How to handle wildshape for druid?

[Mindit]

Hi, I’m new to FGU and I have a question about the 5e ruleset.
How do I handle the druid spell wildshape?
I don’t want to use any (paid) 3rd party mods.
It should be possible in vanilla FGU. It is more important to me then some expensive sound system. First fix core functionality and add a good system for all the different spells.

[LordEntrails]

What we do is to create multiple character sheets for the Druid. Then they can activate each one when needed and the DM then puts in on the CT and map as needed. This is the most capable, but requires the most work for the player and DM.

The other option is to use NPCs, and for the DM to share the NPCS with the player, set Party Vision & Movement to On and the token to Friendly in the CT. If wanted, you can customize the NPC to have the PC traits as needed or to change any attacks etc per the spell.

edit: the third option is to just add the wildshape actions (bear's attack etc) into the character sheet. Create actions with effects for any attribute changes and apply to the CT as needed. But then you have to track HP since they will have an additional "pool" of HP you need to track.

[Zacchaeus]

You can also use this free extension https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/623/view

[Laerun]

Hi, I’m new to FGU and I have a question about the 5e ruleset.
How do I handle the druid spell wildshape?
I don’t want to use any (paid) 3rd party mods.
It should be possible in vanilla FGU. It is more important to me then some expensive sound system. First fix core functionality and add a good system for all the different spells.


https://www.fantasygroundsacademy.com/post/mastering-druid-s-wild-shape-in-d-d-5e-a-guide-for-fantasy-grounds-unity-vtt-platform
Hey Mindit, I totally get where you're coming from about the druid spell wildshape. It's a cool feature, and it'd be awesome to have it built right into FGU without needing any paid mods. Are you intentionally holding out on extensions or mods to make a point or are you actually concerned about this challenge?

Here's the thing though, the Smiteworks team is pretty small, and they're juggling a ton of different tasks. They're working on all sorts of rulesets, each with their own quirks and complexities. It's a lot like spinning plates!

Adding new features like the sound system isn't about ignoring the core stuff, it's about making the whole experience better. And remember, not every game or campaign has a Druid, so features like wildshape might not be top of the list for everyone.

The FGU community is super active and helpful. They've created loads of extensions that fill in the gaps and make the platform even better. Smiteworks often takes these and adds them into the main platform when they can. Smiteworks has taken the steps to help streamline updating and allowing end users easier access to the community content, even if and when they might occasionally need maintenance to keep up with the main Fantasy Grounds Unity platform.

The audio integration was originally a previous kick-starter promise and a community request years ago and has been in planning and development for quite some time, and has just finally come to fruition. I doubt that anyone has intentionally not considered a feature like the Druid wildshape functionality.

It's a tough gig deciding what to work on next. Do they add new features like file export and import, or focus on making the platform run smoother and with more broader reach and impact than just one or two specific ruleset and class features. It's a tricky balance.

In all the games I've run on FGU, I've only come across the Druid wildshape thing a couple of times. It's not that it's not important, it's just that there are so many other things that are also important. I used the "Friend Zone" extension and the suggestion that Zacchaeus has recommended below and it's very helpful, light weight, polished, and maintained.

So, while it'd be great to have every feature we want right out of the box, sometimes we have to find workarounds or use community extensions. But hey, that's part of learning to use Fantasy Grounds as a tool to run our sessions, not necessarily to have a definitive solution for every use case, right? Best of luck whatever you decide to do or whatever route you try. If you need some inspiration or to see some work around, let me know.

Cheers,
Laerun, FGA

[Mindit]

Thank you for your replies. I was holding out on extensions, because i'm afraid when FGU gets an update, the extension doesn't work anymore and so the campaign would be on hold as well. Or worse, the campaign can't be loaded anymore or something like that.
But I'm a FGU noob, so maybe my fear isn't realistic. For now I'm using the mentioned extension, and it works very well. For SMiteworks being a small team, they deliver excellent work so far, and I trust that everything will get even better in the (near) future.

I still have to learn how to use spells in FGU, like mage hand for example.
Let me check some of your academy video's @Laerun, maybe it will help me with some stuff.

Again thanks for your patience and help! Do you maybe have a list of essential extensions (5e ruleset) that could help me where FGU is not yet ready?

[Laerun]

Thank you for your replies. I was holding out on extensions, because i'm afraid when FGU gets an update, the extension doesn't work anymore and so the campaign would be on hold as well. Or worse, the campaign can't be loaded anymore or something like that.
But I'm a FGU noob, so maybe my fear isn't realistic. For now I'm using the mentioned extension, and it works very well. For SMiteworks being a small team, they deliver excellent work so far, and I trust that everything will get even better in the (near) future.

I still have to learn how to use spells in FGU, like mage hand for example.
Let me check some of your academy video's @Laerun, maybe it will help me with some stuff.

Again thanks for your patience and help! Do you maybe have a list of essential extensions (5e ruleset) that could help me where FGU is not yet ready?

An extension list is difficult to recommend, as it depends on your actual needs and the understanding of the FGU platform and also 'where' the ruleset actually interfaces with the platform.
Learning the limitations of the platform comes in handy and practical experience with certain situations helps determine your actual needs before piling on unnecessary extensions. So your caution is refreshing to hear! Bravo!

Some extensions are only optimal for certain spells and character classes, while others are more universal. I use one Font Extension, and the Friend Zone extension mostly, the others are more utility and not really needed unless you come across one niche situation with a character that might have a certain complicated or annoying spell or feature that's difficult to remember to handle in FGU, such as the Mirror Image spell for example. Other than this, I cannot say. Some of the extensions are rather niche and very case specific.

[LordEntrails]

I strongly recommend you don't use any extensions until you are proficient with base FG. You can do everything in base FG. It may not be automated or require something manual, but you can do it. After you are proficient (and most of your players), then start to consider what extensions you really want.

Because yes, extensions can leave you stranded. Never update FG right before game time, always do it after when you have time to test. This is especially important with extensions. Also, extensions sometimes take awhile to get updated when they break, so always check on them if you don't know the developer's update habits before you update. Don't leave yourself stranded. Most developers update broken extensions within days, but... :)

[Mindit]

Again, thanks for helping out! I will absolutely take your replies in consideration.

[astromath]

You can also use this free extension https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/623/view

"This item is currently not available."

[Moon Wizard]

Forge extensions that break and are not supported by their developers are delisted.

Regards,
JPG