I'm currently in two campaigns, and we play each campaign 1-2 times a month. The first is DMed by a friend who is about to start Tomb of Annihilation. There are 6 PCs, including myself. The second is me DMing Princes of the Apocalypse with 7 PCs (5 of which are players from the 1st group.) We all use a mix of electronic tools to assist with playing the game. Such as...
Many of us use Fight Club 5e (iPhone app) as a character sheet app.
We'll use Roll20 (website) to display maps and other information on a 70" TV.
I use Improved Initiative (website) to run encounter rounds and track damage.
I use D&D 5th Edition Encounter Calculator (website) to check and adjust encounter difficulty for our large groups.
And of course everyone sits around the living room with books, notepads, dice, and the few paper character sheets.
I like the idea of having all the books available in D&DB, and being able to have an official character sheet tool with dull access to all the latest stuff. But I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of buying all the books when we already have the hardbacks. I see how having the sourcebooks (PHB, DMG, MM, etc.) allows you to be able to look up any rules or info quickly and easily, and also unlocks all the content for character creation and management. But I'm having a hard time understanding what the benefit is of having the adventure books.
If I can eliminate the mishmash of tools listed above and just use D&DB for everything, and I can subscribe so everyone in my group has the same access, then the cost is a little less painful. But I have no way to try that out with only having access to the free content, and I can't find demo videos or reviews.
If I can eliminate the mishmash of tools listed above and just use D&DB for everything, and I can subscribe so everyone in my group has the same access, then the cost is a little less painful. But I have no way to try that out with only having access to the free content, and I can't find demo videos or reviews.
Much of those features aren't available yet, but are on their to-do list with the exception of VTT.
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This has been discussed to death. You either find value in it or you don’t. Not sure why you think anyone needs to convince you otherwise.
It's hard to find value when I can't even tell what the benefits are without buying the content. I pretty much understand the value of the core/source books. But I'm hard pressed to understand what I'd benefit from having all the adventure books would be. I included the tools I currently use hoping I could get examples of how D&DB replaces or is better than those tools. Because I can't find video overviews or reviews that are relevant of D&DB.
I'm currently in two campaigns, and we play each campaign 1-2 times a month. The first is DMed by a friend who is about to start Tomb of Annihilation. There are 6 PCs, including myself. The second is me DMing Princes of the Apocalypse with 7 PCs (5 of which are players from the 1st group.) We all use a mix of electronic tools to assist with playing the game. Such as...
Many of us use Fight Club 5e (iPhone app) as a character sheet app.
We'll use Roll20 (website) to display maps and other information on a 70" TV.
I use Improved Initiative (website) to run encounter rounds and track damage.
I use D&D 5th Edition Encounter Calculator (website) to check and adjust encounter difficulty for our large groups.
And of course everyone sits around the living room with books, notepads, dice, and the few paper character sheets.
I like the idea of having all the books available in D&DB, and being able to have an official character sheet tool with dull access to all the latest stuff. But I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of buying all the books when we already have the hardbacks. I see how having the sourcebooks (PHB, DMG, MM, etc.) allows you to be able to look up any rules or info quickly and easily, and also unlocks all the content for character creation and management. But I'm having a hard time understanding what the benefit is of having the adventure books.
If I can eliminate the mishmash of tools listed above and just use D&DB for everything, and I can subscribe so everyone in my group has the same access, then the cost is a little less painful. But I have no way to try that out with only having access to the free content, and I can't find demo videos or reviews.
If you don't buy anything you can make a character with the basic rules and the SRD and also look at the basic rules monsters and treasure items. That would give you the best example of how it works.
I just recently converted my current RL group (who was playing pathfinder) to D&D 5th edition with D&D Beyond. They've never read the rules, never owned a book, and now they're addicted to 5th edition and have been pouring through the digital books with my shared campaign. They love the fact that I can edit and view their characters on the fly and that I update the public campaign notes with recaps of the previous week's adventure. It turned what could have been a long and cumbersome process with flipping through books into a very streamlined player experience.
When they played pathfinder they used a lot of the tools around. Battles were long and drawn out (up to 6 hours long) and roleplay always took a back seat. I've decided to convert them to theatre of the mind for now and am forcing them to re-live the feel of real life dice. ;) They're happy with the current capabilities of D&D Beyond, but I'm looking forward to the future tools that will be available. Soon, I think D&D Beyond is going to have a place as the most valuable tool available to DMs. Right now it's great, but in 2018 I'm positive it's going to be essential.
Soon, I think D&D Beyond is going to have a place as the most valuable tool available to DMs. Right now it's great, but in 2018 I'm positive it's going to be essential.
You wouldn't happen to have been paid to say that, would you? I agree, by the way, and I'm not being paid to say so.
Don't re-buy every single book. Buy what you need, and even still, only buy the parts you need instead of the whole books.
But before you buy anything, play around with the free tools. Familiarize yourself with how it works and what it can do, and you'll get a good understanding of the potential. This is to determine if you will even like using it. If you don't see any potential benefit, then you can stop here.
Next step, figure out what it will cost to move every character in your group into DDB. Again, often times you won't even need to buy every book, only the specific options you need. You can save a lot of money this way (and those purchases go towards the eventual purchase of the entire book if you decide to get it later).
Present the features of DDB to your group and the total cost, and see if it's something they think will enhance the game. Maybe try a simple one-off with basic characters so you can experience how it actually works in play (you can also recreate any item or spell from the books in your private homebrew). Then figure out what the cost is for everyone to chip in to make this happen.
When I did this with my group, we bought the 3 core books and a few other random spells, and basically everyone chipped in $11. I pay for the Master sub, but they also bring me snacks and drinks every session, so it evens out.
As far as adventures go, just buy the one you're currently playing. I have the hardback I use for session prep, as I find it easier to just sit and read the real book. But having the digital DDB version for in-game use has sped up my game dramatically. It's a luxury, but one I'm glad I bought into.
I use Roll20 to run my games. Roll20 still does not have a PHB, even though Fantasy Grounds has had it for more than a year, and now DDB has it.
When DDB officially launched, and had the core books on sale for a limited time, I messaged Roll20 to ask them if/when there would be a PHB to buy on Roll20. To paraphrase, they basically said they had big plans they couldn't discuss, and there is no timeline for a Roll20 PHB.
That is what made me choose to buy the PHB from DDB (on sale for $20). Now I can copy and paste from DDB PHB (and the monster manual) to Roll20 whenever I need to. No more retyping backgrounds, or anything else that isn't part of the SRD. THAT is the value to me.
Consider that to buy the Monster Manual alone on Roll20 is $50! For $10 more I got all three core books, and can copy/paste to Roll20.
Even better, if I ever decide to switch to Fantasy Grounds, I won't have to rebuy the core books on FG, because again, I can copy/paste to FG (or any other VTT I choose to use). To me that's a great value.
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"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Further to my last post, I also did the math for Tomb of Annihilation.
Roll20: $50 for adventure + maps + pre-made monsters
D&D Beyond: $25 for adventure + maps
Mike Schley: $30 ($25 w/coupon) for Maps only.
So for half the price of Roll20, I can get the adventure (copy & paste to Roll20 as needed) and the maps (which can be used on Roll20) and I can make the monsters in Roll20 myself as and when I need them.
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"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
I had been using the free version throughout the beta. It was useful to look up spells and monsters while I ran the campaign. But besides that, I didn't use it much. When the character creator became available, nobody in my group could complete their character because they all had some aspects that were outside the basic rules. Now that DDB is live, I didn't want to sink a bunch of money into it not knowing how much use I would get. At this point in time, I'm still going to need to use those other tools to run the campaigns. It would be nice to know what exactly is in the future of DDB, and how soon that future is.
That said, I do think having the ability for everyone in the group to have full access to the core rules and a character creator is great. And it looks like the ability to have quick searches, links, etc. for the adventures makes it worth it too. Especially the hi-res maps (DM and player versions) that I can use in a VTT, or even print out and put on the table! I don't think I'll ever not be disappointed my physical purchases don't provide at least a discount on the digital version. And even more disappointed I missed the founders week sale.
Now to decide if I should buy the core books and the two adventures we're playing, or just get the massive bundle for the discount.
Would I be able to share all the books with the rest of the group except the adventures? Or specifically, could I set it so only I can see PotA and only the other member can see ToA? Basically, is it granular sharing or is it an all or nothing sharing?
Would I be able to share all the books with the rest of the group except the adventures? Or specifically, could I set it so only I can see PotA and only the other member can see ToA? Basically, is it granular sharing or is it an all or nothing sharing?
Currently all or nothing. What you want is coming.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
I'm currently in two campaigns, and we play each campaign 1-2 times a month. The first is DMed by a friend who is about to start Tomb of Annihilation. There are 6 PCs, including myself. The second is me DMing Princes of the Apocalypse with 7 PCs (5 of which are players from the 1st group.) We all use a mix of electronic tools to assist with playing the game. Such as...
I like the idea of having all the books available in D&DB, and being able to have an official character sheet tool with dull access to all the latest stuff. But I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of buying all the books when we already have the hardbacks. I see how having the sourcebooks (PHB, DMG, MM, etc.) allows you to be able to look up any rules or info quickly and easily, and also unlocks all the content for character creation and management. But I'm having a hard time understanding what the benefit is of having the adventure books.
If I can eliminate the mishmash of tools listed above and just use D&DB for everything, and I can subscribe so everyone in my group has the same access, then the cost is a little less painful. But I have no way to try that out with only having access to the free content, and I can't find demo videos or reviews.
So, why should I spend money on D&DB?
This has been discussed to death. You either find value in it or you don’t. Not sure why you think anyone needs to convince you otherwise.
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These are the benefits I am finding with the adventures in DDB.
1) I love hard-book, but with DDB I can access the book everywhere, without the hardcopy on my back.
2) I can share with my players, artwork and maps, all here in DDB.
3) I can copy-paste sections of the books I want to share.
4) I can have multiple windows open in order to check different sections of the books with just a click away.
5) All the necessary sections to PHB, MM, DMG are linked, so again, with a click away, I can reach those sections.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
If you don't buy anything you can make a character with the basic rules and the SRD and also look at the basic rules monsters and treasure items. That would give you the best example of how it works.
I just recently converted my current RL group (who was playing pathfinder) to D&D 5th edition with D&D Beyond. They've never read the rules, never owned a book, and now they're addicted to 5th edition and have been pouring through the digital books with my shared campaign. They love the fact that I can edit and view their characters on the fly and that I update the public campaign notes with recaps of the previous week's adventure. It turned what could have been a long and cumbersome process with flipping through books into a very streamlined player experience.
When they played pathfinder they used a lot of the tools around. Battles were long and drawn out (up to 6 hours long) and roleplay always took a back seat. I've decided to convert them to theatre of the mind for now and am forcing them to re-live the feel of real life dice. ;) They're happy with the current capabilities of D&D Beyond, but I'm looking forward to the future tools that will be available. Soon, I think D&D Beyond is going to have a place as the most valuable tool available to DMs. Right now it's great, but in 2018 I'm positive it's going to be essential.
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Please feel free to message either Sorce or another moderator if you have any concerns.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Don't re-buy every single book. Buy what you need, and even still, only buy the parts you need instead of the whole books.
But before you buy anything, play around with the free tools. Familiarize yourself with how it works and what it can do, and you'll get a good understanding of the potential. This is to determine if you will even like using it. If you don't see any potential benefit, then you can stop here.
Next step, figure out what it will cost to move every character in your group into DDB. Again, often times you won't even need to buy every book, only the specific options you need. You can save a lot of money this way (and those purchases go towards the eventual purchase of the entire book if you decide to get it later).
Present the features of DDB to your group and the total cost, and see if it's something they think will enhance the game. Maybe try a simple one-off with basic characters so you can experience how it actually works in play (you can also recreate any item or spell from the books in your private homebrew). Then figure out what the cost is for everyone to chip in to make this happen.
When I did this with my group, we bought the 3 core books and a few other random spells, and basically everyone chipped in $11. I pay for the Master sub, but they also bring me snacks and drinks every session, so it evens out.
As far as adventures go, just buy the one you're currently playing. I have the hardback I use for session prep, as I find it easier to just sit and read the real book. But having the digital DDB version for in-game use has sped up my game dramatically. It's a luxury, but one I'm glad I bought into.
I use Roll20 to run my games. Roll20 still does not have a PHB, even though Fantasy Grounds has had it for more than a year, and now DDB has it.
When DDB officially launched, and had the core books on sale for a limited time, I messaged Roll20 to ask them if/when there would be a PHB to buy on Roll20. To paraphrase, they basically said they had big plans they couldn't discuss, and there is no timeline for a Roll20 PHB.
That is what made me choose to buy the PHB from DDB (on sale for $20). Now I can copy and paste from DDB PHB (and the monster manual) to Roll20 whenever I need to. No more retyping backgrounds, or anything else that isn't part of the SRD. THAT is the value to me.
Consider that to buy the Monster Manual alone on Roll20 is $50! For $10 more I got all three core books, and can copy/paste to Roll20.
Even better, if I ever decide to switch to Fantasy Grounds, I won't have to rebuy the core books on FG, because again, I can copy/paste to FG (or any other VTT I choose to use). To me that's a great value.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Further to my last post, I also did the math for Tomb of Annihilation.
Roll20: $50 for adventure + maps + pre-made monsters
D&D Beyond: $25 for adventure + maps
Mike Schley: $30 ($25 w/coupon) for Maps only.
So for half the price of Roll20, I can get the adventure (copy & paste to Roll20 as needed) and the maps (which can be used on Roll20) and I can make the monsters in Roll20 myself as and when I need them.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
I had been using the free version throughout the beta. It was useful to look up spells and monsters while I ran the campaign. But besides that, I didn't use it much. When the character creator became available, nobody in my group could complete their character because they all had some aspects that were outside the basic rules. Now that DDB is live, I didn't want to sink a bunch of money into it not knowing how much use I would get. At this point in time, I'm still going to need to use those other tools to run the campaigns. It would be nice to know what exactly is in the future of DDB, and how soon that future is.
That said, I do think having the ability for everyone in the group to have full access to the core rules and a character creator is great. And it looks like the ability to have quick searches, links, etc. for the adventures makes it worth it too. Especially the hi-res maps (DM and player versions) that I can use in a VTT, or even print out and put on the table! I don't think I'll ever not be disappointed my physical purchases don't provide at least a discount on the digital version. And even more disappointed I missed the founders week sale.
Now to decide if I should buy the core books and the two adventures we're playing, or just get the massive bundle for the discount.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Would I be able to share all the books with the rest of the group except the adventures? Or specifically, could I set it so only I can see PotA and only the other member can see ToA? Basically, is it granular sharing or is it an all or nothing sharing?
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)