D&D 5.5E: Everything You Can Look Forward to in the New Player’s Handbook
There are a ton of questions about the new edition. Let’s get into what’s coming with the updated Players Handbook. What’s One D&D, and how does it play into it?
Advanced D&D’s First Edition was released by Gary Gygax way back in 1974, making this year the series’ 50th anniversary. To celebrate, Wizards of the Coast announced back in 2022 that they’d be overhauling and revising the iconic system into something that’d make all players jump for joy.
With this update and overhaul, WotC plans to revise and expand D&D Fifth Edition’s Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. These updates will come with tons of new rules, content, and art for all our nerdy eyes to gawk at.
WotC’s Dungeons & Dragons: Fifth Edition Player’s Handbook has left a massive impact on the world in the past 10 years.
You don’t need me to tell you that, though. Ever since Stranger Things first came out in 2016, the name Dungeons & Dragons has become an umbrella term for all things TTRPG. Just like how “Googling” has been the general term when someone is looking something up online.
So, it’s understandable that after 10 years of no changes (besides the massive race overhaul in Monsters of the Multiverse), WotC has announced a massive revision to the original PHB’s content as they begin their transition to One D&D.
Releasing on Sept. 17, the updated Player’s Handbook will be packed with both old and new content. The update comes complete with additional subclasses, updated classes, spells, feats, and combat rules.
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What is One D&D – and Will it Be Replacing 5e?
One D&D has been the codename used by WotC for the next generation of D&D during its development. WotC aims to achieve this massive overhaul to try and bring the content they’ve released over the years under all one cover.
Another goal WotC aims to accomplish is to make playing D&D more accessible for all. For example, prioritizing D&D Beyond for future releases of D&D content.
They’ll also be releasing an online platform called the D&D Digital virtual tabletop. WotC’s virtual tabletop intends to streamline the ability for DMs and players to play together online. We all know how hard it can be to organize a game; it is the most dangerous monster in D&D, after all. This VTT will hopefully make adventuring with your party easier. So long as your Wi-Fi doesn’t suffer from the Slow spell, of course.
Ever since One D&D was announced, there’s been one big question bustling in the minds of all avid 5e enjoyers: Will the new PhB be 5e compatible if it’s going to be published to suit the new One D&D system?
The answer is simple: Yes, it will be. One D&D is being implemented using the core rules of 5e. It will revitalize some of the content to make it more enjoyable across the board. Don’t worry; the system is backwards compatible. All previous 5e content will still be usable, even with the new rules and updates that One D&D implements.
Meaning, there’s no reason to get worried about having to learn a whole new system once more. The community is not going to have a renaissance like it did back when 4e was released (knock on wood).
What’s There To Get Excited About?
In summary: A lot. There’s a lot.
From what has been revealed so far, there are going to be huge overhauls to how each of the core classes progresses as they gain levels.
Personally, I’m a huge sucker for Warlock. It has been my favorite class ever since I started playing the game back in high school. Back when the wires of my braces pricked the sides of my cheeks and my favorite spell was “Mishtee Shtep.” However, I’ve always found it hard to play the class without multiclassing to make up for what it lacks…
After all, it’s hard to defend Warlock when it comes to the “Best Spellcasting Class” argument. Especially considering it has to contest with Wizards flexing their massive spell slots on their right and Clerics boasting their insane versatility and damage on their left.
This is why I’m very excited to know that they’re going to be changing how Warlock develops in One D&D. In the new PhB, the Warlock is going to have access to some of their quintessential abilities. These include getting Eldritch Invocations and Pact Boon at level 1 (Hexblades REJOICE!). Plus, being able to take up to 10 Eldritch Invocations instead of the previous eight. Not to mention a ton of new Invocation options as well as a new ability called “Magical Cunning” that works similarly to the Wizard class’ Arcane Recovery. These new additions also come with a variety of other class changes that really aid in letting the player feel like they’ve sold their soul to the devil.
Look Forward to Leveling Up
The classes, when observed en masse, reveal that a majority of their mechanics are getting changed in a such way that makes ever level worthwhile to gain. And in such a way that makes it so players always have something to look forward to when they level up instead of longingly staring at that juicy milestone peaking over the horizon.
Don’t fret. Most classes still function the same as they did in D&D 5e. The paladin still smites. The rogue still sneak attacks (a bit better than before, actually). And the cleric still does what cleric does best– confuse you into thinking they’re a healer before shaking your hand and casting a 9th level inflict wounds to really make you regret thinking lesser of them.
Along with each class getting their mechanics overhauled, combat and weapons are both getting a massive update with a new Mastery system. Certain martial classes (like Fighter, Ranger, and Barbarian) will gain access to additional effects when attacking with their weapons.
On top of all this, there are going to be new and revamped spells. and over 70 new feats. “Species” are getting updates with new revitalized abilities, as well as each class. Wizard and Cleric are excluded (womp womp), receiving an additional 4 subclasses to choose from.
So, yeah, there’s a lot to look forward to. This, in my opinion, really validates the $50 estimated price tag this book is going to be sold for. It’s like Xanathar’s Guide to Everything met up with Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything for a romantic dinner and ended up giving birth to a beautiful baby, “Feyholder” (Fey Beholder).
The New PHB Doesn’t Play Nice All the Time
Naturally, with such a seemingly amazing update to the cool kid of TTRPGs coming out, many skeptics are going to be asking: “What did WotC do wrong this time then?” accompanied by a snobbish adjustment of their spectacles.
And the response given to this question may heavily vary depending on who you ask.
For example, personally, I don’t have any problems with the class playtests as they currently are. I think the changes are very cool and really make leveling up far more exciting for a lot of my favorite classes, and I’m already daydreaming of all the new character ideas I could try with them.
However, someone who isn’t me might have a massive issue with the way the classes were changed, as they might’ve invalidated or nerfed one of their favorite character concepts in a way that makes it far less enjoyable.
I Have Some Complaints
With such a massive overhaul of mechanics and rulings, it is impossible to please everyone. Personally, one of my biggest concerns and gripes with this update has to be in regard to the weapon mastery system.
Combat in 5e already takes an insanely long time. Especially at higher levels when every action can potentially trigger several other abilities belonging to a class. Not to mention, as someone who plays with new players a lot, combat takes even longer when every turn comes complete with a buffet of rule explanations and addressing myriads of normally repeated questions.
To add even more mechanics, status effects, and rules for how combat plays out may lead to combat taking even longer than it usually does and may result in dynamic encounters feeling even more sluggish the longer they lead on.
Side note: While WotC has released a statement previously denouncing the usage of generative AI in their works, one can’t help but be skeptical about taking what they’re given at face value.
Artificer Updates Are Not So Great
One major complaint I have is that, once again, WotC treats the artificer like some relic that their grandfather gave to them. By not including it in the updated PhB, they have shoved the class into their attic and are now leaving it to rust. It’s honestly baffling how cool the artificer class is, yet WotC has done practically nothing with it for the past 5 years.
The class is historical too! Artificer first debuted with 3.5e’s release of Eberron: Rising from the Last War a year after 3.5e’s PhB was released. It’s a shame that the Artificer class has been relegated to the role of “that one friend you invite to lunch because you know they’ll pay for your food.”
If history tells us anything about this class’ future? We can hopefully see the Artificer’s third re-release in about a year’s time.
One Final Thought Before the Release of One D&D
Once the updated PhB is publicly released, there is a lot to be excited about. This new book will have quite a few more pages than its predecessor. I personally can’t wait to see the fruits of WotC’s labor along with all the content that has been added.
I am ecstatic to run a campaign so I can play with all the updates like a child on Christmas morning. Thank the stars its release date is just around the corner.
In regards to this release being done as part of D&D’s 50th anniversary, it can’t be helped to take it all with a grain of salt. In the words of a great hero, “not all that glitters is gold.”
Even though multiple playtests are being tried out and released to the public for feedback, once the final print is put into ink, only time will tell if this revised PhB truly honors the half-millennia legacy of the beloved TTRPG.
