D&D (2024) How D&D Beyond Will Handle Access To 2014 Rules

D&D Beyond has announced how the transition to the new 2024 edition will work on the platform, and how legacy access to the 2014 version of D&D will be implemented.

• You will still be able to access the 2014 Basic Rules and core rulebooks.
• You will still be able to make characters using the 2014 Player's Handbook.
• Existing home-brew content will not be impacted.
• These 2014 rules will be accessible and will be marked with a 'legacy' badge: classes, subclasses, species, backgrounds, feats, monsters.
• Tooltips will reflect the 2024 rules.
• Monster stat blocks will be updated to 2024.
• There will be terminology changes (Heroic Inspiration, Species, etc.)

D&D (2024) - Wizards of the Coast Backtracks on D&D Beyond and 2014 Content

Wizards of the Coast posted an overnight update stating that they are not going forward with previously released plans to require those wishing to use some 2014 content on D&D Beyond to use the Homebrew function to manually enter it. Instead, all the content including spells and magic items will...

www.enworld.org

 

[Minigiant]

Yes because at some point a change will split the market. A5e and ToV want to play in WotC's 5e market. If WoTC wants to split their own market that is on them. At the moment they do not, so we have backward compatible, which is really about running the Tyranny of Dragons under the new rules.
In ten years or so they may be willing to bring out a version that breaks with 2014 but not with 2024. They only way (at the moment, IMHO) we will see radical change is if some outside makes real inroads into the market.
Last night I was listening to Shawn Merwin grumbling about attribute scores being still in the game but that is a defining characteristic of D&D, the backlash is potentially terrifying.
I say again, if one wants radical change then look to third parties with nothing much to lose by taking a punt.

2014 and 2024 use the same design core and assumptions.

Some things can be replaced and keep the compatible with 2014 and 2024.

But some things asked for cannot.

It's just a matter of specifics and percentages.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I don't grumble. I whine! ;-)

And I completely understand why WotC doesn't get rid of alignment, ability scores, and other aspects of the game that add very little to the game play (in my opinion). If I was a marketing person worrying about upsetting long-time players who don't want to see their game drastically changed, I would definitely not be as cavalier as I am in calling for those elements to be removed. Thankfully I am not a marketing person.

If you say so, it took me 2 reads of this to realize who was replying.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

2014 and 2024 use the same design core and assumptions.

Some things can be replaced and keep the compatible with 2014 and 2024.

But some things asked for cannot.

It's just a matter of specifics and percentages.

2024 drifts 2014, it makes it more crunchier and moves away somewhat from strict natural language. There is room for the addition of optional stuff in spat books over the next 5 years and if any of that sticks then there is room to drift the game further away from 2014.
What I do not expect Wizards to do is, take risks with splitting the market.

 

[Micah Sweet]

2014 and 2024 use the same design core and assumptions.

Some things can be replaced and keep the compatible with 2014 and 2024.

But some things asked for cannot.

It's just a matter of specifics and percentages.

I would argue that the assumptions have changed, with a stronger emphasis on mechanics over fiction.

 

[Minigiant]

So, the problem with that is that none of those are well-defined. If you ask a half dozen gamers what it really means for a game to be backwards compatible, you'll get seven answers. And whether a change "fixes" something depends on whether you think the thing needed fixing in the first place!

However I am not really talking about specifics.

What I am simply saying that a person might like 5e, and like use of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and the A5e Adventure Guide over their hatred of the 5e armor list or the skill list.

However when I say 5e might have unpopular bits, I'm called self centered or crazy.

For example Wizards did attempt to fix the weapon list because the 5e weapon list was unpopular the way it was designed. However if you ask @SlyFlourish they fixed that heavily surveyed and complained about problem by potentially creating a new problem.

Because there are aspects of 5e that are unpopular with 5e fans but can't be fixed without making the result incompatible with everything else.

And Now with a 10-year-old game that compatibility line is going to be stepped over more.

So defining what is 5e and what is not 5E will soon matter. Because we're now getting products like nimble 5e which are going to go attempt to fix problems that are complained about within the 5e community well and not believe there are complaints or not.

 

[Minigiant]

I would argue that the assumptions have changed, with a stronger emphasis on mechanics over fiction.

The math is the same.

How you get there is different.
That's the same assumptions.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The math is the same.

How you get there is different.
That's the same assumptions.

Core design is math. Assumptions are different.

 

[Minigiant]

Core design is math. Assumptions are different.

When talking about compatibility will you only talk about the math.

And even then, 2024's is more open and broad than 2014. To the point some claim it to be to permissive.

 

[Micah Sweet]

When talking about compatibility will you only talk about the math.

And even then, 2024's is more open and broad than 2014. To the point some claim it to be to permissive.

Why talk about core design and assumptions at all then, when all you really care about is the math?

 

[Umbran]

However I am not really talking about specifics.

Yeah, well, I am not sure this discussion is meaningful if it is only in the abstract.

This thread is ultimately about how D&D beyond handles access to old rules - it is NOT about how they failed to make changes that you want to see.

However when I say 5e might have unpopular bits, I'm called self centered or crazy.

What do you expect? That they will kowtow to your wisdom?

You have a strong opinion. Someone else has a strong opinion. They clash. Welcome to the internet.

Because there are aspects of 5e that are unpopular with 5e fans...

Yes, and if you ask seven gamers what is unpopular, you'll get eight different answers. Everyone on the internet thinks they know what the fans want.