D&D 5E (2024) Dndbeyond Development Roadmap Feb 2026

[OB1]

As a heavy Beyond and Maps user, the focus on rebuilding the engine running DDB from the ground up this year is incredibly welcome news. Not only because there are still basic features that just don't work the way they should (tracking extra damage when raging for example) but also because homebrewing new content should become much, much easier with this engine.

Extemely excited to see that DDB got the budget to do this the way it needs to be done. I was starting to think they were going to just keep patching the old system forever. Well done WotC.

 

[Zaukrie]

It's a bit hacky, but I use three things:

* I'm testing the DM material, so the players are using 5e characters. That makes it far easier. Trying to get the new classes to work would be impossible. However, I think this is an overall better testing approach since it keeps on side of the equation a constant. I'm not changing both sides at once.

* Monsters are very easy. I can script it any die roll, as long as I'm summing things. The monster stats are inputs. It does none of the HD or stat math, which makes the stat block a blank slate.

* For elites and solos, I model their multiple turns per round by adding more than one copy of the creature to a fight, breaking them into separate groups, and assigning them static initiative.

The real benefit is in tracking data. In yesterday's game, I could use the die log to see how often the creature was hit, how often it hit, what HP the PCs ended the encounter at, and so on. That's hugely helpful.

Got it. That makes more sense than what I was imagining you were doing!

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Would be possible players to create and publish homemade classes?

 

[mamba]

The rules as data and not hard logic seems really promising.

yeah, I am kinda surprised they did not already have that, even if to a smaller degree than they are now aiming for

I wonder if that is part of an effort to better support things like Adventurers in Middle Earth? Or other games?

There will be some limit to ‘rules as data’, i.e. at one point you need code to understand and use that data, but it certainly should shift that point out and allow for more flexibility / variety before bumping into the boundaries

I assume they could easily support AiME, ToV, A5e that way, Dragonbane on the other hand would be harder to support than those. Whether they will is another matter…

 

[TwoSix]

Would be possible players to create and publish homemade classes?

That's the thousand dollar question.

 

[mamba]

Would be possible players to create and publish homemade classes?

I very much doubt the publish part at a minimum

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I very much doubt the publish part at a minimum

I would only see publish, if one cedes ownership to WoTC, otherwise there will be issues relating to provenance in the case of convergent design.

 

[Clint_L]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE allow DMs to black and greylist material for use in the Character Builder at the campaign level.

This would be a fantastic option!!!

I'm really excited for the journal option be added to Maps.

 

[GarrettKP]

Just noticed that the gif showing off the new Character Builder references 2024 rules as “5.5” in the spells section. Just a funny note.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

A lot of this sounds great, although "hey, you can show off full-size art easily" is a bit underwhelming. People have just been copying and pasting links to DDB art into their Discord channels for years now. It's nice that it's part of DDB now, but not really a game changer.

In fact, I'd like to hear more about Avrae support, or similar ways to work with the voice channels that people use alongside DDB. (Please, Wizards, don't make the mistake Blizzard did and think that you can make a better voice communication system than the companies focused on that. Focus your resources elsewhere.)