Product Overview of Fantasy Grounds
Fantasy Grounds is a powerful virtual tabletop (VTT) designed to enhance and facilitate online tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), allowing players and Game Masters (GMs) to connect and immerse themselves in their favorite RPGs, whether they are physically together or playing remotely.
Core Functionality
Fantasy Grounds simulates a traditional tabletop gaming environment, providing a comprehensive set of tools to replicate the experience of playing around a physical table. Key features include:
- Multi-System Support: Fantasy Grounds supports a wide range of game systems, including Dungeons & Dragons (D&D 5E, 4E, 3.5E), Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, and any game system through the included CoreRPG ruleset. This versatility allows users to play various RPGs with minimal setup.
- Automated Game Mechanics: The platform includes automated, interactive game mechanics, such as dice rolling, character sheet management, and rules enforcement, which significantly reduce preparation time and streamline gameplay. Features like the 5E Character Wizard help in creating characters quickly and accurately.
- Drag and Drop Functionality: Users can drag and drop elements like monsters, NPCs, feats, abilities, spells, weapons, and armor directly into their games, enhancing the ease of use and immersion.
Key Features
- Maps and Tokens: Fantasy Grounds allows GMs to share maps, images, and notes with players. Maps can be masked to reveal only certain areas, and tokens can be used to show character placement and movement. The GM can set grids for plotting movement in battles and use pointers to measure distances and plot line of sight and spell effects.
- Chat and Communication: The software includes a chat window where players can communicate as their characters, emote, state actions, and speak out of character. The GM can narrate and use various character voices with quick commands.
- Dice Rolling and Modifiers: Fantasy Grounds simulates dice rolls, allowing all players to see the results in real-time. It also includes a modifier stack and hotkeys for common modifiers like to-hit bonuses and saves. The GM’s rolls can be hidden unless they choose to reveal them.
- Modules and Extensions: The platform supports modules that contain game data (e.g., spells, monsters) and extensions that customize the ruleset or modify the user interface. Modules are available on the Fantasy Grounds store, while extensions are mostly found on the FG Forge.
- Performance and Visual Enhancements: Recent updates, such as version 4.6.0, have introduced features like placeable objects (2D and 2.5D elements), text objects on maps, tile placement enhancements, improved camera modes, and campaign-specific portraits. These updates also include performance boosts through multi-threaded loading of campaign and data assets.
Licensing Options
Fantasy Grounds offers two primary licensing options:
- Core License: This license provides the basic functionality needed to play RPGs online, including support for multiple game systems, drag and drop functionality, and automated game mechanics. However, it has limitations on the number of players and content sharing.
- Ultimate License: Designed for Game Masters, the Ultimate License allows hosting games for CORE and Demo players, enabling unlimited player capacity and free play for players. It also permits sharing of content such as modules, sourcebooks, and accessories during hosted games.
In summary, Fantasy Grounds is a robust VTT that offers a rich set of features to enhance online TTRPG experiences, making it an ideal tool for both players and Game Masters looking to immerse themselves in their favorite role-playing games.