Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player's Handbook Is Already Getting Errata

The 2024 Player's Handbook on D&D Beyond contains several updates to the new revised 5th edition ruleset. Early access users of D&D Beyond who have also obtained a physical copy of the 2024 Player's Handbook have noticed several minor differences between the digital and physical copy, assumably due to soon-to-be-released errata. Notably, the following changes have been spotted:

• Giant Insect spell contains a clarification on its HP (the physical edition states that the summoned insect has an HP of 30+10 for each level in the spell slot used to cast the spell; the digital version states 30+10 for every level above 4th level),
• Shields now require the Utilize action to don or doff
• Goliath's Powerful Build now specifies that it grants Advantage on ability checks to end the Grappled Condition instead of saving throws.
• True Polymorph's spell description no longer states that the spell effects end if its target's temporary hit points run out.
• The Telekinetic feat now specifies that it grants an increased range to the use of Mage Hand instead stating that you can cast Mage Hand at a further distance away.

Notably, Wizards of the Coast has not released an official errata document for the Player's Handbook, although they may be holding out until the book's full release on September 17th.

 

[occam]

Also apparently fixed: Grappler feat wording on moving a Grappled creature, Giant Insect hit points, distance away from you that the Telekinetic feat's Mage Hand can be, Conjure Woodland Beings upcasting wording.

 

[Charlaquin]

I wonder if the printed retail copies are going to match the GenCon print run or the DDB text…

 

[occam]

While I'm addressing items on KibblesTasty's list, this clearly seems like a misinterpretation to me:

• Hunger Pains. Eating less than half the required food for a day forces you to save vs. Exhaustion at the end of the day, but eating nothing at all doesn't have any effect for 5 days. A creature that eats 1 full meal every 5 days suffers no ill effects (mechanically). Likewise, eating or drinking any amount >half the required food or water staves all ill effects, meaning that the effective required food or water is half the listed value. Additionally, a creature that eats anything at all every 5 days can subsistence indefinitely as long as they can pass a DC 10 Con save every 5 days.

The rules on Malnutrition don't say that eating nothing results in no negative effects until 5 days have passed. What they say:

A creature that eats but consumes less than half the required food for a day must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or gain 1 Exhuastion level at the day’s end. A creature that eats nothing for 5 days automatically gains 1 Exhaustion level at the end of the fifth day as well as an additional level at the end of each subsequent day without food.

No food is "less than half the required food", so clearly these effects are additive; if one is eating no food, not only are you making saves for 5 days, but after that the Exhaustion levels are automatic.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I wonder if the printed retail copies are going to match the GenCon print run or the DDB text…

Looking at one now - they match the GenCon one. Looks like an errata document will be coming fast!

 

[Charlaquin]

While I'm addressing items on KibblesTasty's list, this clearly seems like a misinterpretation to me:

• Hunger Pains. Eating less than half the required food for a day forces you to save vs. Exhaustion at the end of the day, but eating nothing at all doesn't have any effect for 5 days. A creature that eats 1 full meal every 5 days suffers no ill effects (mechanically). Likewise, eating or drinking any amount >half the required food or water staves all ill effects, meaning that the effective required food or water is half the listed value. Additionally, a creature that eats anything at all every 5 days can subsistence indefinitely as long as they can pass a DC 10 Con save every 5 days.

The rules on Malnutrition don't say that eating nothing results in no negative effects until 5 days have passed. What they say:

No food is "less than half the required food", so clearly these effects are additive; if one is eating no food, not only are you making saves for 5 days, but after that the Exhaustion levels are automatic.

Yeah, weird misinterpretation on his part. Though, it would be accurate to say that you can eat or drink half the required amount per day with no ill effects indefinitely. The required amount is only actually required to get rid of exhaustion from malnutrition or dehydration. Which functionally means that each 2lb. unit of rations can last a Medium or Small creature 4 days, unless they’re already suffering exhaustion due to malnutrition (in which case each unit can remove 2 exhaustion over the course of 2 days.)

 

[Charlaquin]

Looking at one now - they match the GenCon one. Looks like an errata document will be coming fast!

Oof… That really sucks!

You think it’s too much to hope that the folks outside the US who had their alternate covers delayed will get the updated text?

 

[Scribe]

Oof… That really sucks!

You think it’s too much to hope that the folks outside the US who had their alternate covers delayed will get the updated text?

I would imagine these were all printed some time ago?

 

[pukunui]

OK I've managed to check these:

• Stunned: The condition still doesn't stop you from moving, and the monk's Stunning Strike still says your speed is halved on a success. I guess they're thinking is that if you're stunned, you can't do anything except move, whereas if you get hit with Stunning Strike and make the save, you can still act normally except that you move more slowly. Still a bit wonky.
  
  
• Not True Polymorph: I think the issue re: the THP has been resolved because the spell states it lasts for the duration, not until the THP are all gone. However, there is a different issue, which is that no matter what kind of creature you are shape-shifted into, you "can't speak". So if you shape-shift a dwarf into an elf, they are mute!
  
  
• Otto's Irresistible Dance: This one is still borked. It needs to have a clause added indicating that if a creature is immune to being Charmed, the spell has no effect whatsoever. Otherwise, a creature immune to being Charmed should always choose to fail their save against this spell so it has no effect.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Oof… That really sucks!

You think it’s too much to hope that the folks outside the US who had their alternate covers delayed will get the updated text?

I expect it to be a shipping crate delay thing and not a printing thing, I'm afraid.

 

[pukunui]

Oof… That really sucks!

You think it’s too much to hope that the folks outside the US who had their alternate covers delayed will get the updated text?

Yes, I think it's too much. This is why I'm waiting for the inevitable Christmas 2025 core rule box set to get physical copies.