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Difference between revisions of "Roll20 Community FAQ"

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This is ''Community-created'' Guide, listing common troubles (new) people encounter on Roll20, which aren't too obvious or clearly, or isn't mentioned on the relevant [[Help Center|Official Documentation]] or [[Main Page|Community Wiki]] pages, and where to learn more about them.
+
{{revdate}}This is ''Community-created'' Guide, listing common troubles (new) people encounter on Roll20, which aren't too obvious or clearly, or isn't mentioned on the relevant [[Help Center]] or [[Main Page|Community Wiki]] pages, and where to learn more about them.
  
 
The page is maintained by the community.
 
The page is maintained by the community.
Line 27: Line 27:
  
 
If you have created a Character Sheet for a [[player]] and they don't see it, you have probably forgotten to change the "Seen By" and "Controlled by" settings for it.
 
If you have created a Character Sheet for a [[player]] and they don't see it, you have probably forgotten to change the "Seen By" and "Controlled by" settings for it.
 +
 +
===[[Link Token]]===
 +
[[Link Token]] to character sheet is a common stumbling block.
  
 
==Import Character==
 
==Import Character==
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==Separate Window==
 
==Separate Window==
−
*A number of problems with the character sheet can come from having it in a separate window, which among other things disables drag-n-drop from the {{compendium}} and the [[Charactermancer]] can't be used.  
+
''main page:'' '''[[Character_Sheet#Character_Sheet_in_a_separate_window|Restrictions when a sheet is in a separate window]]'''
−
* '''[[Character_Sheet#Character_Sheet_in_a_separate_window|Restrictions when a sheet is in a separate window]]'''
+
* A number of problems with the character sheet can come from having it in a separate window, which among other things disables drag-n-drop from the {{compendium}} and the [[Charactermancer]] can't be used.  
  
 
==[[Charactermancer]]==
 
==[[Charactermancer]]==
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==5E==
 
==5E==
−
Over half of all games on Roll20 are D&D 5E, and basically everyone use the '''D&D5E by Roll20''' character sheet. It has an extensive documentation page: [[D&D5E by Roll20]].
+
Over half of all games on Roll20 are D&D 5E, and basically everyone uses the '''D&D5E by Roll20''' character sheet. It has an extensive documentation page: [[D&D5E by Roll20]].
  
 
It has a few known issues: [[D&D5E by Roll20#Known Issues]]
 
It has a few known issues: [[D&D5E by Roll20#Known Issues]]
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* {{forum|post/8033560/pathfinder-second-edition-by-roll20-q1y2020 Bug Report Megathread}} - latest updates & discussions on the sheet
 
* {{forum|post/8033560/pathfinder-second-edition-by-roll20-q1y2020 Bug Report Megathread}} - latest updates & discussions on the sheet
  
−
==Editing/creating template==
+
==Character Sheet Development==
−
See '''[[Building Character Sheets]]
+
* '''[[Building Character Sheets]]
 +
* [[Sheet Development/Common Mistakes]]
  
 
=Chat=
 
=Chat=
  
 
==Text Chat not working==
 
==Text Chat not working==
−
If you have problem with your {{Text Chat}}, it's likely the chat (archive) have been corrupted.
+
If you have problems with your {{Text Chat}}, it's likely the chat (archive) has been corrupted.
  
−
To fix the chat, the [[GM]](or [[Creator]] need to delete the Chat Archive, from the Game's [[Game_Management#Settings|Details]]-page. It's a good idea to back it up before clearing/deleting it.
+
To fix the chat, the [[GM]](or [[Creator]]) needs to delete the Chat Archive from the Game's [[Game_Management#Settings|Details]] page. It's a good idea to back it up before clearing/deleting it.
  
 
=Compendium=
 
=Compendium=
−
The {{compendium}} can be accessed both out-of-game as well as in-side the game from the {{compendium}}-page, if it is enabled in the Game's [[Game_Settings_Page#Compendium_Settings|Compendium Settings]].
+
The {{compendium}} can be accessed both out-of-game as well as inside the game from the {{compendium}} page, if it is enabled in the Game's [[Game_Settings_Page#Compendium_Settings|Compendium Settings]].
  
 
In-game, your [[players]] don't see the {{compendium}} content you have, unless you have turned on [[Compendium Sharing]].
 
In-game, your [[players]] don't see the {{compendium}} content you have, unless you have turned on [[Compendium Sharing]].
  
−
[[Players]] can access compendiums they own in any game that is using that game system's compendium, unless the GM have selectively changed which compendiums are available in that game through [[Game_Settings_Page#Compendium_Selection|Compendium Selection]].
+
[[Players]] can access compendiums they own in any game that is using that game system's compendium, unless the GM has selectively changed which compendiums are available in that game through [[Game_Settings_Page#Compendium_Selection|Compendium Selection]].
  
−
[[GM|GMs]] can select which compendiums can be seem in a game, blocking their own & [[player]]'s access to the GM's compendiums if Compendium Sharing is active, but excluding compendiums also affects players access to compendiums they own themselves. (Eg. If the GM only owns "D&D 5E's Player Handbook" and "Xanatar's Guide to Everything", they can select to block any other compendiums to be used in that game. That would mean a player owning "Guide to Wildemount" couldn't access it in that game.
+
[[GM|GMs]] can select which compendiums can be seem in a game, blocking their own & [[player]]'s access to the GM's compendiums if Compendium Sharing is active, but excluding compendiums also affects players' access to compendiums they own themselves. (Eg. If the GM only owns "D&D 5E's Player Handbook" and "Xanathar's Guide to Everything", they can select blocking any other compendiums to be used in that game. That would mean a player owning "Guide to Wildemount" couldn't access it in that game.
  
 
==[[Custom Compendium]]==
 
==[[Custom Compendium]]==
 
'''You can't''' yet create '''[[Custom Compendium]]''' entries in Roll20 for normal {{Compendium}} interaction or to be used in the [[Charactermancer]].
 
'''You can't''' yet create '''[[Custom Compendium]]''' entries in Roll20 for normal {{Compendium}} interaction or to be used in the [[Charactermancer]].
  
−
Creating & Editing Compendiums is a popular request, but not a feature that that Roll20 have yet. Roll20 seems to consider the current, internal tools used for the system needing more work, before Custom Compendiums can even be considered to start working on a user-accessible version. No timeline have been give when it might eventually get done.
+
Creating & Editing Compendiums is a popular request, but not a feature that Roll20 has yet. Roll20 seems to consider the current, internal tools used for the system needing more work, before Custom Compendiums can even be considered to start working on a user-accessible version. No timeline has been given when it might eventually get done.
  
 
You can vote & follow the discussion on the {{forum|post/2940484/custom-compendium Custom Compendium}} Suggestion Forum thread.
 
You can vote & follow the discussion on the {{forum|post/2940484/custom-compendium Custom Compendium}} Suggestion Forum thread.
Line 88: Line 92:
 
Roll20 uses [[QuantumRoll]] to provide proper randomness for all rolls.
 
Roll20 uses [[QuantumRoll]] to provide proper randomness for all rolls.
  
−
* {{fpl|7945624/ long rebuttal on why people doesn't understand or detect randomness well, and why roll20 dice is unlikely to be broken just bc you had a string of bad luck}} by [[Andreas J.]]
+
* [[How to Roll Dice]] - basic guide
 +
* [[Complete Guide to Macros & Rolls‎]]
 +
* {{fpl|7945624/ long rebuttal on why people don't understand or detect randomness well, and why Roll20 dice are unlikely to be broken just bc you had a string of bad luck}} by [[Andreas J.]]
  
 
==3D Dice==
 
==3D Dice==
 
{{main|3D Dice}}
 
{{main|3D Dice}}
  
−
The [[3D Dice]] always rolls in roll commands, and isn't selective like how some more complicated roll results in the {{Text Chat}} are. The results in the {{Text Chat}} are always accurate, while the number of 3D Dice and how to interpret the results is up to the user, or to check the result as it's shown in the Text Chat.
+
The [[3D Dice]] always roll in roll commands, and aren't selective like how some more complicated roll results in the {{Text Chat}} are. The results in the {{Text Chat}} are always accurate, while the number of 3D Dice and how to interpret the results is up to the user, or to check the result as it's shown in the Text Chat.
  
 
=Dynamic Lighting=
 
=Dynamic Lighting=
 
{{main|Dynamic Lighting}}
 
{{main|Dynamic Lighting}}
  
−
[[LDL|Legacy Lighting]] will be discontinued <strike>on '''May 18th, 2021'''</strike> when it's ready. {{blog|an-update-to-the-legacy-dynamic-lighting-sunset-plan/ An Update to the Legacy Dynamic Lighting Sunset Plan, April 27th}}
+
[[LDL|Legacy Lighting]] will be discontinued <strike>on '''May 18th, 2021'''</strike> eventually. {{blog|an-update-to-the-legacy-dynamic-lighting-sunset-plan/ An Update to the Legacy Dynamic Lighting Sunset Plan, April 27th, 2021}}
  
 
==Updated DL vs Legacy DL==
 
==Updated DL vs Legacy DL==
−
The [[UDL|Updated Dynamic Lighting(UDL)]] is still in development, and still have some Known Issues([[User:1223200|1223200]] ([[User talk:1223200|talk]]) 22:07, 7 March 2021 (UTC)).
+
[[UDL|Updated Dynamic Lighting(UDL)]] has more features(more on the way like [[One-Way Barriers]]) and perform better than [[Legacy DL]], but are still people who prefer Legacy DL.
  
 +
Any Roll20 guides made before 2021 are about the Legacy DL, so it's always best to try to check as new guides as possible in general, and any DL-spefici guides from before that are likely not useful.
  
 
==Players see only black==
 
==Players see only black==
−
There are more than one possible reason why the [[players]] might not see anything on the map. Only a [[Game Master]] can fix these things. There are some common issues people have:
+
There is more than one possible reason why the [[players]] might not see anything on the map. Only a [[Game Master]] can fix these things. There are some common issues people have:
  
−
1. '''They might not yet have [[Token|tokens]] on the current map''', which would grant them vision. If you have just changed the active map that the players see, this is likely whats going on. Drag-n-drop their tokens from the {{Journal}} to the right place on the map.
+
1. '''They might not yet have [[Token|tokens]] on the current map''', which would grant them vision. If you have just changed the active map that the players see, this is likely what's going on. Drag-n-drop their tokens from the {{Journal}} to the right place on the map.
  
 
2. '''([[LDL]]) The [[player]]-controlled tokens might not have the "Have Vision" checkbox selected.''' Open the [[Token|Token's settings]], check the box, and save it.  
 
2. '''([[LDL]]) The [[player]]-controlled tokens might not have the "Have Vision" checkbox selected.''' Open the [[Token|Token's settings]], check the box, and save it.  
  
−
3. '''The map might have no light-sources, and the characters don't see in the dark.''' If you don't have "Global Illumination" turned on, the map is dark by default, and only light sources and dark-vision enables sight on the map.
+
3. '''The map might have no light-sources, and the characters don't see in the dark.''' If you don't have "Global Illumination" turned on, the map is dark by default, and only light sources and dark-vision enable sight on the map.
  
−
'''[[Keith]]'s {{fpl|10016781/ Checklist}}''' go through this list to see everything is in order
+
'''[[Keith]]'s {{fpl|10016781/ Checklist}}''' go through this list to see if everything is in order
  
 
* The token is on the VTT
 
* The token is on the VTT
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==Is [[Fog of War]] going away?==
 
==Is [[Fog of War]] going away?==
−
'''No, it's not going away.''' [[Fog of War]] is not impacted by removal of [[LDL]]. However, FoW is not compatible with [[UDL]], and {{Darkness}} have taken it's place when you have Updated Dynamic Lighting active.
+
'''No, it's not going away.''' [[Fog of War]] is not impacted by removal of [[LDL]]. However, FoW is not compatible with [[UDL]], and {{Darkness}} has taken its place when you have Updated Dynamic Lighting active.
  
 
Sources: {{forum|permalink/9773692/ mention}} {{forum|permalink/9818207/ mention 2}} {{twitter|roll20app/status/1363632431161606145 tweet}}
 
Sources: {{forum|permalink/9773692/ mention}} {{forum|permalink/9818207/ mention 2}} {{twitter|roll20app/status/1363632431161606145 tweet}}
Line 136: Line 143:
  
 
==Mobile App==
 
==Mobile App==
−
[[Mobile]] have info on the mobile app. It is intended to be a companion app
+
[[Mobile]] has info on the mobile app. It is intended to be a companion app for access character sheets and rolls, and not as a feature-complete alternative to access all of Roll20.
  
 
==Tablet==
 
==Tablet==
 
{{hc|articles/360037774593-Table-on-Tablet Table on Tablet}}
 
{{hc|articles/360037774593-Table-on-Tablet Table on Tablet}}
−
Roll20 has made some work to make Roll20 work on tablets using the browser, and is generally a better idea than trying to us a mobile phone.
+
Roll20 has done some work to make Roll20 work on tablets using a browser, and is generally a better idea than trying to use a mobile phone.
  
−
How well Roll20 works on a specific tablet is hard to know, so best bet it to just try it in the browser (Firefox & Chrome is recommended) and see how it goes. You can search the forums for discussions on this.
+
How well Roll20 works on a specific tablet is hard to know, so best bet it to just try it in the browser (Firefox & Chrome are recommended) and see how it goes. You can search the forums for discussions on this.
  
 
==Touchscreen==
 
==Touchscreen==
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==Drawing Tablet==
 
==Drawing Tablet==
−
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_tablet Drawing Tablets]/Graphics tablet doesn't work too well with Roll20, or there is a great variance in performance. Roll20's [[Drawing Tool]] have by many said to work better with mouse.
+
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_tablet Drawing Tablets]/Graphics tablets don't work too well with Roll20, or there is a great variance in performance. Roll20's [[Drawing Tool]] has by many been said to work better with a mouse.
  
−
==Old App(discontinued 2020)==
+
==Old App (discontinued 2020)==
 
The old mobile app was discontinued, and using Roll20 in the browser was enabled for all users.
 
The old mobile app was discontinued, and using Roll20 in the browser was enabled for all users.
  
 
=Performance=
 
=Performance=
−
There are a number of things that can impact a Roll20 games performance, and here is a non-exhaustive list, along with links to guides.
+
There are a number of things that can impact a Roll20 game's performance, and here is a non-exhaustive list, along with links to guides.
  
−
Things that impact a Roll20 campaigns performance:
+
Things that impact a Roll20 campaign's performance:
  
 
* having tons of maps
 
* having tons of maps
Line 175: Line 182:
 
'''[[Players]]''' in a game have a much more limited number of things they can do on Roll20 than a [[GM|Game Master(GM)]]/Game's [[GM#Creator|Creator]].  
 
'''[[Players]]''' in a game have a much more limited number of things they can do on Roll20 than a [[GM|Game Master(GM)]]/Game's [[GM#Creator|Creator]].  
  
−
Here is a list of things players '''can't''' do in a game, which many new users or [[GM]]'s thinks players can do.
+
Here is a list of things players '''can't''' do in a game, which many new users or [[GM]]'s think players can do.
  
 
1. Players can't create their own [[Character Sheets|character sheet]], or [[Journal|handouts]]. The GM must create and assign control of the character/handout to the player(s) for the player to be able to use it. (There exists an API called {{fpl|5281433/ Welcome Package}} that can automatically do this for players when they join.)
 
1. Players can't create their own [[Character Sheets|character sheet]], or [[Journal|handouts]]. The GM must create and assign control of the character/handout to the player(s) for the player to be able to use it. (There exists an API called {{fpl|5281433/ Welcome Package}} that can automatically do this for players when they join.)
Line 181: Line 188:
 
2. Players can't update the image of the [[Journal#Avatar|Avatar]] or the [[Journal#Default_Token|Default Token]] for their Character, nor resize their token. Only the GM can do this.
 
2. Players can't update the image of the [[Journal#Avatar|Avatar]] or the [[Journal#Default_Token|Default Token]] for their Character, nor resize their token. Only the GM can do this.
  
−
3. Players can't import from their [[Character Vault]] unless the GM have enabled this setting.
+
3. Players can't import from their [[Character Vault]] unless the GM has enabled this setting.
  
 
[[Pro]] users can through [[API|APIs]] somewhat expand or restrict what players can do: '''[[Player API]]'''
 
[[Pro]] users can through [[API|APIs]] somewhat expand or restrict what players can do: '''[[Player API]]'''
Line 188: Line 195:
 
Main page: [[Token]]
 
Main page: [[Token]]
 
==Linking Tokens==  
 
==Linking Tokens==  
−
Linking Tokens to [[Character Sheets]] isn't all to intuitive, but there is a guide for it: '''[[Linking Tokens to Journals]]'''. If tokens aren't linked to a character sheet, they don't share stats, nor can you quickly drag-n-drop tokens to the map from the {{Journal}}.  
+
Linking Tokens to [[Character Sheets]] isn't that intuitive, but there is a guide for it: '''[[Linking Tokens to Journals]]'''. If tokens aren't linked to a character sheet, they don't share stats, nor can you quickly drag-n-drop tokens to the map from the {{Journal}}.
  
 
=[[Tutorial]]=
 
=[[Tutorial]]=
−
'''The [https://app.roll20.net/editor/tutorial/ built-in Roll20 Tutorial] have several know bugs''', such as the {{Art Library}} and {{Jukebox}} sections of it not working correctly.
+
[[Tutorial]] was '''updated Sept. 8, 2021''', completely remaking it and fixing the longstanding bugs it had.
  
−
If you use the tutorial, only use it for the things that work, and when encountering any problems, assume it's a bug( and not user error) and skip the section and go to the next part.
+
Alternatively, see some of the tutorials listed on our [[Youtube]]-page. {{yt|watch?v=IoyQs0Cv4p0&list=PLxYefyArg-d1wRWRpTfQMW0cmh32mQTbx|Roll20 Crash Course}} and Keith Curtis' {{yt|watch?v=eLbmEAMN7g4|Roll20 - Starting from Scratch}} are two recommendations.
  
−
The general community advice is to instead create a real game to test Roll20's features in, and to see many of the [[Youtube]] tutorials available.
+
It's a good idea to watch more recent Roll20 guides/videos from 2020 or 2019 rather than some older (but still popular) ones like Take20's Roll20 Master Series} from 2017. It's still fairly okay, but several things can be done more easily & better today, and Roll20 has tons of new features that have been added since that guide's creation.
  
−
{{yt|watch?v=IoyQs0Cv4p0&list=PLxYefyArg-d1wRWRpTfQMW0cmh32mQTbx|Roll20 Crash Course}} and Keith Curtis' {{yt|watch?v=eLbmEAMN7g4|Roll20 - Starting from Scratch}} are two recommendations.
+
Check the [[Youtube]] wiki page; it lists recent guides.
−
 
+
−
 
+
−
It's a good idea to watch more recent Roll20 guides/videos from 2020 or 2019, rather than some older( but still popular) ones like Take20's Roll20 Master Series} from 2017. It's still fairly okay, but several things can be done more easily & better today, and Roll20 have tons of new features that's been added since that guide's creation.
+
−
 
+
−
Check the [[Youtube]] wiki page, it lists recent guides.
+
  
 
=Popular Feature requests=
 
=Popular Feature requests=
−
Roll20 have a Suggestions [[Forum]], where people can vote & comment on suggestions, and Roll20 gives occasional updates on them, along with categorizing them so it's more clear what status they have.
+
{{:Popular Feature Requests}}
−
 
+
−
Check the threads for situation updates by Roll20 Staff, this page isn't always up-to-date.
+
−
 
+
−
* {{forum|category/385189/?orderby=popular | Suggestions by Popularity}}
+
−
 
+
−
Some notable Suggestions:
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1241955/foreground-map-layer Foreground Map Layer}}''' 1000 votes
+
−
 
+
−
Roll20 is working toward finishing [[UDL]] and sunsetting Legacy DL, before starting to work on new features like this.
+
−
 
+
−
'''[[#Custom Compendium|Custom Compendium]]''' 687 votes
+
−
 
+
−
Lots to do before Roll20 can start making it available to users.
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1618045/a-better-way-to-organize-pages A better way to organize pages}}''' 672 votes
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/6835578/dark-mode-roll20-so-bright Dark Mode}}''' 634 votes
+
−
 
+
−
In Feb 2021, [[Dark Mode]] was implemented for the [[Help Center]].
+
−
 
+
−
{{forum|permalink/8753974/ Dev comment, May 2020}}:
+
−
 
+
−
:''"We're still rolling out incremental updates to pages, and as we implement Text Chat and Page Menu updates as mentioned in the Pro Mapping thread, we'll be closer to achieving this option."''
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1242655/dynamic-lighting-one-sided-dynamic-lighting One Sided Dynamic Lighting}}''' 600 votes
+
−
 
+
−
{{forum|permalink/8753960/ Dev response, May 2020}}:
+
−
 
+
−
:''"We've been releasing to Updated Dynamic Lighting at a steady clip, along with upgrades to infrastructure. Progress on this particular issue will come after Updated Dynamic Lighting is at feature parity with the Legacy system."''
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1242365/print-character-sheets Print Character Sheets}}''' 513 votes
+
−
{{forum|permalink/8928942/ Dev Response, July 2020}}:
+
−
:''"The work required to the character sheet system has been identified and is being documented for estimation. The next step will be to schedule that work."''
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1245795/duplicating-page-should-copy-whole-page-including-all-layers Duplicating Page should copy whole page including all layers}}''' 508 votes, Queued
+
−
 
+
−
It's on the Developer Calendar as of May 2020.
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1241899/hover-to-see-token-name-and-bars#post-9084299 Hover to see token name and bars}}''' 463 votes, Not Now
+
−
 
+
−
Seems low priority to Roll20
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/4664065/map-pins-linked-to-handouts Map Pins linked to Handouts}}''' 427 votes, Blocked
+
−
 
+
−
* {{forum|permalink/8110273/ Dev Response, Feb 2020}}: ''"We have been focused on Dynamic Lighting along with the upgrades to infrastructure I mentioned in my last post. Work on this feature hasn't been scheduled."''
+
−
* Partial Workaround : [[Map Pins]]
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1619233/allow-the-gm-to-delete-a-line-in-the-chat-text Allow the GM to delete a line in the chat text}}''' 381 votes, Researching
+
−
 
+
−
Dev Response July 2020:
+
−
 
+
−
:''"Yes, this was mentioned in the last Community Roundtable, and in the Pro Forum post. This feature will be part of several enhancements to the Text Chat functionality."''
+
−
 
+
−
'''{{forum|post/1878391/folders-in-addition-to-tags-for-all-resource-management Folders in addition to Tags for ALL Resource Management}}''' 359 votes, researching
+
  
 
=See Also=
 
=See Also=
−
* {{hc|articles/360037771353-Roll20-Support-FAQ Roll20 Support FAQ}}
+
* [[Help Center]]
−
* {{hc|articles/360037255314-Subscription-FAQ Subscription FAQ}}
+
** {{hc|articles/360037771353-Roll20-Support-FAQ Roll20 Support FAQ}}
 +
** {{hc|articles/360037255314-Subscription-FAQ Subscription FAQ}}
 
* [[Marketplace]]
 
* [[Marketplace]]
 
* [[Campaign Management]]
 
* [[Campaign Management]]
−
* [http://roll20.io/CrashCourse Roll20 Crashcourse]
+
* [[Roll20 Basics]]
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
Line 274: Line 222:
 
[[Category:Miscellaneous]]
 
[[Category:Miscellaneous]]
 
[[Category:Roll20]]
 
[[Category:Roll20]]
 +
[[Category:Featured articles]]

Latest revision as of 02:51, 2 February 2024

Wiki-Logo 75x49.png
Page Updated:
  2024-02-02
This is Community-created Guide, listing common troubles (new) people encounter on Roll20, which aren't too obvious or clearly, or isn't mentioned on the relevant Help Center or Community Wiki pages, and where to learn more about them.

The page is maintained by the community.

Contents

[edit] Bug Report

Roll20 has a web form for reporting bugs and contacting them for other issues: Contact Roll20

Check Bug Report for general advice.

[edit] Browser

Main Page: Browser

Roll20 officially only supports the Firefox & Google Chrome browsers, so if you encounter a problem using other browsers, it's recommended to switch to either of these. And no, using any Chromium-based browser like Microsoft Edge is not the same thing as using Chrome. Roll20 often works well on other browsers, but your mileage may vary.

There is no consensus on which browser works best for Roll20, as it seems to vary based on things like what operating system you use (Windows/Mac/Linux), your hardware (physical computer), your ISP, what browser plugins you use, and even what version of the browser you have.

Some have claimed Chrome is faster, others swear by Firefox. It can be a good idea to try out the other (Firefox/Chrome) in case things are more smooth with it.

[edit] Plugins

When you encounter problems with Roll20, you should always check if it's caused by some browser plugin you're using, by temporarily disabling all and seeing if the problem persists.

See the Browser#Plugins for info on popular plugins used with Roll20, such as Beyond20.

[edit] Character Sheets

Main Page: Character Sheet

[edit] How to create a character

Character can only be created inside a game by a Game Creator, or someone promoted to a Game Master. To use a specific character sheet template, you need to have one assigned to the game. Adding Character Sheet covers how to do both. If you're looking for creating a custom character sheet template, check Building Character Sheets.

If you have created a Character Sheet for a player and they don't see it, you have probably forgotten to change the "Seen By" and "Controlled by" settings for it.

[edit] Link Token

Link Token to character sheet is a common stumbling block.

[edit] Import Character

Importing & Exporting characters between games is done through the Character Vault.

When a character has been imported to a game, the GM must manually assign the sheet to the player for them to be able to see it. There are also some limitations to what games you can export to.

Guide to the Character Vault

[edit] Separate Window

main page: Restrictions when a sheet is in a separate window

  • A number of problems with the character sheet can come from having it in a separate window, which among other things disables drag-n-drop from the i Compendium and the Charactermancer can't be used.

[edit] Charactermancer

Charactermancer refers to Roll20's system for integrating character creation into some Official Character Sheets.

Only some official sheets have it.

[edit] Change All Sheets to whisper

[edit] 5E

Over half of all games on Roll20 are D&D 5E, and basically everyone uses the D&D5E by Roll20 character sheet. It has an extensive documentation page: D&D5E by Roll20.

It has a few known issues: D&D5E by Roll20#Known Issues Forums: 5E Sheet Bug Report Megathread(Forum) - latest updates & discussions on the sheet

[edit] Pathfinder 2E

[edit] Character Sheet Development

[edit] Chat

[edit] Text Chat not working

If you have problems with your q Text Chat, it's likely the chat (archive) has been corrupted.

To fix the chat, the GM(or Creator) needs to delete the Chat Archive from the Game's Details page. It's a good idea to back it up before clearing/deleting it.

[edit] Compendium

The i Compendium can be accessed both out-of-game as well as inside the game from the i Compendium page, if it is enabled in the Game's Compendium Settings.

In-game, your players don't see the i Compendium content you have, unless you have turned on Compendium Sharing.

Players can access compendiums they own in any game that is using that game system's compendium, unless the GM has selectively changed which compendiums are available in that game through Compendium Selection.

GMs can select which compendiums can be seem in a game, blocking their own & player's access to the GM's compendiums if Compendium Sharing is active, but excluding compendiums also affects players' access to compendiums they own themselves. (Eg. If the GM only owns "D&D 5E's Player Handbook" and "Xanathar's Guide to Everything", they can select blocking any other compendiums to be used in that game. That would mean a player owning "Guide to Wildemount" couldn't access it in that game.

[edit] Custom Compendium

You can't yet create Custom Compendium entries in Roll20 for normal i Compendium interaction or to be used in the Charactermancer.

Creating & Editing Compendiums is a popular request, but not a feature that Roll20 has yet. Roll20 seems to consider the current, internal tools used for the system needing more work, before Custom Compendiums can even be considered to start working on a user-accessible version. No timeline has been given when it might eventually get done.

You can vote & follow the discussion on the Custom Compendium(Forum) Suggestion Forum thread.

[edit] Dice

Roll20 uses QuantumRoll to provide proper randomness for all rolls.

[edit] 3D Dice

Main Page: 3D Dice

The 3D Dice always roll in roll commands, and aren't selective like how some more complicated roll results in the q Text Chat are. The results in the q Text Chat are always accurate, while the number of 3D Dice and how to interpret the results is up to the user, or to check the result as it's shown in the Text Chat.

[edit] Dynamic Lighting

Main Page: Dynamic Lighting

Legacy Lighting will be discontinued on May 18th, 2021 eventually. An Update to the Legacy Dynamic Lighting Sunset Plan, April 27th, 2021(Blog, Archived)

[edit] Updated DL vs Legacy DL

Updated Dynamic Lighting(UDL) has more features(more on the way like One-Way Barriers) and perform better than Legacy DL, but are still people who prefer Legacy DL.

Any Roll20 guides made before 2021 are about the Legacy DL, so it's always best to try to check as new guides as possible in general, and any DL-spefici guides from before that are likely not useful.

[edit] Players see only black

There is more than one possible reason why the players might not see anything on the map. Only a Game Master can fix these things. There are some common issues people have:

1. They might not yet have tokens on the current map, which would grant them vision. If you have just changed the active map that the players see, this is likely what's going on. Drag-n-drop their tokens from the N Journal to the right place on the map.

2. (LDL) The player-controlled tokens might not have the "Have Vision" checkbox selected. Open the Token's settings, check the box, and save it.

3. The map might have no light-sources, and the characters don't see in the dark. If you don't have "Global Illumination" turned on, the map is dark by default, and only light sources and dark-vision enable sight on the map.

Keith's Checklist(Forum) go through this list to see if everything is in order

  • The token is on the VTT
  • It is assigned to the character
  • The player has control over the character
  • The token is on the Token/Object layer
  • It is not blocked off by DL lines from seeing the immediate surroundings
  • Make sure the player is looking at their token's immediate area. Shift-Click and hold on the token to pull the player's view to that area.
  • If Fog of War is being used, that the area the token is in has been cleared
  • The player has not been Split from the Party (Check the Help Center if this is unfamiliar)
  • If Dynamic Lighting of any kind is being used:
    • The token has sight turned on
    • The token has a light source, or Nightvision (UDL) or personal light (LDL)
    • In UDL it may be necessary to move the token one square to get everything working, or in extreme cases, refresh the (user's) page.

[edit] Is Fog of War going away?

No, it's not going away. Fog of War is not impacted by removal of LDL. However, FoW is not compatible with UDL, and Udl-hide-icon.jpg Darkness Tool has taken its place when you have Updated Dynamic Lighting active.

Sources: mention(Forum) mention 2(Forum) tweet

[edit] Mobile/tablet

[edit] Mobile App

Mobile has info on the mobile app. It is intended to be a companion app for access character sheets and rolls, and not as a feature-complete alternative to access all of Roll20.

[edit] Tablet

Table on Tablet Roll20 has done some work to make Roll20 work on tablets using a browser, and is generally a better idea than trying to use a mobile phone.

How well Roll20 works on a specific tablet is hard to know, so best bet it to just try it in the browser (Firefox & Chrome are recommended) and see how it goes. You can search the forums for discussions on this.

[edit] Touchscreen

Roll20 doesn't work too well with some Touchscreen devices, and it's generally seen that using a mouse is more functional than using touch-based input

[edit] Drawing Tablet

Drawing Tablets/Graphics tablets don't work too well with Roll20, or there is a great variance in performance. Roll20's Drawing Tool has by many been said to work better with a mouse.

[edit] Old App (discontinued 2020)

The old mobile app was discontinued, and using Roll20 in the browser was enabled for all users.

[edit] Performance

There are a number of things that can impact a Roll20 game's performance, and here is a non-exhaustive list, along with links to guides.

Things that impact a Roll20 campaign's performance:

  • having tons of maps
  • having tons of character/handouts
    • character sheets with tons of items/spells/stats might be slower to open/use/close, while not necessarily impacting
  • Using UDL or LDL in a game.
    • Maps with UDL/LDL settings might still impact overall performance even when not used

[edit] Performance Tips

[edit] Players

Main Page: Player

Players in a game have a much more limited number of things they can do on Roll20 than a Game Master(GM)/Game's Creator.

Here is a list of things players can't do in a game, which many new users or GM's think players can do.

1. Players can't create their own character sheet, or handouts. The GM must create and assign control of the character/handout to the player(s) for the player to be able to use it. (There exists an API called Welcome Package(Forum) that can automatically do this for players when they join.)

2. Players can't update the image of the Avatar or the Default Token for their Character, nor resize their token. Only the GM can do this.

3. Players can't import from their Character Vault unless the GM has enabled this setting.

Pro users can through APIs somewhat expand or restrict what players can do: Player API

[edit] Tokens

Main page: Token

[edit] Linking Tokens

Linking Tokens to Character Sheets isn't that intuitive, but there is a guide for it: Linking Tokens to Journals. If tokens aren't linked to a character sheet, they don't share stats, nor can you quickly drag-n-drop tokens to the map from the N Journal.

[edit] Tutorial

Tutorial was updated Sept. 8, 2021, completely remaking it and fixing the longstanding bugs it had.

Alternatively, see some of the tutorials listed on our Youtube-page. Crash Course and Keith Curtis' - Starting from Scratch are two recommendations.

It's a good idea to watch more recent Roll20 guides/videos from 2020 or 2019 rather than some older (but still popular) ones like Take20's Roll20 Master Series} from 2017. It's still fairly okay, but several things can be done more easily & better today, and Roll20 has tons of new features that have been added since that guide's creation.

Check the Youtube wiki page; it lists recent guides.

[edit] Popular Feature requests

Main Page: Category:Unreleased/Highly Requested features

Roll20 have a Suggestions Forum, where people can vote & comment on suggestions, and Roll20 gives occasional updates on them, along with categorizing them so it's more clear what status they have.

The Improved Initiative: A Roll20 Product Update(Blog)(Feb 2022) & Tackling the Top Ten List(April 2022) blogposts mentions several of the popular requests, and most have new dev comments


Check the threads for any updates by Roll20 Staff, this page might not be up-to-date.

Some notable/popular Suggestions: (Updated Sept 2023)

  • Custom Compendium 1371 votes, Obstructed
    • Lots to do before Roll20 can start making it available to users, details on page
  • Print Character Sheets(Forum) , Completed
    • Print option was added to D&D 5E by Roll20
      Character   Sheet
      char sheet in Dec 2023, closing the thread
    • Partially implemented(May 2021) Roll20 have expanded the char sheet backend so sheet authors can implement a print-friendly version of the sheet using @media print CSS media query. More info on CSE#Print-Friendly

Related: Check Category:New features released by year for recently released features.


[edit] See Also



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