It seems that is not needed; the adjustments within the 2024 PHB are very simple to select up for anybody who has used the 2014 PHB. Whereas there are adjustments I am going to clarify total, it truly is a reorganization and refinement moderately than a new version (although in the event you put six folks in a room discussing that time, you may find yourself with seven totally different opinions).
However at its core, it is nonetheless 5E with the identical mechanics, together with Benefit/Drawback. Quite a lot of materials is rearranged and given further assist to make issues simple to seek out, perceive, and study. Courses are tweaked, however are largely the identical ,,, apart from the Ranger, which received a brand new construct. The largest change is to characters’ backgrounds and species, and the way these adjustments have an effect on potential scores (extra on that later). However a lot of the adjustments are largely a reorganization that I feel will probably be higher acquired as extra gaming teams get conversant in the e-book.
Earlier than I dive in, listed below are just a few caveats.
- I am unable to touch upon the whole lot. If I did, the overview can be greater than the precise e-book
- No PHB is ideal, particularly its first printing. Tweaks at all times occur and I’ve already seen that D&D Past has begun posting errata to appropriate poor phrasing and glitches.
- For many RPGs, the entire recreation may be evaluated by one core e-book, even when it has a separate bestiary. With D&D, we get the PHB first, then the Dungeon Grasp’s Information after which the Monster Guide, which makes them difficult to overview as a result of content material from all three interrelate.
So reviewing the brand new PHB is totally different from reviewing a typical journey e-book or growth. With that in thoughts, let’s dive in.
Getting Began
Let’s begin with some fundamentals. At 384 pages, this PHB is about 70 pages bigger than the 2014 e-book. It has 12 courses (after all), 48 subclasses (so every class will get two subclasses), 16 backgrounds, 10 species, 75 feats, 391 spells, and 211 mundane objects (as a result of Magic Objects stay within the DMG).
One of many additions to the 2024 PHB is a vital however apparent miss from the earlier model: play the sport BEFORE educating them create characters. Positive, the 2014 PHB has a “Methods to Play” part within the Introduction part however it’s simply a few pages. The brand new one has greater than 20 pages explaining cube rolls, expertise, fight, potential checks, and so on. in addition to the function of creativeness and collaborative storytelling.
As somebody who has taught numerous folks play D&D by means of the D&D Adventurers League and personal video games, I extremely endorse this alteration. They saved the reason of play moderately tight, but clear. It actually helps if new gamers perceive how issues work earlier than they really begin creating that character. I additionally like this addition as a result of it places the foundations upfront and straightforward to seek out as a substitute of in the midst of the e-book. That is going to avoid wasting time when enjoying.
In each dialogue in regards to the improvement of the 2024 e-book, Jeremy Crawford talked about attempting to make the onboarding course of for brand new gamers simpler. This easy change of placing the play data upfront, which additionally makes life simpler for established gamers who have to test a rule, is a superb begin towards that aim.
One other factor I like is that it places a key piece of recreation recommendation early within the e-book, on web page 4, particularly:
“There’s no successful and shedding in D&D, no less than not the best way these phrases are normally understood. Collectively you and associates create an thrilling story of adventurers who confront perils. Typically an adventurer may come to a tragic finish. Even so, the opposite adventurers can seek for highly effective magic to revive their fallen comrade, or the character’s participant may create a brand new character to hold on. It doesn’t matter what occurs, if everybody has time and creates a memorable story, all of them win.”
That is recommendation new gamers completely want. It does not damage to remind some established gamers of that, too.
The e-book additionally accommodates homages and Easter eggs to beloved characters from D&D’s previous. Most are characters from previous D&D modules, like Raistlin, Kitiara, and Caramon from Dragonlance in addition to the characters from the Nineteen Eighties Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.
Character Creation
The character creation part begins by suggesting that the participant speak to the DM about the kind of marketing campaign they’re operating. That is good, as a result of if a participant’s first thought is a darkish and broody character with a violent previous, it won’t match into into a lightweight journey that is considerably comedic and vice versa. A sidebar explains and recommends a Session Zero, too.
A brief desk jogs my memory a little bit of the “Play a [whatever] in the event you like…” sections within the Younger Adventurers Guides, although rather more simplified. Nonetheless, it provides a participant new to sure courses helpful data to get began, corresponding to itemizing the first potential for that class and its complexity to play. Seeing “Clerics like gods” and “Barbarians like battle” made me smile.
That chart is a part of the overall overview of character creation that lays out the method step-by-step. Then it presents the entire choices and selections for every step. It even lists “select a personality sheet” throughout the prep step, together with speaking to your GM. It explains {that a} character sheet may be something from a clean piece of paper to a digital character sheet like these in D&D Past. A two-page sheet that may be photocopied follows.
The brand new PHB’s character creation part differs from the older model by deciding in your class first, whereas the 2014 started with selecting your race. This reversal is smart, as deciding what your character does in a marketing campaign is an important step.
The entire traditional 12 courses are detailed and standardized. Sadly, there are just a few locations the place logic did not serve the standardization. For instance, each class will get a subclass at degree 3. That is tremendous. Nonetheless, combining that with the outline of Pact Magic, which Warlocks get at degree 1 might simply be interpreted as and even strongly implied that Warlocks don’t have any clue as to whom their patron is even in broad strokes till degree 3. Look, not figuring out the patron’s title even at degree 3 is ok, particularly if the participant and DM agree that they wish to emphasize the thriller however writing that “…you might have fashioned a pact with a mysterious entity to realize magical powers. The entity is a voice within the shadows—its id unclear. …” implies that the participant does not even know the kind of patron. Once more, if the participant and DM desires to go that route, tremendous, however it might be equally legitimate for a degree 1 warlock to comprehend their patron is an archfey, celestial, fiend or Nice Outdated One with out having any clue as to which one it’s.
One factor I undoubtedly like is that there are loads of selections that enable a participant to nudge their character class to suit its idea, particularly for the hybrid courses, by leaning towards preventing or magic as fits them.
The Troublesome Ranger, Once more
Jeremy Crawford mentioned the 2024 ranger “is mainly a model new class.” This does not shock me as a result of it received essentially the most complaints within the 2014 PHB. What does shock me is the adjustments they’ve made.
In 2014 the very first thing the Ranger entry says is that the Ranger has two major expressions – the Beast Grasp and the Hunter. The 2024 Ranger emphasizes that its title comes from the truth that it roams or ranges throughout within the wild and is superior in monitoring quarry.
- At 1st degree, the Ranger now will get spellcasting at first degree, together with Weapon Mastery. Favored Enemy was reworked in order that the Hunter’s Mark spell is prepped on a regular basis and a participant can forged it two instances a day totally free so it does not take up spell slots. Expended makes use of of the free Hunters Mark slots are refreshed with a Lengthy Relaxation. Deft Explorer as a brand new characteristic (reworked from Tasha’s). You additionally get experience in a ability of your alternative and two extra languages. That is cool as a result of rangers aren’t simply fighters from the wilderness. They journey, so choosing up further languages is smart.
- At 2nd degree, Rangers get a preventing type, and as a substitute of taking a feat, they’ll select Druidic Warrior. This enables a Ranger to take two Druid cantrips and deal with them as Ranger cantrips with Knowledge as their spellcasting potential. Degree two additionally grants the Deft Explorer class characteristic and was reworked from the model in Tasha’s Cauldron of Every little thing. Resulting from their travels, the Ranger will get two further languages and might get Experience for any ability proficiency that does not at the moment have Experience.
- At third degree, Rangers get a subclass like all the opposite courses, with the alternatives being Beast Grasp, Fey Wanderer, Gloom Stalker, and Hunter.
- At 4th degree, you possibly can enhance a capability rating and once more each 4 ranges after that. At fifth degree, they get an additional assault.
- Roving at sixth degree boosts velocity by 10 toes as long as they don’t seem to be sporting heavy armor. They get a climb velocity and swim velocity equal to their common velocity.
- At tenth degree they get the characteristic Tireless, which may give them momentary hit factors as many instances a day as their Knowledge modifier. In addition they get the always-on potential to lower any exhaustion they might be carrying by one degree after a Quick Relaxation.
- At thirteenth degree the category characteristic Relentless Hunter implies that taking injury does not break focus on the Hunter’s Mark spell. I do not love that, however no less than it solely occurs at a excessive degree so it isn’t widespread.
There’s extra to the brand new Ranger, however that mix of long-established class options and new ones, plus with the ability to forged spells straight away, gives loads of flexibility for my part. Sadly, Rangers lose Innate Sense of Route, which is foolish for my part. It suits nicely with nonetheless a participant’s Ranger is envisioned, however might have been included as an possibility, too. Solely time will inform if gamers prefer it (or prefer it higher than deserted play take a look at choices), however I feel it is an enchancment over the 2014 model.
Backgrounds and Species
“Races” at the moment are known as “Species,” and skill modifiers are longer be tied to the character’s Species. As a substitute, potential modifiers are tied to Backgrounds. Every Background lists three potential scores. The participant will get to extend one by 2 factors and a second potential by 1 level or improve all three by one level, however no potential rating can exceed 20. I like this lots. Need to play a bookish orc? You’ll be able to. Need to play brawny or stronger-than-they-look elf, you are able to do it. You additionally get a Feat, two Talent Proficiencies, Software Proficiencies, and a bundle of kit, or 50 GP to purchase by yourself.
Species determines creature sort. Those listed within the 2024 PHB are all sort Humanoid however playable non-Humanoid species have been allowed in different D&D books. Species additionally decide measurement, velocity, and any particular traits.
The 2014 PHB solely had 13 Backgrounds. The model has 16, which is nice, however no information on associated bonds, flaws, and beliefs. That is perhaps a casualty of phrase rely since they’ve talked about having to chop issues in each the PHB and DMG regardless of the elevated web page counts, however I hate the influence on role-playing. Then once more, you possibly can at all times use those within the PHB or make your personal.
The brand new PHB has 10 Species – Aasimar, Dragonborn, Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Goliath, Halfling, Human, Orc, and Tiefling. Need a background or Species from the 2014 e-book. A sidebar gives directions on adapt them to suit with the 2024 pointers.
I am thrilled to lastly have Aasimar as a typical possibility. In my view, they need to have been added similtaneously Tieflings for a mix of recreation stability and narrative coherency since their origins are tied to reverse planes.
What I do not like is that every Species description is mild on particulars about their cultures, however I’ve a choice for lore and world-building data. I think we’d get expanded descriptions within the 2025 Forgotten Realms’ Participant’s Information together with the already introduced further subclasses and backgrounds.
I proceed to be dissatisfied that Dragonborn haven’t got gem dragon choices in a PHB. In any case, Goliaths get to select from the entire large varieties. What’s fallacious with including just a few extra choices for Dragonborn?
Gearing Up
I very very like that every gear merchandise has a quick description that features how it may be helpful or present some type of increase or bonus to a sure sort of ability or motion. For instance, the entry for a Bedroll says that whereas in a single, you routinely succeed on saves towards excessive chilly. I like that lots … besides the entry for fragrance.
The fragrance entry says that for one hour after placing it on, the wearer has benefit on Charisma (Persuasion) checks. Perhaps I’ve simply seen an excessive amount of abuse of Appeal spells and Persuasion checks, however no less than it is simply Benefit so it isn’t a assured success. That mentioned, I am shocked they did not embody a word that inside 1 hour of donning fragrance a personality who’s attempting to cover could possibly be simpler to seek out. They might get Drawback on their Stealth checks. Could possibly be an attention-grabbing home rule.
They saved the trinket desk, which can make many gamers I do know comfortable. It is a straightforward option to inject some quirkiness into a personality’s background or habits. The desk itself is identical as earlier than, although some entries are reworded barely for readability.
Different Miscellanoues Observations
I might simply do a deep dive into the adjustments to feats, spells, and so on. however as I discussed earlier that may make this overview longer than the precise e-book. Here is just a few issues that caught my consideration:
- I miss the part on deities, although when you have the 2014 PHB, you are lined. Perhaps one other model of it is going to be within the 2024 DMG? It has its personal cosmology part.
- Non secular weapon now requires focus. But some Ranger spells not have focus.
- The D&D Past model of the e-book does not have an index, which is annoying. Whereas loads of phrases are cross listed, it might be good to have the ability to discover one thing by skipping to the again, discover its index entry, and go straight to the best part, particularly since search could be a bit wonky.
- I sort of like Weapon Mastery and actually like that nice swords get the Graze characteristic, permitting them to attract blood even on a miss. Nonetheless, one of many play take a look at variations of Weapon Mastery was a lot better so I am dissatisfied we did not get that model.
However the greatest query is – does this model of the PHB have the backwards-compatibility Wizards promised?
Is it Appropriate?
Sure. Sidebars clarify adapt data from earlier books to work with the backward-compatibility books. In testing some quick eventualities with a blended group of characters made with the 2014 and 2024 PHBs, with the 2014 variations tailored accordingly, it labored simply tremendous. Now, I am unable to promise that each doable permutation of crossing the 2 units of fabric will probably be hiccup-free as a result of my take a look at was only a sampling, however it nonetheless appears very promising.
The sidebars, mixed with the truth that a lot of the adjustments are simply shifting issues round (Wizards had already launched the choice of inserting potential modifiers the place you needed as a substitute of tying them to Species) is why I’d not name the 2024 books a “5.5 version.” The adjustments have far much less of a mechanical influence than the change from 3.0 to three.5 did. For the final two years I have been saying it might be nearer to a 5.25 however now I would not even name it that. Perhaps a 5.1? “Superior 5E” does not work as a result of it is not likely superior; simply reorganized, optimized, and given extra choices.
And loads of the reorganization is geared to make D&D simpler to study, which is unquestionably a plus. The 2024 PHB additionally provides readers many examples of play in addition to saying that it is completely tremendous to study whereas watching different play. It equally says to not evaluate your self to these gamers. Simply loosen up and have enjoyable.
Ought to You Purchase It?
I have been eagerly awaiting this e-book. On the similar time, I used to be frightened they’d change what I like about 5E as a result of that is a traditional concern. My fears have been unfounded. That is nonetheless 5E in each method that is vital, and I really feel assured that I can nonetheless use the 2024 PHB with all of my 5E adventures and sourcebooks.
I additionally actually just like the Species change and rearranging the place and the way potential modifiers are added. Something that gives extra choices to create extra attention-grabbing characters is an enchancment for my part. I’ve sucked it up previously when the Species potential modifiers have been counter to my character idea, however I am glad it does not should be that method anymore.
I like the Guidelines Glossary, however am dissatisfied the digital model does not have the index the bodily e-book does. I like that it moved what folks have to know to play to the entrance of the e-book, earlier than character creation.
All in all, it is clear that Wizards put loads of thought into make the PHB higher. In addition they listened to the playtest suggestions, although a few of my favourite choices did not get a powerful sufficient response to make the minimize.
Total, I would give the 2024 PHB a stable B. There are simply sufficient quibbles to maintain it from being an A, however it’s evolution in D&D Participant’s Handbooks. I think among the adjustments, like educating the sport earlier than character creation, will stick as a result of they’re simply plain logical.
Nonetheless, in the event you’re within the “I refuse to purchase one other PHB” camp, you do not have to. And the non-lore materials within the new PHB goes to be added to the SRD, although we do not have a date for that but. So wherever you fall on the necessity for a brand new PHB, you need to be lined.
