So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there https://showbox.tools/?
Flicking through any of the D&D books on an iPad or PC via D&D Beyond is far more convenient than doing it with the paper versions IMO. Also, the physical D&D 5E books are printed on paper that isn't the best. Again, this is IMO.
Longer answer: Beyond has a number of very useful features that make it easy to get started playing. The two most notable are:
1. The character creation system, which is very straightforward and does most all of the math for you (you have to manually remember to add things like barbarian rage damage when you roll dice, but that’s not that big of a deal). it also only gives you “legal” options, so, while the characters might not be as optimised as an expert player can make, you can at least be sure the character is compliant with the rules.
2. The encounter builder, which is a great tool for a new DM. The encounter builder consists of two parts - creating the encounter and running it. During creation, it lets you know how dangerous an encounter will be to your party - this system is not 100% accurate (frankly, saying it is 50% accurate would be generous), but it at least provides a brand new DM some guidance while they get used to balancing an encounter on their own. Running the encounter is easy as well - it it lets you track initiative, view the monsters, keep track of monster health, see your players’ current health, etc.
Additionally, Beyond lets you buy things piecemeal - you do not have to buy a full book to get a single race or subclass, so everyone is able to purchase for themselves just what they want to play. That keeps the cost for everyone relatively low. Though you could also have one person purchase content and share it with a master tier subscription - the monetisation system on Beyond is fairly flexible and can work for all manner of different groups.
So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there?
It's handy, but not absolutely necessary. There's also enough stuff in the free rules that you can play actual D&D, just with fewer options.
While you do need to buy the books to use the stuff they contain, all you need is one person with a master-level subscription to make the campaign and turn on sharing, and then, as I understand it, everyone in the campaign gets to use books any of you have, just like if you were at the table in person. This means you can spread the costs. (It's not how the group I'm in operates, so I don't know exactly how it works.)
So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there?
It's handy, but not absolutely necessary. There's also enough stuff in the free rules that you can play actual D&D, just with fewer options.
While you do need to buy the books to use the stuff they contain, all you need is one person with a master-level subscription to make the campaign and turn on sharing, and then, as I understand it, everyone in the campaign gets to use books any of you have, just like if you were at the table in person. This means you can spread the costs. (It's not how the group I'm in operates, so I don't know exactly how it works.)
I'll confirm that this is how it works and, in my opinion, is one of the best features of D&D Beyond. With content sharing, everyone in the campaign has access in the compendium to the full content of any book(s) owned by anyone in the campaign, any character options in the book(s) in the Character Builder, and all the searchable listings under "Game Rules" in the top menu for everything in the book(s).
Plus, if anyone is worried about "secret info" getting to players like any adventures that are owned by the DM, sharing can be turned on or off per book.
So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there?
Hello Micchon,
Please see my sig for many free resources available for your use right here on DDB. If you like how these free resources work, then the paid content is more of the same. Additionally, you can homebrew almost whatever you want for free (information on this also in my sig). Welcome to the community, we hope you stay.
Worth it compared to what? Nothing? Well sure, if you like 5e.
Compared to physical copies? It really depends.
Pros:
It's easy to build characters.
You can keep it on your phone.
You can have multiple copies.
Monster stats are linked, so if you come to a fight, you can just click on the monster and be taken to its stat block.
It's cheaper.
Automatically updated.
You don't have to worry about physical damage.
You can buy things piecemeal.
Cons:
I find using cards much easier in combat. If you have multiple types of monsters, it gets to be a pain. Even just using a book, you can just use page savers. The app is much more challenging.
They will update your books...and you may not like what they've done. They probably won't do that to your physical books.
I've had problems with the app. Sometimes it decides that it's going to update (without checking that you're happy first), and then get stuck loading. Once I had to abandon my phone because I couldn't get it to just show the book I wanted. The app also doesn't like it when you switch windows and causes a minor nuisance - it's quite jealous of my web browser, apparently.
If you ever lose your books, that's your fault and mostly controllable. DDB could theoretically end your access any time.
I have to use at least two devices during a game. Because it's awkward to switch between the map and the key (which can, due its length, be a substantial distance away, I have to have my tablet showing the map and another to show the key so I know what's in the room they just entered.
Because it's web/app based, it's limited in what devices you can use - Apple or Android. My Surface can't use it offline, and my wife's e-reader can't use it all.
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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.
So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there?
I prefer DDB to hardcovers and find it quite worth it. But these links might help you make up your own mind:
To be honest, you might want to ask around elsewhere for other perspectives because we probably wouldn't be posting here if we didn't all use DDB in some way or another.
But yeah as much as I enjoy flipping through books, I find it pretty painful to play D&D without online resources at this point. Filtering, sorting, and searching through things like spell lists and monsters is just such a huge quality of life improvement that I'll never go back. I basically only switched to 5e because DDB was so nice to use and 4e's online resources were taken down.
Personally I would say no. I buy everything on Roll20 and have a pro subscription there. It has everything that dndbeyond has and much much more. The forums here though are hilarious and the only reason I come here.
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So my friends and I are looking to start a campaign but none of us have ever actually played before. Dnd Beyond looks super continent and useful but also like it might lock everything behind paywalls. In your opinion is it worth it to buy stuff there https://showbox.tools/?
Flicking through any of the D&D books on an iPad or PC via D&D Beyond is far more convenient than doing it with the paper versions IMO. Also, the physical D&D 5E books are printed on paper that isn't the best. Again, this is IMO.
Simple answer: Yes.
Longer answer: Beyond has a number of very useful features that make it easy to get started playing. The two most notable are:
1. The character creation system, which is very straightforward and does most all of the math for you (you have to manually remember to add things like barbarian rage damage when you roll dice, but that’s not that big of a deal). it also only gives you “legal” options, so, while the characters might not be as optimised as an expert player can make, you can at least be sure the character is compliant with the rules.
2. The encounter builder, which is a great tool for a new DM. The encounter builder consists of two parts - creating the encounter and running it. During creation, it lets you know how dangerous an encounter will be to your party - this system is not 100% accurate (frankly, saying it is 50% accurate would be generous), but it at least provides a brand new DM some guidance while they get used to balancing an encounter on their own. Running the encounter is easy as well - it it lets you track initiative, view the monsters, keep track of monster health, see your players’ current health, etc.
Additionally, Beyond lets you buy things piecemeal - you do not have to buy a full book to get a single race or subclass, so everyone is able to purchase for themselves just what they want to play. That keeps the cost for everyone relatively low. Though you could also have one person purchase content and share it with a master tier subscription - the monetisation system on Beyond is fairly flexible and can work for all manner of different groups.
It's handy, but not absolutely necessary. There's also enough stuff in the free rules that you can play actual D&D, just with fewer options.
While you do need to buy the books to use the stuff they contain, all you need is one person with a master-level subscription to make the campaign and turn on sharing, and then, as I understand it, everyone in the campaign gets to use books any of you have, just like if you were at the table in person. This means you can spread the costs. (It's not how the group I'm in operates, so I don't know exactly how it works.)
I'll confirm that this is how it works and, in my opinion, is one of the best features of D&D Beyond. With content sharing, everyone in the campaign has access in the compendium to the full content of any book(s) owned by anyone in the campaign, any character options in the book(s) in the Character Builder, and all the searchable listings under "Game Rules" in the top menu for everything in the book(s).
Plus, if anyone is worried about "secret info" getting to players like any adventures that are owned by the DM, sharing can be turned on or off per book.
Hello Micchon,
Please see my sig for many free resources available for your use right here on DDB. If you like how these free resources work, then the paid content is more of the same. Additionally, you can homebrew almost whatever you want for free (information on this also in my sig). Welcome to the community, we hope you stay.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
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Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
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Worth it compared to what? Nothing? Well sure, if you like 5e.
Compared to physical copies? It really depends.
Pros:
Cons:
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 prefer DDB to hardcovers and find it quite worth it. But these links might help you make up your own mind:
In addition, if you want to try out the game for free DDB makes it super easy with these free resources:
As always I recommend trying the game out for free before spending money on it.
Welcome to D&D!!
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
To be honest, you might want to ask around elsewhere for other perspectives because we probably wouldn't be posting here if we didn't all use DDB in some way or another.
But yeah as much as I enjoy flipping through books, I find it pretty painful to play D&D without online resources at this point. Filtering, sorting, and searching through things like spell lists and monsters is just such a huge quality of life improvement that I'll never go back. I basically only switched to 5e because DDB was so nice to use and 4e's online resources were taken down.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Personally I would say no. I buy everything on Roll20 and have a pro subscription there. It has everything that dndbeyond has and much much more. The forums here though are hilarious and the only reason I come here.