Something we do when dealing with maps anything needs go to the right side where it says Feedback and start giving the D&D Beyond crew to know things that are needed.
They have an encounter builder. So you should be able to have the option to build the encounter using maps (upload a map, arrange tokens, get fog of war, and if necessary stagger tokens on what initiative some can drop in like Adds spawning every couple rounds), if a monster has lair actions, that should be added into the initiative roll top bar. Then you can click the encounter you want to run in the initiative menu in maps, and it should pop up for the players when you hit start encounter. Another cool addition would be fog of war that changes for players turns, if a player doesn't have darkvision they cant see if its dark, darkvision can see in dim to see in their radius, map fog can be set to dark or lighted (bright and dim) areas, and like halls ways can have boundaries for fog
as someone who has used DDB/Maps as the main VTT, the combat encounter builder has all the rolling and HP, but it does let you sync with the player sheets AS LONG AS YOU LINK THE DDB CAMPAIGN TO THAT ENCOUNTER. it takes some getting used to if you are used to other VTTS, hopefully when it steps out of beta it will sync all over
Thanks for this. I've been curious about VTTs in general, but it all seemed a bit overwhelming to dive into with no direction. I recently started running a game through discord, and now having some understanding of what Maps can offer, I'm eager to incorporate this into that game, and to look into other VTTs as options. I did submit feedback about rolling from within the combat encounter, or at a minimum being able to manage HP there. I also told them it would be nice for tools to remember the selections/settings I was previously using, so I didn't have to go back and (for example) re-select eraser every time I chose the fog of war tool.
I recommend AboveVTT. You can track HP with the initiative and even access monster stats from there. Foundry and Roll20 are more functional but also have substantial learning curves.
Yeah, the lack of monster stat block information is the main problem for me. I'm hoping it is something they will have rolled out by the time the new monster manual comes out.
They kind of have that already in the old beta encounter app so its probably coming at some point. I`ve actually been using this for months with the maps and encounters running in separate windows but having it all on one screen is a lot easier to use.
I watch many D&D How To, Coming Soon, Tutorial and Review videos, and this is the first one I even considered the Subscribe button or Like button on. Great Job and thank you for this, I finally understand DND Beyond Maps enough to mess around with it.
Thanks for the Update. One of the key things that I noticed experimenting with DNDBeyond Maps is they have added maps for modules that didn't have good VTT maps, e.g. Strahd. I have run Strahd a few times and purchased some third party maps and made the Castle using Dungeon Alchemist (awesome tool). I also really like the draggable Area of Effect, e.g. cone. But I will continue to use and support AboveVTT in combination of DNDBeyond until I can't i.e. WOTC blocks it or Maps allows me to use my universall vtt files with walls and dynamic lighting, etc. Nevertheless, Maps is a functional VTT integrated with DNDBeyond. Thanks for keeping us informed.
I totally agree with you that with a few tweaks this would be one of the best vtt options. I've used it for a couple sessions and my players love how simple it is to use compared to other options out there. But on the DM side things are a bit rough. One other complaint I have that you didn't cover is that the maps tool uses the 2024 encounter building rules, but the encounter builder uses 2014. So the two don't even work in tandem cleanly to use both together while waiting for them to add these functions to the maps version.
I use the maps for our Vecna campaigns and I like the encounters part also. I can load encounters and quickly go to stat blocks, load initiative quickly and track all the monster hp also if I want to.
Very helpful video. Thanks buddy. Yeah, stat block, hit point tracking, and conditions are absolute must-haves. Also, limiting character vision on the map + light sources is needed, but not an absolute deal breaker. Also, chat and the ability to send things to the log are needed.
I love Maps!!! I actually use AboveVTT most of the time, but the module maps go to the maps feature, which makes them available in AboveVTT. Hopefully they will start selling professional map packs for this and Sigil
I use it quite a bit at the table. Recently tried using it with TV laying flat on the table using actual miniatures. I just wanted to see how it would look and it did well. I used the spectator view for the players view on the table. Meanwhile I had my encounters on the laptop. Worked flawlessly and I am content. This is easy to use when I don't have time to build my encounters with my Dwarven Forge and etc.
@@CCAAC1 I noticed that too with the players if they are using it on their devices. However, this last weekend when I used it as a battle map laying on the table, it didn't occur. I wonder if I was just on it so much on the laptop that it didn't occur. Maybe they fixed it. Who knows, maybe got lucky.
Great video! Everything you covered encapsulates my complaints as well. I've only recently started DMing and Maps has fulfilled most of my immediate needs. However, as you demonstrated, just adding the Encounter builder as it exists today would be a HUGE step towards making this a much better tool. There are other QoL changes they can make as well but I believe that should be the next change. My party doesn't want to invest in Foundry (understandable) and most of us already have DDB subscriptions so we're all hoping this is changed sooner rather than later.
These are exactly my thoughts on the encounter tracking on the Maps. I opened it after the DMG dropped for master tier and was disappointed there was no way to adjust enemy HP like in My Encounters.
Once they add grid tools, snap to grid, lighting and vision, walls doors and windows ill swap from Above VTT to maps. But even then, it's still much easier to add custom tokens to Above VTT than it is to make a homebrew in D&D Beyond
Good summary of what DDB/Maps can and can't do. Thanks. I upgraded my account this last weekend so I could take a look...and then immediately downgraded it. For me, Maps just isn't ready. Not being able to see the monster stats was the killer. I do have a multi-screen setup so I could imagine running encounters on one and maps on the other, but since the encounter builders use different rules I'm not sure that would work. I'm hoping that when the new MM comes out that it will have the proper functionality.
I respect that different players have different systems, but these dndbeyond maps make it clear and easy to utilize maps, I don’t use insanely detailed maps unless a big struggle is about to hit, so this has been perfect. But, they really need to add a chat functionality all to keep it within dnd beyond. Also, let us buy certain maps, not the entire set. And different monsters or magical item. What I’ll end up doing is making my own as a home brew but I’d buy it if ky were like $5
I love the encounter builder. Maps is still pointless. As a DM I can't run my side of the fight so I might as well stay with theater of the mind. If they could blend the two it would be amazing. I would also like to be able to access player's sheets, especially for solo play.
honestly u sold it to me, i am a completely new DM and want to start small and dont go out buying stuff for a sum total of 300€ so knowing that i can get by with just dnd Beyond master tier is big
I think what they’ve been adding to this is good. I don’t see it pulling me away from Alchemy RPG, but that didn’t exist DDB Maps might have been my go to.
10gb "free storage" with a master tier subscription don't sound very free to me lol. From what I am seeing here they need to do more to get people to leave the vtt's that are already available and dm's have their work in already. There are free vtt's that have the same amount of features as this online already. Thank you for the video because it was very hard to find actual information for this because every time i looked for it all I could see was the 3d table top they are working on.
The "only downside" is actually a big difference. I play with people who are not so familiar with D&D and these technical computer things, and usability/practicality and UI/UX are determining factors in this case. In fact, even with experienced people, usability and ease of use are factors that influence a lot.
That looks so clunky. So many separate windows open, and having to swap between them during play. Nice video though. I appreciate you showing us how it works.
This is practically useless without the ability to run monsters from here. Other than just showing the players' rolls on your screen, this as a combat encounter tool is pointless. I came to this video to make sure I wasn't missing it somehow. Glad I wasn't crazy.
Something we do when dealing with maps anything needs go to the right side where it says Feedback and start giving the D&D Beyond crew to know things that are needed.
UPDATE: We can now edit the health bar of enemies just as ted suggested they should add!
They have an encounter builder. So you should be able to have the option to build the encounter using maps (upload a map, arrange tokens, get fog of war, and if necessary stagger tokens on what initiative some can drop in like Adds spawning every couple rounds), if a monster has lair actions, that should be added into the initiative roll top bar.
Then you can click the encounter you want to run in the initiative menu in maps, and it should pop up for the players when you hit start encounter.
Another cool addition would be fog of war that changes for players turns, if a player doesn't have darkvision they cant see if its dark, darkvision can see in dim to see in their radius, map fog can be set to dark or lighted (bright and dim) areas, and like halls ways can have boundaries for fog
as someone who has used DDB/Maps as the main VTT, the combat encounter builder has all the rolling and HP, but it does let you sync with the player sheets AS LONG AS YOU LINK THE DDB CAMPAIGN TO THAT ENCOUNTER. it takes some getting used to if you are used to other VTTS, hopefully when it steps out of beta it will sync all over
Thanks for this. I've been curious about VTTs in general, but it all seemed a bit overwhelming to dive into with no direction. I recently started running a game through discord, and now having some understanding of what Maps can offer, I'm eager to incorporate this into that game, and to look into other VTTs as options. I did submit feedback about rolling from within the combat encounter, or at a minimum being able to manage HP there. I also told them it would be nice for tools to remember the selections/settings I was previously using, so I didn't have to go back and (for example) re-select eraser every time I chose the fog of war tool.
I recommend AboveVTT. You can track HP with the initiative and even access monster stats from there.
Foundry and Roll20 are more functional but also have substantial learning curves.
Yeah, the lack of monster stat block information is the main problem for me. I'm hoping it is something they will have rolled out by the time the new monster manual comes out.
i fully agree - being able to just click on a monster and bring up its stat block is really, really needed!
@Rex1987 that and being able to rename monsters
You can rename them@@jacobharper9236
They kind of have that already in the old beta encounter app so its probably coming at some point. I`ve actually been using this for months with the maps and encounters running in separate windows but having it all on one screen is a lot easier to use.
@jacobharper9236 you can already rename them. Well as of now 12-5-2024
More videos covering dm and homebrew tools on dnd beyond would be awesome
I watch many D&D How To, Coming Soon, Tutorial and Review videos, and this is the first one I even considered the Subscribe button or Like button on. Great Job and thank you for this, I finally understand DND Beyond Maps enough to mess around with it.
I love that he setup an example where they fight a deconstructed dragon.
Thanks for the Update. One of the key things that I noticed experimenting with DNDBeyond Maps is they have added maps for modules that didn't have good VTT maps, e.g. Strahd. I have run Strahd a few times and purchased some third party maps and made the Castle using Dungeon Alchemist (awesome tool). I also really like the draggable Area of Effect, e.g. cone. But I will continue to use and support AboveVTT in combination of DNDBeyond until I can't i.e. WOTC blocks it or Maps allows me to use my universall vtt files with walls and dynamic lighting, etc. Nevertheless, Maps is a functional VTT integrated with DNDBeyond. Thanks for keeping us informed.
I totally agree with you that with a few tweaks this would be one of the best vtt options. I've used it for a couple sessions and my players love how simple it is to use compared to other options out there. But on the DM side things are a bit rough.
One other complaint I have that you didn't cover is that the maps tool uses the 2024 encounter building rules, but the encounter builder uses 2014. So the two don't even work in tandem cleanly to use both together while waiting for them to add these functions to the maps version.
I use the maps for our Vecna campaigns and I like the encounters part also. I can load encounters and quickly go to stat blocks, load initiative quickly and track all the monster hp also if I want to.
Very helpful video. Thanks buddy.
Yeah, stat block, hit point tracking, and conditions are absolute must-haves. Also, limiting character vision on the map + light sources is needed, but not an absolute deal breaker. Also, chat and the ability to send things to the log are needed.
I love Maps!!! I actually use AboveVTT most of the time, but the module maps go to the maps feature, which makes them available in AboveVTT.
Hopefully they will start selling professional map packs for this and Sigil
thank you, haven't seen reviews like this! Exactly what i am looking for
Hey man 👋🏼 this is a great video!! Do you think you'll exclusively use maps going forward?
I use it quite a bit at the table. Recently tried using it with TV laying flat on the table using actual miniatures. I just wanted to see how it would look and it did well. I used the spectator view for the players view on the table. Meanwhile I had my encounters on the laptop. Worked flawlessly and I am content. This is easy to use when I don't have time to build my encounters with my Dwarven Forge and etc.
I do this as well, but it times out and doesn't give you a warning. Very frustrating.
@@CCAAC1 I noticed that too with the players if they are using it on their devices. However, this last weekend when I used it as a battle map laying on the table, it didn't occur. I wonder if I was just on it so much on the laptop that it didn't occur. Maybe they fixed it. Who knows, maybe got lucky.
The 2014 encounter builder is superior as you can track HP and clicking on the monster will bring up the monster Stat block.
From the look of things, I do believe the monster/encounter linking is where Maos/DDB is heading, and I am very hopeful/excited for it.
Great video! Everything you covered encapsulates my complaints as well. I've only recently started DMing and Maps has fulfilled most of my immediate needs. However, as you demonstrated, just adding the Encounter builder as it exists today would be a HUGE step towards making this a much better tool. There are other QoL changes they can make as well but I believe that should be the next change. My party doesn't want to invest in Foundry (understandable) and most of us already have DDB subscriptions so we're all hoping this is changed sooner rather than later.
Targeting would be a nice addition to the feature set as well.
You can hide creatures, so they don't show in the carousal. They had a video about it.
I like how they are adding maps with the books.
That's my favorite part of Maps.
These are exactly my thoughts on the encounter tracking on the Maps.
I opened it after the DMG dropped for master tier and was disappointed there was no way to adjust enemy HP like in My Encounters.
Thank you for the information.
Once they add grid tools, snap to grid, lighting and vision, walls doors and windows ill swap from Above VTT to maps. But even then, it's still much easier to add custom tokens to Above VTT than it is to make a homebrew in D&D Beyond
I wish the game log allowed notes to be added.
Good summary of what DDB/Maps can and can't do. Thanks. I upgraded my account this last weekend so I could take a look...and then immediately downgraded it. For me, Maps just isn't ready. Not being able to see the monster stats was the killer. I do have a multi-screen setup so I could imagine running encounters on one and maps on the other, but since the encounter builders use different rules I'm not sure that would work. I'm hoping that when the new MM comes out that it will have the proper functionality.
Is this free or do you have subscribe the the Master Tier to use this tool?
I respect that different players have different systems, but these dndbeyond maps make it clear and easy to utilize maps, I don’t use insanely detailed maps unless a big struggle is about to hit, so this has been perfect. But, they really need to add a chat functionality all to keep it within dnd beyond. Also, let us buy certain maps, not the entire set. And different monsters or magical item.
What I’ll end up doing is making my own as a home brew but I’d buy it if ky were like $5
If the initiative is blank and they roll it does change and update.
I love the encounter builder. Maps is still pointless. As a DM I can't run my side of the fight so I might as well stay with theater of the mind. If they could blend the two it would be amazing. I would also like to be able to access player's sheets, especially for solo play.
honestly u sold it to me, i am a completely new DM and want to start small and dont go out buying stuff for a sum total of 300€ so knowing that i can get by with just dnd Beyond master tier is big
Let me know your thoughts!
I think what they’ve been adding to this is good. I don’t see it pulling me away from Alchemy RPG, but that didn’t exist DDB Maps might have been my go to.
Spectator view shows what it like for non-DMs. It puts a little picture of the order.
10gb "free storage" with a master tier subscription don't sound very free to me lol. From what I am seeing here they need to do more to get people to leave the vtt's that are already available and dm's have their work in already. There are free vtt's that have the same amount of features as this online already. Thank you for the video because it was very hard to find actual information for this because every time i looked for it all I could see was the 3d table top they are working on.
I've used it with my TV on my tabletop. What gets me, is that it times out and doesn't give you a warning.
It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than 75% of others right out the box.
@@killabammy accurate
I have no idea why the marked all the secret locations in the phandalin player version. That gives out so many secret dungeons.
FoundryVTT can do everything this can do and it plays any system you want, only downside is you need to have some computer skills to set it up.
@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket I'm well aware of how powerful Foundry can be, but there's a learning curve and investment there.
The "only downside" is actually a big difference. I play with people who are not so familiar with D&D and these technical computer things, and usability/practicality and UI/UX are determining factors in this case. In fact, even with experienced people, usability and ease of use are factors that influence a lot.
Is this free or do you have subscribe the the Master Tier to use this tool?
if you hide the monster its side int he intative hides too
I'm early in the video so you may say something about this later BUT is this available on the app?
Not yet. But almost any device with a screen runs It.
Foundry VTT makes this look like pen and paper maps.
I think Sigil is supposed to be the premium VTT. Hard to guess how good it will be.
Both are in beta
@@pheralanpathfinder4897 If it does everything Foundry does AND is in 3D, it'll knock them out of the park.
That looks so clunky. So many separate windows open, and having to swap between them during play. Nice video though. I appreciate you showing us how it works.
"What's New in Maps?" 😂
If they didn't keep downsizing maybe they could work on it more.
This is practically useless without the ability to run monsters from here. Other than just showing the players' rolls on your screen, this as a combat encounter tool is pointless. I came to this video to make sure I wasn't missing it somehow. Glad I wasn't crazy.
Can you cover the disappearance of the players handbook (2014) from sources on dnd beyond?
It is still there, you just have to click on the View All Sources button at the bottom of the dropdown
@ that’s not available on mobile
@@kyleweir689 yes it is