D&D 5E (2014) More details about the VTT from D&D Beyond

Malmuria · Mar 29, 2023

robus said:
I dunno, a bunch of people staring at laptops around a table seems way too much like work!

I see that LAN parties have become retro cool

Hussar · Mar 29, 2023

bert1001 fka bert1000 said:
Those 3D maps and models look amazing.

Is there such a thing as too good though?

With cruder 2D maps and tokens, I feel like you can still be mostly in your head and just reference the map for positioning. With this level of graphics, don't know.

Well, they did flat out state that 2d imported maps are supported, so, that's a definite perk for speed of prep.

My gut feeling is that the bells and whistles full experience will, at least at the outset, be limited to mostly the big module releases. Just not enough community content for most of us to realistically prep to that level.

However, fast forward a couple of years, and now you'll be able to find pretty large libraries of terrain and whatnot, for virtually any price point- just like now with any VTT.

So long as this handles most of the mechanics of the game? I'm sold. If I can just click to target a bunch of baddies, click the spell/effect/whatever, and everything just poof, works? Giddyup!

darjr · Mar 29, 2023

Hussar said:
Well, they did flat out state that 2d imported maps are supported, so, that's a definite perk for speed of prep.

My gut feeling is that the bells and whistles full experience will, at least at the outset, be limited to mostly the big module releases. Just not enough community content for most of us to realistically prep to that level.

However, fast forward a couple of years, and now you'll be able to find pretty large libraries of terrain and whatnot, for virtually any price point- just like now with any VTT.

So long as this handles most of the mechanics of the game? I'm sold. If I can just click to target a bunch of baddies, click the spell/effect/whatever, and everything just poof, works? Giddyup!

Well I'll bet you could nab things from the adventures. Full setups to maps and maybe even terrain pieces. Raw speculation on my part though.

Parmandur · Mar 29, 2023

darjr said:
Well I'll bet you could nab things from the adventures. Full setups to maps and maybe even terrain pieces. Raw speculation on my part though.

I mean, basically like ha ing a digital Dwarven Forge set of terrain and a box of minis.

darjr · Mar 29, 2023

Parmandur said:
I mean, basically like ha ing a digital Dwarven Forge set of terrain and a box of minis.

That’s my bet. But dunno if it’s fact.

Hussar · Mar 29, 2023

I think that's probably the safest bet. I mean, it already works that way in other VTT's. You can lift out stuff from one module and play it in another right now. So, I cannot imagine that this would be any different.

Oofta · Mar 29, 2023

darjr said:
Well I'll bet you could nab things from the adventures. Full setups to maps and maybe even terrain pieces. Raw speculation on my part though.

I believe that was already stated in another video. You'll have the option to buy a module's maps and terrain pieces. Once you've done that you can reuse the pieces you purchase as you see fit.

Want to use that altar from mod X and furniture from mod Y? It will be an option. Which is pretty cool.

Oofta · Mar 29, 2023

One other thing I noticed in this video is the full embrace of community updates and 3PP additions. Sounds like some higher ups are accepting reality, which is good.

FitzTheRuke · Mar 29, 2023

bert1001 fka bert1000 said:
Those 3D maps and models look amazing.

Is there such a thing as too good though?

With cruder 2D maps and tokens, I feel like you can still be mostly in your head and just reference the map for positioning. With this level of graphics, don't know.

I know what you mean. For me, the difference lies in imagination, and how much you need to use. The more imagination you need (like in theater of the mind) the more "cinematic" your immersion. The less imagination (really good miniatures, really good VTT), the more you feel removed from the immersion.

I know it's not just me, but this might not be true for everyone. I also know that some people really need as many imagination aids as you can give them. It's not that their unimaginative, it's that their imagination doesn't form particularly vivid pictures.

Still, this looks to me like it would have the danger (I'd have to try it to be sure) of feeling like playing a really, really slow video game with friends. Like in the old days when you had to pass the joystick over and wait for them. I think that I'd grow impatient. I'll have to see.

Also, as a DM, I don't have the patience to learn how to use Roll20. This would need to be more "convenient" than THAT is for me to give it a solid chance. (I'm told R20 is not that bad, once you get the hang of it, which I should probably put the effort in, but I just haven't yet).

Of course, I also sell miniatures for a living, so that side of me has mixed feelings on this as well. If it's really good it could affect my mini sales, but that's a concern for another time...