Start Playing Today with the 2024 D&D Free Rules

Available today on D&D Beyond, the 2024 D&D Free Rules provide a foundational introduction to the new 2024 core ruleset. This resource serves as a free experience for those looking to explore what the new 2024 Player's Handbook has to offer. It currently contains four classes, each with one subclass, as well as the updated rules for play found in the 2024 Player's Handbook.

Read below for more information on how this resource will be expanded, how it will coexist with the 2014 Basic Rules, and information regarding SRD 5.2.

How the 2024 D&D Free Rules and 2014 Basic Rules Differ

For years, the 2014 Basic Rules have served as an accessible entry point for players new to fifth edition D&D. We want the 2024 core ruleset to be just as accessible, but we also don’t want to take away the 2014 Basic Rules from anyone who wishes to continue enjoying the 2014 ruleset.

To that end, we’re introducing the 2024 D&D Free Rules. The 2024 D&D Free Rules will coexist with the 2014 Basic Rules in the D&D Beyond compendium and will serve as a free entry point to the revised and expanded ruleset.

The 2024 D&D Free Rules will see their full release alongside the 2024 Player’s Handbook in September. When the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide and 2024 Monster Manual later release, we will expand the 2024 D&D Free Rules with content from those books.

Like the 2014 Basic Rules, the 2024 D&D Free Rules will be accessible on D&D Beyond but be more extensive.

Get a Sneak Peek at the 2024 D&D Free Rules

We’re so excited to share the 2024 D&D Free Rules with you that we’ve released an early version containing four base classes for each of these classes! These player options are freely available under the Game Rules tab on D&D Beyond, as well as in the compendium:

  • Base Classes: Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard
  • Subclasses: Life Domain, Champion, Thief, and Evoker
  • Species: Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, and Human
  • Backgrounds: Acolyte, Criminal, Sage, and Soldier

This early version of the free rules also includes 12 feats, 48 monsters, and 320 spells.

When the 2024 Player’s Handbook sees its wide release on September 17, we’ll do a full release of the 2024 D&D Free Rules. This will include the remaining base classes—Barbarian, Bard, Druid, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, and Warlock—as well as one subclass for each class. The full release will also contain more spells and feats.

Where to Find the 2024 D&D Free Rules

As of now, you can access a portion of the 2024 D&D Free Rules on D&D Beyond. On September 17, the full 2024 D&D Free Rules can be found on D&D Beyond and in other partner VTTs.

A Note on the Systems Reference Document (SRD 5.2)

The 2024 D&D Free Rules are not SRD 5.2. They are separate materials with different purposes. Where the 2024 D&D Free Rules are a free resource to play fifth edition D&D, the Systems Reference Document serves as a foundation for your fifth edition D&D-compatible creations.

SRD 5.2 will include materials from all three 2024 Core Rulebooks and will, therefore, be released after them. It will be made available under Creative Commons License.

Start Playing with the 2024 D&D Free Rules Today!

Whether you're a player looking to create a new character or a Dungeon Master prepping for their new campaign, the 2024 D&D Free Rules are the perfect springboard to get you acquainted with the new 2024 core ruleset. Start exploring what character possibilities and narratives await in the 2024 Player's Handbook today!

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A smug mage looks away as an explosion goes off behind them. Text reads, Adventurers wanted! Join the D&D Discord today!

Michael Galvis (@michaelgalvis) is a tabletop content producer for D&D Beyond. He is a longtime Dungeon Master who enjoys horror films and all things fantasy and sci-fi. When he isn’t in the DM’s seat or rolling dice as his anxious halfling sorcerer, he’s playing Helldivers 2 and Magic: The Gathering with his partners. They live together in Los Angeles with their adorable dogs, Quentin and Eliot.

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