Using Fantasy Grounds for Face-to-Face?

[mrrockitt]

IMO the benefit of FG is not the map or the tokens, but rather the Combat Tracker. It's integrated with the map tokens and looks like an initiative tracker, but does much more than just initiative. It tracks hit points, AC, effects (shield, mage armor, ongoing damage, spell concentration, prone, poisoned, cover, etc etc) and allows the DM to run NPC attacks/action and save off of it. Also tracks things like if a reaction is used, number of rounds, etc.

Combat in FG takes my group about 1/3 of time it takes us with just minis and paper on the table. The more NPC's, the better the ratio. I ran the party of 5 against a tribe of 45 orcs with no problems, and tracked actual hit points, effects and all that, and the player never had long periods where I had to take NPC actions etc.

I suggest you give it a try, but when you do, don't do it in a vaccumn. Check out https://fantasygroundscollege.net/ and take a free class. Get into a one-shot organized game of AL, PFS or SFL. Or, if the time is right, play in a FGDaze or FG Con game; https://www.fg-con.com/

Also, if you try out a module and license before the KS ends, you can get a full refund within 30 days if you don't like it.It will be the current/classic version, but you will see the power of the CT and the current program. The KS videos will show you what's coming (great stuff, but not game changing compared to the current power of the system, imo).

You are right about the combat tracker it is awesome!

Not forgetting some of the excellent extensions others have made too, dulux-oz's DOE stuff is brilliant, especially the Sound and Locations ones!

 

[MNblockhead]

I hear you regarding the Combat Tracker. I can see using this for adventures that I can buy through Fantasy Grounds.

The learning curve and prep time is what holds me back. I've already invested a lot of time into RealmWorks, using Hero Lab for combat tracking.

I also have all the source books (but not adventures) in D&D Beyond.

My understanding is that to take advantage of the features you are talking about, I would have to re-purchase all of the D&D Books. In other words, say the new Saltmarsh book becomes available on FG. I would consider buying FG and buying the Saltmarsh adventure on FG, but if I also have to buy the PH, DMG, and MM, that's just too expensive for me right now.

I think it is far more likely for me to buy FG for NON-5e games that I'm just running adventures for, not whole campaigns.

On the other hand, if there were some integration with RealmWorks, that could change everything. But it seems more likely that FG will instead prefer to continue to develop its own campaign-management features.

It's a great but also stressful time to be a gamer. There is lots of competition and a lot of great tools out there. But I can't keep paying for the same content and I don't have the time to keep learning new complex software applications. I just want to sit down and play a game without breaking the bank.

I'll probably back the Kickstarter at the Newcomer Standard level ($35). I *think* that would allow me to display maps locally on my horizontal display and, hopefully, use the combat tracker.

IMO the benefit of FG is not the map or the tokens, but rather the Combat Tracker. It's integrated with the map tokens and looks like an initiative tracker, but does much more than just initiative. It tracks hit points, AC, effects (shield, mage armor, ongoing damage, spell concentration, prone, poisoned, cover, etc etc) and allows the DM to run NPC attacks/action and save off of it. Also tracks things like if a reaction is used, number of rounds, etc.

Combat in FG takes my group about 1/3 of time it takes us with just minis and paper on the table. The more NPC's, the better the ratio. I ran the party of 5 against a tribe of 45 orcs with no problems, and tracked actual hit points, effects and all that, and the player never had long periods where I had to take NPC actions etc.

I suggest you give it a try, but when you do, don't do it in a vaccumn. Check out https://fantasygroundscollege.net/ and take a free class. Get into a one-shot organized game of AL, PFS or SFL. Or, if the time is right, play in a FGDaze or FG Con game; https://www.fg-con.com/

Also, if you try out a module and license before the KS ends, you can get a full refund within 30 days if you don't like it.It will be the current/classic version, but you will see the power of the CT and the current program. The KS videos will show you what's coming (great stuff, but not game changing compared to the current power of the system, imo).

 

[mrrockitt]

Absolutely fair enough mate. Perfectly understandable that you would not want to buy all of the books again, would feel the same myself.

Just to say though, keep a close-eye out during the FG Unity Kickstarter campaign as they have been doing a few competitions to win the Ultimate license and different selections of books, you never know

Like this one which has now finished I believe:

http://www.fantasygrounds.com/home/FantasyGroundsUnityPromo.php

 

[LordEntrails]

I hear you regarding the Combat Tracker. I can see using this for adventures that I can buy through Fantasy Grounds.
...
My understanding is that to take advantage of the features you are talking about, I would have to re-purchase all of the D&D Books. In other words, say the new Saltmarsh book becomes available on FG. I would consider buying FG and buying the Saltmarsh adventure on FG, but if I also have to buy the PH, DMG, and MM, that's just too expensive for me right now.

Not really, to leverage the CT doesn't require the purchased DLC. But it does require you have monster stat blocks. But, for instance you can get all of the ~400 1d6 Adventures "Monster-A-Day" monsters for free in an FG module. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?44066-1d6-Adventurers-Monster-Compendium

It also requires the PCs to have populated FG character sheets. That can be done manually or with the included SRD data. Placing the tokens on the map etc is pretty trivial.

Overall, I think you have a pretty good idea and what the benefits and costs are though.

The learning curve and prep time is what holds me back. I've already invested a lot of time into RealmWorks, using Hero Lab for combat tracking.

I also have all the source books (but not adventures) in D&D Beyond.

Understandable.

I'll probably back the Kickstarter at the Newcomer Standard level ($35). I *think* that would allow me to display maps locally on my horizontal display and, hopefully, use the combat tracker.

Yep, you will have no problem doing that. And their are some newer features to make the map full screen and to scale it to 5ft per 1 inch. Let us know on the forums if/when you go that route and need help.

 

[MNblockhead]

Yep, you will have no problem doing that. And their are some newer features to make the map full screen and to scale it to 5ft per 1 inch. Let us know on the forums if/when you go that route and need help.

Thanks. Will do.