Project Sigil Project Sigil Alpha Playtest Report

[OB1]

Got an invitation today to the Project Sigil Alpha Playtest! Was worried if my 2022 HP business laptop (i7 1.33Ghz, 16 GB Ram) with no dedicated graphics card would be able to run it, and am happy to report that it was!

First a note on the NDA (in case anyone is worried). While I'm not allowed to share images of any kind from it, there is nothing that says I can't discuss it, so here we go.

Day 1 initial setup and test.

Took about 30 minutes to download and install. During that time, I read thru the PDF quickstart guide that they provided.

Once installed and logged in, I created a room and fired up their premade adventure. It comes with a DM guide (like any adventure module), but I haven't read that yet, I wanted to jump in and start playing.

I was able to quickly add an enemy miniature, claim the provided PC minis, roll initiative and start a combat. It was all intuitive, and I was able to quickly run through the combat, with 2 PCs being downed by a CR3 'Bugbaron' mini that was included in the available monsters.

After that I started messing with the map builder tools for a few minutes. The tools were fairly easy to use, and, for an alpha release, it felt like there was a good amount of options.

My overall first impression was that it was much easier to start using than Roll20 and DDB Maps. I only had about 30 minutes to play around with it, and will be doing a larger DM test in the next couple of days. I then hope to run a session using the built in module in the next week or two. I'll post updated thoughts on those tests here, and am happy to take questions from anyone!

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Was about to say oh the Beta is starting to roll out. But then I saw you were a playtester for the Alpha. How long ago was this?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Also roughly how many minis were in the collection for the build you got?

 

[OB1]

@MonsterEnvy just got the invite today. Want to say there were about 30 or so monster minis, and for PCs and NPCs a mini builder that lets you choose Human Dwarf or Elf and then select hairstyles, skin tone, eye color, clothing, etc. I'll take a count of the monster minis when I test it next. Also want to test importing token versions from DDB.

 

[MockingBird]

Would you say that Sigil could be used for set piece battles? Like a virtual dwarven forge. What I'm hoping this does or helps facilitate, is running an adventure at the table and having battles take place on sigil.

 

[OB1]

Would you say that Sigil could be used for set piece battles? Like a virtual dwarven forge. What I'm hoping this does or helps facilitate, is running an adventure at the table and having battles take place on sigil.

Yes, absolutely. While the pre-made adventure the Alpha playtest came with could be run entirely in the game engine, with PCs exploring the map, you could also set up individual battle scenes (or even create one on the fly) for those set piece encounters.

One thing I want to take a deeper look at is if Sigil can run TOM style combat, or if everyone will need to switch to DDB when I want to run those kinds of encounters.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I'm wondering if you could use this to play some kind of makeshift war gaming battles instead of a typical rpg thing. Can their by multiple DMs.

 

[Hermes_Alexandria]

 

[ECMO3]

I played last night as a player.

The install and launch went well and I really like the basic maps and graphics. It is super easy to load characters from DNDB. That is probably about the only positives compared to other VTTs I've played (maps, Foundry, roll20). I don't see it replacing any of these three in games I DM. In games I play it would definitely be something I would consider of before joining (not as a positive).

A lot of the spells and mechanics don't work and the token/mini options are limited (no Tieflings!). That is to be expected at this stage, so I am not hung up on that. Spell slots are off too on multiclass characters.

It very much has a video game feel to me, which is a little off putting. I am a BG3 junkie and I love video games, but that is not what I want out of a VTT.

It does automatically calculate and apply hits and damage, but that is not really a positive when it doesn't do it right.

The biggest issue though is the inability to modify any of the items or abilities. I had no proficiency in my light crossbow, which is a bug I guess, but the bigger issue is I could not add proficiency. No way to change the ability used with my Hand Axe when I was using it as a Pact Weapon, I could manually add a +1 to the attack roll to account for the difference (15 strength, 17 Charisma), but no way at all to change damage.

If you compare this to other VTTs - roll 20 is extremely easy to modify stuff, no time at all, foundry takes a few seconds or minutes, maps/DNDB is more difficult but you can still do it and maps is not using automation for things like damage and hit points, meaning it is less of a big deal if something is not accurate.

 

[dave2008]

I played last night as a player.

The install and launch went well and I really like the basic maps and graphics. It is super easy to load characters from DNDB. That is probably about the only positives compared to other VTTs I've played (maps, Foundry, roll20). I don't see it replacing any of these three in games I DM. In games I play it would definitely be something I would consider of before joining (not as a positive).

A lot of the spells and mechanics don't work and the token/mini options are limited (no Tieflings!). That is to be expected at this stage, so I am not hung up on that. Spell slots are off too on multiclass characters.

It very much has a video game feel to me, which is a little off putting. I am a BG3 junkie and I love video games, but that is not what I want out of a VTT.

It does automatically calculate and apply hits and damage, but that is not really a positive if it doesn't do it right. It does

The biggest issue though is the inability to modify any of the items or abilities. I had no proficiency in my light crossbow, which is a bug I guess, but the bigger issue is I could not add proficiency. No way to change the ability used with my Hand Axe when I was using it as a Pact Weapon, I could manually add a +1 to the attack roll to account for the difference (15 strength, 17 Charisma), but no way at all to change damage.

If you compare this to other VTTs - roll 20 is extremely easy to modify stuff, no time at all, foundry takes a few seconds or minutes, maps/DNDB is more difficult but you can still do it and maps is not using automation for things like damage and hit points, meaning it is less of a big deal if something is not accurate.

Yep, sounds like an alpha test. Thanks for sharing!