New players and source content help

[johnno580]

Hi all,

My friends and I are looking to join up but we are a bit confused by the licences and source content.

Would we all need a standard account, and then all need to pay for the DnD content as individuals or can we buy the books as a group?

Thanks

[Griogre]

The licenses are about who can GM. Standard licenses are good for a group of rotating GMs where people take turns GMing. The ultimate license is for those groups where there is one GM and the player's can use free licenses.

Source content is the GM shares with players. So if the GM doesn't have it he can't share it. A player can request the GM to allow content source content he owns that the GM doesn't be used by that player. However, the player request GM allow content for just that player doesn't work in Unity right now.

[johnno580]

Thanks,

So would it be possible to have 1 ultimate account holding all the content, hosting demo accounts as long as the ultimate account purchases the source content?

[LordEntrails]

Yes, just be aware that the accounts are user locked and can't be shared. They are tied to a specific person per the license agreement.

[A Social Yeti]

Thanks,

So would it be possible to have 1 ultimate account holding all the content, hosting demo accounts as long as the ultimate account purchases the source content?

That is exactly it.
The IRL analogy model:

The GM is always hosting at their own home, and they always provide all the materials for everyone at their table.

So technically speaking only the GM is on the hook for any costs, but is the only one that has to officially have license rights to use any paid for IP materials at their table.


The only real technical difficulty this can make for is when new players that don't own any of the RPG system source materials, they can't be familiarizing themselves with the game rules on their own time, but just when they are on the GM's server.

some basic rules are of course available for free to all, but if you wanted to run a game where players had options from other expanded rules books (5e sword coats adventurers guide for example) for character build, they will only be able to read up on those options while on the GM's server. So most games need a session 0 for players to make toons, and it can take some time if there are newer players that will need to do some reading up to make their choices.
Plan accordingly.

[LordEntrails]

Do be aware, I just learned that FGU allows demo (free) licensed users to purchase and use DLC. It used to be (with FGC) that in order to access purchased DLC you had to have a standard or ultimate license, but with FGU this is no longer necessary.

There still is the restriction that a player can not shared purchased content with the GM or other players.

[Granamere]

Welcome!

You might also want to try out some of the free classes at https://fantasygroundscollege.net/

This can let you get your feet wet with FG and learn with some pros.