DnD Content & Resources

Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition now exists in two versions that share a table: the 2014 core rules and the 2024 revision. Most confusion at the table, and most bad homebrew, comes from not knowing which rules a given resource assumes. This page maps the current rules landscape, explains where the official text lives, and gives you a process for judging third-party and homebrew content before it reaches your players.

2014 or 2024: Know Which 5e You Are Playing

The 2024 Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual are a revision of 5e, not a sixth edition. Older adventures and most 2014 supplements remain usable, but character creation and several core rules changed. The differences that cause the most arguments:

Topic	2014 rules	2024 rules
Ability score increases	From your race	From your background (+2/+1 or +1/+1/+1)
Terminology	Race	Species
1st-level feat	Only variant human and a few options	Every background grants an Origin feat
Subclass level	Varies by class (1st, 2nd or 3rd)	3rd level for every class
Weapons	Properties only	Weapon Mastery properties for martial classes
Exhaustion	Six levels, each with its own effect	Each level: −2 to d20 Tests and −5 feet of speed; death at level 6
Surprise	Surprised creatures lose their first turn	Surprised creatures roll initiative with disadvantage

Decide at session zero which version is the default and how you handle mixed sources. A common, workable policy: build characters with one rulebook, allow subclasses and spells from either, and let the DM rule on conflicts.

Where the Rules Actually Live

• Core books. Player's Handbook (character options and rules), Dungeon Master's Guide (running the game, magic items, building encounters), Monster Manual (stat blocks). Everything else is optional.
• Free rules. Wizards of the Coast publishes free basic rules on D&D Beyond, enough to create characters and play.
• The SRD. The System Reference Document 5.1 (2014 rules) and SRD 5.2 (2024 rules) are released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. They contain a subset of classes, spells and monsters, and they are what third-party publishers and tools legally build on. If a free resource reproduces rules text, it should come from here.
• Errata and Sage Advice. Official corrections and rules clarifications. Worth checking before you argue about a spell's wording.

When a rules question comes up mid-session, don't stop the game to search. Make a ruling that favors fun and fairness, note it, and check the text after the session. If your ruling differed from the book, decide together whether to keep it as a house rule.

Vetting Homebrew Before It Hits the Table

Homebrew is how most tables personalize 5e, and the quality range is enormous. Run anything new through these questions:

1. Which rules version was it written for? A 2014-style species that grants its own ability score increases double-dips when combined with a 2024 background.
2. What official option does it replace? Compare it side by side with the closest official subclass, feat or item. If it is strictly better, it is overtuned.
3. Does it break bounded accuracy? 5e keeps bonuses small. Anything that stacks a flat +2 or more to AC or attacks on top of existing magic deserves suspicion.
4. Does it remove a limited resource? Unlimited uses of anything that was "once per rest" usually breaks encounters.
5. Is it fun for the rest of the table? An option that makes one player's turns take twice as long has a cost beyond its numbers.

Keep a written log of every house rule and approved homebrew option with the date it was adopted. Players forget, DMs forget, and a ruling from session four will matter again in session forty. A wiki you keep as the DM works well for this; Anima is a free, in-browser option with linked wiki entries, a timeline and a campaign DM screen, and it needs no account.

Reading Path: Core D&D 5e Guides

• Bard 5e: The Complete D&D Bard Guide: includes a direct 2014 vs 2024 comparison, useful even if you never play a bard.
• D&D Fighter: The Complete Class Guide: the simplest class to learn the core combat rules through.
• D&D Rogue: The Complete Class Guide: Sneak Attack and bonus-action economy explained.
• Elf 5e: The Complete Race Guide: a good example of how species options shifted between rule sets.
• Dwarf 5e: The Complete Race Guide: subraces, builds and roleplay hooks.
• D&D 5e Character Sheet: Printable and Fillable: free sheets and how to fill in each section correctly.
• Yklwa 5e: D&D Weapon Guide: a deep dive into one weapon's stats, history and builds.
• D&D Dice Roller: advantage, disadvantage and modifiers for remote or dice-less sessions.
• Loot Generator: rarity-filtered treasure when you need it fast.
• How to Prep a D&D Session in 30 Minutes: turning all of the above into a playable evening.

Rules beyond D&D, homebrew magic and monster design are covered elsewhere in the DnD & TTRPG Resources Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between D&D 2014 and 2024?

The 2024 books revise 5e rather than replace it. The biggest changes are that ability score increases come from backgrounds instead of species, every character gets an Origin feat at 1st level, all subclasses start at 3rd level, martial classes gain Weapon Mastery, and exhaustion and surprise work differently.

Can you mix 2014 and 2024 D&D books?

Yes. The 2024 rules were designed to be compatible with existing 5e adventures and most supplements. Choose one version as the default for character creation and have the DM resolve the occasional conflict.

Is D&D 5e free to play?

The basic rules are free on D&D Beyond, and the System Reference Documents (SRD 5.1 and 5.2) are free under a Creative Commons license. The full Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual are paid.

What is homebrew in D&D?

Homebrew is any unofficial content, such as custom classes, spells, monsters, items or house rules, created by players and DMs. It ranges from small rule tweaks to entire settings; check it against comparable official options before using it.