Sell me on D&D Beyond

[Reynard]

Earlier today I was trying to answer a question for a player and I went to the 5E SRD and realized the answer wasn't there because the thing in question (a wizard school specialization) was not in the SRD. This galled me.

I really like having quick digital access to information, especially for games I run. And while I run at least half of my games on Fantasy grounds, the fact is the reference material on FG is abysmal. But, I am super tied of buying the same book multiple times (once in HC, once in FG and potentially another time in D&DB?).

So, tell me why D&D Beyond is a good investment, why I should subscribe and buy content to run games in meatspace and on a VTT. Or tell me why not to.

Thanks.

 

[ehenning]

I have hard copy and dndbeyond copies, but I don’t use FG. I can say that the online search capability, along with the ongoing development around campaign/encounter management in addition to the homebrew creation/sharing functionality makes DNDB a good investment for me.

I play in-person games almost exclusively, so my situation may not match yours.

 

[77IM]

While there are various pros and cons, options to weigh, YMMV, etc., the decision to purchase content on D&D Beyond basically boils down to:

• Buy it because you would feel guilty about torrenting a PDF of the core rule books.
• OR, don't buy it because you don't feel guilty about torrenting a PDF of the core rule books.

 

[Dausuul]

As a reference tool, D&D Beyond is excellent. All the monsters, all the classes, all the spells, all the feats... one website, easy to navigate, and well-designed for both mobile and desktop.

In addition, the new character sheet is top-notch. As DM, of course, that doesn't affect you directly, but if your players are using it, you can look up their stats any time you like when planning adventures; and it's got pretty good support for homebrew content, so you can hand out custom magic items, spells, and even feats and subclasses.

The big weak point right now is the near-total lack of campaign support, but I gather that's in the pipeline. The other down side is price, of course; D&D Beyond content isn't cheap, and I like to have the physical book as well as the digital one. Still, take it all in all, I consider it well worth the cost.

 

[Mistwell]

While there are various pros and cons, options to weigh, YMMV, etc., the decision to purchase content on D&D Beyond basically boils down to:

• Buy it because you would feel guilty about torrenting a PDF of the core rule books.
• OR, don't buy it because you don't feel guilty about torrenting a PDF of the core rule books.

I disagree with this. I find the utility of D&D Beyond is lightyears better than the utility of a PDF. There are just so many sorting options, for many sources at once, and ways to limit your searches, see other similar options side by side, and ways to properly cut and paste rules, DNDB is just built for use. PDFs are built to read, but not "use" in that way.

 

[Ristamar]

How are the homebrew/customization options at this point? Does it allow you to modify existing feats, spells, class features, backgrounds, etc?

 

[Guest 6801328]

D&DBeyond is great. Some people in my group use it, and during combats when it's their turn they take so long squinting and tapping and scrolling, trying to figure out what their attack bonus is (hint: it's the exact same as it was on your last turn), that I have plenty of time for bio breaks, fridge runs, and writing novels while we crawl through the initiative order.

 

[Dausuul]

How are the homebrew/customization options at this point? Does it allow you to modify existing feats, spells, class features, backgrounds, etc?

They're pretty solid. You can homebrew backgrounds, feats, magic items, spells, subclasses (but not full classes), races, and monsters. When doing so, you can either clone an existing thing and modify the clone, or create from scratch.

I disagree with this. I find the utility of D&D Beyond is lightyears better than the utility of a PDF. There are just so many sorting options, for many sources at once, and ways to limit your searches, see other similar options side by side, and ways to properly cut and paste rules, DNDB is just built for use. PDFs are built to read, but not "use" in that way.

Agreed, D&D Beyond is infinitely better than a PDF. There's just no comparison.

 

[LordEntrails]

... the fact is the reference material on FG is abysmal. ...

See my opinion on this is diametrically opposed to your opinion on this. I have no problem with using FG as a reference, so I see no need for DDB and wouldn't bother investing in it.

I would take a second look at how to use FG as a reference. Sounds like you already own the material there, so might as well take a second look.

 

[Ristamar]

They're pretty solid. You can homebrew backgrounds, feats, magic items, spells, subclasses (but not full classes), races, and monsters. When doing so, you can either clone an existing thing and modify the clone, or create from scratch.

But do they let you tweak the core rules with edits? For example, could I simply add a feature to the Athlete feat, or would I need to make a new feat under a different name (via clone or otherwise)?