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.

 

[...m...]

I guess in the end, I'll just have to accept that 3.5 left its indelible stamp, and for D&D at least, "Half Editions" are in fact a thing. Those aforementioned Black Books are "2.5" and D&D Essentials is "4.5" and now we have "5.5".

Ugh. I don't like it, but it is what it is.

...go back far enough and there're fair arguments for calling the original unearthed arcana and beyond 1.5, and even greyhawk and beyond 0.5, although i'd personally reserve the latter for holmes basic...

 

[Charlaquin]

So, the name change really doesn't mean a whole lot. What would mean more is if they actually said the rules and power structure aren't exactly compatible with 2014s. That would actually mean something.

It would be a weird thing for them to say, since it wouldn’t be accurate.

 

[Scribe]

Oh, good grief. C'mon. You were around when they kept saying how it was the same game. It was sooo retro compatible. How, there wasn't really a power difference between new characters and old characters, so you could just mix them all together. And you could use the old MM and the CRs, because, you know, they are just as strong as the new monsters.

So my comment was for them to say, "Yeah, it's not as retro compatible as what we thought, and you might have a really hard time mixing the two." Of course I am being a bit snarky. That's why I said, it would actually matter if they admitted that, because they fought so hard, and insisted so much, that the two were the same.

Ah, see I just never accepted their party line.

"Do not believe your eyes, trust us." is just not going to cut it these days.

I'm not going to hold my breathe that they will admit it was all just corpo speak though.

 

[Scott Christian]

Ah, see I just never accepted their party line.

"Do not believe your eyes, trust us." is just not going to cut it these days.

I'm not going to hold my breathe that they will admit it was all just corpo speak though.

That's my point. Many players didn't believe it. Yet, they kept insisting. Hence my quote:

So, the name change really doesn't mean a whole lot. What would mean more is if they actually said the rules and power structure aren't exactly compatible with 2014s. That would actually mean something.

As for

It would be a weird thing for them to say, since it wouldn’t be accurate.

That's fine. Piecemeal the words. Rely on interpretation. Cherry pick quotes. Do whatever you have to do to insist you're right. It doesn't matter.

 

[Lidgar]

 

[TrippyHippy]

It isn’t a big deal, but at least I can now say I was quite a big fan of 5th Edition D&D, but not of 5.5 D&D, and this is why I moved on from D&D….

 

[Distracted DM]

I think Morrus needs to pin his response somewhere
It does matter, notably, for publishers.

 

[Charlaquin]

That's fine. Piecemeal the words. Rely on interpretation. Cherry pick quotes. Do whatever you have to do to insist you're right. It doesn't matter.

What on Earth are you on about…?

 

[WhatTheEyeSees]

Does “fully” mean “100%”? Because that’s what they say in this very FAQ.

“On D&D Beyond, 5.5e refers to content that uses the 2024 updated core rules, which are fully compatible with Fifth Edition.”

Good catch. I guess they did say that.

I can see minimizing the changes if you are still trying to sell older books, but surprised and a little disappointed to see the word "fully" in there, when it is objectively false.

Compatible yes, fully or 100% no.

 

[Remathilis]

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.

It wasn't the first time. I will be FOREVER salty Pact Magic survived the One D&D playtest.