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.

 

[Corinnguard]

If the goal is subscriptions, then unifying every D&D player and selling all content on platform would be a good idea. That would make DDB truly One D&D.

Only on DDB. Elsewhere, D&D is one among many.

 

[Belen]

Only on DDB. Elsewhere, D&D is one among many.

We are not discussing other games.

 

[AlViking]

5.1 would have made a lot more sense. And I agree that I don’t think we’ll see major changes to the game again that require abandoning all of the old material. WotC has figured out they are better off selling PHBs to new players rather than to old. The metric of success for 5.5 isn’t how many 5e people they convert. It’s how sales of PHBs to new players compares to 5e sales at the end of its print run.

The subscription fees for DndBeyond are also a major difference. Pre-5e editions had a similar arc after the 80s when the game was still in its initial growth phase - big sales with a new edition and then sales of the PHB drops so they keep creating new product to maintain a revenue stream. Sales drop low enough, time for a new edition.

With 5e its different because even after the initial boom in sales it just kept growing. Then they acquired DndBeyond and now they have steady income stream so there's less impetus to do anything radical. Even keeping the number of players stable without ever selling another book is still income.

 

[Scribe]

If the goal is subscriptions, then unifying every D&D player and selling all content on platform would be a good idea. That would make DDB truly One D&D.

Turning the platform into the 'Steam' of RPGs would easily be the smartest thing they could do. Especially if they want to keep the "5e is evergreen" thing going.

Do they have what it takes to get there? I dont know.

 

[Morrus]

Turning the platform into the 'Steam' of RPGs would easily be the smartest thing they could do.

That’s DTRPG.

 

[Scribe]

That’s DTRPG.

Yeah, I can see that too, but what if...you needed a sub, and all these other 3PP could hook in, and sell there stuff, and it comes with a VTT, oh and you can add some homebrew...but you need a sub.

I can see the business case for it anyway.

 

[Stormonu]

DDB is tricky now. People paid to access that content digitally. Retiring it will cause a backlash unless they do something like give free PDFs to people who purchased.

This could make people switch to other platforms that do continue to give access to your previously purchased content.

If they are going to argue that digital first is a thing, then taking away content would cause serious brand damage.

They would be better off making DDB the best place to play any edition of D&D. This way, if an edition fragments the audience, they still sub to DDB.

What did the people who bought into the 4E version get when it shut down?

 

[Nikosandros]

What did the people who bought into the 4E version get when it shut down?

DDI, the 4e version, was purely subscription-based. You couldn't buy anything. When it shut down, you could not subscribe anymore and lost access to the platform.

 

[Zardnaar]

DDI, the 4e version, was purely subscription-based. You couldn't buy anything. When it shut down, you could not subscribe anymore and lost access to the platform.

Sad they face you a heads up.