D&D Beyond, the officially licensed digital toolset for the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game, is finally getting a mobile character sheet app. Called the D&D Beyond Player Tools, the beta version of the free app is now available to download on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
The process for getting this set up is a little complicated due to the unique nature of licensed content available through D&D Beyond. Users need to create a character in the browser-based, always-online version of D&D Beyond first. Then, once they log into the mobile app with the same account, they’ll have access to cached versions of their characters. For Dungeon Masters, they’ll have access to all the player-generated characters that are attached to their ongoing campaigns.
It’s a handy tool right now, especially for viewing spells and abilities on the fly. But the app doesn’t have spell descriptions, for instance. It also doesn’t allow you to change your equipment. There’s also no dice rolling. If you pick up a new magic item, or trade out your longsword for a greatsword, you’ll need to use the version available in the browser. That’s likely to change in the future, according to the D&D Beyond development road map.
Additionally, the licensing structure of D&D Beyond can be a little challenging to parse. Essentially, everyone has access to the same sort of stuff that’s available for free from publisher Wizards of the Coast in the System Reference Document (SRD). Additional content — including character classes, spells, and equipment — comes at an additional cost.
Fan-made mobile solutions — including iOS and Android apps — have been available since D&D’s 5th edition launched in 2014. Those who will really see the benefit of the new D&D Player Tools are groups that have opted in to digital versions of campaign modules, including settings like Eberron and Ravnica, which include unique races, character classes, magic items, and spells that are not available in the basic SRD.
That also includes anyone who gets in on the lavish, $500 Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden Platinum Edition from Beadle and Grimm’s. The luxury edition comes with a license to access the entire campaign in D&D Beyond.
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Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
- $50
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This new campaign for the original role-playing game takes fans to the coldest reaches of the Forgotten Realms, and from level one through level 12.
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