Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
To be frank, given the design intentions I've seen, I'd rather make the changes myself (and I have). Still, it's interesting to see what their plans are.
What does Backward compatibility mean to you?
- Thread starter Vael
- Start date
Yaarel
Mind Mage
Again, where did they specify this?
Maxperson
Morkus from Orkus
I think those sidebars are for the playtest, since you cannot play the UA without using 2014 rules. We will see how they handle 5.5 when it is released and not before then. They might just give some small insert like they did with 3.5 for conversions.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
Like @Maxperson, I would like a little more honesty in their initial sales pitch.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
By saying the new core is backwards compatible with old adventures and supplements, but not saying its compatible with the old core.
Yaarel
Mind Mage
Where did they say this?
Maxperson
Morkus from Orkus
It's not my definition. It's THE definition and I didn't have anything to do with deciding what it was.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
In their presentation video.
On the FAQ for the playtest I posted a quote on it in this and other threads
Parmandur
Book-Friend
I don't think they put any word.in there that they are not considering for the final text. They are super earnest about stil lselling old books, in print and on Beyond.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
They didn't say old Core couldn't be used, though. They se to be designing for.mixing and matching being a working norm.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
In all fairness, it is clear that WotC and many players are using a different, less official but perhaps more widely used definition. If you're irritated about that (believe me I get it) that's ok, but I think you're going to have to accept that you and WotC are not on the same page in this area.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
Where do you get that impression? As has been said, people have to use the 2014 rules to use the UA.
Yaarel
Mind Mage
So this is what the FAQ on DnDBeyond states:
"
What does backward compatible mean?
It means that fifth edition adventures and supplements will work in One D&D. For example, if you want to run Curse of Strahd in One D&D, that book will work with the new versions of the core rulebooks. Our goal is for you to keep enjoying the content you already have and make it even better. You’ll see this in action through the playtest materials, which you will be able to provide feedback on.
"
I see the design commitment is that DMs can use supplements − like Xanathars and Tashas − with the 5.5 core books.
At the same time, these also work with the 5.0 core books.
Presumably, 5.0 and 5.5 can both work at the same table, even if it requires 5.0 getting a free feat or 5.5 using 5.0 backgrounds instead.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
Yes, and that's largely because the framework will remain the same. This test specifies how to use 2014 Race options, and I see no reason that won't make it into the PHB. So someone who really wants to play a Half-Elf from the 2014 Core still can, and per the rules explicitly.
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
5e core works with supplements. 6e core works with supplements. That doesn't necessarily mean that 5e core works with 6e core, and they don't claim it's intended to, not without some work at least (other than the necessity of the playtest).
Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
Maybe, but I'm with @Maxperson on that disappearing upon release of 6e.
Yaarel
Mind Mage
I dont think the 5.5 Players Handbook will mention the 5.0 half-elf.
But I do think, one can build a 5.0 half-elf and with minimal adjustments like a free feat, play alongside the 5.5 human-elf.
Parmandur
Book-Friend
It doesn't make sense that it would: they want people to use D&D Bryond more and more, and they don't want anyone to nit be able to use their material.
That's the real test of backwards compatibility: will Beyond allow painless mixing of material?
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