D&D 5E Question for folks who use D&D Beyond: How well does it work with the new rules?

[wizard71]

It works great. There was a hiccup for the new PHB rules that lasted about a week. I prefer running in D&D Beyond with the maps update.

 

[Belen]

Since you're not using maps, I'd recommend the encounter builder for running encounters. Very easy to add monsters, it keeps track of your party (if they are part of a campaign) and allows you to either manually enter die rolls for initiative or have the system roll (allows you to choose just montsters or PCs for this. You can also track all monster HP and see the full stat block of the monster as you're running the encounter. Way easier than having several tabs open to the monsters your using.

Encounter builder is just beautiful tool.

 

[ECMO3]

It is ok, but not great IMO.

As far as virtual character sheets go I prefer roll20, but that is much less automated.

The main problems with D&D beyond are custom items (you give your characters a magic battle axe with the finesse property). That is going to be a real PITA to get on your sheet. Also if you have players run any NPCs, pets or summoned monsters, those are not really doable.

As far as the character creation goes the only problem I found is Agonizing Blast does not work with all the Warlock Cantrips like it should, it only works with Eldritch Blast. You can't even select one of the other Cantrips from the menu.

 

[pukunui]

The main problems with D&D beyond are custom items (you give your characters a magic battle axe with the finesse property). That is going to be a real PITA to get on your sheet.

Agreed. The underlying problem here is that the system doesn't let you add custom mundane gear with any mechanical effects.

Also if you have players run any NPCs, pets or summoned monsters, those are not really doable.

Yeah. What we've got via the Extras tab is OK, but it could be a lot better. Proper implementation of the sidekick rules would be nice, although it seems like WotC isn't going to continue using them with 2024.

As far as the character creation goes the only problem I found is Agonizing Blast does not work with all the Warlock Cantrips like it should, it only works with Eldritch Blast. You can't even select one of the other Cantrips from the menu.

Yep. While they have made great strides in doing things like being able to toggle a barbarian's rage on/off, there are still broken things like this.

It would also be nice if you could add spell effects to your character sheet. You know, like if you've got Bless or Haste or something like that.

 

[Satirical Bard]

Agreed. The underlying problem here is that the system doesn't let you add custom mundane gear with any mechanical effects.


Yeah. What we've got via the Extras tab is OK, but it could be a lot better. Proper implementation of the sidekick rules would be nice, although it seems like WotC isn't going to continue using them with 2024.


Yep. While they have made great strides in doing things like being able to toggle a barbarian's rage on/off, there are still broken things like this.

It would also be nice if you could add spell effects to your character sheet. You know, like if you've got Bless or Haste or something like that.

They finally added Rage huh? After all these years I was beginning to think it was a deliberate omission

 

[pukunui]

They finally added Rage huh? After all these years I was beginning to think it was a deliberate omission

Yep. It only works with the 2024 barbarian, though. When you select "Activate Rage", it adds the damage resistances, melee damage bonus, and advantage to Athletics to your character sheet.

 

[Mort]

It is ok, but not great IMO.

As far as virtual character sheets go I prefer roll20, but that is much less automated.

After using Roll20 for much of the pandemic, I grew to absolutely hate it. Just too many issues.

I find DnD Beyond with the maps feature much easier for me and my players.

The main problems with D&D beyond are custom items (you give your characters a magic battle axe with the finesse property).

This IS a problem, but the homebrew libraries are getting better and better. And I've gotten good enough with creating stuff that's it's just easy now.

That is going to be a real PITA to get on your sheet. Also if you have players run any NPCs, pets or summoned monsters, those are not really doable.

They are easily doable with Maps. At least I've found it VERY easy.

As far as the character creation goes the only problem I found is Agonizing Blast does not work with all the Warlock Cantrips like it should, it only works with Eldritch Blast. You can't even select one of the other Cantrips from the menu.

Interesting, no one has taken a warlock since we've been using DnD beyond in the group, so haven't encountered this.

 

[Queer Venger]

I’m considering using D&D Beyond for my next campaign, which is going to use the post-2024 rules. But I remember hearing talk of the character creator not always playing nicely with the new rules. If anybody has tried using it for a 2024 game, I’d be interested to hear your experience with it so far. What works, what doesn’t, what jury-rigged solutions have you come up with for things that don’t? Do you like the digital character sheet? Why, or why not? Also, how difficult is it to do skills with different ability scores in D&D Beyond?

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!

works perfectly fine; my group and I have been using DDB for almost 8 years. We just started our new campaign using the revised 2024 rules and so far no issues, sometimes a spell may come up that does not have a 2024 equivalent (Tasha's, or 3rd party, etc) and we just go with that. In fact, as DM I find myself relying on DDB more now as a aid than flipping through my rule books.

 

[ECMO3]

After using Roll20 for much of the pandemic, I grew to absolutely hate it. Just too many issues.

I have not had any issues with Roll 20 and I have been using it for 5 years now. It is not as automated and I don't use it for things like leveling up. But every single thing works on it, it is easy to modify.

I find DnD Beyond with the maps feature much easier for me and my players.


This IS a problem, but the homebrew libraries are getting better and better. And I've gotten good enough with creating stuff that's it's just easy now.

I do create things, but it such a PITA comparing to how you do it in pen and paper or Roll 20.

It is put in all these properties, pick a base item, save it. It is a real pain IMO

They are easily doable with Maps. At least I've found it VERY easy

I don't find it easy at all and I use maps. How do you have your players roll for their Goblin companion for example. Maybe I a just not proficient enough

.Interesting, no one has taken a warlock since we've been using DnD beyond in the group, so haven't encountered this.

I have not found a lot of issues with character creation if you are using the 2024 rules and not using homebrew. Most of that works. If you try to use 2014 stuff, even with 2024 characters, there are a lot of issues.

The thing with Agonizing Blast is particularly disturbing to me as I've played 3 Warlocks since 2024 rules came out and all of them had Agonizing Blast and none of them had Eldritch Blast, but that is really the only straight 2024 thing that I have found that doesn't work.

 

[Mort]

I have not had any issues with Roll 20 and I have been using it for 5 years now. It is not as automated and I don't use it for things like leveling up. But every single thing works on it, it is easy to modify.

Connectivity issues were the worst problem, they were happening A LOT. Zoom and maps had none of the issues. Plus has less functionality, but what it does have, at least for me, had been a breeze to use. Adding tokens and the like has just seemed much easier.

I do create things, but it such a PITA comparing to how you do it in pen and paper or Roll 20.

It is put in all these properties, pick a base item, save it. It is a real pain IMO

Certainly not as smooth as pen and paper, but I've found it ok. Plus the community is getting big enough that much of the time, I've found someone had already created what I need, it very very close

I don't find it easy at all and I use maps. How do you have your players roll for their Goblin companion for example. Maybe I a just not proficient enough

I just have them roll the base dice (easy on maps) and add the bonuses manually, companion bonuses haven't been so complicated to make this a problem.

Well that and the Ranger player insists on rolling physical dice and just telling us the results. His rolls average so poor that everyone jokes he REALLY needs to switch to digital!

I have not found a lot of issues with character creation if you are using the 2024 rules and not using homebrew. Most of that works. If you try to use 2014 stuff, even with 2024 characters, there are a lot of issues.

The thing with Agonizing Blast is particularly disturbing to me as I've played 3 Warlocks since 2024 rules came out and all of them had Agonizing Blast and none of them had Eldritch Blast, but that is really the only straight 2024 thing that I have found that doesn't work.

One thing that irritates me about Beyond is it expressly doesn't support/contain UA content. I really wish they would change their mind on that. I've found homebrewing a subclass more intensive then doing an item or a monster.