Newbie Questions

[Mithalwulf]

Sorry if these have been addressed before, but I did a search and could not find the info. (I'm surprised there's not a newbie thread, so that guys like me don't keep asking the same questions!)

1) If I buy an ultimate membership, one-time pricing, is it the one fee (currently $149) literally ONE time forever?

2) I'm interested in D&D 5e. What does all this mean: "5E SRD 5, D&D Basic Rules, FATECore, PFRPG"?

3) This probably relates to the above, but: if I get an ultimate membership, will my players be able to select any of the player races and classes in the published books (e..g., Aasimar, Goliath, etc.)

4) The video and one online make it look super easy for players. How easy is it for the DM? Is there a lot of programming and such?

Thanks in advance!

[dulux-oz]

Hi Mithalwulf, And Wecome! to the Community,


Yes, its a one-time purchase. However, there is a new version (we don't know when it'll be released) which will have some sort of "sliding scale" of pricing for existing owners of the product - the publishers haven't decided on exact details yet. But I purchased my copy back in late 2011 and haven't paid a thing extra for all the updates that have come through since.
You can play lots of differ3ent RPGs with FG - that list is a list of some of the Rulesets (RPG systems) that you can play. Google each term for lots & lots of details.
The only difference between the Ultimate License and the Standard license is that the Ultimate allows any license to connect, while the Standard license only allows Players with Standard (or Ultimate) license to connect - NOT Demo Licenses. There is NO extra DLC Content between the two licenses.
You only need to program if you want to change things ie house rules, etc.


If you haven't done so already, let me encourage you to take a look at some of the great Tutorial Videos available on the Fantasy Grounds Wiki (and on YouTube). Damn's are good, as are Xorn's, and people seem to like mine as well (mine are also available from the links in my sig, below).

Start with the ones on the CoreRPG, because the CoreRPG forms the foundation of just about all the RPGs we play with Fantasy Grounds - so by learning how to use FG with the CoreRPG you'll learn about 80% of what you'll need to know to play any RPG with Fantasy Grounds. Once you've gone through the CoreRPG Videos you can then go on to Videos about your chosen RPG.

When you get familiar with the basic Fantasy Grounds product the next step is to check out some of the Extensions (Plug-Ins) for FG, such as the DOE: Sound, DOE: Locations, DOE: Weather and DOE: Organisations Extensions (to name a but a few - and a Shameless™ Self Plug).

And keep on asking questions - we're a pretty friendly lot here, and we love answering questions.

Cheers

[Zacchaeus]

Hi Mithalwulf welcome to FG.

1. Yes
2. SRD is the System Reference Document for 5e which is the Open Gaming License from Wizards. It details the bits of the 5e books that third parties can use to create adventures for 5e. The SRD comes free with your license and is a cut down version of the Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual and Dungeon Master’s Guide. FATE Core is another ruleset and PFRPF is Pathfinder basically D&D 3.5 with more bits.
3. Best answer is no, The Ultimate license allows you to have players connect to your game with only a demo version of FG. Other than the SRD it does not include the Core rulebooks or any of the adventures or published material such as Sword Coast Adventure Guide and Volos Guide where some of those races you mention are to be found. You can built characters with the SRD but most of the options are not included in it. Only the PHB has all of the options and all of the DLC such as the PHB are additional purchases.
4. If you are going to be running published adventures everything is included for you in the adventure module. If you want to create your own content you can do all of it within FG. There is no programming required but you will have to learn how to use the software.

[Mithalwulf]

Bummer. So, basically, if someone wants to play one of the races or classes NOT in the SRD, the electronic version of the book(s) need to be purchased. Once purchased, then they are "added" to the options available to players? Is that correct?

If that is correct, then if I purchase the book in question, with an Ultimate membership, can my players then access the races and classes?

[Zacchaeus]

Bummer. So, basically, if someone wants to play one of the races or classes NOT in the SRD, the electronic version of the book(s) need to be purchased. Once purchased, then they are "added" to the options available to players? Is that correct?

If that is correct, then if I purchase the book in question, with an Ultimate membership, can my players then access the races and classes?

The SRD is essentially a cut down version of the PHB as far as character creation is concerned. All the classes are there and all the races from the PHB are there but you just don't get as many options for things like class archetypes or backgrounds or any of the other stuff that makes the characters complete.

As the DM you can buy the PHB and then share that with your players - just like you would with the paper version. So, yes, if you own the PHB then all of your players will have everything they need. Note that the PHB doesn't 'add' to the SRD. Both are stand alone modules; everything that is in the SRD is alos in the PHB so you only ever need the PHB if you own it.

Finally note that your players, if they are feeling generous, might want to contribute to the purchase of the PHB and they can do so via gifting through the store or Steam - or of course just put some cash into your PayPal account :)

[Bidmaron]

Note that they will have to be connected to your ultimate account to use the purchased content. If they want to see it while offline, they will have to own their own copy.

They can view their character sheet once they make it while offline though.

[LordEntrails]

Note, you don't need to buy the FG versions of the books to use information from your physical copies. Each player can just type in the info manually. I recommend buying the FG versions, but it is not required.

[Mithalwulf]

Thanks for all the replies. They are very helpful. Can the electronic copies of books be purchased at DNDBeyond or do they have to be purchased through FG?

[LordEntrails]

DnDBeyond "books" are different than FG "books". You can not use what you purchase in FG on DDB and you can't use DDB purchases in FG. Though the words are the same, the content and format are completely different.

Now, FG you can manually enter any info you want from a printed book or from looking at DDB info. Don't know if you can do the same with DDB.

[Mithalwulf]

I have the Ultimate membership, but no books yet, and my group and I are torn between Roll 20 and FG. Is there anyone with the PHB that might be willing to host a few people in a Friday night, so we can see what the options look like from the player's side, and maybe run us through a combat or two? I'm hoping to persuade folks to go for FG! (Friday is our standing game night.)

[LordEntrails]

I have the Ultimate membership, but no books yet, and my group and I are torn between Roll 20 and FG. Is there anyone with the PHB that might be willing to host a few people in a Friday night, so we can see what the options look like from the player's side, and maybe run us through a combat or two? I'm hoping to persuade folks to go for FG! (Friday is our standing game night.)
Depending on your time zone, I might be available next Friday (I'm UTC -0600). PM me if you're close to that time and we'll figure it out.

Also check out the FG College (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?40020-Join-Fantasy-Grounds-College-Learn-Fantasy-Grounds-learn-D-amp-D-and-then-play!), they are a pretty cool group of people.

[damned]

Try this Mithalwulf - https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?40020-Join-Fantasy-Grounds-College-Learn-Fantasy-Grounds-learn-D-amp-D-and-then-play!

[JohnD]

You're trying to compare and contrast a Pinto vs a Porsche.

[Mithalwulf]

You're trying to compare and contrast a Pinto vs a Porsche.

That's my hope!

[Atua]

You're trying to compare and contrast a Pinto vs a Porsche.

But which one is the Pinto? ;-)

[Mithalwulf]

That's the key question. Those who have used both, what are your thoughts? For players, the interface seems way better in FG.

[Myrdin Potter]

Over the past year, Smiteworks has added the ability to add 5e PHB content in the program itself (you used to have to parse the text or wrote directly in XML). The only real in program feature that is missing is the ability to create reference manuals which are just a nice way of displaying the data.

If you wait for a sale, you can get the PHB for about 20% off the standard $29.99.

I can tell you one key benefit to FG over Roll20 is the cost. Roll20 sells the WoTC books for the full hardcover price. They also charge a subscription price for the most advertised feature - dynamic licensing and it does not take long for that plus the additional cost for the books to make the “free”program a lot more expensive.

If you already have the DND Beyond subscription and the books there, you can cut and paste into FG to create the content in FG and that greatly speeds up the process.

The cost of the books really comes down to if you have more time or more money. More time than money, input the material you need. More money than time (like me), buy the books. The PHB is probably the most used book.

If you buy the modules/adventures here, they come with all the tokens and images and such.

I think the standard automation in FG is much easier to use and it is much easier to get content into FG than Roll20. The effects engine is quite powerful and there are many examples in the forums or that can be purchased on DMs Guild (I have a set of 16 characters levels 1-10 based on the standard WoTC there).

The only real negative to FG over Roll20 is the client/server model means that the DM has to get access to ports and forward it to their computer. It pretty much works fine and just needs to be set up once for almost everyone, but when it does not it is a pain in the *** to work through the solutions to the problem. Roll20 is just a browser connection which typically is much easier.

[LordEntrails]

I've got a review post and several forum posts on ENWorld that detail why I chose FG over Roll20 and the other competitors if you want detail, but in short the three big reasons I choose FG;
1) Client-Server architect - yes this means I have to deal with port forwarding, but it also means all content is on my computer(s) and I do not need to have an internet connection to use FG and if SmiteWorks goes out of business I will still have what I paid for.
2) Official WotC content - at the time it was the only option. It is still the only option that has everything, and for now it is substantially less expensive than the other VTTs.
3) This community - the most helpful user community I've been part of. And you are allowed to discuss the competition and be critical of the FG and SW (unlike Roll 20).

Two other things of note;
4) Content creation and GM prep is very straight forward and relatively efficient.
5) To me, UI is intuitive, I had trouble with Roll20 when demoing.

[damned]

Roll20 is a good platform too. It has better line of sight and dynamic lighting. It doesnt require any network setup. It has a free tier.

I believe Fantasy Grounds is better than Roll20 on pretty much every other measure. Especially if you use one of the big licensed systems like 5e, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu or Savage Worlds.
Especially for the GM.

[JohnD]

But which one is the Pinto? ;-)

Obvious answer is obvious.

[Mithalwulf]

Client-Server architect - yes this means I have to deal with port forwarding

Roll 20...doesnt require any network setup.

This sounds complicated it. Is it?

[LordEntrails]

This sounds complicated it. Is it?
For the vast majority of people, no it's not. For most people (~99%??) they never have to worry about it and their system handles it automatically. Most of the others (~80%?? of the remaining ~1%) that need to do something can follow instructions here on the forums and all they need to do is a few steps on the modem/router and they are good. A few (and I mean 1 or 2 people a month) need more help than that (and occasionally need a VPN solution). There are several network gurus on the forums that will work real-time to help those few people using web conferencing or other tools to get people setup.

So, if you end being one of the tiny minority, I wouldn't stress even if you know nothing about networking. Just post on the help forums and follow the instructions people send you or ask if someone can walk you through it.

[Myrdin Potter]

This sounds complicated it. Is it?

It generally only matters if you travel for work and are the DM. For players, it never matters.

There are a few places where the internet provider shares IP addresses or where has run out of IPv4 addresses and only hands out ipv6 addresses. There are Work around for that.

I would not worry that much about it, but you asked for honest information and SmiteWorks is not afraid to discuss areas where there could be issues and allows such discussions here.

[Mithalwulf]

Okay, so I've purchased my package and some books. I created a campaign, logged back in, and...I can't find my campaign. What am I doing wrong?? I click on Load Campaign, and it is not there. I click on Join Game, and it is not there. (Note: I just switched from my wife's PC to my Mac. That seemed to go okay...)

[Myrdin Potter]

Campaigns are saved in a local folder, so you need to make sure you are on the same machine you started it with. You can move it from machine to machine, you just need to copy the folder.

You cannot save with a demo account, so you need to make sure you are logged in and the license key is entered.

The first thing to do, assuming you are properly logged in, is to navigate to the campaign folder. From the starting page in FG, you should see a file folder icon. Click it and then look in the campaigns folder. Is there a folder there with your campaign name?

[Mithalwulf]

Yes! Do I just copy this and put it on the new computer?

[Zacchaeus]

Check to make sure that where you put your data folder is in a place where you have full read/write access. The default location is C:/Users/Username/AppData/Roaming/Fantasy Grounds. You can find out where your data folder is by clicking the small folder icon on the top right of the start screen. In there you will find a folder called campaigns and within that should be a folder for all of the campaigns which you start.

[damned]

Check to make sure that where you put your data folder is in a place where you have full read/write access. The default location is C:/Users/Username/AppData/Roaming/Fantasy Grounds. You can find out where your data folder is by clicking the small folder icon on the top right of the start screen. In there you will find a folder called campaigns and within that should be a folder for all of the campaigns which you start.

The default can vary from OS and from Install time.
Stick with using the Folder Icons within FG to find the path.

[Myrdin Potter]

Basically, you just copy it from one computer to another. This is where cloud drives are ok (in general) or USB and sneaker net or whatever arcane science you use to move files (email it is another option).

You now may be thinking - I will just use a cloud drive and point both computers to it. Don’t do that, there is a good chance that a file write operation gets cached and your file will get corrupted. Always run the game and create off of a local file. Use cloud drives to back-up or to move files.

As the much more powerful Z! noted, you need to make sure you have read/write access to whatever folder you use.

[Mithalwulf]

Looks like it made it fine. Thanks guys.

[Mithalwulf]

Okay, ugliness has ensued. 21724 I receive this error message, and my desktop switched from a nice faux-leather to an ugly white torn parchment look. Blech! Note that this only occurs in this one campaign. Should I just delete this one campaign, or do I need to do a full reinstall? If the former, how do I delete a campaign? TIA

[Nylanfs]

Find campaign folder in the Windows explorer and press delete.

edit: Looking at that error, I wonder if it's the space in the campaign name causing issues?

[Myrdin Potter]

If you delete the campaign folder you can lose all your work. You need to be specific that if you want to delete one campaign to find the sub-folder with the name.

Even then, if there is a fair amount of work done on it, you should try one of the back-up files first.

[Nylanfs]

Yes I should have specified you need to find <campaign name> campaign folder and delete it. :)

[Mithalwulf]

Okay, the error message is now popping up in the other campaign as well. How do I do a complete uninstall and reinstall on a Mac? Can I just drag it to the trash? Thanks.

[Trenloe]

If it is the same error message, then it means FG didn't exit cleanly and you'll need to sort this out first.

How are you closing your FG session - are you using right-click on the desktop and exiting that way (the clean and recommended way) or are you just closing down the whole window? If the latter, then that is probably your issue - close down cleanly with the right-click exit option, don't just close the whole window.

[Mithalwulf]

I usually do Command Q. Is that not good?

[Trenloe]

I usually do Command Q. Is that not good?
That isn't good and is probably causing your issues. Use the FG specific right-click menu option to close Fantasy Grounds.

[Mithalwulf]

Okay, reinstalled. I cannot figure out how to unlock an NPC to add a token. Example: I opened NPCs, Badger, but it says "locked" and I cannot drag the token onto the page.

[Myrdin Potter]

You need to copy the master NPC to add new tokens. You can also just add them to the company tracker if guy don’t want the change permanent to.
To copy an NPC, drag and drop it in the NPC list.

[Mithalwulf]

The token is there, but it won't drag onto the NPC page. Sorry, how do I copy the master NPC? Is there a CONCISE video that shows this somewhere?

[Myrdin Potter]

Open the npc list from the button on the right.

Selected the NPC in question and drag it down. That makes a copy.

Or, drag NPC to the combat tracker. Drag and drop new token on top the token in the combat tracker.

The second way replaces tokens already on the map with a new token.

[Mithalwulf]

New question: if I purchase official materials, like Lost Mines, can I them copy and paste sections into the story board, or is that prevented because of copyright? Thanks in advance! I really appreciate how helpful everyone is.

[Zacchaeus]

Not sure what you mean. You can't alter the original module since it is copy protected; but in a campaign you can add text, or just about anything else into story entries, npc's items etc in that campaign. You can even delete text from the original module in the campaign. However these alterations remain only in that campaign, so if you loaded LMoP in another campaign it won't have any changes that you have made.

You can, however, export your changes into another module which you can then open in another campaign.

[LordEntrails]

New question: if I purchase official materials, like Lost Mines, can I them copy and paste sections into the story board, or is that prevented because of copyright? Thanks in advance! I really appreciate how helpful everyone is.
The confusion is your use of the term "story board". That's not a term we normally use so are not sure what you are referring to.

[Mithalwulf]

The confusion is your use of the term "story board". That's not a term we normally use so are not sure what you are referring to.

Ah, still learning all that. Basically, I'm wondering if I can copy a paragraph or page or whatever to share that text with players. It sounds like I can.

[Zacchaeus]

Right click on the Story entry (or almost anything actually) and select share with players. if you want to share with just one or a certain number of players drag the Story/item etc and drop on that player's portrait.

[Willot]

Bummer. So, basically, if someone wants to play one of the races or classes NOT in the SRD, the electronic version of the book(s) need to be purchased. Once purchased, then they are "added" to the options available to players? Is that correct?

If that is correct, then if I purchase the book in question, with an Ultimate membership, can my players then access the races and classes?

Remeber If someone want to go a special race and you only have the SRD there is nothing stopping them from Manually putting in the details to the character sheet. Its just more time consuming

[Mithalwulf]

I set up an encounter, and thought it was all set. The monsters were on the map, grayed out. I could see them. A player who was helping me out could not. Sounds good. I logged back in some days later...and I cannot find the monsters. What happened, and how do I fix it?

[Myrdin Potter]

Open the map and the encounter and click the button at the bottom that looks like a down arrow?

[Mithalwulf]

That makes sense. When I tried it, though, I got a Script error message: "Script Error: [string "scripts/manager_combat.lua"]:836: addToken: Parameter 1 is not the name of a valid image."

Now, I did change the name of the map, but since you can change the name of a Word document, and not break everything inside it, I didn't think that would be a problem.

[Trenloe]

Now, I did change the name of the map, but since you can change the name of a Word document, and not break everything inside it, I didn't think that would be a problem.
Don't change the name of the map file - this will mean that FG sees it as a new map and you will lose any references to the old file name - which is why you are seeing this error.

You can change the map name inside Fantasy Grounds, but don't change the actual file name if you have anything referencing it.

And, yes, you can change the name of a word document and not break anything *inside that document*. If anything inside or outside of word was referencing the old document name then that reference would be broken. This is what you are seeing in FG - changing the map name inside FG is fine, changing the map file name outside of FG (i.e the file itself in windows) is not fine.

[Mithalwulf]

Okay, got it. Yes, I changed it in the folder on the computer, not in FG. (Good analogy by the way.) So, when I create an Encounter under the Encounters Button, is it always tied to a specific map? If so, do I need to delete my encounter and rebuild it on the 'new' map? Thanks in advance.

[Myrdin Potter]

At this point, yes, I would delete it and redo it on the “new” map.

[Trenloe]

Okay, got it. Yes, I changed it in the folder on the computer, not in FG. (Good analogy by the way.) So, when I create an Encounter under the Encounters Button, is it always tied to a specific map? If so, do I need to delete my encounter and rebuild it on the 'new' map? Thanks in advance.
The encounter itself is not tied to any map, but the token placement within an encounter is tied to a specific map.

You don't need to delete the encounter, but you do need to re-do the token placement. Click the tick/check marks for each token to remove the placement and show the token, then re-drag this token to the map to assign the preplacement information to the new map.

[Lord_Thomas]

Hey guys. I am returning to the game after approximately 33 years away :-) I have a niece who is very interested in it and I plan on DMing for her, paper & pencil, old school.

We purchased a starter set and I have started going through the player’s manual and looking at some of the online resources to learn how to play the game again. Obviously, it’s a pretty complex game.

I saw some of the online games being run here. If I am basically a noob, what do you feel I need to do to learn the game well enough from the player’s side to create a character and join a low-level online game? I figure I would like to run as a player for several sessions to help me as I try to DM for my nieces and my brother IRL.

Thanks a million, guys. I like the potential I see here at FG.

Lord Thomas

[LordEntrails]

Hey guys. I am returning to the game after approximately 33 years away :-) I have a niece who is very interested in it and I plan on DMing for her, paper & pencil, old school.

We purchased a starter set and I have started going through the player’s manual and looking at some of the online resources to learn how to play the game again. Obviously, it’s a pretty complex game.

I saw some of the online games being run here. If I am basically a noob, what do you feel I need to do to learn the game well enough from the player’s side to create a character and join a low-level online game? I figure I would like to run as a player for several sessions to help me as I try to DM for my nieces and my brother IRL.

Thanks a million, guys. I like the potential I see here at FG.

Lord Thomas
So you're looking to learn what you need to play p&p and not with FG? 5E is not that different from the D&D you left, not at its core. Sure their are lots of different rules and such, but conceptually it's very similar. Just read the Basic Rules and read through the adventure. Don't get caught up in the rules, just have fun.

For lots of more advice, I've put together a thread with lots of links. Some of them are designed for new DM's and new players, go for those. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?36014-GM-Advice

If you need FG advice, let us know and we can point you in that direction as well.

[damned]

How old is your niece?
I have found that Dungeon World as well as being great for adults is also a lot easier for younger players to pick up.
And at its heart it is very true to Fantasy RP roots and is riddled with fantasy tropes.

Otherwise 5e is a great system and plays easily with some nice mechanics.

[Lord_Thomas]

Thanks, guys.

I’m already feeling a little better as I read through the character classes.

When I’m ready I’ll probably roll a character and try to get into one of these games to re-acclimate myself well.

[Zacchaeus]

A good place to get online help and classes is the FG college.
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?40020-Join-Fantasy-Grounds-College-Learn-Fantasy-Grounds-learn-D-amp-D-and-then-play!

[Mithalwulf]

The pieces are coming together, and this is starting to get really fun. Here's my latest question. I created an encounter and then closed it. My Thugs on my map disappeared, as per usual. However, now I want to check the size of the tokens and perhaps add or delete a Thug. How do I make it so I can see them again on my map, WITHOUT putting the encounter in the Combat Tracker? TIA!

[LordEntrails]

The pieces are coming together, and this is starting to get really fun. Here's my latest question. I created an encounter and then closed it. My Thugs on my map disappeared, as per usual. However, now I want to check the size of the tokens and perhaps add or delete a Thug. How do I make it so I can see them again on my map, WITHOUT putting the encounter in the Combat Tracker? TIA!
I don't think you can :(
I believe this is in the wishlist (https://fg2app.idea.informer.com/) but I can't find it in there.

When you open up the encounter, any toeksn that are unplaced will not have a checkmark on them, so at least you can then place them.

[Trenloe]

How do I make it so I can see them again on my map, WITHOUT putting the encounter in the Combat Tracker? TIA!
You will need to add them to the combat tracker to see their current positions. They should be hidden by default, so the players shouldn't see them.

Note: if you want to change the positions stored within the encounter, you must click the tick/check within the encounter to present the token for placement and then re-add the tokens to the map.

[Mithalwulf]

Yes, Trenloe, the mobs are invisible to the players by default, which is cool, but it is very odd to me that the all-powerful GM cannot see the monsters I placed there. :rv: The problem with unchecking one monster is that I don't have a clue where all the other ones are! That means I have to uncheck all of them and replace all of them. Lots of extra steps if there are multiple mobs in multiple rooms and you have OCD.

[Zacchaeus]

If you are doing this during preparation then you can edit the encounter any way you like and it won't matter what the players can or can't see. Also if you just edit one encounter at a time you'll find it easier to do.

If you are doing this during play then you can easily just remove an NPC from the encounter by right clicking on the entry in the CT and selecting delete. If you want to add more NPCs to the encounter drag an existing one and drop it back down onto the CT and then drag from the CT to the map.

You only need the encounter that the PCs are actually in combat with on the CT; you don't need encounters on the CT which the PCs haven't come to yet.