Salutations! I’m Kevin, and I manage the user experience design team for D&D Beyond. I'm here to talk to you today about D&D Beyond's new Quickbuilder and our planned refurbishment of the Character Builder tool.
I have the pleasure of inviting you behind the proverbial DM screen to give feedback on our new Quickbuilder—as it stands today—as well as some early concepts for the future improvements to the Character Builder.
We want D&D Beyond's tools to be the best way to play D&D your way—so we need your help!
At the end of this post, we share a concept video and a feedback survey where you can help steer the direction of our development. The survey will remain open until March 31, 2026, so be sure to get your feedback in before then if you'd like to help contribute towards the future of this tool!
Today, we’ve launched D&D Beyond's new Quickbuilder as our first step towards our overall vision of improving the character creation experience on D&D Beyond for all players.
Eventually, we want the Character Builder to be easier to use, more fully support the game rules, suggest smart defaults, stay flexible for customization, and put more emphasis on inspiration and fun.
We’re starting with an incremental update to our Quickbuilder method of character creation, which has always been focused on letting new players easily make a level 1 character.
Compared to our standard builder, the Quickbuilder doesn’t see much use, which makes it a great place to try out new approaches, test new tech, and get feedback with little risk of disrupting your ongoing games.
Design Principles
Our design process started with talking to players about their pain points, and conducting player research labs on prototypes (For those interested in User experience research, the prototype sessions were qualitative, moderated 1:1 sessions with an average of 8 participants per round, split across two prototype rounds).
Our goal is to learn not only about the challenges with the current builder but also about players’ end-to-end D&D experience.
Here are some of the design principles we developed from those early conversations and research studies that have guided the design explorations and concepts we’re showing you today.
You shouldn’t have to be an expert in the rules to build a character.
It should feel great to use across all device sizes, from phones to 4K monitors.
Lead with iconic D&D art, not walls of text and rules details in tiny pop-ups.
Provide easy default selections and let players decide how deeply to customize their characters.
Put the DM back in control of their campaign, including which rules it uses or omits.
Help players see and avoid common builder mistakes, such as forgetting ability score bonuses or picking duplicate skill proficiencies.
Early Concept Video
To be clear, most of what you’ll see in this concept video hasn’t been built yet and is an early design concept.
We want to show you how what we shipped today in Quickbuilder could expand to provide an intuitive and full-featured Character Builder. I'm so excited to share this early design concept with our players, and I look forward to sharing more in the future.
Please know that what you see in the video may not be what is eventually released, after all, the whole point is to learn and incorporate your early feedback.
Feedback Survey
Our team is really excited by this overall direction, but more importantly, we want to know what you think, and what could be even better. We invite you to participate in a feedback survey on the concept video, which will remain open until March 31, 2026.
When showing species, subclasses, etc., I was trying to figure out what it was and was not showing. I'm in a campaign that is sharing more stuff but I don't see that stuff in the list (I'm guessing I'd have to make my character in the context of that particular campaign for it to show up?).
My initial user experience of the Quickbuilder on three separate devices is a blank page. The link in this article doesn't work, but going through the My Character - Create A Character process does.
Like others have pointed out. It is very nice that there is an option to toggle on and off both official and partnered content but it would be great if 5.5e and 5e content could be toggled on and off at the same time as well. I get why that specific option is separated but this way you don't have a complete overview of what is available.
If I can make a suggestion, when you show subclasses maybe include ability scores they use (ex. INT for Eldritch Knight) so first time players could have a better idea where to put their scores
Weighted associations for class, species and background. My first roll everything random, was a Swift String Wizard. So a very physical oriented species with a very mental oriented class, and the Guide background didn't include a bonus for my primary stat. It could still do these combinations, but for a new player wanting a quick character, it could create some very ineffective combinations.
Source limits: At a minimum when using the random button, a checkbox/toggle that says "Core Rules Only", but preferably the ability to say "Core Rules + Ebberron" or "Core + Expanded" or "Core + Humblewood + Drakkenheim" etc. If we're doing a PHB only game, the randomizer doesn't help to keep giving me Humblewood races and Blood Hunter/Pugilist classes. It also doesn't work when you get something like a Dragonmarked Heir background in a Forgotten Realms setting.
Portraits: Include at least one specific to each species.
Gear: I don't see the gear elements from the video in the current Quickbuilder.
Details: For a fast select based build, the Backgrounds show show the [Int, Wis, Cha] etc stats as well as the feat. So that I don't have to hunt for one that uses my selected class' primary stat.
-Illustrations and a descriptions before choosing something, in the current builder you have to choose and then see what you picked, that process is longer if you dislike the choice as you have to go back and forth, the fact that choices are based on a name in a tab also compounds in the wrong choice loop, as many people don't have everything memorized. So this is a path in the right direction. I don't think most character building websites have the resources to do this, so it makes sense the officially site would lean into this.
-Easier to tackle versions/extended content for each category. Might help to mix and match features from both, is a situation that has comed up at every table since 5.5e started to be released. The option to choice from as you build the character and not only at the beginning allows for the nuance a long campaign should have and is easily the biggest pain point in all the other characters creations in other websites.
-Randomizer button, nice addition, might need a new icon like the classic shuffle to make it more straightforward.
-The questions in every description, what will it wear? What does this class bring to the table? What subclasses will it have available? What abilities are you good on? Which proficiencies? The way the answers are put upfront graphically, makes them easy to choose from. Instead of a long tab with list of words that don't mean much for new people.
-Having the complexity of a class filter when creating a character. That's a nice addition for new players to guide themselves by.
Things that should be easier to do in dnd official character creator but aren't:
-As a DM, pick and choose allowed content. With a checklistfor a full additional setting, to individual choices of the races but not the subclasses from a module for example.
-As a DM, to choose if you want a feature from 5e into 5.5e or vice versa in the character builder. Although is not recommended for balance reasons, it is an option that should be available for the game masters when creating their campaign, as they will have a better idea of the world they want to create for the players. This ties in with the point above.
-When creating a character, if a mix and match option of 5e races with 5.5e background is allowed or the option for All content is checked, to have the system automatically assume the character shouldn't have both ASI increase points from the race and the background, unless checked otherwise and that this check can be removed by the game masters when creating a campaign to make sure new players don't end up with a boosted character by mistake. Current character builder has this issue when all content is allowed.
More clarity for game masters of what mix and matching the systems will end up doing for the setting, maybe this can be a file and not in the character builder per se when creating the campaign. It could be as simple as a block of text describing the pros and cons of that.
-As someone else mentioned here, Ability Scores should have a distinction when they are the primary stat from a class so the new players have a visual que that it will be more consequential than the rest, and that if they underscore it, it will be at their own risk.
-As ding different system options for the Ability Points, standard array, point buy and if so make the points standard or custom, or roll 6 and keep 4 for example, among other options.
-Make it so you can roll the Ability points or Hit points with digital dice if that's something that players want to do, can be kept as a small option in the builder, like choosing the or 5.5e, where it can be chosen to roll or the median.
-Include a section for level/multiclass.
-Include a section to select familiars/summons/wildshapes selections. In the current character builder this option is too hidden, new players would benefit a lot from this feature as they wouldn't have to look for a state block in a big manual. Having the choices pull out from a database and only show available picks would be great, and if someone would like very homebrew options they could take care of that.
I think the quickbulder looks really great, and after making a few characters I think it works very nicely. I realize it's still under development, so just a few things I'd like to see with it:
Adding the filters (5/5.5, official/partnered, etc.) on the initial page, so if your are doing a random character you don't get options you don't want.
A campaign setting filter on the initial page. Someone playing in the Realms may not want to see Eberron (and soon Ravenloft) species, backgrounds, and feats as options and vice versa.
The ability to add characters to a campaign. Ideally, DMs will eventually have the options of blacklisting certain options form their campaign (taking care of the above issue).
These updates are nice an all but have ruined the immersion with roll20 for already created characters for a campaign. Dice rolls don't match or sometimes don't get even sent over like it used to.
Very cool tool. I love it as a starting point. 1 big thing is there should be an 'All' option when toggling between 5E and 5.5E. I know that you technically aren't supposed to mix them for 'balance' but it is nice to see all options at once. Every table I've played 5.5E with has allowed 5E species as long as they are not tagged as legacy.
Since when is that a thing? Everything is meant to be backwards compatible. and acting like either edition is even remotely balanced is laughable.
Maybe have a “legacy” toggle. Also I noticed a few subclasses are doubled in the class description page. Bladesinger Wizard and Banneret/Purple Dragon Knight are the first ones I can think of
I think the Ruleset and Sources toggles should be on the first page, particularly because otherwise choosing Random can give you literally anything, which doesn't really work if your table is using a specific version or just wants to use the official sources.
I think having a simpler version is a good idea, but don't forget those of us who are experienced character designers. Please have a version similar to the current one for custom character creation, but prettier like this one. Thanx!
I found when messing around with the random species option that the genasi from the elemental evil players companion was avaliable, despite not owning the book. I also cannot directly select it. I'm absolutely not opposed to getting this species for free, just an interesting thing I found!
Edit:
Apperantly I did have an option to choose it I just didn't have the right filters on. Whoops!
You guys are really on a "roll!" I would have liked a little more option in the survey to give written feedback so we can get more specific ideas in the mix. I think the product is excellent but I would like benchmark starter points like levels 1, 3 and 5. As it has been said very few groups are starting at level 1. Personally I usually start at level 3 or 5 because those early levels are pretty dangerous for beginners and starter characters. The other thing I would add is filters for random generations. Some of the classes for example don't even really work in the 5E or 5.5E like the Lord of the Rings Classes.
My positive feed back is it looks incredible to use and the presentation is really nice to look at. I can see new and old players alike feeling happy using it because it simplifies and makes a nice presentation for the game. I also love the summary of the classes, I feel like everything is there for a new player to make the decision an appealing and accessible part of the process.
In the last few months you guys have been doing a great job. Thanks for your work.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026you do
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Posted Mar 25, 2026QUESTION
Could this also be implemented into mobile? Specifically a tablet?
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Posted Mar 25, 2026My initial user experience of the Quickbuilder on three separate devices is a blank page. The link in this article doesn't work, but going through the My Character - Create A Character process does.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Like others have pointed out. It is very nice that there is an option to toggle on and off both official and partnered content but it would be great if 5.5e and 5e content could be toggled on and off at the same time as well. I get why that specific option is separated but this way you don't have a complete overview of what is available.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026If I can make a suggestion, when you show subclasses maybe include ability scores they use (ex. INT for Eldritch Knight) so first time players could have a better idea where to put their scores
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Deeper suggestions:
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Good additions:
-Illustrations and a descriptions before choosing something, in the current builder you have to choose and then see what you picked, that process is longer if you dislike the choice as you have to go back and forth, the fact that choices are based on a name in a tab also compounds in the wrong choice loop, as many people don't have everything memorized. So this is a path in the right direction. I don't think most character building websites have the resources to do this, so it makes sense the officially site would lean into this.
-Easier to tackle versions/extended content for each category. Might help to mix and match features from both, is a situation that has comed up at every table since 5.5e started to be released. The option to choice from as you build the character and not only at the beginning allows for the nuance a long campaign should have and is easily the biggest pain point in all the other characters creations in other websites.
-Randomizer button, nice addition, might need a new icon like the classic shuffle to make it more straightforward.
-The questions in every description, what will it wear? What does this class bring to the table? What subclasses will it have available? What abilities are you good on? Which proficiencies? The way the answers are put upfront graphically, makes them easy to choose from. Instead of a long tab with list of words that don't mean much for new people.
-Having the complexity of a class filter when creating a character. That's a nice addition for new players to guide themselves by.
Things that should be easier to do in dnd official character creator but aren't:
-As a DM, pick and choose allowed content. With a checklistfor a full additional setting, to individual choices of the races but not the subclasses from a module for example.
-As a DM, to choose if you want a feature from 5e into 5.5e or vice versa in the character builder. Although is not recommended for balance reasons, it is an option that should be available for the game masters when creating their campaign, as they will have a better idea of the world they want to create for the players. This ties in with the point above.
-When creating a character, if a mix and match option of 5e races with 5.5e background is allowed or the option for All content is checked, to have the system automatically assume the character shouldn't have both ASI increase points from the race and the background, unless checked otherwise and that this check can be removed by the game masters when creating a campaign to make sure new players don't end up with a boosted character by mistake. Current character builder has this issue when all content is allowed.
More clarity for game masters of what mix and matching the systems will end up doing for the setting, maybe this can be a file and not in the character builder per se when creating the campaign. It could be as simple as a block of text describing the pros and cons of that.
-As someone else mentioned here, Ability Scores should have a distinction when they are the primary stat from a class so the new players have a visual que that it will be more consequential than the rest, and that if they underscore it, it will be at their own risk.
-As ding different system options for the Ability Points, standard array, point buy and if so make the points standard or custom, or roll 6 and keep 4 for example, among other options.
-Make it so you can roll the Ability points or Hit points with digital dice if that's something that players want to do, can be kept as a small option in the builder, like choosing the or 5.5e, where it can be chosen to roll or the median.
-Include a section for level/multiclass.
-Include a section to select familiars/summons/wildshapes selections. In the current character builder this option is too hidden, new players would benefit a lot from this feature as they wouldn't have to look for a state block in a big manual. Having the choices pull out from a database and only show available picks would be great, and if someone would like very homebrew options they could take care of that.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026I don't own Volo's Guide to Monsters.
Yet it was quite happy to fully create for me a Bloodhunter Bugbear (linked to VGtM not MoM)
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Posted Mar 25, 2026I think the quickbulder looks really great, and after making a few characters I think it works very nicely. I realize it's still under development, so just a few things I'd like to see with it:
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Is there a way to access the quickbuilder with shared content active? Like from within a campaign?
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Posted Mar 25, 2026This looks like the 4e Character builder in web page form.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026These updates are nice an all but have ruined the immersion with roll20 for already created characters for a campaign. Dice rolls don't match or sometimes don't get even sent over like it used to.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Since when is that a thing? Everything is meant to be backwards compatible. and acting like either edition is even remotely balanced is laughable.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Maybe have a “legacy” toggle. Also I noticed a few subclasses are doubled in the class description page. Bladesinger Wizard and Banneret/Purple Dragon Knight are the first ones I can think of
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Posted Mar 25, 2026I think the Ruleset and Sources toggles should be on the first page, particularly because otherwise choosing Random can give you literally anything, which doesn't really work if your table is using a specific version or just wants to use the official sources.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026I think having a simpler version is a good idea, but don't forget those of us who are experienced character designers. Please have a version similar to the current one for custom character creation, but prettier like this one. Thanx!
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Posted Mar 25, 2026Will you be adding new portraits? its been a while since the new races got one.
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Posted Mar 25, 2026If you are sharing the content then you can turn off the books you dont want. but yea, a universal ban sounds helpful
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Posted Mar 25, 2026I found when messing around with the random species option that the genasi from the elemental evil players companion was avaliable, despite not owning the book. I also cannot directly select it. I'm absolutely not opposed to getting this species for free, just an interesting thing I found!
Edit:
Apperantly I did have an option to choose it I just didn't have the right filters on. Whoops!
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Posted Mar 25, 2026You guys are really on a "roll!" I would have liked a little more option in the survey to give written feedback so we can get more specific ideas in the mix. I think the product is excellent but I would like benchmark starter points like levels 1, 3 and 5. As it has been said very few groups are starting at level 1. Personally I usually start at level 3 or 5 because those early levels are pretty dangerous for beginners and starter characters. The other thing I would add is filters for random generations. Some of the classes for example don't even really work in the 5E or 5.5E like the Lord of the Rings Classes.
My positive feed back is it looks incredible to use and the presentation is really nice to look at. I can see new and old players alike feeling happy using it because it simplifies and makes a nice presentation for the game. I also love the summary of the classes, I feel like everything is there for a new player to make the decision an appealing and accessible part of the process.
In the last few months you guys have been doing a great job. Thanks for your work.