So, my old charcater will suddenly have its spells changed?
Great!
Because our games use the 5e physical books. So DnDBeyond digital character sheet just became pointless, I have to browse the books to see what my spells do?
This is the worst possible choice for implementing the 2024 rules. If the DDB team doesn't listen to our feedback and sticks with this plan, I have absolutely no reason to continue using DDB as a service.
The DDB character sheets are convenient, and Beyond20 lets me combine the superior character sheet platform with my VTT of choice. This change makes the DDB sheets incredibly inconvenient, and I'll just cancel my subscription and go somewhere else instead.
You're intentionally putting roadblocks to use 2014 content that I already purchased (homebrew spells and having to manually lookup 2014 versions of content).
Just to be absolutely clear: if one does not purchase the 2024 books, do we
1. Lose access to all spells in our current and future character sheets (unless each of us individually remake them in the homebrew creator)?
2. Loss access only to those spells that are changing between the 2104 and 2024 editions?
3. Get all the new versions of the spells for free?
Option 3 - All spell listings (the versions that appear in the tools) that have both 2014 and 2024 versions will be updated to the 2024 versions but will be accessible to anyone who would have access to either version. This includes the spells in the Basic Rules (2014) that are available to everyone.
Note: The spell descriptions in the compendiums (the "ebook") for the Player's Handbook (2014) and Basic Rules will remain unchanged. From the changelog:
Your character has Healing Word prepared and you want to cast the spell. When you click on the spell on your character sheet, you will see the new version of Healing Word. However, you can still find the old version of Healing Word in your copy of the Basic Rules and the 2014 Player’s Handbook in the compendium.
But if I want to have the old version of healing word on a character sheet, I'll have to make a homebrewed version and, after the spells are updated, I will have to write it from scratch, because it won't be possible to make a copy of it from the compendium, is that correct?
As far as I know, the 2014 versions won't be selectable as copy options in the homebrew tools. So your options would be
Make a copy now before the 2024 rules release
Make a the spell from scratch
Copy the 2024 spell and adjust as appropriate
I suspect that option 3 will be the easiest option by a mile for the majority of spells.
Thank you for your answer, I appreciate the quick clarification.
I must say that, IMO, it is a terrible way of handling the upgrade. Extremely customer-unfriendly and it will make life complicated and annoying for all of us who have 2014 games in progress that won't switch version.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Fatti non foste a viver come bruti ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza
I am politely asking you to reconsider the change to spells and magic items outlined in the recent change log. As per the update (posted within July-September here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/changelog), you indicate that:
- "Aside from a few exceptions, all entries for mundane and magical items, weapons, armor, and spells will also be updated to their 2024 version."
- "Your character has Healing Word prepared and you want to cast the spell. When you click on the spell on your character sheet, you will see the new version of Healing Word. However, you can still find the old version of Healing Word in your copy of the Basic Rules and the 2014 Player’s Handbook in the compendium."
This change effectively removes the ability to have the 2014 version of spells listed on a player's digital character sheet. It removes the ability to play as a solely 2014 character. It forces players and DMs to embrace the 2024 ruleset from early September 2024, regardless of whether that table is ready to make that change. It will also disproportionately impact those who play via VTTs, where characters may end up being a strange mix of 2014 and 2024 rules if the game is already underway. With your proposed change you are removing the ability to play with solely 2014 rules digitally in the future.
It would be less impactful to your customers - and far less confusing - if players were prompted to select 2014 or 2024 rules when creating their character.
I kindly request that you reconsider this change, and remind you, again, that your customers are not adverse to making their feelings heard via their wallets and their subscription status - as we saw during 2023. Please reconsider.
I am in the middle of a campaign. My players love the tool and makes playing so much smoother. Now I am probably going to have to force us back to all manual tracking and spell references. If you wanted a way for me to break the cycle of paying money every month this is how you do it. Worst decision that could have been made.
I guess this is it. No more dndbeyond purchases from me. I guess I'll spend the weekend quickly making copies of all the spells and magic items to finish out the games I've got going. Thanks for being absurd again WotC.
"With the rules revision, we are updating game materials in the toolset and in tooltips to be in line with the 2024 Core Rulebooks. This change impacts the information you’ll find on your character sheet, in tooltips, and that is linked in the compendium
You're intentionally putting roadblocks to use 2014 content that I already purchased (homebrew spells and having to manually lookup 2014 versions of content).
What reason is there to keep subscribing now?
They removed my thread and combined it here. Makes sense I guess.
What reason is there for me to continue subscribing?
Why is it just bad idea after bad idea from this platform? Remember the OGL incident where you lost a ton of revenue from canceled subscriptions? Your "innovation" just alienates those of us who have enjoyed this website and I'll be canceling my membership if I'm forced to use the 2024 updates. I'd recommend others to do the same, as they only care about a loss of profit.
I’m beginning to run a campaign, and now that I know that DDB is going to take away or change content we’ve paid for I think I’ll run it in Pathfinder instead. Unbelievably nasty behavior, go jump in a gelatinous cube.
I’ve been a customer on this platform since shortly after it launched in 2017, it was convenient, and helpful and a great addition to the D&D experience, I used it because it made DMing a breeze when compared to having to flip between different books or write down long NPC stat blocks and spell lists. I’ve purchased hundreds of dollars worth of books here.
But I have no desire to update to the 2024 rules which I feel are unnecessary, and even ill conceived in parts.
And now you’re telling me that you are going to make inconvenient and difficult, if not altogether impossible, to use content I HAVE *PURCHASED* and will make running my group, which uses a combination of the printed 2014 era books and digital resources, a complete inconsistent mess?
If you don’t find a reasonable way to address this change over to the “2024” rules being the “primary” rules on this website; one that doesn’t **** over people who have been with your service, and have been supporters of your service, since it’s inception you’re going to leave me no choice but to write off the hundreds of dollars I’ve spent here as a total loss and switch RPG systems entirely.
Today we published a changelog detailing how the D&D Beyond site is going to be updated for the 2024 Player's Handbook. You can take a look at all the details at this link.
Happy adventuring!
You all really need to clarify 100% if people who don't purchase the 2024 rule books will be automatically "upgraded" to the 2024 versions of spells and magic items for free or if it is going to break their character sheets and fill them with "click here to purchase content" links.
You can still create a 2014 elf, have them gain a few levels in the 2014 druid and even select the 2014 shepherd - but you need to create a homebrew version of the 2014 conjure animals spells to summon some of the still accessible 2014 beasts.
Why is that single thing required to be done manually?
Can't even be argued that spells and items are database intensive to keep a double of when you literally force AT LEAST one copy to be made in the homebrew section. If people can communicate on creating one shared release that everyone uses, otherwise every other old campaign will make their own, multiplying the storage in the hundreds.
Just one small campaign toggle to lock out any 2024 content is something that would make everyone content as they can easily opt out of changes.
I have been playing and DMing using DDB as "the best reference" for 5e characters and rules since 2018. I have purchased the Legendary Bundles, I've had a Master Tier subscription for years. And yet this change just flips off everyone who is mid-campaign with 5e or on the fence and not currently looking to update to 5.5e. I play in two games, I DM a third. And this bungled handling of the transition makes me want to unsub and leave your platform.
I cannot BELIEVE the way you are telling your paying customers to hande spells is "homebrew them yourself". You have the power on your end to just slap a legacy label or "(2014)" at the end of all of them and keep them side by side with the new ones. Stick the 2014 spells behind a character sheet toggle option if you want so that your precious new players don't get all confused. But screwing those of us that don't want to upgrade at the moment after having purchased hundreds of dollars of character building options is ridiculous.
I should be able to continue to build a straight 2014 rules character, including spells after 5.5 officially drops. After all, that is the version of the rules I own! I see no reason to remove the option that literally already exists.
And a question to top it off. I saw earlier in the thread that existing spells on a character will stay, but what happens on a level up of this existing 2014 character when you choose new spells? Do you abruptly get forced to take the 2024 ones?
Please rethink this change, DDB/WotC. Because right now it makes me want to unsub, and not purchase anything 5.5e in case it ruins what I already have purchased. Which is not, I imagine, what you want your customers to be doing.
So, my old charcater will suddenly have its spells changed?
Great!
Because our games use the 5e physical books. So DnDBeyond digital character sheet just became pointless, I have to browse the books to see what my spells do?
Someone say it isn't so...
This is the worst possible choice for implementing the 2024 rules. If the DDB team doesn't listen to our feedback and sticks with this plan, I have absolutely no reason to continue using DDB as a service.
The DDB character sheets are convenient, and Beyond20 lets me combine the superior character sheet platform with my VTT of choice. This change makes the DDB sheets incredibly inconvenient, and I'll just cancel my subscription and go somewhere else instead.
You're intentionally putting roadblocks to use 2014 content that I already purchased (homebrew spells and having to manually lookup 2014 versions of content).
What reason is there to keep subscribing now?
This seems badly thought out and designed to get people to unsubscribe and cancel preorders.
Absolute madness.
No, just no. I will keep my spells like I purchased them please.
Thank you for your answer, I appreciate the quick clarification.
I must say that, IMO, it is a terrible way of handling the upgrade. Extremely customer-unfriendly and it will make life complicated and annoying for all of us who have 2014 games in progress that won't switch version.
Fatti non foste a viver come bruti ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza
To whom it may concern,
I am politely asking you to reconsider the change to spells and magic items outlined in the recent change log. As per the update (posted within July-September here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/changelog), you indicate that:
- "Aside from a few exceptions, all entries for mundane and magical items, weapons, armor, and spells will also be updated to their 2024 version."
- "Your character has Healing Word prepared and you want to cast the spell. When you click on the spell on your character sheet, you will see the new version of Healing Word. However, you can still find the old version of Healing Word in your copy of the Basic Rules and the 2014 Player’s Handbook in the compendium."
This change effectively removes the ability to have the 2014 version of spells listed on a player's digital character sheet. It removes the ability to play as a solely 2014 character. It forces players and DMs to embrace the 2024 ruleset from early September 2024, regardless of whether that table is ready to make that change. It will also disproportionately impact those who play via VTTs, where characters may end up being a strange mix of 2014 and 2024 rules if the game is already underway. With your proposed change you are removing the ability to play with solely 2014 rules digitally in the future.
It would be less impactful to your customers - and far less confusing - if players were prompted to select 2014 or 2024 rules when creating their character.
I kindly request that you reconsider this change, and remind you, again, that your customers are not adverse to making their feelings heard via their wallets and their subscription status - as we saw during 2023. Please reconsider.
Humbly,
Players, DMs, fans.
I am in the middle of a campaign. My players love the tool and makes playing so much smoother. Now I am probably going to have to force us back to all manual tracking and spell references. If you wanted a way for me to break the cycle of paying money every month this is how you do it. Worst decision that could have been made.
I guess this is it. No more dndbeyond purchases from me. I guess I'll spend the weekend quickly making copies of all the spells and magic items to finish out the games I've got going. Thanks for being absurd again WotC.
"With the rules revision, we are updating game materials in the toolset and in tooltips to be in line with the 2024 Core Rulebooks. This change impacts the information you’ll find on your character sheet, in tooltips, and that is linked in the compendium
The following rules will be updated:
Core gameplay definitions
Armor Class
Saving Throws
Skills and Abilities
Alignment
Senses (Blindsight, Darkvision, Tremorsense, Truesight)
Area of effect definitions
Aside from a few exceptions, all entries for mundane and magical items, weapons, armor, and spells will also be updated to their 2024 version."
So this will no longer a tool for playing 5e games. Guess it's time to cancel
I truly believe that if 2014 players are forced to use 2024 rules, many of us will just go back to purely pen-and-paper.
They removed my thread and combined it here. Makes sense I guess.
What reason is there for me to continue subscribing?
Why is it just bad idea after bad idea from this platform? Remember the OGL incident where you lost a ton of revenue from canceled subscriptions? Your "innovation" just alienates those of us who have enjoyed this website and I'll be canceling my membership if I'm forced to use the 2024 updates. I'd recommend others to do the same, as they only care about a loss of profit.
I’m beginning to run a campaign, and now that I know that DDB is going to take away or change content we’ve paid for I think I’ll run it in Pathfinder instead. Unbelievably nasty behavior, go jump in a gelatinous cube.
I’ve been a customer on this platform since shortly after it launched in 2017, it was convenient, and helpful and a great addition to the D&D experience, I used it because it made DMing a breeze when compared to having to flip between different books or write down long NPC stat blocks and spell lists. I’ve purchased hundreds of dollars worth of books here.
But I have no desire to update to the 2024 rules which I feel are unnecessary, and even ill conceived in parts.
And now you’re telling me that you are going to make inconvenient and difficult, if not altogether impossible, to use content I HAVE *PURCHASED* and will make running my group, which uses a combination of the printed 2014 era books and digital resources, a complete inconsistent mess?
If you don’t find a reasonable way to address this change over to the “2024” rules being the “primary” rules on this website; one that doesn’t **** over people who have been with your service, and have been supporters of your service, since it’s inception you’re going to leave me no choice but to write off the hundreds of dollars I’ve spent here as a total loss and switch RPG systems entirely.
“World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game” my ass.
Yeah, same here. I've been subscribed for quite some time. This was, for me, THE D&D 5e tool. Whoever made this decision is breaking this tool.
Can I get a refund on all the content that is being removed in the condition that I purchased it in?
You all really need to clarify 100% if people who don't purchase the 2024 rule books will be automatically "upgraded" to the 2024 versions of spells and magic items for free or if it is going to break their character sheets and fill them with "click here to purchase content" links.
You can still create a 2014 elf, have them gain a few levels in the 2014 druid and even select the 2014 shepherd - but you need to create a homebrew version of the 2014 conjure animals spells to summon some of the still accessible 2014 beasts.
Why is that single thing required to be done manually?
Can't even be argued that spells and items are database intensive to keep a double of when you literally force AT LEAST one copy to be made in the homebrew section. If people can communicate on creating one shared release that everyone uses, otherwise every other old campaign will make their own, multiplying the storage in the hundreds.
Just one small campaign toggle to lock out any 2024 content is something that would make everyone content as they can easily opt out of changes.
I have been playing and DMing using DDB as "the best reference" for 5e characters and rules since 2018. I have purchased the Legendary Bundles, I've had a Master Tier subscription for years. And yet this change just flips off everyone who is mid-campaign with 5e or on the fence and not currently looking to update to 5.5e. I play in two games, I DM a third. And this bungled handling of the transition makes me want to unsub and leave your platform.
I cannot BELIEVE the way you are telling your paying customers to hande spells is "homebrew them yourself". You have the power on your end to just slap a legacy label or "(2014)" at the end of all of them and keep them side by side with the new ones. Stick the 2014 spells behind a character sheet toggle option if you want so that your precious new players don't get all confused. But screwing those of us that don't want to upgrade at the moment after having purchased hundreds of dollars of character building options is ridiculous.
I should be able to continue to build a straight 2014 rules character, including spells after 5.5 officially drops. After all, that is the version of the rules I own! I see no reason to remove the option that literally already exists.
And a question to top it off. I saw earlier in the thread that existing spells on a character will stay, but what happens on a level up of this existing 2014 character when you choose new spells? Do you abruptly get forced to take the 2024 ones?
Please rethink this change, DDB/WotC. Because right now it makes me want to unsub, and not purchase anything 5.5e in case it ruins what I already have purchased. Which is not, I imagine, what you want your customers to be doing.