Maps Feature on D&D Beyond Becomes Free to Use

Wizards of the Coast is making its popular 2D VTT service Maps free-to-use over on D&D Beyond. Announced today over on their website (and likely coinciding with a press event over on Gen Con), D&D Head of Franchise Dan Ayoub announced that its Maps VTT service will be free to anyone with a D&D Beyond account starting on September 16th. Anyone with an account will be able to host a game over on Maps, a privilege that was previously reserved for Master-tier subscribers.

Maps became the default VTT service for Wizards of the Coast after it started to wind down the expensive 3D Sigil service just a few days after launch. The service allows players to use official D&D maps pulled from most adventures as well as 2D tokens. Starting with Dragon Delves, the service also includes pre-made maps using encounters from adventures.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Anyone have a TLDR comparison of Owlbear Rodeo and DnDB maps they can share?

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I know that. I'm saying that if you don't purchase anything on DDB, Maps being free would be pointless for many people. Which may be what their intent, it just doesn't make any sense to me.

There are 9 Free Basic Maps that DMs can use without purchase, and all 9 have animated versions (the ship map is simple but very useful).
Nonsubscribers will be able use the tool without purchases. They'll just get more options if they buy products with maps.

 

[abazaba]

There are 9 Free Basic Maps that DMs can use without purchase, and all 9 have animated versions (the ship map is simple but very useful).
Nonsubscribers will be able use the tool without purchases. They'll just get more options if they buy products with maps.

Well, just to verify that claim, I just went trough the trouble of signing up for a new and free D&D Beyond account right now, and the only 'free' content I could find was limited to the basic rules, sage advice, and the errata. Yes, I get that if you were present at just the right time in the past, there was a window of opportunity were you could 'claim' your free copy of things like Lost Mines of Phandalver, but that isn't available anymore right now.

Just curious, but: where did you find those 'free 9 Free Basic Maps', available for new sign-ups ?

 

[Zaukrie]

Well, just to verify that claim, I just went trough the trouble of signing up for a new and free D&D Beyond account right now, and the only 'free' content I could find was limited to the basic rules, sage advice, and the errata. Yes, I get that if you were present at just the right time in the past, there was a window of opportunity were you could 'claim' your free copy of things like Lost Mines of Phandalver, but that isn't available anymore right now.

Just curious, but: where did you find those 'free 9 Free Basic Maps', available for new sign-ups ?

Did you open the Maps tool? That's hwere I found them, but I am a subber....

 

[abazaba]

Did you open the Maps tool? That's hwere I found them, but I am a subber....

When I go to 'Tools -> Maps VTT (beta)', I get the message 'Subscribe to Master Tier to start hosting games in Maps', and I can 'start a free trial'. But to be fair, the article did state that all of this would only be available 'starting on September 16th', so there's that.

 

[Zaukrie]

When I go to 'Tools -> Maps VTT (beta)', I get the message 'Subscribe to Master Tier to start hosting games in Maps', and I can 'start a free trial'. But to be fair, the article did state that all of this would only be available 'starting on September 16th', so there's that.

ha! Ya, I guess you have to wait to see......the free maps are nice and useful.

 

[plecostomus]

Anyone have a TLDR comparison of Owlbear Rodeo and DnDB maps they can share?

I don't have a full comparison but I think it's important to understand the different goals of these services. DnDB+Maps lets you manage the campaign (character creation, awarding items, combat encounters) entirely within the site- the only significant exclusion that comes to mind is the DM Notes and the ability to attach those to a map. That sort of feature is possible in Foundry and I think Roll20.

Meanwhile, Owlbear Rodeo shows a map and lets you move tokens around. It doesn't have character sheets or monster statblocks. You can't buy an adventure and have the maps automatically configured. You still need a 2nd service for the campaign details, or use it with an in-person game just to show the map.

I also want to mention Owlbear Rodeo has the best fog of war management tool I have seen in any VTT. Maps is fine though. Players liked watching me scribble on Maps with my "eraser".

 

[occam]

There are free maps on DDB? Seems like it would be pretty limited if they did. I don't play remote any more so I haven't looked. When I did play with it when it was first introduced and it was still free I could upload maps if I wanted.

There are free maps that come with the Maps VTT -- 9 at current count, plus 9 animated versions. I imagine those will stick around. Pretty basic, but broadly useful.

Then there are the free adventures on DDB that also come with maps, like Intro to Stormwreck Isle.

So even if you never bought a book or adventure on DDB, there would be some maps available to use for free in Maps.

A general note to keep in mind: uploads require cloud storage, which costs DDB money. It makes sense to me that they'd gate that feature behind a subscription to keep a handle on it.

 

[Morrus]

A general note to keep in mind: uploads require cloud storage, which costs DDB money. It makes sense to me that they'd gate that feature behind a subscription to keep a handle on it.

Storage is cheap as chips. Processing power is a bit harder.

 

[bedir than]

As a reminder, Maps isn't available for free until Sept 16