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

The 2024 rules get a new official designation.
5.5_enworld.png


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.
 

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Agreed. I was a big proponent of 5.24 because the .5 language reinforces a hard break between 5e and the new books. But the loudest group won.

Hopefully it doesn't mean a shift towards away from compatibility...
Man, it must really suck to see something you value get shouted down by the loudest group.

I wouldn't know anything about that though. Such a tragedy that it only now struck Fifth Edition in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six, and not thirteen years prior.
 

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It's important to publishers. For example, we have an upcoming Kickstarter with a big logo on it which says '5E'.


As of today, that term specifically refers to the 2014 rules, not the 2024 rules. That is not our intention, and we do not want people to think that our KS is designed specifically for the 2014 rules; we will now be changing that logo.
As a questions though. Would that big logo that says "5e" have potentially confused backers who thought it was meant for 2014?

Might this lend more clarity going forward?
 

And this matters ... because? All the old stuff is still compatible, I don't really care what label is used.
It isn't all compatible. There were reams of different rules for Classes, Backgrounds, spells, and the like between editions. You could still use old adventure materials - but that is true of many new rulebook editions anyway.

To be blunt, I think the assertion previously made by WotC that this was the same edition was always disingenuous, and this recent announcement kinda proves it. Moreover, why change it now? Are they planning something else in the future.....
 






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