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

[Echohawk]

I wonder if it's because I didn't assign the PC to a campaign first, and my books are the DMs associated with the campaign, so it is only pulling from the free 2024 rules?

That seems extremely likely. It is definitely defaulting to the free 2024 rules over 2014 now.

 

[Echohawk]

My only issue is with Warlock invocations - in addition to Agonizing Blast not working correctly you can't select 2014 Invocations like Eldritch Sight. It's just not an option anymore.

It is for me:

 

[plecostomus]

Can confirm I made a new 2014 character and the spell list includes 2014 spells still. Had to both enable 2014 content AND choose the 2014 version of Wizard. If I had 2014 content enabled but used the 2024 Wizard, the 2014 spells only appear at certain points (like when choosing a spell I got from a class feature).

 

[jmartkdr2]

It is for me:
View attachment 395520

Not available for me - might be a dm setting thing, but it just plain shouldn't be

 

[Echohawk]

Not available for me - might be a dm setting thing, but it just plain shouldn't be

Are you using the 2014 Warlock or the 2024 Warlock as the class?
Do you have the 2014 content switched on for that character?

 

[Charlaquin]

How is everyone finding D&D Beyond useful during a game? I've only a played a few sessions, but I can't help but think turns would be much quicker if players weren't using their devices instead of good old fashioned pen, paper, and dice.

I imagine that would depend on the players. For some, this is certainly true. But I also regularly play with folks with whom every session starts something like

DM: “Make an Investigation check.”
Player A: “Ok, what do I roll for Investigation again?”
DM: “A d20 plus your Investigation…”
Player A: “Right! ok, Investigation… Investigation… where is that again…? Oh! Ok, that’s 8… plus… umm… ok, 14!”
DM: “Ok, so you don’t find any…”
Player B: “Wait! I use Bardic Inspiration!”
DM: “Well normally you’d have to…
Player B: “How does that work again?”
DM: “You basically give the other player one of your bardic inspiration dice as a bonus, but…”
Player B: “Right! How many times can I use that?”
DM: “It depends on your level, but you’d have needed to…”
Player A: “What die do I add again?”
DM: “Well you can’t…”
Player B: “Hang on, let me check… It’s a d… 6? No, wait, we leveled up last session so d8!”
DM: “Actually, you…”
Player A: “Oh, wait, I can spend my inspiration to get advantage! So that’s actually an 18, plus… umm… what do I add again?”
DM: [sighing] “it doesn’t matter, you succeed either way.”

I’m exaggerating of course, but only by a little. And don’t get me started on having to remind people which die is which, or that attack bonus and damage bonus are different things!

 

[MGibster]

I imagine that would depend on the players. For some, this is certainly true. But I also regularly play with folks with whom every session starts something like

I'm getting a combination of what you describe plus players trying to figure out how to roll or find things on their character sheets on their devices. We've only played a few sessions, but I'm probably going to have to talk to my players about getting through their turns in a timely manner.

 

[wizard71]

I must say as a DM, D&D Beyond is amazing. I use the maps and tokens to play with friends over the internet. Encounter build is a huge time saver whether playing in person or online. It would be perfect if you could have your campaign notes linked in a format like World Anvil. Even the dice roller speeds up play and lessons arguments as everyone can see the roll totals. I highly recommend it for any DM.

 

[J-H]

D&D Beyond is convenient for clicking on things, but in actual play IRL I have found that paper sheets are typically faster. Digital rolling is definitely slower.
Also, people who write their sheets down by hand tend to remember what's on them much better.

The default printout character sheet from Beyond is terribly formatted. Features and action types are scattered all over the place incoherently, there's no descriptions for inventory items, and last I checked, spells known vs. prepared doesn't display properly and the spell summaries don't include all the info needed to actually use them.

I end up making my own sheet or summary for in person play.

 

[AlViking]

D&D Beyond is convenient for clicking on things, but in actual play IRL I have found that paper sheets are typically faster. Digital rolling is definitely slower.
Also, people who write their sheets down by hand tend to remember what's on them much better.

The default printout character sheet from Beyond is terribly formatted. Features and action types are scattered all over the place incoherently, there's no descriptions for inventory items, and last I checked, spells known vs. prepared doesn't display properly and the spell summaries don't include all the info needed to actually use them.

I end up making my own sheet or summary for in person play.

I export the PDF and then replace the text in the generated boxes my own notes. So for example I replaced the Actions text with abbreviated actions so I can actually have everything on the first page. So for my barbarian I can look at all the info for what happens when I rage with a glance.

Rage: 3 / Long Rest (Regain 1/short rest)

• Resist Bludgeon, Piercing, Slashing
• Advantage on: Strength Checks, Saves
• Extend: attack, bonus to extend rage (up to 10 min)
• Vitality Surge: gain Temp HP = barbarian level (4)
• Life-Giving Force: Start of Turn, give Temp HP = proficiency bonus D6 (2d6) to creature w/in 10 ft. Goes away after rage ends.
• Use Str Mod for: Intimidation

I also do this with other things I need like other bonus actions, feats, racial traits and so on. If I can't remember some detail I can always look it up if necessary but I almost never have to do that. It is much, much quicker for me to look up anything I need. I still have my phone and the character loaded for tracking HP, rages and whatnot but all the info I need is on one page instead of swiping, squinting and saying "I know it's here somewhere" like other people at my table.