TaleSpire and Virtual D&D Campaigns

Initially funded as a Kickstarter campaign from Bouncyrock, TaleSpire released for early development in April of 2021. And although it’s still in Beta, it represents an inexpensive method for crafting beautiful, interactive maps. Ultimately, the tool still exhibits quite a few bugs. However, the promise of ongoing development is that it has untold potential. So, if you’re looking for a great way to get players engaged in a virtual campaign, check out TaleSpire.

What Does TaleSpire Do?

At the most basic, TaleSpire offers DMs and players a way to interact with a map and one another. Most D&D fans are already familiar with moving minis across a flat, square-grid map. Sometimes a Dungeon Master might draw out a 2D, dry-erase castle or battlefield. Other times, they might even create a 3D model to help players understand the scale of their surroundings. TaleSpire offers just that in a virtual format. With this tool, creators can craft the perfect environments for their players to explore or battle in. So, from vast, frozen tundra to magnificent cityscapes, there are plenty of options available.

Furthermore, once a map has been crafted, DMs can populate it with figurines, whether NPCs, enemy monsters, or player minis. And as long as each individual has a purchased copy of TaleSpire, they can control their character in real-time. So, for those who feel like virtual campaigns lose the tactility of in-person tabletop RPGs, this presents a viable alternative. It might not be the exact same as feeling a plastic base clack down on the table. But it might be the next closest thing.

How Does Building Work for DMs?

Although it can initially include a bit of a learning curve, map building in TaleSpire is actually pretty straightforward. And fortunately, plenty of videos offer great tips and show how to start out. Essentially, builders begin by creating a basic foundation, whether grass, stone, or some other slab type. Then, after laying that bedrock, they can begin constructing the structural components on top of it. For example, if designing a castle, by forming the walls, or if a mountain, by piling up different stone textures. This process can become fairly time-consuming and tedious, depending on how detailed the DM wants to be. Finally, after constructing basic map, they can further furnish the landscape. Again using the castle example, they could include lamps, tables, weapon racks, and a host of other features. And these may serve no prominent function except to bring the world to life.

But TaleSpire also takes the environment a step further by also allowing builders to manage other important elements. DMs can flood a map with fog, raise the sea level and even change the position of the sun or moon and the shadows they cast. That way, the entire atmospheric ambience is fully within the control of the creator. These small additions to the main map-building function showcase the level of granularity which TaleSpire affords. So, when it comes to creating rich, detailed maps, there are few if any better virtual programs. More or less, the primary limitation is one’s own imagination.

Session Controls for Dungeon Masters

The level of control and innovation with TaleSpire doesn’t stop at the building phase. It carries into the actual game session heavily as well. Because DMs have different behind-the-scenes capabilities they can employ to surprise, excite and awe their players. For example, they can set atmospheric blocks, which allow them to quickly switch between map states. So, if they suddenly want to shift from a clear day to a foggy night, they can do so with the click of a button. Furthermore, they can create cutscene blocks, which allow them to take still pictures and display them at once for all players.

When it comes to the various figurines, they can assign them to individual players for movement and battle. Enemies can jump out and surprise adventurers, since DMs can hide them from view until they’re ready to reveal. And there are even animations for battle, where one creature can physically attack another or fire glowing magic missiles. Furthermore, if DMs really want to get heavily into design, they can assign specific stats to each individual figurine. That way, they don’t have to constantly check back and forth between character sheets for checks and saving throws. Which brings up another important feature – every player can roll dice in the program. So, if they don’t have a physical set, there’s no need to worry.

This short synopsis doesn’t even begin to cover every little feature offered by TaleSpire when it comes to gameplay. But it should show that careful thought and planning has gone into crafting this unique tool. Again, it might not be as tactilely pleasing as real, in-person gaming. But it’s far better than anything else other similar programs currently offer.

Player Controls

Of course, the player controls for sessions in TaleSpire are far less advanced than for DMs. And ultimately, this is for the best. Because it keeps each individual from having to intricately understand the program. Instead, they simply need to boot it up, jump into the campaign, and move their character around as they please. Ideally, the Dungeon Master will be able to take care of everything else. This means that while the learning curve can be steep for those controlling the session, it isn’t for others. So, they should be able to start up fairly easily.

Essentially, movement for players is similar to a real table-top RPGs grid base. They can use the arrow keys to move one space at a time, up to their full movement speed. Or alternatively, they can simply click and drag the mini to the desired spot and set it down. Beyond this minimal role, players can sit back and enjoy the scenery their DMs have created for them to enjoy.

Other Pros and Cons of TaleSpire

There are at least two other primary benefits of using TaleSpire. First, there’s a site called TalesBazaar, where map creators can upload their creations to share with others. So, if a DM is in a bit of a time crunch and they need a well-designed map quickly, they can get it. All they have to do is go to the site, search for the kind of map they need, copy it, and paste it into the program. This way, TaleSpire is a collaborative, community-based tool. Secondly, the program’s developers are currently working on a Hero Forge integration. This means players will have the option to design their own custom minis, then import them for use in TaleSpire.

However, for all the good that TaleSpire exhibits, there are also some cons. For example, in order to use the program to its fullest, every individual needs to purchase a copy. And while it’s entirely possible for DMs to virtually stream TaleSpire and move each piece themselves, this is tedious. So, unless each player is willing and able to purchase a copy for their own use, the tool won’t work the way its intended. However, the $25 price on Steam makes it fairly accessible.

Additionally, since TaleSpire is still in open Beta, it does have quite a few bugs, particularly when it comes to building the maps. Unless DMs are careful and precise when laying each tile, they might find themselves going back to fix simple mistakes. Furthermore, there are times when moving minis across a map merges them into the terrain. And it can be frustrating having to delete them and drop them each time this happens. So, players might find themselves making ample use of the “Report a Bug” function.

The Verdict on TaleSpire

Ultimately, each and every bug with the program is absolutely forgivable. Because TaleSpire is full of potential for those trying to run an immersive, online D&D campaign. The level of control given to builders and DMs is astounding, and the future integration with Hero Forge promises further variability. As far as map-building programs go, it’s one of the best. The 3D graphics are at once beautiful and believable. The roster of minis and terrain continues to grow, and the developers are transparent about what features they’re working on. So, for a relatively small investment, TaleSpire can revolutionize the world of online tabletop RPGs.