Character sheets : How to make several & save my own. Then bring to another GMs game. How?

Character Creation help request.  I am new to Roll20, so please don't just tease and be flippant. Items below are numbered for ease of reference.  I have been playing D&D for 30+ years, yet not Roll20 I would like to roll up and view characters using 5e sheets and just see how it goes.  I don't want to make them in someone else's game ... I just want to make them & experiment & have fun.  Ideally I would then add those character to my "Vault" or store them somewhere. Yet the functionality only seems to allow one to make character in an existing game & then to import them.  This seems odd. How can I just simply make a bunch of characters? Do that have to be made by a GM in a game. This make no sense to me.  Please advise. Lastly, and related:  If I now create a new game as a GM, how can I allow my several friends to create some characters in advance for my game, then show up on game night with those characters all done & ready? In real life we'd do this on paper and simply bring the sheets. How is this use-case handled in Roll20 Thanks in advance for helpful direction, and ideally links and tips on how this is handled. Best, -PM

petermont  said: I would like to roll up and view characters using 5e sheets and just see how it goes.  I don't want to make them in someone else's game ... I just want to make them & experiment & have fun.  Perfectly doable. Create your own game (make sure to remember to select the character sheet you want your game to use. If you are playing D&D 5e, I suggest the D&D 5th Edition by Roll20 sheet.) You can make as many games and characters as you want. 2. Ideally I would then add those character to my "Vault" or store them somewhere. Yet the functionality only seems to allow one to make character in an existing game & then to import them.  This seems odd. You can do this. Again, there is no limit. You make the character in your game, then go to your character vault and import a copy. This is normally only needed for making a backup or for transferring to another game. There are limitations on Character Vault usage based on what subscription level you have or whether you are running a purchased module. 3. How can I just simply make a bunch of characters? Do that have to be made by a GM in a game. This make no sense to me.  Please advise. You are automatically the GM of whatever game you create. You can make as many characters for practice or fun as you wish. When you create a game, it is not automatically something other users are playing. You can make it private for your own use. In fact, that is the default. 4. Lastly, and related:  If I now create a new game as a GM, how can I allow my several friends to create some characters in advance for my game, then show up on game night with those characters all done & ready? In real life we'd do this on paper and simply bring the sheets. How is this use-case handled in Roll20 The typical method is for you to make a game, and invite players. As the GM, you would need to make blank character sheets for them to fill in. Their characters are then part of the game and will be ready and waiting when you are ready to run your game.

I too, have this exact question.  From my reading of the docs, if every player is a "paying member". They can get the functionality by: 1: Creating a dummy game 2: creating their character in that game 3: Exporting to their vault. 4: the "real" GM can then allow them to bring their vault character in. But again, this workflow would only work if EVERYONE is paying member.

Everybody (paying or non-) can do steps 1-3. Step 4 can be done by a paying member or a member who is running (most) marketplace modules. The character vault is really not the most usual way to play, however. Most GMs would prefer players to make the character entirely within the game they have set up. That way, they can monitor and shepherd character creation, ensuring conformance to any house rules, or making sure they are familiar with the party make up. The character vault is more useful for someone who plays the character in a pickup game, or some Westmarches style games. I've been playing Roll20 for years and have mostly only used the Character Vault for occasional backups of a particular character.