Played with FG for the first time (5e module) and some questions

[jgerman]

I ran a session with Fantasy Grounds for the first time this weekend and it looks like the pros of the software will outweigh the cons. I did run into some issues though.

I see the wiki for the module and will read through but is there any other documentation available for bot FG and the 5e module specifically?

If I screw up drawing revealing sections of a map can I re-apply fog of war?

If I'm running combat and the players want to drag an attack onto an opponent, how do you apply modifiers for that specific roll?

I have an Ultimate license and the PHB and Lost Mines. When looking at portraits for a character sheet I have a number of bags available, including a 5e bag. My players do not have that as an option. They have the PHB loaded, and how can I tell which content I have available comes from what source so I can debug issues like that in the future?

[damned]

welcome jgerman

check out Zacchaeus videos - he has a lot of really good info especially on 5e.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Zacchaeus55/videos

try ctrl, shift and alt with the unmasking
you can also use combinations of..

you can always type a number in the modifier window and it will apply to your next roll
same goes for players

open a second instance of Fantasy Grounds and Join Game - use a different username and connect to the server/host called localhost and you will see what you players see on this window
everyone can only access portraits that are on their computer - you can add portraits to the PCs if you have one they want

if the players add their own portraits have them resize the image first - crop it square and keep it less than 500x500px

[jgerman]

open a second instance of Fantasy Grounds and Join Game - use a different username and connect to the server/host called localhost and you will see what you players see on this window
everyone can only access portraits that are on their computer - you can add portraits to the PCs if you have one they want

if the players add their own portraits have them resize the image first - crop it square and keep it less than 500x500px

Cool thanks!, I'll try out the other tips (and watch the videos).

As far as the portraits are concerned: I was under the impression that when I shared my content my players had it available while connected to the session. Is that not true in the case of portraits?

[damned]

Cool thanks!, I'll try out the other tips (and watch the videos).

As far as the portraits are concerned: I was under the impression that when I shared my content my players had it available while connected to the session. Is that not true in the case of portraits?

That isnt the case with portraits
it was an early design decision that in hindsight wasnt the best one but it requires a bit of work to unpick and it has not risen to the top of the teams to do list - its a bit complex and has only a small impact

please also do not share any adventure modules or your players will be able to see everything...
only share the PHB

[Zacchaeus]

If I screw up drawing revealing sections of a map can I re-apply fog of war?

Hold down the CTRL Key whilst you draw will redo a rectangular area of the fog of war. Hold down CTRL+SHIFT to draw a freehand area of the FoW


If I'm running combat and the players want to drag an attack onto an opponent, how do you apply modifiers for that specific roll?

What kind of modifiers did you have in mind? Most modifiers to rolls in 5e would be dealt with by effects, or by using the Modifiers dialog.

[Trenloe]

Welcome to the forums!

You can find further info in the FG Wiki on some of the questions you ask.

Masking: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Images#Masking

Base Modifiers: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Modifier_Stack

Plus effects: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/5E_Effects

[jgerman]

That isnt the case with portraits
it was an early design decision that in hindsight wasnt the best one but it requires a bit of work to unpick and it has not risen to the top of the teams to do list - its a bit complex and has only a small impact

please also do not share any adventure modules or your players will be able to see everything...
only share the PHB

I better double check I haven't shared the module!

[jgerman]

Hold down the CTRL Key whilst you draw will redo a rectangular area of the fog of war. Hold down CTRL+SHIFT to draw a freehand area of the FoW



What kind of modifiers did you have in mind? Most modifiers to rolls in 5e would be dealt with by effects, or by using the Modifiers dialog.

I think I'm missing out on basic stuff that I should know, I see several posts now with links that I should probably be reading. I didn't know how to "give" a player advantage on a roll. I'm sure it's there, I just didn't prepare very well.

[Erin Righ]

Well as with any software, there is a learning curve with FG; the more you use it, the better you will get with it

[Trenloe]

I didn't know how to "give" a player advantage on a roll. I'm sure it's there, I just didn't prepare very well.
You could apply an effect to the PC in the combat tracker (CT), but this can be a lot of work if it is just for one roll. Effects are more to track ongoing abilities and situational effects. If it's only for one roll, you can ask the player to press the ADV button on the desktop (below the chat window) before making a roll. Other than effects, you (as the GM) can't impact modifiers, ADV/DIS, etc. on a player's next roll - they need to do it.

[Zacchaeus]

I think I'm missing out on basic stuff that I should know, I see several posts now with links that I should probably be reading. I didn't know how to "give" a player advantage on a roll. I'm sure it's there, I just didn't prepare very well.

You can't 'give' a player advantage on a roll per se. Players click the ADV button down at the bottom left of the screen when they want to roll with advantage. They may get advantage automatically depending on what conditions are on their target; for example if their target is prone and the player makes a melee attack against them then they will automatically roll with advantage. There are also effects which the player might have on them which gives them advantage. Such effects may be placed on the player (usually by the player themselves) following the casting of a spell or some other ability that they might have.

Don't worry too much about getting everything right first time. Have a look at the stickies at the top of the 5e forum (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?68-5E). There are many links to useful information there. You might also want to drop into 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!) and see what tutorials there are going on there; or you can get advice in the advice channels and similarly you can get advice in the support channel of the Smiteworks Discord (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?36377-New-Official-Discord-Server).

[Bonkon]

Hold down the CTRL Key whilst you draw will redo a rectangular area of the fog of war. Hold down CTRL+SHIFT to draw a freehand area of the FoW



What kind of modifiers did you have in mind? Most modifiers to rolls in 5e would be dealt with by effects, or by using the Modifiers dialog.

Good Day All :)
This is something new to me and what a help it will be. But I do not think it is CTRL + Shift to freehand mine worked with just the Shift key (Since I was impatient and tested it after seeing Damned's post without reading further) :)

[Zacchaeus]

Good Day All :)
This is something new to me and what a help it will be. But I do not think it is CTRL + Shift to freehand mine worked with just the Shift key (Since I was impatient and tested it after seeing Damned's post without reading further) :)

To reveal a section of map with the mask on you hold down SHIFT to draw freehand (without shift you get a rectangle). To put the mask back on an area that has been revealed hold down CTRL to draw a square area back and if you want to redraw an irregular mask on an area that you have revealed then you need to hold down SHIFT+CTRL.

[Bonkon]

Good Day Zacchaeus :)
Ahh, to re-mask freehand is the CTRL-Shift, got it.

Thanks for the clarification :)