This article covers everything you need to know to get started using the D&D 5th Edition (2024) ruleset with Realm VTT.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Getting Started

3. Creating a Character

4. The Character Sheet

5. Managing Spells

6. Managing Inventory & Equipment

7. Feats, Invocations & Features

8. Creating and Managing NPCs

9. Creating Content for Your Campaign

10. Combat & Rolling Dice

11. Advanced Features

12. Tips & Tricks

Introduction

The D&D 5th Edition (2024) ruleset for Realm VTT implements the updated 2024 rules for Dungeons & Dragons, including support for:

• Full character creation wizard with multiple ability score generation methods

• Automated dice rolling with modifiers

• Spell management with slot tracking

• Inventory system with weight calculations

• NPC stat blocks with legendary actions, lair actions, and more

• Weapon Masteries from the 2024 rules

• Wild Shape and Polymorph support

• And much more!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to use the ruleset effectively.

Getting Started

Accessing the Ruleset

When you create or join a campaign using the D&D 5th Edition (2024) ruleset, all the character sheets, compendiums, and game mechanics are automatically available.

Key Concepts

• Records: Everything in Realm VTT is a "record" - characters, NPCs, items, spells, feats, etc.

• Compendiums: Collections of records that can be searched and dragged onto character sheets

• Drag-and-Drop: Most content is added to characters by dragging from compendiums or other sources

Creating a Character

Using the Character Creation Wizard

When you create a new character, a 4-step wizard guides you through the process:

Step 1: Ability Scores

Choose from three methods to determine your ability scores:

1. Manual Entry - Type your scores directly (useful for pre-rolled stats or custom arrays)

2. Roll 4d6 Drop Lowest - Click the dice button next to each ability to roll 4d6 and drop the lowest die

   

3. Point Buy - Allocate 27 points across your abilities

   • Each ability starts at 8 (costs 0 points)

   • Raising to 9 costs 1 point, 10 costs 2, etc.

   • Maximum of 15 before racial bonuses

   • The system tracks your spent points and shows errors if you exceed limits

   

Step 2: Class Selection

Select your class from the dropdown menu. This will:

• Set your hit die

• Apply saving throw proficiencies

• Prompt you to select skill proficiencies based on your class options

• Set your spellcasting ability (if applicable)

Tip: After selecting your class, a prompt appears to choose your skill proficiencies.

Step 3: Background Selection

Select your background to:

• Gain additional skill proficiencies

• Receive your Origin Feat automatically

• Get your ability score increases applied

Tip: After selecting your background, a prompt appears to choose your attribute bonuses. Make your selections carefully! You can select more than one twice.

Step 4: Species Selection

Select your species to apply:

• Creature type

• Size

• Speed

• Special senses

• Racial features

Important: After completing the wizard, you'll need to manually:

• Add spells by dragging them from the Spells compendium to your Actions tab

• Add equipment by dragging items from the Items compendium to your Inventory tab

• Review your Origin Feat for any additional choices

The Character Sheet

The character sheet has six main tabs:

Main Tab

The Main tab displays your core statistics:

• Portrait: Click to upload a character image

• Class and Level: Adjusted automatically when you add a Class. If you Level Up using the Level Up button on the Main tab or by dragging a Class, it will update here as well.

• Ability Scores: STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA with modifiers

• Saving Throws: Proficient saves are automatically calculated

• Hit Points: Current, Maximum, and Temporary HP

• Armor Class: Automatically calculated based on equipped armor

• Senses: Darkvision, Blindsight, etc. If formatted as "Darkvision #" Realm VTT will automatically apply the Darkvision effect on maps without light for your tokens.

• Speed: Your movement speed

• Proficiency Bonus: Updates automatically based on level

• Experience Points: Track your XP here

• Hit Dice: Shows available hit dice by type

• HP by Level: Click on the Heart Icon to edit your HP received per level

Rolling Ability Checks and Saves

Click the dice icon next to any ability modifier to make an ability check, or next to a saving throw to make a save. The system automatically includes:

• Your ability modifier

• Proficiency bonus (for proficient saves)

• Any active effects or bonuses

Skills Tab

The Skills tab shows all 18 D&D skills with:

• Proficiency Toggle: Click to cycle through Unproficient, Half-Proficient, Proficient, and Expertise

• Ability: Can be changed for variant skill checks (e.g., Strength-based Intimidation)

• Modifier: Automatically calculated

• Roll Button: Click to roll the skill check

Custom Skills and Proficiencies

At the bottom of the Skills tab, you can add custom skills for campaign-specific abilities or unusual checks.

Your proficiencies for Weapons and Armor are added here as well when you add a Class. Make sure it is formatted as expected per the rules in 5e so that Proficiencies are applied when rolling attacks.

Actions Tab

The actions tab contains most of your actions needed for combat. It allows you to:

• Roll Initiative: Use the initiative button on the right

• Roll Attacks and Damage: Equipped weapons from the Inventory tab appear as attacks here

  • For each weapon, if it's Ranged, you will have a field for tracking Ammo that is automatically deducted on Attack roll. If it is a throwing weapon, click the Sword icon to change to a Ranged attack.

  • For dual-wielding, Click the "1" Icon until it shows "0" to signify if a weapon is an Off-hand attack

  • For two-handed versatile weapons, click the "1" icon to change it to "2" to signify it is used with 2 hands.

• View or Edit Spells or Abilities: Click on the icon for a spell, ability, or attack to view more details in a new window.

• Add or Use Abilities: Some Features or Class Features grant Abilities that can be used on this Tab. You can also edit their each Ability section to define how many uses you have, how it gets modifiers, etc.

The Actions tab also manages your spells and spell slots:

• Spell Slots: Track remaining slots for levels 1-9

• Cantrips: Always available spells at the top

• Leveled Spells: Organized by spell level

• Spell Caster Settings: This section appears if the Character Sheet is Unlocked for editing (using the Lock icon in the top right) and lets you configure which spell levels you have access to, as well as settings for Warlocks, or hiding Unprepared spells.

Tip: You can drag any button such as "Use", "Attack", "Cast", etc to the Hotbar below in order to make a short cut for this action.

Adding Spells

1. Open the Spells compendium from the top bar

2. Find the spell you want

3. Drag and drop the spell onto the Actions tab

The spell will automatically appear at the correct level section.

Inventory Tab

Treasure

The Inventory tab manages your equipment:

• Equipment List: All carried items with quantity and weight

• Currency: CP, SP, EP, GP, PP tracking

  • When the character sheet is unlocked, you can use the Add/Subtract/Redistribute convenience buttons

• Total Weight: Automatically calculated (optional coin weight)

  • To add coin weight, go to the Settings in the top-right Settings menu (click the Avatar) if you're the GM in the campaign

• Equipment Slots: Main hand, Off hand, Armor

Adding Items

1. Open the Items compendium from the top bar

2. Find the item you want

3. Drag and drop the item onto the Inventory tab

Tip: If you drag the same item multiple times, it will increase the quantity rather than creating duplicates! Once in the inventory, you can right-click an Item to delete it or create a duplicate.

Item Packs

Item Packs (like "Explorer's Pack" or "Dungeoneer's Pack") automatically unpack their contents when dropped:

• All items are added to your inventory

• Any currency in the pack is added to your purse

Features Tab

The Features tab displays:

• Feats: Your Origin Feat and any additional feats

• Class Features: Gained from your class and subclass

• Classes/Subclasses: Shows your chosen classes and subclasses

• Weapon Masteries: Select which weapons you've mastered (2024 rules)

• Resistances, Immunities, and Vulnerabilities: Set by damage type

• Shape-shifting: Wild Shape and Polymorph support (drag and drop an NPC to this tab to Polymorph or Wildshape with stats and token changes set automatically!)

Adding Feats (and Eldritch Invocations)

1. Open the Feats compendium from the top

2. Find the feat you want

3. Drag and drop the feat onto the Features tab

Note: Eldritch Invocations are implemented as feats with the type "Eldritch Invocation (Warlock Only)". Add them to your Features tab the same way you add feats!

Notes Tab

The Notes tab provides a rich text editor for:

• Character backstory

• Session notes

• Appearance description

• Goals and bonds

• Any other notes you want to keep

Managing Spells

Spell Slots

Spell slots are displayed as counters at the top of the Actions tab:

• Click the radio buttons to mark a spell slot used, or to unmark if used

• The Caster Settings section lets you change your available spell slots

Casting Spells

Each spell in your list shows:

• Spell name and level

• School of magic

• Casting time, range, components, duration

• Full description

• A "Cast" button

Click on a spell to expand it and see all details. Use the cast button to send the Spell Details to the Chat. From the card in the Chat, click any button that appears to roll any associated attacks or damage. The GM should use the Saving Throw buttons for the enemies targeted by Players, or vice-versa.

If a Spell applies an Effect, the macro in the chat can can be Click and Dragged to a Token to add the effect to that Token, or by selecting tokens and clicking the macro for the Effect.

Preparing Spells

For classes that prepare spells, use the preparation toggle on each spell to mark which spells you have prepared for the day, or to make to your Character Sheet load faster, simply delete the spells you do not have prepared.

To mark a spell as unprepared, click the Wand Icon until it shows the Book Icon.

You can use the settings above to filter spells that are unprepared:

Managing Inventory & Equipment

Item Properties

Each item in your inventory shows:

• Quantity: How many you have

• Weight: Per item (total calculated automatically)

• Equipped Status: Carried, Dropped, or Equipped

  • Click the Bag Icon to change it to the "Shirt Icon" to mark an item as equipped. A "dropped" item does not count towards carry weight.

• Attunement: For magic items requiring attunement

• Condition: Note the item's condition

• Location: You can use this field to specify a custom location such as "In Backpack" or "At Bastion" - these locations are filterable from the top of the inventory list

• Icon: Click the icon for any item in your inventory to view more info or edit it

Weapons in Inventory

Weapons show additional options from the Actions tab:

• Attack Button: Roll to attack with this weapon

• Hand Icons: Equip in main hand, off hand, or two-handed

• Melee/Ranged Toggle: For thrown weapons, switch between modes

• Ammunition: Track ammo count for ranged weapons

Equipping Armor

Armor items can be set to your equipped armor slot, which automatically updates your AC calculation.

Weight and Encumbrance

The system tracks:

• Individual item weight

• Total carried weight

• Optional coin weight (50 coins = 1 lb)

Feats, Invocations & Features

Feats

Feats in the 2024 rules are categorized by type:

Adding Eldritch Invocations

Warlock Eldritch Invocations are implemented as feats:

1. Open the Feats compendium

2. Filter or search for "Eldritch Invocation" or the specific invocation name

3. Drag the invocation to your Features tab

Note: Invocations appear in your Feats section alongside other feats. They work identically but are marked as Warlock-only.

Ability Score Increases

When you add a feat that grants ability score increases, a prompt will appear:

Select which ability scores to increase. The system enforces the maximum (usually 20) automatically.

Creating and Managing NPCs

NPC Types

The NPC sheet supports three types:

Creating an NPC

1. Create a new NPC record from the NPCs compendium panel

2. Fill in the basic information:

   • Name and portrait

   • Type (Creature/Vehicle/Trap)

   • Size and creature type

   • Alignment

   • Stats, etc.

3. Set ability scores - modifiers and saves calculate automatically

4. Add Skills, Speed, Senses, and Languages

5. Set the Challenge Rating - this automatically sets:

• XP reward

• Proficiency bonus

• Level (for spellcasting calculations)

Adding NPC Abilities

Use the checkboxes in the "Subsection Settings" to enable different ability sections:

NPC Actions

When adding actions, the system automatically parses:

• Attack bonuses from the description

• Damage formulas (e.g., "2d6+4 slashing")

• Recharge mechanics (e.g., "Recharge 5-6")

• Uses per day

• Copy and paste the verbiage exactly as is from a source like D&D Beyond for the automatic setting to work

• Spellcasting: You may need to manually designate when an action is Spellcasting for the list to appear, then you can Drag Spells to the Spell Casting list from the Spells Compendium so that the NPC can cast those spells.

Legendary and Lair Actions

For legendary creatures:

1. Check "Has Legendary Actions"

2. The legendary action counter appears automatically

3. Add individual legendary actions to the list

4. Optionally add a description explaining how many actions can be used

Creating Content for Your Campaign

Creating Items

1. Create a new Item record

2. Select the Type:

3. For Weapons, set:

   • Damage dice (e.g., "1d8 slashing")

   • Weapon Type (for mastery benefits)

   • Mastery property (Cleave, Graze, Nick, etc.)

   • Weapon properties (Finesse, Heavy, Light, etc.)

4. For Armor, set:

   • AC value

   • Category (Light/Medium/Heavy)

   • Whether to add Dex modifier

   • Maximum Dex modifier (for medium armor)

   • Strength requirement

   • Stealth disadvantage

5. For Consumables, set:

   • "Has Use" and/or "Consumable" checkbox

   • Effects to apply when used

   • Healing formula

   • Damage formula

Rules Tab

For magic items, you may want certain modifiers applied (such as extra damage, to hit, etc.) These are added in the Rules tab of an item. You can check out how we've implemented many of these in the Magic Items SRD module for examples.

Creating Feats

1. Create a new Feat record

2. Set the Feat Type:

   • Origin Feat

   • General Feat

   • Fighting Style Feat

   • Epic Boon Feat

   • Eldritch Invocation (Warlock Only) - for Warlock invocations

3. Set any Prerequisites

4. Specify Ability Score Increases if applicable

5. Write the Description

Important: Use "Eldritch Invocation (Warlock Only)" type for all Warlock invocations. Players add these to their Features tab just like regular feats.

Creating Spells

1. Create a new Spell record

2. Set spell level (Cantrip or 1-9)

3. Select the School of Magic

4. Choose which class Spell Lists include this spell

5. Fill in Casting Time, Range, Components, Duration

6. Write the full Description

Tip: The Rules tab contains everything needed for Damage as well as what happens at higher levels or if the spell is up-casted. If the spell applies effects, create the effects first, then search for them in the dropdown on the Rules tab.

Creating Classes, Subclasses, and Species

Classes, Subclasses, and Species are more complex records that include:

• Proficiency grants

• Feature progression

• Spellcasting information

• Ability score requirements

These are typically set up once and shared across campaigns via the Modules system. See the Modules article on how to export a module of your own.

Combat & Rolling Dice

Initiative

Roll initiative by clicking the Initiative button on the Actions tab or the Main tab of the NPC sheet. The roll includes:

• Dexterity modifier

• Initiative bonus/penalty effects

• Any other applicable modifiers

Tip: You can open the Combat Tracker quickly by hitting the "O" key. From the Menu of the Combat Tracker you can change it to the Carousel Mode for a more gamified experience and to free up some screen space.

Making Attacks

Click the attack button on a weapon in your inventory to:

1. Show the roll prompt with all applicable modifiers

2. Toggle advantage/disadvantage if needed

3. Toggle any optional modifiers from abilities

4. Click Roll to roll the attack

5. The Chat card that outputs will show the result

After the attack, click to either Damage or Critical roll damage. Critical rolls automatically double the damage dice. You can also click the button from the Chat card.

Saving Throws

Saving throws can be rolled from:

• The Main tab (for characters)

• The NPC sheet (for NPCs)

• Spell results in the Chat that require saves

Concentration

When a concentrating character takes damage, the system can prompt for a concentration save with the appropriate DC. When this happens, click the button in the Chat Card to roll your Concentration check.

Death Saves

When a character drops to 0 HP, use death saving throws. Track successes and failures until the character stabilizes or dies. You can roll a Death Save from the Main tab of the Character Sheet in the bottom left.

Advanced Features

Wild Shape and Polymorph

The Features tab supports shape-shifting abilities:

1. Enable the Shape-shifting section on the Features tab

2. Drag an NPC onto the Features tab

3. Select the type of transformation:

   • Polymorph: Replaces all ability scores, gains NPC's HP as temp HP

   • Wild Shape: Replaces physical stats only, gains temp HP based on druid level

   • Animal Shapes: For the Druid spell that just affects a creatures form

When transformed:

• Your stats update to the new form

• A token change effect is applied (if on the map)

• The NPC's actions become available

• Click "Remove Shape-shift" to revert

Weapon Masteries (2024 Rules)

Weapon Masteries are tracked on the Features tab:

Select which weapons you've mastered. Each weapon type has a specific Mastery property per the 2024 rules. If you have a Weapon mastery, and you make an attack with an applicable Weapon, you will see the details for it in the Chat card. Some even have Macros for convenience (such as Graze).

Ability Groups

Class features often grant abilities that share a resource pool (like Channel Divinity or Ki Points). These are managed through Ability Groups:

• Uses are tracked together

• Abilities within the group share the counter

• Restoration conditions can be set (short rest, long rest, etc.)

Tips & Tricks

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Use drag-and-drop extensively - it's the fastest way to add content

• Right click items in the inventory for quick context menu to Delete or Copy.

• If you want to dual wield daggers, copy an existing one to have two separate ones in your inventory.

Efficient Character Setup

1. Complete the wizard fully before adding extra content

2. The Actions tab populates your spell slots based on your Class automatically

3. Use Item Packs for starting equipment instead of individual items (these are in the SRD module!)

4. Check your Origin Feat for skill proficiency choices

For Game Masters

1. Create NPCs using the dedicated NPC record type, not character sheets

2. Use the Challenge Rating field - it auto-calculates XP and proficiency

3. Enable only the sections you need (Traits, Actions, etc.) to keep NPC sheets clean

4. Description fields for actions auto-parse attack/damage formulas

Common Issues

Q: My ability modifiers aren't calculating correctly
A: Check that your proficiency bonus is set correctly. Changes to proficiency bonus update all dependent calculations. Proficiency bonus is auto set when the level is changed by adding a Class or using the Level Up button.

Q: Spells aren't appearing at the right level
A: Ensure the spell's level is set correctly in the spell record itself, not just dragged to a section. Spells go to their section based on base level. The icon with the number can be clicked to change the Upcast level.

Q: My AC isn't updating when I equip armor
A: Make sure the armor is set to your equipped armor slot, not just in your inventory.

Q: I can't find Eldritch Invocations
A: They're in the Feats compendium! Filter by "Eldritch Invocation" type and drag them to your Features tab.

Q: I can't find the Level Up button
A: If experience was awarded by the GM while you had the character sheet open, try closing and re-opening your character sheet.

Quick Reference

Drag-and-Drop Summary

Proficiency Levels

Ability Score Modifier Chart