D&D Beyond Finally Adds Reveals Feature to Maps, Bringing Long-Awaited Visual Immersion to Players

D&D Beyond has officially launched the ‘Reveals feature’ for its Maps tool as of 17 December 2025, offering Dungeon Masters and players the long-requested ability to display detailed gallery art for scenes, monsters, and items during campaigns. This long-overdue update matches functionality found in rival map-making tools like Roll20 and Foundry, marking a major step in enhancing online Dungeons & Dragons gameplay.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) players can now use ‘Reveals’ within D&D Beyond’s Maps tool, a feature that allows Dungeon Masters (DMs) to showcase high-resolution art for encounters, characters, and settings at key moments in a campaign. According to an announcement on D&D Beyond’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the ‘Reveals’ system went live on 17 December 2025, directly addressing a feature gap that has made D&D Beyond’s Maps less popular than competitors. This update is positioned to significantly improve immersion and player engagement, especially as new D&D setting books are set for release in 2026.

What Does ‘Reveals’ Add to D&D Beyond Maps?

The newly introduced ‘Reveals’ function is described as a “no-brainer,” filling a core usability gap that many in the D&D community have criticised since Maps launched. ‘Reveals’ let DMs visually highlight:

• Detailed gallery art for monsters, beyond simple tokens
• Environments and locations as parties travel across a campaign setting
• Magic items or NPCs, when introduced to the party
• Any scenario that benefits from immersive visual storytelling, including combat, exploration, and downtime

As stated in the official reveal, “Maps now gives players the ability to do ‘Reveals,’ a system where they can show off gallery art for scenes, monsters, environments, and much more.” This enables DMs to go beyond the basic token system, enhancing encounters by providing larger, more detailed images that promote deeper immersion. For example, a DM can “include a Reveal for when a monster’s token appears in Maps, giving players a more in-depth visual of what they’re facing beyond just the limited picture a token provides.” This approach keeps gameplay dynamic and helps players visualise the game world in greater detail, an especially useful upgrade as campaigns become more cinematic and visually-driven.

Why Is This Update Important for D&D Beyond?

D&D Beyond’s Maps tool, despite its seamless integration with official D&D character sheets, has historically lagged behind rivals like Roll20 and Foundry due to a lack of dynamic mapping features. The absence of art reveals has been cited by the community as a primary limiter to player immersion and campaign creativity. “Maps have often been a far less-used map-making tool for D&D players compared to other sites like Roll20 or Foundry,” the source notes. Players have routinely sought “the dynamic features that make other sites preferred by long-time players, leading to many simply not using Maps to begin with.” This feature’s arrival is widely regarded as overdue but essential.

With ‘Reveals’ now active, D&D Beyond is poised to close the gap and better compete with established platforms. The timing is significant, as the upcoming 2024 D&D rule editions are already easier to access via D&D Beyond, and the influx of setting books and campaigns in 2026 means new and veteran players alike will benefit from enhanced online tools. As the article concludes, “the inclusion of Reveals is an important step in the right direction, but it may take several more features for Maps to ‘catch up’ to some other sites.” Still, the ability to deliver high-quality campaign visuals directly within the D&D Beyond ecosystem is a major advancement, likely to attract more groups to the platform.

D&D Beyond is supporting this rollout with dedicated newsletters offering actionable guides on ‘Reveals,’ including setup advice, image sourcing, and step-by-step examples for maximising campaign immersion. Interested users can subscribe to ongoing tips and creative ideas directly from the D&D Beyond team.

Although some players note that more updates are needed for Maps to achieve platform parity, the unanimity across the D&D community is clear: “Although Reveals are long overdue in Maps for Dungeons and Dragons games on D&D Beyond, it’s better late to have them than never.”

• D&D Beyond Maps ‘Reveals’ Feature Launch Date: 17 December 2025
• Available For: All D&D Beyond Maps users
• Key Functions: Display gallery art for monsters, settings, items, and NPCs during campaigns
• Integration: Direct connection with official D&D Beyond character sheets and campaign tools

D&D Beyond was originally developed to complement fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons by providing online character management, rules references, and campaign tools. Publisher Wizards of the Coast continues to expand its digital offerings, and features like ‘Reveals’ are critical to maintaining D&D Beyond’s relevance and appeal as the community grows and expectations for virtual tabletop experiences evolve.