Free Basic Rules for D&D

So, big news for D&D fans—Wizards of the Coast just dropped the new 2024 Basic Rules for Dungeons & Dragons, and the best part? They’re free on D&D Beyond! I’m still pretty new to the game, but I wanted to share my thoughts after checking out what’s in this latest update. If you’re like me and just want to dive into the game without getting into the whole Old School vs. New Edition debate (yeah, I see those Twitter threads DrunkardsAndDragons!), this might be the perfect way to get started.

The free rules went live on September 3, right alongside the new Player’s Handbook (well, if you’re a Master Tier subscriber on D&D Beyond). Like the 2014 Basic Rules, these ones give you everything you need to start playing D&D without spending a dime—except, this time, they’re updated with the latest changes. The catch? You can only play one of four classes: Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, or Wizard. And each class only has one subclass, so if you’re looking for tons of variety right away, you’ll need the full book.

As for races, you’ve got four classic options to choose from: Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, and Human. And the backgrounds are Acolyte, Criminal, Sage, and Soldier. Pretty straightforward, but honestly, it’s enough to get the ball rolling for a fun campaign.

There are also 12 feats in the free rules, including some origin feats, epic boons, and fighting styles. It’s a nice mix, though the only general feat is the classic Ability Score Improvement.

The free rules also walk you through how to actually play D&D—covering all the basics like weapons, the new weapon mastery system, spells, tools, and even leveling up your character. There’s even a section with creature stat blocks if you’re ready to jump in as a DM. Basically, it’s all the core stuff you need to give the new rules a shot without spending any cash.

Oh, and they’ve released a brand-new character sheet for these rules, which you can also grab for free on D&D Beyond. I’ve already downloaded mine, and it looks super clean and easy to use.

So yeah, if you’re curious about the new rules but not quite ready to commit to buying the full Player’s Handbook, this is a great way to dip your toes in. No need to pick sides in the whole "OSR vs. New Edition" thing—whether you love old-school gaming or you’re all about the latest and greatest, there’s room for everyone at the table. Let’s just roll some dice and have fun!

What do you think? Have you checked out the 2024 Basic Rules yet? Let me know! 😊

Happy adventuring!