The newDungeons & Dragons2024 Player’s Handbookwas released for early access on August 21, 2025, and will come out officially on September 17. But as of a few days ago, Wizards of the Coast released a free version of the renovated rule set, containing some of the most important changes the book will bring to the TTRPG. Included in this first look are rules for DMs, a guide on building characters, and an overview of some of the new class and background features.
The new handbook is intended as a revamp ofD&D5th edition, not as its own version of the game, but the changes made are still pretty extensive. From reworking the available subclasses to factoring more abilities into a character’s background rather than their species, players will be able to build very different characters from this new book. For those looking for a sneak peek of the upcoming changes or just wanting to get a head start on learning the new rules, here’s an overview of everything the free rules cover.
A Guide For The Basics Of D&D
Advice For DMs And Players Alike
The opening section of the free rules cover a ton of tips and game mechanics that everyone playing will want to be familiar with. It goes into detail on the pace of the game, how DMs will describe a setting, and how the mechanics of combat differ from conversation and exploration. It covers turn order, dice rolls, ability scores, and a whole slew of information for beginners. It’s a bit dense, butanyone new to the game could benefit greatly from even a cursory look over what’s covered here, or by having it on standby during the first several sessions.
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Despite how much information is present, it’s clear thatWotC is prioritizing making the rules understandable for new players. Just as5e sought to make the game more approachable10 years ago, this player’s handbook endeavors to invite in those that might feel polarized by the game’s complicated reputation. This free look at how the basic rules work illustrates that mindset very well, and while there’s not many changes in this section that returning players will need to worry about, it’s a great cheat sheet for finding any quick rules for conditions, roll modifiers, and the like.
One important change this section defines is the specifications for certain actions that players can take. Returning players will be familiar with the usual options like dash, hide, attack, and so on, but these free rules distinguish between a “search” action, which uses wisdom ability checks, and a “study” action, which uses intelligence. There are also rules for charisma checks, which are referred to as “influence” actions. While these distinctions don’t make a ton of mechanical difference,they might provide players with a more concrete set of choices if they don’t know what to do on their turn.
Character Building Tips In The New Rule Set
Advice For Players On Making Their Adventurer
Following these general rules is a section on building characters, including tips for selecting their equipment and leveling them up.The free rules specifically cover experience-based level advancement, which is fine, though it is worth noting that manyDMs use other methods such as milestone. There are rules for hit point calculations, multiclassing, and selection of “trinkets,” which all players now get at least one of based on a 100-item table. They don’t do much, but it is fun to get a little strange item that may or may not play into a character’s story.
This beginning section also covers how class-specific features, like extra attack and spellcasting, work, though this gets into more detail when the free rules reach the class selection section.The free rules cover four of the classes available inD&D: the cleric, fighter, rogue, and wizard. The actual2024 Players Handbookwill include the twelve mainD&Dclasses, but this is a nice small selection of options that cover builds focused on strength, dexterity, wisdom, and intelligence.
The free rules go into detail on the basic features of each of these classes, including spell lists when applicable. They also include one subclass for each of the four class options, thoughnotably, every class now receives its subclass at level three. This makes no difference to the rogue or fighter but isan especially big deal for the cleric, whose first-level subclass features have long made it a popular multiclassing choice and an early-game powerhouse.
An Overview Of 2024 Character Origins
A Redesign Of 5e’s Backgrounds And Races
The background and species elements of player characters have now been combined into one section of the rules, called character origins. Both aspects of the character are still chosen independently, of course, and both have their own effects, but much has been done to balance out the impact they have. Backgrounds in 2014’sPHBwere more like icing on a cake, providing a few extra proficiencies and an ability that would maybe come up once.Now, backgrounds are crucial and arguably more important than a character’s species.
Background choice now determines level one ability score improvements, an additional feat, and what they did before. Species affect a lot of aesthetic and flavor elements of the character, such as their age, height, and creature type, but also impact a character’s speed. Each species has at least one special feature, such as Darkvision, that provides something unique to the character. The free rules don’t include every species and background choice, but they do cover a few.
The2024 Player’s Handbookwill include ten different species and sixteen backgrounds, giving much more versatility in character creation than is presented here in the free rule set.
The acolyte, criminal, sage, and soldier backgrounds are looked at, with each including a feat tailored to the description and several pertinent proficiencies and items as well. The species covered are the dwarf, elf, halfling, and human.These are all a little stronger than they were in the2014 Player’s Handbook, with dwarves gaining temporary tremorsense, elves having a better selection of spells, humans gaining a source of daily inspiration, andboth small species now having a full 30 feet of movement each turn.
Feats, Items, And Spells All Make A Small Appearance
A Brief Overview Of These Topics Is Presented In The Free Rules
The next section covers feats; specifically, twelve of the newly modified options organized into different sections. There are origin feats, which are available at level one, fighting style feats(fighting styles count as feats now), general feats, and epic boons that are only available at high levels of play. Most of these have seen small or large changes from their 2014 counterparts, and not always for the better. Still, some of these options, especially the epic boons, seem pretty powerful.
Next in the free rules is a selection of equipment pieces that characters can use, ranging from weapons and armor to currency to tool sets. Most of this is similar to the previous versions of the game, with the exception thatweapons now have associated weapon masteries, which also receive a breakdown. There are mechanics for mounts and vehicles, for brewing and drinking potions, and a rather short section on magic items. Finally, this segment finishes off with a description of how certain spellcasters can use and make scrolls.
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Lastly, there is a section on spells, their casting, and requirements. The free rules go over components and arcane foci, spell saving throws and attack rolls, and thedreaded one-spell-per-turn rulewhichBaldur’s Gate 3just gave players a break from. The free rules also include a truly impressive selection of spells, including revised rules for dozens of spell options available for multiple classes. Of course, this is nothing compared to the reported400 spells that will be included in the2024 Player’s Handbook.
2024 Free Rules: Creatures And Conclusions
Example Stat Blocks And Character Sheets Finish Off This Sneak Peek
The free rules conclude with a brief section showcasing multiple creature stat blocks; including apes, imps, and zombies. These are fully filled out, meaning DMs could practice using these new stat blocks right now by looking off of these rules.There’s also a character sheet section showing off the new look WotC has given it, which honestly might be a little more visually confusing than the previous iteration; though that may be somewhat due to familiarity bias.
Overall, the free rules won’t let a DM run a whole campaign in this semi-new version ofDungeons & Dragons, nor should players attempt to make a whole new character based on the narrow selection of options presented here. What these rules are great at is presenting the mechanics of the game to new players and showcasing how certain elements will work differently moving forward. It’s an effective sample platter of the2024 Player’s Handbookthat is to come and will hopefully give players the chance to see if these new rules will work for them.
Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game originally invented in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson. The fantasy role-playing game brings together players for a campaign with various components, including abilities, races, character classes, monsters, and treasures. The game has drastically expanded since the ’70s, with numerous updated box sets and expansions.
