Got D&D Insider; Don't need books

[The Coffee Cat]

Well, I'm a DMG addict, so no problems there.

It's starting to look like the DDI, when renewed only when updates are needed, is an alternative that gives good value if you can bear to lose the fluff. Certainly better than buying a heap of books when you only really need/want a couple of monsters from each of them (this was always my main beef with the 4e business model from a DM perspective).

I think I need to give this a try soon.

EDIT:

Just one warning - if you uninstall it or switch to a new system, you will need to resubscribe to get the full content beyond the demo version. Unless you figure out which parts of your system to back up for it and can bring that backup to your new computer.

Ah thanks, that's certainly something to keep in mind, though I imagine I'll want updates at least as often as I reinstall my OS if not more.

Is there a limit to how many computers I can activate the full content on during the subscription period, by the way?

 

[SkidAce]

Just one warning - if you uninstall it or switch to a new system, you will need to resubscribe to get the full content beyond the demo version. Unless you figure out which parts of your system to back up for it and can bring that backup to your new computer.

This is a concern I have. Not sure I could find all the bits to backup. I know it's hypothetical...but when/if there is a 5th ed, being unable to install the character builder/monster builder on a newer system (I mean would WotC really want me to re-subcribe 4th when they have 5th?) would surely cramp my style and provide an impetus to change to 5th.

What if (heaven forbid) they go out of business?

This is one of the reasons I am not fond of "web registration" methods, the admittedly small chance that a program I like gets left behind by a company and then I cant carry it over to a new computer.

 

[unan oranis]

I don't really get the "trick" of subscribing for one month every six months...

Yes you download all the pdf's, update the CB and MB etc and make out like a bandit; but is it worth saving about the cost of a book to skip having full, all-out and up-to-date access all the time?

Presuming you play more than once every six months; I suspect most people who actually use the ddi will end up subscribing year long anyway... so you're just costing yourself money!


There's a little DRM action going on though isn't there? You're only allowed 5 updates/installs per month, so one subscription can only float 5 different computers...

Is it against the rules to install on your friends computer? If it's against the rules I'll state here and now that I would never dream of say, having all my players have a copy of the CB on their home comp. That's not the case. Nope.

 

[Wormwood]

Haven't bought a single book in a year. Thanks to DDI, I have more adventures than I can run, more fluff than I can ever use, and more character options than I can ever play.

For this lazy, lazy man, it's best value in nearly 30 years of gaming.

 

[Dannager]

Is there a limit to how many computers I can activate the full content on during the subscription period, by the way?

Yes. You can download the most recent updates to the Monster Builder and Character Builder five times per month, which theoretically would allow you to keep five of your computers up-to-date. The rest of the Insider stuff can of course be accessed from any computer with internet access.

Is it against the rules to install on your friends computer? If it's against the rules I'll state here and now that I would never dream of say, having all my players have a copy of the CB on their home comp. That's not the case. Nope.

It is absolutely against the rules, and the fact that 5 players is the assumed norm for a D&D game, and that 5 downloads of the Character Builder are allowed per month is simply a very, very convenient coincidence that I'm sure the DDI team didn't even consider.

 

[Samurai]

I find D&D Insider has greatly reduced not only my need but my compulsion to buy 4e books. Don't need 'em. I can look at all the new stuff right though DDI. Anyone else find they're feeling the same way?

I wonder how much DDI has affected the sales of D&D books. I don't think WotC's bottom line will be much affected by it if the books are being replaced by a monthly/yearly subscription to DDI.

DDI places hundreds of rituals, thousands of powers, thousands of magic items and thousands of... er... other stuff right at my fingertips.

You get the crunch with DDI, but do you also get all of the fluff? Are the plot hooks that fill books like Underdark in DDI? Or all the DM advice from the 2 DMGs?

 

[Nifelhein]

Well 5 players is the rule but sicne the group is 1 GM + 5 players we are one update short.

 

[The Coffee Cat]

Thanks for the excellent info.

My players and I are spread across 3 households, so the DRM limit would be absolutely no problem for us. Each player subscribing to a DDI account is just plain never going to happen, ever, so if the rules prohibit sharing a DDI account we're left with the choice of bending the rules a little or opting out and continue on as we have. Generally I'm not too fond of being told what I can and can't do with something I pay for. It just penalizes the ones who stick to the rules and makes Lawful Good the most expensive option by far.

 

[Doc_Klueless]

You get the crunch with DDI, but do you also get all of the fluff? Are the plot hooks that fill books like Underdark in DDI? Or all the DM advice from the 2 DMGs?

Not that I noticed, no. Books would be very handy for that, indeed.

But (and here's where it really goes into how I want to play and isn't necessarily applicable to anyone else) as a player, I don't wanna know that stuff. I want to explore the DMs world, see what's up his sleave and be, hopefully, pleasantly surprised by all the new awesomeness that he's bringing to the table. As a DM, I don't use that stuff. I have my homebrew that I've been using for (hmm, let me count) 22 years (Ack, I'm gettin' old). I know that setting in and out. I add stuff from fiction and non-fiction books I've read and not game books because I want to throw stuff at the party that the players probably haven't read about so they can experience the same degree of wonder that I do when I'm a player in their games.

The D&D4e books have wonderful fluff which I've mentioned in another thread somewhere. I just don't use it to game.

Back to your point, I absolutely agree that the books can be very helpful for not only their crunch but for their fluff. Especially for the beginning player and DM but not excluding the more experienced player/DM who might also find it useful.

DDI, however, has reduced my need for the books synergistically by taking all the crunch and putting it in an easily usable format and tool AND removing fluff I don't use anyway. Does that make sense?

 

[The Coffee Cat]

It makes perfect sense to me, as that's pretty much what I've been doing since I started DM'ing.