I know this has been answered many times in the past already, but I just want to ask (with D&D beyond merging with WOTC) if I could use my real life books for D&D on D&D beyond with some sort of key in them.
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The only current exception is the Essentials Kit. It also includes a coupon for 50% off the PHB.
While it's possible that WotC might change how this works once the acquisition goes through, I wouldn't count on it. The likelihood is that it won't, and it'll be a long while before anything changes even if they do. If there is a change, I'd expect it to coincide with the 2024 launch.
I've been wrong before, so take it as you will.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I know this has been answered many times in the past already, but I just want to ask (with D&D beyond merging with WOTC) if I could use my real life books for D&D on D&D beyond with some sort of key in them.
Wizards would lose too much money though if they gave you a free version of a book digitally just because you bought the physical version. People wouldn't need to buy it on DDB if they could just scan it in. Also, if they were using codes theirs the theft problem.
But yeah, as others have mentioned, you can always copy and paste official classes/subclasses/other stuff that you dont have access to into hombrew.
Even is WOTC eventually provides a code for free access to content on DDB with purchase of a physical book (something I highly doubt will happen; I think a discount code is more likely), I cannot see them also granting access for previous purchases before such a system is created. It would be a nightmare to find an effecient verification system that wasn’t easily fooled.
No and most likely never. The only way they really could do it even if they want to, for either a free digital copy or even just a discount would be to include a code in the physical books. That means that the books have to be sealed up so that code is not accessible until you buy it. That means potential buyers cannot flip through the book in the store before they decide to buy it, and this is a thing that many people want to do before dropping $30-$50 on a book. That also means extra packaging costs (which would add to the price) and also that stores would have to keep said books behind the counter or in a locked case or such because people will open the package while nobody is looking to get the single use code out of it then the store is out the money for the book because nobody's going to want to pay for a product that only has half the content, because it's obvious that code isn't good anymore. That means extra work for the store and that is not going to motivate them to carry the product. It simply isn't practical.
Also, a book on DDB isn't just a pdf of the pages scanned in. It's part of the greater D&D Beyond service and integrating it as such takes time and money, specifically in the form of coding that content into said service and also the perpetual hosting and maintenance of that content along with the rest of the service. DDB is absolutely not the zero overhead cost source of free money that many people think it is. Yes, it's profitable, but a big reason for that is that a great deal of time and money has been invested into making it a product and service that people will pay money for. That's how business works and it's how actual people pay their bills and buy their food (it's also how Hasbro executives and shareholders inflate their bank accounts but good luck convincing corporate types to stop taking a majority of the profit that they had no part in actually producing, that's a globally systemic issue).
So it won't happen.
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I know this has been answered many times in the past already, but I just want to ask (with D&D beyond merging with WOTC) if I could use my real life books for D&D on D&D beyond with some sort of key in them.
No.
Maybe someday. A long time from now.
But right now?
No.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
You can use all your D&D hardcopy on D&D Beyond, the key is manual entry in the homebrew tools.
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The only current exception is the Essentials Kit. It also includes a coupon for 50% off the PHB.
While it's possible that WotC might change how this works once the acquisition goes through, I wouldn't count on it. The likelihood is that it won't, and it'll be a long while before anything changes even if they do. If there is a change, I'd expect it to coincide with the 2024 launch.
I've been wrong before, so take it as you will.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Wizards would lose too much money though if they gave you a free version of a book digitally just because you bought the physical version. People wouldn't need to buy it on DDB if they could just scan it in. Also, if they were using codes theirs the theft problem.
But yeah, as others have mentioned, you can always copy and paste official classes/subclasses/other stuff that you dont have access to into hombrew.
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HERE.Even is WOTC eventually provides a code for free access to content on DDB with purchase of a physical book (something I highly doubt will happen; I think a discount code is more likely), I cannot see them also granting access for previous purchases before such a system is created. It would be a nightmare to find an effecient verification system that wasn’t easily fooled.
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
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No and most likely never. The only way they really could do it even if they want to, for either a free digital copy or even just a discount would be to include a code in the physical books. That means that the books have to be sealed up so that code is not accessible until you buy it. That means potential buyers cannot flip through the book in the store before they decide to buy it, and this is a thing that many people want to do before dropping $30-$50 on a book. That also means extra packaging costs (which would add to the price) and also that stores would have to keep said books behind the counter or in a locked case or such because people will open the package while nobody is looking to get the single use code out of it then the store is out the money for the book because nobody's going to want to pay for a product that only has half the content, because it's obvious that code isn't good anymore. That means extra work for the store and that is not going to motivate them to carry the product. It simply isn't practical.
Also, a book on DDB isn't just a pdf of the pages scanned in. It's part of the greater D&D Beyond service and integrating it as such takes time and money, specifically in the form of coding that content into said service and also the perpetual hosting and maintenance of that content along with the rest of the service. DDB is absolutely not the zero overhead cost source of free money that many people think it is. Yes, it's profitable, but a big reason for that is that a great deal of time and money has been invested into making it a product and service that people will pay money for. That's how business works and it's how actual people pay their bills and buy their food (it's also how Hasbro executives and shareholders inflate their bank accounts but good luck convincing corporate types to stop taking a majority of the profit that they had no part in actually producing, that's a globally systemic issue).
So it won't happen.