Each player can manage their companions through there character sheet. Under the Extra tab > manage > and select your companion. Then once DM refreshes, they’ll see the token on the map side.
I went the full-dev Roll20 route years and years ago. My campaign had all the bells and whistles. Boy that was a lot of work! My last campaign was almost entirely theater of the mind over Discord video chat. Much easier to manage. This level of simplicity and functionality is exactly the kind of thing I can get excited about. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.
I hear this a lot. When I play in the monthly Virtual Weekends I’m blown away by the customization/macros DMs use for Roll20 to create an amazing experience. That time spend isn’t for everyone, and could be easier, but for a player it’s amazing!
So strange for this to pop up seemingly from nowhere! Looking at strategy, this will allow D&DBeyond to start eating Roll20's lunch immediately and then provide a smooth transition to the 3D VTT later.
Absolutely surprising. It’s perhaps a bigger threat for Owlbear rodeo, though competitive to any VTT because of the convenience and cost savings of not purchasing products again. For groups buying content on Beyond and another VTT… this may be compelling. But I personally want to see a range of options and platforms available from various companies. Roll20 has been investing heavily as well.
As you know Teos, I am running virtual every single week. Since I started on Start Playing Games I have now run 150 sessions in the last year and I use a lot of VTTs. I have tried them all. So I have comments but I will leave those for your server if and when I ever get time to chat over there. I like where this is going way more than the 3D VTT.
I’m excited for this but I feel like it’s an afterthought. This shouldn’t have taken this long for it to come out…how can you integrate the combat tracker with the maps
It’s possible they had a version of this for a while and revised it to serve as a placeholder while the 3-D VTT is in development. Let’s them experiment with sales and see the interest for digital packages.
I already found the D&DBeyond initiative tracker fairly clunky to use fluidly in combat, and the fact that this requires swapping tabs between the map and the initiative tracker is only gonna be more complicated. My ideal feature that would make me swap from owlbear would be if once the initiative tracker is started, the tokens arranged themselves along a bar at the top of the map, in initiative order with a marker for the current turn, and clicking on a token pulled up its statistics on the map. The only tab swapping would be adding new creatures which is a nightmare on its own. Regardless, as much as I want to revolt against D&DBeyond and use third party options, it's so hugely convenient to have all options be integrated with eachother while also remaining lightweight so the player on their iPad or decade old laptop can enjoy digital conveniences, and D&DBeyond does offer the most options to do so.
Agreed. The initiative order is a big gap - groups really need to be able to see that. It will take an actual game to see how important it is to support handouts and other types of information.
Interesting. Does it have the ability to open a player window on the same computer the dm uses? So the dm can hold games in house, and have the dm info on the computer screen, but have the map on a second screen like a tv or projector?
I'm looking for something to just put onto a table in front of us on a screen laying down with a laptop or chromebook. Will this work for that, or is it only good to invite people whom are sitting at their own computer?
It can absolutely work for that. It would let you import the minis/tokens they choose if they join your DDB campaign. It would also work as a quick sizing tool to fit a map to the screen. Worth checking out, for sure. Owlbear Rodeo is another option.
I shoulda bought the roll20 membership. But instead i bought the DNDB membership to use create campaigns becuase all my books are on there. But roll20 system is much better. Theres no switching between tabs and players can see the initiative order an that type of stuff. But i bought it so ima use it. Ty
Currently I believe all rolls are made on linked character sheets or encounters. The players roll on their character sheet for a character on the campaign. The DM rolls on a monster in the encounter. Those rolls then show up on the game log. I don't see a way to roll dice directly in Maps, though they may add that functionality.
Anyone: The only maps I am seeing/have access to (I am Master Tier) is Giants of the Starforge. None of my other source books or adventures show up. Weird. I even created a new campaign with pre-made adventures and still did not show up. All the bugs came to my account lol.
When I choose one of their campaigns it often takes me to a blank Maps screen. Refreshing then seems to allow for the menu to show up to choose a map, and this then shows the options, including the campaign I started through selecting their default campaign.
Like most VTTs, you would have to discuss that with players. I've seen many Roll20 games where DMs are happy to let you roll at your table and just report what you rolled, especially when everyone knows and trusts each other. Roll20 also has the direct rolls, so everyone can see digital dice tumble. Most other VTTs provide this. It wouldn't be hard for WotC to add this. And, then there is what this tool does do. By linking a campaign to character sheets and/or Discord and the Avrae bot, everyone can see the results of rolls (but not the actual dice being rolled).
The problem here is that some might want to roll manually and some don’t. Why is there not on option in Beyond or Beyond Maps where you could just type in the dice roll. Then the apps could calculate and show the dice results for all anyway. How is that not a thing?
No. It is really just a map tool for now. But with the encounter builder you can run encounters. It is not super smooth, but it is simple and not bad for a first look. Uploading a map was super easy. Adding tokens as well is easy. You can prep your encounters and keep everyone on one page.....errrr....two pages.
Lots of options are better, depending on a particular DM's style. For some, this will be good enough. My main desire is to see a variety of options and platforms available.
The difference with AboveVTT is that it is FREE, not needing a Master Tier Subscription AND its already doing everything Beyond MAPS wants to do better.
You did what another RUclipsr did and spent about as much time talking about the Game Log, a pre-existing feature, as you did the Maps. The only parts that are new is a way to show a map, add tokens and fog of war.
@@AlphastreamRPG - If it can match the basic features of Owlbear Rodeo then I would consider using it. As for details, I think you covered what it has. Maybe update when it gets new features.
Each player can manage their companions through there character sheet. Under the Extra tab > manage > and select your companion. Then once DM refreshes, they’ll see the token on the map side.
Thank you! Another part of the puzzle solved. Greatly appreciated.
I went the full-dev Roll20 route years and years ago. My campaign had all the bells and whistles. Boy that was a lot of work! My last campaign was almost entirely theater of the mind over Discord video chat. Much easier to manage. This level of simplicity and functionality is exactly the kind of thing I can get excited about. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.
I hear this a lot. When I play in the monthly Virtual Weekends I’m blown away by the customization/macros DMs use for Roll20 to create an amazing experience. That time spend isn’t for everyone, and could be easier, but for a player it’s amazing!
Thanks for the run-through Teos! There is huge potential here.
Thank you! Agreed! Thanks for your great show. Really fun seeing what you are creating together!
It's like the basic-beginnings of Owlbear Rodeo, but (nicely) linked to your DnD Beyond account. I'm going to be trying this on my new campaign.
I hear the latest Owlbear version has some really nice features, but this is very convenient and a good start!
Thank you this is very helpful!
So glad to hear it. Thanks!
Nice to go back and have an actual look at this! I wonder how much it has improved over the month? Thanks Teos!
I haven't heard of changes. Next time they update it, I want to give it another shot.
So strange for this to pop up seemingly from nowhere! Looking at strategy, this will allow D&DBeyond to start eating Roll20's lunch immediately and then provide a smooth transition to the 3D VTT later.
Absolutely surprising. It’s perhaps a bigger threat for Owlbear rodeo, though competitive to any VTT because of the convenience and cost savings of not purchasing products again. For groups buying content on Beyond and another VTT… this may be compelling. But I personally want to see a range of options and platforms available from various companies. Roll20 has been investing heavily as well.
If you create pre-gens/unclaimed in your campaign, you can add them.
Great point!
Nice to see you. I get tired of only hearing you and Shawn's beautiful voices. lol
Thanks! Truly appreciated!
As you know Teos, I am running virtual every single week. Since I started on Start Playing Games I have now run 150 sessions in the last year and I use a lot of VTTs. I have tried them all. So I have comments but I will leave those for your server if and when I ever get time to chat over there. I like where this is going way more than the 3D VTT.
Whew! Nice going! I have thoughts on this and other VTTs, but overall I just want good options for all the different types of DMs out there.
I’m excited for this but I feel like it’s an afterthought. This shouldn’t have taken this long for it to come out…how can you integrate the combat tracker with the maps
It’s possible they had a version of this for a while and revised it to serve as a placeholder while the 3-D VTT is in development. Let’s them experiment with sales and see the interest for digital packages.
I already found the D&DBeyond initiative tracker fairly clunky to use fluidly in combat, and the fact that this requires swapping tabs between the map and the initiative tracker is only gonna be more complicated.
My ideal feature that would make me swap from owlbear would be if once the initiative tracker is started, the tokens arranged themselves along a bar at the top of the map, in initiative order with a marker for the current turn, and clicking on a token pulled up its statistics on the map. The only tab swapping would be adding new creatures which is a nightmare on its own.
Regardless, as much as I want to revolt against D&DBeyond and use third party options, it's so hugely convenient to have all options be integrated with eachother while also remaining lightweight so the player on their iPad or decade old laptop can enjoy digital conveniences, and D&DBeyond does offer the most options to do so.
Agreed. The initiative order is a big gap - groups really need to be able to see that. It will take an actual game to see how important it is to support handouts and other types of information.
Interesting. Does it have the ability to open a player window on the same computer the dm uses? So the dm can hold games in house, and have the dm info on the computer screen, but have the map on a second screen like a tv or projector?
I did not see that functionality. But you could log in as another player with a free account tied to your campaign and share that player view?
I'm looking for something to just put onto a table in front of us on a screen laying down with a laptop or chromebook. Will this work for that, or is it only good to invite people whom are sitting at their own computer?
It can absolutely work for that. It would let you import the minis/tokens they choose if they join your DDB campaign. It would also work as a quick sizing tool to fit a map to the screen. Worth checking out, for sure. Owlbear Rodeo is another option.
I shoulda bought the roll20 membership. But instead i bought the DNDB membership to use create campaigns becuase all my books are on there. But roll20 system is much better. Theres no switching between tabs and players can see the initiative order an that type of stuff. But i bought it so ima use it. Ty
Nice to see that Roll20 now also works directly in Discord!
Can you roll directly from the map?
Currently I believe all rolls are made on linked character sheets or encounters. The players roll on their character sheet for a character on the campaign. The DM rolls on a monster in the encounter. Those rolls then show up on the game log. I don't see a way to roll dice directly in Maps, though they may add that functionality.
The encounters should be prebuilt from the purchased adventures
I wonder if they will add that in the future.
I hope so cause this is clunky. Roll20 looks like they have it right. Idky DNDB didn't just copy that format.
Anyone: The only maps I am seeing/have access to (I am Master Tier) is Giants of the Starforge. None of my other source books or adventures show up. Weird. I even created a new campaign with pre-made adventures and still did not show up. All the bugs came to my account lol.
When I choose one of their campaigns it often takes me to a blank Maps screen. Refreshing then seems to allow for the menu to show up to choose a map, and this then shows the options, including the campaign I started through selecting their default campaign.
@@AlphastreamRPG Tried that several times but no luck, Is it possible this feature is not rolled out to everyone?
@@FlintFireforge My understanding is everyone has access for Maps. I would contact support or ask on the forums?
Will do. Thanks. @@AlphastreamRPG
@@FlintFireforge Let us know how it goes! Good luck!
I'm guessing there is no way to play with maps and physical dice?
Like most VTTs, you would have to discuss that with players. I've seen many Roll20 games where DMs are happy to let you roll at your table and just report what you rolled, especially when everyone knows and trusts each other.
Roll20 also has the direct rolls, so everyone can see digital dice tumble. Most other VTTs provide this. It wouldn't be hard for WotC to add this.
And, then there is what this tool does do. By linking a campaign to character sheets and/or Discord and the Avrae bot, everyone can see the results of rolls (but not the actual dice being rolled).
The problem here is that some might want to roll manually and some don’t. Why is there not on option in Beyond or Beyond Maps where you could just type in the dice roll. Then the apps could calculate and show the dice results for all anyway. How is that not a thing?
Do the dice roll on the map?
No. It is really just a map tool for now. But with the encounter builder you can run encounters. It is not super smooth, but it is simple and not bad for a first look. Uploading a map was super easy. Adding tokens as well is easy. You can prep your encounters and keep everyone on one page.....errrr....two pages.
Nothing seems to trigger dice on the VTT. DM sees theirs on their encounter screen and players see theirs on their character sheets.
I still think above vtt is better.
Lots of options are better, depending on a particular DM's style. For some, this will be good enough. My main desire is to see a variety of options and platforms available.
The difference with AboveVTT is that it is FREE, not needing a Master Tier Subscription AND its already doing everything Beyond MAPS wants to do better.
You did what another RUclipsr did and spent about as much time talking about the Game Log, a pre-existing feature, as you did the Maps. The only parts that are new is a way to show a map, add tokens and fog of war.
What would you have added? What would you like to see covered in more detail?
@@AlphastreamRPG - If it can match the basic features of Owlbear Rodeo then I would consider using it. As for details, I think you covered what it has. Maybe update when it gets new features.