Top 5 Reasons to Play A5E on Realm VTT
1.
Automatic Flanking Detection for Expertise Dice
Realm VTT is the only A5E virtual tabletop with true geometric flanking detection. The system checks token positions in real time — handling odd and even token sizes, diagonals, reach weapons, and faction alignment — then applies the correct expertise die to the attack roll automatically. No more pausing combat to check who counts as flanking.
2.
Full 8-Step Character Creation Wizard
Guided character creation for A5E's full framework: ability scores (roll, standard array, point buy, or manual), class, background, heritage, culture, destiny, starting equipment. Every proficiency, innate ability, cultural skill, and destiny feature is applied automatically as you go — so you finish with a character that's ready to play.
3.
Effects System for A5E's New Conditions
A deep effects system purpose-built for A5E's new condition tracks — fatigue, strife, and the rest — with new support for A5E-specific modifier types (expertise dice, maneuver DCs, etc.) that apply contextually to tokens in combat. Build any homebrew feat, maneuver, or magic item without touching code.
4.
Exertion, Maneuvers & Supply Tracked Natively
Exertion pools, basic and combat maneuvers (including mastered maneuvers with reduced exertion cost), maneuver DCs with proficiency and ability scaling, supply count, bulky-item limits, and encumbrance are all tracked natively. Short and long rest mechanics restore features automatically on the right schedule.
5.
Official A5E Core Books on Our Marketplace
Realm VTT is launching with all three core A5E rulebooks officially available through our EN Publishing partnership — the first VTT marketplace with first-party Level Up content. Our Monstrous Menagerie module will also be cross-compatible with the Realm VTT 5e ruleset, and more Level Up content will follow as we're able.
Realm VTT vs Roll20: Which Is the Best VTT for A5E?
Official A5E Core Books
Realm VTT: Launching all three core A5E rulebooks officially through our EN Publishing partnership. Our Monstrous Menagerie module will be cross-compatible with our 5e ruleset, and more Level Up content will follow.
Roll20: Roll20 has a community-maintained A5E character sheet, but none of the Level Up core rulebooks are available as official, first-party content on its marketplace.
Flanking & Expertise Dice
Realm VTT: Flanking is detected automatically from token geometry — reach, token size, and diagonals handled. The matching expertise die is applied to the attack roll with zero clicks.
Roll20: The community A5E sheet has fields for expertise dice, but flanking isn't detected — the GM has to call it every combat and apply the die manually.
Character Creation
Realm VTT: Built-in 8-step A5E character wizard (ability scores, class, background, heritage, culture, destiny, equipment) with every feature applied automatically as you go.
Roll20: Community-maintained A5E character sheet with manual field entry, or external community character builders — no guided wizard.
Exertion, Maneuvers & Supply
Realm VTT: Exertion pools, basic and combat maneuvers (including mastered), maneuver DCs, parrying dice, prestige, supply, and encumbrance are all tracked natively with rules enforcement.
Roll20: The community A5E sheet has fields for these systems but depends on the GM to enforce costs, timing, and recovery.
Effects & New Conditions
Realm VTT: First-class support for A5E's new conditions (fatigue, strife) and 50+ A5E-specific modifier types applied contextually to tokens as effects.
Roll20: Condition tracking is sheet-template-level and mostly manual. Contextual modifier automation requires Pro-tier API scripts.
Dynamic Lighting & Pricing
Realm VTT: Generous free tier with dynamic lighting, animated maps, and the A5E ruleset included. No player limits.
Roll20: Dynamic lighting requires Plus or Pro subscription ($5.99+/month). Free tier has limited features.
Feature | Realm VTT | Roll20 |
|---|---|---|
Official A5E Core Books | Launching all three core A5E rulebooks officially through our EN Publishing partnership. Our Monstrous Menagerie module will be cross-compatible with our 5e ruleset, and more Level Up content will follow. | Roll20 has a community-maintained A5E character sheet, but none of the Level Up core rulebooks are available as official, first-party content on its marketplace. |
Flanking & Expertise Dice | Flanking is detected automatically from token geometry — reach, token size, and diagonals handled. The matching expertise die is applied to the attack roll with zero clicks. | The community A5E sheet has fields for expertise dice, but flanking isn't detected — the GM has to call it every combat and apply the die manually. |
Character Creation | Built-in 8-step A5E character wizard (ability scores, class, background, heritage, culture, destiny, equipment) with every feature applied automatically as you go. | Community-maintained A5E character sheet with manual field entry, or external community character builders — no guided wizard. |
Exertion, Maneuvers & Supply | Exertion pools, basic and combat maneuvers (including mastered), maneuver DCs, parrying dice, prestige, supply, and encumbrance are all tracked natively with rules enforcement. | The community A5E sheet has fields for these systems but depends on the GM to enforce costs, timing, and recovery. |
Effects & New Conditions | First-class support for A5E's new conditions (fatigue, strife) and 50+ A5E-specific modifier types applied contextually to tokens as effects. | Condition tracking is sheet-template-level and mostly manual. Contextual modifier automation requires Pro-tier API scripts. |
Dynamic Lighting & Pricing | Generous free tier with dynamic lighting, animated maps, and the A5E ruleset included. No player limits. | Dynamic lighting requires Plus or Pro subscription ($5.99+/month). Free tier has limited features. |