Dungeons & Dragons SRD 5.2 Is Officially Live

The new System Reference Document (SRD) for Dungeons & Dragons' revised 5th Edition is officially live. The new SRD was officially released and is available for download on D&D Beyond. A FAQ detailing changes from the previous SRD was also released.

The SRD provides a version of D&D's rules that can be used and referenced in third-party material and form a framework for publishing material compatible for D&D's latest edition. The newest version of the SRD contains a mix of species, backgrounds, subclasses, and feats from the 2024 Player's Handbook, along with statblocks from the 2025 Monster Manual.

One other interesting note is that the new SRD purges references to creatures and characters classified as D&D IP. The previous SRD released under a Creative Commons license contained reference to Strahd and Orcus, both of which were removed in the new SRD. Additionally, the SRD renames the Deck of Many Things as "Mysterious Deck" and the Orb of Dragonkind as "Dragon Orb" to allow for both to be used in third-party material while not infringing upon D&D IP.

 

[Morrus]

I didn't see A5E stronghold rules in their SRD. Can you verify it's there?

It is there.

We also have an online tool for building strongholds:

Stronghold Builder Tool | Level Up

a5e.tools

 

[Morrus]

Despite scrubbing errant IP from 5.2, this new OGL introduces new IP, the term "D&D" (first sentence of Rhythm of Play, once again in that same section, and then also in Starting at Higher Levels on page 24).

It's not an OGL. You are correct, however, that the 5.2 SRD does contain the term 'D&D' on page 5.

 

[Morrus]

Not even. For instance, Bahamut is a cosmic whale in mythology, but his role as a dragon god is also public domain, due to Final Fantasy and anime. Same with Tiamat.

Final Fantasy is not public domain.

 

[Zeromaru X]

I wouldn't call that Public Domain. The fact Square was able to get away with some very obvious IP theft back in the day doesn't mean that would fly today. Besides, if WotC IP lawyers were suing because you used a dragon named Bahamut in your 3pp project, I don't think claiming you meant the Bahamut from Final Fantasy is going to save you. (And it might get you a call from Squenix lawyers).

I don't know about specific animes, but SquareSoft took a lot directly from D&D when making the Final Fantasy franchise. The Beholder in FF1 is my favourite example. It was another time and maybe Square Enix and WotC have some kind of deal about it currently, but I would not call it public domain.

Final Fantasy is not public domain.

I'm not saying that you can use "Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, King of Dragons and related to Tiamat" freely. While not trademarked or copyrighted, that's brand identity.

But Bahamut, a dragon, is feasible (but trickier), as the concept has been universally used, especially in many animes and Japanese games. The concept of Bahamut being a dragon is something public. Obviously, that's too risky and you need a lawyer to help you.

 

[mamba]

But Bahamut, a dragon, is feasible (but trickier), as the concept has been universally used, especially in many animes and Japanese games.

Just call him Hambatu and move on

 

[bedir than]

It is there.

We also have an online tool for building strongholds:

Stronghold Builder Tool | Level Up

a5e.tools

I see! It's in the Adventurer's Guide Equipment section starting on Page 58!

A5ESRD — Advanced 5E System Reference Document

a5esrd.com

 

[Loren the GM]

It's not an OGL. You are correct, however, that the 5.2 SRD does contain the term 'D&D' on page 5.

Dang it, I was typing too fast and meant to put SRD instead of OGL. Too many acronyms.

 

[abazaba]

Now that I have seen the question of trademarked/copyrighted IP mentioned here quite a few times, I have a question :
What if I chose to use the 5.2 SRD to create new IP, would that make it my IP, or WotC's IP ?
For example, if I chose to use the 5.2 SRD to publish new material, but included an entirely new god called quote/unquote 'EntirelyNewGod', would that make it my IP, or WotC's ?

 

[Reynard]

Now that I have seen the question of trademarked/copyrighted IP mentioned here quite a few times, I have a question :
What if I chose to use the 5.2 SRD to create new IP, would that make it my IP, or WotC's IP ?
For example, if I chose to use the 5.2 SRD to publish new material, but included an entirely new god called quote/unquote 'EntirelyNewGod', would that make it my IP, or WotC's ?

The license under which the 5.2 STD is published -- CC-BY -- does not require you open your content at all. WotC has no claim on anything you create using either SRD released under CC-BY.

 

[Dire Bare]

Dang it, I was typing too fast and meant to put SRD instead of OGL. Too many acronyms.

OMG! LOL.