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

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

5e is officially just Dungeons and Dragons. 1D&D is the codename for the initiative to revise the current rules. It's only when promising that 1D&D will still be 5e that WotC accepted defeat that 5e was D&D 5e and not the only D&D.

1D&D is the code name for the collection of ways to play D&D: table, digital, and 3D VTT

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Then we're gonna need another label. Even if they're compatible, 1D&D and 5e look to be different enough that they won't play quite the same. So we need labels to differentiate them so that it's clear which game we're talking about.

We run the playtest classes with the 2014 classes with no issue and no need to differentiate them. Not sure why that would change in 2024

 

[James Gasik]

I like "D&D 5e: New and Improved Flavor Edition". I was going to go with "New 5e", but I figured people might not get the joke:

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

We run the playtest classes with the 2014 classes with no issue and no need to differentiate them. Not sure why that would change in 2024

Interesting. As a DM, would do you handle "Can I wildshape into to an condor?" from the Druid player?

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I still can't help but wonder if there will be a signature feature that will be available to every class group is defined by having access to "blank." From the first UA, we know they plan to use Class Groups to determine what items you can "attune" to or which feats you can access. But it's starting to look like there will be signature ability as well.

Experts: "Expertise"
Priests: "Channel X"

If correct, that's why Paladins are considered "Priests," and Rangers and Bards are "Experts."

So far, we can only speculate on what the signature feature of the other class groups might be. However, they haven't used access to "spells" to differentiate the groups so far (otherwise Bards would be "Mages," and Rangers would be "Priests"), so I wonder if they've come up with a signature feature for both of the other 2 "class groups" as well.

I guess we'll find out in a couple weeks, but does anyone want to speculate wildly before then?

I think they will, though I do have a handle on what those mechanics might be. My guess is it will be some kind of Arcane Recovery type thing. A ribbon element and spell slots for the wizard, metamagic for the sorcerer, not sure about the warlock. I would not be surprised if the warlock gets the biggest rework.
For the fighters it will be something that synergises with the mastery feature on weapons.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Interesting. As a DM, would do you handle "Can I wildshape into to a condor?" from the Druid player?

I’m not a DM, but I can ask my DM. However, I can tell you we don’t have a Druid in our group anymore.

 

[dave2008]

Interesting. As a DM, would do you handle "Can I wildshape into to an condor?" from the Druid player?

I don't mean to answer for Uni, but as a DM this seems like an easy question; however, I am not sure of the circumstances you are trying to replicate. I am going to assume you are asking if we have two druids and one is playtest and one is 2014?

For the 2014 Druid: no, if before level 8; yes, if level 8 or after
For the playtest Druid: no, if before level 9; yes, if level 9 or after

Note: technically "condor" is not an option as there is no stat block for one, but I would re-fluff an "eagle" or the "animal of the sky" as a condor.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

I don't mean to answer for Uni, but as a DM this seems like an easy question; however, I am not sure of the circumstances you are trying to replicate. I am going to assume you are asking if we have two druids and one is playtest and one is 2014?

For the 2014 Druid: no, if before level 8; yes, if level 8 or after
For the playtest Druid: no, if before level 9; yes, if level 9 or after

Note: technically "condor" is not an option as there is no stat block for one, but I would re-fluff an "eagle" or the "animal of the sky" as a condor.

You wouldn’t even really need to refluff anything. A condor is the common name for new world vultures, so you can use the vulture or giant vulture stat blocks from the Monster manual for the 2014 Druid.

 

[dave2008]

You wouldn’t even really need to refluff anything. A condor is the common name for new world vultures, so you can use the vulture or giant vulture stat blocks from the Monster manual for the 2014 Druid.

Eagle was the first thing I found when I noticed no condor, but yes, vulture would be a better fit.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I don't mean to answer for Uni, but as a DM this seems like an easy question; however, I am not sure of the circumstances you are trying to replicate. I am going to assume you are asking if we have two druids and one is playtest and one is 2014?

For the 2014 Druid: no, if before level 8; yes, if level 8 or after
For the playtest Druid: no, if before level 9; yes, if level 9 or after

Indeed! My point is the DM needs to know which druid class the player is playing before he can answer the question. Simply "Druid" doesn't provide enough information.

For the 2014 druid, the DM may also need to rule if the druid PC has ever seen a condor or equivalent bird before, so this isn't a question the players can neccesarily answer themselves.