nd item, $2 is the 3rd, and so on.
Macro Name = B1:BonusDamageRolls
&{template:dmg} {{rname=Hunter's Mark}} {{dmg1flag=1}} {{dmg1=[[1d6]]}} {{dmg1type=Slashing}}
This part is optional. Edit the bold parts. In some cases you can create another attack and add the bonus damage to the attack configuration. For example, let's say you have a Longbow attack. You can make another Longbow attack and add a 2nd damage type.
Advanced options:
If you want a macro to prompt you for a choice, add the following bold text in place of the dice roll.
Macro Name = B2:Smite
&{template:dmg} {{rname=Smite}} {{dmg1flag=1}} {{dmg1=[[?{Slot Level|1,2d8|2,3d8|3,4d8|4+,5d8}]]}} {{dmg1type=Radiant}}
This would then prompt you to choose the level of spell slot you used when doing a smite and roll the appropriate damage.
9) In the top right of the edit character window, click Edit.
10) Under permissions, make sure All Players can view (necessary) and edit (optional) the character. When you export the character to another game, if you have both set to All Players you'll be able to edit and control your token without any further actions by the DM of that game. If you leave the edit permission empty, the DM will have to assign you the permissions to do so.
11) Upload a picture for your token graphic. Square or circle images are recommended.
12) Save the character settings.
13) Drag your character from the journal (drag it by the name, not the image) to the map.
14) Select the token and open the token options by clicking on the gear icon.
15) Set the character's first name in the name box
16) Set the character's hit point current/max or use the dropdown to select hp.
17) Add any other limited resources (like superiority dice) to the left box, but leave the max blank unless you want to display a bar above your token indicating how much of that resource you've used.
18) Open the character sheet again and click Edit again.
19) With the token selected, click Use Selected Token. This will save all your token customization to the character sheet. And these custom token settings will be exported to other games automatically.
20) Save the character settings.
21) Finally, return to the Roll20 main page and go to your Character Vault.
22) Import your character from your Test Server game. From this screen, you will be able to export your fully optimized character sheet to any games you join.
Important Note
You cannot export characters from your vault to a game you create unless you have the All Access Vault level, which requires a subscription. So you can export your characters from your test server to the vault for free. But you can't export them from your vault to your test server without the subscription.
Player Tips: (Player Basics)
This video also explains how you can open your character sheet and click on saves, skills, attacks, etc and have them automatically roll or post an entry into the chat.
Looking for games to play?
For the most part you can find games in the Games > Join a Game page.
If you're looking for some Adventurer's League games, I'd check out the following resources:
Voice Servers:
Useful Tools:
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I was just wondering, do you need to use video and audio for roll20??
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ModeratorVideo (as in your webcam) is usually not used. Audio is usually done through Discord, but will sometimes be done with Skype. A lot of the time, audio will be required.
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Thanks for this. I might have to use it in the near future.
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Thank you very much. I was just wondering cause some people I play with don't have a cam and we aren't quite talkers so I just wanted to make sure.
Roll20 would also have its own integrated voice/video chat, but in my personal experience it's not enormously stable or reliable yet (last time I tried around a month ago, and my own webcam image was completely de-centered, making only 1/3 of myself visible, and the audio was not great either). Hopefully they will fix it soon.
In my party we usually use Skype, for the video capabilities as we like to see each other in the face as well, but in terms of audio-only Discord is better (more stable and with more options, aside from a better overall channel chat). Discord as well would have its own video chat, but it's a bit limited at the moment, and not entirely stable either.
Another alternative (for both audio and video) could be Hangouts, but i've never used it for roleplaying (yet).
Other than that, Roll20 is a really good toolset for VTT, and me and my group are enjoying it very much.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Thank you for posting those links!
I can't seem to find where 5th Edition (OGL by Roll 20) is. Should I just use a random set?
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ModeratorThanks for reminding me about this post! I've updated the original post with the current sheet name called D&D 5E by Roll20.
Due to the COVID-19 situation and lots of events being cancelled, I'm going to run through the thread above and update it.
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