DnD5e FAQ

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🇬 D&DBeyond Importer Module

The D&DBeyond Importer module can be used to import the content you have access to on DnDBeyond into Foundry. This includes Characters, Spells, Items, Monsters, Adventures, Encounters, Classes, and Races. Note that Monster importing requires a patreon subscription or setting up your own proxy service
For an overview of what features the module provides, and a link to download the module manifest, see the Foundry Package listing here: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/ddb-importer
To ask questions, or get setup or troubleshooting assistance, join MrPrimate's Discord Server here: https://discord.gg/WzPuRuDJVP
To view the import status of an Adventure, check here : https://docs.ddb.mrprimate.co.uk/status.html

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🇭 ** Reverting to a previous System version and Restoring from a Backup **

This guide assumes that you have made a Backup of your world prior to launching it in the new system version (Foundry will prompt you to make this backup automatically)

Uninstall dnd5e, and install a previous version's manifest URL from the Releases page
Then head to your Worlds, right click on the world and Restore Latest Backup or Manage Backup and choose the backup to restore from.
Keep in mind you may also need to revert any modules you have updated as well.

🇦 DnD5e System information

System Wiki: https://github.com/foundryvtt/dnd5e/wiki

System Repo: https://github.com/foundryvtt/dnd5e/
Release Notes: https://github.com/foundryvtt/dnd5e/releases
Foundry Package Page: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/dnd5e/
DM Demo server: https://dnd.encounterlibrary.com/

Purchase Official WotC Foundry Content: https://www.foundryvtt.store/creators/wizards-of-the-coast

**Foundry VTT now has an Official Partnership with WoTC! Find out what that means here:
Official Partnership Announcement
FAQ

Is the Foundry DnD5e System compatible with 2014 or 2024 Rules?** (Spoiler: Both!)

When updating, always make sure to backup your data, Foundry VTT now has built-in backup tools You may also want to backup your Foundry data by copying it to another location, video courtesy of Encounter Library.
Want to test your world(s) in a separate environment? Follow this guide to run a different versions of Foundry on your device https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B74ZAp3xx3o

🇧 Where is the non-SRD Content?

Only content within the D&D 5e SRD can be freely distributed and included in the system. You can view the SRD here: https://tinyurl.com/WotC-SRD

Anything outside of the SRD needs to be brought into Foundry. There are a few ways to accomplish this:

1) Purchase Official Modules.

Current and planned modules are available here #dnd5e message

2) Create the class features/items/monsters yourself. This might sound daunting, but once you get the hang of Foundry it's pretty simple and easy. Especially since you can drag-and-drop features from existing content from the SRD compendiums! This greatly helps to give you a good understanding of how the features work in Foundry.

For PCs alaustin has created a playlist of videos to guide you through creating Class Features, Class and Subclass items, and best practices on where to store them:
https://tinyurl.com/alaustindnd5e

We recommended that if you take this approach, only create things as you need them to keep things quick and simple. For example, only create the features for the subclass your players are choosing, rather than trying to complete all subclasses at once.

3) If you have access to the content on D&D Beyond, you can use the D&DBeyond Importer module. The biggest downside to this approach is that it is easier to get confused about how exactly the features work within Foundry since the work has been done for you, but it's really down to how much you prioritize your time vs your money. See Section G below, for more information.

2.5) There are also several statblock import modules that you can use such as 5e Statblock Importer, and Content Parser

🇨 Are there pre-made adventures available?

Absolutely, many content creators have made wonderful adventures that can be installed and ran with minimal setup on your end. You can search in the Foundry Store for DnD5e Adventures for available modules, including:

WoTC Official Releases:
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk, Tomb of Annihilation, and Heroes of the Borderlands

Premium Content:
Demon Queen Awakens (lvl 9)
A House Divided (lvl 5-10)
MCDM's Flee Mortals!
Dungeon's of Drakkenheim
Helianna's Guide to Monster Hunting
Crown of the Oathbreaker
Dragonshorn Studios
Magehand Press
Jeff Steven's Games

Other WotC Adventures
The D&DBeyond Importer can also import official adventures you have access to in DnDBeyond, see [Section G ](#971797877359775824 message) below, for more information.

🇩 What modules do I need?

No modules are required to run and play DnD5e in Foundry, but there is a wide variety of modules available.
We do not provide a list of "generally recommended modules" because everyone plays their game differently, there are users that run with less than 10 modules, and users that run with over 100. We recommend never blindly installing modules from a list another user provides, as they may or may not be relevant to your needs and wants.
Adding modules to your game also means added complexity, so it is always recommended to read a module's documentation prior to install to make sure you are familiar with what it provides and how it works. Using modules that you have not taken the time to personally vet is likely to lead to issues with configuration and troubleshooting down the line.
We strongly recommend getting comfortable with the base DnD5e system's capabilities. Once you are familiar with what features come out of the box, then we are happy to provide recommendations if you are seeking solutions for a specific feature you are looking for, e.g. "I want to see 3D dice roll across my screen when using features or rolling damage" "I would recommend Dice So Nice for that"

🇪 How can I automate items/spells/features?

The goal of the DnD5e system is to replicate the tabletop experience, by integrating the SRD content and rules into the game system.
The core implementation for some level of automation is the use of Active Effects
First, take a look at the github wiki's guide to core Active Effects, there is a good amount of customization you can do https://github.com/foundryvtt/dnd5e/wiki/Active-Effect-Guide

Luckily the DnD5e community has a robust offering of modules that can assist you in spending every waking moment trying to figure out how to automate some weird niche use case that you cant live without.
You are welcome to ask questions and discuss these modules in the dnd5e channel of course. However, these modules will not be discussed here in the FAQ as we do not wish to imply that any of these modules are recommended, and each users preferred modules and configurations are unique.

You may also be interested in joining the Posney's Foundry Automation server for even more automation discussion related to MidiQOL and its associated modules: https://discord.gg/Xd4NEvw5d7

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🇫 Some Helpful Macros

Add selected Tokens to Combat as a Group with a rolled initiative value

You'll want to select the tokens you want in the group, then use the macro, it will add one token to the combat, roll initiative for it, then add all other selected tokens and set their initiative to the previously rolled value

// Use with a selected group of tokens.
const tokenGroup = canvas.tokens.controlled;
const roller = tokenGroup[0];
const groupName = roller.actor.name;
const allSameName = tokenGroup.every(token => token.actor.name === groupName);
if (!allSameName) {
    ui.notifications.warn("All selected tokens must have the same actor to form a group.");
    return;
}
//If the first selected token is not in initiative, roll init and add remaining selected tokens to that init value
if (!roller.combatant) {
    await roller.document.toggleCombatant();
    await game.combat.rollNPC({ messageOptions: { rollMode: CONST.DICE_ROLL_MODES.PRIVATE } });
    const initVal = roller.combatant.initiative;
    for (const token of tokenGroup.slice(1)) {
        if (!token.combatant) await token.document.toggleCombatant();
        await token.combatant.update({ initiative: initVal });
    }
//If the first selected token is in initiative, then add/reassign remaining selected tokens to that init value
} else {
    const initVal = roller.combatant.initiative;
    for (const token of tokenGroup.slice(1)) {
        if (!token.combatant) await token.document.toggleCombatant();
        await token.combatant.update({ initiative: initVal });
    }
};

Award XP to Primary Party from all selected tokens in one click.

dnd5e.applications.Award.handleAward(`/award ${canvas.tokens.controlled.reduce((acc, i) => i.actor.system.details.xp.value + acc, 0)}xp`)