D&D (2024) So IS it a new edition?

[Cordwainer Fish]

When it comes to computer programs, there's an interesting quirk. By convention, all odd numbered versions (ie something like OS 1.024) are the glitchy versions with all the cool new features that might or might not work right. The even numbered version (ie OS 2.011) is the polished version with little new, but everything works well. (in theory anyways) Then OS 3.xxx is going back to new exiting features that aren't properly working.

That turns out not to be the case.

 

[Katarhas]

The types of changes in the new Player's Handbook seem to equate to the same types of optional changes you saw in Tasha's and Xanathar's, so unless we refer to using those books as an "optional new edition to 2014 DnD" I don't think it's fair to say the 2024 Player's Handbook is a new edition. It's more of a revision or massive errata with expanded options for player characters, you can still wholesale just use older subclasses with the only changes being to ones that granted the subclass at level 1, which is just delaying the new features until level 3.

I'd say especially since the majority of the changes just seem to be things copy+pasted from those books and then reworded slightly, like crafting, tools, and many "new" character options.

Maybe I might change my mind after a year of play if it feels sufficiently different, but after having read through the UAs and seeing the videos from people who had received the book early, it does not feel or look like a new version of the game, just a revised one.

 

[FrogReaver]

The types of changes in the new Player's Handbook seem to equate to the same types of optional changes you saw in Tasha's and Xanathar's, so unless we refer to using those books as an "optional new edition to 2014 DnD" I don't think it's fair to say the 2024 Player's Handbook is a new edition. It's more of a revision or massive errata with expanded options for player characters, you can still wholesale just use older subclasses with the only changes being to ones that granted the subclass at level 1, which is just delaying the new features until level 3.

I'd say especially since the majority of the changes just seem to be things copy+pasted from those books and then reworded slightly, like crafting, tools, and many "new" character options.

Maybe I might change my mind after a year of play if it feels sufficiently different, but after having read through the UAs and seeing the videos from people who had received the book early, it does not feel or look like a new version of the game, just a revised one.

Interesting. Isn’t any revised edition a new edition?

 

[Aldarc]

Maybe I might change my mind after a year of play if it feels sufficiently different, but after having read through the UAs and seeing the videos from people who had received the book early, it does not feel or look like a new version of the game, just a revised one.

Other games and books in publishing call that a "new edition."

 

[payn]

Interesting. Isn’t any revised edition a new edition?

Nope.

 

[payn]

Other games and books in publishing call that a "new edition."

Thats also true. 3-4-5 are not really editions in that sense. They are overhauls and new things altogether.

 

[Stalker0]

To me this is too early to call. If its just PHB, no I would say its not. But we still have the DMG and especially the MM to me could make a big difference. need to wait until we actually have the full set to make the judgment.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I'll call it 5e Rule Cyclopedia: is a gathering of a bunch of previously released variant rules and additions, some from supplements, some from the their own D&D Next playtest (re-reading the playtest packets, you see their some ideas in there that did not make the cut for 2014 but somehow are more accepted in 2024).

or just 5e Unearthed Arcana

 

[DEFCON 1]

Did Michael Bivens or Ralph Tresvant help write it? Then it isn't a new edition.

You all need to just cool it now.

 

[Nikosandros]

I've played with many DMs and myself included that could randomly pick up the phone and get a pickup game organized, with everyone playing in under an hour with zero prep. Honestly some of those were our best games too.

A long time ago, I used to run plenty of such games. I had the 1e PHB and UA and the 2e PHB in a backpack and I would just improvise stuff on the fly. Good times.