EDIT: This post is no longer accurate. For current information regarding the upcoming 2024 release, please read this article.
Yesterday, we released a Changelogdetailing the upcoming updates to the D&D Beyond site. We have been listening to your feedback and want to provide some important clarifications regarding spells, magic items, and access to the 2014 Core Rulebook compendiums. We also would like to provide clarity on the partnered content we’ve brought to D&D Beyond.
2014 Rulebook Compendiums
Players will not lose access to their 2014 content in the Compendium. 2014 content will continue to be accessible on the D&D Beyond site and available for purchase after the release of the 2024 Core Rulebook. The information in them will remain unchanged, and players will not lose access to any of their 2014 content.
Free Rules
We will be releasing D&D Free Rules (2024) covering similar content as the 2014 Free Basic Rules, with more details to come pending the release of the Player’s Handbook. Players will not need to buy the 2024 Core Rulebooks to access Free Rules (2024). The Free Rules (2024) will not require an account or purchase to use or view. Content that was free in the 2014 Free Basic Rules will remain free when the D&D Free Rules (2024) are released. We will also add new Spells and Feats in the D&D Free Rules (2024).
Spells
When updated, Spell descriptions on character sheets will default to 2024 Core Rulebook descriptions. All users, regardless of whether they have purchased the 2024 Player’s Handbook, will be able to access these updated Spells for free if they previously purchased the 2014 Player’s Handbook. All 2014 versions of Spells will still be accessible in the D&D Beyond Compendium and available for players to access.
Magic Items
All users, regardless of whether they have purchased the 2024 rulebooks, will be able to access updated magic items for free if they have previously purchased the 2014 Player’s Handbook.
Only two magic items are impacted by the 2024 update, with minor changes to their text: Potion of Healing and Spell Scroll. The 2014 versions of these items will still be accessible in the D&D Beyond Compendium. We will evaluate upcoming changes to other magic items with the release of the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Partnered Content
We have been working with our partners ahead of these changes to ensure that their content will remain compatible with D&D Beyond’s updates. Our partners have made amazing content that we are proud to have on D&D Beyond, and we will continue to work to create compatibility.
So, for further clarification; Does this mean we can still create 2014 Character and add 2014 spells to them? Or does this mean we can only look them up in the "Compendium"? Because we bought these books on this site to use Beyond's character creation and other features, to lose access to that takes away half the reason and promise of our purchases and opens WOTC and DnD up to anti-consumer lawsuits.
Edit: You may notice, I have only posted twice since I joined in 2018. Thats how much you WOTC/DnD fed up, you made the quite kid say something.
This doesn't make the changes any better. It's still making it nigh impossible to use the app to play using the 5E.14 ruleset. Why would I use the app if I have to reference the compendium? The entire USP of the app is that the spells are accessible in one place, now it's actually worse than just using a book or searching the spell on google.
I'm part of a group that's in a multi-year campaign. We have no intention of updating to the new rules as we are nearing the end, though won't be finished until after the new rules are released. Can we at least have a toggle to choose whether already existing characters are affected by the rules update?
This doesn't make the changes any better. It's still making it nigh impossible to use the app to play using the 5E.14 ruleset. Why would I use the app if I have to reference the compendium? The entire USP of the app is that the spells are accessible in one place, now it's actually worse than just using a book or searching the spell on google.
Getting updated spells and magic items for free, without giving them a dime for it, does make the changes better. A lot better. Before, it seemed as though you were just up the creek without a paddle and had to homebrew to even make your character sheet functional. Now, it will just be replaced with the most up to date versions. Very different and much better.
This doesn't make the changes any better. It's still making it nigh impossible to use the app to play using the 5E.14 ruleset. Why would I use the app if I have to reference the compendium? The entire USP of the app is that the spells are accessible in one place, now it's actually worse than just using a book or searching the spell on google.
Getting updated spells and magic items for free, without giving them a dime for it, does make the changes better. A lot better. Before, it seemed as though you were just up the creek without a paddle and had to homebrew to even make your character sheet functional. Now, it will just be replaced with the most up to date versions. Very different and much better.
I do agree that this is better. Still a bit more communication needed, though about whether a toggle feature is planned or not.
All 2014 versions of Spells will still be accessible in the D&D Beyond Compendium and available for players to access.
I already own physical copies of these books. I don't care about having access to these spells in the compendium. I need access to them in character sheets so that my players can use the versions of spells I want them to use. Will I have that without having to homebrew?
This doesn't make the changes any better. It's still making it nigh impossible to use the app to play using the 5E.14 ruleset. Why would I use the app if I have to reference the compendium? The entire USP of the app is that the spells are accessible in one place, now it's actually worse than just using a book or searching the spell on google.
Getting updated spells and magic items for free, without giving them a dime for it, does make the changes better. A lot better. Before, it seemed as though you were just up the creek without a paddle and had to homebrew to even make your character sheet functional. Now, it will just be replaced with the most up to date versions. Very different and much better.
I do agree that this is better. Still a bit more communication needed, though about whether a toggle feature is planned or not.
Yeah I am not worried about the price of this. I was planning on buying all the books when they came out anyways, but I do want the option to continue playing my character the way I have been. Our group had decided not to change rules mid campaign…and I still want to be able to use DnD Beyond the way I have been.
I don't want the "updated versions", I want to finish this campaign using the ruleset we started playing it with, the ruleset that I paid money for!
And their solution is "Just homebrew everything if you want the old spells in the app". Well, if that's the solution, why would I ever purchase a product from them again, when I could just homebrew it?
Weakest backpedal I've ever seen. This site is a character creator with a bunch of bloat around it, nobody gives a shit about the "Compendium" just let us make 2014 characters in the character builder LIKE WE PAID FOR!
Just make a toggle to use the 2014 version or the 2024 version of the spells and items in character creation and on character sheets. people are annoyed because you are basically forcing them to update to the new rules rather than letting them decide which version of spells and items they want to use. some people don't want update because of lack of money to buy the new books or because they just don't want to or because they have ongoing campaigns at the moment and don't want to cause issues in the game by having stuff auto switch on them. This was just a bad decision for not just adding a toggle/option to dndbeyond to choice which version of spells and items they want to use.
I for one am annoyed because i feel like you are blocking me from using the content i brought and want to play with. i don't want to update to the 2024 version at the moment. feel like we were lied to about it being backwards compatible when an entire part of the core game isn't backwards compatible is seem. that being spells and magic items. A Major part of the Core game. a lot of DMs and players' games are currently balanced around the 2014 rules. and forcing them to update can really mess up their games balance and such.
Please just listen to the people who actively play your game and just add a Toggle to DNDbeyond to chose wheather to use 2014 rules or the 2024 rules when make a character. Sinserly, Dgaan. A player since 3.5 dnd.
IMO, it makes the pill have a slight candy coating for the swallow, but I still don't want to swallow it. We're all having to weigh our decisions and I completely agree that we shouldn't have to do any of the nonsensical homebrewing work for a previous edition. Nothing should be removed or forced, especially when we pay for the automated character sheets service. I'm keeping a level head, but this is still too vague, and for a "clarification" update, it's still frustratingly and at this point it seems like, deliberately vague.
It was very clear already. We just don't liked it. We do not want a lesser version of a .pdf, we don't want to be able to access older spells and items only through the compedium, WE WANT IT IN OUR SHEETS!
We bought the books here to use on our sheets, not to consult in the compendium, overwriting spells and magic items is taking things content that we bought. You sell us this, you sell content to put in their character sheet, and not you are taking away. This is not an update, because this is not the same system. This is robbing us of a product we pay and replacing with half of a product we don't want.
You already have a system in place that works, and instead of duplicating that system for whoever what's to use, you are just forcing everybody to stick with the rules of the new edition. You are going to make thousand of campaigns a lot harder by changing this content for groups that were already established to play 5e, not 5.5e, not 5e2024 or whatever you're calling this.
I will repeat here my other comment:
Today, when you create a character, the first page that you are presented with is this one:
If they could simply make something similar instead of a toggle, not even the legacy badge would be necessary to be visible.
Just let the people creating the character decide if they want to use 2014 or 2024 rules right after they click "Create a New Character". Not a toggle in the home settings of the sheet, but an option before character creation.
If a user chooses to create a 2014 character, they are presented with the same options that always existed in DnD Beyond, you already HAVE that system.
If they choose to create a 2024 character, they instead go to this new character creation and character sheet designed for 2024.
I can't see a reason for not doing that besides wanting to tire users into adapting for 2024, eventually selling more books. If that's the plan, I do hope it fails miserably.
I don't want the "updated versions", I want to finish this campaign using the ruleset we started playing it with, the ruleset that I paid money for!
And their solution is "Just homebrew everything if you want the old spells in the app". Well, if that's the solution, why would I ever purchase a product from them again, when I could just homebrew it?
It is better, you just are still unhappy about it. I outlined why it is better. I am not saying you have to like it. Please read my post for what it is.
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D&D Beyond StaffEDIT: This post is no longer accurate. For current information regarding the upcoming 2024 release, please read this article.
Yesterday, we released a Changelog detailing the upcoming updates to the D&D Beyond site. We have been listening to your feedback and want to provide some important clarifications regarding spells, magic items, and access to the 2014 Core Rulebook compendiums. We also would like to provide clarity on the partnered content we’ve brought to D&D Beyond.
2014 Rulebook Compendiums
Players will not lose access to their 2014 content in the Compendium. 2014 content will continue to be accessible on the D&D Beyond site and available for purchase after the release of the 2024 Core Rulebook. The information in them will remain unchanged, and players will not lose access to any of their 2014 content.
Free Rules
We will be releasing D&D Free Rules (2024) covering similar content as the 2014 Free Basic Rules, with more details to come pending the release of the Player’s Handbook. Players will not need to buy the 2024 Core Rulebooks to access Free Rules (2024). The Free Rules (2024) will not require an account or purchase to use or view. Content that was free in the 2014 Free Basic Rules will remain free when the D&D Free Rules (2024) are released. We will also add new Spells and Feats in the D&D Free Rules (2024).
Spells
When updated, Spell descriptions on character sheets will default to 2024 Core Rulebook descriptions. All users, regardless of whether they have purchased the 2024 Player’s Handbook, will be able to access these updated Spells for free if they previously purchased the 2014 Player’s Handbook. All 2014 versions of Spells will still be accessible in the D&D Beyond Compendium and available for players to access.
Magic Items
All users, regardless of whether they have purchased the 2024 rulebooks, will be able to access updated magic items for free if they have previously purchased the 2014 Player’s Handbook.
Only two magic items are impacted by the 2024 update, with minor changes to their text: Potion of Healing and Spell Scroll. The 2014 versions of these items will still be accessible in the D&D Beyond Compendium. We will evaluate upcoming changes to other magic items with the release of the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Partnered Content
We have been working with our partners ahead of these changes to ensure that their content will remain compatible with D&D Beyond’s updates. Our partners have made amazing content that we are proud to have on D&D Beyond, and we will continue to work to create compatibility.
D&D Beyond Community Manager
They/Them
Site Rules And Guidelines | Fan Content Policy | Wizards Terms of Service
Character Sheet? WHAT ABOUT CHARACTER SHEETS? Thats the problem - we lose access to use 2014 stuff IN THE CHARACTER SHEETS!
So, for further clarification; Does this mean we can still create 2014 Character and add 2014 spells to them? Or does this mean we can only look them up in the "Compendium"? Because we bought these books on this site to use Beyond's character creation and other features, to lose access to that takes away half the reason and promise of our purchases and opens WOTC and DnD up to anti-consumer lawsuits.
Edit: You may notice, I have only posted twice since I joined in 2018. Thats how much you WOTC/DnD fed up, you made the quite kid say something.
Edit: As of 0010 EDT on 26 Aug 2024, DnD Staff walked back this Lunacy, https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1806-2024-d-d-beyond-ruleset-changelog-update Thank you for hearing our voices. Kind of annoying we had to scream twice about it though.
Still unsure if this affects the automation of creating character sheets with 2014 version spells/items.
This doesn't make the changes any better. It's still making it nigh impossible to use the app to play using the 5E.14 ruleset. Why would I use the app if I have to reference the compendium? The entire USP of the app is that the spells are accessible in one place, now it's actually worse than just using a book or searching the spell on google.
I'm part of a group that's in a multi-year campaign. We have no intention of updating to the new rules as we are nearing the end, though won't be finished until after the new rules are released. Can we at least have a toggle to choose whether already existing characters are affected by the rules update?
Getting updated spells and magic items for free, without giving them a dime for it, does make the changes better. A lot better. Before, it seemed as though you were just up the creek without a paddle and had to homebrew to even make your character sheet functional. Now, it will just be replaced with the most up to date versions. Very different and much better.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
But can we still use 2014 spells and magic items *in character sheets* that is what remains unclear.
I do agree that this is better. Still a bit more communication needed, though about whether a toggle feature is planned or not.
i am worried about log in on dnd beyond
merylin the dragon master
I already own physical copies of these books. I don't care about having access to these spells in the compendium. I need access to them in character sheets so that my players can use the versions of spells I want them to use. Will I have that without having to homebrew?
Yeah I am not worried about the price of this. I was planning on buying all the books when they came out anyways, but I do want the option to continue playing my character the way I have been. Our group had decided not to change rules mid campaign…and I still want to be able to use DnD Beyond the way I have been.
No, it doesn't make it better.
I don't want the "updated versions", I want to finish this campaign using the ruleset we started playing it with, the ruleset that I paid money for!
And their solution is "Just homebrew everything if you want the old spells in the app". Well, if that's the solution, why would I ever purchase a product from them again, when I could just homebrew it?
Weakest backpedal I've ever seen. This site is a character creator with a bunch of bloat around it, nobody gives a shit about the "Compendium" just let us make 2014 characters in the character builder LIKE WE PAID FOR!
Not good.
Just make a toggle to use the 2014 version or the 2024 version of the spells and items in character creation and on character sheets. people are annoyed because you are basically forcing them to update to the new rules rather than letting them decide which version of spells and items they want to use. some people don't want update because of lack of money to buy the new books or because they just don't want to or because they have ongoing campaigns at the moment and don't want to cause issues in the game by having stuff auto switch on them. This was just a bad decision for not just adding a toggle/option to dndbeyond to choice which version of spells and items they want to use.
I for one am annoyed because i feel like you are blocking me from using the content i brought and want to play with. i don't want to update to the 2024 version at the moment. feel like we were lied to about it being backwards compatible when an entire part of the core game isn't backwards compatible is seem. that being spells and magic items. A Major part of the Core game. a lot of DMs and players' games are currently balanced around the 2014 rules. and forcing them to update can really mess up their games balance and such.
Please just listen to the people who actively play your game and just add a Toggle to DNDbeyond to chose wheather to use 2014 rules or the 2024 rules when make a character.
Sinserly, Dgaan. A player since 3.5 dnd.
Just a Dragonborn looking for games to play.
IMO, it makes the pill have a slight candy coating for the swallow, but I still don't want to swallow it. We're all having to weigh our decisions and I completely agree that we shouldn't have to do any of the nonsensical homebrewing work for a previous edition. Nothing should be removed or forced, especially when we pay for the automated character sheets service. I'm keeping a level head, but this is still too vague, and for a "clarification" update, it's still frustratingly and at this point it seems like, deliberately vague.
It was very clear already. We just don't liked it.
We do not want a lesser version of a .pdf, we don't want to be able to access older spells and items only through the compedium, WE WANT IT IN OUR SHEETS!
We bought the books here to use on our sheets, not to consult in the compendium, overwriting spells and magic items is taking things content that we bought.
You sell us this, you sell content to put in their character sheet, and not you are taking away. This is not an update, because this is not the same system. This is robbing us of a product we pay and replacing with half of a product we don't want.
You already have a system in place that works, and instead of duplicating that system for whoever what's to use, you are just forcing everybody to stick with the rules of the new edition. You are going to make thousand of campaigns a lot harder by changing this content for groups that were already established to play 5e, not 5.5e, not 5e2024 or whatever you're calling this.
I will repeat here my other comment:
Today, when you create a character, the first page that you are presented with is this one:
If they could simply make something similar instead of a toggle, not even the legacy badge would be necessary to be visible.
Just let the people creating the character decide if they want to use 2014 or 2024 rules right after they click "Create a New Character".
Not a toggle in the home settings of the sheet, but an option before character creation.
If a user chooses to create a 2014 character, they are presented with the same options that always existed in DnD Beyond, you already HAVE that system.
If they choose to create a 2024 character, they instead go to this new character creation and character sheet designed for 2024.
I can't see a reason for not doing that besides wanting to tire users into adapting for 2024, eventually selling more books. If that's the plan, I do hope it fails miserably.
It is better, you just are still unhappy about it. I outlined why it is better. I am not saying you have to like it. Please read my post for what it is.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
"Thank god I still have access to the compendium content"
Said no one using D&D Beyond's functionality ever
lol. seriously happy that I am in my last DnD campaign. Backed both MCDM and DC20, looking forward to not having to interact with WoTC and DnDBeyond.