D&D (2024) So Will 'OneD&D' (6E) Actually Be Backwards Compatible?

[Dire Bare]

Wow . . . already 10 pages in! Hopefully I'm not repeating already discussed points too much.

We of course . . . won't know until we're much closer to release. But everything so far points to One D&D being backwards compatible. It's the stated goal, and so far all the playtest material has been. I would be surprised if it wasn't, but I'm not going to worry about it until the books are being previewed next year.

Some folks disagree that the playtest material has been compatible with existing 5E content . . . and I just don't understand that point of view. People draw their lines in different places . . . .

 

[Parmandur]

Honestly, I feel like it's a weird Internet thing when I hear about people that don't use feats. I've never played at a table that didn't use feats; I'm never even played at a table where "Do we use feats?" was a question that was asked, it was simply assumed.

I mean, anecdote versus anecdote doesn't get us very far: the data we have suggests that upwards of 2/3 of tables on d&D Beyond don't use Feats (including the majority if Humans being standard Human, even for paid subscribers), and WotC has said that is the case in their data as well. So, as written for 2014, all indications are that Feats are a minority report experience. Hence why they are rebuilding that system.

This is true but I'd also say a lot of the tables I've played at "used Feats" but no PCs had Feats, not because they didn't want them, but because they couldn't justify them when ASIs were available.

There was one game where my brother-in-law as DM made a big deal about allowing Feats, but I was the only one even somewhat interested in taking him up...then I rolled all odd numbers for Abilities, and normal Human was too attractive.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yes, they don’t need a new edition. That is why they are saying to is not a new edition. They have been clear that is their intent. What the want is more money. They can do that with the same sales growth they have had by guiding people to DDB and the eventual VTT.

They don't want to call it a new edition but, compatible or not, that's what they're making as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Maxperson]

I agree though I think Max pointed out one serious issue there - Feats. I think we will probably have some issues with those. I suspect we'll have to only use 1D&D Feats.

And spells. If things are backwards compatible then I can use a 2024 cleric with 2014 spells and keep my spiritual hammer the same as it is now.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

And spells. If things are backwards compatible then I can use a 2024 cleric with 2014 spells and keep my spiritual hammer the same as it is now.

Well, no.

Not unless your DM says you can. Being compatible doesn't mean "Player's Choice". It never has done. 1E and 2E were "compatible", but that didn't mean I could just say "I'm going to use the 1E version of this spell, actually!".

 

[Loren the GM]

The simplest way for WotC to prove compatibility is to patch 5e 2014 with a final errata. I could see any MAJOR changes or areas where not wanting two versions of something (Feats and spells, for instance) getting revised in downloadable errata, bringing the systems more in line. I doubt it would ever be printed, as they would stop doing print runs of 5e 2014, but the books on DND Beyond would update to reflect the revisions. This would be a simple way to keep the systems in line on any areas that have sweeping changes, while at the same time leaving plenty of room to need to buy 1DND for the fully revised experience in print.

For those with purchased books, errata already exists that revises things and puts your printed version out of date. This would just be a product end of life final errata that creates as much parity as possible, and all new revisions would happen with 1DND.

 

[Maxperson]

Well, no.

Not unless your DM says you can. Being compatible doesn't mean "Player's Choice". It never has done. 1E and 2E were "compatible", but that didn't mean I could just say "I'm going to use the 1E version of this spell, actually!".

So if I pick a 2014 character, no 2024 rules apply to me?

 

[Ruin Explorer]

So if I pick a 2014 character, no 2024 rules apply to me?

Whatever the rules the DM says apply to you, apply to you. I'm not sure what kind of shenanigans you're expecting to get away with here lol.

My expectation is that most tables will do it like this:

1) General rules - all from 1D&D (grappling, skill DCs, etc. etc.).

2) Class/subclass-specific rules - all from either 5E or 1D&D as appropriate to the version of the class. As a DM I would not personally let people "cross the streams" and take a 1D&D subclass with a 5E class or vice-versa, or not without checking it carefully.

3) Spells - Depends on the DM but I expect most DMs will just use "all from 1D&D" except where spells aren't present in 1D&D.

 

[Loren the GM]

Whatever the rules the DM says apply to you, apply to you. I'm not sure what kind of shenanigans you're expecting to get away with here lol.

My expectation is that most tables will do it like this:

1) General rules - all from 1D&D (grappling, skill DCs, etc. etc.).

2) Class/subclass-specific rules - all from either 5E or 1D&D as appropriate to the version of the class. As a DM I would not personally let people "cross the streams" and take a 1D&D subclass with a 5E class or vice-versa, or not without checking it carefully.

3) Spells - Depends on the DM but I expect most DMs will just use "all from 1D&D" except where spells aren't present in 1D&D.

Yep, that's how I would handle it at my table, unless WotC gave specific guidelines in 1DND for cross-stream character building.

 

[Maxperson]

Whatever the rules the DM says apply to you, apply to you. I'm not sure what kind of shenanigans you're expecting to get away with here lol.

My expectation is that most tables will do it like this:

1) General rules - all from 1D&D (grappling, skill DCs, etc. etc.).

2) Class/subclass-specific rules - all from either 5E or 1D&D as appropriate to the version of the class. As a DM I would not personally let people "cross the streams" and take a 1D&D subclass with a 5E class or vice-versa, or not without checking it carefully.

3) Spells - Depends on the DM but I expect most DMs will just use "all from 1D&D" except where spells aren't present in 1D&D.

That seems reasonable, but number 3 sort of ruins the idea people are putting forward in this thread that improved 5.5e classes are balanced by nerfed 5.5e spells. If the 5e cleric has to use the nerfed spiritual hammer and other nerfed cleric spells, then they are going to be weaker than the 5.5e cleric in the group.