Which Online Virtual Tabletop Do You Use?

[Nytmare]

I'm probably a special case, but I'm running a game of Torchbearer split between Slack, a Google Sites site, and a shared Google spreadsheet.

The only "table top" aspects of the game are die rolls, simulated by a /command in slack, and an "each side chooses and plays three face down cards and you flip them up pairs" game that we handle on the spreadsheet. Aside from that, the Slack is where we talk, the Site is where I have character creation and world info, and the spreadsheet is where we have character sheets, the card game, and XP voting.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

I'm probably a special case, but I'm running a game of Torchbearer split between Slack, a Google Sites site, and a shared Google spreadsheet.

The only "table top" aspects of the game are die rolls, simulated by a /command in slack, and an "each side chooses and plays three face down cards and you flip them up pairs" game that we handle on the spreadsheet. Aside from that, the Slack is where we talk, the Site is where I have character creation and world info, and the spreadsheet is where we have character sheets, the card game, and XP voting.

I always like to hear about folks' asynchronous games (fka Play by Post / PBP). I was in a memorable Slack/Sheets Freebooters game that unfortunately faded as one player sort of just ghosted away. I'd play again with people I know.

 

[Nytmare]

This one actually isn't PBP, it's real time, attempting to focus more on descriptive writing than "typing in a funny voice."

The out of game chat is asynchronous, but actual play time is about 3-4 hours real time. It's actually a lot closer to a MUD or old school text adventure than anything.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

This one actually isn't PBP, it's real time, attempting to focus more on descriptive writing than "typing in a funny voice."

The out of game chat is asynchronous, but actual play time is about 3-4 hours real time. It's actually a lot closer to a MUD or old school text adventure than anything.

Huh. Well that's an interesting way to do it. Sounds fun!

 

[Eis]

we use roll20 and its working pretty well for us, like others we are using discord or google hangouts for voice instead of the roll20 audio

for those of you using roll20 (and the other vtt's I believe) along with dndbeyond I highly recommend beyond20 which is a free browser extension that allows you to use your dndbeyond character sheet for rolls, spells, what have you and display it right in the roll20 chat log

as an example we are playing Tomb of Horrors and our DM has just about every 5e book in dndbeyond but not in roll20, this allowed me to use all of the dndbeyond resources and play in roll20 without having to actually import a sheet

 

[Steel_Wind]

I would note that for those using Roll20, FG2 or D20Pro to play 5e? The VTT you should be using is now Foundry VTT.

I could explain its features, but I'll leave that to the video below. There is a proviso in all of this for Foundry VTT. Currently, the support for 5e is robust. You will be very pleased. There are TONS of tutorials and a LOT of 3rd party support on Patreon for it already, both directly and indirectly.

The Problem: the support for games other than 5e is only in community development. Pathfinder 1 and Pathfinder 2 are coming along - but they just aren't there yet. Maybe by the fall they will be, but not yet. To be fair, this "problem" is really more a consequence that the software has only been available for about 2 months and something as complicated as PF1 and PF2 take time to develop. I imagine they will get here with both, but they aren't there yet.

For PF1 I would still recommend D20Pro as the King of that PF1 VTT Castle. For Pathfinder 2? Roll20 remains the preferred platform - so far. I expect with D20Pro ver 4 that will change.

It would be nice to have all of Foundry's features (which are already in D20Pro for the most part, and D20Pro still has a lot that Foundry doesn't) and its nice UI and awesome character sheets for use with Pathfinder. But it's just not there yet. Yet.

But for 5e? Oh yes - it's oh so there. It integrates nicely with D&DBeyond, too. And you really should be using it. Compared to Roll20, FG2, FGU, Astral and even D20PRo? Well, there really is no comparison.

 

[Phenomen]

@Steel_Wind actually PF2 support in Foundry is miles ahead of any other VTT. It has a beautiful sheet and the whole SRD for free

 

[Steel_Wind]

Actually, it isn't.

The char sheet is beautiful, sure. Does it have support for all the archetypes, feats, and spells in the game? Let alone every combat option?

No. It doesn't. We don't have to guess about this. Go to reddit or discord and just ASK. I have. Try to run a game with it. I have.

Not even close. SRD compendium is there, sure. The entries are also broken right now given the problem it has with links in those SRD passages. And access to the SRD is not exactly the test.

It's coming along, sure. But no, it's not there yet.

 

[Phenomen]

Does it have support for all the archetypes, feats, and spells in the game?

What you want is not SRD and cannot be added legally.
Also, I'm pretty sure all corebook spells and feats are there, only some parts of Lost Omens and non-SRD (e.g graphics) stuff is missing.

 

[Steel_Wind]

What you want is not SRD and cannot be added legally.
Also I'm pretty sure all corebook spells and feats are there, only Lost Omens and other non-SRD stuff is missing.

You are confusing WotC's approach to game content with Paizo's. Paizo protects their content under the heading "product identity" in the backmatter. There are no archetypes, feats and spells, that receive that designation under the OGL. NONE. ZERO.

Product Identity (World Guide):
The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open
Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Game Content: All trademarks, registered
trademarks, proper nouns (characters, deities, locations, etc., as well as all adjectives, names,
titles, and descriptive terms derived from proper nouns), artworks, characters, dialogue, locations,
organizations, plots, storylines, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously been designated as
Open Game Content, or are exclusively derived from previous Open Game Content, or that are in the
public domain are not included in this declaration.)

There are no archetypes,feats or spells referenced above. The Product Identity doesn't change from the above in the Character Guide or Gods and Magic.

That's why all of it is in the SRD on the Archives of Nethys. Again, we do not have to guess. Just go look:

Lost Omens World Guide : World Guide - Sources - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
Lost Omens Character Guide: Character Guide - Sources - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
Lost Omens Gods and Magic: Gods & Magic - Sources - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database

I'm a lawyer. I have been for 25 years. You are just making stuff up here. Please stop.

 

[Phenomen]

So which spell or feat is missing? Your answer is totally irrelevant. As I said everything in the core is already available and even more. I've just checked and all equipment, Bestiary 1/2, Gods & Magic, archetypes, race features, deities, GMG, Adventure Path, and even Pathfinder Society content is there. So your "knowledge" is very outdated. Not to mention it's available for free and you don't have to pay $200 for books as you would have on Roll20.

I'm a lawyer.

Weird flex.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Try to run a game with it. I have.

I've been running PF2 with Foundry VTT since it went up for pre-purchase... and uh... it's as "there" as I've ever seen a VTT be for a game already, and constantly getting better.

 

[Jd Smith1]

I'm a lawyer. I have been for 25 years.

 

[Emirikol]

Just bought Foundry for the Warhammer Roleplay platform the fans made, but Cubicle7 just went to war with VTTs.
Turns out they are going to require license for their stuff and accidentally revealed they are in secret negotiations with Roll20..and thats why they called other VTT 'shady.' Cant have fan made stuff anymore.

Hopefully they work it out soon.

 

[Myrdin Potter]

Just bought Foundry for the Warhammer Roleplay platform the fans made, but Cubicle7 just went to war with VTTs.
Turns out they are going to require license for their stuff and accidentally revealed they are in secret negotiations with Roll20..and thats why they called other VTT 'shady.' Cant have fan made stuff anymore.

Hopefully they work it out soon.

You cannot copyright game mechanics. There are plenty of fan made rulesets (FG) and character sheets (Roll20) for lots of games.

Licenses allow the actual game material that is not in OGL form to be used.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

My wife wants to check out Foundry, and I just wanted to check into their behavior and culture before giving them money.

Anyone know of any important (to anyone) criticisms of Foundry of the folks who own and operate it?

 

[Retreater]

Well shucks. I was just looking at Foundry and it doesn't seem to be compatible with Chromebooks (which my fiancée, best friend, and I have) - looks like it requires Mac or Windows installation (same as Fantasy Grounds). Oh well, it looks like we're stuck with the inadequate Roll20 for Pathfinder 2e for now.

 

[MNblockhead]

I have not heard anything untoward about Foundry. Generally, when looking at a potential software purchase I google it and the company and read reviews from the more reputable sites I find, plus check out discussions on relevant forums and Reddit. That usually gives me notice of any potential issues with the software and whether it seems to fit my needs enough to give it a trial run. If something awful comes up about the company, they may sway me against going with that product depending on the nature of the allegations and whether it seems to be company culture issue or just one individual. But I don't really go out of my way to check social media, like Twitter or Facebook where those kinds of allegations are going to get the most traction. So I could be missing something. But, so far, I've heard nothing bad. They are a new and small company, however. So probably more risk than, say Fantasy Grounds. But you are not talking about a lot of money. Low risk.

 

[Zaukrie]

My wife wants to check out Foundry, and I just wanted to check into their behavior and culture before giving them money.

Anyone know of any important (to anyone) criticisms of Foundry of the folks who own and operate it?

It's one person. Should be easy to see if you have issues......but on discord, seems good.

 

[Nebulous]

I too have thought about using Foundry, but it would require me to convince five other players to get on board too, and they like their Roll20. I might just get it to play around and compare.