Charlaquin
Goblin Queen (She/Her/Hers)
Well, it’s bad in the sense that it’s less likely to be an effective tactic for PCs to use now. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so, but others might.
D&D (2024) First playtest thread! One D&D Character Origins.
Not sure what you're referring too since I just finished the video and posted about 5 minutes later - I don't think my memory is that bad (yet).
Well he talks about recharge for dragons breath as a special attack. But that a bugbear with a club just shouldn't have a scary or exciting feature, just a standard 12 damage every time. Unless every monster gets a recharge/encounter ability - which could be cool.
But man, this isn't looking like my teacup the more I'm learning.
doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
Well, not really. They don’t need extensive play feedback, they need to know if the community will reject any of it out of hand, what people immediately glom onto, and what people don’t really understand at first glance.
Well, that assumes rational behavior of course.
The changes mentioned so far…don’t, IMO.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
Crawford was at pains to point out in the video that they expect people to playtestvthese Race and Vackground options with 2014 Classes and Subclasses. These are new modules in the same framework.
FitzTheRuke
Legend
The default is that you make your own background. All this means is that you have to explain how you got so strong/smart/witty/whatever without it being genetic.
CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing
Well pbbbth. I finally got a free moment at work, and decided to unpack this "ONE D&D" topic myself, before I had gotten too swept up in all of the hype and emotion. And I'm gonna have to walk back my previous post about this not being a "new edition of the game."
First, some required reading (my footnotes in orange):
So having read through all of that, slowly and carefully, with a keen eye on not just what they were saying but also how they were saying it, and what they were careful not to say, I have the following take-aways.
1. They are going to collect some feedback, and then update the 5th Edition rules. They very carefully dodge the question about whether or not it's a new edition--either because they haven't decided yet, or they don't want to make peoples' heads explode.
2. Weird statement about D&D Beyond being "the platform for your digital D&D." This isn't news; D&D Beyond has been around for ages. I wonder why they mentioned it here, in this FAQ about One D&D?
3. They mention something called "D&D Digital," and from the description they give, it reads like a VTT program like Roll20 or Foundry. Now I'm starting to understand why they mentioned D&D Beyond in point #2, above.
4. They asked themselves a yes-or-no question, and then didn't answer it. It really drives me crazy when people do that! Anyway, they will neither confirm nor deny that this is a new edition of the game. In fact they carefully avoid it altoghter, talking about "new versions," "many updates," "the next generation," and "evolution" instead.
5. They dodge and deflect the question about a 'new edition,' then go on to talk about backwards-compatibility--something that wouldn't need to be discussed at all if this wasn't a new edition. They confirm that "fifth edition adventures and supplements" will be compatible, and give a specific example with the Curse of Strahd adventure.
6. They don't say the same for the core rulebooks, though. Instead, they confirm that there will be new versions of the core rulebooks, and they are expected to be released in 2024.
7. Now they finally confirm that the rules are changing. And they will be collecting feedback on these changes in upcoming Unearthed Arcana content. It sounds like they already have some UAs written for backgrounds, races, classes, feats, and something called 'information presentation,' and there will be more to come. As for how broad these changes are going to be, they tell us that it will depend on what they hear "throughout One D&D playtests."
8. There will be monthly updates. Also, an active D&D Beyond account is required. This suggests that the materials will be distributed through DDB, and it's likely that from all of the talk about "your digital D&D" that the playtests and feedback will be managed on DDB as well.
First, some required reading (my footnotes in orange):
What is One D&D?
One D&D is the code name for the next generation of Dungeons & Dragons, bringing together three initiatives that will shape the future of the game:
Is One D&D introducing a new edition of D&D?
It’s bigger than that. [4] One D&D will usher in the next generation of D&D with new and more comprehensive versions of the core rulebooks that millions of players have enjoyed for the past decade. The rules will be backward compatible with fifth edition adventures and supplements[5, 6] and offer players and Dungeon Masters new options and opportunities for adventure. The evolution of fifth edition has shown us it’s less important to create new editions of the game and more important to grow and expand the game you love with each new product.
What does backward compatible mean?
It means that fifth edition adventures and supplements will work in One D&D.[5,6] For example, if you want to run Curse of Strahd in One D&D, that book will work with the new versions of the core rulebooks. Our goal is for you to keep enjoying the content you already have and make it even better. You’ll see this in action through the playtest materials, which you will be able to provide feedback on.
What is changing with the One D&D rules?
There will be many fundamental updates to D&D that we will collect your feedback on.[7] In the upcoming Unearthed Arcana playtest content, you’ll see proposed updates to character backgrounds, races, classes, feats, information presentation, and more. Ultimately, the answer to what will change depends on what we hear from you throughout One D&D playtests.
When will the One D&D rules be released?
The new core rulebooks are expected to be released in 2024.[6]
Where can I find out more and stay up to date on the latest One D&D news?
To keep up to date on One D&D, sign up for D&D Beyond. Then, hop into your account settings and update your email preferences to receive communications from D&D Beyond. You can expect news on One D&D roughly monthly[8].
One D&D is the code name for the next generation of Dungeons & Dragons, bringing together three initiatives that will shape the future of the game:
- D&D Rules. This takes what we love about fifth edition and updates the rules of the game to reflect the feedback we have heard from players and where the game is today.[1]
- D&D Beyond. This will be the platform for your digital D&D collection, content, and tools.[2]
- D&D Digital Play Experience. In early development, D&D Digital will offer an immersive player experience, rich creation tools for Dungeon Masters, and a connected space for DMs and players to get together and play D&D.[3]
Is One D&D introducing a new edition of D&D?
It’s bigger than that. [4] One D&D will usher in the next generation of D&D with new and more comprehensive versions of the core rulebooks that millions of players have enjoyed for the past decade. The rules will be backward compatible with fifth edition adventures and supplements[5, 6] and offer players and Dungeon Masters new options and opportunities for adventure. The evolution of fifth edition has shown us it’s less important to create new editions of the game and more important to grow and expand the game you love with each new product.
What does backward compatible mean?
It means that fifth edition adventures and supplements will work in One D&D.[5,6] For example, if you want to run Curse of Strahd in One D&D, that book will work with the new versions of the core rulebooks. Our goal is for you to keep enjoying the content you already have and make it even better. You’ll see this in action through the playtest materials, which you will be able to provide feedback on.
What is changing with the One D&D rules?
There will be many fundamental updates to D&D that we will collect your feedback on.[7] In the upcoming Unearthed Arcana playtest content, you’ll see proposed updates to character backgrounds, races, classes, feats, information presentation, and more. Ultimately, the answer to what will change depends on what we hear from you throughout One D&D playtests.
When will the One D&D rules be released?
The new core rulebooks are expected to be released in 2024.[6]
Where can I find out more and stay up to date on the latest One D&D news?
To keep up to date on One D&D, sign up for D&D Beyond. Then, hop into your account settings and update your email preferences to receive communications from D&D Beyond. You can expect news on One D&D roughly monthly[8].
So having read through all of that, slowly and carefully, with a keen eye on not just what they were saying but also how they were saying it, and what they were careful not to say, I have the following take-aways.
1. They are going to collect some feedback, and then update the 5th Edition rules. They very carefully dodge the question about whether or not it's a new edition--either because they haven't decided yet, or they don't want to make peoples' heads explode.
2. Weird statement about D&D Beyond being "the platform for your digital D&D." This isn't news; D&D Beyond has been around for ages. I wonder why they mentioned it here, in this FAQ about One D&D?
3. They mention something called "D&D Digital," and from the description they give, it reads like a VTT program like Roll20 or Foundry. Now I'm starting to understand why they mentioned D&D Beyond in point #2, above.
4. They asked themselves a yes-or-no question, and then didn't answer it. It really drives me crazy when people do that! Anyway, they will neither confirm nor deny that this is a new edition of the game. In fact they carefully avoid it altoghter, talking about "new versions," "many updates," "the next generation," and "evolution" instead.
5. They dodge and deflect the question about a 'new edition,' then go on to talk about backwards-compatibility--something that wouldn't need to be discussed at all if this wasn't a new edition. They confirm that "fifth edition adventures and supplements" will be compatible, and give a specific example with the Curse of Strahd adventure.
6. They don't say the same for the core rulebooks, though. Instead, they confirm that there will be new versions of the core rulebooks, and they are expected to be released in 2024.
7. Now they finally confirm that the rules are changing. And they will be collecting feedback on these changes in upcoming Unearthed Arcana content. It sounds like they already have some UAs written for backgrounds, races, classes, feats, and something called 'information presentation,' and there will be more to come. As for how broad these changes are going to be, they tell us that it will depend on what they hear "throughout One D&D playtests."
8. There will be monthly updates. Also, an active D&D Beyond account is required. This suggests that the materials will be distributed through DDB, and it's likely that from all of the talk about "your digital D&D" that the playtests and feedback will be managed on DDB as well.
Charlaquin
Goblin Queen (She/Her/Hers)
Presumably because it hasn’t been changed.
I feel a slight twinge of concern.
If its not set in stone (and it shouldn't be) and something significant changes due to feedback, how will this affect all five of the books being published in 2023?
Push back their development? They certainly can't be designed "feedback proof" could they?
Kurotowa
Legend
If folks would read the example flavor text for Soldier, it does actually explain it. "Eventually, you put that training to use on the battlefield, protecting the realm by waging war and studying the strategies of goblinoid generals."
You're not just a common infantry grunt, you're reading the war manuals of the great theorists. And the equivalent to Clausewitz's On War or Sun Tzu's The Art of War was written by a hobgoblin. Which you, dedicated war nerd that you are, learned to read in the original tongue.
The example Background are just that. Examples. They're not flavor neutral, they're specific examples of what a character would look like that had that package of ASI, proficiencies, and starting feat.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
They made it quite clear in the video and the document that half-eaces are gone.
Similar Threads
