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

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

The problem is, I want to stay with 2014 rules or move to a ruleset that is an improvement without falling into the 'sins' of 2024. As a DM I need a reliable source for rules to keep giving to future players.

Your only option for a permanent version of 5e exactly as it is, without changes/house rules, and that won't physically fall apart is piracy.

 

[Clint_L]

I'm seeing I wasn't very clear. That's not the problem. The problem is, I want to stay with 2014 rules or move to a ruleset that is an improvement without falling into the 'sins' of 2024. As a DM I need a reliable source for rules to keep giving to future players. As a player, I need a safe harbour to keep playing. "Learning to love 5.2" is not a solution.

As player, it'll be harder to find games, since you'll have to defer to what your DM wants to run. As a DM, it might be a little harder to find players, as time goes on, but the rule sets are so similar that it's not like newer players would have trouble just using the 2014 ones. Anyone playing a monk or a sorcerer might be bummed, though. Would you make exceptions for circumstances like that?

One solution to making sure you have enough of the books going forward is to buy the books you want to have forever now off DnDBeyond - they're cheap on digital and you can download them permanently to the app. Then just share the ones you want to keep legal with your players through the DDB campaign using a Master Tier subscription. You're essentially gifting all of them to your players, for as long as they remain in the campaign.

 

[Zaukrie]

Copy and paste everything from dndbeyond into files.....

 

[Zaukrie]

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.

I'm selling mine

 

[R_J_K75]

Though I would say as cheap as the 2014 books are - and loads of folks start dumping their books come the next few months - picking up an extra copy or two would probably be a good idea if you aren't planning to move to the newest books.

I have three copies of the of 2014 PHB, and they seem fine, regarding their condition. I think one is a 10th printing and the others are 1st printings. So, I'm good. I was always one to pick up an extra copy for the table and think I wanted one the errata.

 

[Zaukrie]

Copy and paste everything from dndbeyond into files.....

I do that.....

 

[R_J_K75]

I'm selling mine

See if @MoonSong wants it, I have a few copies and don't see us playing 5E anytime soon, but never say never.

 

[Rabulias]

• 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 am not sure I get this complaint. Most 2014 5e classes do not choose their subclass at first level. The Cleric, the Sorcerer, and the Warlock are the only ones, IIRC.

 

[R_J_K75]

This is a piracy site.

I often thought that it would have been long taken down by WotC by now if it was illegal. I'm sure they have to know it's out there. But I'll take your word for it.

 

[Yaarel]

@MoonSong

Perhaps the 2024 SRD (coming out in 2025 after the Monster Manual) will be sufficiently simple?