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]

What else are you expecting—the anniversary edition to be exactly the same? Because that was never in the cards. Races are going to have floating ASIs, short rest abilities are getting moved to PB per long rest, backgrounds will give feats at 1st level, some classes (likely ranger, monk, and fighter), spells, feats, etc. are getting revised. It's going to be like the change from 1e to 2e (though likely less to the engine).

Maybe less than that: more like B/X > BECMI > Rules Cyclopedia. Three editions there, after all.

 

[Parmandur]

yes I see different people use that word differently

so forget compatible...

the 2014 book is dead. The 2024 book will be the new normal (of course some groups wont update but like every edition that will lead to diminishing groups. but that 2024 book that will not have 2014 stuff in it will be 'compatible' just not useable.

Sure, and? It's a new edition of the game. They don't have to include all the possibilities, but if it works still, it works still.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

yes I see different people use that word differently

so forget compatible...

the 2014 book is dead. The 2024 book will be the new normal (of course some groups wont update but like every edition that will lead to diminishing groups. but that 2024 book that will not have 2014 stuff in it will be 'compatible' just not useable.

The stuff in the 2014 PHB will be useable with stuff from the 2024 one. That’s all compatible means

 

[GMforPowergamers]

The stuff in the 2014 PHB will be useable with stuff from the 2024 one. That’s all compatible means

i bet it wont

 

[MonsterEnvy]

i bet it wont

Elaborate. I am pretty sure despite that there will be a new version of the Monk in the new book, it would not break the game or contradict any rules for me to use a elf monk from the old one in a game.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I mean add more NPC stat blocks.

I know what you mean. I don't think that's going to happen, at least in the 2024 reboot.

 

[Parmandur]

i bet it wont

Why? We've seen much of it already, Tasha's and Monsters of the Multiverse is still fully compatible.

 

[Urriak Uruk]

Is there actually a quote somewhere that elaborates what the D&D team was thinking about for the new revised rules? I can't even remember where it was first mentioned.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I know what you mean. I don't think that's going to happen, at least in the 2024 reboot.

So you think they will just take things away and not add anything?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Is there actually a quote somewhere that elaborates what the D&D team was thinking about for the new revised rules? I can't even remember where it was first mentioned.

That it would be revised and be compatible with the old books so their content could still be used.