D&D (2024) The impending mess that will be backwards compatibility

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I can see that they're trying to make everyone happy, but it's going to lead to a lot of frustration and confusion.

Their primary goal is to make new players not upset. This is the biggest pool of D&D players in the game's history, most of whom have never been through an edition changeover, many of whom don't even know about the edition changeovers of the past.

WotC doesn't want to give them a reason (another reason, that is, post-OGL fiasco) to check out Pathfinder 2 or Dungeon World or Elden Ring.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANY NEW BOOKS (even though we bet you'll want to)" is about keeping everyone from running to the lifeboats.

 

[Krachek]

Some month after the official release there will be numerous online guide to manage all of that. All broken and safe cross over will be detailed and evaluated. A gold mine for utubers!

 

[mamba]

I mean, they want you to for now. Eventually, they will release Elminster's Guide to Everything not in the PHB, but for now they want you to know you can still use Tasha and Xanathar with your 2024 PHB (please buy the gift set).

No idea how well that will be working though, probaby still ok for now as it is far enough out, but once 1DD is close or even out.... I guess we will see

 

[Vael]

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANY NEW BOOKS (even though we bet you'll want to)" is about keeping everyone from running to the lifeboats.

That and "please buy the books coming out this year".

I've still met some players looking to get into DnD and suggested that they not shell out for core books until the 2024 set comes out.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I believe you misunderstood what I was saying. You can use a 2014 / 5e char alongside a 2024 / 1DD char, but you cannot use a 5e subclass in a 1DD class and vice versa


Who said it is the same, all I said they fall in the same range as 5e does. They are selling improved / streamlined classes and other changes

They are selling different versions of the same classes. Whether or not they are "improved & streamlined" is up to the individual.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I don't see this as any worse than using Black Flag or adding any 3pp content.

I would honestly consider any 1DD content if I thought it was useful, but it would definitely be added in like 3pp.

 

[mamba]

They are selling different versions of the same classes. Whether or not they are "improved & streamlined" is up to the individual.

that is why I wrote 'improved / streamlined' and not 'improved & streamlined' The streamlined part imo is clear, the improved part is in the eye of the beholder

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think if you choose the 2014 classes, you are stuck with the 2014 feats and backgrounds. Likely only weapons, spells, and items will be interchangeable on the PC side as those are leveled or categorized.

I'm pretty sure WotC doesn't want anyone feeling "stuck" with anything. All this stuff is going to be up to individual tables.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Backwards compatibility means they use the same rules base. That’s all. They work together. It doesn’t mean that all choices will remain optimal choices, just that they are choices which mechanically interact with the game correctly.

A dragon and a goblin are compatible with 5E. Doesn’t mean they’re the same as each other.

But what about a 5e goblin and a 1dd goblin?

 

[mamba]

But what about a 5e goblin and a 1dd goblin?

they are compatible with the both 5e and 1DD, that is the whole point of keeping 1DD compatible