Quick Links
- Visuals
- Ease Of Use
- Integration With D&D Beyond
- Customization Options
- Performance And Stability
- Accessibility And Device Compatibility
- Pricing And Affordability
- Overall Winner
If you play Dungeons & Dragons online, you've probably considered using a virtual tabletop (VTT). D&D Beyond offers two major options: Sigil, an advanced 3D virtual tabletop powered by Unreal Engine, and the simpler but effective browser-based 2D Maps.
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PostsEach has strengths and weaknesses, making the decision tricky. Here's a direct comparison of notable features to help you choose the best one for your table.
8 Visuals
Sigil is visually stunning. Using Unreal Engine 5, it delivers full 3D environments, dynamic lighting, animated miniatures, dice rolls, and quality effects. It turns your standard D&D sessions into somewhat of a video game.
Maps stick to a classic 2D grid. While simpler, it still features quality artwork, tokens, and battle maps from official D&D content. Fans who appreciate physical battle mats will enjoy this system. Overall, Sigil is your go-to if you want more immersion.
7 Ease Of Use
When it comes to ease of use, there's definitely a trade-off between complexity and convenience. If you're diving into Sigil, prepare yourself. There’s a learning curve involved. The powerful 3D tools and detailed customization options are exciting, but they can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you're new to virtual tabletops.
On the other hand, Maps keeps things simple, sticking to a familiar 2D style that mirrors a classic tabletop experience. It's intuitive enough that even newcomers or players who shy away from online gaming can jump in right away. Maps is easy for anyone to pick up and play immediately.
6 Integration With D&D Beyond
Integration with D&D Beyond is excellent on both platforms, so you won't struggle with getting your game up and running. Sigil and Maps both effortlessly pull your existing characters, spells, items, and purchased adventures directly into your sessions.
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PostsHowever, Sigil takes advantage of D&D Beyond’s resources with full 3D visuals and elements. Maps, by contrast, keeps everything organized in a familiar 2D view, making content easy to access and manage.
5 Customization Options
When it comes to customizing your tabletop experience, these two platforms differ greatly in depth. Sigil lets you create in detail, offering extensive tools to craft detailed 3D terrain, personalize character miniatures, and set dynamic lighting. It's fantastic if you're the type of DM who enjoys bringing your unique vision vividly to life.
Maps, meanwhile, provides straightforward customization like adjustable grids, token placement, and quick sketches. It’s perfect for quickly setting up basic encounters without hassle. If detailed visuals and creative control matter most to you, Sigil is easily your top choice.
4 Performance And Stability
Performance can make or break your virtual tabletop experience. Sigil's advanced 3D graphics and effects are visually impressive, but they demand more from your computer and internet connection. If your group includes players with lower-end devices or less stable connections, you might run into issues like frame rate drops, slow loading times, or occasional glitches.
In contrast, Maps is built for stability, using a lightweight 2D interface that runs smoothly on virtually any device, even older hardware or slower connections. If reliability and smooth gameplay are your priority, Maps is clearly the safer bet.
3 Accessibility And Device Compatibility
Accessibility might play a key factor in deciding which virtual tabletop works best for your group. Right now, Sigil requires downloading an app and is limited to Windows PCs, meaning Mac users and anyone hoping to join from a tablet or phone are currently out of luck. On the other hand, Maps runs directly in your browser through the D&D Beyond website.
No downloads or installations needed. This means everyone in your party can easily jump into the action, whether they're on a Mac, PC, tablet, or even a smartphone. If your gaming group uses a variety of devices, Maps is the clear winner here for cross-platform play.
2 Pricing And Affordability
When considering the cost of running a virtual tabletop (VTT) for your D&D sessions, D&D Beyond offers three main subscription tiers: Free, Hero ($2.99/month), and Master ($5.99/month). Only the Master tier allows you to fully host games and use the advanced features of both Sigil (3D) and Maps (2D), making it essential for groups wanting a complete VTT experience.
While both platforms are available at the same subscription cost, the choice between them may depend on your group's preferences and technical capabilities. Sigil is ideal for groups who want a 3D experience and are willing to invest time in learning the platform. Requires compatible hardware and is currently limited to Windows PCs. Maps is for groups who want accessible and reliable 2D VTT. It’s browser-based, so is compatible across a wide range of devices.
1 Overall Winner
If your group prefers the immersive feel of 3D gameplay, and you're ready to invest some time and have suitable hardware, Sigil is absolutely worth exploring. It's packed with customization options and impressive visuals that'll take your D&D sessions to a whole new level.
However, for most players, especially beginners or groups who just want to jump straight into the action, Maps is the better choice. It's intuitive, stable, accessible from practically any device, and requires minimal setup—making it the clear overall winner for hassle-free, enjoyable D&D sessions.
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