Hi, I've got a question about how the site works in terms of running a game if anyone can help. I've read the pinned "buyer's guide" but it doesn't quite answer what I need it to.
I'm about to start running my first 5e game, Curse of Strahd. I'm relatively familiar with the general rules for 5e, and pretty good with the setting too. I've own the core books (PHB, MM, DMG) as well as the CoS Campaign book.
I have been considering creating my own reference DB /using one of the many DM-tools available online to make life easier - I intend to run the game out of the physical book, but want to avoid having to keep diving into other books for things like stat-blocks for monsters/NPCs, or rules for traps, etc.
I was thinking about buying the CoS book here on D&Dbeyond. How exactly does that work/look once purchased? Looking at the content it appears that all of the book-specific components (monster / item stat-blocks, etc) are included - are these linked, and organised by sections/areas etc?
And then the two questions I have are:
- what about all of the things that aren't book-specific, but instead come from the Dungeon Master Guide / Monster Manual? Are these linked too i..e where there is Bold text in the book that indicates something is in the MM/DMG, are these also presented/linked to the CoS book online or would I have to manually search for them?
- and are all of those elements available in the free content (so, Basic Rules), or would I have to purchase either/both of the online versions of those books?
I love the idea of an all-in-one, searchable, reference source, and would be more than happy to pay for the CoS online book if it gives me everything I need. However, I probably wouldn't be able to justify the cost of buying all three/four books given that I already own physical copies and this is, at least for the moment, a one-off thing.
You won't be able to read info from other books you don't own but you can buy pieces you need and it reduces the price of the book if you want it later but might cheapen the up front cost. For instance you can buy specific monsters for $2 each you can buy races and sub races for $2 each and specific magic items cost $2 each I think you can buy all magic items for a specific price. You might want to consider the master level subscription for $8/month so you can share info with your players so they can use the tools.
To your first question: they are bold and red clickable links that take you to their stats. If they are free or are part of a book you own you will be able to see them. If you don't, you'll see a link to the marketplace to buy them. (I think, no way for me to test.)
I can't say if all of them are free, but at a quick glance most of the ones I clicked would be. (Just clicked on the monsters in the daytime Barovia random encounter list)
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Hi, I've got a question about how the site works in terms of running a game if anyone can help. I've read the pinned "buyer's guide" but it doesn't quite answer what I need it to.
I'm about to start running my first 5e game, Curse of Strahd. I'm relatively familiar with the general rules for 5e, and pretty good with the setting too. I've own the core books (PHB, MM, DMG) as well as the CoS Campaign book.
I have been considering creating my own reference DB /using one of the many DM-tools available online to make life easier - I intend to run the game out of the physical book, but want to avoid having to keep diving into other books for things like stat-blocks for monsters/NPCs, or rules for traps, etc.
I was thinking about buying the CoS book here on D&Dbeyond. How exactly does that work/look once purchased? Looking at the content it appears that all of the book-specific components (monster / item stat-blocks, etc) are included - are these linked, and organised by sections/areas etc?
And then the two questions I have are:
- what about all of the things that aren't book-specific, but instead come from the Dungeon Master Guide / Monster Manual? Are these linked too i..e where there is Bold text in the book that indicates something is in the MM/DMG, are these also presented/linked to the CoS book online or would I have to manually search for them?
- and are all of those elements available in the free content (so, Basic Rules), or would I have to purchase either/both of the online versions of those books?
I love the idea of an all-in-one, searchable, reference source, and would be more than happy to pay for the CoS online book if it gives me everything I need. However, I probably wouldn't be able to justify the cost of buying all three/four books given that I already own physical copies and this is, at least for the moment, a one-off thing.
Thanks for the help
You won't be able to read info from other books you don't own but you can buy pieces you need and it reduces the price of the book if you want it later but might cheapen the up front cost. For instance you can buy specific monsters for $2 each you can buy races and sub races for $2 each and specific magic items cost $2 each I think you can buy all magic items for a specific price. You might want to consider the master level subscription for $8/month so you can share info with your players so they can use the tools.
To your first question: they are bold and red clickable links that take you to their stats. If they are free or are part of a book you own you will be able to see them. If you don't, you'll see a link to the marketplace to buy them. (I think, no way for me to test.)
I can't say if all of them are free, but at a quick glance most of the ones I clicked would be. (Just clicked on the monsters in the daytime Barovia random encounter list)