Last summer, a friend of mine asked me to introduce him and a few others to D&D. Thankfully, with aid I got here (good lord... 5 years ago now?), I had a much more grounded start this time around. Each of my players are brand new, so they're learning together, and while the group identity tends to slip by one of them occasionally, they've all been having a great time. To minimize confusion, I simply brought them the updated PHB and I'm running them on mostly just 2024 rules (multiclassing sounded scary to them, so just the PHB should be plenty). I say mostly cuz, since they wanted to start with landmark D&D gaming, I ran them through Lost Mines of Phandelver as I was familiar with it from when I used to be a player. I did not run updated stat blocks right away, heck I didn't even give grunt goblins stat mods on dice rolls or proficiency during Chapter 1, keeping full stat blocks only for the bosses. I only moved from 2014 to 2024 stat blocks in Chapter 3.
Anyway, we finally got to the end of Chapter 4, and since they were eager to continue, I was pondering around how I'd make a mechanically smooth transition to Rime of the Frostmaiden (already had laid hints of shardalyn, the Black Spider was a dueregar instead of a drow, basic stuff). Right as I was getting real worried, the solution popped out of nowhere. Shattered Obelisk literally picks up from where we left off. Putting aside the fact they basically copy pasted Lost Mines in the first half, it's looking convenient for me, but I've been having an obnoxious little annoyance now... hyper/quick links.
When I was running base 2014 Lost Mines, I didn't really think much of it, cuz obviously that book would have used the source books from that time. However, is there a way to toggle between 2014 and 2024, especially in the "2nd half" Shattered Obelisk section? For whatever reason, preview links are kind of inconsistent. For example: a Charmed tooltip will list the current condition effects, but also list the legacy version underneath with a clear distinction (even if the difference is mostly formatting), while skill related tooltips only list the current mini blurbs before leading to the Basic Rules (would be handy if it led to the PHB or DMG when you have those btw).
This becomes a bigger annoyance when it comes to stat blocks as well as spell and gear/magic item boxes all leading back to legacy 2014 versions, requiring me to manually open dozens of tabs for the updated versions. For Chapter 4 alone, I had like 35 tabs open of stat blocks, spells, item listing, various rules (+Roll20+Dungeon Scrawl+a name generator, and the character sheets) since the module itself only listed 2014. Now module specific stuff from Shattered Obelisk, like those psi goblins link correctly cuz they're from that very book, but regular goblin encounters only go back to 2014... and I'd really like to use 2024 goblins instead without doing the whole mega tab array again. Many such cases, but anyway, you get the gist of it.
I might be blindly searching for the wrong thing, but is there a way to make sure tooltips lead me to the updated versions? I at least had the perk of being very familiar with the first 4 chapters, but I only see the load getting bigger now that I'm truly in unknown territory. Of course, I'll keep reading ahead, but it'd be real handy if I didn't have to check which version of whatever I need is the one I ideally want. On that note, it'd be handy if I could toggle off the Basic Rules too, since jumping to that compendium doesn't give me the same list as the DMG or PHB compendiums. It's kind of annoying when you know a rule should be there only to realize Beyond didn't send me where I wanted.
Ultimately, I would like to ONLY have currently used books pop up on tooltips. If I want legacy, I'll manually search those, not the other way around. Hopefully I'm not the only idiot with this issue.
Unfortunately there’s nothing like that. The skills and conditions stuff shows both sets of rules because that all links to character sheets and needs to cater to players using either set of rules but the adventures themselves will always link back to the monsters that were in place when it was written because there’d be a bit of an uproar from people who are sticking with 2014 rules if all their books suddenly changed on them. The ability to hit a toggle to switch would be good but I imagine would be hellish to program on a site that’s already starting to creak under the pressure of just implementing basic stuff.
TLDR; ‘Fraid not, you’ll just need to continue with loads of open tabs or use the 2014 stat blocks
My suggestion is to make use of the Encounter Builder right here on D&D Beyond.
Go through Phandelver and Below and build those encounters using the 2024 monsters. That way you've got the updated content where possible. Truth is though, creatures unique to the adventures published pre-2024 haven't had a good formula to update them. You won't find a 2024 version of the Ashenwights for example. They just don't exist no matter how hard WotC's marketing department try to convince people otherwise. There's only around 20 or so 'unique' creatures in the book though, and I think mostly everything else has been converted with a counterpart being found in the Monster Manual 2024.
As DM's we've largely been left to figure it all out ourselves on how to modify older monsters to the newer ruleset. My method has been to simply double the number of 2014 enemies to make them 2024 compatible. Even then it's a crude attempt at best. I'm sure with time someone out there will come up with a specific formula. It really is a case of playing by ear and seeing what happens I'm afraid.
That's unfortunate, would save a lot of time. I do understand why auto switching wouldn't be great as it's always annoying to click on a link and be sent to a new purchase, but that's why I had hope I could just "deactivate" or "archive" the books I don't need atm as a filter. Maybe that was overly outlandish of me.
Thank you for that suggestion, I'll have to look up how that works. I'm not sure why I was so sure Phandelver and Below was published after the new rules, guess I mistakenly figured it was mirroring the original Lost Mines release window. I know specific blocks would need specific reprints, I was actually gonna work on updating the Sapphire Dragon since I'm not 100% sure how my group will react to Mindflayers. Like I said, since my players were all brand new, I initially started them with 2014 straight rolls only goblins at first and progressively integrated complete stat blocks after they learned the very basics of the game (which isn't to say they now play optimally, but I don't have to explain why they don't roll to "attack" with saving throws or actively decide to use Reactions).
Beyond that, I'm pretty used to inflating HP when a fight looks like it will end way too quickly for them to feel fulfilled. Like, they went back to take out the Thundertree dragon and recruited 3 NPCs, effectively doubling the party size (... and I accidentally opened the fight with the ranger critting for close to 1/3 of its HP). That basically brought what was looking like an underwhelming 2 round rematch to a more fought for battle and actually let the players land the kill, not the NPCs.
If I'm understanding your approach correctly, and applying to Phandelver and Below's newer section (implying you're familiar with it, sorry if you're not), you'd double up on those goblin psi brawlers and commanders being present, yeah? Then when it comes to stuff like the Otyugh, or Ruxithid, then I'd do the inflated vibe HP (cuz there obviously can't be two of the same goblin leader).
If I'm understanding your approach correctly, and applying to Phandelver and Below's newer section (implying you're familiar with it, sorry if you're not), you'd double up on those goblin psi brawlers and commanders being present, yeah? Then when it comes to stuff like the Otyugh, or Ruxithid, then I'd do the inflated vibe HP (cuz there obviously can't be two of the same goblin leader).
Yeah, you got it exactly correct. Like I say it's not perfect but it does seem to get you there.
To be fair, the goal isn't to rip my players apart, it's to give them opportunity to feel like heroes in the setting without encounters turning trivial with 2024 player options overpowering 2014 monster stat blocks. I think I'll test the waters with the first few encounters in Phandalin and test your method from there.
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Greetings, Wise Ones.
I beseech your advise.
Last summer, a friend of mine asked me to introduce him and a few others to D&D. Thankfully, with aid I got here (good lord... 5 years ago now?), I had a much more grounded start this time around. Each of my players are brand new, so they're learning together, and while the group identity tends to slip by one of them occasionally, they've all been having a great time. To minimize confusion, I simply brought them the updated PHB and I'm running them on mostly just 2024 rules (multiclassing sounded scary to them, so just the PHB should be plenty). I say mostly cuz, since they wanted to start with landmark D&D gaming, I ran them through Lost Mines of Phandelver as I was familiar with it from when I used to be a player. I did not run updated stat blocks right away, heck I didn't even give grunt goblins stat mods on dice rolls or proficiency during Chapter 1, keeping full stat blocks only for the bosses. I only moved from 2014 to 2024 stat blocks in Chapter 3.
Anyway, we finally got to the end of Chapter 4, and since they were eager to continue, I was pondering around how I'd make a mechanically smooth transition to Rime of the Frostmaiden (already had laid hints of shardalyn, the Black Spider was a dueregar instead of a drow, basic stuff). Right as I was getting real worried, the solution popped out of nowhere. Shattered Obelisk literally picks up from where we left off. Putting aside the fact they basically copy pasted Lost Mines in the first half, it's looking convenient for me, but I've been having an obnoxious little annoyance now... hyper/quick links.
When I was running base 2014 Lost Mines, I didn't really think much of it, cuz obviously that book would have used the source books from that time. However, is there a way to toggle between 2014 and 2024, especially in the "2nd half" Shattered Obelisk section? For whatever reason, preview links are kind of inconsistent.
For example: a Charmed tooltip will list the current condition effects, but also list the legacy version underneath with a clear distinction (even if the difference is mostly formatting), while skill related tooltips only list the current mini blurbs before leading to the Basic Rules (would be handy if it led to the PHB or DMG when you have those btw).
This becomes a bigger annoyance when it comes to stat blocks as well as spell and gear/magic item boxes all leading back to legacy 2014 versions, requiring me to manually open dozens of tabs for the updated versions. For Chapter 4 alone, I had like 35 tabs open of stat blocks, spells, item listing, various rules (+Roll20+Dungeon Scrawl+a name generator, and the character sheets) since the module itself only listed 2014. Now module specific stuff from Shattered Obelisk, like those psi goblins link correctly cuz they're from that very book, but regular goblin encounters only go back to 2014... and I'd really like to use 2024 goblins instead without doing the whole mega tab array again. Many such cases, but anyway, you get the gist of it.
I might be blindly searching for the wrong thing, but is there a way to make sure tooltips lead me to the updated versions? I at least had the perk of being very familiar with the first 4 chapters, but I only see the load getting bigger now that I'm truly in unknown territory. Of course, I'll keep reading ahead, but it'd be real handy if I didn't have to check which version of whatever I need is the one I ideally want. On that note, it'd be handy if I could toggle off the Basic Rules too, since jumping to that compendium doesn't give me the same list as the DMG or PHB compendiums. It's kind of annoying when you know a rule should be there only to realize Beyond didn't send me where I wanted.
Ultimately, I would like to ONLY have currently used books pop up on tooltips. If I want legacy, I'll manually search those, not the other way around.
Hopefully I'm not the only idiot with this issue.
Thanks a bunch.
Unfortunately there’s nothing like that. The skills and conditions stuff shows both sets of rules because that all links to character sheets and needs to cater to players using either set of rules but the adventures themselves will always link back to the monsters that were in place when it was written because there’d be a bit of an uproar from people who are sticking with 2014 rules if all their books suddenly changed on them. The ability to hit a toggle to switch would be good but I imagine would be hellish to program on a site that’s already starting to creak under the pressure of just implementing basic stuff.
TLDR; ‘Fraid not, you’ll just need to continue with loads of open tabs or use the 2014 stat blocks
My suggestion is to make use of the Encounter Builder right here on D&D Beyond.
Go through Phandelver and Below and build those encounters using the 2024 monsters. That way you've got the updated content where possible. Truth is though, creatures unique to the adventures published pre-2024 haven't had a good formula to update them. You won't find a 2024 version of the Ashenwights for example. They just don't exist no matter how hard WotC's marketing department try to convince people otherwise. There's only around 20 or so 'unique' creatures in the book though, and I think mostly everything else has been converted with a counterpart being found in the Monster Manual 2024.
As DM's we've largely been left to figure it all out ourselves on how to modify older monsters to the newer ruleset. My method has been to simply double the number of 2014 enemies to make them 2024 compatible. Even then it's a crude attempt at best. I'm sure with time someone out there will come up with a specific formula. It really is a case of playing by ear and seeing what happens I'm afraid.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
That's unfortunate, would save a lot of time. I do understand why auto switching wouldn't be great as it's always annoying to click on a link and be sent to a new purchase, but that's why I had hope I could just "deactivate" or "archive" the books I don't need atm as a filter.
Maybe that was overly outlandish of me.
Thanks though!
Thank you for that suggestion, I'll have to look up how that works.
I'm not sure why I was so sure Phandelver and Below was published after the new rules, guess I mistakenly figured it was mirroring the original Lost Mines release window.
I know specific blocks would need specific reprints, I was actually gonna work on updating the Sapphire Dragon since I'm not 100% sure how my group will react to Mindflayers. Like I said, since my players were all brand new, I initially started them with 2014 straight rolls only goblins at first and progressively integrated complete stat blocks after they learned the very basics of the game (which isn't to say they now play optimally, but I don't have to explain why they don't roll to "attack" with saving throws or actively decide to use Reactions).
Beyond that, I'm pretty used to inflating HP when a fight looks like it will end way too quickly for them to feel fulfilled. Like, they went back to take out the Thundertree dragon and recruited 3 NPCs, effectively doubling the party size (... and I accidentally opened the fight with the ranger critting for close to 1/3 of its HP). That basically brought what was looking like an underwhelming 2 round rematch to a more fought for battle and actually let the players land the kill, not the NPCs.
If I'm understanding your approach correctly, and applying to Phandelver and Below's newer section (implying you're familiar with it, sorry if you're not), you'd double up on those goblin psi brawlers and commanders being present, yeah? Then when it comes to stuff like the Otyugh, or Ruxithid, then I'd do the inflated vibe HP (cuz there obviously can't be two of the same goblin leader).
Yeah, you got it exactly correct. Like I say it's not perfect but it does seem to get you there.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
Thanks dude.
To be fair, the goal isn't to rip my players apart, it's to give them opportunity to feel like heroes in the setting without encounters turning trivial with 2024 player options overpowering 2014 monster stat blocks. I think I'll test the waters with the first few encounters in Phandalin and test your method from there.