Roll up, heroes!
The release of the 2024 D&D Player’s Handbook is nigh. The character creation paradigm has been shaken. Let’s take a closer look at some of the changes.
Classes now have four different subclasses to choose from starting at level three. Most existing classes got at least one new subclass, with the exception of Wizard and Cleric. Some examples include the Rogue Soulknife and Druid Circle of the Sea. Psionics has been reintroduced to the Player’s Handbook as well. Personally, I’m interested to see some of the new subclasses in action.
Races are now Species, and the old bonuses tied to that choice are now instead tied to your Background. Each Background offers a possible increase in three stats. A player may choose to increase one stat by two points and an additional stat by one point, or spread one point increases across all three. Additionally, every Background provides a level one Feat, Skill Proficiencies, Tool Proficiencies, and starting Equipment. Much of this will be familiar for existing players.
There are ten species available in the Player’s Handbook right from the start. In no particular order, they are Human, Goliath, Elf, Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, Dragonborn, Orc, Tiefling, and Aasimar. Note that the mixed ancestries are gone, so no more Half-elves and Half-orcs. The Dragonborn breath weapon damage now scales (hah!) up with level, and at level five, they gain the ability to fly for ten minutes once per Long Rest. Drow aren’t sensitive to Sunlight anymore, and the small species don’t have reduced movement speed compared to their medium-sized companions.
There are a myriad of small tweaks to each species, and there are some choices here that will feel very familiar to players of Baldur’s Gate 3. Using a potion is now a Bonus Action instead of a Full Action, for example. I’m sure there will be other examples once the book is published and we get some hands-on time.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook hits our shelves September 3rd, so be sure to stop on by and grab your copy today!
-Article by Rob H.
