D&D 5E D&D Beyond Will Delist Two Books On May 17th

D&D Beyond will be permanently removing Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes on May 17th in favor of the upcoming Monsters of the Multiverse book, which largely compiles and updates that material.

As per the D&D Beyond FAQ for Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse:

Can I still buy Volo’s Guide to Monsters or Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes on D&D Beyond?
Starting on May 16, you can acquire the streamlined and up-to-date creatures and character race options, as well as a plethora of exciting new content, by purchasing Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. On May 17, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes will be discontinued from our digital marketplace.

If you already own these two books you will still have access to your purchases and any characters or encounters you built with them. They won’t be removed from your purchased sourcebooks. Therefore, if you want the "fluff" and tables in those two tomes in D&D Beyond, you need to purchase them soon.

This is the first time books have been wholesale delisted from the D&D Beyond Platform rather than updated (much like physical book reprints are with errata and changes).

There’s no word from WotC on whether physical books will be discontinued and be allowed to sell out.

 

[Parmandur]

okay I guess that if they rewrite the fighter to have all the 4e options that would be not a new edition... its the strangest position I have seen but by your way of thinking you are correct. but that is still not going to make the 2014 and 2024 editions compatible.

If options from 2014 will still work in 2024, or a 2024 PC can play at an otherwise 2014 table...how is that not compatible? If the math works together using the same rules system, that's compatibility.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The fact that Short Rests seem to have dissapefrom new options entirely and been replaced with a mathematically equal iption...seems more probable than not. But I expect that would be the biggest change we're looking st, if it happens.

Nah, I think it's much more likely that they will remove most reset timers from short rests, and likely make short rests less strictly defined in terms of time, keeping their HP regain and possibly some other functions.

 

[Morrus]

Please look up the definition of FULL compatibility.

Where would we find this definition?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

neither of which would mean anything to how cover works or how movement is counted when using a grid.

I mean 4e and 5e both count sq the same way... so this is mroe a 4.5 in your mind?

 

[JEB]

Everything's going to be de-listed in a couple years anyway when 6e hits. No biggie.

1) I don't think everything will be delisted in 2024. Everything from Tasha's onward is likely being designed with forward compatibility in mind, for example. I imagine certain older products that aren't a PR problem, but also aren't likely to be updated, may stick around as well (Eberron, the MTG settings, certain adventures). But a lot probably will, yes, including the 2014 core rulebooks (and possibly even the original 5E Basic Rules material).

2) It's a biggie if you're playing with 2014 edition and can no longer acquire the books on DDB or other digital tools for online play... but I suppose it was going to happen eventually.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

If options from 2014 will still work in 2024, or a 2024 PC can play at an otherwise 2014 table...how is that not compatible? If the math works together using the same rules system, that's compatibility.

if they define fighter or wizard as a whole new class.
if they take all short rest mechanics (what does this mean for HD?) (what does this mean for song of rest?)
if they take all the races in the 2014 PHB and reprint them with completely new rules... most of us will call it a new edition (5.5/6/anniversary still tbd)

that is before spell rehaul... and monster, and maybe even basic math (who knows you don't I don't...

 

[Parmandur]

Please look up the definition of FULL compatibility. I have no arguement to make, it has already been made and is correct.

Options are fully able to be used together is full compatability in any reasonable measure.

 

[Azzy]

I agree with you, which is why I called out that they claimed it would be. Though I also have two people replying to this thread insisting that it is fully compatible. So shrug

It's going to be as compatible as 1e and 2e was. There are changes, but you can mix and match to your preference. Did this a lot after 2e came out.

 

[Parmandur]

if they define fighter or wizard as a whole new class.
if they take all short rest mechanics (what does this mean for HD?) (what does this mean for song of rest?)
if they take all the races in the 2014 PHB and reprint them with completely new rules... most of us will call it a new edition (5.5/6/anniversary still tbd)

that is before spell rehaul... and monster, and maybe even basic math (who knows you don't I don't...

Oh, I totally think this is a new edition. I just don't see that as breaking full compatibility anymore than the Rules Cyclopedia was compatible with B/X and BECMI Editions.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I mean 4e and 5e both count sq the same way... so this is mroe a 4.5 in your mind?

So you're just being snarky now, not actually engaging in a discussion. Got it.