Everything You Get In D&D's 2024 Free Rules

The new was released for early access on September 3, 2024, 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 of 5th 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.

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, but anyone 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.

Despite a rebrand, Dungeons & Dragons has successfully compiled the 2024 Player's Handbook to be its best and easiest to use rulebook yet.

Despite how much information is present, it's clear that WotC is prioritizing making the rules understandable for new players. Just as 5e sought to make the game more approachable 10 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