D&D Beyond brings back a la carte purchases in the form of Starter Packs

D&D Beyond is returning to piecemeal purchases in the form of new Starter Packs that allow for access to class rules, as well as a limited number of subclasses and species rules. The new Starter Packs, available for all 12 core classes, and now available for sale on D&D Beyond. Each Starter Pack comes with character rules for a specific core class, three subclasses (the three from the Player's Handbook that are not available via the Basic Rules), and two species from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. Also included are seven feats, including several general feats.

D&D Beyond originally had a la carte purchases in which users could individually purchase subclasses, spells, or even monsters for a modest fee. Wizards of the Coast removed this site feature in 2024, meaning that a user needed to purchase an entire rulebook if they wanted to access to any single bit of content from that rulebook. While these Starter Packs aren't quite the same as true a la carte purchases, this does mark the first time in years where individual chunks of content have been available at a lower price point for users.

 

[Reynard]

If the purpose of this is to entice new users, it makes sense that there will be some equivalent for GMs with introductory adventures.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The main D&D website uses 5.5 also if that is what you mean.

Spoiler: NSFW

I don't give that guy views. Can you make your point without him?

Anyway, the books are not actually split as two editions, the terminology exists solely to help them talk about differenr content, and Legacy is already veing used to stuff that has been replaced or removed from the rules like Volos.

But the Swashbuckler is still part of the current rules and will be until they put out a new version. Because "5.5" is an unfortunate concession term used for a dynamic that doesnt even actually fit what people think of when they hear the term because wotc wouldnt just lead with new terminology.

Again, 5.5 is only used in the context of "the rules that have come out starting with the 2024 phb that are still 5e but some people dont like it so we have to distinguish ti make it easy for users to know what they are looking at".

 

[jdrakeh]

Well, this is pretty cool.

 

[SothFan]

I don't give that guy views. Can you make your point without him

Sorry, either look at those 5 seconds of video, or continue to be wrong about what you are saying.

You can go to the website and find the reference yourself if you do not wish to spare 5 seconds to see it in the video. It might take you a few minutes to navigate to the section in question though.

 

[rabirin]

In spite of the erroneous nomenclature they gave in to for the purpose of organizing content on ddb (and havent used outside that context), they arent two separate games, so there is no "grandfathering". If it hasn't been replaced, it is still part of the current rules.

So MoTM is a current rules book.

They are two separate games, in that they have fundamentally different rules that affects how the game plays and how mechanics work. If there was no distinction between the two then "5.5e" content would be fully compatible with 5e content.

---

But as it turns out, there's a gigantic problem with these starter sets. Make note of what content they give: subclass options, feats, species. Notice anything missing, content that might not be available from the SRD?

That's right: spells. And this is a problem, a very huge problem, because not all of the spells in the PHB are in the SRD and thus available if you only buy the Starter Packs. This includes spells that are on the spell lists of subclasses included in the Starter Packs. Because of this, the subclasses aren't even fully functional if you buy the Starter Packs.

 

[bedir than]

They are two separate games, in that they have fundamentally different rules that affects how the game plays and how mechanics work. If there was no distinction between the two then "5.5e" content would be fully compatible with 5e content.

They're so incompatible that the species in the starter packs work with the classes in the starter packs, needing no other adjustments.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

They are two separate games, in that they have fundamentally different rules that affects how the game plays and how mechanics work. If there was no distinction between the two then "5.5e" content would be fully compatible with 5e content.

It is. Because they arent separate games, and literally everything that hasnt been replaced is still part of the current rules.

---

But as it turns out, there's a gigantic problem with these starter sets. Make note of what content they give: subclass options, feats, species. Notice anything missing, content that might not be available from the SRD?

That's right: spells. And this is a problem, a very huge problem, because not all of the spells in the PHB are in the SRD and thus available if you only buy the Starter Packs. This includes spells that are on the spell lists of subclasses included in the Starter Packs. Because of this, the subclasses aren't even fully functional if you buy the Starter Packs.

You know that there are spells in the srd for every class right?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Sorry, either look at those 5 seconds of video, or continue to be wrong about what you are saying.

You can go to the website and find the reference yourself if you do not wish to spare 5 seconds to see it in the video. It might take you a few minutes to navigate to the section in question though.

The official website doesn't contradict me.

 

[Remathilis]

Its worth noting that the only two species not available via these packs are aasimar (PHB) and genasi (MotM). Both are exclusive to just their appropriate book.

 

[Remathilis]

Here is the full list, btw:

Pack	Subclass	Species	Background	Feats
Barbarian	Path of the Wild Heart, Path of the World Tree, Path of the Zealot.	Bugbear and Goblin.	Entertainer and Farmer.	Athlete, Charger, Crusher, Mage Slayer, Musician, Sentinel, Thrown Weapon Fighting.
Bard	College of Dance, College of Glamour, College of Valor.	Hobgoblin and Satyr.	Charlatan and Entertainer.	Actor, Inspiring Leader, Lucky, Moderately Armored, Musician, Telepathic, War Caster.
Cleric	Light Domain, Trickery Domain, War Domain.	Githzerai and Tortle.	Guard and Hermit.	Durable, Fey Touched, Healer, Heavy Armor Master, Medium Armor Master, Shield Master, War Caster.
Druid	Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Sea, Circle of the Stars.	Eladrin and Triton.	Farmer and Guide.	Chef, Fey Touched, Healer, Observant, Ritual Caster, Thrown Weapon Fighting, War Caster.
Fighter	Battle Master, Eldritch Knight, and Psi Warrior.	Duergar and Minotaur.	Guard and Sailor.	Charger, Dual Wielder, Great Weapon Master, Heavy Armor Master, Slasher, Tavern Brawler.
Monk	Warrior of Mercy, Warrior of Shadow, Warrior of the Elements.	Harengon and Lizardfolk.	Guide and Hermit.	Charger, Crusher, Healer, Mage Slayer, Speedy, Tavern Brawler, Weapon Master.
Paladin	Oath of Glory, Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Vengeance.	Aarakocra and Githyanki.	Artisan and Noble.	Defense Duelist, Heavily Armored, Medium Armor Master, Mounted Combatant, Sentinel, Shield Master.
Ranger	Beast Master, Fey Wanderer, Gloom Stalker.	Centaur and Sea Elf.	Sailor and Scribe.	Crafter, Crossbow Expert, Defense Duelist, Dual Wielder, Piercer, Sharpshooter, Tavern Brawler.
Rogue	Arcane Trickster, Assassin, and Soul Knife.	Deep Gnome and Tabaxi.	Artisan and Wayfarer.	Actor, Crafter, Lucky, Poisoner, Resilient, Skill Expert, and Skulker.
Sorcerer	Aberrant Sorcery, Clockwork Sorcery, Wild Magic Sorcery.	Fairy and Kenku.	Charlatan and Merchant.	Elemental Adept, Inspiring Leader, Lightly Armored, Lucky, Shadow Touched, Spell Sniper, War Caster.
Warlock	Archfey Patron, Celestial Patron, Great Old One Patron	Kobold and Yuan-ti.	Merchant and Wayfarer.	Fey Touched, Lucky, Moderately Armored, Shadow Touched, Spell Sniper, War Caster, Weapon Master.
Wizard	Abjurer, Diviner, Illusionist.	Firbolg and Shadar-Kai.	Noble and Scribe.	Elemental Adept, Keen Mind, Lightly Armored, Observant, Spell Sniper, Telekinetic, War Caster.
Eberron	--	Changeling, Kalashtar, Khoravar, Shifter, Warforged.	--	--