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.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

With everything I’ve been seeing so far, I’m really torn between embracing the new rules or go back to play a PHB-only 2014 campaign. The new rules are cool but the latter is starting to have a very appealing simplicity…

Exactly where Im at. The obligatory feats and the numerous options at each level for even the simplest classes are somewhat of a turn off for me it seems.

 

[Chaosmancer]

That's hardly the sole purpose. You don't think that level of awesome lore wouldn't be interesting and useful in characterization, or worldbuilding?

No, I don't. We have details on the major players. We don't ALSO need every mid-tier player detailed to the point where there is no room to homebrew anything.

Look, I know you don't play 5e and just want to read encyclopedias, but some of us need this information to be actually useful at the table. Another entire book detailing every CR 10 or higher fiend, Fey, Elemental, Undead, Celestial and Genie in existence is not useful.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I saw some of the artwork--a multi-generational orc family, and dwarves working a forge while being served cookies. This is a very different game than it was! "Oh brave new world..."
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That orc art is SO AMAZING. There is so much story there with so many things to pick apart.

 

[Chaosmancer]

No, the wealth of evidence post Tashas/Witchlight, is all the proof we need that its become gentle/twee/soft.

Right, and I'm sure all the combat scenes they debuted in that video also only go to show how soft DnD is now. I mean, a bloodied warrior on their knees next to a dead foe, how soft can you get? They don't even have torture pictures! /s

 

[Chaosmancer]

I understand what you are saying. But dwarves baking cookies is a very different vibe for D&D. That's not something that would ever occur to me to have in the PHB. Or anywhere else, really. If this is the kind of thing new(-ish) players want, have at it. Harms no one. I just find it--and the orc family picnic-- to be a startlingly different take on Dungeons&Dragons. It's like...cozy.

They aren't cookies. They look like bread or meat pies. It is also ONE dwarf who looks like he is bringing food to the entire staff of an armory. Smiths getting food while working. Sure, it is a little cozy.. but it is supposed to be. It is home life. Not the battlefield.

 

[Scribe]

Right, and I'm sure all the combat scenes they debuted in that video also only go to show how soft DnD is now. I mean, a bloodied warrior on their knees next to a dead foe, how soft can you get? They don't even have torture pictures! /s

I must have missed it with the googly eyed pets, and the families out on a walk or baking.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Haha, even my 10 year old son will think this all lame as could be. He'll probably wonder if this is even d&d or come other game for for his younger cousins or something.

Cutesy never ever would have appealed to me even as a kid.

Its edge was alluring. Battle axes and morning stars…petrifications and undead horrors. Evil clerics harshing our vibe!

I only hope they have enough adventure and grit to balance out cookies and cats.

Which I will note I like IRL. Most cats like me and looking at my belly suggests I like cookies…

I noted a lot of bespectacled folks too. It’s a little too modern for me. I think the art is great generally. I think I will buy it but…

Yeah.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Dang it. I almost don't want to point this out, because I feel like it will just be used as ammo, but I just saw an amazing detail in the Dwarf art I hadn't noticed before.

They tattooed each other's beard on their right arms. THAT is storytelling in artwork. I love it.

 

[Mistwell]

Cure Wounds, same as the playtest (which is a GOOD change btw!)

Tasha's Bubbling Cauldron: 6th level
Creates up to ability mod (basically 5 for all of us!), potions of either common or uncommon type. Potions last until used or the duration of the spell (10 minutes).

I think that's a cool spell, gives a lot of "mass options" to the group. Can have a bunch of reserve healing potiosn for the next fight, mass climbing potions, a bevy of resistance potions is great, etc.


That's the kind of spell I like. NO CONCENTRATION! Good duration, creative and flexible, but doesn't seem to be a bulldozer of power kind of spell.

The cauldron is also big (I think 4' across?) and unmovable. So I think (unsure) it can be used to block a corridor or at least impede movement and give you something to duck behind for cover.

 

[Chaosmancer]

The dwarves have tattoos of each other's beard designs! They are husbands!

HAH! Guess I was late on the draw to notice it