D&D 5E So, I kind of want to stay with 2014 rules. What are my longterm options?

[SableWyvern]

WotC says that 2014 characters are still legal in 5.5e, although as you say, individual DMs may differ. Hence "supposed to".

"Supposed to" is, in my opinion, a very flawed way of looking at it, and suggests a third party had some right to dictate what happens at a private table. This isn't a Magic tournament rule or an MMO running on a public server; the only time anyone is "supposed to" allow a particular class or do anything WotC suggests is when they have agreed to do so.

A DM should certainly make it clear what is and is not appropriate in their game, and gain buy in from players, but that's always the case.

 

[Nightfly]

I'm not offering any opinion about what should and sound not be allowed. I'm just saying that, in theory, 2014 characters will remain legal even after the new PHB comes out, so in theory the OP is good to go. I'm sure some DMs won't allow that, just as some don't allow you to play aarakocra or artificers. I have no idea what percentage of tables will allow both character builds. I'm curious to see.

 

[Sulicius]

Do you want to use VTT’s and online character builders?

Otherwise I don’t see any problem with this whatsoever. There is more D&D 2014 content than we both can get through in a lifetime.

 

[SableWyvern]

I'm not offering any opinion about what should and sound not be allowed. I'm just saying that, in theory, 2014 characters will remain legal even after the new PHB comes out, so in theory the OP is good to go. I'm sure some DMs won't allow that, just as some don't allow you to play aarakocra or artificers. I have no idea what percentage of tables will allow both character builds. I'm curious to see.

All good. I may quibble with your original terminology, but that's an entirely reasonable restatement.

 

[Dire Bare]

My suggestion . . . consider purchasing the 2024 books, and simply create house rules that add back in the 2014 rules that you like.

You could pick up one of the alternate 5E rulesets (Tales of the Valiant, Level Up, Nimble), but . . . you'd likely have the same problem. You'd likely enjoy some of the changes, but not all.

And really, some of your concerns over the new rules are overblown.

• Feats in both rules sets don't really change. In both 2014 and 2024, you can choose between ASIs and feats. It's just how they are presented that changes, with ASIs being described as a feat in the 2024 rules.
• 2024 backgrounds ARE customizable, but that info will be in the DMG. And even before we get the DMG, it's super easy to do anyway.
• Attribute bonuses moving from species to background . . . easy to houserule it to free-floating like in Tasha's. And you can either use the 2014 backgrounds, or the 2024 backgrounds depending on whether you like feats attached or not.
• The class changes are harder to get around smoothly, but an easy houserule is to have all players choose their subclasses at first level even if the relevant abilities don't kick in till 3rd. Or maybe come up with something cool for each subclass to get at 1st level. Or just ask your players to use the 2014 classes.
• But really . . . each of your players should be able to build their PCs with any of the 5E rulesets, 2014, 2024, ToV, etc, without major impact on your DMing . . . .
• Allow the half-elf and half-orc from the 2014 rules as species options. Simple.
• The rest of your complaints are you being "salty". Get over it.

A lot of folks will continue to use the 2014 rules, not necessarily because they don't care for the new 2024 rules, but for other reasons. They aren't even aware of the newer rules, they don't want to purchase new books, their current games are going just fine . . . . y'all will be fine for years to come. The only incompatibility will be with newer player options, and there is plenty of official and 3rd party support for the current 2014 rules to keep folks busy for a long time.

Eventually, yes, your 2014 books will fall apart and you'll want new ones . . . you'll be able to purchase used copies for a time, but eventually you'll probably end up picking up the 2024 rules . . . or the 2034 rules . . . life moves forward, learn to adapt.

 

[R_J_K75]

And at some point my books will need replacing due to aging/use

Why not just buy an extra set or two of the 2014 books, or at least a few PHB's now while they are still available if you can afford to.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You would think no one had ever gone through an edition transition before!

 

[FrogReaver]

I'm not offering any opinion about what should and sound not be allowed. I'm just saying that, in theory, 2014 characters will remain legal even after the new PHB comes out, so in theory the OP is good to go. I'm sure some DMs won't allow that, just as some don't allow you to play aarakocra or artificers. I have no idea what percentage of tables will allow both character builds. I'm curious to see.

And they also have said more recently for 2024 that if an option replaces a 2014 option use the new.

A bit contradictory they are.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

And they also have said more recently for 2024 that if an option replaces a 2014 option use the new.

A bit contradictory they are.

No, the key word is “replace”. So, for example tortles continue to be valid PC choice using the 2014 rules (updated per Tasha’s) until such time as new rules for tortles are published. The same goes for artificers, etc.

 

[Li Shenron]

However, personally and as a player, I prefer the original 5e rules, and will only look and will mainly DM with them. (And well, I don't see myself ever buying the new PHB)

Now, I know that my books aren't going anywhere (At least for as long as I lay low enough to dodge wandering Pinkertons n_n), but I worry about the long term. Obviously no new books will be printed which will be a problem when trying to introduce new players in the future. And at some point my books will need replacing due to aging/use (or if I run into the aforementioned wandering Pinkertons) So what are my options longterm?

Very different case between being a player and a DM...

As a DM, you can pretty much run any RPG you want. The most mainstream trend-following players will not want to play the second-last edition (neither current nor vintage), but how much like that are your typical players? If you want to keep playing 5e for the next decade, buy a couple of backup books (PHB, MM, anything you use that is showing signs of age) to be on the safe side. Maybe you can even get them discounted if you buy them just when 5.5 books are released. The CORE books will be probably back in print after 10 years or so, like it's been the case with older editions, when they become vintage enough that people starts missing them, but non-core books might be more risky, so make sure you get those you want before they disappear. Also, I personally do NOT suggest my players to even buy rulebooks at all, so I would not care at all about new future players, it's not your problem.

As a player, things will be different... organized play at shops and conventions is very mainstream, so if you are into that, things are going to be difficult to keep playing with 5e rules. Online play will also inevitably follow the mainstream, but given the large audience there are fair chances at finding groups of people wanting the play the same edition as you. Your best bet is always a group of actual friends who play in person, if life allows.