D&D 5.5 Support Plans
As most of you are likely aware, WOTC has published a new version of D&D, known as D&D 5.5 or D&D 2024. Over the last few months we have been having a lot of discussions behind the scenes as to how to handle this new system. Today we are happy to share the full plan and schedule with you. Here are the main points:
- As of February 1st we are retiring the current 5.0 PW system and implementing a new PW system that will use the 5.5 rules exclusively.
- In the weeks leading up to the switch (and after) you will be able to convert existing 5.0 characters back into session credits, allowing you to build equivalent level 5.5 characters and spend gold on new magic items.
- Gold will now be the primary currency for purchasing magic items, treasure points will be no more.
- There will be online presentations and Q&As on Sunday December 1st at 2:00pm and Wednesday December 4th at 8:00pm via Discord to go over the changes in greater detail and answer your questions.
The New PW System: D&D 5.5 Exclusivity
The first big decision to make was should we stick with 5.0, move to 5.5 exclusively, or adopt a hybrid model. After much deliberation we have decided that it makes the most sense to move to a 5.5 exclusive system for our PW games. Demand for 5.5 is already high amongst the community in general and having a hybrid system will likely cause a lot more confusion than it is worth. There is already a lot of misunderstanding, especially amongst newer players and we feel a hybrid system would just exacerbate the issue. This has motivated us to rip the bandaid off as quickly as possible.
So starting on February 1st 2025, we are retiring the current 5.0 PW system and implementing a new PW system that will use the 5.5 rules exclusively. This will be the case for both game rules and character creation, and will not be backward compatible with any 5.0 options. As new 5.5 content is released by WOTC our rules committee will work to get those options into the system as quickly as possible. 5.0 games will still be available as Sidequest games, but will no longer support character progression.
Additionally, after collecting your feedback TODND will be introducing some new features to the revamped PW system including streamlining our level brackets, making resurrection more accessible, adding some newbie friendly features and more. We will be sharing more about those features in the coming days and weeks!
Converting 5.0 characters to 5.5
Unfortunately this change means that your existing characters will not be usable in games after the 1st of Feb. That being said, all the sessions you have used to make those characters will not be going to waste. Doing a one to one conversion of characters is not going to be possible due to the differing options in the two systems. Instead you will be able to convert your character back into the session credits used to create them. You can then apply these sessions to any new character allowing you to build whatever you want using the new options. If your existing 5.0 character uses options that you think are likely to be released in future books you can hold onto those credits until those options are incorporated into our system. Your credits do not expire.
This option will be available sometime before January 15th so you can get characters ready for the switchover ahead of time if you like. There is no end-date planned for this feature, you can wait as long as you like to convert a 5.0 character into session credits.
Gold is the new standard currency
We have replaced treasure points with gold as the main currency for acquiring magic items. Aside from being more intuitive for players, it also allows us finer control for adjusting prices of items that are under or overpowered.
You may have questions…
And we are here to address them! You can ask questions in the pw-dnd2024 channel on the Discord server, I will also be running presentations on Sunday December 1st at 2:00pm and Wednesday December 4th at 8:00pm via Discord, links will be available in pw-dnd2024. There will be a Q&A after each presentation.
