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

[Amphytrion]

I am also a DM that does not plan on switching, but I don't see any issue. The players will use 2014 rulebook, which I am happy to lend to them if they don't have. I will not allow 2024 rules, subclasses, or any other player-facing material.

That is the extent of it, really. Some people still play 3rd edition, and do so happily. I'm certain you will be fine.

 

[R_J_K75]

I don't know how or if this is legal (maybe SRD material?) but there's this site too that I used a lot when running 5E.

[mod edit--this is a pirate website]

 

[Krachek]

1 Stay with 2014 PHB and use new adventures.

2 Use 2024 phb but made some house rules. No Feats, add half elf or half orc, start at level 3, allow more freedom at character creation. If you expect a perfect match for your needs you gonna be disappointed forever.

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

I don't know how or if this is legal (maybe SRD material?) but there's this site too that I used a lot when running 5E.

https://5e.tools/

This is a piracy site.

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

But they aren't different games.

If you're buying it when wotc says that, I have a bridge you might be interested in.

 

[Reynard]

If you're buying it when wotc says that, I have a bridge you might be interested in.

I don't care about what WotC says. You can run a 5e game using the 2014 DMG, Flee! Mortals for a MM and the A5E PHB. Why wouldn't you be able to incorporate the 2024 PHB?

 

[TiQuinn]

So, if you primarily plan on GMing, and you plan on using 5E plus some compatible stuff, does it really matter what PHB the players use?

It does when you are referring to a rule like exhaustion and you are adjudicating it based on 2014 rules and the players are expecting 2024 rules. If there’s a difference in a spell, and the DM reads it one way, and the players have a different version, it creates confusion.

I don’t see how anyone can run the game with one set of rules versus players using a different set of rules and not just expect an issue at some point. That point may not arise immediately but over the course of a campaign, it’ll likely come up.

 

[Yaarel]

Your gaming needs are what they are. I am comparing how I look at these concerns. I agree they are concerns, and how I will address them for my gaming needs. Personally I will switch to 2024 as soon as possible.

Some classes getting their subclass at first level. Character suddenly changing at later levels just don't do it for me. Moving the choice to higher levels ruins the customizability of classes and screws with party formation dynamics. If anything I'd like more classes to choose subclass at first.

• I like feats as optional.
• I don't like the way backgrounds are turned from an almost purely thematic construct to a very mechanical and optimizable element.
• I prefer backgrounds being customizable by default.
• I'm salty at the removal of half-elf and half-orc.
• I prefer attribute bonuses as a free choice. (Tasha's rules)
• I feel as if 2024 rules are more codified and jargonified for the sake of being more jargonified.

So far, I don't think the SRD has enough content, and Levelup is a bit more rules-heavy than I'd like. I've looked at Black Flag, but it makes some of the same changes I don't like in the 2024 rules. So any ideas?

Subclass at level 3
This bothers me for narrative reasons. Sometimes the class concept starts during teen years or even earlier, and waiting til level 3 makes no sense: Sorcerer who demonstrates magic while young, Elf who grows up training in an Eldritch Knight town militia.

I will homebrew backgrounds that foreshadow the subclass choice, including an origin feat that grants two cantrips relating to the character concept. I will emphasize any level 1 options that can foreshadow the level 3 choice.


Feats as optional
I love feats for how they can personalize a character concept. But if wanting to "standardize" character creation, stick with the default feat: Skilled, followed by Ability Score Improvements at higher tiers.


Backgrounds from thematic to very mechanical
Both 2014 and 2024 backgrounds have minimal narrative. However where 2014 empowered players to customize a background, 2024 is overly rigid. Example, every Sailor is a Tavern Brawler.

The 2024 Players Handbook, in the create a character section, choose a background, mentions that the DM might supply other backgrounds. The DM has full control of whatever backgrounds are present, and the player facing rules alert the player to this fact. So as DM, handle backgrounds as you wish. Backgrounds are fundamental to a setting, and are the responsibility of the DM. Backgrounds define setting − via livelihoods and themes that are prominent in a culture.

I will update my setting specific backgrounds for 2024, such as Spáfólk for my Nordic region and for certain D&D-isms Drow Sleep Poisoner, Avariel Glassteel Alchemist, High Military Academy.

I will recommend my players pick one of the backgrounds that are available in the setting, and to work with me if they need to customize it. Backgrounds are one of the places that are equally important for both the player and the DM. It defines the character concept and origins and place in the setting. The DM needs to figure out where in the setting such a background makes sense as part of a certain culture or subculture.

Backgrounds now have more design space than the species. It is an enormous part of building a character concept. I like how it encourages players to think about the setting and their stake in it, to invest and immerse in the storytelling.


Half Elf and Half Orc
There are no mechanics in the 2024 Players Handbook for multispecies characters. But they exist narratively as part of many official settings. Likely, the DMs Guide will recommend how to build multispecies characters.

Personally, I like Orc as a normal player species. I am glad it is in the 2024 Players Handbook. I view the mechanics for the Half Elf and Half Orc as mostly redundant with the Elf and Orc. But narratively, the Half Elf is important in the Nordic regional setting, where Half Elf individuals and families are a theme. A notable trait is they innately excel at any kind of magic.

For players, I will create backgrounds to represent multispecies ancestry, including origin feats that supply certain species traits. Players can simply use any pertinent species as-is for their character, and if they wish pick one of these backgrounds. A Human can use the extra origin feat to pick up an Elf or Orc feat. An Elf can make sure the regular origin feat represents a Human culture, or if necessary swap out the cantrip and cantrip-like lineage trait for an extra origin feat instead.

As a D&D-ism, I will use the new Wayfarer background to represent the "between two worlds" that any multispecies might experience.


Floating Ability Score Improvements
2024 makes Ability Score Improvements part of the background design space.

I like that background experiences are how a character develops the relevant abilities. Players can work with me as the DM to customize their background. They can choose whatever abilities they want ... as long as they come up with a solid origin story where that makes sense.

Technically, customizing a background is part of the 2024 Rules-As-Written, where the DM might supply other backgrounds that differ from the ones that are in the Players Handbook.


2024 Jargon
There is some new jargon.

As far as I can tell, the new jargon that I noticed is functional. Such as the Invisibility condition and the Bloodied condition. Invisibility is to standardize the benefits of being unseen, regardless of how one becomes and stays unseen. Bloodied is narratively clarifying, to distinguish between mostly nonphysical damage and then superficial damage from landing attacks that will require bandaging and so on.

 

[Reynard]

It does when you are referring to a rule like exhaustion and you are adjudicating it based on 2014 rules and the players are expecting 2024 rules.

I didn't suggest keeping the fact hidden from the players.

If there’s a difference in a spell, and the DM reads it one way, and the players have a different version, it creates confusion.

Just do what the spell description says. You would do exactly the same thing if you were using a spell from a book other than the PHB.

I don’t see how anyone can run the game with one set of rules versus players using a different set of rules and not just expect an issue at some point. That point may not arise immediately but over the course of a campaign, it’ll likely come up.

Confusion pops up anyway. Look at "stealth." Of course you are going to have to adjudicate stuff on the fly. that's like 50% of the job of the GM.

I mean, when your player creates a character do you really go and read every spell, feat, and racial and class ability for that characters? I don't think most GMs do. I think most GMs respond to a statement like "I cast flambe!" with "Okay, what does it do?"

I am not saying people should play this way, but you certainly could.

 

[TiQuinn]

I didn't suggest keeping the fact hidden from the players.

I’m not saying you would either but to me that just creates a bunch of “house rules” that you have to communicate - differences between 2014 and 2024.

Just do what the spell description says. You would do exactly the same thing if you were using a spell from a book other than the PHB.

Without having seen the 2024 rules, I can’t say whether that causes an issue or not. It’s not my ideal way to play though. There are adventures that have creatures with spells and I’d prefer not to have those function differently than the version the players use.

Confusion pops up anyway. Look at "stealth." Of course you are going to have to adjudicate stuff on the fly. that's like 50% of the job of the GM.

I mean, when your player creates a character do you really go and read every spell, feat, and racial and class ability for that characters? I don't think most GMs do. I think most GMs respond to a statement like "I cast flambe!" with "Okay, what does it do?"

I don’t have to start from a place where I invite confusion by choosing two sets of rules, either. The other thing is that I’ve been playing 5e for 10 years now, so yes, I am familiar with a lot of those spells, abilities and feats. Having the page I’m working off of now being different than the players is not ideal.