Summary
With just over a month left beforeD&D 5egets its 2024 rules update in the form of the revisedPlayer’s Handbook, those versed inBaldur’s Gate 3may want to get ahead on what the book will entail — whether they’re returning to the TTRPG or if the AAA blockbuster has gotten them enticed. However, those with early access to the newPHBhave already imparted the fact thatD&D 2024is exceptionally close toBaldur’s Gate 3.
Thesuccess ofBaldur’s Gate 3was a bright spot for Wizards of the Coast amid a dismal 2023. The year kicked off with perhaps the biggest scandal inD&Dhistory, other than perhaps the Satanic Panic itself, where WOTC tried to revoke its OGL and pull a fast one on third-party creators. A massive community outcry and an ensuing boycott forced the company to walk back its decisions, but it soon reignited widespread ire by calling the infamous Pinkerton agency on aMagic: The Gatheringcontent creator and allowing AI art to slip into one of itsD&Dreleases. However, 2024 seems to be turning things around for the company.
D&D 2024 Is Taking Many Cues From Baldur’s Gate 3
It’s no surprise that WOTC wants to capitalize on themass popularity ofBaldur’s Gate 3by making its revision ofD&Daccommodating to gamers.Baldur’s Gate 3has often overtaken its TTRPG base in search numbers, and it’s likely bringing in swathes of video game players into the hobby. Regardless of whether this correlation equates to causation, it’s undeniable thatD&D 2024has many changes that put it in line with its video game counterpart.
Bonus Action Potions, Spell Changes, And Other Rule Tweaks
The most obviousBaldur’s Gate 3rule changethat’s come toD&D 2024has been the change to potions. Potions in both games can be consumed as a bonus action, as opposed to them taking an action in the 2014 version of the core rules. This is the most notable core rule change, but it’s not the only example — and it’s definitely not the only change that impacts combat. Weapon Masteries, a new feature that gives martial characters an edge inD&D 2024, are not dissimilar to the unique actions that certain weapons can carry out inBaldur’s Gate 3. The two systems are very different, but they both serve the same function of bettering martial strength.
Spells have also received changes in the vein ofBaldur’s Gate 3, such asthe potentD&DspellSpirit Guardians. While this amounts to a simple clarification as to how creatures can be brought into its AoE, a more philosophy-minded approach can be found with changes to conjuration spells. Not only are more problematic conjuration spells, like Conjure Animals, entirely absent inBaldur’s Gate 3, but spells like Conjure Minor Elementals have added stipulations to prevent a party-wide summoning spree.D&D 2024enacts similar revisions, completely reworking summoning spells.
D&D 2024 Class Changes
ThoughBaldur’s Gate 3doesn’t limit classesto only 4 subclass options, it does at least give each a minimum of 3 — granting more choice to classes like sorcerer and bard than the 2014Player’s Handbook. There are other noticeable similarities here between Larian’s game andD&D 2024, such as the Totem barbarian now taking the Wildheart name.
This May All Not Be A Coincidence
What would becomeD&D 2024was revealed only about a year ago, and the time since then has been filled with open playtests. Through 2022 and 2023, the community has been around to have a hand inD&D 2024’s development, a time partly shared byBaldur’s Gate 3’s final release. It’s possible thatBaldur’s Gate 3impacted the design ofD&D 2024, but it’s even more likely that the players who influenced both games are the root cause of these similarities.
