D&D 5th edition came out in 2014, and has proved massively popular. It has also evolved, both through a series of new rulebooks, and then through the revision in 2024 which, after various suggestions including OneD&D and 5.5, seems to be being called simply the 2024 edition.
There are also a couple of other evolutions of D&D 5E – Level Up Advanced 5th Edition from EN Publishing, and Tales of the Valiant from Kobold Press. All three (ToV, A5E and the 2024 edition) claim compatibility with 5E; how well they achieve this is a matter for discussion, particularly given they have to make changes and additions to have a point to them.
As well as these, there are other systems which don’t try to remain compatible with 5E.
This page collects all my blog posts on the various evolutions of D&D, and on other systems, in one handy central place.
The Evolution of D&D
These posts go through various new publications which revise the rulesets of 5E while trying to remain compatible.
Comparing the different new editions
A series of blog posts comparing the 2024 edition, A5E and ToV with the 2014 edition.
First the posts comparing the final published editions:
- The Evolution of D&D 5th Edition – part 1 Introductions and Character Origins
- The Evolution of D&D 5th Edition – part 2 Overall Structure
- The Evolution of D&D 5th Edition – part 2B Overall Structure of 2024 PHB
- All the differences in the Barbarian classes in the D&D 5e variants
Posts on the play-test rulesets which led to the 2024 edition:
- One D&D – the roadmap unveiled yesterday
- One D&D Playtest 2 – Part 1 Expert Classes
- One D&D Rules updates from playtests 1 and 2
- One D&D Feats from playtests 1 and 2
- One D&D Playtest 3 – The Cleric, and updated Ardling, Dragonborn and Goliath
- Weapon Mastery across the editions
Early thoughts on A5E:
- Level Up – rethinking D&D Fifth Edition
- Level Up (A5E) is here!
- Level Up A5E first impressions – Adventurer’s Guide
Changes and updates from Wizards of the Coast 5E supplements:
- The question of Race, or nature versus nurture
- The Question of Race part 2 – comparisons
- The question of race part 3 – Volo’s Guide to Monsters
- The question of race part 4 – Ravnica, Theros and Ravenloft
- The Question of Race part 5 – Eberron
- The question of race part 6 – Wildemount
- The question of race part 7 – looking back
- The question of race part 8 – revised ratings and conclusions
Older rules and comparing D&D versions:
- RPGaDay 18 – Favourite Game System: The War Machine Mass Combat System
- Weapon Mastery across the editions
- How do the monsters react?
- Has magic become too ubiquitous?
- Treasure – realistically, it’s messy
- A history of skills in BECMI
- RPGaDay2020 Day 28: Close – close shaves in BECMI and 5e
- RPGaDay2020 Day 13: Rest
Alternative systems
Posts looking at alternative systems to D&D 5E. Note this also includes older editions of D&D.
