Using statblocks within statblocks | World Anvil

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Using statblocks within statblocks

New Feature Addition · Statblocks management · Created by TheSunbr0
completed
statblocks rpgs character-sheets

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

When you create a new statblock for a NPC you very often want to reuse already existing content. 
For example you could simply provide someone with a list of spells by simply including their statblocks.
Currently this is not possbile and statblocks simply are displayed as 

Apparently you can even use stat blocks in suggestions...

3-level Abjuration

Casting Time 1 Reaction
Range 60 ft
Duration Instantaneous
Components S

Here is another statblock as a demonstration

Class(es): Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
for example.
So if you want to do the same thing you would have to copy everything manually which is not a very good solution.  

How does this feature request address the current situation?

It would become easier to create new statblocks, because you can easily reuse existing content.

What are other uses for this feature request?

If you have to update a statblock later, the changes are automatically getting applied to all other statblocks. This could save you a lot of time for updates and reduces the potential for errors due to missing a usage.

The Team's Response

For the reasons described above this will not be possible. It's extremely dangerous because it can very easy create infinite loops that will certainly crush the page, if not cause even bigger issues.   What I can do is to allow access to every sheet creator to design their our JSON driver that allows sheets to use the functionality that is used by the 5e character and many other sheets. I will investigate this.   Note Block cannot be used in sheets BLOCKLINK can still be used and allows for giving the extra information to be linked in.     UPDATE I have found a way to allow for 1 LEVEL DEEP block within block nesting. This will be deployed later today.
Current score

15/300 Votes · +1700 points

Votes Cast

  • +100

    by allanadeluca
    on 2021-11-22 15:46
  • +200

    by Audacity of Nonsense
    on 2021-11-18 21:03
  • +300

    by itmePhil
    on 2021-11-17 08:48
    Spells inside character statblocks would be handy, I agree.
  • +300

    by DColquitt42
    on 2021-11-16 16:39
  • +100

    by M. A. E. Krawczyk
    on 2021-11-15 15:32
  • -100

    by Athevra
    on 2021-11-14 20:29
  • +300

    by JohanWq
    on 2021-11-12 12:14
    To those who need to hear it: it is currently impossible for a block designer to create the ability for a user to have statblocks within statblocks. The only reason a few exist is that they use systems not normally available. Community sheets CAN NOT have this feature in the current system. I'm hopeful this will change.
  • +300

    by R0GUE01
    on 2021-11-12 03:48
  • +300

    by MachFarcon
    on 2021-11-12 01:27
  • +50

    by GMSeth
    on 2021-11-10 20:43
  • -300

    by arty
    on 2021-11-05 14:12
    Well to re-iterate what I already said in the help channel: You are approaching it from the wrong end. I don't know which system you intend to use, but the most recent 5e sheets for example already give you the option to give a character a spell list via a dedicated input for block IDs that will embed the spell sheets in the character sheet. If the sheet you are trying to use does not have this feature, it's because it was coded that way. If you want it to have that anyway, you have to modify or create it on your own. All sheets on WA are coded by community members so I suggest you should make yourself familiar with the sheet creation process to understand why what you're asking for here is already possible and has been done many times.
  • -300

    by SoulLink
    on 2021-11-05 13:55
    Certain blocks can be attached to certain templates already. That system is robust and usable.   There is absolutely no reason to do this. And further creates the risk of infinite loops would have to be handled.
  • +200

    by DarkEspeon
    on 2021-11-05 12:24
  • -100

    by Meanmelter
    on 2021-11-05 01:25
    I am a bit on the fence with this one. I think in your case where you specify to provide a list of spells to players from a single(???) statblock you would just have more luck @ the spell itself with said article containing it's appropriate stat block. I think this would save clutter and not look like a giant mess otherwise. It sounds like you want to keep it centralized so if you update one you update all? Perhaps a link to a meta-article containing either statblock or article block of said spell would be best in this case. Perhaps in your use-case using statblocks to list all KNOWN spells of NPCs would not be advantageous if you plan to change them consistently. If it's some form of evolution maybe you would benefit from using the "Make a duplicate..." feature at the bottom of the statblocks.   Traditionally NPC/Bestiary usually work by giving them a Spellcasting-like trait with a level, including a list of spells they know by level. Something like: Spellcasting: This creature is a 2nd level spell caster. It's spell casting ability is X. The creature has the following spells prepared (Perhaps change to known in your case)   Cantrips (At will): mage hand 1-st level (2 slots): shield, thunderwave etc.
  • +50

    by toffepajja
    on 2021-11-04 21:00
  • +300

    by TheSunbr0
    on 2021-11-04 16:33