WotC Ruins of Symbaroum: Setting Handbook is Now Available on D&D Beyond

[AdmundfortGeographer]

However, it seems odd to release a book on D&D Beyond without including character options. Symbaroum is a 5E-adapted setting with character options that would benefit from a tool like D&D Beyond . . . I'm not sure of the logic behind this release.

It is curious and I’m interested in the thinking.

I believe the Ruins of Symbaroum adaptation of 5e is among the best for a lower magic, risky-magic version of character classes. It may be that some classes rely on the corruption mechanic (or something else?) that is more that D&D Beyond wants to bother to implement? ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[Piperken]

This video review of Ruins of Symbaroum Player's Guide gives an excellent overview of what the flavoring and aesthetics of the setting are like, for any one who may be considering this world.

You'll also see some of what will not be included in the setting book, I am guessing.

Will add this youtube channeler has a number of videos about Symbaroum in general, as they've run games in it.

 

[Dire Bare]

It is curious and I’m interested in the thinking.

I believe the Ruins of Symbaroum adaptation of 5e is among the best for a lower magic, risky-magic version of character classes. It may be that some classes rely on the corruption mechanic (or something else?) that is more that D&D Beyond wants to bother to implement? ¯\(ツ)/¯

If the D&D Beyond team can't support the mechanics of Symbaroum 5E . . . why bother at all?

Free League and DDB have already implemented Lord of the Rings 5E without fully supporting the mechanics of the game . . . and there are official D&D mechanics from various books that have never been fully supported in DDB . . .

Generally, I'm a fan of DDB, but the priorities and focus of their team frustrate me.

 

[Nikosandros]

Personally, I prefer the web format on D&D Beyond to PDF format. Both formats have their pros and cons, of course, but the web books are a lot easier to search during a game.

However, it seems odd to release a book on D&D Beyond without including character options. Symbaroum is a 5E-adapted setting with character options that would benefit from a tool like D&D Beyond . . . I'm not sure of the logic behind this release. I won't be picking it up, even though the price point is fairly low.

Yes, I agree that searching during a game is much faster and efficient on the web interface. However, if I understand correctly what this product is, I don't envision looking up stuff during a game, but rather reading it during prep. In that case, for me, the portability and durability* of PDFs is preferable.

*I still have and use PDFs from 24 years ago bought from stores that are but a distant memory...

 

[mamba]

Yes, I've read that it is just setting information. On the plus side, it might be attractive because it is a cheap way to get into the setting and AFAIK, this specific product does not exist elsewhere. On the negative side, without DB integration and character options this would look, IMO, much better as a PDF.

yes, setting information without crunch does not really benefit from DDB. Is this a rehash of information found in the other books or new content?

 

[Reynard]

yes, setting information without crunch does not really benefit from DDB. Is this a rehash of information found in the other books or new content?

It seems like it must be a first step, right? Or is the 5E implementation so different that Beyond can't handle it?

How does LotR 5E work for folks? Is that game proof positive that Beyond can handle 5E variants?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How does LotR 5E work for folks? Is that game proof positive that Beyond can handle 5E variants?

Last I heard, the classes aren't working right, but I haven't kept up with the discussion of the implementation in the weeks since.

 

[mamba]

It seems like it must be a first step, right? Or is the 5E implementation so different that Beyond can't handle it?

no idea on either of these two. It seems to intentionally not contain (sub)classes when the TTRPG does. Why that is, is unclear, I cannot think of a good reason other than there being issues with them in DDB however, and in that case they also won't come later.