What's New with Maps: Ping, Game Session Tools, and More!

D&D Beyond Maps is an official virtual tabletop that helps you prep less and play more. It was released in Alpha in September 2023 and is constantly being updated to complete the backlog of official books and add more features to help you run your games with ease!

Maps is available to Master-tier subscribers, who can use this VTT to run game sessions using official maps and tokens from their D&D Beyond library. You can read more about the latest updates to Maps below!

Ping Feature

Need to warn your party where you're about to drop a Fireball or point out a trap? Now you can click on the "Point & Ping" menu option to access the new Ping feature as well as the previously implemented Point feature. The Ping feature drops a highly visible ping on the map for other players to see:

A gif showing the D&D Beyond Maps ping tool.

Session Controls

New session controls have been implemented to give you finer control over your game in Maps. By default, your Maps session will be inactive, so players can't see what's going on, even if they have the Maps link.

You can then start your session, so players can see what you have cooking on the VTT. You can also pause your session, which hides the map from your player's view, in case you need to set up a surprise mid-game.

A gif showing the D&D Beyond Maps game session tools.

Expanded Roll Information in the Game Log

With this update, you'll see expanded roll information in the Game Log. This new functionality allows you to see a breakdown of the results of rolls made on your character sheet or the Encounters tool by individual die. To collapse this information, simply click on the roll and tidy up your Game Log.

A gif of D&D Beyond Maps VTT. The expanded dice rolls in the Game Log show additional information about the rolls and can be collapsed.

'What's New in Maps' Modal

Now, when you open Maps, you'll be able to see at a glance what improvements we've made since your last session. To hide the modal, just hit the "X" in the top right corner or click on "Hide until next update" at the bottom of the popup.

A screenshot of D&D Beyond Maps VTT. The "What's New" modal displays the latest updates on the Map software.

New Maps-Ready Adventures

This month, we've released a new Maps-ready adventure, Vecna: Nest of the Eldrtich Eye! You can unlock this prequel adventure by preordering your digital copy of Vecna: Eve of Ruin or the Vecna: Eve of Ruin digital + physical bundle before May 21. You can otherwise purchase Nest of the Eldritch Eye for $4.99 after Eve of Ruin drops on May 21!

We have also added Storm King's Thunder and Out of the Abyss to Maps. Master-tier subscribers who have these books in their D&D Beyond library can start prepping and running their games in the Maps VTT today!

Stay Tuned for More Updates

Maps is constantly being developed, with more features and content added monthly as we work toward its official release. Check back frequently to see the newest features that will allow you to prep less and play more!

Adventure in a Faerûnian Sandbox: Storm King's Thunder is Now on Maps
by Mike Bernier
D&D Beyond Maps: How to Start Playing Today
by Davyd Barker
Managing Travel in the Underdark with Out of the Abyss
by Michael Galvis
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Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his partner, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.