Summary
Dungeons and Dragonsis reversing its decision to remove the original 2014 spells and magic items fromD&D Beyondwith the release of its new 2024 core rulebooks. Though it originally intended to replace theseD&D Beyondentries,Dungeons and Dragonswill be keeping both in response to player feedback.
On September 17,Dungeons and Dragonsis releasing its2024 Player’s Handbook– the first of three new core rulebooks to update5th Editionfor its 10-year anniversary. As its official digital toolset and game companion,D&D Beyondwill have all of these new character options added to it, though most of the original 2014 versions will still be available as Legacy content. However, in a recent update,D&D Beyondannounced that the old versions of spells and magic items would be overwritten by the new ones and that fans hoping to keep the originals would need to add them as homebrew entries.
This decision proved to be exceptionally unpopular, with vocal outcry fromD&Dplayers and content creators alike. After a few days of criticism,canceledD&D Beyondsubscriptions, and memes atWizards of the Coast’s expense,Dungeons and Dragonsannounced it heard the feedback loud and clear, and that it would not be overwriting the old spells and magic items. Fans who own bothPlayer’s Handbookswill be able to freely choose the new versions of these entries or the originals, which will be given a Legacy badge to differentiate.
D&D Beyond Won’t Get Rid of Old 5E Spells and Items
While it may seem like replacing these entries with their new versions would be a good thing, there are several reasons fans were upset. Plenty of the changes in the2024 Player’s Handbookhave been great, but others have been less popular, with some spells being simplified or completely changed in ways that not everyone enjoys. ForcingD&D Beyondusers to adapt would have gone against the spirit of backwards compatibility that was promised with these new books, and removing products fans have paid for left a bad taste in their mouths – especially since the framework for keeping old content with the Legacy Badge is already being used foroldDungeons and Dragonsspecies, classes, and more.
Needless to say, this is a huge win forDungeons and Dragonsfans. While some are annoyed thatD&D Beyondwas going to remove these entries in the first place, most are happy Wizards of the Coast listened so quickly. ConsideringWizards of the Coast has been marred by controversy over AI art, rising product costs, and the Open Game License over the last couple of years, it is good to see it making positive changes in response to community feedback.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
