Subscription controls the number of character slots removes ads and let's you share things you've created and bought with others. You still have to purchase things you want to use but you can buy things by item, category entire book or bundle. Buying pieces reduces the cost of what you pay later.
This means you can say use the free stuff automatically but let's say you want your fighter to use a subclass that isnt free you can buy that for 1.99 this will also reduce the overall book by 1.99. If later on the book is needed you can buy it and you pay 1.99 less for the book.
If you want more detail, there is a buyer’s guide link in my signature. What one “needs” to buy depends on how you want to use the site. The guide provides several different use cases and makes suggestions for each of them.
Master Tier: can share UNLOCKED content with other people
If you want to be able to use a rulebook (the Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Guide to Anything, etc) then you have to buy it.
There are different ways you can buy them though (with the additional purchase options).
If you are just looking to have access to the rules, and don't care about the character builder and searchable listings, you can buy the "Compendium Content Only" (usually $20)
If you just want to make a specific character, you can buy just those pieces you need (Goblin from Volo, Monster Slayer from XGTE, the Observant Feat from the PHB, usually $2 each))
If you want to have full access to the book, then it would be the list price (usually $30)
If you want to have absolutely everything, then the Legendary bundle is the most cost effective.
Edit: and whatever you spend counts towards unlocking other things that include it, so if you buy Goblin for $2 from Volo, then decide to buy all of Volo's, the $2 gets subtracted from the list price)
If you Sub do you get access to all books and content?
or must you Sub, and buy all the books too?
Male He/Him USMC Vet 39yrs old, Married 2 kids. PNW Area.
Subscription controls the number of character slots removes ads and let's you share things you've created and bought with others. You still have to purchase things you want to use but you can buy things by item, category entire book or bundle. Buying pieces reduces the cost of what you pay later.
This means you can say use the free stuff automatically but let's say you want your fighter to use a subclass that isnt free you can buy that for 1.99 this will also reduce the overall book by 1.99. If later on the book is needed you can buy it and you pay 1.99 less for the book.
If you want more detail, there is a buyer’s guide link in my signature. What one “needs” to buy depends on how you want to use the site. The guide provides several different use cases and makes suggestions for each of them.
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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They are separate things.
A subscription ONLY does the following:
If you want to be able to use a rulebook (the Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Guide to Anything, etc) then you have to buy it.
There are different ways you can buy them though (with the additional purchase options).
If you want to have absolutely everything, then the Legendary bundle is the most cost effective.
Edit: and whatever you spend counts towards unlocking other things that include it, so if you buy Goblin for $2 from Volo, then decide to buy all of Volo's, the $2 gets subtracted from the list price)
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