Dungeons and Dragons Publisher Wizards of the Coast is currently working on two official virtual tabletop solutions, and they could hardly be more different. The Maps feature in D&D Beyond takes a straightforward approach and should feel familiar to anyone who has used a classic VTT program or simply sat down at the game table to play on a standard physical map. Project Sigil, meanwhile, is a seemingly robust 3D alternative, resulting in a potentially more immersive experience that may have its own drawbacks.
Considering how long popular VTTs like Roll20 have been around, Wizards of the Coast is surprisingly late to the game when it comes to an in-house option. D&D Beyond already makes it possible to handle core aspects of a campaign on an official digital platform, but the lack of an interface for playing battles or dungeon crawling made it feel like half the solution. While the compelling arguments for choosing alternative VTT programs are certainly not going away, official solutions have advantages that may be convincing to many participants.
Advantages of using D&D Beyond’s maps feature
A simple solution that gets the job done
The biggest advantage of D&D Beyond Maps, and one that’s hard to overstate in general, is its ease of use. For any group already using D&D Beyond for character sheets, Maps integration is an extraordinarily convenient way to place things in a grid. Staying on one site is easier for everyone involved than switching between multiple sources, and Maps’ addition of features over time has made it a reasonably comprehensive way of handling combat encounters.
D&D Beyond now includes the option to track initiative and combat stats directly in Maps, updating the feature with competing VTTs for dungeon masters. On the players’ side, Plays can be made directly within Maps or by clicking on the relevant resources on a D&D Beyond character sheet.
Maps is still in beta, so it’s no surprise that Competitive VTTs still offer more features in some cases. However, they are rarely that intuitive to use, so anyone satisfied with Maps’ suite of options may find it more practical to use. DMs who have official materials such as sourcebooks and campaigns in D&D Beyond can also pull material directly from there, rather than having to frequently download and upload images and resources.
Advantages of using the D&D Sigil Project
3D dungeons have a lot of appeal
Unlike D&D Beyond’s Maps feature, Project Sigil’s public beta hasn’t started yet, so it’s harder to get a comprehensive understanding of everything VTT offers. However, it was showcased early in the marketing and the basic functions of the service were defined quite clearly. The officer D&D beyond page presents the difference between Project Sigil and Maps efficiently, describing it as “the perfect immersive complement to Maps’ streamlined virtual tabletop experience.”
Project Sigil 3D maps can be populated with accessories, structural levels, lighting, and more. Although the process seems intuitive, creating and using a custom map in VTT will likely take more time and effort than drafting a basic map in Maps. Detailed 3D maps can also be less flexible in gameplay, leaving less room for imaginative players to question the limits of the environment and create unusual approaches. That being said, It is still possible to use flat battle maps in Project SigilSo organizing something at any time shouldn’t be much more difficult than with Maps.
On the other hand, verticality and clearly displayed environmental details can give players more to interact with in combat, as demonstrated by the opportunities that Baldur’s Gate 3 provides. Immersion is also something that many groups value highly, and Rich 3D environments can make it easier to stay engaged in combat rather than falling into small talk. Miniatures can even be customized and equipped with magical items and armor, allowing for a more direct form of self-expression.
What VTT should your D&D table use
A time and a place for both
Even though it’s not as flashy as Project Sigil, D&D Beyond’s Maps feature is easier to recommend widelyat least for now. It’s a simple solution that does everything a VTT mapping program needs to do, at least in a basic capacity, and advanced technology isn’t necessary to run a large D&D game. Anyone familiar with typical VTT solutions should take to Maps like a fish to water, even if they are frustrated by some missing features, and even newcomers will likely be able to adjust quickly.
Project Sigil appears to be the most interesting option for groups that value detailed and immersive battle mapsand can be a useful way to keep players more engaged in digital games. The environments more closely mimic the look of playing at a tabletop with elaborate battle maps and detailed miniatures, and the process of bringing this to life can be part of the fun for some dungeon masters.
Although Maps is currently only available to D&D Beyond Master Tier subscribers, Project Sigil is planned to be free in some capacity for those without subscriptions, and signing up for the beta only requires a basic D&D Beyond account. With its reliance on 3D models, however, it’s possible that Project Sigil will gate content for those who own source materials or pay for a subscription in a way that makes it less flexible than Maps for free users. Those who want a free and straightforward solution should probably look to a source other than D&D Beyond for now.
Ultimately, considering Maps as the default option makes the most sense, while anyone who finds the Project Sigil idea particularly interesting should take this as a sign to look into it and sign up for the beta. The two new officers Dungeons and Dragons VTTs are certainly not the only possible paths, but they both promise some unique advantages that make the D&D Beyond ecosystem a little more attractive than before.
Source: D&D beyond