Latest Blog: Welcome to Browsers & Bugbears

Welcome to Browsers & Bugbears

— Jeff
Browsers & Bugbears Logo

Welcome adventurers! I'm beyond excited to share publicly for the first time a project I've been working on for some time: Browsers & Bugbears, a browser-based 2024/2025 5e combat game built to bring the thrill of 5e adventuring and grid-based encounters to your browser window.

A quick note: My focus right now is providing the cleanest, desktop browser experience possible. 5e is quite complicated and tackling precise mobile UI is on my roadmap, but quite far down the way. The game is playable on tablets and mid-sized resolution screens in landscape orientation (it's all javascript in a browser after all), but I must admit I haven't had time to dedicate to tablet and mobile friendly design and UI. Feel free to try it out on those devices and provide feedback and suggestions, but please expect some clunkiness.

So What Is This?

Browsers and Bugbears is an attempt to create the most accurate, faithful implementation of the 5e SRD 5.2 (2024/2025) combat ruleset in an easily accessible digital space. It may be easier to start with what this project is not:

  • This is not a VTT like Roll20, Foundry, or the official Beyond Maps
  • This is not an AI Dungeon Master
  • This is not an attempt at replacing the magic of sitting around a table (virtual or IRL) with friends, rolling dice, and weaving stories

Instead, Browsers and Bugbears aims to scratch that itch for the 5e combat many of us love (or love to hate) when you can't get a group together or just want to waste a few minutes smashing kobolds between meetings or class.

Think of this as:

  • A sandbox for learning the ins and outs of classes
  • A low-pressure way to master combat actions and rules before jumping into a real table
  • A playground for testing character builds

Whether you're a veteran optimizer or someone who's wanted to dip their toes into 5e but felt intimidated by the rules, Browsers and Bugbears exists to deliver fast, fun, and faithful adventuring and fights solo, anytime.

Where It's At Right Now

Here's what's ready to play TODAY:

  • SRD 5.2 Rules Engine: The backbone of the newest version of 5e, built to handle all the nitty-gritty of the latest combat rules
  • All Classes to Level 4: Every SRD class is playable through the first tier of play (levels 1-4), complete with their signature subclass
  • Premade & Custom Built Characters: Use ready-to-go premade heroes or build your own using B&B's Create a Hero feature
  • AI Enemies (24 different foes for launch): Simple-but-smart foes (video game AI, not LLM chatbot AI) to test your mettle. They'll cast spells, use their unique actions and attacks, and even target your squishy wizard in the back if they can

Where It's Headed

I'm still excited to work on this project every day when I can, and I've got big ideas for it. This is hopefully just the start of a long road for this game. Here's a peek at the roadmap I'm sketching out (not necessarily in this order):

Planned Features

  • Terrain & Obstacles: Add some battlefield spice with cover, hazards, and more for more tactical gameplay
  • More Class Progression: Push all classes into higher tiers of play
  • More Monsters: Can't have more combat without more things to slay
  • Smarter Creature AI: Role-specific creature behaviors (tanky bruisers vs. sneaky ambushers)
  • Expanded Character Creation: Full-on hero crafting with local or cloud saves
  • Equipment and Magic Items: 5e isn't 5e if there's no loot
  • Premade Encounters & Dungeons: Quick fights or linked series of encounters with short rests (maybe even long rests?) for that adventuring-day or even dungeon delve feel
  • Persistence?: Loot drops, leveling, and lasting consequences. Watch your party grow and accumulate wealth and treasure? This would be a big step

I'm also exploring ways to weave in non-SRD subclasses we know and love, keeping the spirit alive without stepping on toes. At the very least, I'm hoping some of our favorite third-party content producers will love what I'm doing and be interested in sharing some of their favorite toys: whether it be monsters, subclasses, or items. If you are one of those creators/publishers, please reach out if interested!

Get Involved!

I'm a one-person dev team fueled by coffee and a love for the game. I'd appreciate any feedback, wild ideas, or honest thoughts:

  • What features are you looking for in a game/tool like this?
  • What's missing?
  • What's your dream 5e combat sim/tool?

If any of this excites you, I'd be thrilled if you'd follow along, try out the first-look release, and please help spread the word.