First I'd like to say, I'd like to get the books, I know there are basic rules but I enjoy reading the rules beforehand. I don't have a group to play with yet, but there are groups in clubs and stuff that I can join. I'd enjoy DM'ing so I'd also like to get the monster manual and the DM handbook. But the issue is, I'm not sure if I should get the 2024 versions of the books or the 2014 versions of the books ? I understand they are "remastered" versions that have adjustments and they are technically 2 different rulesets for the game at this point since they have adjustments made to many aspects of the game. But the Three issues I have is :
1. After reading and understanding the 2024 books, if I joined a group that works with the 2014 books, would I not understand the rules correctly and struggle or not be able to join ?
2. If I wanted to get the full experience, I've seen that some of the adjustments to the D&D handbooks for 2024 are not what people enjoy and I'm worried if I get 2024 books and try and play with those rules, people and maybe myself won't enjoy the experience ?
3. Would I be able to run the campaign books previously released using the 2024 handbooks ?
Side note - I'd like to get the physical copies as I'm a sucker for a physical copy instead of reading it on my computer or phone :D
Honestly, the basic principles of the rules are the same in both versions. The main difference from a player's perspective is going to be the character creation. You would need to check with the DM but if they are using 2014 rules then you would need to create a character using the 2014 rules.
Even though the basic principles of the rules are the same the character creation process differs slightly and class features, feats and spells will differ. Its nothing so drastic that you wouldn't be able to follow along; just make sure you understand what you're getting with your character.
Once you're playing you would mainly be relying on your DM to tell you what rolls to make and when, so there's no need to worry about the technicalities at this point. E.g. If you want to hide from an enemy then your DM will tell you to make a Stealth check and let you know whether you succeed or not. The fact that the hiding/stealth rules have changed between versions is something for your DM to know rather than you :)
If you're buying books then it kinda depends on whether you think you'll be playing in other people's 2014 campaigns for any length of time. If yes then buy the previous version. But if not, or you're not sure or you are thinking about DM-ing yourself, then personally I would just go for the newer 2024 version. Because...why not. You may see plenty of people complaining in forums about the new rules of course, but then, you had plenty of people complaining about the old ones!
As a DM myself I have recently started a new campaign with the new rules, since my previous campaign had pretty much ended. I waited until all 3 core books were out first (and we played different TTRPGs while waiting). I'm finding the new rules perfectly fine. Characters seem more powerful on paper, but the new encounter rules/monster CRs do seem to be more accurate. I'm finding that my players are finding battles much more nerve-wracking than with the old rules, with one or more characters getting seriously hurt before emerging victorious (as intended). The heightened tension seems to be keeping things more exciting!
I've seen that some of the adjustments to the D&D handbooks for 2024 are not what people enjoy and I'm worried if I get 2024 books and try and play with those rules, people and maybe myself won't enjoy the experience ?
Not sure what kind of social media you inhib but 2024 is much cleaner and a marked improvement over 2014 at least for the players handbook. the 2024 monster manual is simpler, though I don't think that made it "better".
If you are starting a new campaign, then for sure just go with 2024. The rules are so close to 2014 it really doesn't matter what campaigns were based on.
Absolutely the 2024 version. Many people still use the 2014 edition because they are in an ongoing campaign or otherwise feel invested in the old rules. If you're just starting out, though, then there's no reason not to go with the most up to date books.
Also note that it isn't actually necessary to own the PHB to play the game, though it does make things more convenient. The free rules cover the basic stuff of the game, both for 2014 and 2024.
I've seen that you can play the previous adventures with the new 2024 rule books but you'll have to maybe tweak a few encounters to fit the classes / monster stats, Is this true ? because i'd love to go through the previous adventure books at some point as well !
I would also suggest the 2024 PHB, but also include Tasha and Xanthars (if you want to expand on subclass that’s not included in 2024). But I would stick with ‘24 versions. Or if you are joining a group, the books are shared and you could have them digitally, and save you alot of gold pieces.
First I'd like to say, I'd like to get the books, I know there are basic rules but I enjoy reading the rules beforehand. I don't have a group to play with yet, but there are groups in clubs and stuff that I can join. I'd enjoy DM'ing so I'd also like to get the monster manual and the DM handbook. But the issue is, I'm not sure if I should get the 2024 versions of the books or the 2014 versions of the books ? I understand they are "remastered" versions that have adjustments and they are technically 2 different rulesets for the game at this point since they have adjustments made to many aspects of the game. But the Three issues I have is :
1. After reading and understanding the 2024 books, if I joined a group that works with the 2014 books, would I not understand the rules correctly and struggle or not be able to join ?
2. If I wanted to get the full experience, I've seen that some of the adjustments to the D&D handbooks for 2024 are not what people enjoy and I'm worried if I get 2024 books and try and play with those rules, people and maybe myself won't enjoy the experience ?
3. Would I be able to run the campaign books previously released using the 2024 handbooks ?
Side note - I'd like to get the physical copies as I'm a sucker for a physical copy instead of reading it on my computer or phone :D
I would suggest buying the books from TSR's BECMI, the best version of D&D. IMO. But if you want to stay in the present, then go with 2024. I think it is better. The art work stinks though.
I've seen that you can play the previous adventures with the new 2024 rule books but you'll have to maybe tweak a few encounters to fit the classes / monster stats, Is this true ? because i'd love to go through the previous adventure books at some point as well !
Absolutely!
As you say, you may need to be check some of the encounters but its unlikely you would need to adjust anything that much.
If the adventure uses 'old version' monster stats, you can decide to keep it as they are or use the equivalent 2024 monster if there is one (the 2024 monster manual includes a 'conversion guide' for the few monsters that were renamed).
If you stick with the 'old version' monsters then the encounter may be harder (at very low level) or easier (at higher levels) than expected but nothing show-stopping.
I would start with 2024, learn that, then do a little google-fu and find the 2014 stuff that has been put up for free and then port over things you like from 2014 that didn't get brought into the new ruleset Such as certain invocations, lots of lore, and flavor text. It should be fairly easy to learn either set from the other, but 2024 has some neat features in character creation, and has been made more streamlined to be easier to learn. For example, in 2014, classes would progress very differently from each other such as Warlock started off with the equivalent of a subclass when they pic a patron and then get an actual subclass when they picked their Pact boon at 3, while clerics started off with their domain, which IS their subclass, then you will have some classes that can only subclass at level 3. in 2024, all classes get their subclass at 3, even when it doesn't thematically make the most sense.
I will note that at the current moment in the game's lifecycle, there is a lot of heistency in upgrading to the new ruleset, and there are many many reasons behind that, so you are going to run into groups that will only play one or the other regardless of what you pick.
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He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player. The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call To rise up in triumph should we all unite The spark for change is yours to ignite." Kalandra - The State of the World
First I'd like to say, I'd like to get the books, I know there are basic rules but I enjoy reading the rules beforehand. I don't have a group to play with yet, but there are groups in clubs and stuff that I can join. I'd enjoy DM'ing so I'd also like to get the monster manual and the DM handbook. But the issue is, I'm not sure if I should get the 2024 versions of the books or the 2014 versions of the books ? I understand they are "remastered" versions that have adjustments and they are technically 2 different rulesets for the game at this point since they have adjustments made to many aspects of the game. But the Three issues I have is :
1. After reading and understanding the 2024 books, if I joined a group that works with the 2014 books, would I not understand the rules correctly and struggle or not be able to join ?
2. If I wanted to get the full experience, I've seen that some of the adjustments to the D&D handbooks for 2024 are not what people enjoy and I'm worried if I get 2024 books and try and play with those rules, people and maybe myself won't enjoy the experience ?
3. Would I be able to run the campaign books previously released using the 2024 handbooks ?
Side note - I'd like to get the physical copies as I'm a sucker for a physical copy instead of reading it on my computer or phone :D
I would suggest buying the books from TSR's BECMI, the best version of D&D. IMO. But if you want to stay in the present, then go with 2024. I think it is better. The art work stinks though.
BECMI refers to rules from the 1980s. Caveat emptor on deciding to get into D&D with a version 4 decades prior to what the vast majority of players use today.
The differences between the 2024 rules and 2014 are not fundamentally that large. I would definitely get the 2024 rules since more and more people will migrate to them. There are some nice upgrades for martial classes in particular. It would not be difficult for you to understand the few key differences if someone invites you to a 2014-based campaign.
As RJP and Allurian et Al have said your better off getting the 2024 books. It is unlikely that there will be any further support for the 2014 game going forward (at least from WotC) so if your starting fresh - especially as a DM - that is (2024) the way you want to go heading into the future. If you’re starting off as a player in a 2014 game you should be fine with the free rules and shared books from the DM and other players. Don’t worry too much about the BECMI folks - you can always experiment with that latter and decide if you like the early versions of the game as well as the current one. I played back then and had fun but there were things that were liked and things that were hated and the game has evolved.
Both are good, but 2014 is legacy and 2024 the current default version, which is supported in next Organized Play program like Legends of Greyhawk etc..
It's got pretty much the entire core of 2014 with refinements and re-worked things for the better in most cases. And a lot of the negatives have more to do with "aw but I enjoyed using this feat the way it was before, now it's DIFFERENT", and less that things are explicitly BAD. (SOME exceptions).
Now to be clear; 2014 is not bad. 5e is a great system either way. And yeah, as others have said; Xanathar's and Tasha's are both still relavent....FOR NOW. There are upcoming materials that do seem to be slowly reworking those books too, so that's one thing to keep in mind.
Probably go for 2024. Get the 2014 Monster manual for a couple things here and there, but like all the other books its basicly graby. The Current three are good enough for new players, with most PC's just needing the core rule book.
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First I'd like to say, I'd like to get the books, I know there are basic rules but I enjoy reading the rules beforehand. I don't have a group to play with yet, but there are groups in clubs and stuff that I can join. I'd enjoy DM'ing so I'd also like to get the monster manual and the DM handbook. But the issue is, I'm not sure if I should get the 2024 versions of the books or the 2014 versions of the books ? I understand they are "remastered" versions that have adjustments and they are technically 2 different rulesets for the game at this point since they have adjustments made to many aspects of the game. But the Three issues I have is :
1. After reading and understanding the 2024 books, if I joined a group that works with the 2014 books, would I not understand the rules correctly and struggle or not be able to join ?
2. If I wanted to get the full experience, I've seen that some of the adjustments to the D&D handbooks for 2024 are not what people enjoy and I'm worried if I get 2024 books and try and play with those rules, people and maybe myself won't enjoy the experience ?
3. Would I be able to run the campaign books previously released using the 2024 handbooks ?
Side note - I'd like to get the physical copies as I'm a sucker for a physical copy instead of reading it on my computer or phone :D
Honestly, the basic principles of the rules are the same in both versions. The main difference from a player's perspective is going to be the character creation. You would need to check with the DM but if they are using 2014 rules then you would need to create a character using the 2014 rules.
Even though the basic principles of the rules are the same the character creation process differs slightly and class features, feats and spells will differ. Its nothing so drastic that you wouldn't be able to follow along; just make sure you understand what you're getting with your character.
Once you're playing you would mainly be relying on your DM to tell you what rolls to make and when, so there's no need to worry about the technicalities at this point. E.g. If you want to hide from an enemy then your DM will tell you to make a Stealth check and let you know whether you succeed or not. The fact that the hiding/stealth rules have changed between versions is something for your DM to know rather than you :)
If you're buying books then it kinda depends on whether you think you'll be playing in other people's 2014 campaigns for any length of time. If yes then buy the previous version. But if not, or you're not sure or you are thinking about DM-ing yourself, then personally I would just go for the newer 2024 version. Because...why not. You may see plenty of people complaining in forums about the new rules of course, but then, you had plenty of people complaining about the old ones!
As a DM myself I have recently started a new campaign with the new rules, since my previous campaign had pretty much ended. I waited until all 3 core books were out first (and we played different TTRPGs while waiting). I'm finding the new rules perfectly fine. Characters seem more powerful on paper, but the new encounter rules/monster CRs do seem to be more accurate. I'm finding that my players are finding battles much more nerve-wracking than with the old rules, with one or more characters getting seriously hurt before emerging victorious (as intended). The heightened tension seems to be keeping things more exciting!
Not sure what kind of social media you inhib but 2024 is much cleaner and a marked improvement over 2014 at least for the players handbook.
the 2024 monster manual is simpler, though I don't think that made it "better".
If you are starting a new campaign, then for sure just go with 2024. The rules are so close to 2014 it really doesn't matter what campaigns were based on.
Absolutely the 2024 version. Many people still use the 2014 edition because they are in an ongoing campaign or otherwise feel invested in the old rules. If you're just starting out, though, then there's no reason not to go with the most up to date books.
Also note that it isn't actually necessary to own the PHB to play the game, though it does make things more convenient. The free rules cover the basic stuff of the game, both for 2014 and 2024.
Thanks to all that's responded !
I've seen that you can play the previous adventures with the new 2024 rule books but you'll have to maybe tweak a few encounters to fit the classes / monster stats, Is this true ? because i'd love to go through the previous adventure books at some point as well !
I would also suggest the 2024 PHB, but also include Tasha and Xanthars (if you want to expand on subclass that’s not included in 2024). But I would stick with ‘24 versions. Or if you are joining a group, the books are shared and you could have them digitally, and save you alot of gold pieces.
I would suggest buying the books from TSR's BECMI, the best version of D&D. IMO. But if you want to stay in the present, then go with 2024. I think it is better. The art work stinks though.
Absolutely!
As you say, you may need to be check some of the encounters but its unlikely you would need to adjust anything that much.
If the adventure uses 'old version' monster stats, you can decide to keep it as they are or use the equivalent 2024 monster if there is one (the 2024 monster manual includes a 'conversion guide' for the few monsters that were renamed).
If you stick with the 'old version' monsters then the encounter may be harder (at very low level) or easier (at higher levels) than expected but nothing show-stopping.
I would start with 2024, learn that, then do a little google-fu and find the 2014 stuff that has been put up for free and then port over things you like from 2014 that didn't get brought into the new ruleset Such as certain invocations, lots of lore, and flavor text.
It should be fairly easy to learn either set from the other, but 2024 has some neat features in character creation, and has been made more streamlined to be easier to learn.
For example, in 2014, classes would progress very differently from each other such as Warlock started off with the equivalent of a subclass when they pic a patron and then get an actual subclass when they picked their Pact boon at 3, while clerics started off with their domain, which IS their subclass, then you will have some classes that can only subclass at level 3.
in 2024, all classes get their subclass at 3, even when it doesn't thematically make the most sense.
I will note that at the current moment in the game's lifecycle, there is a lot of heistency in upgrading to the new ruleset, and there are many many reasons behind that, so you are going to run into groups that will only play one or the other regardless of what you pick.
He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player.
The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call
To rise up in triumph should we all unite
The spark for change is yours to ignite."
Kalandra - The State of the World
BECMI refers to rules from the 1980s. Caveat emptor on deciding to get into D&D with a version 4 decades prior to what the vast majority of players use today.
The differences between the 2024 rules and 2014 are not fundamentally that large. I would definitely get the 2024 rules since more and more people will migrate to them. There are some nice upgrades for martial classes in particular. It would not be difficult for you to understand the few key differences if someone invites you to a 2014-based campaign.
As RJP and Allurian et Al have said your better off getting the 2024 books. It is unlikely that there will be any further support for the 2014 game going forward (at least from WotC) so if your starting fresh - especially as a DM - that is (2024) the way you want to go heading into the future. If you’re starting off as a player in a 2014 game you should be fine with the free rules and shared books from the DM and other players. Don’t worry too much about the BECMI folks - you can always experiment with that latter and decide if you like the early versions of the game as well as the current one. I played back then and had fun but there were things that were liked and things that were hated and the game has evolved.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Hi All,
Thank you for all your advice, I have now got the handbooks for 2024 and will give them a read :D
Both are good, but 2014 is legacy and 2024 the current default version, which is supported in next Organized Play program like Legends of Greyhawk etc..
24.
It's got pretty much the entire core of 2014 with refinements and re-worked things for the better in most cases. And a lot of the negatives have more to do with "aw but I enjoyed using this feat the way it was before, now it's DIFFERENT", and less that things are explicitly BAD. (SOME exceptions).
Now to be clear; 2014 is not bad. 5e is a great system either way. And yeah, as others have said; Xanathar's and Tasha's are both still relavent....FOR NOW. There are upcoming materials that do seem to be slowly reworking those books too, so that's one thing to keep in mind.
Probably go for 2024. Get the 2014 Monster manual for a couple things here and there, but like all the other books its basicly graby. The Current three are good enough for new players, with most PC's just needing the core rule book.