WotC D&D Beyond Update: 2024 Core Rulebooks, Maps, and Third Party Content.

Maps has a number of updates.

• Lots of feature improvements to maps--tokens, fog, and user interface.
• 'Spectator Mode' allows DMs to open a separate tab as a player view on a separate monitor, streaming, etc.
• 'Draw Tool' allows you to freehand draw on the map.
• 6 products from back catalogue plus third party content added to library.
• Pointer added.
• You can now rename a token.
• Enhancement and support will include the 2024 core rulebooks.

Maps is 'here to stay' and will continue to be supported.

Regarding third party products, apparently they are inviting 'many third parties to the party'.

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[Oofta]

So far this is all very crude compared to the more advanced Virtual Table Tops out there. Right now our groups are using Foundry. You cast fireball through your character sheet, which deducts the spell slot from your character sheet and then gives the player a template to place on the map. Once placed, the fireball then automatically is applied to all creatures in the area of effect, rolls their saves automatically, adjusts any applicable resistances, and applies damage on DM clicking approved. It then shows a fireball, with a sound effect, and you see people being harmed by it.

Here is a brief example:

But it being "crude" aka clear and simple is the point. I spent hours learning how to use Roll20. I spent minutes learning how to use DDB maps. It's a different target audience, it targets people that want something you load in a map and you're off to the races in a few minutes.

It's not going to be for everyone of course but most people likely only use a fraction of Foundry's (or Roll20's) functionality.

 

[Oofta]

Oh I entirely agree. People were saying what they wanted for templates, and I am replying with what the templates look like and do on other VTTs that, I think, we can expect for this VTT eventually.

I mentioned templates, but I'm perfectly okay with simple. Just show me what a 20 ft radius or 30 foot cone is going to affect. You don't need to do anything with it.

 

[Reynard]

But it being "crude" aka clear and simple is the point. I spent hours learning how to use Roll20. I spent minutes learning how to use DDB maps. It's a different target audience, it targets people that want something you load in a map and you're off to the races in a few minutes.

It's not going to be for everyone of course but most people likely only use a fraction of Foundry's (or Roll20's) functionality.

I think that is an opinion that isn't going to age well. There is no way their intent isn't to be substantially a Roll20-like. Or, frankly, killer. WotC isn't investing in it to do it halfassed.

 

[bedir than]

Most of my players don't have characters on DDB.

Half my players in my current campaign don't use Beyond. I create a character of the same race, class and level for them, nothing else. Then if they have art already I add that or I just use their name and art as I think of them.

This lets me use Encounters (their initiative tracker) and Maps if I want to

 

[Oofta]

I think that is an opinion that isn't going to age well. There is no way their intent isn't to be substantially a Roll20-like. Or, frankly, killer. WotC isn't investing in it to do it halfassed.

I just repeated they're stated goal. They are still working on the VTT which will be the full-featured competition to other VTTs. This is supposed to be a dirt simple map tool that doesn't enforce any rules and is simple to use and learn.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I just need the tech to be simple, so for me, the out of the box functionality of DDB has been its biggest selling point. I don't want the maps feature to get much more complicated.

I agree entirely! I want it to be less complicated already - in that I'd rather I don't have to have a campaign built on DDB to have it work for a F2F group (like on a tablet or something, with everyone else but the Map being on paper with real dice).

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I think that is an opinion that isn't going to age well. There is no way their intent isn't to be substantially a Roll20-like. Or, frankly, killer. WotC isn't investing in it to do it halfassed.

You're forgetting that they plan to release a fully 3D VTT. They'll specifically really want this one to be the opposite of that. Simple. Flat.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Half my players in my current campaign don't use Beyond. I create a character of the same race, class and level for them, nothing else. Then if they have art already I add that or I just use their name and art as I think of them.

This lets me use Encounters (their initiative tracker) and Maps if I want to

I'll consider giving that a try. It still seems a bit silly to me to have to build fake characters just to give someone an Icon, but I appreciate your advice! The simpler the work-around, the better.

 

[Mistwell]

But it being "crude" aka clear and simple is the point.

I am not convinced that's the point. I suspect we're going to see more complexity over time.

 

[pukunui]

You can then decide which maps to add to that campaign. Most have both a player version and a DM version.

As for the draw feature: brilliant! That's the one thing I thought it was really lacking.

Hmm. I suppose I could just use the player maps and use the draw feature to add in the secret doors and traps rather than use layers to hide them. I'll give it a try.

I am about 90% sure it is not the point of this project. They're going big and complex, not small and simple, in the long term.

I reckon the 3D VTT will be the big and complex option, while Maps will be the small and simple one.