After a decade, the Player’s Handbook, often considered the Bible for everyDungeons & Dragonsplayer, is getting a significant update. This refreshed edition introduces new and refined rules, along with modified mechanics that bring substantial changes to subclasses.
While there are 48 subclasses, only three of them are completely new additions to the game. The majority have been imported from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, or they are modified versions of existing subclasses from the 2014 edition, offering buffs and tweaks to freshen up gameplay and provide more balanced character-building options.
Subclasses imported from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything are replaced by the versions published in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
Warlock
The Great Old One Patronhas undergone a significant transformation, leaning more heavily into Lovecraftian horror. This revision emphasizes psionic abilities and unleashing monstrous horrors, making it a highly adaptable subclass with a focus on manipulating the minds and realities of others without being locked into a single play style.
The subclass now lets you summon otherworldly creatures, cast illusions without verbal components, and transform the damage you deal into psychic damage. Additionally, Awakened Mind allows you to telepathically communicate with others, cementing the Great Old One Warlock’s role as a master of mental and eldritch manipulation.
11Path Of The World Tree
Barbarian
The Path of the World Tree subclass for Barbarians is inspired by Nordic mythology and the mythical Yggdrasil, which connects the multiverse. Barbarians can channel the power of Yggdrasil itself, using its energy tosummon tendrils that strike enemies, enhance melee attacks, and even teleport you across the battlefield.
Unlike the typical focus on raw damage, the Path of the World Tree emphasizessupporting the party and controlling the battlefield. It offers a more strategic approach, making it ideal for Barbarians who prefer defensive tactics and battlefield manipulation over sheer offensive power.
Wizard
The School of Divination remains one of the most powerful Wizard subclasses in D&D, thanks in large part to its signature Portent ability. This feature allows you to roll d20s at the beginning of each day and use those rolls to replace any d20 roll made by yourself, an ally, or an opponent. This ability can drastically turn the tide of battle.
Wizards can choose their subclass at level three instead of level two.
In addition to its combat advantages, School of Divination students excel in exploration. Divination Wizards can read any language, possess Darkvision regardless of their species, and have the ability to see into the Ethereal Plane. However, effectively utilizing the School of Divination’s strengths requires careful strategy, patience, and creativity.
Ranger
The Fey Wanderer, originally introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, was imported to the 2024 Player’s Handbook. One notable change is that Fey Wanderers now have summon fey as an always-prepared spell, replacing dispel magic.
When building a Fey Wandering, you should focus on building your Wisdom stats, emphasizing your spell casting rather than bow-wielding proficiency.
Although there have been no drastic changes to Fey Wanderers, it remains a strong choice for any Ranger. However, Fey Wanderers should not be played like traditional Rangers, as they focus more on magic than martial combat. Fey Wanderers excel not only on the battlefield but also in exploration, offering a unique blend of strength and utility.
Champions are warriorswith a single-minded focus on achieving victory, specializing in maximizing critical hits to boost damage output. Their straightforward features and options make them powerful combatants on the battlefield.
Champions are known for their durability and adaptability, allowing them to stay on the frontlines and adjust to various challenges. They benefit from a higher probability of landing critical hits and can integrate maneuvers from the Battle Master archetype to enhance their effectiveness. Additionally, Champions can become proficient in multiple weapons, enabling them to exploit their enemies' weaknesses.
7Circle Of The Sea
Druid
The Circle of the Sea allows Druids to channel the power of the ocean,wielding elemental magictied to the sea, like Fog Cloud, Control Water, and Water Breathing. With changes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, the restriction on Beast forms withSwim Speeds has been lifted, allowing Druids to explore underwater in Beast form or retain their spells while swimming using Water Breathing in their normal form.
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, Emanation is introduced as a new area of effect. It extends outward in straight lines from a designated origin point in all directions. Unlike traditional area effects, the origin creature or object is only affected if the caster chooses to include it. Emanation moves with the creature or object for the duration of the effect, creating a dynamic area of influence that shifts as the origin moves.
Circle of the Sea is generally focused around using Wild Shape tocreate an Emanation in the form of ocean spray. This spray surrounds you and caninflict Cold damage on a target and push them away from you. As you level up, you gain the ability to summon up to two Emanations and to give an Emanation to another creature.
This, combined withenhanced resistance and increased Speedmake Circle of the Sea Druids a force to be reckoned with!
Monk
If Aang fromAvatar: The Last Airbenderwere a D&D class, he would be a Warrior of the Elements Monk, formally called Way of the Four Elements. Monks who study to become a Warrior of the Elements can manipulate elemental forces, much like Aang’s bending, giving them control over the battlefield and access to a wide range of versatile abilities.
Ki Points have been renamed Focus Points.
The 2024 Dungeons & Dragons updates significantly buffed almost every Warrior of the Elements’s feature. These improvements include increased damage output, more efficient point usage, and streamlined resource management. These reworks create a better balance between offense and defense, allowing Monks to strategize more effectively and make the most of their elemental prowess.
The War Domain has long been a favorite subclassfor Clerics due to its unique combination of weapon proficiency, heavy armor, spellcasting, and healing abilities. This versatility allows War Domain Clerics to serve as formidable frontline combatants while still offering valuable support to their party.
With the 2024 updates to the Player’s Handbook, the War Domain receives even more powerful upgrades, further enhancing its role in battle. These buffs include additional attacks, bonus rolls, and increased resistance, making both the Cleric and their party tougher in combat.
The Thief subclass is a classic Rogue archetype, focused more on treasure hunting and uncovering secrets than on assassinations. Thieves excel in stealth, agility, and navigating ancient ruins, and they possess unique skills to make use of magic items.
A significant update to the Thief subclass is the introduction of Stealth Attack. Unlike Sneak Attack, which deals extra damage when attacking an unaware enemy, Stealth Attack allows you to remain hidden after striking. This combination of Sneak Attack and Stealth Attack not only boosts your damage but also makes it much harder for enemies to retaliate. By freeing up your Bonus Action, which would normally be spent to Hide, you have greater adaptability during combat.
Sorcerer
Draconic Sorcery Sorcerers are masters of raw elemental power, drawing magic from a dragon ancestor. When combined with abilities like Elemental Affinity andMetamagic, Draconic Sorcerers can significantly amplify their damage output, making them a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
One of the reasons Draconic Sorcery is popular among newer players is its straightforward mechanics. The subclass provides a clear focus on elemental magic without overwhelming players with complex features. However, this simplicity doesn’t mean it’s lacking in power. With careful planning and clever use of Metamagic, Draconic Sorcery Sorcerers can creatively manipulate spells and maximize their effectiveness, bringing both precision and brute strength to any encounter.
