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.

 

[saviirkad]

I wonder if in ten years there'll be a moment where Wizards refuses to call this 5.5, much like how a few years back they wouldn't say 3.5, only "revised third."

 

[Scribe]

I wonder if in ten years there'll be a moment where Wizards refuses to call this 5.5, much like how a few years back they wouldn't say 3.5, only "revised third."

I hope so.

 

[Minigiant]

I guess I don't see that it's a big issue one way or another as long as rules are backwards compatible unless there's a newer version. Someone at WOTC calling it 5.5 doesn't change anything.

Not a big issue.

But getting everyone to use the same term helps a lot.

It will consolidate searches and filter out 2014 info from them.

 

[WhatTheEyeSees]

I think the original plan was to replace all of the older content on D&D Beyond, so if you searched for a rule you would just see 2024, and it was only after folks complained that we ended up in this odd world where we have both legacy and current content side by side. This feels like a natural evolution to clearly indicate that the rulesets are different (even if you can still use most of 5e with 5.5e).

Also worth noting that the folks I play with treat 5.5e as a new edition and we generally don't use much, if any, legacy 5e anymore. From casual conversations with others I think this is what the majority of players are doing, although I haven't seen any official survey data. At the same time AL is trying to keep all the books live (poor, poor AL admins... that is a tough job), so there are clearly those that strive to keep the dream of one 5e edition alive.

Onward and forward with more clarity and all that until we get 6e.

 

[saviirkad]

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?

I can only speak for myself, but in terms of a logo for either 5e or 5.5e, both mean the same thing. It's just doesn't affect my decision-making process over whether this release or that is interesting enough for me to buy.

I mean sure, there's some additional information that I can get, like if this has player-facing material then knowing it was designed alongside which PHB's way of doing things does give me more information than if I couldn't tell. It just won't change anything; I could use either for either.

 

[AlViking]

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.....

I don't think there was ever anything disingenuous they were always quite clear that some things have new versions and if their recommendation is to use the new stuff. If there is not a new version the old works just fine with the only exception I see is the approach to species (and I suppose background) because of how they changed things around.

I have people using old subclasses and spells, I don't really see any problems. I assume they're changing it because they decided that's what the majority of people were calling it. There doesn't have to be any conspiracy theory or WOTC corporate evil plans afoot.

edit - It does look like they're changing the labels in DDB, I hadn't gone in there for a couple weeks. I suppose it makes it clearer.

 

[John Lloyd1]

It would seem that if you were communicating with potential buyers, you would need to take in consideration some of your buyers would only have seen the physical books and some only DND Beyond. They may not be hooked into the online D&D community and wouldn't know about the other terminology being used.

So you would need to reference both 2024 and 5.5 in your description.

 

[Azzy]

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

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enworld/shortquests

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.

That's absolutely fair. Not being a publisher or professional designer, that's a perspective that I had not realized.

 

[WhatTheEyeSees]

I think 100% compatible was always an objectively wrong description (looking at you Shepherd Druid, Warlock Pacts becoming Invocations, some old feats, etc.). With that being said the 5e and 5.5e are broadly compatible and a DM can easily make them harmonious.

I also don't think that Wizards ever said 100% compatible...

 

[Azzy]

Just not the way we are wired.

We've overcome a lot of the ways we've been wired since our ancestors and the ancestors of the chimpanzees and bonobos branched apart. We can overcome this, too (if we don't destroy ourselves first).