First, thank you to everyone involved in bringing third-party content onto D&D Beyond. It’s exciting to see this library grow, and I really value having access to so many great options here.
Right now, though, the product pages don’t provide enough detail for players and DMs to make informed decisions. The descriptions often assume that buyers either already know what they’re looking for or are willing to research the product elsewhere. But the challenge is: the version of a book on D&D Beyond is not always the same as what’s sold on the publisher’s own site.
For example, Valda’s Spire of Secrets is listed on Mage Hand Press as having 150 subclasses. On D&D Beyond, the listing only includes six of those. That’s perfectly fine—but if we’re only getting a curated portion of the content, then it’s even more important that the product page clearly states what’s actually included. Otherwise, it’s impossible to know what we’re buying, since we can’t rely on external sources to fill in the details.
The page for Valda’s Spire says “six subclasses,” names only two of them, gives minimal flavor text, and doesn’t specify whether the content follows the 2014 or 2024 rules. That leaves players guessing about both scope and compatibility.
A few simple changes would solve this:
List all included content (subclass names, spells, feats, etc.).
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
Because D&D Beyond content isn’t identical to what’s sold elsewhere, players can’t just research externally to figure this out—we really need the official product page to spell it out. Doing so would make purchases far more transparent, help build trust, and ultimately make players more excited to pick up new titles here.
Thanks again for the work you’re doing to grow the platform! This feedback isn’t just theoretical—right now, it’s the only reason I didn’t immediately purchase Grim Hollow today. With clearer product pages, I’d feel confident picking it up on D&D Beyond without hesitation.
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Even the WOTC stuff is inconsistently labeled. It seems they all list their edition as D&D 5th edition but some of them have a graphic on the product image that says that it is backwards compatible.
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Unfortunately, there's details on Beyond's side that make this answer less useful than it should be.
1. Official products don't have their release date clearly listed in the Marketplace (though official are less of an issue anyway, as all of those can be used forward until/unless reprinted in 2024).
2. Third-party products are the bulk of what's been released since the 2024 PHB, and whether they're available as 2014 or 2024 is unclear from the Marketplace in most cases.
The lack of information that was brought up in the initial post, I completely agree with. Thankfully the forum staff seems to be on top of that usually, but players shouldn't have to look there in the first place.
While this post is from the view of a Player, I would 100% support having a list of the magic items and monsters in a book too. Back when A La Carte existed, having those lists was one of the more useful aspects of the system. I generally bought books (I think I only bought one item because I was given it in an AL game) but having the list of monsters, spells, and items meant that you knew what you were getting.
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Even the WOTC stuff is inconsistently labeled. It seems they all list their edition as D&D 5th edition but some of them have a graphic on the product image that says that it is backwards compatible.
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
So you're saying that everything works with 2024 rules? And regardless, having to dig up release dates is not exactly the most convenient way to do this.
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
So you're saying that everything works with 2024 rules? And regardless, having to dig up release dates is not exactly the most convenient way to do this.
Currently the only truly legacy stuff is the 2014 core rules. However some third party titles explicitly say they're only compatible with 2014 for character generation, because they haven't had additional work done in them.
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
Well no, I wouldn't say that "all" pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. If only because of the existence of the Shepard Druid, which is based around spells which have been radically altered in the 2024 rules.
This hits so hard. Bought the book immediately thinking it had Path of the Carrion Raven for 2024, but it doesn't. So I'm still stuck using that subclass on a 2014 character. Then afterwards finding out that the entire heritage system isn't in the character builder either.
This hits so hard. Bought the book immediately thinking it had Path of the Carrion Raven for 2024, but it doesn't. So I'm still stuck using that subclass on a 2014 character. Then afterwards finding out that the entire heritage system isn't in the character builder either.
If you've bought it, you can absolutely make a homebrew copy and make a new subclass to match. If I remember right, Carrion Raven is a little annoying to do and needs a workaround for the Carrion Raven Skill selection, but still doable.
EDIT: Come to think of it, there's absolutely no excuse for any product releasing now to not be compatible with both. Beyond should be enforcing that on any future releases, that the 2014 and 2024 versions must both be released together.
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Even the WOTC stuff is inconsistently labeled. It seems they all list their edition as D&D 5th edition but some of them have a graphic on the product image that says that it is backwards compatible.
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
Not on DnDBeyond it isn't. They may be rules compatible in the books, but there's lots of 2014 content that still hasn't been implemented on the site fully for 2024 characters.
Right now, though, the product pages don’t provide enough detail for players and DMs to make informed decisions. The descriptions often assume that buyers either already know what they’re looking for or are willing to research the product elsewhere. But the challenge is: the version of a book on D&D Beyond is not always the same as what’s sold on the publisher’s own site.
For example, Valda’s Spire of Secrets is listed on Mage Hand Press as having 150 subclasses. On D&D Beyond, the listing only includes six of those. That’s perfectly fine—but if we’re only getting a curated portion of the content, then it’s even more important that the product page clearly states what’s actually included. Otherwise, it’s impossible to know what we’re buying, since we can’t rely on external sources to fill in the details.
The page for Valda’s Spire says “six subclasses,” names only two of them, gives minimal flavor text, and doesn’t specify whether the content follows the 2014 or 2024 rules. That leaves players guessing about both scope and compatibility.
A few simple changes would solve this:
List all included content (subclass names, spells, feats, etc.).
Oddly, this information *is* listed in the mobile app, so someone is collating it for each release, they're just not bothering with putting it on the website.
Thought you were kidding but wow it really is all there. Full lists of which monsters, subclasses, spells etc are all included but ONLY in the phone app.
Thought you were kidding but wow it really is all there. Full lists of which monsters, subclasses, spells etc are all included but ONLY in the phone app.
What are they thinking?
Not about their customers, that's been made very clear the last year or so.
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First, thank you to everyone involved in bringing third-party content onto D&D Beyond. It’s exciting to see this library grow, and I really value having access to so many great options here.
Right now, though, the product pages don’t provide enough detail for players and DMs to make informed decisions. The descriptions often assume that buyers either already know what they’re looking for or are willing to research the product elsewhere. But the challenge is: the version of a book on D&D Beyond is not always the same as what’s sold on the publisher’s own site.
For example, Valda’s Spire of Secrets is listed on Mage Hand Press as having 150 subclasses. On D&D Beyond, the listing only includes six of those. That’s perfectly fine—but if we’re only getting a curated portion of the content, then it’s even more important that the product page clearly states what’s actually included. Otherwise, it’s impossible to know what we’re buying, since we can’t rely on external sources to fill in the details.
The page for Valda’s Spire says “six subclasses,” names only two of them, gives minimal flavor text, and doesn’t specify whether the content follows the 2014 or 2024 rules. That leaves players guessing about both scope and compatibility.
A few simple changes would solve this:
List all included content (subclass names, spells, feats, etc.).
Clearly indicate whether the content is updated for the 2024 rules or still follows the 2014 rules.
Because D&D Beyond content isn’t identical to what’s sold elsewhere, players can’t just research externally to figure this out—we really need the official product page to spell it out. Doing so would make purchases far more transparent, help build trust, and ultimately make players more excited to pick up new titles here.
Thanks again for the work you’re doing to grow the platform! This feedback isn’t just theoretical—right now, it’s the only reason I didn’t immediately purchase Grim Hollow today. With clearer product pages, I’d feel confident picking it up on D&D Beyond without hesitation.
I 100% agree with this.
"Not getting cut into bloody littles slices, That's the key to a sound plan."
This one is fairly easy for official content—anything released after the 2024 core rulebooks uses 2024 rules. Anything released after is designed using the 2014 rules.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Even the WOTC stuff is inconsistently labeled. It seems they all list their edition as D&D 5th edition but some of them have a graphic on the product image that says that it is backwards compatible.
Unfortunately, there's details on Beyond's side that make this answer less useful than it should be.
1. Official products don't have their release date clearly listed in the Marketplace (though official are less of an issue anyway, as all of those can be used forward until/unless reprinted in 2024).
2. Third-party products are the bulk of what's been released since the 2024 PHB, and whether they're available as 2014 or 2024 is unclear from the Marketplace in most cases.
The lack of information that was brought up in the initial post, I completely agree with. Thankfully the forum staff seems to be on top of that usually, but players shouldn't have to look there in the first place.
While this post is from the view of a Player, I would 100% support having a list of the magic items and monsters in a book too. Back when A La Carte existed, having those lists was one of the more useful aspects of the system. I generally bought books (I think I only bought one item because I was given it in an AL game) but having the list of monsters, spells, and items meant that you knew what you were getting.
It's all 5th edition and all pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. All post-2024 book content is made using the 2024 rules
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
So you're saying that everything works with 2024 rules? And regardless, having to dig up release dates is not exactly the most convenient way to do this.
Currently the only truly legacy stuff is the 2014 core rules. However some third party titles explicitly say they're only compatible with 2014 for character generation, because they haven't had additional work done in them.
For example: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/beyond-digital/SRC-00123
All WotC content is compatible.
Well no, I wouldn't say that "all" pre-2024 content is compatible with 2024 rules. If only because of the existence of the Shepard Druid, which is based around spells which have been radically altered in the 2024 rules.
This hits so hard. Bought the book immediately thinking it had Path of the Carrion Raven for 2024, but it doesn't. So I'm still stuck using that subclass on a 2014 character. Then afterwards finding out that the entire heritage system isn't in the character builder either.
If you've bought it, you can absolutely make a homebrew copy and make a new subclass to match. If I remember right, Carrion Raven is a little annoying to do and needs a workaround for the Carrion Raven Skill selection, but still doable.
EDIT: Come to think of it, there's absolutely no excuse for any product releasing now to not be compatible with both. Beyond should be enforcing that on any future releases, that the 2014 and 2024 versions must both be released together.
Not on DnDBeyond it isn't. They may be rules compatible in the books, but there's lots of 2014 content that still hasn't been implemented on the site fully for 2024 characters.
Oddly, this information *is* listed in the mobile app, so someone is collating it for each release, they're just not bothering with putting it on the website.
Thought you were kidding but wow it really is all there. Full lists of which monsters, subclasses, spells etc are all included but ONLY in the phone app.
What are they thinking?
Not about their customers, that's been made very clear the last year or so.