Can't tell you how rare it is to find someone who is both precise and brief in their reviews. Not to mention keeping the verbiage to a minimum! Great job.
I started using Owlbear Rodeo a few mounths ago on your recommendation and it's awesome! I use it sometimes only for shareing music. Before Owlbear I was trying to decide between Roll 20 and Foundry, but found them both daunting. Owlbear does exacly what I want it to without commiting 10-15 hours to learn.
I've only just started using Owlbear Rodeo but it is amazing and by far my favorite of the VTTs I've experienced. Very quick and simple to set up maps, share notes, roll dice, etc.
Great Tips. Getting ready for my first VTT GM session, and you have saved me hours, on top of your Lazy DM Prep, which saved me even more time! Thanks, Mike!
Amazing video. Bravo, sir! Btw, you can also group tokens and maps in 'folders' by dragging one on top of another token/map. That could help to stay organized (per encounter maybe) and find tokens and maps even quicker.
Owlbear Rodeo and Token Stamp 2 are my tools when playing virtually. For a group like mine, where we play with Skype, they have both that easy going quality that we like.
I’ve been using Owlbear and Avrae for a while, and you showed me several new things that will help me a ton. I’ve used Token Tool, which is really similar to Token Stamp, but that command from D&D Beyond is awesome. You’ve provided so much great and helpful content, but this video is one of the most useful for me since I learned even more about how to streamline prep with tools I’m already using. Thanks for all you do!
Ahh, back to the VTT. I spent hours of my life getting to grips with Foundry and then my friends never used it. At this point, I want a set of chromatic dragons named after the variants so we can show them how we feel in D&D!
If I'm not mistaken, Owlbear Rodeo uses the file name to guess the grid size. If you name your file "map_32x24" or something like that it automatically sets a grid of 32x24 squares.
I used to use gridded maps and try to line them up to r20 grid. I got good at it but ya its a lot of work. I went the other way and use gridded maps, similarly scale to a good size of a token but I turn off all the grid stuff in my VTT. I find this way the grid fits the map the way it was intended easily. Especially since you turn off snap to grid.
For making the tokens you don't need to save the image - just drag it from one window into the stamp maker. This is especially convenient if you're using a multi monitor setup and have 2 browsers opened side by side. I usually have foundry open on one monitor and if I need to quickly make a token I switch to the token maker in that same browser, and drag an image from my main browser. I disagree a bit on dice rolling - of course do what suits your party best. But if you're playing a longer campaign it really pays off to set everything up in Foundry and have it take care of all the things like rolls and resource tracking, letting the players focus on the story.
Great video! How do you manage Owlbear Rodeo when GMing multiple games? Is tnere a way to save your "cache" between them? [Found it...you export the files and reimport when needed. Cheers!]
Just yesterday I spent two hours setting up walls in the Amber Temple for FoundryVTT. The result is better, but was it really necessary? I will never use this map again, but it will be used for 2-3 sessions. I'd say it was worth it for me. But now I am running the same campaign for multiple groups so I only have to do tedious stuff once and can focus more on the "fun stuff".
I mean, just don't be as exact with the walls in FoundryVTT. They really don't have to be prefect. Use multiple wall point (free module) to help fiddle with the walls - and gridless maps, and no snap to grid, should work a charm too! Simple fog (or whatever it is called now :( - damn foundryvtt module management, that is still an extra bugbear to manage) also brings owl bear and roll20 style simple fog tools into foundryvtt too. The "quick doors" module is much needed in Foundryvtt (draw a long line for the wall, right click to add a simple 5ft door). It veryily pisses me off that the creator has it hidden behind a $10 pay wall (hey, they made it, they can sell it all they want. At least hell be paid for doing maths :/.) I mean, that $10 also gets you a bunch of cool modules (i.e tools) but as our leader Mike says - none of that other stuff really helps with the core basics of prepping what helps the immediate story. (including / specifically the jaw dropping 3d battle map module (tool) that basically turns foundryvtt into a simplified Tabletop simulator! It looks incredibly cool... But I know for sure my less geeky players have better things to do than learn a whole new 3d control scheme for our beer and pretzel game (that and the surely crippling effect it will have on their already struggling PCs) means... That is definitely not for us!
I'm doing a harry potter campaign and I made the maps into "tokens". I made each wing on a single map by just lining everything up and adding doors, hallways, stairs, etc. I also make it so the fog of war is separated by room so none of my players can see if they're not in that specific room.
Thanks for another great video Mike. Do you have a workaround for secret doors - not accidentally showing them to players on your map or making them obvious by cutting the fog much more carefully than you usually do? I have a solution but it's not lazy.
@@SlyFlourish I'm sorry, i'm not being argumentative, I'm just trying to understand. This approach seems SO much more relaxing. Why resize a grid at all it you can't see it to use it?
@@grumpyphoenix to make sure tokens are about the right size when you drop them in. I find everything's a little easier if no one's worried about the grid but we do need to resize it so tokens fit nicely.
@@SlyFlourish I found it amusing that your recent episode gushed about dnd beyond iniative tool. I'm wondering when you recognise they are just building fantasy grounds which I know you don't find to be your jam (or is it)?
This is the craziest way I've ever seen anyone run OBR, I absolutely love it. Thanks for the inspiration!
"Don't let perfection be the enemy of good enough"...I think I need to get that quote framed above my DM prep space! 🤣🍚
Can't tell you how rare it is to find someone who is both precise and brief in their reviews. Not to mention keeping the verbiage to a minimum! Great job.
This is absolutely fantastic Mike! Thank you!
I started using Owlbear Rodeo a few mounths ago on your recommendation and it's awesome! I use it sometimes only for shareing music. Before Owlbear I was trying to decide between Roll 20 and Foundry, but found them both daunting. Owlbear does exacly what I want it to without commiting 10-15 hours to learn.
I've only just started using Owlbear Rodeo but it is amazing and by far my favorite of the VTTs I've experienced. Very quick and simple to set up maps, share notes, roll dice, etc.
Thank you! The token advice at 13:36 is so helpful. Great video, thanks again!
Great Tips. Getting ready for my first VTT GM session, and you have saved me hours, on top of your Lazy DM Prep, which saved me even more time! Thanks, Mike!
"Don't let perfection be the enemy of good enough" makes me think of the great saying "expectation is the thief of joy".
Amazing video. Bravo, sir! Btw, you can also group tokens and maps in 'folders' by dragging one on top of another token/map. That could help to stay organized (per encounter maybe) and find tokens and maps even quicker.
Owlbear Rodeo and Token Stamp 2 are my tools when playing virtually. For a group like mine, where we play with Skype, they have both that easy going quality that we like.
I cannot believe how useful this video is. THANK YOU!
Need another of these for the new v2 of owlbear. I enjoyed v1's simplicity but v2 is a bit more fully featured and thus less intuitive
This video change how I am going to DM from now on. Thanks!!
Sly Flourish + Owlbear Rodeo = Chef’s Kiss
Some very good Owlbear Rodeo beginner tips I'll be using this week for my first VTT game. Thanks, Mike!
Ok, that Avrae token command, that is awesome. Definitely going to be using that.
I absolutely love owl bear rodeo! It does a great job and hits that sweet spot of being great but not being a distraction.
You're amazing, thanks a lot for everything
I’ve been using Owlbear and Avrae for a while, and you showed me several new things that will help me a ton. I’ve used Token Tool, which is really similar to Token Stamp, but that command from D&D Beyond is awesome. You’ve provided so much great and helpful content, but this video is one of the most useful for me since I learned even more about how to streamline prep with tools I’m already using. Thanks for all you do!
Wonderful video, great tips. I use token stamp a lot!
Ahh, back to the VTT. I spent hours of my life getting to grips with Foundry and then my friends never used it.
At this point, I want a set of chromatic dragons named after the variants so we can show them how we feel in D&D!
If I'm not mistaken, Owlbear Rodeo uses the file name to guess the grid size. If you name your file "map_32x24" or something like that it automatically sets a grid of 32x24 squares.
Good question, I don't know if thats how it works.
If this is true, this is fantastic news
I just started running games almost exactly like this setup. I'll have to start using the Avrae bot!
Great vid!
I had NO idea that Avery bot could create tokens! that is going to save me a bunch of time! Thank you!
Love tokenstamp! I definitely use it mid game for virtual games a lot.
I've always found VTTs way too bloated and cumbersome. Owlbear rodeo looks like the perfect simple VTT I've wanted. Thanks for sharing!
That was very informative. Thank you.
I'm pretty happy with most of my setup, but that avrae token feature is awesome.
Great Vid!
I used to use gridded maps and try to line them up to r20 grid. I got good at it but ya its a lot of work. I went the other way and use gridded maps, similarly scale to a good size of a token but I turn off all the grid stuff in my VTT. I find this way the grid fits the map the way it was intended easily. Especially since you turn off snap to grid.
Great stuff!
For making the tokens you don't need to save the image - just drag it from one window into the stamp maker. This is especially convenient if you're using a multi monitor setup and have 2 browsers opened side by side. I usually have foundry open on one monitor and if I need to quickly make a token I switch to the token maker in that same browser, and drag an image from my main browser. I disagree a bit on dice rolling - of course do what suits your party best. But if you're playing a longer campaign it really pays off to set everything up in Foundry and have it take care of all the things like rolls and resource tracking, letting the players focus on the story.
Thanks!!
Great video! How do you manage Owlbear Rodeo when GMing multiple games? Is tnere a way to save your "cache" between them? [Found it...you export the files and reimport when needed. Cheers!]
Just yesterday I spent two hours setting up walls in the Amber Temple for FoundryVTT. The result is better, but was it really necessary? I will never use this map again, but it will be used for 2-3 sessions. I'd say it was worth it for me. But now I am running the same campaign for multiple groups so I only have to do tedious stuff once and can focus more on the "fun stuff".
I mean, just don't be as exact with the walls in FoundryVTT. They really don't have to be prefect.
Use multiple wall point (free module) to help fiddle with the walls - and gridless maps, and no snap to grid, should work a charm too!
Simple fog (or whatever it is called now :( - damn foundryvtt module management, that is still an extra bugbear to manage) also brings owl bear and roll20 style simple fog tools into foundryvtt too.
The "quick doors" module is much needed in Foundryvtt (draw a long line for the wall, right click to add a simple 5ft door). It veryily pisses me off that the creator has it hidden behind a $10 pay wall (hey, they made it, they can sell it all they want. At least hell be paid for doing maths :/.)
I mean, that $10 also gets you a bunch of cool modules (i.e tools) but as our leader Mike says - none of that other stuff really helps with the core basics of prepping what helps the immediate story.
(including / specifically the jaw dropping 3d battle map module (tool) that basically turns foundryvtt into a simplified Tabletop simulator! It looks incredibly cool...
But I know for sure my less geeky players have better things to do than learn a whole new 3d control scheme for our beer and pretzel game (that and the surely crippling effect it will have on their already struggling PCs) means... That is definitely not for us!
Shit... as a new dm this is a dream. So easy!
I need to start looking into how Avrae works! It seems very powerful...
I'm doing a harry potter campaign and I made the maps into "tokens". I made each wing on a single map by just lining everything up and adding doors, hallways, stairs, etc. I also make it so the fog of war is separated by room so none of my players can see if they're not in that specific room.
Thanks for another great video Mike. Do you have a workaround for secret doors - not accidentally showing them to players on your map or making them obvious by cutting the fog much more carefully than you usually do? I have a solution but it's not lazy.
thank you for this lol, i was wondering how to get the fog to cover the whole area without having to make a aquare for each individual room
you can find a ton of tokens by using google ripped from the books themselves and some very very finely made 3rd party ones.
It's got to be close, not too far off because otherwise the measure tools won't work properly
I don't see a grid after you're done resizing it though.
Nope!
@@SlyFlourish I'm sorry, i'm not being argumentative, I'm just trying to understand. This approach seems SO much more relaxing. Why resize a grid at all it you can't see it to use it?
@@grumpyphoenix to make sure tokens are about the right size when you drop them in. I find everything's a little easier if no one's worried about the grid but we do need to resize it so tokens fit nicely.
@@SlyFlourish ooohhhhhhhh! I get it now. thank you!
What takes DMs time to prepare a map isn't what you have shown but adding the line of sight features which players really love.
Do they? As a player I didn't care or found it even got in the way.
@@SlyFlourish I found it amusing that your recent episode gushed about dnd beyond iniative tool. I'm wondering when you recognise they are just building fantasy grounds which I know you don't find to be your jam (or is it)?
Thanks!