D&D 5E So what's the scoop on D&D in PDF Format?

[MNblockhead]

I know there's a lot of effort right now trying to make TTRPGs play just like a video game, but for those of us who still play in meatspace, paper is quite nice for writing on, making notes, highlighting important things, tracking HPs, handing out cool player maps and aids that can be passed around the table.

And it is lot less expensive to through dead-character sheets in the fireplace if they are printed on paper.

 

[mamba]

JSON
XML

Yeah, I realize it is a great format for helping transfer data into new systems. But stop pretending these are what the average customer expects when told that there is no lock in and that they can export their content.

I am not sure what DDB is telling the average customer, never checked. I know I can save it as HTML, as PDF, and probably in some other formats as well (text with simple copy & paste, as an image…)

That is a feature of the browser, not DDB

 

[Blue]

So do many of us. Carrying a laptop or iPad is a lot lighter than lugging around a ton of paper, and a lot easier to search for the information you need.

I can quickly and easily have four pieces of paper spread out in front of me with everything. That's expensive to do with tablets. Oh, and mark it up with a pencil - which wouldn't work with bluetooth ones you would need to pair with a single device.

And no, scrolling means I don't have it in front of me, which is where I want it.

 

[MNblockhead]

I am not sure what DDB is telling the average customer, never checked. I know I can save it as HTML, as PDF, and probably in some other formats as well (text with simple copy & paste, as an image…)

That is a feature of the browser, not DDB

Sorry, I went a bit off topic. I'm thinking more about the various world building tools I've used over the years.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I can quickly and easily have four pieces of paper spread out in front of me with everything. That's expensive to do with tablets. Oh, and mark it up with a pencil - which wouldn't work with bluetooth ones you would need to pair with a single device.

And no, scrolling means I don't have it in front of me, which is where I want it.

Bully for you. I generally require well over a hundred times that many pages to run a game of D&D. Neither myself, nor any of my players, are capable of committing all the rules and monster stat blocks to memory.

 

[Echohawk]

Are you using a program or command line to parse through multiple files?

Indeed. I frequently use command line searches (or other tools) to look for every appearance of a tarrasque, or every mention of Vecna.

 

[Staffan]

I can quickly and easily have four pieces of paper spread out in front of me with everything. That's expensive to do with tablets. Oh, and mark it up with a pencil - which wouldn't work with bluetooth ones you would need to pair with a single device.

And no, scrolling means I don't have it in front of me, which is where I want it.

You clearly have a lot more space available when playing than I do. I usually have about this amount of real estate available for my GMing needs:

That's basically enough for a laptop, a notepad, and some dice and tokens. I could also have a chair next to my seat for putting some additional books and other stuff (like handouts) on in case I need it. And since I usually don't play at home, I need to carry my stuff in a backpack on public transport. So being able to bring a laptop instead of a dozen or so books is fantastic.

On the laptop, when using something HTML-based (like D&D Beyond or Archives of Nethys), I can have a dozen different tabs with all the info I need. I might not be able to look at it at the same time, but I can't look at four sheets of paper at the same time either. I can however switch tabs in an instant, which is pretty much the same thing.

 

[Blue]

Bully for you. I generally require well over a hundred times that many pages to run a game of D&D. Neither myself, nor any of my players, are capable of committing all the rules and monster stat blocks to memory.

You need 400 pieces of paper actively in front of you? In addition to the rulebooks? You can't DM without being able to see all of them at the exact same time?

WOW!

Or maybe you're just actively misunderstanding what I am talking about with having a couple of sheets ready for whatever I am currently running so you can make a point.

 

[Blue]

You clearly have a lot more space available when playing than I do. I usually have about this amount of real estate available for my GMing needs:
View attachment 374226

That's basically enough for a laptop, a notepad, and some dice and tokens. I could also have a chair next to my seat for putting some additional books and other stuff (like handouts) on in case I need it. And since I usually don't play at home, I need to carry my stuff in a backpack on public transport. So being able to bring a laptop instead of a dozen or so books is fantastic.

On the laptop, when using something HTML-based (like D&D Beyond or Archives of Nethys), I can have a dozen different tabs with all the info I need. I might not be able to look at it at the same time, but I can't look at four sheets of paper at the same time either. I can however switch tabs in an instant, which is pretty much the same thing.

You don't have space for 3-4 sheets of paper side by side? Sounds like you do, but you fill it with other stuff. I'll take this as "I want to disagree with this person because they don't meet how I run, but I actually prove his way is just fine in the process."

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You don't have space for 3-4 sheets of paper side by side? Sounds like you do, but you fill it with other stuff. I'll take this as "I want to disagree with this person because they don't meet how I run, but I actually prove his way is just fine in the process."

Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever DMed at a table big enough to have four pieces of paper (A4) side by side.