2024 Player's Handbook: Key Rule Changes

Introduction

• Monty Martin and Kelly Mlin from Dungeon Dudes discuss significant rule changes in the 2024 Player's Handbook.
• Focus on fundamental rules, not class-specific changes.

Major Rule Changes

1. Subclass Selection

• All characters choose their subclass at third level.
• Affects clerics, wizards, sorcerers, warlocks, and druids.
• Subclasses have been updated, but older options can still be used (features at level three).

2. Ability Score Boosts

• Ability score boosts now come from backgrounds instead of species.
• Options:
  • +2 to one score and +1 to another
  • +1 to three separate scores
• This evens the playing field across species.

3. Origin Feats

• Each background provides an origin feat at first level.
• Origin feats include:
  • Alert
  • Crafter
  • Healer
  • Lucky
  • Magic Initiate
  • Musician
  • Savage Attacker
  • Skilled
  • Tavern Brawler
  • Tough
• Humans receive two origin feats at level one, but no general feat options.

4. General Feats

• General feats now include an ability score boost upon selection.
• Players may need to weigh between maximizing ability scores and taking multiple feats strategically.

5. Healing Potions

• Drinking a potion of healing is now a bonus action.
• Can be administered to allies as a bonus action.

6. Spell Casting Rules

• New rule: one spell with a slot per turn.
• Prevents casting multiple leveled spells in a turn (increases clarity of casting rules).

7. Surprise Mechanics

• Changes to surprise:
  • Surprised creatures receive disadvantage on initiative rolls.
  • No longer completely lose their turn if surprised.

8. Voluntary Failure of Saving Throws

• Creatures can now voluntarily fail a saving throw if they choose to.
• Potential interesting interactions with game mechanics.

9. Heroic Inspiration

• Inspiration is now called heroic inspiration.
• It allows for a full roll reroll instead of just advantage/disadvantage.

10. Exhaustion Mechanics

• Exhaustion retains six levels, but the mechanics have been clarified.
• All D20 tests (attack rolls, ability checks, saving throws) receive a penalty equal to twice the exhaustion level.
• Speed penalty is equal to five times the exhaustion level.

Conclusion

• Overall, many changes aim to smooth gameplay and balance mechanics.
• Future videos will cover class-specific changes and additional player options.
• Viewers encouraged to share any additional rules changes they find in the comments.

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