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

[Nikosandros]

Maybe veteran players who know the rules inside out. For new players, DDB is a godsend.

Even though I feel that there are many things that could be improved, I find it an incredibly useful tool both as a player and as a DM. Furthermore, as you note, with less engaged players it is even more precious.

 

[R_J_K75]

We ran Maps for one encounter tonight. Two second level PCs vs an Owlbear and a Gelatinous cube. Don't worry I nerfed the encounter. The VTT concept breaks down trying to use it face to face as everyone is all at the same table looking at the same screen because you have to use the main screen that doesn't hide anything with the fog of war. This makes it hard to prep beforehand. Here's some thoughts, assuming that everyone is using a different device.

1) It made the encounter easier to imagine in the mind's eye with the maps on screen and encouraged more dynamic encounters. We're going to continue trying it for the foreseeable feature. Anybody know how often it gets updated?

2) Fog of War: Should just always block out everything to the players until the GM reveals it, this might make the spectator screen is unnecessary.

3) Players can move other players tokens. Thought I figured this out in the settings, but I'll have to keep tweaking

4) Our sessions randomly ended. Not sure if it was a setting or just everyone using a different type of device. Thought I saw a keep session active setting somewhere but can't recall.

Was fun and worth the effort

 

[CM]

Some issues we've noted, some are just general to D&DB and not specific to 2024.

• The character sheet does not let you spend hit dice arbitrarily on things outside of a short rest. See the 2024 Healer feat for an example of why this is necessary.
• 2024 warlocks only have access to the 2024 PHB invocations. You can get around this by manually adding the feat which gives you one invocation of your choice.
• Last I checked, you can only create 2014-style backgrounds. Creation of 2024-style backgrounds or customizing existing 2024 backgrounds is not supported (though the character sheet will detect if you haven't earned a feat or ability score increase from background and offer you data fields to select those if necessary.
• If your campaign uses custom languages, skills, or equipment, you have to manually add them to your character sheets. Those can't be homebrewed.
• You still cannot homebrew feats with certain combinations of ability score increases, like +1 Str/Int, or +1 Str/Cha.

 

[pukunui]

The VTT concept breaks down trying to use it face to face as everyone is all at the same table looking at the same screen because you have to use the main screen that doesn't hide anything with the fog of war. This makes it hard to prep beforehand.

2) Fog of War: Should just always block out everything to the players until the GM reveals it, this might make the spectator screen is unnecessary.

I’m not sure what you mean here. When I use Maps face-to-face, I have the DM view on my laptop and the spectator view on a TV screen. The fog of war works just fine in spectator view.

 

[R_J_K75]

I’m not sure what you mean here. When I use Maps face-to-face, I have the DM view on my laptop and the spectator view on a TV screen. The fog of war works just fine in spectator view.

After reading your reply, it just came to me. If I set up my laptop for two screens (which I didn't do), I can open two windows and show the Spectator view on the TV and use the main screen on my laptop. I was thinking about it too hard; I'll give it a try, I don't see why it won't work. Thanks!!

EDIT: Tried it and it worked perfectly. Now off to Amazon for a 25’ HDMI cable.

 

[pukunui]

After reading your reply, it just came to me. If I set up my laptop for two screens (which I didn't do), I can open two windows and show the Spectator view on the TV and use the main screen on my laptop. I was thinking about it too hard; I'll give it a try, I don't see why it won't work. Thanks!!

EDIT: Tried it and it worked perfectly. Now off to Amazon for a 25’ HDMI cable.

Glad I could help!

 

[Mort]

After reading your reply, it just came to me. If I set up my laptop for two screens (which I didn't do), I can open two windows and show the Spectator view on the TV and use the main screen on my laptop. I was thinking about it too hard; I'll give it a try, I don't see why it won't work. Thanks!!

EDIT: Tried it and it worked perfectly. Now off to Amazon for a 25’ HDMI cable.

I went a little crazy and got the 50' cable, you know, in case I need to plug in from 2 rooms away.

 

[AlViking]

After reading your reply, it just came to me. If I set up my laptop for two screens (which I didn't do), I can open two windows and show the Spectator view on the TV and use the main screen on my laptop. I was thinking about it too hard; I'll give it a try, I don't see why it won't work. Thanks!!

EDIT: Tried it and it worked perfectly. Now off to Amazon for a 25’ HDMI cable.

You might be able to cast via bluetooth or wifi depending on your setup if you haven't already ordered.

 

[R_J_K75]

You might be able to cast via bluetooth or wifi depending on your setup if you haven't already ordered.

I tried to do that with my phone and there was no way to get it show full screen without it distorting extremely. So, I think laptop & HDMI is the way to go. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone gets drunk and trips over the cord, spilling beer all over the table and frying my laptop.

One other thing I noticed is while using the D&DB app the Maps feature isnt available on my iPhone or my Amazon Fire Tablet. The tools menu is not there that I can find. While trying to access the tools menu on both devices with an internet browser, the Tool menu is there but the Maps feature is not.

 

[AlViking]

I tried to do that with my phone and there was no way to get it show full screen without it distorting extremely. So, I think laptop & HDMI is the way to go. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone gets drunk and trips over the cord, spilling beer all over the table and frying my laptop.

One other thing I noticed is while using the D&DB app the Maps feature isnt available on my iPhone or my Amazon Fire Tablet. The tools menu is not there that I can find. While trying to access the tools menu on both devices with an internet browser, the Tool menu is there but the Maps feature is not.

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I've only run it from my laptop myself, displaying wirelessly on a TV also depends on your setup. I did get it to work on an older TV with a Roku device that plugs into your HDMI slot on your TV which might be another option. That or buy a roll of duct tape to affix your cable to the floor to try to make it drunk proof.