Is It Good? D&D's 2024 Handbook - New Rules & Systems Breakdown

[@DnDShorts]

Take your games to the next level with spectacular fantasy maps from czepeku! Grab the full 4000+ archive of maps TODAY right here: www.patreon.com/czepeku/posts Important Edit: It looks like some territories get some digital dice + a digital mini with purchase of the full digital + physical bundle. Not sure if they're "preorder bonuses" or just extras that come with the $180 bundle, but if they are preorder bonuses then there at least is something for people who choose to preorder and live in the US. I doubled checked the dnd store though, there's definitely no bundle or bonuses for uk residents, so I'm guessing it's for yanks only

[@-.G.0.D.-]

Hi

[@barnbydouglas4549]

love your videos

[@micajango4177]

might be with only the full starter set digital + physical pre-order (phb, mm and dmg preorder) but with that you get 'Dragons of D&D digital art book, D&D BEYOND Gold Digital Dice set, and a 50th anniversary digital Gold Dragon mini releasing with the closed beta of the upcoming 3D virtual tabletop.' Still not worth it but you do get something

[@thomaspedersen5134]

Sooooo they didnt fix attunement.... A level 1 commener can still attune to the same amount (3 items) as a level 20 wizard with wish

[@verdurite]

I feel like this channel has veered off into "wotc bad therefore dnd bad" territory. Every dnd vid has gone from objective to "here is 20 other new systems that do dnd better go play them or you are supporting the actual devil". I'm not trying to defend wotc, I just feel like some in the ttrpg community have made being anti-dnd all that matters.

[@grimgaming4672]

Weapon Mastery was first introduced to D&D in AD&D 2E. While the additional effects were added later in that edition in the Combat & Tactics book and the Fighter's Handbook.

[@Kingturnip1]

D&D Master Set has entered the chat. Weapon mastery, check. Effects for each weapon unlocked as characters level, check. Crit Acadamey? Player's Option? We've been here since 1985.

[@johnnygreenface4195]

Technically, it was in 1e Unearthed Arcana. But as with most stuff in that book it was absurdly OP. (I would know, our old school game ran with it for years and it's wild. Lol)

[@seraphtc]

It wasn't in 3.x though, so we had a lil' break.

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

Yeah, different forms of weapon mastery have been around in D&D and other ttrpgs for a long time.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

@@silasrobertshaw8122 And war games too.

[@moonlight2870]

Treant monk: "I can't say what the background feats are called because NDA" Dndshorts: "SO YOU GOT YOUR ORIGIN FEATS"

[@XanderHarris1023]

I've heard the name origin feats before today. Not sure where but that phrase has been revealed before.

[@kacin1292]

To be fair, I think treantmonk didn't see the extra video they released on feat/backgrounds/etc..., where they mentioned this kind of stuff. Also I'm pretty sure dndshorts probably didn't get a review copy and isn't under NDA, since this video isn't sponsored by WOTC.

[@HorizonOfHope]

Interestingly he doesn't seem to be doing this as a partnership. I doubt WotC would make one with him given he was the key leak access in the OGL scandal. He has gathered his information in other ways, I think.

[@moonlight2870]

I understand all that. It's still funny.

[@zackjones8802]

Hey, I just thought you might want to know that the text on the hat in your pfp isn't really readable in the comments section (I had to go to your channel page to read it fully). I suspected it was satirical because the word "great" looked a bit weird (which I now know it was misspelled), but I just thought I would let you know. because I can easily see it giving people the wrong impression.

[@maikonfernandesdeoliveira8681]

I'd be way more excited for this new rulebook if I hadn't heard of DC20. Weapon masteries seems to be way behind when compared to DC20 weapon's passives and maneuvers. 400 spells? How many will actually be usable/good? We'll probably end up using the same spells we use today. New epic feats? Nice, now to find a campaign that goes to lvl 19. Not to mention that, as Dnd shorts stated, some of the changes were already common house rules. At the end of the day, this is only my opinion and wether the rulebook is great or meh people will still buy it.

[@someusername9591]

Yeah, I'm with you with the spells. Like, c'mon, casters are out here getting 400+ spells, and all they could muster up for martials was 2 handfuls of weapon masteries. I love the way DC20 is heading much more.

[@feltrix334]

If the UA is anything to go by, the 2024 PHB spells seem a lot more balanced than their earlier counterparts.

[@someusername9591]

@@feltrix334 do you remember if they touched stand out ones like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Fear, Wall of Force, Majic Jar, or Simulacrum?

[@feltrix334]

@@someusername9591 It's been a while since I looked, and I can't remember if any of those were touched, but the Conjure spells and Counterspell were curbed and healing spells were buffed.

[@someusername9591]

@@feltrix334 Yeah, I liked the healing buff. The change of conjure spells was also nice, but I am worried about the balance of those control spells I listed, I don't remember them having those on the playtest.

[@mikewar5078]

WoTC took a big L and can’t afford to properly publish it, so they want preorders to boost production. It’s their own mess. Let them figure it out.

[@HanmaHeiro]

What big L did they take? I'm new to D&D so I'm very much looking forward to the improvements to the monk class since everything but the astral self was looking underwhelming

[@realstrangerous]

​@@HanmaHeiroSimple version is stupid if not downright predatory business decisions over products with heavily varying quality. Can read up on Open Gaming License stuff. There can be a lot of negativity in the community (with varying levels of reasonability) but don't let that scare you. Just do research before you buy anything 👍

[@tohellwithyourcrap8045]

​​@@HanmaHeiro way too many to count. Lookup the ogl debacle, that's the main one. They have a host of shady business practices that are explicitly anti consumer and the community had lost a lot of trust. The design team is not the cause of these issues though, but they fired their lead designer with no real reason given so the ship seems to be very much in stormy waters.

[@vancomycinb1193]

@@HanmaHeiro The OGL thing is probably the biggest.

[@GeninGeo]

8:00 to be fair this is exactly what pre ordering was meant to be. Then video game companies went what if i cut out some content to give when people give me money early with no guarantees

[@TheGreatJohnPlays]

I always thought Species was a bit to sci-fi for a fantasy game. Ancestry or Lineage would have been a better choice.

[@aaron.harrell]

You’re right - preorder hurts the consumer more often than it is worth it. Wait for the reviews and look for a discounted price (or buy in person as the video said).

[@wizzzard999]

Technically you do get to save some money if you preorder all of them, but thats only if you want and use them all in both hardcover and dndbeyond digital form

[@Yoshwayy]

Do we have a list of playable races in the new PHB?

[@antoniomromo]

I'm officially running a campaign that takes place on the naked body of an impossibly large sleeper. Nipple mountain, belly button lake, nostril cave system. 😅

[@MuleyGaming]

“Do you look like a dragon?” Had me fucking dead😂😂😂❤

[@oiktmot]

Can't wait for the physical copies to be released so the brazillian community can start making fan translations and making it available for free to everyone since WOTC believe we aren't a market worthy of having our own version in our own language anymore.

[@this_epic_name]

Pre-order = "how many books should we print?"

[@Lexgamer]

Actually, if you preorder the bundle you get a gold dragon mini for their vtt. Not saying that's good, don't preorder it, but they are at least offering something....

[@ashb8036]

Ok but what is the point of stuff after level 12-15ish? Do most people actually play a character that long?

[@karlbolt7159]

I’ll never swallow potions as a bonus action. Never!

[@mentos15]

Will this be added to digital places that run dnd games? like dnd beyond? Really curious about how much are they

[@robertomacetti7069]

really new to dnd here, how does the retrocompatibility with previous 5e material is supposed to work exactly?

[@jeremymorales9319]

I feel like baldurs gate was a almost testing ground for this mechanic with all their weapons having 1 or 2 bonus type of moves

[@hvp5216]

Also bonus action potions. It does take the biggest gaming success for WOTC to finally adapt and change.

[@DimiusG]

@@hvp5216 Jeremy Crawford and much of the D&D design team worked with Larian in designing those very things in BG3, per his own words.

[@monkibro]

I was about to say! Yeah, it feels really video gamey....which was allegedly the problem with 4th edition, iirc.

[@willowhealy453]

@@monkibrosure, but for more weapon variation thats just good practice, the problem with 4th (in my opinion) was that the abilities that people called videogamey were just super narrow usecase a lot of the time, i like the weapon changes quite a bit and tbh something to differentiate weapons more should have been in 5e already

[@Smilley85]

I'm all for giving Martials more options. Also differentiating weapons from another - might give you an incentive to use an inferior damage-die weapon like the Greatclub.

[@MrDarthtelos]

I like how the naked guy was indignant that you expected him to have a map.

[@Grayson.P]

Clearly, he needed a map of a naked giant for... reasons. 😂

[@SchwartzerAdler]

"Did you just sneeze?!" 😂😂😂

[@azpont7275]

I love stealing stuff from WoTC

[@Ghost_in_the_Rain]

Cheers bro, I'll drink to that 🍻

[@DownUnderDM]

*thumbs up* cool story

[@goldenmosquito4093]

Stealing is wrong…. Unless it’s from a big company then it’s amazing

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

Turnabout is fair play!

[@selthafour6948]

Wikidot is love wikidot is life

[@Cyb3rM1nd]

US customers DO get pre-order extras: digital dice, a Mini for their new 3D VTT when it releases, and a digital artbook. Non-US customers get nothing and the prices, after factoring currency conversion, are a lot higher - for less. Because, WotC.

[@DnDShorts]

I am in the uk so that must be why I got nothing offered! Bizarre that even digital extras aren’t offered worldwide though?

[@Cyb3rM1nd]

@@DnDShorts Quite bizarre. You can't even order a 'all 3 books bundle' on the UK store either like you can US. The whole marketplace thing and the changes are bit of a shambles. None of it makes sense.

[@Megastar54]

wait why is it only in the US if all the bonuses are digital???

[@firnen_]

Unfortunately, Europeans paying more for literally anything gaming related online because of their stronger currencies is the norm... The missing preorder bonuses is stupid, though.

[@Cyb3rM1nd]

@@Megastar54 Not a fluffy clue! Shenanigans, I say!

[@fusionaddict]

The new inspiration rule is weird, because literally since the launch of 5e, Jeremy Crawford and Christopher Perkins have allowed their players in public games to use inspiration after the initial die roll. I've never seen any game that made players burn the inspiration before the roll.

[@jiujitsuguy74]

Yeah, that’s making a useful mechanic worse is all it’s doing.

[@acolytetojippity]

Remember that Jeremy Crawford doesn't know his own rules and should never be used as a resource for rulings and decisions. So many "SageAdvice" rulings are just explicitly wrong and contradict rules as written directly in the books (and not in a "different interpretation" way)

[@Klausbro]

Lets you reroll damage and healing and stuff now tho

[@fusionaddict]

@@acolytetojippity Such as?

[@cosmicrem]

World of IO tried it for a bit while playtesting some special alternative applications for inspiration, but I'm pretty sure they went back to the initial "yeah you can use it after" rule after a couple months.

[@Gamerdudegames]

"this is comparable to a third party product, which for WotC is crazy" I love how the company that makes and owns this game we all play is constantly and regularly putting out products that wouldn't even meet their kickstarter goals if they were third party.

[@jonaslind7085]

To be fair their stuff if almost always waaaaaay better balanced that third party material. None of the tables I play at (or dm) allow non wotc - except perhaps if we house-rule a single thing into the game.

[@gowankommando]

Their stuff is 💩

[@MithrilRoshi]

@@jonaslind7085 HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I like this joke

[@Kylesico912x]

@@MithrilRoshi I hope so. Almost anything in Tasha's immediately comes to mind lol

[@OakenTome]

@@jonaslind7085The 2014 PHB was pretty poorly balanced (mainly just how many subclasses sucked) and there was a lot of power creep from there.

[@WolfoftheBorderline]

That czepeku ad put me in a very dangerous position with how hard I had to keep from laughing at work 🤣

[@seraphtc]

Did you just sneeze!? 😂

[@xandermasters8961]

Thanks for the PSA on pre-ordering. It doesn't just apply to WoTC, but anything that advertises pre-ordering, even if it gives benefits, is just trying to get your money sooner. Hold off a bit, make sure you know it is a worthwhile purchase, and then buy it.

[@baseballjustin5]

I usually try and wait till week of now. So that way I can see early game play from CC's.

[@tweetthechicken3870]

I know myself well enough to know I am going to buy it even if People say it sucks So I just pre-order Like a good mindflare enslaved to the elder brain

[@323starlight]

The thing about calling them ‘species’ is it sounds more… scifi than fantasy. Lineage has a fantasy feel, ancestry has a fantasy feel.

[@Slitheringpeanut]

What was wrong with Race? It's clear, it's delineated, it didn't need to change.

[@Cole205]

​@@SlitheringpeanutWotC are liberal so "race" makes them feel icky

[@someusername9591]

@@Slitheringpeanut It doesn't really encapsulate what they really are. Most of the "races" didn't descend from a common ancestor, let alone being closely related like you'd expect from using the word race. It is a bit of a nit pick, but using species, or ancestries does make more sense.

[@kongoaurius]

You are right but I hate the word Lineage, sounds like royalty or something

[@Mr_Maiq_The_Liar]

@@Slitheringpeanut It's an inaccurate use of the term. Race is used to distinguish within a species, not between them, and the species in DnD are speciated, ring-species sub species at best. The fact that eugenicists to this day believe that different human races are different sub species is just the thing that makes it obvious that the term is used wrong, if not controversial, cause WOTC does not want to look like they have a eugenicist's grasp on terminology. Lineage is a social distinction about known recent family. You have a different lineage than your neighbor. Origin or Ancestor would both be good terms to use though. Though I doubt they would avoid more controversy than species just cause they sound more fantasy.

[@CaptainHooch]

For people who don't have local game stores some small online business might be worth a recommend when it comes to your buying from liches I mean wizards again after the recent debacles.

[@switchimpulse]

Absolutely.

[@Mpcs84]

I think I will try out DC20 and PF2 before the new version of D&D, give it some time to stew.

[@IronCrown]

Not having seen these 5.5 rules, most changes seem to be taking 5.5 towards the direction that pf2 is in. If it's the case, 5.5 is just going to be pf2 with less number crunch and less polish, and with more marketing. I feel like some home rules and generous GMing can make a pf2 game as easy to pick up as this version of 5.5e. DC20 is looking like the fun, narrative option. Less creative/ theatrical players might find it too simple in places, but it does take some of the best parts of pf2 and makes them much more approachable for less number-favoring players.

[@strategicviewpoint6672]

@@IronCrown PF 2E- Enjoy the crunchiness.

[@Deziar28]

​@@IronCrown DC20 is not even out of alpha yet, give it time for beta, then official release and I'm sure many modules will get it to that level too!

[@MithrilRoshi]

@@IronCrown pf 2e is already less crunchy than 1e Also, lol. As if wotc could ever be that competent.

[@majesticfalcon6402]

​@@IronCrownand with a different action system - the way pf2e handles what a turn actually is is it's biggest advantage over 5e imo

[@lidular]

Im looking forward to hear about it. However, if I can convince my group we are probably switching to DC20

[@alexabel8010]

My attitude precisely

[@biohazard724]

That ad was...memorable.

[@Ech_The_Sentiant]

Memorable is certainly a word for it

[@hah-vj7hc]

Indeed

[@bryce.miller]

How much money does he get from WOTC

[@biohazard724]

@@bryce.miller how would I know that?

[@dextervanderwinden2280]

I love how we went from: This third party material is as good as official books to This official book is as good as third party material.

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΛοΐζος]

Regarding weapon mastery to be fair some of these were around since combat and tactics from second edition so it is probable that TSR has been behind that inspiration.

[@freejazz2404]

So... Was that the big K for "Kraken is coming" everyone was posting about yesterday?

[@yourlocaltransgirl]

No, Pact Tactics uploaded a video about the 2024 PHB earlier and he didn't post a "K" on his community tab

[@DnDShorts]

👀👀

[@galaxyfoxnightsky2042]

🦑

[@GinnyDi]

when the kraken comes... you'll know 🐙

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

I am glad to say once my friend group has finished our time with actual 5e, we're switching to Pathfinder 2e for a while. It's generally agree'd upon, this ain't using the OGL no thanks. It's a new crappier version and more importantly I hate the fact they're calling it 5e 2024 and not 5.5e; bro "5e 2024" isn't even fully releasing in 2024, some of it's releasing in 2025. But if I'm being serious I just hate what they're doing with it from the test content anyway.

[@arcticbanana66]

My group has been playing D&D since 1996 with AD&D, so we'd already houseruled a bunch of things, like Weapon Masteries, from books like "Combat & Tactics", "Skills & Powers", "Arms & Equipment Guide", and the various "Complete [X] Handbook"s into the game long ago.

[@KitsuneSoup]

Skills & Powers specifically did so much to deepen the game, I've worked elements into every campaign I've ever run.

[@gulobramblebush]

Same here, whole it was number crunching at timea, I really lovrd how every weapon was unique and that there were so many combat options

[@colbyrackler3915]

I think I agree with Dungeon Dudes on the Druid Wild Shape, which is that there shouldn't be only three forms, but like 12-16 Form stat blocks independent but inspired from monster manual beasts, the Ursine Form, the Lupine Form, the Arachnid Form, etc.-and Moon Druids can have altered "Giant" versions of these same stat blocks with more health and an Extra Attack or something, because most Druids only pick like 4 or 5 forms anyways and putting 130 forms in front of a new player or new dm and saying that there's a broken mechanic where this character can be anything at all under the "beast" category does pose a problem for plot holes and such that can happen in many campaigns.

[@wearegeekoclock]

Can't wait to find a free copy of the book and share it around

[@Dots_The_Demon_Lord]

Please lemme know when you find it

[@nestorarcilaosorio2457]

Same, but also in spanish. Original translation takes forever and most of the time they dont translate at all (the community is faster XD), also i dont like to read so much in another language.

[@robando2922]

Because making money is bad 😅

[@brimfire7536]

@@robando2922 when the money isn't used in good faith (I.E. scamming people, bait and switching products, or giving a worse product than was promised), yes, making money is bad.

[@kainhighwind2]

Hey it's 5.5e!

[@dwaynejackson551]

My friend called it D&D official homebrew.

[@UndeadFleshgod]

5th edition 2nd edition

[@Equilibrium_88]

The 5ther edition

[@tsavin]

5.1 by the looks of it.

[@Ziton98]

One DND

[@AndrewJohnson-oy8oj]

Soooo everything positive already existed in Pathfinder?

[@daniellundberg9225]

Though without the drawbacks of being, well, Pathfinder! 😘 Seriously though, the two things I actually would have loved for WotC to adopt from Pathfinder - the multiclassing rules and far stronger healing options - are conspicuously absent. Personally I feel weapon mastery is a terrible idea for a mechanic and I'm very sceptical of the blanding-down of species, which started with TCoE really. The latter isn't just me either, they're running very close to the line of what made 4e so poorly received. It was mechanically the strongest DnD have ever been, it just lacked any character.

[@Izmir_Stinger]

Don't pre-order games. Period. It is a scam.

[@demonic_myst4503]

, whats with people being goo uneducated to use the word properly, Scam is when u are promised somthing and they dont give u it but take your money scam means to obtain money through fraud

[@demonic_myst4503]

Just because u don't like something doesn't make it a scam , grow up and learn to use words properly

[@TrojanManSCP]

@@demonic_myst4503Okay, pedant, let’s play your game. You’re operating on a faulty definition. To scam means “deceive or defraud.” Selling counterfeit merchandise is a fraud, but the customer still receives a product - just not what they thought they were buying. Nowhere in the definition does it say the victim doesn’t receive anything. That’s a requirement you made up in your head. Which is how game preorder scams work. The customer is made to think they are getting more than they actually will. Game content is frequently withheld or misrepresented to cash in on preorders. If a publisher does that knowingly, then it’s a scam. Critically, that makes some preorders scams, and others not. But the consumer has no way of knowing until the game delivers. So simple game theory says to avoid all preorders and simply wait until launch.

[@adam-px2ye]

@@demonic_myst4503there is a dictionary word usage and a street word usage to many words. Scam can also be to not get what you were promised, in the sense that you saw trailers and such that were misleading. Good example being Cyberpunk 2077. The way you came in here just to say that makes me think you're the kind of guy who doesn't understand any social cue or street understanding of things, a very cold individual

[@Wopple]

​@@adam-px2yeScam is a bad word for pre orders in general, and CP2077. Esp CP2077 when you could just return it. But def do not preorder any game (or any thing, really) if you can't afford/would regret buying it if you didn't like it. Of course, you can read reviews for days and buy something and still not like it...

[@TigerW0lf]

Seems like a strong start. Let's wait and see how quick it takes for them to stumble.

[@verdurite]

do yall really need to be this pessimistic?

[@TigerW0lf]

@@verdurite did wotc really need to try and give a middle finger to the people who keep them in business?

[@GSuido95]

There already were issues with people not being allowed to use their permanent discount on the books that they got by buying a previous legendary edition bundle. Didn't take that long huh

[@TigerW0lf]

@GSuido95 that's on them for trying to pre-order something that has no incentive for it. Like the guy said, DON'T pre-order the book. You get NOTHING for it

[@Sedr1s]

That’s why they offered pre-orders. They want the money now before they anger the community again. They know it’s going to happen so they are trying to trick people into paying before rhey find out about the next OGL scandal.

[@TheUglyGoblin]

Brilliant advice at the end of this video re preordering! Excellent video n_n

[@nicholasvandonkersgoed3758]

Wow. Pf2e already had all these features. And all the content is free online :) (except the bonus action potion, since it's a tighter action economy)

[@bittermixin]

pathfinder players try not to mention pathfinder challenge (IMPOSSIBLE).

[@somik-i3x]

​@@bittermixinAny TTRPG video Pathfinder player (or Pfanatic) : It's free real estate.

[@Slitheringpeanut]

We've not played the same version then.

[@somik-i3x]

@@Slitheringpeanut Don't say that. They gonna be piss off and will never let you sleep with all their comments.

[@nicholasvandonkersgoed3758]

@@bittermixin While I do like the system, I'm more pointing out how WOTC is playing catchup to other systems. I've got a sneaking suspicion 5.5 will be released to mediocre applause.

[@nicholasvandonkersgoed3758]

Pretty sure that the Weapon Mastery idea is really old, not from 4 years ago, and lots of different systems have had their take on it. Personally I'm enjoying pf2e's system where it functions pretty similar to what DnD 5.5 is trying, but weapon choice matters even more since all weapons have different traits by default, even at level 1. It's always fun to steal ideas whenever I see another system's take on making weapon choice matter.

[@silverdust4197]

Yeah , PF2e system for weapon traits is what come to my mind as well when i first heard it . Just with more flexibility since they arent beholded to one trait per weapon .

[@HillbillyArchmage]

Yeah, even D&D itself has had versions of it before; and at least as far back as the old (1991) D&D Rules Cyclopedia.

[@nutherefurlong]

@@HillbillyArchmage Was going to say, yeah. Included special maneuvers. Not sure how it compares with the new one, I remember grognards saying the old version's mathematics sort of careened out of control at higher levels, but it was there as an optional system.

[@brianj.841]

The very original, white/brown set had different weapon bonus' or minus' against all the armor classes. My group didn't use them because it was just to tedious.

[@nutherefurlong]

@@brianj.841 Yeah, it was more geared towards battlefields, derived from wargames, but I think it had a few good ideas despite that that maybe people revisit some day

[@alvinleonardo1263]

Honestly? I have little to no interest in One dnd. The way they reworked some of the classes made multiclassing less viable but at the same time the higher level abilities are still bad. Also, Martials still feel just as weak compared to casters as before, and the things I actually wanted (martial maneuvers from the battlemaster becoming universal to all martials + Actions being simplified) wasn’t implemented. Yea weapon traits are cool but it still feels like a letdown. If anything One D&D feels like a side grade rather than an upgrade and If Im gonna have to remake my builds all over again I’d rather play DC20

[@dwgautier]

Hard to be excited by this when DC20 seems to be so much more interesting.

[@maikonfernandesdeoliveira8681]

Exactly, the DnD weapon masteries in particular feel much more lackluster when compared to DC20 weapon's passives and maneuvers.

[@lucasnunes8432]

Damn, so true. And I've never been excited for anything 3rd party.

[@KnicKnac]

Both seem lackluster

[@Chris3s]

@@KnicKnac just curious, but which system does it better?

[@maikonfernandesdeoliveira8681]

@@KnicKnac lackluster in what aspect exactly? DC20 combat seems pretty solid.

[@EdsonR13]

There is 2 things that Im really glad you did here for your viewers, 1) you pointed out that everything so far has either been homebrewed by a not insignificant number of players, and 2) you pointed out that there isnt any point in rushing into a preorder. All other youtubers I've seen (so far) reviewing this with their sponsored copies of the book are really hyping up the book even though it doesnt seem like anything all that new is being presented. TLDR: thank you for a more genuine take on the new release

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

I think the big thing for me in the PHB is the rebranded classes and subclasses. So many were just trash(subclasses that is). The DMG sounds like an actual dmg for the first time since AD&D, and the MM could be great if they did actually fix the CRs.

[@BasicallyBaconSandvichIV]

A lot of this new stuff really really reminds me of pathfinder 2e. Except pathfinder isn't as scammy and has other good stuff like three actions instead of a general, movement and bonus action.

[@RTscyan]

Nice short analysis, thanks for the video

[@RhysticTutor1]

I’ve just stopped updating my D&D game unless a player brings something to me they want to try and aren’t sure how to do with official material. Wizards “cares” about their games but mainly because they can profit off of them, and that’s only gotten more obvious

[@donaldcrankshaw1627]

As others have said, Weapon Masteries have been in D&D for decades. I was looking over the Rules Cyclopedia, a culmination of the BECMI version of D&D. The Cyclopedia came out in 1991, but BECMI launched in 1983. Its Mastery system is way more complex than 5.5's, with 5 levels of mastery for each weapon, where damage, to-hit, and special abilities improved for each level. Some of the special abilities include: stun, deflect, disarm, hook, entangle, delay, charge, and double damage.

[@Paldasan]

I'm not sure that I'll be buying any more D&D stuff while it's in Hasbros' hands. I think the sooner we move out en mass the healthier the ttrpg space will be. It makes it harder for content creators who rely on system knowledge from their followers but there are always people coming into the sphere who don't have prior knowledge just as it did when shows like Stranger Things and Critical Role increased the player pool.

[@dwaynejackson551]

I've been using a graze mechanic for years. I always had the players do 1n3 damage if they miss the AC by one. We usually start at level 5 so it isn't too over powered.

[@beneasthouse3615]

I've seen a couple of your videos in the past. This content, and what is to come with the new books convinced me to sub. Excitedly cautious about what's to come.

[@Valandor_Celestial_Warlock]

After not playing D&D for more than 30 years, last year I started playing again because my son wanted to DM the Ravenloft campaign. After he moved away a few months ago, I started DMing my own homegrown campaign and was obliged to purchase the 5e books. So, as for the new edition books... I can wait. I'm still trying to learn (and relearn) the rules from when I played before. I don't need anything new to discombobulate me further. 🥴

[@aaron.harrell]

My group switched to Pathfinder 2e during the OGL debacle. Really glad we did. The system is more tactical and better balanced across all 20 levels of play. It has a much more robust rules system for skills and exploration. It also has weapon specialization, which D&D is just now going to add. That said, PF2 has a higher level of complexity than 5E. I will check out the new D&D rules when they come out in the fall. We’ll see if WotC is able to maintain the elegant simplicity that made 5E so popular.

[@orHekt]

I am curious if you got offered the spon many others seem to have? And if did and denied it good on ya. Also thanks for the pre-order advice, i think many people may have needed to hear that. Ya bloody legend.

[@PokeNaru29]

Highly unlikely he was offered to work with them. He’s been pretty openly hostile towards them and Kyle himself said he felt uncomfortable doing an interview with them back when he talked to people after the ogl scandal. Not saying dnd shorts shouldn’t be critical. I think that’s good, but I can definitely see why they wouldn’t sponsor them.

[@Artemisthemp]

Remember Variant Human is a variant rule like Feat, so players should ensure the DM uses this variant rule ad the table and more important that they pick Variant Human to add flavor to their character and not just: I want this feat for Power. Attaching ASI and Origin Feat to Background is something PF2e done since 2019 and some of the newer feats for 2014 already grants a feat

[@Wordgoblin]

Alright, I'll say it. That ad read made me chuckle.

[@ryancparker]

You don’t need the play test material for epics boons. They are in the 2014 DMG. We use them in Adventurer’s League Modules without having to spend a feat.

[@jettblade]

I honestly don't really think the new PHB is worth it. I don't think the changes are more then enough to justify it. I also really didn't like the fact it was supposed to be a 'new' system but they weren't going to release the books at the same time. It made zero sense that they'd have basically 6 months between the PHB, DMG, and Monster book. How could you play the 'new' system when you didn't have all the books. It is so stupid.

[@riccardoaimo6990]

100%agree

[@PokeNaru29]

It’s never been marketed as a new system. It’s always been an update to 5e. I’m pretty sure the core books have always been released over time before.

[@Giby86]

It's never been a new system, quite literally the opposite. They said over and over again that all 5e is entirely compatible with the new material. I get that you want to criticise it, but be accurate.

[@tomkeegasi]

This will be an easy choice for me: Will there be a digital PDF version? I'll buy it. Will there only be a physical book and dndbeyond? ForgetAboutIt! Don't get me wrong I love the tools that DNDBeyond gives us, but D&D seemingly being the only Pen & Paper RPG without a PDF release is a no-go in 2024. (A warm welcome to Paizo, Chaosium, Cubicle 7, Arc Dream, Evil Hat, Ullisis, Pegassus, Uhrwerk just to name a few)

[@Nore2k5]

Renaming to Species is fine as long as subspecies are races. So you have Elf as the species and then Wood Elf as the race.

[@Klausbro]

Based off the info on D&D Beyond rn, preordering the books let you buy the digital versions for 10 dollars instead of 30. So you can get the physical and digital copies of the books for a total of 60 each. Not saying this is necessarily good or bad, but it is something

[@rayzerot]

Ouch. Get DC20 or Daggerheart instead

[@FromEasytoEpic]

I started with dnd 5e and I am a DM, I own all the books for 5e and I put my foot down during the drama that surrounded OGL last year I will still not support WoTC with these new books but its good to see what they changed still not buying the new books.

[@nickdejager8873]

Weapon mastery is not new four years ago. Second Edition had a similar system in one of the splat books (thought it wasn't called weapon mastery, because that was a fighter class feature). Since I'm not familiar with the full Crit Academy or the new 5.5E version, I can't say how similar they actually are, but based on this it sounds close. In fact, a lot of this sounds like old edition rules being brought back. I disagree on preordering. While I don't think it is for everyone, if you know you are going to get the book anyway, this locks in a day one copy. It also helps both WotC and other companies know demand. If 100 people preorder from B&N, then they won't order and stock as many copies as if 10K people preorder. While this isn't like a KS with a will it or won't it exist issue, it still has benefits.

[@KeuraChan]

I wiil not buy or endorse any One DnD product. Since WoTC showed us from Brazil they don't care abour translating or selling products to us, I don't really care for anything they have to offer anymore. Will stick to 5e, ADnD, 3.5 and other systems. Like your content DnD Shorts, bur i will not watch anything related to OneDnD.

[@TheAdventureMilk]

Man, I’m so excited for 5.5e!

[@bobod03]

I have never owned any DND Books and have been meaning to buy some and the bundle for digital and physical seems like a fair amount from how they are individually, should I just purchase the old books instead of 2024? Or would this be handy if I'm trying to get both the online copies and physical

[@pablolicata]

The idea of Weapon Mastery is not 4 years old. D&D explored this idea in earlier systems, and prior to D&D other systems sure did before that. We have to stop saying that things happened since 2014 (when 5e came out) or in 2000 (when 3e came out). Role-playing games have been around for a long time, in some form or another. Making assertions without knowing the history does not serve the community except, in this case, to create unnecessary resentment to WotC. And WotC doesn't need help to be hated, they can do it on their own and do it very well.

[@Morganwrath]

I just hope they change counterspell to something that doesn't either force the combat to grind to a halt (the actual rules including the xanathars rules) or have everyone meta game all the time in an anticlimactic shit show (the way most people play it). I did at least prefer the new version in the UA, but having seen spell duels in DC20 I already know it can be done in such a better way.

[@badmojo0777]

lets not overlook that fact that the new FEATS are better balanced and many have bene rewqorked as HALF FEATS.. HUGE IMPROVEMENT! :D

[@mogscugg2639]

So they're adding pathfinder 2e features to distract us from the 2200 layoffs and OGL scandal

[@lucas_lipp]

Not gonna lie, I have like zero interest in getting One DnD, at this point. I heavily dislike WotC's business practices, and there hasn't really been anything that made me go "Oh, that's actually way better than 5e." Weapon Mastery seems like a great start, but it doesn't sell me the new books by itself. I hope that, once all the core books are out, they make a free basic rules pdf again, so I can look through the rule changes and see if they convince me. Until then, I'll just stick to 5e (and hopefully try out some other systems in the meantime, too).

[@NisGaarde]

Always buy from a local store if you can.

[@pdubb9754]

Pre-order means that your books lack errata. Do you trust that no mistakes will be made? I expect I will buy, but wait for the reviews makes sense to me

[@dawk7]

>Preorders >"Nothing wrong with this in principle, every game does this." Everything is wrong with this in principle, and it's always been a dick move from game devs to cut off content like this, even if they're just cosmetics. It's just been normalized by this point.

[@brylythhighlights4335]

Calling them species is fine by me - race just isn't the right word to describe the difference between a normal human and a fuckin BIRD PERSON.

[@galaxyfoxnightsky2042]

Ahh d and d yess 5.5e DC20 looks more like a true 6e It dos wepons batter Martial Fighting Its not racomanding players too start at lvl 3 instead it makes lvl 1 more fun too play And it dos feets better with talents Wotc start taking notes look at the smaller guys Instead of staying in your own buble I wonder how much new stuff is actually new like how much is just 5e 4e? 3e. 3.5e? All that said i am looking forward too the revieuws and more info

[@mslabo102s2]

Good thing you never got the sponsored preview. You don't deserve it with your abrasive thumbnails and misinformations.

[@KnicKnac]

I'll just stick with 5E. I'm just meh about the whole thing. The release schedule is kinda dumb. They should release the Monster Manual before DM guide.

[@wombatjedi101]

As I see it, the fact that they’re including no pre-order bonus is probably good news, right? Because they’re confident they’ll still get sales without extra incentive.

[@RobearRich]

I’m so glad they are finally partnering with you guys and doing some win win strategies. I hope this trend continues.

[@NotSoCleanHarry]

This is what I posted on the forums “WotC, y’all should just update the current Players Handbook for those who have the Digital copy. I understand this is a business and making money is the goal but this is a sh*+y move IMO. New players *like myself* shouldn’t have to pay again for a new book after recently paying for a Digital copy. *Again, this is my opinion I’m entitled to it, like you’re entitled to yours*. Don’t @ me.” Thanks DnD Shorts for always keeping it real ❤

[@RichiePootle]

Simply updating the existing digital handbook would mean players would have no choice but to use the new rules. With changes to many species and classes, players who have been in long running campaigns could find their beloved characters are changed beyond recognition. When they updated certain species in 5e they kept the old ‘Legacy’ versions for precisely that reason

[@freedy191]

I hate WOTC, I hate them, but my group and I dropped mad money down to get alot of books off of dndbeyond right before the big scandal. And then the changes to dndbeyond just pissed us off. If we could get our money back and abandon dndbeyond before they delete the books we bought, we would

[@patrickwilliams7582]

Only you and the Internet Historian make worthwhile sponsor commercials.

[@collinoswald2916]

I suspect a LOT of people will be sticking with 5e. Hasbro has put a lot of people off, 5e is already out there, and most of the new stuff seems incidental enough to houserule in whatever bits you like into a home game without having to switch to a whole new set of books.

[@Pfilibuster]

Can i get a hoiyaaaaa?

[@a243137]

Hoiyaaaaa!

[@EricDeKirkwood99]

Yeeeah ill just stick with 5e thanks. It didn't really need fixing thanks to all the community support.

[@Saphira1001fanfic]

You get $60 off, digital dice, and an art book if you preorder it

[@123FireSnake]

WotC needs some serious change before they ever see my money again but at least the books content seems tentatively good so the "effort" of pirating the PDF ought to be worth it :D

[@ScottRoth1986]

Just saying… doing Kickstarter is the same thing as preordering…

[@jayteepodcast]

And it's not even done with Kickstarters

[@mappybc6097]

Here is the thing, DND was never a balanced game. It wasn't even an internally consistent game. AD&D had Unearthed Arcana, which had more game breaking content than 10 Tasha's Cauldrons put on top of one another. 2nd edition was held together by duct tape. Half the rules looked and felt like they belonged to different games. 3rd and 3.5 edition became so unnecessary complex that DMs had to keep track of literally dozens of bonus and penalty types just so they could tell which of the 8 different spells affecting the same creature stacked with each other. Funny enough, 4th edition, by far the most balanced DND has ever been, almost tanked the game and is widely regarded as the least popular edition of the game.

[@Cloud_Seeker]

The problem with "Balance" is that if everything is balanced, meaning equally as effective as any other option is", everything is the same. If you have, lets say Fire Emblem, and all fighters are balanced between each other. You do not have different characters. You have the same character with different portraits. Same goes for something like Advanced Wars series. If all the CO's are the balanced, you do not have different playstyles.

[@tyleremery7088]

I came here specifically to watch you dunk on WotC, and you certainly did not disappoint. Excellent video as usual!

[@kotten5268]

Can u use the old playershandbook (The one that is out right now) in the new edition thats coming? (One)

[@aweckzs]

having origins determine ur stats is just running into the same problem. let ppl allocate points however they want

[@Shirodragoon]

They do have a $60 off pre-order where you get all 3 books, both digital and physical copies, and you "gold dragon" dice. It was like $170 before tax. I don't need all of it. I just want the PHB and DMG digitally so I can share it with my groups and game store for character creation on D&D Beyond.

[@PadanGedowitch]

Nick should be basic rules for all dual-wielding weapons like in the AU, because of math. 1 Greatsword: 2d6+Str cost 1 Action. 2 Smallswords: 1d6+Str + 1d6 cost 1 Action and 1 Bonus Action.

[@fz_dracohart1255]

Yeah I hate that they rolled back actual good dual weilding change and keep it only for 2 abysmal weapons (dagger and scimitar). Like, if they’re really scared shitless of dual wielding becomes op with offhand attack being a part of the attack action, make a part of Dual Wield feat instead. Now with +1 AC bonus in Dual Wielding feat erased, it's basically useless feat other than flavor gimmick to dual wield longswords or axes because no non-light weapons got Nick mastery ptoperties (also most DMs basically handwaves how many weapons you stow in one time if you dual wield or throw multiple weapons)