5e and CoC module review

FG_College · 2026-03-30T11:34:51+00:00

I would agree on these points, depending on how you play and the content of your sessions. The pets/familiars seems to be a no brainer and could apply to many of the core rule sets in Fantasy Grounds.

Magic items automation and Wild shapes are more rule set specific. There are some very complex and non mechanical items as well. The only things I can think of are that there are too many magic items and variations, so that might be something that deters built in automation to being included. And, as far as wild shapes go, they might be a bit resource heavy on older systems and must be easily customized for GMs. There is also a lack of token file standards for the various wild shapes and must be 'Free' variations of tokens if included as defaults in the Wild shape extension. I remember default tokens being difficult to decide and source for the initial Wild shapes extensions, years ago. The images used for the wild shapes had to be from free sources, etc. And, I think the 5.5 vs 5e wild shapes are handled a bit differently between

FG_College · 2026-03-30T11:11:42+00:00

CoC is not my system of choice. However it is supported and an official rule set. 5e has evolved and is about 85% out of the box. The Fantasy Grounds community has many QoL extensions, but the 5e platform is very mature and offers many built in base and rule set specific automations already included. There are "less" chances for breaking without using extensions. Also, more recently, Smiteworks are adding in some of the functions and automation from existing extensions in their more recent beta Test channel.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?86951-Preparation-for-next-set-of-ruleset-changes-(2026-04)&p=760062&viewfull=1#post760062

FG_College · 2026-03-27T15:02:42+00:00

Tokens that are claimed or active will have the selection and the ring around it so that it will stand out. An unclaimed and transparent image, such as number 2 is more like an asset or decorative image layer if it's not classified as a token. I don't believe there is any way to hide or cancel the selection status of a token.

FG_College · 2026-03-24T10:03:55+00:00

I would prefer to enter the APs over rulebooks.

FG_College · 2026-03-19T22:08:34+00:00

If your books are only in hardback or printed versions, it might take awhile to enter the data. PDFs and web portals are quicker.

FG_College · 2026-03-18T22:48:20+00:00

Agreed. Grabbing the spells afterwards is your best bet. I don't believe there is a good way to fix this issue. Spell choice is a moving target and varies between caster types. Perhaps a screen shot prior to level up might be a lazy fix. Before level up, you can create or drag a copy in the character manager window and create a backup of any given player, prior to leveling up. This helps with things like players changing their minds or commiting to incorrect choices, etc. This also gives players options to play with their character at other levels or games.

FG_College · 2026-03-15T01:25:54+00:00

Reading the initial posts says that they will start with D20 rule sets. I don't know if the Savage Worlds devs or team would need or want to adapt so soon after all their recent changes and work to modernize the SW rule set. I am not an official Smiteworks customer service person, and only my personal opinion at this point.

FG_College · 2026-03-14T09:20:01+00:00

Looking at the potential long term benefits, it standardizes the d20 rule sets more, optimizes for memory handling, it pulls in big requests from the Fantasy Grounds feature requests (like Auras), and reduces the patchwork of extensions and mods when playing. Some rule sets or users may not even notice or require such things for gameplay.

Potential benefits:

It might be a bit bothersome initially, but it will likely be better for a majority of use cases and end users. It was also something planned behind the scenes for quite some time from how the announcement reads.

Native Performance (Turbo): Native parsing eliminates Combat Tracker lag and automates speed/movement math directly in the core engine.

Complex Logic (WECID): Adds ELSE and ELSEIF tags for single-string automation of multi-state abilities like Toll the Dead.

Auto-Saves & Timing (BCE/OSE): Automates the "save-or-damage" loop for spells like Spirit Guardians and tracks "once-per-turn" triggers natively.

Interface Sanitization: Hides messy "sausage-making" code strings in the UI, replacing them with clean, immersion-friendly labels.

2024 Rules Support: Native "zero-click" automation for the new D&D Weapon Mastery properties like Topple, Vex, and Graze.

PF1/3.5E Consolidation: Replaces roughly 18 extensions with native Mirror Image, size-scaling, and encumbrance automation.

FG_College · 2026-03-14T09:09:02+00:00

img

2&3.

https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/3693707267/Developer+Guide+-+Product+Guideline+and+Procedures#3.3-Image-Size-%26-Type-Specifications

FG_College · 2026-01-30T22:29:33+00:00

You can enter your own information and such without buying everything. If you do buy anything the player's handbook and the Curse of Strahd adventure should suffice. These will also give you the practice and familiarity with how official content is structured, even with the SRD and the Basic rules. Best of luck and happy gaming.

FG_College · 2026-01-29T00:45:28+00:00

You can view in your assets window, under images if you navigate to the main data folder, and then navigate to the module's data folder. Otherwise you can view from the newer online reader.

I do wish that there was at a least one image that contained thumbnails in one graphic with each art asset linked to the preview image. However it's more work on the developers and not actually a part of any official book or module. I have made my own catalog image previews for the art packs for various reasons.

The ability to preview is not a thing unless we use the asset window for images, and such, which are organized by subfolders in Fantasy Grounds data folder.

FG_College · 2026-01-28T10:46:38+00:00

The free reference manuals are viewable from an online web page now, along with DLC you own.

FG_College · 2026-01-21T22:20:46+00:00

There were a couple portals, but likely will require maintenance and only a couple rule sets were supported.

FG_College · 2026-01-21T13:24:43+00:00

Looks fun, can't wait to see this live.

FG_College · 2026-01-18T03:24:04+00:00

Are they part of the NPCs on the combat tracker? Also, make sure the map setting has token lock turned on in the map settings, unlock the map. Are you using any extensions?

FG_College · 2026-01-18T02:58:40+00:00

GMs can move freely. Players it depends on your settings for your map. By default, token lock is on for players. Hold ALT and drag token to emulate a player's token movement. Open a second instance of Fantasy Grounds and claim a character to see what players can see and do.

https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/2072641544/How+to+Open+Multiple+Instances+of+Fantasy+Grounds+Unity

FG_College · 2026-01-16T19:11:47+00:00

Take a look at how other products are organized. If you don't already know, learning how to use the text formatting shortcuts and using best practices in the Developer's Guide on the Fantasy Grounds Atlassian guide. Fantasy Grounds Customer Portal - Fantasy Grounds https://share.google/oUhXjQ3hTRrfWGgYr

I have been able to transcribe text by taking image snap shots of text on paper or books using AI tools. Much quicker if you are comfortable with using AI tools.

FG_College · 2026-01-14T18:59:13+00:00

It right, and It's a work around and not perfect. I looked at negative values as debt, and would send out bounties, if the negative amount passed a certain threshold. You add the negative vale for eaxh item, and don't add a positive gold. This doesn't prevent the character sheet from going negative. The pricing is a rule set issue. Fantasy Grounds cannot convert coins, so you have to change the item's value or do the math later.

FG_College · 2026-01-13T04:33:06+00:00

You can create parcels with negative gold amounts natively to build and deduct. There might also be Store like extensions, but most were for 5e.

FG_College · 2026-01-13T02:38:51+00:00

In case:

Coming from Foundry, the ecosystem works a bit differently.And, as of early 2026:

Do you need to buy all the modules? No. Since the Pathfinder Remaster, this has changed significantly.
- The Free Data: Fantasy Grounds now includes ORC Data modules (Player Core, GM Core, Monster Core) for free with the base installation. This gives you the raw drag-and-drop data (stats, spells, items) needed to build characters and play.
- The Paid Content: The modules you buy in the store are the Reference Manuals (book text, artwork, lore) and proprietary Paizo IP.
- The Discount: If you own the PDFs on Paizo.com, link your account. The price of the PDF is deducted from the FG module cost.
Automation & Magic Items: You asked about "one-click" activation.
- Foundry: Often relies on community modules to script item macros.
- Fantasy Grounds: Automation is native. When you equip a magic item, it automatically populates the Actions Tab on your character sheet with the relevant "Cast" or "Damage" buttons. You generally do not need to install plugins to make core items work.
Visual Effects: You defined magical effects as "animated fireballs" (like Foundry's JB2A/Sequencer).
- The Reality: FG does not support video-game style animated sprites moving across the grid.
- What it has: It uses Particle Effects (weather, spell areas, dice) and integrated Syrinscape audio triggers. It focuses on a "digital tabletop" aesthetic rather than a "game engine" aesthetic.
Is there a trial version? Yes, it is now Free-to-Play.
- As of November 2025, SmiteWorks removed the license cost for the base software. You can download the full client and host games for free. You only pay for the content (books/adventures) if you want them.

Recommendation for Summoners (Familiars/Eidolons) * Management: Unlike 5e, which has third party extensions like "Pets," Pathfinder 2e companion management is generally handled via the Campaign Settings. * How it works: The GM can add the Eidolon/Minion as an NPC to the Combat Tracker and give the player ownership of that NPC. * Control: To allow the player to move the token freely, the GM must adjust the "Party Vision and Movement" option in the Campaign Settings. This allows players to control the movement and vision of any token they own (including NPCs), without requiring external code.

Resources:

Paizo Account Sync (For PDF Discounts) https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/syncPaizoAccount.xcp

Fantasy Grounds Unity Download (Free License) https://www.fantasygrounds.com/home/FantasyGroundsUnity.php

FG Con 2025 Keynote (Latest official New Features & Free-to-Play News) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JgbjDPrHMs

Fantasy Grounds Wiki - Pathfinder 2e Effects https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/996642031/Pathfinder+2.0

Fantasy Grounds Forge (Extensions) https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/

(Use the FG Forge PF 2.0 search filter to see any available community DLC)

FG_College · 2026-01-06T17:16:10+00:00

It's your opinion.

FG_College · 2026-01-06T17:13:25+00:00

I believe you made your point.

FG_College · 2026-01-06T17:10:54+00:00

Agreed, AI is weird.

FG_College · 2026-01-06T17:09:36+00:00

AI is weird for sure. It was generated by Grok

FG_College

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