D&D Beyond takes the paper out of pen-and-paper RPGs

[Polycount]

The pen and paper RPG community has changed drastically in recent years. While there's still plenty of people that meet up for in-person D&D sessions, more and more gamers are flocking to "virtual tabletop" platforms like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds to get their RPG fix.

While those platforms are perfect for actually playing the game (rolling virtual dice and talking to other players, specifically) their shortcomings become evident when you need quick access to detailed information on game rules, class abilities and more. Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds do provide this information to a degree, but it's clunky and often buried under multiple menus - which isn't ideal when you need to figure out what your spells do in the middle of an encounter.

That's where D&D Beyond comes in. D&D Beyond is an official D&D 5th Edition resource, created by Wizards of the Coast themselves. The website was announced in March and today it's finally available to the public for free - with optional subscriptions available to unlock additional tools and information.

Within D&D Beyond, you'll find detailed information on all official spells, items and monsters in the game - with the ability to add in or create homebrew content as well.

Though you can find just about any piece of D&D-related information you could possibly need on the site free of charge, you can also opt to purchase official 5th Edition rulebooks in digital form. Doing so will allow you to access them from the website at any time, which may be preferable to anyone who wants to ditch their bulky physical copies.

In addition to giving you easy access to important game information, it includes a step-by-step "character builder", which has a tutorial toggle for new D&D players. This tool allows you to create and save up to 6 custom characters, selecting from any official race and class (though Volo's Guide to Monsters races are strangely missing here). After you've created your character, you'll be able to view and edit a beautiful digital character sheet at any time.

If you want to give Beyond a whirl, head over to the official website and register for an account.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/70605-dd-beyond-takes-paper-out-pen-paper-rpgs.html

 

[davislane1]

While this is cool, proper D&D will never be replaced. Pencil + Paper = OG

 

[psycros]

While this is cool, proper D&D will never be replaced. Pencil + Paper = OG

2nd edition forever..when character class still meant something.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Still have my 2nd edition texts - both physical and digital.... Long live my Minotaur cleric

 

[USAvenger]

I had the Ninjas, Psyonics, and Monster's Handbooks. Unfortunately, I only played between 7th and 9th grades, so I feel like we weren't mature enough to get the full benefit of it. If there were any local playing groups with a competent DM, I'd be likely to pick it back up.
I've enjoyed the Neverwinter Nights series since then and I'm glad to see that the P&P game is still going strong.

 

[Jon Tseng]

Still have my 2nd edition texts - both physical and digital.... Long live my Minotaur cleric

They made Minotaurs a PC race? Never knew that one! Thought was just the Tolkien standards..

 

[SirDigby]

Is this easy for beginners to pick up?

 

[Jon Tseng]

Is this easy for beginners to pick up?

Roll a D12, check against your THAC0 score and you'll have your answer...

 

[stewi0001]

I've enjoyed the Neverwinter Nights series since then and I'm glad to see that the P&P game is still going strong.

A buddy of mine contacted me the other day saying that he wants to play NWN again.


Another tidbit of irony, yesterday while I was studying up on Python. I was thinking it might be kind of cool to write some code for D&D.

 

[Kibaruk]

which may be preferable to anyone who wants to ditch their bulky physical copies

What? I think for most this is part of the fun.

They made Minotaurs a PC race? Never knew that one! Thought was just the Tolkien standards..

What?

I've enjoyed the Neverwinter Nights series since then and I'm glad to see that the P&P game is still going strong.

You should check (If you haven't yet) Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Temple of Elemental Evil and the most new and recent Pillars of Eternity. I never grew to enjoy the Planescape Torment series, but if that's your thing I've heard nothing but good things about it (And there is also a new one now, which I can't seem to remember the name).

 

[GreenNova343]

They made Minotaurs a PC race? Never knew that one! Thought was just the Tolkien standards..

What?

He meant Elf, Dwarf, Orc, & Hob...I mean, Halfling. Yeah, that's the one...

 

[Squid Surprise]

There are various add-ons to play almost any race.... Minotaurs were always one of my favorites as they are sized large (instead of medium) and get +2 strength/constitution - to a max of 20 instead of 18...

They can also wield giant 2-handed swords... they usually make kickass fighters - I made a warrior cleric who was pretty badass

 

[USAvenger]

What? I think for most this is part of the fun.
What?
You should check (If you haven't yet) Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Temple of Elemental Evil and the most new and recent Pillars of Eternity. I never grew to enjoy the Planescape Torment series, but if that's your thing I've heard nothing but good things about it (And there is also a new one now, which I can't seem to remember the name).

I have PoE and will be starting it shortly. I just finished DOS:EE and I can only handle one RPG at a time because I become totally immersed.

I've given some strong consideration to Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale. I'm finding it hard to step back to an old game with a low resolution when I have a GTX1080 with a 1440p monitor though. :/ Are the Enhanced Editions of those games even capable of 1080p?

Torment: Tides of Numenera would probably be next on my list after PoE.

 

[Aryvandaar]

I'd rather play pathfinder. Also, 3.5 D&D --> 3.0 D&D --> 2.0 D&D --> 4.0 D&D --> 5.0 D&D