D&D (2024) WotC should have stuck to it's guns with the 2024 Beyond Update

[OB1]

Rant/ Had an otherwise fantastic session last night that was marred by WotC's caving to a small but loud segment of the fanbase who pushed back on the original plan for DDB as the 24 rules came online (and I have a feeling that a majority of those voices don't even use DDB anyhow). I'm a HEAVY Beyond user in the games I run, and I really wish they had gone ahead with their original plan to keep the old rules available for reference but default the interface to the new rules (even though my current campaign has a mix of 14 and 24 PCs). While you can manually turn off different pieces (every single time you look something up) my players (especially the Wizard) is struggling sorting through all of the duplicate spells. Hopefully WotC will be able to add some more tools to allow the DM to turn levers on and off regarding what players sharing the DM purchases can and can't see, ideally at the campaign level. Right now it is just a complete mess. /endRant

On the flip side, the latest update to Maps is freaking incredible. Throwing monsters onto the board, starting and running a combat has never been easier. I had been using the old Encounter tracker until I accidently discovered the new option half way through last night's session and it's a game changer.

 

[Nikosandros]

I'm currently playing in a 2014 game and we use DDB each and every session. I'm happy that WotC reconsidered their bad decision.

 

[Clint_L]

I'm currently playing in a 2014 game and we use DDB each and every session. I'm happy that WotC reconsidered their bad decision.

I'm not. At all. It just adds confusion and I agree that more toggles are needed. For the sake of a few minor rules differences, it doubles up almost every entry and is just generally a mess. I agree 100% with the OP: for the sake of caving to a few loud voices, some of whom, let's face it, resist any change, the interface has gotten ridiculously muddled.

It should have used the current rules as the standard and added toggles so those who want some or all of the old stuff can go through and toggle what they need on, rather than expecting everyone to wade through all the redundancies.

 

[Oofta]

Yeah, it's annoying. I really wish I could just toggle a setting to not use the 2014 rules.

 

[OB1]

It should have used the current rules as the standard and added toggles so those who want some or all of the old stuff can go through and toggle what they need on, rather than expecting everyone to wade through all the redundancies.

Hopefully we'll get to that point in the near future. Really just needed to get it off my chest, but if I had to pick, the new in-map encounter system is so great that I'll deal with the messy 14/24 interface for a while.

 

[Morrus]

Yeah, it's annoying. I really wish I could just toggle a setting to not use the 2014 rules.

This seems like the simple solution.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

D&D Beyond is better digital tools for D&D than we've ever had before - but it's still a mess and full of awkward, slow, and frustrating methods of doing things. (And is apparently impossible or near impossible for them to make any better than it is).

I'd love an overhaul, but I don't expect that we'll get it. It's a cash-cow for what it is. WotC has little incentive to fix it.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Yes. I want a switch to just disable 2014 PHB content.

 

[mamba]

Yeah, it's annoying. I really wish I could just toggle a setting to not use the 2014 rules.

or really just any book, not surer why they do not offer toggles

 

[Elvish Lore]

On the flip side, the latest update to Maps is freaking incredible. Throwing monsters onto the board, starting and running a combat has never been easier. I had been using the old Encounter tracker until I accidently discovered the new option half way through last night's session and it's a game changer.

Pls tell me more about this. I've been debating biting the bullet and paying a sub to access Maps. I wasn't impressed when I tried Maps on a trial basis in September.