D&D (2024) The 2014 vs 2024 PHB Compatibility Thread

[Ruin Explorer]

probably less from 2014 core PHB options and more from stuff like the SCAG Aubclasses nobody talks about anymore that are already funky.

I dunno if it'll be the obscure subclasses - most of those have pretty straightforwardly bad mechanics, rather than interestingly wacky ones.

What we don't know is whether 2024 makes significant changes to rules that subclasses might interact with, like grappling (sorry it's the easiest example). If it does, then we'll see a lot more weird issues than if it doesn't.

Also if PHB 2024 Paladins still require a Bonus Action to use Smite I predict we basically won't see any 2024 Paladins lol. Because that's just too much of a power gap.

 

[Parmandur]

One thing I did note was 2014 subclasses that were eliminated in 2024 would still be fine in a 2024 game but that there may be later updates to those subclasses. Wondering how much work will be needed ito use those subclasses in the interim?

Based on the latter UAs, not hard at all.

 

[jayoungr]

I'm expecting that nobody will actually play 2014 characters in a 2024 campaign, because they'll be considered too mechanically weak, even if they technically still function. And I suspect that WotC wants it that way.

 

[Parmandur]

grappling (sorry it's the easiest example)

It's always the freaking problem child of rules resolution.

 

[JEB]

I see no reason to see why Riaing from the Last War won't work just fine: they have a sidebar in the PHB that breaks down how to import older options like the Species there, so there shouldn't be anything thst cannot be used.

Mainly thinking here of the Dragonmarks, which incorporate ASIs and replace subraces for species that no longer have such in 2024. Maybe they'll address them specifically, but I suspect they'll just expect you to wait for the inevitable 2024-era Eberron update.

 

[Parmandur]

Mainly thinking here of the Dragonmarks, which incorporate ASIs and replace subraces for species that no longer have such in 2024. Maybe they'll address them specifically, but I suspect they'll just expect you to wait for the inevitable 2024-era Eberron update.

The UA sidebar explained how to still use those (long story short, you replace thw Background ASI with the old Racial one, so the options thst were on a different balance point loke Half-Elf and Mountain Dwarf aren't impacted), and they have confirmed there will be a sidebar in the final PHB to explain how to use older Species options. Thst shouldn't be an issue at all.

That being said, I would not be surprised to see a treatment of Dragonmarks as. Aclgroinds instead of Suvraces at some point. But the existing Dragonmarks world fine with the UA system, which seems mostly unchanged.

 

[Parmandur]

Mainly thinking here of the Dragonmarks, which incorporate ASIs and replace subraces for species that no longer have such in 2024. Maybe they'll address them specifically, but I suspect they'll just expect you to wait for the inevitable 2024-era Eberron update.

For reference, here is how the UA text handled old ASIs. I am sure there will be guidance about Race/Subrace stuff in general, too. Recall that WotC is still selling all these bbooks at full price.

 

[TwoSix]

Only if you import some 2024 rules. Like the weapon mastery table.

I don't see that as particularly problematic. The weapon mastery table is, at its core, a table of character specific powers tied to a specific weapon. If a character doesn't have the weapon mastery feature, it's invisible to them.

 

[TwoSix]

I'm expecting that nobody will actually play 2014 characters in a 2024 campaign, because they'll be considered too mechanically weak, even if they technically still function. And I suspect that WotC wants it that way.

Real talk, are there any changes to the core resolution system between 2014 and 2024? Is there any actual difference between a "2014 game" and a "2024 game" outside of specific character implementations?

 

[mellored]

I don't see that as particularly problematic. The weapon mastery table is, at its core, a table of character specific powers tied to a specific weapon. If a character doesn't have the weapon mastery feature, it's invisible to them.

Sure, but it's not part of the "character", and thus "not compatible".

Never said it would be problematic.