The new one Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook was released for early access on September 3, 2024, and will arrive officially on September 17. Book will bring to the TTRPG. Included in this first look are rules for DMs, a guide to building characters, and an overview of some of the new class and background features.
The new handbook is intended as a revamp of D&D 5th editionNot like his own version of the game, but the changes made are still quite extensive. From reworking the available subclasses to factor more abilities into a character’s background rather than their species, players can build very different characters from this new book. For those looking for a sneak peek of the upcoming changes or just want to get a head start on learning the new rules, here’s an overview of everything the Free rules cover.
A guide to the basics of D&D
Advice for DMs and players alike
The opening section of the free rules cover a lot of tips and game mechanics that everyone playing will want to be familiar with. It goes into detail on the pace of the game, how DMs will describe a setting, and how the mechanics of combat differ from conversation and exploration. It covers turn order, dice rolls, ability scores and lots of information for beginners. It’s a bit dense, though Anyone new to the game could benefit from even a cursory glance at what’s covered hereOr by having it on standby during the first few sessions.
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Despite how much information is present, it is clear that WotC prioritizes making the rules understandable for new players. Just as 5e sought to make the game more accessible 10 years ago, the Player’s Handbook strives to invite those who might feel polarized by the game’s complicated reputation. This free look at how the basic rules work illustrates the mindset very well, and while there aren’t many changes in this section that returning players will need to worry about, there is a great cheat sheet for finding quick rules for conditions, roll modifiers, And the like.
One important change that this section defines is the specification for certain actions that players can take. Returning players will be familiar with the usual options like dash, hide, attack, and so on, but the free rules distinguish between a “search” action, which uses Wisdom ability checks, and a “learn” action, which uses intelligence. There are also rules for Charisma checks, which are referred to as “influence” actions. Although these distinctions do not make a ton of mechanical difference, They could provide players with a more concrete set of choices if they don’t know what to do on their turn.
Character building tips in the new rule trend
Advice for players to make their adventurer
After the general rules is a section on building characters, including tips for selecting their equipment and leveling them up. The free rules specifically cover experience-based level advancementWhich is fine, although it’s worth noting that many DMs use other methods such as milestones. There are rules for hit point calculations, multiclassing and selection of “trinkets,” which all players now get at least one based on a 100-number table. They don’t do much, but it’s fun to get a little odd item that may or may not play into a character’s story.
The Getting Started section also covers how class-specific features, like extra attack and spellcasting, work, though that goes into more detail when the free rules reach the class selection section. The free rules cover four of the classes available in D&D: The Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard. The real 2024 Players Handbook Will include the twelve main D&D Classes, but that’s a pretty small selection of options that cover builds focused on strength, dexterity, wisdom, and intelligence.
The free rules go into detail on the basic features of each of the classes, including spell lists when applicable. They also include one subclass for each of the four class options, though Notably, each class now takes its subclass at level three. It makes no difference to the rogue or fighter but is A particularly great deal for the clericwhose top-tier subclass features have long made it a popular multiclassing choice and an early-game powerhouse.
An overview of 2024 character origins
A redesign of 5e’s backgrounds and races
The background and species elements of player characters are now combined in one section of the rules, called Character Origins. Both aspects of the character are still chosen independently, of course, and both have their own effects, but much is done to balance the impact They have. Backgrounds in 2014 PHB Was more than icing on a cake, providing a few extra proficiency and an ability that would maybe come up someday. Now, backgrounds are crucial and arguably more important than a character’s species.
Background choice now determines level one ability score enhancements, an additional feat and what they had before. Species affect a lot of aesthetic and flavor elements of the character, such as their age, height, and creature type, but also affect a character’s speed. Each species has at least one special trait, such as Darkvision, that gives something unique to the character. The free rules don’t include every species and background choice, but they cover a few.
The backgrounds of acolyte, criminal, sage and soldier are looked at, with each including a feat tailored to the description and some pertinent professions and items as well. The species covered are the dwarf, elf, halfling, and human. These are all a little stronger than they were in the 2014 Player’s HandbookWith dwarves gaining temporary tremorsense, elves having a better selection of spells, humans gaining a source of daily inspiration, and Both small species now have a full 30 feet of movement each turn.
Feats, items and spells all make a small appearance
A brief overview of these topics is presented in the free rules
The next section covers fits; Specifically, twelve of the newly modified options organized in different sections. There are origin feats, which are available at level one, fighting style feats (Fighting styles count as fits now)General feats, and epic bonuses that are only available at high levels of play. Most of these have seen little or big changes from their 2014 counterparts, and not always for the better. Still, some of the options, especially the epic buns, seem pretty strong.
Next in the free rules is a selection of equipment pieces that characters can use, ranging from weapons and armor to currency to tool sets. Most of this is similar to the previous versions of the game, with the exception Weapons now have associated weapon masteriesWhich also gets a breakdown. There are mechanics for mounts and vehicles, for brewing and drinking potions, and a fairly short section on magic items. Finally, this section ends with a description of how certain spellcasters can use and create scrolls.
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Finally, there is a section on spells, their casting and requirements. The free rules go over components and arcane foci, instant saving throws and attack rolls, and the Dreaded one-spell-per-turn rule what Baldur’s Gate 3 Just gave players a break from. The free rules also include a truly impressive selection of spells, including revised rules for dozens of spell options available for multiple classes. Of course, this is nothing compared to the reported 400 spells that will be included in these 2024 Player’s Handbook.
2024 Free Rules: Creatures and Conclusions
Example stat blocks and character sheets complete this sneak peek
The free rules conclude with a short section showing multiple creature stat blocks; Including apes, imps and zombies. These are completely filled out, meaning DMs can practice using the new stat blocks right now by looking away from the rules. There is also a character sheet section that shows off the new look that WotC has givenWhich honestly might be a bit more visually confusing than the previous iteration; Although this may be somewhat due to familiarity bias.
Overall, the free rules won’t let a DM run an entire campaign in this semi-new version of Dungeons & DragonsOr should players try to create an entirely new character based on the narrow selection of options presented here. What these rules are great at is introducing the mechanics of the game to new players and showing how certain elements will work differently going forward. It is an effective sample tray of these 2024 Player’s Handbook This will come and hopefully give players a chance to see if the new rules will work for them.