DnD Beyond enhances your desktop gaming experience. Here is how to use the desktop application.

If you have ever played Dungeons and Dragons, you will know how complicated it is. Campaign notes, character tables, monsters and item statistics, did not even start us to manage related knowledge and world building notes. If you haven't played it before, all of this seems daunting!

Whether you are starting your first adventure or want to simplify your dungeon master method, D&D Beyond can help you. We are here to help you understand how to do it.

D&D Beyond is the official homepage of D&D Dungeons & Dragons content. If you really have a deep understanding, it includes things like collectible digital dice, and you can subscribe to other features.

This article will remain on the desktop, but you can also access and manage functions through the player tool application and the reader application for reference materials.

Download: D&D Beyond Player App for Apple | Android (free)

Download: D&D Beyond Reader App for Apple | Android (free via in-app purchase)

Even without a subscription, the marketplace on this site allows you to purchase resources and collectibles as needed. But don't worry, all the tools described in this article are free.

Related: 4 best apps to run Dungeons and Dragons from your phone

The first step in using D&D Beyond is to create a configuration file. You can access some game resources without logging in, but you will not be able to access any of the tools we will introduce later.

On the D&D Beyond homepage, select Register near the upper right corner of the window. This will take you to another page where you can create an account with your Google or Apple profile. You can use any name you want for your profile. Remember, you can use one profile to manage multiple D&D roles.

Once you have your personal information, select Favorites from the toolbar at the top of the window, and then select My Activity Tiles. On this page, click the CREATE A CAMPAIGN button near the upper right corner of the window. Write the event title and description, then press the CREATE CAMPAIGN button in the lower left corner.

Now that your campaign is activated, please select it from your campaign manager. On the right side of the screen, you should see an invitation link that you can send to your friends via email or text message so they can join your party. Once they join, you will treat them as active roles. Click on their names and follow them to make it easier to find them next time.

Related: How to play board games on Zoom

Scroll down to find buttons for adding private notes that party members can’t see and public notes that all party members can read. This is a great way to manage DM information that is inaccessible to the character-separate from the normal story notes-the player should follow.

You can create your own character by returning to the collection manager in the toolbar at the top and selecting the My Characters tile, and then selecting the Create Character button. Or, select the CHARACTER BUILDER tile from the tool drop-down list in the toolbar near the top of the window.

You can also create an NPC character as a DM by selecting the "Create Unassigned Characters" button from the same page where you added the annotation.

There are three character creation methods: standard, rapid construction, and randomization.

The standard version is most suitable for players who are already familiar with D&D. It allows you to control your character to the greatest extent. Quick Build still provides a lot of flexibility, but it also requires a lot of shortcuts. Randomize generates a character randomly. This can be a fun way to spawn NPCs, get characters for one-time sessions, or play with different builds.

No matter which option you choose, it is very user-friendly, so this article will not guide you through the process.

D&D Beyond provides you with 6 character slots. This is very suitable for setting up different roles for different campaigns and parties, or managing the NPCs in the campaign you are running.

Now that your event is up and running, and your team has all joined, you can also track your game in real time through the functions and tools we discussed. If you manage the session as a DM, you might do this mainly through public and private notes that have already been discussed.

Other game tracking is mainly done by changing your character table, just like playing on an old-fashioned premium desktop. After opening the character table, you can even click the D20 icon in the lower left corner to perform digital analog dice rolls.

Both short break and long break are buttons in the upper right corner of the character table. You can also apply them by selecting the role icon in the upper left corner of the role table. From here, you can also choose to manage experience to apply XP when defeating monsters and completing tasks.

You can use the simple counter below the long and short rest buttons to apply health points. To apply or remove a condition, select the condition box below the health counter to open a menu of all standard in-game conditions, with a toggle switch.

When your character collects loot, spends money, loses or damages weapons and armors, please select the equipment in the box below the condition field, and then select the currency icon or the manage equipment button to view your complete inventory and move items.

Users can record information about their role and their participation in the event in the NOTES field in the same box.

There are many great features in D&D Beyond, especially if you are new to D&D, remote gaming, or need DM tools to stay ahead of unruly parties.

This article only introduces some basic functions, but we encourage you to explore more in-depth in your next adventure.

Whether you are a novice or a veteran of desktop role-playing games, these complementary applications, tools and software will help you have fun.

Jon Jaehnig is a freelance writer/editor interested in exponential technology. Jon received a bachelor's degree in science and technical communication from Michigan Technological University with a minor in journalism.

Join our newsletter to get technical tips, reviews, free e-books and exclusive offers!