D&D (2024) 2024 Player's Handbook Reveal #1: "Everything You Need To Know!"

Each day this week, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing a new live-streamed preview video based on the upcoming Player's Handbook. The first is entitled Everything You Need To Know and you can watch it live below (or, if you missed it, you should be able to watch it from the start afterwards). The video focuses on weapon mastery and character origins.

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There will be new videos on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week, focusing on the Fighter, the Paladin, and the Barbarian, with (presumably) more in the coming weeks.

 

[darjr]

Bastions.

More loot!

 

[Parmandur]

Sounds like they walked back the freeform Background rules a bit. They're talking about them a lot more as if they were fixed packages, although ones with some choices involved. Not sure how I feel about that, or if freeform is still an official option.

I didn't get that impression at all, just that the rules to help new players have suggestions for quick builds.

 

[Parmandur]

The books are up for pre-order on Beyond, with more are and information. Interesting to note, the DMG has 15 Adventure maps that are usable on Beyond:

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@Morrus

 

[Stormonu]

Well, nice that the Moon Druid is still using actual creature stat blocks than the "generic" forms.
Not sure I really the generic blocks for Ranger's companion it sounds like they'll have, but that's always been a struggle to make that option fun and at the same time combat-relevant without being over/underpowered.

 

[LaTia J]

Kobold Stew's AMAZING summary of the premiere video

Would you mind if I brought your summary over to the DDB forums for the users there? Credited to you, of course.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Would you mind if I brought your summary over to the DDB forums for the users there? Credited to you, of course.

Please do! (include a link to bring traffic back here!)

 

[Veltharis ap Rylix]

Three more videos today, in addition to the class-centric ones throughout the week - this was mentioned by the mods in chat.

 

[mellored]

Edit: Kobold Stew did it better a first.

• PHB
• 400 spells
• 75 feats (including 1st level feats)
• Crafting rules
• Bonus action potions.
• Backgrounds have 3 stat choices, pick +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1. (In lieu of racial bonuses).
• Heroic Inspiration is a reroll any die (not advantage)
• Can't mix and match character options with 2014 options. But you can play 2014 and 2024 characters in the same campaign.
• Rules for starting at higher level. Starting at level 3 (with subclass) is encouraged for experienced parties.
• Goliath, Asimar, and Orc added.
• Monsters for wildshape, Beastmaster, familiar. (Higher level moon druid still need the MM)
• 
  
• DMG
• 5 sample adventures
• Campaign setting (Greyhawk)
• Bastions.
• Lore glossary
• Crafting magic items.
• Settlement, NPC, Bastion, Session Planner sheets.
• 
  
• MM
• 500 monsters (biggest ever)
• 75 new monsters. (mostly higher and lower CR versions for different creatures).
• Monsters also get weapons mastery (heavy crossbow bandits will push you back).

And of course everything is reorganized, rebalanced, and new art.

 

[LaTia J]

Please do! (include a link to bring traffic back here!)

Done! Huzzah for teamwork.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Sounds like they walked back the freeform Background rules a bit. They're talking about them a lot more as if they were fixed packages, although ones with some choices involved. Not sure how I feel about that, or if freeform is still an official option.

That is my sense as well.
I caught a screenshot of the Noble background, which I think gives a good idea of how they are structured.

• background gives ASI (either +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1)
• feat, skills, tool all provided (though we can hope at least there is an option for substitutions)
• choice of x gp or limited equipment.