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Tokens And Token Library
Tokens are lightweight map markers used to represent characters, creatures, objects, hazards, points of interest, or anything else the GM wants to place on a scene.
The Token Library stores reusable token assets so they can be used across scenes in the same campaign.
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Tokens in Local VTT are simple scene markers.
They can be used for:
- Player characters.
- NPCs.
- Monsters.
- Summoned creatures.
- Vehicles.
- Objects.
- Traps.
- Spell markers.
- Points of interest.
Tokens are not full character sheets. They do not currently include health bars, stat blocks, permissions, inventory, or rules automation.
The Token Library is a campaign-level collection of reusable token assets.
Use the Token Library to:
- Import token images.
- Search token assets.
- Sort token assets.
- Rename token assets.
- Resize the library view.
- Set default token presentation.
- Drag tokens onto the active scene.
- Add tokens directly to the active scene.
- Delete token assets with scene-usage warnings.
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To import a token image:
- Open the Token Library or Tokens layer.
- Choose the token import option.
- Select an image file.
- Adjust the crop if prompted.
- Confirm the import.
When a token image is imported, Local VTT creates a square token-ready image from the selected crop and stores that campaign-owned image in assets/tokens/.
The cropped token-ready image is the canonical token library asset. Local VTT does not need to keep the original oversized source image in the campaign folder after the crop is confirmed.
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When importing a non-square image, Local VTT lets you adjust the crop framing before adding the token.
Use the crop dialog to:
- Center the character or creature.
- Remove unwanted transparent or empty space.
- Focus on a portrait, face, or full-body figure.
- Make the token thumbnail easier to recognize.
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There are two common ways to add a token to a scene.
To drag from the Token Library:
- Open the Token Library.
- Find the token asset.
- Drag it onto the map.
- Release it where you want the token placed.
To add from the library controls:
- Select the token asset.
- Choose the add option.
- Position or adjust the token in the scene.
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Tokens placed on a scene appear as sub-layers under the Tokens layer.
Token sub-layers can be used to:
- Select a token.
- Rename a token.
- Reorder tokens.
- Duplicate tokens.
- Toggle GM visibility.
- Toggle Player View visibility.
- Delete tokens.
- Open token presentation settings.
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Tokens can be selected directly on the GM canvas.
After selecting a token, you can move it by dragging.
In square and hex scenes, token movement can snap to the grid when appropriate. In gridless scenes, movement remains freeform.
Hold Shift while dragging to add movement waypoints.
Waypoints are useful when a token moves around corners, follows a path, or avoids obstacles.
Token movement paths can show:
- The route taken.
- Crossed squares or hexes.
- Total movement distance.
- Waypoints.
If the token is visible to players, Player View can animate the token along the waypoint route.
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When a player-visible token moves, Local VTT can animate that movement in Player View.
This helps players understand where a creature or character moved instead of seeing the token suddenly jump to a new location.
Player View movement respects the route created by the GM, including waypoints.
Each token can have different GM and Player View visibility.
Use token visibility settings to:
- Hide enemies before they are revealed.
- Keep traps or secret markers GM-only.
- Show player characters to everyone.
- Hide tokens that are outside revealed fog areas.
- Prepare a scene without exposing everything to players.
If a token is not visible in Player View, check:
- The token's Player View visibility.
- The Tokens layer visibility.
- Fog of war.
- Whether the token is inside a revealed area.
Fog of war can affect whether players see tokens.
In partially hidden or fully hidden fog modes, player-visible tokens appear only where a player-visible reveal shape overlaps them.
This prevents hidden enemies or objects from appearing through unexplored fog.
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Token presentation settings control how a token looks on the map.
Settings may include:
- Size preset.
- Mask shape.
- Border style.
- Border width.
- Border color.
- Glow color.
- Footprint highlight.
- Player View presentation options.
Use presentation settings to distinguish different token types, factions, conditions, or visibility states.
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Token Library assets can have default presentation settings.
Defaults are useful when you want a token asset to appear consistently every time it is added to a scene.
For example:
- Player character tokens might use a bright border.
- Monster tokens might use a darker border.
- Important NPCs might use a glow.
- Large creatures might use a larger size preset.
Tokens can have conditions assigned from their context menu.
Conditions can be used to represent states such as:
- Poisoned.
- Stunned.
- Prone.
- Invisible.
- Blessed.
- Cursed.
- Concentrating.
- Burning.
- Frozen.
Condition indicators can be GM-only or visible in Player View.
When visible, conditions appear as rotating ring indicators around the token.
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Right-click a token to open token-specific actions.
Common token actions include:
- Rename.
- Duplicate.
- Delete.
- Change visibility.
- Open presentation settings.
- Assign conditions.
- Add to turn order, when available.
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Token order affects how tokens are stacked visually when they overlap.
Use the Tokens layer list to reorder tokens when:
- One token should appear above another.
- A large creature overlaps smaller tokens.
- A marker should stay visible.
- Multiple tokens occupy nearby positions.
Duplicate tokens when you need several similar markers.
This is useful for:
- Groups of enemies.
- Summoned creatures.
- Environmental hazards.
- Repeated objects.
- Alternate token states.
After duplicating, rename or adjust each token as needed.
Deleting a token removes it from the active scene.
Deleting a scene token does not necessarily delete the original Token Library asset.
Deleting a Token Library asset may warn you if that asset is used by existing scene tokens.
Good Token Library habits include:
- Use clear names.
- Delete unused test imports.
- Set defaults for frequently used tokens.
- Use search for large libraries.
- Keep player character tokens easy to find.
- Avoid importing multiple copies of the same image unless needed.
If a token does not appear on the map:
- Confirm the token was added to the active scene.
- Check whether the Tokens layer is visible.
- Check whether the token is hidden.
- Check whether fog of war is hiding it from Player View.
If a token image is missing:
- Confirm the campaign folder still contains the image in
assets/tokens/. - Restore the missing asset from a full campaign backup if needed.
- Avoid renaming or deleting token image files outside Local VTT.
If token movement does not look right:
- Check the scene grid mode.
- Check measurement settings.
- Confirm snapping behavior.
- Use waypoints for non-straight movement.
Before play, confirm:
- Player character tokens are imported.
- Common monster or NPC tokens are available.
- Token defaults look good.
- Hidden enemies are Player View-hidden.
- Visible player tokens appear correctly in Player View.
- Token movement and snapping behave as expected.
- Important tokens are named clearly.
- The scene has been saved.