D&D (2024) D&D 2024 Player's Handbook Reviews

On Thursday August 1st, the review embargo is lifted for those who were sent an early copy of the new Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. In this post I intend to compile a handy list of those reviews as they arrive. If you know of a review, please let me know in the comments so that I can add it! I'll be updating this list as new reviews arrive, so do check back later to see what's been added!

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Review List

• The official EN World review -- "Make no mistake, this is a new edition."
• ComicBook.com -- "Dungeons & Dragons has improved upon its current ruleset, but the ruleset still feels very familiar to 5E veterans."
• Comic Book Resources -- "From magic upgrades to easier character building, D&D's 2024 Player's Handbook is the upgrade players and DMs didn't know they needed."
• Wargamer.com -- "The 2024 Player’s Handbook is bigger and more beginner-friendly than ever before. It still feels and plays like D&D fifth edition, but numerous quality-of-life tweaks have made the game more approachable and its player options more powerful. Its execution disappoints in a handful of places, and it’s too early to tell how the new rules will impact encounter balance, but this is an optimistic start to the new Dungeons and Dragons era."
• RPGBOT -- "A lot has changed in the 2024 DnD 5e rules. In this horrendously long article, we’ve dug into everything that has changed in excruciating detail. There’s a lot here."

Video Reviews
Note, a couple of these videos have been redacted or taken down following copyright claims by WotC.

• 2024 PHB Rules Changes D&D 5.24 (Treantmonk's Temple)
• Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook 2024 Preview & Review | Key Takeaways and Comparisons with 2014 (Awesome Black)
• 10 Unexpected Changes in the D&D 5E 2024 Player's Handbook (This Effin' GM Games)
• Every Class and Subclass Change for 2024 (d4: Deep Dive)
• D&D Player's Handbook 2024 Winners & Losers! (The Character Sheet on ComicBook.com)
• 2024 Player's Handbook First Look Review (Dungeon Dudes)
• The 2024 Player's Handbook: Full Spoilers Review (DnD Shorts)
• Full Early Review! D&D 2024 Player's Handbook (JoeFudge)
• First Look at the 2024 Player's Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons (GameMasters)
• 2024 PHB Flip through (Jorphdan) [taken down]
• D&D New Player's Handbook, DM's Guide, Monster Manual, and Project Sigil Info (maturemindedgamers)
• 2024 Player's Handbook: Questions Answered! (Alphastream)
• D&D 2024 Player's Handbook Walkthrough (Sly Flourish) [redacted]

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Release timeline (i.e. when you can get it!)

• August 1st: Reviewers. Some reviewers have copies already, with their embargo lifting August 1st.
• August 1st-4th: Gen Con. There will be 3,000 copies for sale at Gen Con.
• September 3rd: US/Canada Hobby Stores. US/Canada hobby stores get it September 3rd.
• September 3rd: DDB 'Master' Pre-orders. Also on this date, D&D Beyond 'Master Subscribers' get the digital version.
• September 10th: DDB 'Hero' Pre-orders. On this date, D&D Beyond 'Hero Subscribers' get the digital version.
• September 17th: General Release. For the rest of us, the street date is September 17th.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I'd characterize it as the downside of reinforcing the message that having fun is the be-all end-all of playing (e.g. "yes and" GMing). While the optimal idea is that everyone is looking out for everyone else's enjoyment, the reality is that there are people (not necessarily just a few outliers, from what I can tell) who invert this idea, turning it into an issue of "if you're not going along with what I find fun, you're the problem."

Again, literally only seen this with literal teenage children, who act like this about everything. But maybe we can do a wider search, maybe figure out if BBQ cooks are growing "weaker" and more lenient too. Or sports fans. Car people? I'm sure we can other places where people are being selfish with their hobbies.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Yeah... I have seen this sort of self-absorption out there and it's a bit of a head scratcher. I think the world would be better off with more empathy and less 'me, me, me'. I don't think these folks are bad people, but I also don't think they realise how self-centred they actually are.

I agree, more empathy in the world would be a great thing. I don't often see that achieved by talking about how the selfish people are bullies who need "strong" people to resist them and their ways. I don't think being confrontational and "just say no" really solves that issue, if it even happens, because someone who is not self-aware enough to realize they are being selfish with their requests are not going to be the type of people to take confrontation and just meekly sit at the table and give up on their desires.

In fact, giving a little, reaching a compromise, and talking it out with someone are all MUCH more effective, probably why that advice has become so common.

 

[Alzrius]

Again, literally only seen this with literal teenage children, who act like this about everything. But maybe we can do a wider search, maybe figure out if BBQ cooks are growing "weaker" and more lenient too. Or sports fans. Car people? I'm sure we can other places where people are being selfish with their hobbies.

Well, it's not so much teenage children as people who act like they're still teenagers. You can usually tell the sort of people in question right away, since they tend to use passive-aggressive language pretty freely, while at the same time calling other people patronizing. I think you'd be surprised just how many people like that are out there.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I agree, more empathy in the world would be a great thing. I don't often see that achieved by talking about how the selfish people are bullies who need "strong" people to resist them and their ways. I don't think being confrontational and "just say no" really solves that issue, if it even happens, because someone who is not self-aware enough to realize they are being selfish with their requests are not going to be the type of people to take confrontation and just meekly sit at the table and give up on their desires.

"Strong" people resisting their ways? What do you mean? I was just talking about not letting someone suck the oxygen out of the room and deprive everyone else of an enjoyable time. No hard feelings, but if you can't play nice with others, you can have a chance, but if you don't adjust, go play somewhere else.

That's not being "strong" or macho or bullying or whatever it is you're implying; it's just common sense and basic social skills. Why would a group of people have to put up with someone making life unpleasant for everyone else? If that self-absorbed person is lucky, the group will be kind enough to make an effort to bring them aboard, but if they can't learn how to behave properly towards others, why would they let them keep coming back? The fault at that point doesn't lie with the group; it lies with the person who couldn't or wouldn't make the effort to behave with consideration towards others.

And if that person sees the efforts of others to not have their enjoyment diminished as "confrontation and won't sit meekly at the table" as a result as you put it... well then they will absolutely be shown the door as that is some pretty seriously anti-social behaviour.

Respectfully, I'm really struggling to understand what you're trying to defend here.

In fact, giving a little, reaching a compromise, and talking it out with someone are all MUCH more effective, probably why that advice has become so common.

I said that more empathy in the world is what's needed, but it sounds like you're arguing against me for some reason? The type of person being discussed is the sort whose idea of empathy and compromise is having everyone else put these folks' feelings at the forefront and doing everything they want while not acknowledging what others want or feel, despite efforts by others at compromise. More prevalent in teens, agreed, but there are many adults like this unfortunately.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Well, it's not so much teenage children as people who act like they're still teenagers. You can usually tell the sort of people in question right away, since they tend to use passive-aggressive language pretty freely, while at the same time calling other people patronizing. I think you'd be surprised just how many people like that are out there.

And I think you'd be surprised how few people like that are actually out there. I honestly struggle to think of anyone over the age of 20 that I've played with who had that sort of attitude. Certainly not enough to make commentary on the "new generation" of DMs. Especially since there is nothing that prevents older people from acting like this either.

 

[Alzrius]

And I think you'd be surprised how few people like that are actually out there. I honestly struggle to think of anyone over the age of 20 that I've played with who had that sort of attitude.

I envy you for being so privileged that you've been able to find nothing but good players. If only the rest of us were so fortunate.

Certainly not enough to make commentary on the "new generation" of DMs. Especially since there is nothing that prevents older people from acting like this either.

Oh, there are plenty of older people out there who are like this. It's just that, by your own admission, you don't see to know them.

 

[Chaosmancer]

"Strong" people resisting their ways? What do you mean?

I'm referring to the post from Emerkol that sparked this tangent. The one where he proposed that a majority of new DM's are too weak to resist the bullying of their players.

I was just talking about not letting someone suck the oxygen out of the room and deprive everyone else of an enjoyable time. No hard feelings, but if you can't play nice with others, you can have a chance, but if you don't adjust, go play somewhere else.

I don't disagree with that. However, sometimes it needs to be considered that other people should adjust as well. Even without considering neuro-divergence, people have quirks. Me personally? If I'm not paying attention to not doing it, I have a habit of touching and moving pieces on board/card games. Someone rolls to move six spaces and draw a card, and I may end up grabbing their piece to move it for them, or draw the card to hand it to them. I'm not trying to be aggressive or over-bearing, I'm trying to be helpful and useful. But I know people can be upset by that, and so I tend to let people know, and to tell them to tell me to cut it out if I get annoying. A group adjusting to just how I am as a person is going to cause far less tension and problems than a group that insists I am the only one to change or adjust.

That's not being "strong" or macho or bullying or whatever it is you're implying; it's just common sense and basic social skills. Why would a group of people have to put up with someone making life unpleasant for everyone else? If that self-absorbed person is lucky, the group will be kind enough to make an effort to bring them aboard, but if they can't learn how to behave properly towards others, why would they let them keep coming back? The fault at that point doesn't lie with the group; it lies with the person who couldn't or wouldn't make the effort to behave with consideration towards others.

And if that person sees the efforts of others to not have their enjoyment diminished as "confrontation and won't sit meekly at the table" as a result as you put it... well then they will absolutely be shown the door as that is some pretty seriously anti-social behaviour.

Respectfully, I'm really struggling to understand what you're trying to defend here.

Note how none of your language called new DMs weak, like the initial comment did? A persons choice of language when presenting an issue can color the issue. Presenting it as a problem of new DMs being too weak to stand up to their players presents a far different image than explaining that a group sometimes needs to find solutions with self-absorbed people. Some of whom MAY NOT REALIZE how they are acting.

I said that more empathy in the world is what's needed, but it sounds like you're arguing against me for some reason? The type of person being discussed is the sort whose idea of empathy and compromise is having everyone else put these folks' feelings at the forefront and doing everything they want while not acknowledging what others want or feel, despite efforts by others at compromise. More prevalent in teens, agreed, but there are many adults like this unfortunately.

Is it? Sure, sometimes those people exist. Sometimes that isn't what is going on. Sometimes a person is going about their time, thinking everyone is fine, and suddenly they are being confronted with a series of things they didn't give a second thought to. But they will catch onto the fact that your thought process is "I have to be strong, and not let him bully me" which will make them defensive and less willing to adjust or change. Approaching with the mindset of "I need to find what works best for everyone, while not impacting THIS player's enjoyment too much" is more likely to get them to work with you, instead of against you.

 

[Zardnaar]

I envy you for being so privileged that you've been able to find nothing but good players. If only the rest of us were so fortunate.

Oh, there are plenty of older people out there who are like this. It's just that, by your own admission, you don't see to know them.

Plenty of horror stories online.

I've avoided the worst of them myself.

 

[Older Beholder]

I’ve heard horror stories online is just an anecdote of an anecdote
Probably not the best source of information.
It’s up there with: I heard it from a friend who heard to from a friend, and trust me bro.

 

[Zardnaar]

I’ve heard horror stories online is just an anecdote of an anecdote
Probably not the best source of information.
It’s up there with: I heard it from a friend who heard to from a friend, and trust me bro.

Yeah they might nit even be true.

Some are. I've avoided to worst of them. One toxic player minor scale compared to the worst and 3 chaos monkey types.

Social aspects more important than edition or playstyle imho.