One of the most powerful features of the Roll20 VTT is the ability to create custom actions for your games. Macros are actions you can repeat that appear in the text chat, and they are available for free for all users. (Be sure to read our help article on adding the macro quick bar to your game!)
Macros are wonderful for common actions and reminders of mechanics. Let’s start with three macros for D&D 5E that you can copy and paste into your own game, and then we’ll break down how they were written.
Can you attack if you’re grappled? What happens when you’re poisoned? It can be hard to keep track of D&D 5E conditions, so we put together this handy macro for you. You’ll get to choose which condition you’re looking up and it will automatically be sent to the chat, where everyone can see it (and possibly end the debate).
&{template:desc} }If this macro looks long to you, you're right — since it's sending full descriptions of status effects to chat, and it takes a lot of initial text input, but little in the way of logic. You're basically automating your compendium lookups!
Phew, that last one was long. Let's try something more bite-sized. This little macro will let you choose the potion of healing that you want to use and roll the amount for you.
&{template:desc} }I never remember to use or calculate cover in combat. This short macro will remind you, like the conditions, of the bonuses granted by cover.
&{template:desc} {{desc= ?{What kind of cover?| Half Cover, **Half Cover**
+2 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws against attacks and effects that originate on the opposite side of the cover.|
Three-Quarters Cover, **Three-Quarters Cover**
+5 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws against attacks and effects that originate on the opposite side of the cover.|
Total Cover, **Total Cover**
Can't be targeted directly by an attack or spell.
}}}The code for creating your own macros looks complicated, but once you understand the framework it’s easy to begin. Each of these macros start with a roll template, which formats your macro nicely in the chat results. We’re using the D&D 5E roll template for this one.
All three of these macros are creating a dropdown that will show text descriptions in the chat. The dropdown is a simple roll query. The second macro is rolling our healing amount, just like we would type into the chat, enclosed in brackets for the macro to read.
Finally, you can use the same markdown that you can use in text chat to make headers bold or italic.
These three macros are a good starting point for learning how macros can work in your games. Want to learn more? Get started by reading our guide, and our sharp community is always willing to help in the Roll20 forums.
Looking to dive even deeper into customizing your virtual tabletop? A pro subscription gets you access to the Roll20 API.