Player Player-facing
DM DM-facing
Both Everyone
New Brand new
Changed Revised
Removed Cut
Species & Ancestry Player
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology | "Race" | Changed Now called "Species" |
| Ability Score Bonuses | Granted by Race (e.g. +2 DEX for Elf) | Changed Removed from Species entirely; now granted by Background |
| Languages | Tied to specific Races (Elves know Elvish, etc.) | Changed Players choose any 2 languages besides Common, no restrictions |
| Racial Trait Scaling | Static values for most racial traits | Changed Many traits now scale with Proficiency Bonus |
| Dragonborn | Breath weapon only, no flight | Changed Can now fly temporarily at higher levels |
| Half-Elf / Half-Orc | Full standalone Races | Removed Folded into Elf and Orc species options |
| Orc / Goliath / Aasimar | Not in core PHB (supplement only) | New Now core playable Species in PHB |
| Dwarf / Halfling Subraces | Multiple subraces (Hill/Mountain Dwarf, Lightfoot/Stout, etc.) | Changed Subraces significantly reduced or consolidated |
| Custom Lineage | Introduced in Tasha's Cauldron as optional | Changed Formally incorporated into core rules |
Backgrounds Player
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Weight | Mostly flavor: skill profs, starting gear, minor feature | Changed Primary mechanical driver: grants Ability Score bonuses and an Origin Feat |
| Ability Scores | Not part of Backgrounds | New +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to any scores, player's choice |
| Origin Feats | Did not exist | New Every Background grants a free feat at level 1 |
| Custom Backgrounds | Limited guidance | Changed Fully supported: build from scratch, choose bonuses, profs, and feat |
Feats Player
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Rule Status | Optional rule (DM must allow) | Changed Core rules; everyone gets an Origin Feat at level 1 |
| Categories | One flat list | New Four categories: Origin, General, Fighting Style, Epic Boon |
| Feat + ASI | Taking a feat replaced your ASI entirely | Changed Many feats now include +1 to an ability score built in |
| Epic Boons | Loose DMG-only rewards | Changed Formalized as a feat category for high-level play |
Universal Class Changes Player
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass Timing | Varied by class (level 1, 2, or 3) | Changed Unified: all subclasses chosen at level 3 |
| Dead Levels | Many levels with no new features | Changed Most dead levels filled with new or revised features |
| Capstones (Lv 20) | Many were underwhelming | Changed Reworked to be more impactful |
| Expertise | Class-specific (Rogue, Bard only) | Changed Accessible to all classes in various ways |
| Spell Lists | In the Spells chapter as bullet lists | Changed Moved into each class's description with school, components, and concentration info |
| Total Subclasses | ~35 in 2014 PHB | Changed 48 total, including 3 brand new ones |
Notable Per-Class Changes Player
Every class received revisions. Below covers the most impactful changes only.
| Class | Key 2024 Changes |
|---|---|
| Barbarian | Changed Rage more flexible, usable outside combat, easier to recover. Frenzy no longer causes Exhaustion (now a damage bonus once/turn). Intimidating Presence is now a Bonus Action. |
| Bard | Changed Enhanced magic. Bardic Inspiration easier to use and recover. |
| Cleric | New Divine Order feature added. Channel Divinity revised with new Turn/Destroy Undead options. |
| Druid | Changed Wild Shape significantly reworked. Animal form names changed at later levels to clarify you can switch forms. |
| Fighter | New Gains Weapon Mastery. Fighting Styles tweaked. Dead levels filled. |
| Monk | Changed Ki renamed "Focus Points." Monk weapons revised. Stunning Strike significantly nerfed. |
| Paladin | Changed Major overhaul. Smite is now a Bonus Action spell (not a free rider on attacks). Channel Divinity reworked. |
| Ranger | Changed Tasha's optionals made permanent and improved. Spellcasting at level 1. Hunter's Mark central mechanic. Gains Weapon Mastery. |
| Rogue | Changed Fast Hands activates magic items. Second-Story Work uses DEX, grants climb speed. Cunning Strike options added. Use Magic Device: attune 4 items. |
| Sorcerer | Changed New spells. Sorcery Points and Metamagic revised. |
| Warlock | Changed Significant changes. Bladelock much more viable from base class. Pact of the Blade grants healing on attacks. |
| Wizard | Changed "School of X" renamed (e.g., "Evoker"). Subclasses retooled. |
| Artificer | Removed Not in 2024 PHB. Still uses Tasha's 2014 rules only. |
Combat Mechanics Both
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Mastery | Did not exist | New Martial classes gain Mastery Properties: Cleave, Graze, Push, Sap, Slow, Topple, Vex, Nick. Unlimited uses per day. Can swap mastered weapon on a Long Rest. |
| Crits (Players) | Nat 20 on any attack = double ALL damage dice (weapon + Smite + Sneak Attack + spell, etc.) | Changed Crits on weapons/unarmed only. Only weapon damage dice are doubled. Sneak Attack, Smite, and spell damage dice are NOT doubled on a crit. |
| Crits (Monsters) | Monsters crit on Nat 20 like players | Removed Monsters no longer score critical hits against PCs |
| Nat 20 / Nat 1 | Auto-hit/miss on attacks only. Not on ability checks or saves. | Changed Nat 20 = auto-success and Nat 1 = auto-fail on ALL D20 Tests (attacks, saves, AND ability checks) |
| Surprise | Surprised creatures skip their entire first turn (no move, action, or reaction) | Changed Surprised creatures only get Disadvantage on Initiative. They act normally in round 1. |
| Drawing / Stowing | One free object interaction per turn | Changed Draw/stow as part of Attack action + free interaction. Can draw/stow twice, split between attacks. |
| Movement in Attacks | Implied but never explicit | Changed Explicitly stated: you can move between attacks from the same action (e.g. Extra Attack) |
| Potions | Full Action to drink | Changed Bonus Action to drink (for self or companion) |
| Flanking | Optional rule granting Advantage | Removed No flanking rule in 2024 |
| Two-Weapon Fighting | Bonus Action for off-hand, no ability mod on off-hand damage | Changed Revised via Nick mastery property. Some classes get off-hand attacks without Bonus Action. |
| Firearms | Optional DMG sidebar only | New Pistols and Muskets on core PHB weapon tables |
| New Actions | Attack, Dash, Dodge, Help, Hide, Ready, Search, Use an Object | New Added/revised: Influence, Study, Utilize, Magic. Search and Help revised. |
Conditions & Status Both
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaustion | 6 levels, each with unique effects (Lv1: disadv. on checks; Lv2: speed halved; Lv3: disadv. attacks/saves; Lv4: HP max halved; Lv5: speed 0; Lv6: death) | Changed Streamlined formula: subtract (2 x level) from all D20 Tests, reduce Speed by (5 x level) feet. Lv6 still = death. 1 Long Rest removes 1 level. |
| Bloodied | Not defined | New Formally defined: creature at half HP or below |
| Hide Action | Contested roll (Stealth vs. Perception) | Changed Flat DC 15. Grants Invisible condition. Faster resolution. |
Spellcasting Changes Player
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Spell Count | ~300 spells | New Nearly 400 spells. ~30+ new (Sorcerous Burst, Starry Wisps, Yolande's Regal Presence, etc.) |
| Spell Crits | Spell attack Nat 20 = double all spell damage dice | Changed Spell attacks on Nat 20 auto-hit but do NOT deal extra critical damage |
| Healing Spells | Base values (Cure Wounds 1d8, Healing Word 1d4, etc.) | Changed Significantly buffed with extra dice, scaling better at all levels |
| Cantrips | Varying power, some weak | Changed Rebalanced and buffed to stay useful throughout play |
| Counterspell | Auto-counter same-level spells | Changed Somewhat nerfed to reduce frustration |
| True Strike | Widely considered worst cantrip (advantage on next attack) | Changed Completely reworked into a useful melee spell attack cantrip |
| Wish | Open-ended, vague consequences | Changed More default options. Specific ramifications guidance (including for messing with Sigil/Lady of Pain) |
| Emanation AoE | Not a formal AoE type | New Emanation defined: radiates outward from caster without affecting them |
| AoE Damage Rolls | "Roll once for all" if simultaneous damage | Changed Roll once only for save-based effects. Attack-roll spells (Scorching Ray) roll per target as before. |
| Paladin Smite | Free "rider" on a melee hit, decide after rolling | Changed Now a spell requiring a Bonus Action to cast. Cannot be decided after seeing a hit. Uses concentration. |
Terminology & Mechanics Both
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| D20 Tests | No unified term for attack + save + ability check | New "D20 Test" is the umbrella term. Rules can reference all three at once. |
| Inspiration | DM awards; must declare before rolling for Advantage | Changed Renamed "Heroic Inspiration." Reroll any die AFTER seeing result (must take new roll). Can pass to another player. |
| Long Rests | Regain all HP and half total Hit Dice | Changed Regain ALL Hit Dice. Must be at 1+ HP to start a Long Rest. |
| Crafting | Minimal, vague DMG rules | Changed Clear PHB rules: potions (25 gp + Herbalism Kit + 8 hrs), spell scrolls, weapons, armor. Magic item crafting expanded in DMG. |
| Tools | Loosely defined, rarely impactful | Changed Every tool has defined uses (e.g. Cobbler's Tools: track footprints via Investigation). Proficiency grants real bonuses. |
| Perception vs. Investigation | Distinction confusing | Changed Clarified via Study/Search actions. Perception = notice things. Investigation = analyze clues, traps, books, ciphers. |
| Rules Glossary | Basic index | New Comprehensive glossary with formal definitions (Bloodied, D20 Test, etc.) |
| Book Layout | Starts with character creation | Changed Starts with "how to play," then character creation. Labeled sample character sheet. More beginner-friendly. |
| Hero Points | Not in core rules | New Optional system replacing Inspiration with a point-based reroll/bonus mechanic |
Dungeon Master's Guide DM
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Bastions | Did not exist | New Players build strongholds with crafting, resource gathering, special perks. Runs on "Bastion Turns" between sessions. |
| Encounter Building | XP budget with encounter multipliers for group size. Categories: Easy / Medium / Hard / Deadly. | Changed Multipliers removed. Categories: Low / Moderate / High ("Deadly" removed). Old "Medium" = new "Low," old "Hard" = new "Moderate." |
| Adventuring Day | 6-8 medium encounters/day with short rests recommended | Removed The adventuring day XP budget concept is gone entirely |
| Sample Adventures | None in 2014 DMG | New Five ready-to-use sample adventures to teach new DMs |
| Default Setting | Vague multiverse guidance | New Greyhawk as default setting with maps, lore, and detailed glossary |
| Magic Item Crafting | Minimal, unclear | Changed Straightforward magic item crafting. New treasure "themes" for thematic loot. |
| Magic Items | ~250 magic items | Changed ~400 items (mostly revised + 18 brand new) |
| DMG Size | 320 pages | Changed 384 pages. Includes poster map of Greyhawk. |
| Downtime Rules | Basic downtime in DMG/Xanathar's | Changed Largely unchanged; no major new downtime systems added |
Monster Manual (2025) DM
| Rule | 2014 (5E) | 2024 (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Count | ~300 monsters | Changed 500+ monsters. 75+ brand new (arch-hag, blob of annihilation, vampire nightbringer, etc.) |
| Stat Blocks | Varied formatting; spellcasting = full spell lists | Changed Redesigned: initiative scores, gear listed, spellcasting simplified. All rebalanced. |
| High-CR Design | Often "bags of HP" with basic multiattack | Changed Dynamic abilities, better legendary/lair actions, environmental effects, anti-cheese reactions. Legendary monsters ~15% more HP. |
| CR Power Level | CR mapped to specific benchmarks | Changed Monsters at CR 4+ are generally stronger than 2014 at same CR. Rough conversion: 2024 CR x 1.25 = 2014-equivalent. |
| Humanoid NPCs | Limited NPC stat blocks | New 40+ versatile humanoid stat blocks for flexible NPC use |
| Source Consolidation | Spread across MM, Volo's, Mordenkainen's | Changed Volo's and Mordenkainen's content folded into single book |
| CR Calculator | Detailed monster creation tables in 2014 DMG | Removed No full CR calculator. Minor alteration guidance only; no build-from-scratch system. |
Compatibility Notes Both
The 2024 rules are broadly backward compatible with 2014 content. Old adventures and modules remain usable with minor conversion. However, mixing 2014 and 2024 character options at the same table creates power-level mismatches. Sourcebook content (Xanathar's, Tasha's) may need conversion, particularly around species/background restructuring. The Artificer has no 2024 update. WotC recommends tables commit to one ruleset rather than mixing per-player. All future official publications use 2024 rules.