D&D 5E (2024) D&D 2024 Is Now OFFICIALLY Called "5.5e"

Settling a debate that has lasted for over two years, the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons, which has been known by various names up until now, has finally received an official designation: D&D 5.5e.

Previously, the current ruleset was referred to as 'One D&D', before becoming 'D&D 2024'. Other variations exist, but the most common version used by fans was D&D 5.5.

The 5.5 terminology echoes the edition names used in the early 2000s for D&D 3E and D&D 3.5.

D&D Beyond has an FAQ related to the name change. In it, they say that "Earlier on, [the 2024 rules] were referred to differently. As D&D Beyond evolved and more players used both versions side by side, it became clear that “5.5e” matched how the community already talks about the game and made things easier to understand."

The terminology will be used going forward on D&D Beyond, although unlike the 3E/3.5 hardcovers, the physical book titles will not include any edition designations.

The 2014 edition of D&D is to continue to be called "5e", with the 2024 version being "5.5e". WotC says that "5.5e refers to content that uses the 2024 updated core rules, which are fully compatible with Fifth Edition."

Despite including the "e" (for "edition") WotC continues to maintain that 5.5e is not a new edition, and merely a 'rules update', or 'version'. Whether 'edition' and 'version' are synonyms or not we'll leave people to debate.

The logo at the top of the page is our own mockup to represent the news, and is not an offical rebranding.

 

[Morrus]

I would continue to say 5e compatible or compatible with all 5e versions.

If people explicitly use 5.5 then they are going to get dinged by the fragmented player base. I have seen several KS that are being forced to release 2 different versions of their products.

You’ve seen several Kickstarters forced to release a 2014 version and a 2024 version? Really?

 

[Plaguescarred]

Good news i guess? It changes nothing for me and my game, But if it help WoTC and 3rd parties in any way shape or form then kudos.

 

[tetrasodium]

I don’t see how calling it 5.5 rather than 2024 changes anything in regards to what they can release in an ‘of Everything’ book

No more than new hardware made it through impossible for anova's timer app to continue interacting with older anova's. It's does however make it easier to not care about impact on the old version and easier to justify larger changes

 

[DEFCON 1]

You’re very brave.

Calm down, please. You’re getting excited.

Nope, it's just the same old same old we've seen here for decades. Just pointing it out doesn't make one "excited"... it makes them "observant".

 

[delericho]

Recognizing that the toothpaste is out of the tube a bit late, wouldn't you say?

Now they look like bigger fools than before.

I do wonder whether this has anything to do with the recent staffing changes at WotC - could be someone in the old team was adamantly opposed to the 5.5e designation while the new team is all for it.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Some folks kept calling the game 5.5, even though the publishers at the time said it was just 5E. But they didn't care if it was "wrong" and did it anyway.

Objectively, those folks were "right" the entire time. 5.5 was never just 5E.

This move by WotC just brings the nomenclature in line with reality. It doesn't really matter if it's called "5.5" or "5e2024" or "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition" (ok, that last one might cause some confusion), just that it's not called the same as the 2014 rules, because using the same label for two different things will always cause issues.

 

[Horwath]

more like 5.05 with the amount of "changes" that made the final cut.

 

[Willie the Duck]

I have no idea why anyone cares.

You can gloat now.

That's pretty much it. Everyone can now pop in to say 'I knew it!' and pontificate on how this* supports their pre-existing theories about the game.
*change in which nomenclature is officially supported, nothing more or less.

Did you know there are 3 editions (and various printings) of the Lord of the Rings? It's always the same story, it is just a different edition of the books. If you have a 1st edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, it is worth something. If you have a 9th edition, it's worth the price of a used book. Same story though. Same chapters, same words, same everything. Still a different edition.

The use of 'edition' that AD&D started when they released 2e (retroactively making AD&D '1st edition') was... a choice. It's certainly not the most common use of the term, but the word has multiple meanings, so it isn't some serious departure from any norm. Still, I do sometimes wonder why that specific term was chosen (instead of AD&D version2, AD&D 2, etc.).

The compatibility means that you can use any 5e supplement with any 5.5e supplement (ew, I have to get used to writing it that way), as long as you use the most recently released versions. In truth, there is a bit more space if you're willing to field 5e and 5.5e characters next to each other.
The only example of a subclass just not working anymore is the Sheperd Druid. I'd say that's not bad.
In truth, 5e wasn't compatible with itself already. You had Dragonmarks and Strixhaven Backgrounds that wildly changed how powerful characters were, allowing you to start with an extra feat or extra spells known.

There are a lot fewer places where the rules literally don't work or aren't there compared to, say, 3.5 (where things like quick and immediate actions hadn't been implemented). That's perhaps the view of compatibility they are using when they say fully compatible.

 

[Artamo]

I dunno…I think there were several changes across all three books. Weapon properties, condition changes, background and feat changes, changes to monster stat blocks - enough that they put out three new books. I think the tail might have been wagging the dog a bit - WotC wanted a big release for the 50th anniversary. They also didn’t want to scare people off of 5e with changes of a sort that would feel drastically different. I feel comfortable calling it a new edition because it required the release of three new core books, each with updated rules. As far as compatibility is concerned, I liken it to the differences between 1e and 2e. We could easily play older adventures with the 2e rules, there were just a few adjustments. Same seems to be the case for 5e and 5.5.

 

[Belen]

You’ve seen several Kickstarters forced to release a 2014 version and a 2024 version? Really?

Forced may be strong but one KS revolted when they said it would release upgraded to 5.5 and they released both with folks getting to choose their print version.

I have seen several more that are allowing players to choose the version including one this morning: Dark Matter.