The TRUTH about the 2024 Player's Handbook

[@jeroenimus7528]

Looks like I'll be waiting with any financial decision until both MM and DMG are out. As how everything fits together is the best way to judge how solid (or not) the foundation is.

[@ConstructedChaos]

I think that’s a wise decision! Most of the rules are free to use on DNDBeyond anyway!

[@Angel_of_Darkeport]

Cogent, concise breakdown. Thanks for putting this out from those of us who still haven't read through it. :D

[@ConstructedChaos]

Happy to do it, friend! I'm glad it was helpful to ya!!

[@leodouskyron5671]

You are right this is not a new system but I would say this is 5e revised edition. Though I have many things I would have liked seen changed and some subsystems like mounted combat are screaming out for revision still! If you don’t have a 5e PHB or didn’t get Tasha’s because I don’t know you don’t like brunette witches then you should consider getting this one.

[@ConstructedChaos]

Well said here! Good take as always!

[@SerifSansSerif]

Tasha is D&D mommy.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@SerifSansSerif indeed!

[@JamesRichardson-u3i]

​​​@@ConstructedChaos I went to Barnes and Nobles at 10 am and I was the first person to get the book 📖 on September 17. It's a 🎈🎂 birthday 🎉 gift to myself 😁.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@JamesRichardson-u3i Ayyy congrats! I hope you enjoy it!

[@Knockout_Mouse]

Can you elaborate a little on Conjure Minor Elementals? I don't see how it's broken or unbalanced for a 4th level spell.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@Knockout_Mouse sure! It adds 2d8 to every attack and when you upcast it, that increases by 2d8 each level. Imagine a character with 4 attacks running around with an EXTRA 16d8 damage every turn in exchange for a 5th level spell slot.

[@Knockout_Mouse]

@@ConstructedChaos I can see how that could be out of step for a 5th level slot. At first I was thinking since it's restricted to Druid and Wizard it would be difficult to pull off more than 1 attack per round, but I imagine there are plenty of spell options for Wizard (Scorching Ray comes to mind), and Wild Shape options for Druid that have multiattack. It would also be available for Bards through their magical secrets feature, and College of Valor gains Extra Attack (and could dual wield for a third each round). Definitely looks like something that could be easily abused. Great video and thanks for the response - cheers!

[@TheRobversion1]

Hi Chaos. I dont know if you still remember me. I quit DND back in jan 2023 during the whole OGL fiasco. I'm now just slowly getting back into DND as i got invited to guest on a different channel to talk about aberrant mind sorcs (my 1st dnd vid on YT. haha). So i totally know nothing about DND 2024 and your vid is the 1st i've decided to watch on the topic. Kudos on making this easily digestable and informative! Will definitely check out your stuff on dnd 2024 once i've decided to move on from 5e. Anyway just wanted to drop a line and say hi.

[@ConstructedChaos]

ROB!!! I could never forget you man! Welcome back to the channel and congrats on your first vid. (Where can I find that btw?) As always, I’m glad to have ya!

[@TheRobversion1]

@@ConstructedChaos yeah i took a hiatus to pf2e. My main table group is still not returning to 5e but i've recently gotten back into the groove of 5e (at least talking about it). Still looking for people to play with online. Anyway i dont know if you know "the dungeon." His name is also Rob. if you find his channel, my vid is the 2 latest ones. So yeah i realized i talk too long and he has to cut the vid into 2. Haha. Fun experience to tick off my bucket list. Feel free to let me know if you've found it and share what you think. Caution though on the vid length. Haha.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@TheRobversion1 Yep! I remember you went to PF2e and I tried covering those rules for a bit too before jumping back for the new 2024 release with DND. I'm excited to go check out those videos later today after I'm done filming!

[@TheRobversion1]

@@ConstructedChaos last thing i remember about one DND back then was "no way these new stuff would be seamlessly backwards compatible." Would you say this holds true? it seems to me now, one either plays 5.14 or 5.24. I'll slowly work through your dnd 2024 vids. I've always liked the tone of how you presented info thats easily digestable. Its light but doesnt push the memes/humor too much that it distracts from the insight. "Balanced. As all things should be." So you found the vids? Cool. Its nothing much except a casual convo on sorcs, focused on the aberrant mind. Still, i hope its a good listen for you. ;)

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@TheRobversion1 I'm actually having trouble finding those videos! I searched for "The Dungeon" but most of what I found was either very old or not what I was looking for. That said, I actually do feel like most of the backwards compatibility is there--especially when it comes to subclasses. We have several campaigns going right now and we've got a mix of players using new, revised, and old subclasses pretty seamlessly.

[@ratherfungames]

Bought digital on Dndbeyond and physical at FLGS

[@ConstructedChaos]

Nice! How are you enjoying the changes so far?

[@ratherfungames]

@@ConstructedChaos I think it's almost all positive. We'll see if the new exploits are lesser than the old exploits. I was baffled at first by the null racial ability modifiers, but I like it now. PCs are exceptional. There might only be one 17 STR L1 Barabarian Halfling in the entire game world, and it's no big surprise that halfling became an adventurer!

[@juanmiguelpalacioesteban5591]

Hi. I like very.much dnd and.I have played enough, but I havent your experience . So, im.looking for a built for achieving maximum.damage, and high range of criticals )besides.if its possible,, special barbarian habilities (extracting powers from.nature, violence, character's own soul, or spirits or whatever... With all.the warrior/barbarian variants,what tace / carreer built you would recommend me for maximum.damage /base attack, and ressistance to damage/hit points?

[@jeroenimus7528]

Still not clear as to the potential power creep in Character Classes. Is it akin to the Fizban's Dragonborn vs the original where you'd be shooting yourself in the foot for not choosing the newest options? (Kinda similar with the Sorcerer subclasses where the newest ones got a free bonus list of spells known.) And if it's a shooting thing, how much damage do you inflict? I'm perfectly good with suboptimal character builds, but in my experience that's mostly something for more experienced players who can compensate with better tactical choices. More importantly it should be something you'd consciously choose.

[@ConstructedChaos]

The new Dragonborn in the 2024 PHB are very much akin to the ones in Fizban’s!

[@jeroenimus7528]

@@ConstructedChaos what about the power differential between old and new subclasses?

[@007ohboy]

​@@jeroenimus7528I just converted my Shadow Sorcerer to 2024 and it's an older Subclass that lacks extra spells besides Darkness. It makes up for that, as was the balance back then, with Subclass features like Eyes of the Dark, Str of the Grave, Hound of Ill Omen, Umbral Form. Now with the new rules, you get a total of 22 spells instead of 15. Even with only 15, I built a very formidable Sorcerer that could compete with Clockwork/Abberant Mind. The real power was always in the spells. With the old setup, I picked Half feats to add more spells, picked Warlock to add more spells so I could free up those lower level slots to pick up higher ones. You only need so many spell combos and if you mix taking a few half feats for useful lower level spells you can get more spells known. Now with 22 spells you're even better off. The power difference is minimal. The real crappy Sorc Subclasses were rebuilt. Those are much better now. Also, all the Core class goodies apllies to Old Subclasses that don't have an updated version.

[@007ohboy]

Matter of fact, I can't wait to combo Hound of Ill Omen with the new Innate Sorcery ability. Think about it. Hound of Ill Omen gives you a +1 to DCs spells, Innate Sorcery also gives you a +1 to DCs of your spells. That's a whole +2 to absolutely wreck enemies and shut them down. Hound Ill Omen also gives Disadvantage on ALL spell saves vs the target. So not only +2 DCs but also its at Disadvantage....😅😅😂

[@jeroenimus7528]

@007ohboy glad to read things have been improved around the board. But the extent to which you've gone to make your shadow sorcerer competitive kinda shows how much extra skill/experience was needed to make those subclasses competitive. Chances of a newbie getting the same mileage as you did are slim to none.

[@FoundationalDD-eb8qm]

Personally, I feel like the D&D beyond spell changes were meant to prevent a lot of the backwards compatibility issues that we are currently seeing in trying to use old subclasses with the new version simply because now they auto populate the legacy version for things such as cure wounds.

[@ConstructedChaos]

You’re probably right but at least we can turn it off if we want to. Although, for what it’s worth, we were always able to use old subclasses. That was one of the features of this new PHB.

[@FoundationalDD-eb8qm]

@@ConstructedChaos I’m saying the way they wanted to do it if you used the old subclasses their class lists would have used the new spell versions, now it only uses the old versions. I think the toggle switch was a bad move and they should have stuck to their guns on it cause it would have been better for everyone I think.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@FoundationalDD-eb8qm I don’t think that’s true? I think you can still use the new spells exclusively with old subclasses. We’re doing it at our table!

[@FoundationalDD-eb8qm]

@@ConstructedChaos you can use them, but D&D beyond auto-prepares sub-class expanded spell lists exclusively with the legacy versions without the ability to switch them unless it has been fixed in the last few days. Note: I had to edit because I realized my thumbs were faster than my eyeballs

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@FoundationalDD-eb8qm ohhhh that is interesting and I hadn’t noticed that as of yet. That does however fall on them to get fixed. I do still prefer to have the option to use old spell versions for anyone that still wants to play base 5e. It feels, at best, a miscalculation on their part that could definitely be resolved in a better way than it is currently.

[@DefianceRS]

"Lore Word Salad" is my new favorite quote 😂

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha glad you like that. I always felt so guilty for skipping those sections of the old PHB 😅

[@MC_KPK_13XIII_LEIGON]

Thank you for making this video. Can’t wait for new artificers.

[@ConstructedChaos]

Thanks for watching! I was happy to do it!

[@shawnberry760]

Love the info and love your channel.

[@ConstructedChaos]

Thanks so much Shawn! I’m happy you’re enjoying it! 😊

[@Justinian_of_Darkeport]

@Constructed Chaos 7:37 You even booked marked it as a lead in.. You were literally there when WotC asked what I like playing most, and what updates I was looking forward to, with my response was Ranger and seeing what they had done with the class. 😆

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha yeah I was. And it turns out what they did was “practically nothing” 😂

[@Itachi45481]

I’m not going to lie I’m mashing both systems together when playing not separated old versions with subclasses,feats, spells be in new or revised (I’m using both versions of spells if I want to) and races included I got most of the old books I’m going to get uses for them regardless of changes

[@ConstructedChaos]

That’s totally fair and happy for you that DNDBeyond walked back their original plan for the old spells and magic items!

[@Itachi45481]

@@ConstructedChaos thanks but I don’t use beyond all paper but regardless I’m going to enjoy playing with old and new together and see what happens

[@Oddthebard]

“Massive word lore salad” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ConstructedChaos]

Hahaha I do not like eating my greens and I definitely don't like digesting WOTC lore when I'm just going to make my own anyway.

[@Tidesofmo]

You can still select scores on top on dndbeyond and I will die on this hill SCORES ON TOP!!!!!!!

[@ConstructedChaos]

NO! HERESY!!

[@jeroenimus7528]

@TidesofMo ​@ConstructedChaos Pretty sure this is mostly a generational divide depending on which rules version you started with. At least it'd make the percentile strength and/or ability score splits from Skills&Powers (both 2e) less of a fus to cram into the box.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@jeroenimus7528 haha I think you’re right but it’s one of the few discrepancies to feud over based on how unimportant it really is.

[@jeroenimus7528]

@@ConstructedChaos hey, they specifically kept alignment in for you to feud!

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@jeroenimus7528 hahaha yeah that too. But some people do actually like alignment and it baffles me.

[@TriSkyward]

I don't like this, not having clerics, sorcerers, or warlocks getting a subclass at level 1. Can't have the classic half elf or orc race. Or not having ideals, bonds, or flaws really does not feel good at all. I liked the difference between different classes, races, and role playing. Thanks for sharing this video that told me the truth. I want to keep using the 5th edition book. 😥

[@ConstructedChaos]

That’s totally fair if those things are dealbreakers for you! At the end of the day, it’s whatever creates the most fun for you and your table! ☺️

[@TriSkyward]

@@ConstructedChaos, thanks for the kind response. 🙂

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@TriSkyward of course! Its simply the truth 😊

[@Comicsluvr]

LOL Ranger! 'This big boy has an extra 70 pages...and they STILL can't do Rangers well!'

[@ConstructedChaos]

😢😢😢

[@danddjacko]

There is no difference in word count between 2014 and 2024 PHB's. The extra is art.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@danddjacko that’s an interesting statistic if true! However, it’s worth noting that they also have less flavor text and many verbiages have been condensed so the concentration of actual rules text is likely better than it was.

[@LB_adventurer]

Pineapple on pizza makes you my soul mate. haha Seriously, thanks for the vid. I bought the book and I'm happy that I did. There are other systems that I prefer more but I know I'll be playing with the new rules soon and for years to come

[@ConstructedChaos]

Hahaha thank you! Glad to hear another sane person is enjoying the new PHB along with their pineapple on pizza!

[@Grymreefer]

Great video , I mostly agree . But pineapple on pizza is a no go for me 😂 .

[@ConstructedChaos]

I had some last night actually. I will not be stopped.

[@mikecalvento]

"Pineapple on Pizza" is a hill I'm willing to die on, comrade!

[@ConstructedChaos]

I was against it at first but then I allowed myself to experience joy and I converted shortly after

[@sspectre8217]

I used to be firmly against it but now I defend it. Also expanded a lot on what combinations I consider tasty now, many fruits just go really well with many kinds of meat

[@michaelmuirhead910]

The ketchup thing is still a no go. Use a tomato damn you! 😂

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@michaelmuirhead910 Hahaha I do like tomatoes too.... but ketchup is just the god condiment.

[@rogerwilco2]

I think some things in 5.5e are an improvement. But they also removed a lot of things that made things interesting. Small ribbon features. I do like that they removed a lot of the useless wordiness and word salad. Give me a book that teaches how to play the game and mostly works well as a reference book. Especially the DMG.

[@Jason-96]

My plan is to mooch of everyone else's D&D Beyond Campaigns....

[@ConstructedChaos]

Not a bad idea at all haha. Thats what most of my players do too.

[@VNGAMINGTV]

i been playing dnd since 2015, i got the new handbook. never had the old. but that said. am allways DM. (almost) so yeah you dont need it

[@thesistersofbattle]

The problem I have is it feels like they pushed it out too early just to make a release for the 50th anniversary. They could have kept it cooking until early next year or even December and it might have been nearly perfect.

[@ConstructedChaos]

That's a really great insight. That would make a lot of sense if true.

[@dabeef2112]

Yes it was likely rushed because of the time lost scrambling to fix the OGL scandal. They lost about 2 months if I remember correctly.

[@josephpurdy8390]

10 years between 1e and 2e. Then another 10 years between 2e and 3e. Yet, somehow, this is rushed because 10 years is no longer enough time.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@josephpurdy8390I don’t think anyone is saying it isn’t WOTC’s fault here haha. Yes, 10 years should have been plenty of time. 😅

[@thesistersofbattle]

@@josephpurdy8390 We aren't saying the year count is the problem. We are saying the polish is the problem. It isn't unwelcome, but they put clothes on it and sent it to school, but forgot to brush its hair and tie its shoes. A few more months were needed. In fact, they should have released it digitally for 6 months and printed it when they gathered any last necessary changes. The evaluation periods they had weren't done correctly as some glaring issues are only visible when the whole product is available, as we see.

[@lucaricciardi8253]

No

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha that’s a totally fine outlook to have!

[@TheZombiegenesis]

I got it and love it. I wish it was a bit cheaper but I couldn't wait for Amazon prices. Love the new art.

[@ConstructedChaos]

I'm happy you're enjoying it! I got my copy at Gencon and cracked it open almost immediately!

[@arokunaga6387]

Whoa I’m early what the

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha welcome!! You're faster than most of KZbin it seems!

[@spacerx]

No.

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha I assume you’re responding to the thumbnail?

[@spacerx]

@@ConstructedChaos Yes. ;)

[@Kill2Hard101]

Every race can breed with every race? That's just stupid!

[@ConstructedChaos]

Haha that's not the part I have a problem with. In fact, I've really enjoyed creating tieflings with alternate lineages in my campaign world!

[@Kill2Hard101]

@@ConstructedChaos So mammals can breed with reptilians? Do Dragonborn even give live birth? It's goofy dude! Everything is just fantasy slop now!

[@torreyintahoe]

The shitty artwork is enough to make me hate it. I'd rather play shadow dark than look at this book

[@ConstructedChaos]

You’re welcome to your own opinion, of course. But I’m gonna hard disagree on the art quality. It’s pretty fantastic.

[@torreyintahoe]

@@ConstructedChaos It’s like gay pride parade.

[@josephbeckett2330]

Honestly, I think there is far too much art, and some of it is prety bad. It makes the book bigger, but doesn't seem to add significant text. I am not impressed with the Backgrounds. Too few, and many are too similar. I'm also not a fan of suggested gear. I think options like this are why people have trouble learning the game. Instead of taking 5 mins to read through all the gear and pick things, just skip it and take these things.

[@ConstructedChaos]

That’s a pretty rare take from what I’ve seen and I disagree that the art doesn’t add value but to each their own! Thats just my opinion and I completely respect yours!

[@UltimateMustacheX]

I still don't understand why people get their panties in a twist over the backgrounds. Do people honestly need a small paragraph of text to tell them they can swap details around? Every background is 3 ability scores, 2 skills, 1 feat, 1 tool, and 50 GP for equipment. It's not a hard template to customize. If you want to pull from old backgrounds, then by all means, work with your DM. But even then, I don't see any ways for it to be broken. At best you're just gaining an extra feature alongside the template from the new backgrounds.

[@ConstructedChaos]

It’s not about that. After all, we’ve already homebrewed a solution for our games that I’ve been very vocal about. The issue is that some tables will be locked into only those options because the alternative isn’t spelled out clearly enough. Trust me, after seeing the comments on my videos for years. People love to play EXACTLY as the rules tell them to haha.

[@rsh8057]

nah, I'm good. I refuse to support a racist company and frankly there are better versions of D&D or old school games.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@rsh8057 what makes them racist? Did something happen that I missed?

[@ARealBigFatRappingMonkey]

@@ConstructedChaos They (Jeremy Crawford himself) said that the idea of half-races are inherently racist and that's why there's no half-races, there's also the orc thing they did where they pulled an Extra Credits.

[@josephbeckett2330]

​@@ConstructedChaos the stuff about getting rid of all the white players, embracing DEI which divisive, and more than just racist. There have been a few things I can't recall at the moment.

[@ConstructedChaos]

@@josephbeckett2330I don’t recall ever having heard them say they wanted to get rid of white players and I certainly haven’t felt that. Personally, I feel that diversity is a good thing anyway.

[@BK-iw1zm]

@@ConstructedChaos Have you not heard the Kyle Brink quote?