D&D (2024) How D&D Beyond Will Handle Access To 2014 Rules

D&D Beyond has announced how the transition to the new 2024 edition will work on the platform, and how legacy access to the 2014 version of D&D will be implemented.

• You will still be able to access the 2014 Basic Rules and core rulebooks.
• You will still be able to make characters using the 2014 Player's Handbook.
• Existing home-brew content will not be impacted.
• These 2014 rules will be accessible and will be marked with a 'legacy' badge: classes, subclasses, species, backgrounds, feats, monsters.
• Tooltips will reflect the 2024 rules.
• Monster stat blocks will be updated to 2024.
• There will be terminology changes (Heroic Inspiration, Species, etc.)

D&D (2024) - Wizards of the Coast Backtracks on D&D Beyond and 2014 Content

Wizards of the Coast posted an overnight update stating that they are not going forward with previously released plans to require those wishing to use some 2014 content on D&D Beyond to use the Homebrew function to manually enter it. Instead, all the content including spells and magic items will...

www.enworld.org

 

[Burnside]

Initially, you might be right. But I do not see any chance of WotC not adding the 2024 Basic Rules for free once they get released with the SRD. So no, it's not a MEGA LOSS, it's a waiting period of up to 1 year at worst.

I actually think that they will now support 2014 free Basic Rules, and - when and if a 2024 SRD comes out - they'll support that as well.

The reason I think this is that Roll20 will definitely support both, and if DNDBeyond's VTTs (both Maps and Project Sigil) don't, then that's an obvious way that Roll20 will be a superior VTT. And WotC really wants everyone to use the DNDBeyond VTTs.

Again, I'm not holding my breath on an updated SRD though. I think that's another thing that will be delayed and delayed until it comes only in response to a wide-scale public outcry not unlike this one.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

But I do not see any chance of WotC not adding the 2024 Basic Rules for free once they get released with the SRD.

Wellllllllllll, it is WotC, so I think there is like at least 30% chance that they release the 2024 SRD, but not 2024 Basic Rules. They're just the masters of totally unforced, easy-to-foresee errors!

It would just make them look dim and someone would immediately (and I do mean like, the same day!) create a Basic Rules PDF based on the SRD, but they might manage it.

I expect the embarrassment would cause them to put together an official one in short order after that though.

I actually think that they will now support 2014 free Basic Rules, and - when and if a 2024 SRD comes out - they'll support that as well.

What do you mean by "support" though?

I don't think the 2014 Basic Rules will continue to be officially available as a new thing you can add to your Beyond account once the 2024 Basic Rules are available, just like we won't be able to buy the 2014 PHB/DMG/MM once the 2024 ones are fully out (equally they won't take away the 2014 Basic Rules from all of us who have them, though). That could change of course - I actually think WotC are leaving money on the table, because they could just make it so new users are reliably directed to the 2024 version, but that the 2014 ones could still be bought by completionists.

 

[Burnside]

What do you mean by "support" though?

I don't think the 2014 Basic Rules will continue to be officially available as a new thing you can add to your Beyond account once the 2024 Basic Rules are available, just like we won't be able to buy the 2014 PHB/DMG/MM once the 2024 ones are fully out. That could change of course - I actually think WotC are leaving money on the table, because they could just make it so new users are reliably directed to the 2024 version, but that the 2014 ones could still be bought by completionists.

They have actually said that we WILL continue to be able to buy the 2014 core books in the DNDBeyond marketplace even after the new books are out.

 

[Remathilis]

What I am saying is the 2024 Basic rules won't be Free in the PC builder.

You will need to buy the 2024 PHB to build the awesome upgraded monk or sorcerer on DNDB.

Before it was free.

That's a MEGA LOSS.

I think it will be a little more nuanced.

Under the original plan, if I owned the 2014 PHB and I picked the Magic Initiate feat, it would tell me the info on the 2024 version (and behave as such, wiz/clr/drd only, pick you caster stat). That would only apply to spells, feats, general rules and magic items. Classes, Species and probably Backgrounds would have remained 2014 until you buy the 24 PHB.

Now, if I have 2014 PHB, the Magic Initiate feat will remain the 2014 version unless it's in the Basic Rules. If it's not, and you're in 2024 mode, y you'll get a notice to buy the PHB. Owning the 2014 PHB will not unlock anything in 2024 anymore. All you will have is the Basic Rules options (which will probably just be the SRD examples). Which probably means one subclass per class, a few backgrounds/feats, and 1/3 of the spells will be available to 2024 characters until you buy the 24 PHB, regardless of if you own the 14 or not.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

They have actually said that we WILL continue to be able to buy the 2014 core books in the DNDBeyond marketplace even after the new books are out.

Have they? They said the opposite quite recently, but I could easily have missed the change.

 

[Ondath]

Wellllllllllll, it is WotC, so I think there is like at least 30% chance that they release the 2024 SRD, but not 2024 Basic Rules. They're just the masters of totally unforced, easy-to-foresee errors!

It would just make them look dim and someone would immediately (and I do mean like, the same day!) create a Basic Rules PDF based on the SRD, but they might manage it.

I expect the embarrassment would cause them to put together an official one in short order after that though.

I mean, I think it was Einstein who said: "Two things are infinite: The universe and WotC's ability to step on rakes that they placed on the ground themselves, and I am not yet completely sure about the universe."

 

[Burnside]

Have they? They said the opposite quite recently, but I could easily have missed the change.

Second paragraph of this:

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-...news-clarifications-on-the-2024-d-d-beyond#c1

 

[Ondath]

Second paragraph of this:

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-...news-clarifications-on-the-2024-d-d-beyond#c1

Oh, this also includes the bit about them committing to release 2024 Free Rules that I couldn't find! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Second paragraph of this:

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-...news-clarifications-on-the-2024-d-d-beyond#c1

AHA thank you, that is more recent, so they did change it! Sensible though.

Also there we see reference in the third paragraph to another change which I was unaware of the - "2024 Free Rules" which are seemingly replacing the Basic Rules.

Be interesting to see if the "2024 Free Rules" require you to use Beyond or if they also make a PDF version.

 

[Burnside]

Having said that, there is now a disclaimer at the top of that post, so who knows.