# Obsidian - DnD UI Toolkit (2025 ) ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025.webp]] [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czu-hJ1scf0) · 27:35 · Josh Plunkett · 2025-05-12 ## Outline ### 00:00 Intro - The video covers a beta plugin (not yet in the community list) that makes character sheets, which surprises longtime viewers because Josh usually argues against them. - His view: a GM tracking every player's sheet in Obsidian is creating a second full-time job. Online tools like **Demiplane** or **D&D Beyond** let players keep sheets on a server the GM can view, and he highly recommends Demiplane. - For a player hand-maintaining their own sheet without auto-calculation, Obsidian is fine. - What's on screen is a set of new templates he's finishing for his Patreon vault; tonight focuses on the sheet-like components. ### 02:19 DnD UI Toolkit installation - The plugin is **DnD UI Toolkit** by Hay-Kot, found via the showcase channel of the Obsidian TTRPG Community Discord; it's hosted on GitHub (link in the description). - Not yet in Community plugins, so install **BRAT** first, then use its "Add a beta plugin for testing" command, paste the GitHub URL, and add the plugin. ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025-t0340.webp]] ### 03:51 Example note - He recommends starting from the repository's examples folder: copy the raw wizard example note into a scratch note ("wizard example"). - In reading view it renders the whole sheet. Under the hood it's custom CSS applied to fenced code blocks with simple, readable key-value text. ### 04:56 Badges block - A badges block shows labeled values like level 3 and initiative +2; edit the text and the badge updates. - He adds an HTML line break for spacing and extra badges (spell save, AC with mage armor); it's very customizable. ### 06:09 Health block - A health block tracks current/max HP, with heal, damage and temp-HP inputs plus a hit dice tracker; max HP and hit dice are set in the block. - Values persist after leaving the note, but they're stored in a JSON file at the vault root (named in the plugin's settings), not in the note itself. ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025-t0620.webp]] ### 08:00 Abilities and skills blocks - The abilities block takes the six D&D 5e scores and computes modifiers and saving throws (strength 14 gives +2; dexterity 20 gives +3), and it's clearly built for 5e. - Saving-throw proficiencies add the proficiency bonus (strength becomes +4). - The skills block lists only the skills you're proficient in; adding "stealth" gives it a green tick and a higher bonus, with skills drawing on their linked abilities. ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025-t0858.webp]] ### 10:13 Consumable block - A consumable block tracks limited uses, handy for spell slots (e.g. level 1, four uses) or things like luck points. - Each needs a unique state key, since it saves into the JSON file; he adds a level-4 slot with 10 uses. ### 11:56 Advanced: linking to properties - His new Patreon player template combines **ITS Theme** callouts, **SlRvb's tab CSS** snippet (video to come), and the toolkit. - He links HP, level and other values to note properties, so changing a property updates the components. - He got there by asking **ChatGPT** (paid, with web access to read plugin READMEs) to write **DataviewJS** that outputs the toolkit's code-block syntax from properties, the same trick as his older Mermaid relationship chart in the person template. - AI tip: ask for one small piece at a time (link level, then initiative, then spells) rather than "create me a game". - With properties as the source of truth, **Meta Bind** input fields can write values (e.g. 50 HP) that DataviewJS re-renders and the toolkit then styles. He expects some edge cases to break. ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025-t1300.webp]] ### 18:36 Initiative Tracker integration - His real goal was storing level, HP, AC and modifier as properties because the **Initiative Tracker** plugin needs them. - In Initiative Tracker settings he creates a player from the template note, adds it to a party, sets it as default, and the combat tracker pulls those values automatically. - The chain is Meta Bind to properties, DataviewJS to toolkit syntax, the toolkit for looks, and Initiative Tracker for combat. - He tours the one-screen template: overview and description, GM notes, abilities and skills, traits tab, spellbook with slots and linked spell notes for hover previews, inventory, and connections (quests, groups, relationships). ![[images/Obsidian-DnD-UI-Toolkit-2025-t1930.webp]] ### 22:50 Outro - He calls it one of the better character-sheet efforts because it's simple and readable at the table; he'd love native property support so DataviewJS isn't needed. - Obsidian shouldn't be a character-creation wizard, and over-automated sheets get too hard to use. - He won't use it himself and will keep embedding **Demiplane**, which he's happy to pay for because someone else maintains it. - Pointers to obsidianttrpgtutorials.com and the community Discord's showcase channel; thanks to Hay-Kot and Patreon supporters. The components could be adapted for other systems. ## Things mentioned ### Obsidian plugins, themes and snippets - **DnD UI Toolkit** by Hay-Kot ([GitHub](https://github.com/hay-kot/obsidian-dnd-ui-toolkit)) is a free beta plugin with badges, health, abilities, skills and consumable blocks. - **BRAT** (Beta Reviewers Auto-update Tool) is a free community plugin for installing beta plugins from GitHub. - **Dataview / DataviewJS** is a free plugin he uses to generate toolkit syntax from properties. - **Meta Bind** is a free plugin for input fields that write to properties. - **Initiative Tracker** is a free plugin for combat tracking that reads players' level, HP, AC and modifier. - **ITS Theme** is a free theme he uses for callouts. - **SlRvb's tab CSS** snippet is free and used for tabs. - **Mermaid** diagrams, used in his earlier relationship chart. ### Tools and websites - **Demiplane** ([demiplane.com](https://www.demiplane.com)) is a paid online character sheet and rules platform, and Josh's recommendation. - **D&D Beyond** is an online D&D 5e character sheet service (free and paid tiers). - **ChatGPT** (paid subscription) for writing DataviewJS. - [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) (free), [Obsidian TTRPG Tutorials](https://obsidianttrpgtutorials.com), the Obsidian TTRPG Community Discord, and the [Patreon vault](https://www.patreon.com/JPlunkett) (paid). ### TTRPG systems - **Dungeons & Dragons 5e**, which the toolkit targets, though badges and consumables could serve other systems. ## Bios - **Josh Plunkett** is a GM and YouTuber behind Obsidian TTRPG Tutorials, known for Obsidian vaults for running tabletop games and a Patreon vault of templates. - **Hay-Kot** is a developer and member of the Obsidian TTRPG Community Discord, and author of DnD UI Toolkit.