I'm planning to invest more effort in my NPCs for this campaign. There are a few that are likely to be long-term recurring NPCs and I'd like to create them fully using D&D Beyond. But...I'd prefer for the players not to see them. Is there any way to do this? I could just create an unrelated campaign, but that seems a bit kludgy...
i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
I just make a new copy for any campaign i want and tweak
Just following up. This will be very useful. I'll still create NPCs that need a more complete treatment in D&D Beyond as necessary, but this will be nice for campaign organization.
i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
I just make a new copy for any campaign i want and tweak
Just following up. This will be very useful. I'll still create NPCs that need a more complete treatment in D&D Beyond as necessary, but this will be nice for campaign organization.
In my opinion, I would try to avoid creating NPCs like PCs. When running a game, I find using monster stat blocks to be easier than using a character sheet. Stat blocks are easier on your browser/phone/computer, and you are not constrained by the character builder (e.g.: you can create a level 20 necromancer Wizard with all the bells and whistles of a level 20 undying Warlock using a monster stat block; if you use the character builder, you are limited to a total of 20 levels). I do agree that using the character builder to build NPCs is a lot easier though, but I think putting in a little extra effort copying and pasting class/subclass features into a monster stat block is worth it, as you will only be copying the things you need to run the character.
If you are in rush or you do not want to spend a lot of time with monster stat blocks, then yeah, just use the character builder. If you are not short on time though, I highly recommend monster stat blocks as it gives you far more freedom.
i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
I just make a new copy for any campaign i want and tweak
Just following up. This will be very useful. I'll still create NPCs that need a more complete treatment in D&D Beyond as necessary, but this will be nice for campaign organization.
In my opinion, I would try to avoid creating NPCs like PCs. When running a game, I find using monster stat blocks to be easier than using a character sheet. Stat blocks are easier on your browser/phone/computer, and you are not constrained by the character builder (e.g.: you can create a level 20 necromancer Wizard with all the bells and whistles of a level 20 undying Warlock using a monster stat block; if you use the character builder, you are limited to a total of 20 levels). I do agree that using the character builder to build NPCs is a lot easier though, but I think putting in a little extra effort copying and pasting class/subclass features into a monster stat block is worth it, as you will only be copying the things you need to run the character.
If you are in rush or you do not want to spend a lot of time with monster stat blocks, then yeah, just use the character builder. If you are not short on time though, I highly recommend monster stat blocks as it gives you far more freedom.
This. "Monster" stat blocks all the way. Gives you exactly what you want without having to deal with the restrictions on PCs, and the players can't see anything.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
This. "Monster" stat blocks all the way. Gives you exactly what you want without having to deal with the restrictions on PCs, and the players can't see anything.
That's what I plan in the vast majority of cases. A few key NPCs I may work up thoroughly. More to spark ideas and get a feel for them more than from an actual need to do so.
I know this was 3 years ago, But I recently got the Master tier subscription so I could use maps. but if you need to make a NPC that you will want a token of and you dont want your players to see them. Create them as a homebrew monster. when you play in maps you should have them in the monsters token section to be placed and your players cant see them.
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I'm planning to invest more effort in my NPCs for this campaign. There are a few that are likely to be long-term recurring NPCs and I'd like to create them fully using D&D Beyond. But...I'd prefer for the players not to see them. Is there any way to do this? I could just create an unrelated campaign, but that seems a bit kludgy...
They don't need to be in a campaign at all. You can create them in your own account not attached to a campaign.
Just type them out on a google doc, notecard, or something. They are NPCs they don't really have stats, or don't really need them.
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i would recommend a special campaign for the npcs for the campaign as an organizational tool. Then use campaign notes for nonclass characters or homebrew monsters for ones you want extra notes for. The truth is I'm very disappointed with the dm campaign tools. I usually use the DnD addon for Microsoft Onenote and copy the whole thing and edit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/4y0wsq/dm_using_onenote_for_your_campaign/
I just make a new copy for any campaign i want and tweak
That didn't even occur to me. I don't really run more than one campaign at a time, so that should work. Thanks!
For most NPCs, that's true. There are going to be a few that I want to be a bit more thorough with, though.
Interesting. I'll take a look at that. I don't tend to use Onenote, but sounds worth checking out. Thanks.
Just following up. This will be very useful. I'll still create NPCs that need a more complete treatment in D&D Beyond as necessary, but this will be nice for campaign organization.
In my opinion, I would try to avoid creating NPCs like PCs. When running a game, I find using monster stat blocks to be easier than using a character sheet. Stat blocks are easier on your browser/phone/computer, and you are not constrained by the character builder (e.g.: you can create a level 20 necromancer Wizard with all the bells and whistles of a level 20 undying Warlock using a monster stat block; if you use the character builder, you are limited to a total of 20 levels). I do agree that using the character builder to build NPCs is a lot easier though, but I think putting in a little extra effort copying and pasting class/subclass features into a monster stat block is worth it, as you will only be copying the things you need to run the character.
If you are in rush or you do not want to spend a lot of time with monster stat blocks, then yeah, just use the character builder. If you are not short on time though, I highly recommend monster stat blocks as it gives you far more freedom.
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This. "Monster" stat blocks all the way. Gives you exactly what you want without having to deal with the restrictions on PCs, and the players can't see anything.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
That's what I plan in the vast majority of cases. A few key NPCs I may work up thoroughly. More to spark ideas and get a feel for them more than from an actual need to do so.
I know this was 3 years ago, But I recently got the Master tier subscription so I could use maps. but if you need to make a NPC that you will want a token of and you dont want your players to see them. Create them as a homebrew monster. when you play in maps you should have them in the monsters token section to be placed and your players cant see them.