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Creating a Custom Ruleset in Fantasy Grounds Unity
Introduction
Fantasy Grounds Unity (FGU) is a virtual tabletop platform that allows players to immerse themselves in role-playing games (RPGs) with customizable rulesets. Building your ruleset in FGU can seem daunting, but with the proper guidance, you can create a unique experience for your gaming group. This comprehensive and SEO-friendly guide will help you build a custom ruleset using either the Ruleset Wizard or by modifying an existing ruleset while also providing helpful resources and acknowledgments to community contributors.
Table of Contents
Overview of Fantasy Grounds Unity
Using the Ruleset Wizard
Modifying an Existing Ruleset (CoreRPG, 5E, or 3.5E)
Sharing, Permissions, and Copyright Considerations
Keeping Your Custom Ruleset Updated and Supported
Helpful Resources, Video Tutorials, and Community Contributions
Conclusion
Fantasy Grounds Unity is a powerful platform designed for online RPGs, offering an immersive experience for players and GMs alike. FGU's flexibility allows users to create or modify rulesets, customizing their gaming experience to match their preferences.
Using the Ruleset Wizard
The Ruleset Wizard is a 3rd party commercial tool. The Ruleset Wizard is also a helpful tool that simplifies the ruleset creation process. You can access the Ruleset Wizard through its official website. The following video tutorial series will walk you through the process of using the Ruleset Wizard:
Ruleset Wizard YouTube Channel
Traditional Method
The Fantasy Grounds platform provides a lot of scope for building your ruleset or modifying an existing ruleset. Note that some rulesets are in the Vault, and the source code is not accessible.
To build your ruleset you should layer it on top of CoreRPG, or if it is close to 3.5E, 4E, 5E, or PFRPG PFRPG2, you should layer it on top of those rulesets.
You will need some basic XML and Lua coding skills, but you can be someone other than an expert. I'd like you to know how Fantasy Grounds works under the hood and the relationship between templates and named objects and controls.
By building a layered ruleset, you inherit all the code from those rulesets, including functionality and layout. If you were building a ruleset heavily based on 5E, then by layering on 5E, which is, in turn, layered on CoreRPG, you would get all that functionality and only have to code your differences.
You should become familiar with the Developer Guide: https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/996644285/Developer+Guide, and the API reference:
Sharing, Permissions, and Copyright Considerations
When your custom ruleset is complete, it's essential to consider permissions, copyright, and Smiteworks policies before sharing it. Follow these guidelines:
Seek permissions: Obtain permission from the publisher or rights holder if your custom ruleset is based on an existing game system.
Respect copyright: Do not include copyrighted materials without proper authorization.
Smiteworks policies: Familiarize yourself with Smiteworks' EULA and Community Content Guidelines.
Publisher considerations: Follow specific requirements from publishers, including crediting the source and adhering to usage restrictions.
Sharing your custom ruleset: Share your ruleset on the Fantasy Grounds forums after obtaining the necessary permissions and following guidelines.
Keeping Your Custom Ruleset Updated and Supported
Maintain your custom ruleset by monitoring updates, engaging with the community, planning for updates, and collaborating with others. This ensures your ruleset. Remains functional and relevant for users.
Helpful Resources, Video Tutorials, and Community Contributions
The following resources provide additional guidance for creating custom rulesets in Fantasy Grounds Unity:
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Damien, a valuable contributor to the Fantasy Grounds community. Known on the official FG forums as @Damned or damned#0166 on Discord, Damien generously shares his custom work for FREE on the FG Forge. This resource offers various custom assets and creations that can enhance and inspire your custom ruleset projects.
Conclusion
Creating a custom ruleset in Fantasy Grounds Unity can be a rewarding and engaging project. By following the guidance provided and leveraging the Ruleset Wizard, engaging with the community, and respecting copyright and permissions, you can develop a unique and enjoyable ruleset for RPG enthusiasts. Remember to keep your ruleset updated and supported to ensure a fantastic user experience for years to come.
Disclaimer and Attribution
**Please note that this article is a non-official guide not endorsed by Smiteworks, the creators of Fantasy Grounds Unity, or the creators of the Ruleset Wizard. The information provided in this article is based on publicly available resources, personal experiences, and contributions from the Fantasy Grounds community.
While we have made every effort to provide accurate and helpful information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content. We'd like to encourage users to verify any information with the official sources and follow all applicable guidelines and policies by Smiteworks and other relevant parties.
Any third-party websites, YouTube channels, or other resources mentioned in this article are the property of their respective owners. We are not responsible for the content or availability of these resources.
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or consultation with the official support channels of Fantasy Grounds Unity or the Ruleset Wizard. The use of the information provided in this article is at the user's own risk.
By using the information in this article, you know that the authors and contributors are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages from using the content.
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