FG Academy
- Jun 18
- 3 min read

One DnD Player's Handbook Changes

The 2024 update to the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook, known as "One D&D," is set to bring a wealth of exciting changes and enhancements designed to make the game more engaging and accessible for both new and experienced players.

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Spells and Spellcasting

One of the standout updates in the new Player's Handbook is the revision of the spellcasting system. Initially, the playtests considered splitting spells into three categories: Arcane, Divine, and Primal. However, the final version sticks with the traditional class-based spell lists from the 2014 edition. This means that classes like bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards will still draw from the Arcane spell list, clerics and paladins will use Divine spells, and druids and rangers will access Primal spells.

In addition to this, spell progression has been revamped for several classes to ensure a more balanced and satisfying experience. For instance, warlocks will now gain more spell slots as they level up, addressing previous limitations in their spellcasting abilities.

Summoning Spells

The rules for summoning spells have been completely overhauled to offer greater flexibility and options. Players can now select from a variety of creature types, such as aberrations, undead, or fiends, when casting summoning spells. This allows for more tactical depth and customization, enabling players to tailor their summoned creatures to suit specific situations.

The updated summoning rules also include all the necessary stats for these creatures within the Player's Handbook. This streamlining makes it easier for players to manage their summoned creatures during gameplay without needing to consult multiple sources.

Expanded Spell List & Features

The new handbook significantly expands the spell list, with over 100 pages dedicated to new and revised spells. This includes spells from previous supplements like "Xanathar's Guide to Everything" and "Tasha's Cauldron of Everything", which have been reimagined and integrated into the core rules.

Moreover, the updated spells offer more non-combat options, enriching social interactions and exploration. This change broadens the role of spellcasters, making their abilities more versatile and impactful across various gameplay scenarios.

Enhanced Subclasses

Each class in the new Player's Handbook will feature four subclasses, with some being entirely new and others receiving significant reworks. For example, the Totem Warrior Barbarian has been rebranded as the Path of the Wild Heart, offering a wider variety of animal spirits, including spiders, lions, and elephants. Additionally, the new Path of the World Tree Barbarian subclass introduces unique abilities connected to planar lore, providing exciting new gameplay opportunities.

Monsters of the Multiverse NPC Stat Block Changes

The upcoming February release of the updated One D&D Monster Manual will incorporate changes seen in the Monsters of the Multiverse. This includes revised NPC stat blocks designed to be more intuitive and easier to use. Key changes involve standardizing abilities, simplifying complex mechanics, and ensuring that each stat block provides clear and concise information. These updates aim to make running NPCs smoother for Dungeon Masters, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Enhanced Creature Design

The new Monster Manual will feature over 500 monsters, including many with updated abilities and new high Challenge Rating (CR) creatures. For example, the vampire family has been expanded to include lower CR vampires in the process of becoming full vampires and higher CR vampires that present greater challenges for experienced adventurers. The manual will also introduce new apex versions of certain creature types, such as a Colossus in the construct category and an elemental Juggernaut, adding epic threats for high-level campaigns.

Comprehensive Creature Appendix

The Player's Handbook will include a comprehensive creature appendix, providing stat blocks for commonly used mounts, familiars, and wild shape forms for druids. This inclusion ensures that all necessary creature statistics are readily available within the handbook, streamlining gameplay and reducing the need to reference multiple books.