Variant Classes and Spell Points
We have received many requests for instructions on how to modify existing classes to change some aspect of an existing class, especially around published variants of classes like the revised Ranger. While it is possible to change an existing class that can quickly get confusing since you likely don’t want to use just the modified class. Creating a copy of an existing class mostly works, but doesn’t copy the subclasses or support new subclasses without lots of manual copying. To support this scenario, we introduced variant classes in this week’s update.
Stacking the Cards
With the increasing number of character options available on Shard, we have found that it has become harder to find and make selections, and as we ready new settings this will only become more challenging. To improve the selection process, today’s release introduces a new card-based selection model for races, classes, backgrounds and feats along with extension enhancements to prioritize options.
Alternate Map Images
Shard now supports having multiple images for a single map and easily switching between them while maintaining fog state, map position and all tokens.
While working with map makers and other content creators, we discovered that it is fairly common to have multiple versions of the same map.
Spellcasting from Items
Following up on last weeks additions to the character sheet, a number of additional enhancements to modeling for spells and other minor enhancements to the user interface. Each are covered below.
Navigation and Spellcasting
Several new player focused features were released today including updated navigation and major enhancements to spellcasting.
Marketplace Phase I
Phase I of the Shard Tabletop Marketplace just went live a few minutes ago. In this phase, the only content is the free content. Deploying this early version will allow users to give us feedback on the search, filtering, product detail pages, navigation, etc. before we enable the full purchase experience later this month.
More and Less Sharing
Today’s release makes it easier for players to use all of the character options (classes, races, backgrounds, …) they own or create when playing in any campaign and easier for gamemasters to keep their unique monsters and magic items a secret.
Text to model
Shard has modelled types for all the standard 5E mechanics (classes, races, backgrounds, spells, …) and offers the option to create your own custom types with modeled features that impact the characters to which they are attached. Today, we will talk about the new tools we just released to help creators go from text in a book to a fully modeled object.
Character Updates
Over the next several days, I will be detailing a series of updates that went live to Shard today. Today’s entry will cover player visible changes. Tomorrow and the following days will cover enhancements to book creation, additional modeling options, and creating modeled content from books.
Flexible Racial Ability Modifiers
The headline change is that racial modifiers are now changeable within Shard. When you pick your character’s race, you will see the check box and the options that appear below.
NPCs, Villains, and Companions
New monster types to better support non-player characters, recurring villains, and character companions have been added to Shard. On the Create Monster dialog below, you see two new options. In addition, there two subtypes of unique creature. Each is explained below.