I noticed that most books can be broken down into bundles to save a few bucks over the price of the full book. What is it that I lose by purchasing the content bundles vs. purchasing the digital books? My apologies if this gets asked often. I did some searching and struggled to find answers to this question so I figured I would ask.

I have all of the physical books and don't need a PDF version of everything, but having the data digitally searchable and available in an online character builder for my players sounds very appealing.

Thank you.

The bundle is slightly cheaper than the parts.

Also if you only buy the specific parts you are buying the DnD Beyond access for that thing and you don't get the "compendium" part of the book by buying the pieces.

With that said if you buy the parts it subtracts from the total cost to buy the book (or the bundle) so you could always buy a few of the parts and see whether it works for you and whether the difference in cost is worth it then decide.

Please note the book doesn't come in PDF format it comes with a readable format that uses the DnD Beyond App that is usable off line as well and the compendium on the website.

Wizards of the Coast doesn't allow a PDF to be sold.

Thanks! I guess I'm just not sure what the "compendium" is vs other features. I forgot there are no PDFs, but this compendium sounds kind of like the equivalent only restricted to online only through DNDB:

For example, if you purchase, PHB Compendium Content, you have the full Player's Handbook that you can read, reference and search through using D&D Beyond.

I guess I'm still not 100% on what it is I am getting when I buy the book vs. the content bundles. Is it basically the character creation tool access WITHOUT the ability to conveniently search for content? If I buy a race, for example, can I still get a breakdown of that race if I search for it with the "Search Everything..." tool, similar to what I get for the open/free races such as the Dragonborn instead of a link to buy the book?

Edit: Basically, what can't I do that I would otherwise be able to If I buy all of the bundles from the PHB for example, instead of buying the book?

Buying bits, unlocks use in tools (char building, searchable in the game rules section.(unsure how it interacts with the app)

Buying compendium content, unlocks in sources section view it as the book is layed out. (Unsure how it interacts with the app)

Buy the book whole, unlocks all of that books content in both sections and access in the app.

I bought legendary before the app came out so can't test the partial book buys.

So still not feeling like I understood the difference or advantages/disadvantages of books vs. bundles, I made a test purchase of two books and two bundles, figuring I'd just buy the other $100+ of materials I was considering if I was satisfied. I was more or less satisfied and went to see how bundle purchases affected the cost of full books later and... the coupon I used is now "claimed" and can't be used anymore lol. That's not exactly a friendly policy, especially considering there are no refunds.

I have physical copies of all the books and I swore I'd never buy a source book twice (especially a book that may disappear should the provider go under or decide I didn't need it anymore) so today was a rare exception. I suppose the service isn't getting my "slow day at work" $100+ impulse buy anytime soon, nor the Master subscription I'd use to share the content with my players once my campaign started.  For DNDB's sake, let's hope I have another slow day at work with a bit of extra money in my pocket as well as knowledge of another unclaimed 25% off books coupon code. 

Let me see if I can explain things just a little bit differently in the hopes that it’s clearer to you.

First, some definitions:

Compendium:  a digital copy of the books.  Not, as noted above, a pdf, but able to be read on the website and on the mobile app.  To see an example, go to “Sources” in the menu above and choose one of the books where you bought the whole book.  (Or, for others reading this who haven’t bought anything, look at the Basic Rules)

Listings:  The searchable listings of spells, magic items, monsters, etc, found under Game Rules menu above.  They allow you to search by things like CR, spell level, damage type, etc.  (Depending on the type of listing you are using, obviously).  You might try looking up some of the items from those both books you bought in their entirety here and from those you bought only the bundles for.  You shouldn’t see any difference in the listings.

Character Builder:  The tool that lets you create characters here on DDB

If you purchase the whole book, you get all of that book’s content in all of the ways/tools listed above: The compendium, the listings, the character builder.

If you purchase the “compendium only” option, you get only the compendium: the classes, spells, monsters, etc. From that source will NOT be available to you in the listings or the character builder.

If you purchase the “bits” or “bundles”, you get those options in the listings and the character builder, but NOT the compendium.  (For classes and races, you do get access to the full write up on those classes or races in the Game Rules menu).  

So, for example, while running an adventure last year, I bought the monsters from the MM I needed for upcoming sessions piecemeal:  a dinosaur here, a goblin boss there.  The bundle price drops each time you purchase an individual item in it.  Eventually I got to the point where one more individual monster purchase gave me the entire bundle, even though there were lots of individual monsters I hadn’t bought yet.  I had access to all the monsters in the listings, and I could add appropriate monsters to my characters as companions, wild shape options, familiars, etc.  But I couldn’t see the full compendium (The introduction, appendix, sidebars, etc.). Then, a sale or coupon offer, combined with what I had already spent on the monster bundle, let me pick up the “whole book” (in my case, the compendium part) for $1 or $2.

Given what you’d have said about your interests, I think you would be best served by purchasing just the bits/bundles you want, since it sounds like you don’t need/want the compendium.  

One thing I’ve noticed frequently is that many folks checking out DDB seem to presume that they need to/are expected to purchase the Legendary Bundle, at least if they are serious about DnD.  This not the case.  For some people, it’s a good option and it’s within their budget, and that’s great.  But one of the great things (IMO) about DDB is that they recognized from the beginning that a lot of folks would have neither the budget nor the need for everything, and were able to convince WOTC to let them offer piecemeal purchases.  It lets folks customize their DDB purchases to match how they use it, and to match their budget.   I currently have 4 full “books” here:  PHB, TOA, MM, and Xanathar’s.  In the case of the last two, I started by purchasing things piecemeal and then took advantage of a sale/coupon to get the rest for an excellent price—as I mentioned before.  Then I have a few races, etc from the other books.  I don’t have the DMG here, even though I DM more than play.  (That will change in 2 years when my son leaves for college and takes his hard copy DMG with him)

In terms of the % off offers, they do tend to be “one time use only,” but they pop up fairly regularly.  So, if you find the tools helpful and are in a position to both wait and keep an eye out, you should be able to pick up other resources using future discount codes.  (Note that sometimes the codes/sales are only for entire books, so just read the text of the offer carefully)

One final note:  there’s a link to a Buyer’s Guide for DDB in my signature that you may (or may not) find helpful if you decide you might want to invest more in DDB.  On the other hand, it’s perfectly fine if you decide DDB doesn’t provide what you want/need for a price you are willing to pay.