Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a popular role-playing game that has been around for decades. Players take on the roles of characters in an imaginary world, engaging in adventures filled with fantasy, magic, and intrigue.
5E tools are designed to help enhance the experience by providing players with various elements such as character sheets, adventure modules, resource libraries, campaign tracking, interactive maps, dice rolling, and character customization.
Current Status of 5E Tools in 2023:
Many 5e tools have come and gone since the game’s release in 1974. Some of these digital offerings include D&D Beyond, Roll20, Aidedd, and Kassoon – just to name a few.
These are some useful sites that provide players with many options when managing their characters or playing online campaigns. One thing they all lack is full integration with one another – an issue that is being addressed by the development of new and improved 5e tools for 2023.
Best Alternatives:
Here are some of the best alternatives to 5E tools entering 2023.
D&D Beyond
Destination URL: https://www.dndbeyond.com/
D&D Beyond provides players with modules, character sheets, resource libraries, and campaign tracking.
Plus there’s a marketplace in which you can buy official Dungeons and Dragons products, a Twitch channel to watch games being live-streamed as well as a YouTube channel where the developers provide helpful tips.
Roll20
Destination URL: https://roll20.net/
Roll20 is an interactive online platform that allows players to access maps and character sheets while playing remotely with others from around the world.
As of 2021, it has averaged about four million monthly active users, making it one of the most popular platforms amongst home gamers looking for a way to play.
Aidedd
Destination URL: https://www.aidedd.org/
Aidedd is an open-source platform that allows players to create and manage their characters like never before with interactive screens, powerful options, and input fields eliminating the need for paper character sheets or binders full of notes and paperwork together.
It also has many helpful resources such as reference material containing spells & items data plus links to popular DM tools such as sheet generators for character creation.
Kassoon
Destination URL: https://www.kassoon.com/
Kassoon is a cloud-based software newly available in 2023 that allows players to make their own worlds and stories with its intuitive map-building tool before getting the adventure started from scratch or picking up premade campaigns created by other users all over the world.
D&D Wiki
Destination URL: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/Main_Page
D&D Wiki is an extensive D&D resource that includes thousands of pages on topics from the Forgotten Realms setting and storyline to races, classes, spells, equipment, and more; also it contains the official 5e SRD along with homebrew content for those looking for something extra special.
RPG Bot
Destination URL: https://rpgbot.net/dnd5/characters
RPG Bot is the ultimate character sheet generator for players at all levels of experience. With just a few clicks, it can take your characters on adventures as they explore dungeons completing quests along the way while leveling up and gaining new skills.
Donjon
Destination URL: https://donjon.bin.sh/
Donjon offers pre-made 5e adventures & encounters with professional art, text, and detailed maps ready-made for any game master to use in their campaigns without any additional effort.
D&D Beyond Marketplace
Destination URL: https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace
D&D Beyond is the official online home of Dungeons and Dragons products including books, materials, and campaigns all available to buy or download directly at a discount in comparison with physical stores – plus subscription packages to make it affordable for those needing something extra special or wanting it all!
D&D Beyond Forums
Destination URL: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums
The official D&D Beyond forums have been around since 2020 and are stocked with plenty of helpful content related to the game such as discussions about character creation, combat strategies, tips & tricks from other players plus Q&As for those new to playing or more experienced gamers looking out advice on running online campaigns
D&D Beyond Twitch Channel
Destination URL: https://www.twitch.tv/dndbeyond
A recently established Twitch channel, which has already amassed over 3000 followers, broadcasts weekly streams of Dungeons and Dragons campaigns at 8:00 pm PST – a great place to find out about new game features, listen in on others playing, and pick up some tips & tricks for running campaigns successfully online!
D&D Beyond YouTube Channel
Destination URL: https://www.youtube.com/c/DnDBeyond
As well as the Twitch channel Fans of D&D have access to the official YouTube channel which publishes weekly uploads of new content such as unboxings, character profiles, and for all the DM’s out there – helpful advice from developer experts who have plenty of experience running their own games!
Fantasy Grounds
Destination URL: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/home/home.php
Fantasy Grounds offers players a definitive virtual tabletop gaming experience with key features such as customizable maps, game rules, sound effects, and more. It also gives players access to other user-created content like NPCs (nonplayer characters) & monsters making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for DM's looking to run online campaigns
World Anvil
Destination URL: https://www.worldanvil.com/
World Anvil is a powerful worldbuilding tool with plenty of helpful features including a map builder; templates for spells & characters; a character tracker and a DM screen to keep all the tools needed for an interesting game organized.
The Homebrewery
Destination URL: http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/
The Homebrewery is a website specifically designed for creating your own modules & campaigns with ease by using their intuitive text editor that automatically converts users entered text into professional-looking documents with zero fuss!
GMBinder
Destination URL: https://www.gmbinder.com/
GMBinder provides the perfect platform for users wishing to craft unique Dungeons and Dragons campaigns with their built-in tools that work in tandem with other popular 5e programs such as Roll20 & Donjon plus access to guides on running a game successfully – resulting in a powerful offering!
DM’s Guild
Destination URL: https://www.dmsguild.com/
DM's Guild is home to all kinds of 5e materials, adventures, and campaigns created by the community ranging from traditionally published material to completely self-made experiences! It's even possible for authors & game designers to upload their content making real money at the same time.
Inkarnate
Destination URL: https://inkarnate.com/
Inkarnate is a free online mapmaking software that allows the recreation of environments with illustrations, textures & symbols giving players a visual toolkit allowing them to build character backgrounds & develop stories in almost any way imaginable!
The Trove
Destination URL: https://thetrove.net/
The Trove is a comprehensive website with an eclectic library of D&D material that includes everything from rulebooks to maps, modules, and more – just search it up and you're sure to find something useful!
Myth-Weavers
Destination URL: https://www.myth-weavers.com/forumhome.php
Myth-Weavers offers plenty of tools for Dungeons and Dragons players – from a worldbuilding toolset to help develop characters & environments to actual gaming forums that are packed full of helpful advice!
Tabletop Audio
Destination URL: https://tabletopaudio.com/
Tabletop Audio does exactly what it says on the tin; providing ambient soundtracks for table-top role-playing games at no cost – making it another invaluable tool as it allows players to completely immerse themselves in adventure befitting a fantasy world of magic, monsters, and more!
Conclusion:
5E tools have grown increasingly popular as digital gaming platforms become more mainstream – giving ambitious Game Masters the perfect platform through which they can create & run immersive experiences for their friends or online acquaintances from around the world. With many of them now offering subscription services with additional features these tools offer players a great way to streamline their adventures, as well as save time and money in the process.
The 20 alternatives listed here offer Dungeon Masters an array of choices when it comes to expanding their gaming repertoire – from comprehensive character sheet generators & virtual table-top platforms to maps, advanced worldbuilding tools, and even audio soundtracks!
FAQs:
What are 5e tools?
5E tools are designed to help enhance the experience for Dungeons & Dragons players by providing them with various elements such as character sheets, adventure modules, resource libraries, and campaign tracking.
How much do 5e tools cost?
The cost can vary depending on the tool you use, but most of them offer free basic versions and are relatively affordable.
Do I need any additional software to use 5e tools?
No, many of the popular 5e tools such as Roll20 or Aidedd do not require any additional software apart from an internet connection.
Are there alternatives available for 5e tools?
Yes, there are many alternatives available for 5e tools in 2023. The list provided above details some of the best & most popular ones!
Do I need to have a subscription to use 5e tools?
No – while many of the sites offer subscription services with additional features, it is not mandatory to purchase them in order to utilize their main functions.
Are these alternatives reliable and secure?
Yes, all the alternatives mentioned in this article are reliable and secure. They have worked hard to meet industry-standard data security requirements.
