Today, we published a small set of updates for the Player’s Handbook, Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide, and Martial Power. These updates modify key portions of the game that weren’t working as we intended. The updates bring these mechanical elements back in line with the game’s base expectations, while retaining their flavor and utility. Character builds relying on these options remain playable and fun; they just aren’t abusive or eclipsing other build options.

Legal Today…and on August 4

You can use these updates in your home game or at any RPGA-sanctioned event right away. However, RPGA events will not require your character to reflect these updates until they appear in the D&D Compendium on August 4. In the intervening weeks, both the published version and the updated version of each affected entry are legal for use in the RPGA.

This grace period allows players who prefer to use the D&D Character Builder, or those who don’t keep close track of updates, to continue playing the game in the manner to which they’re accustomed.

The advance notice of the updates also allows players preparing for big events, such as the D&D Open Championship and RPGA Ultimate Dungeon Delve at Gen Con Indianapolis, to know the environment in which they’ll be playing for those events. If we waited until August 4 to publish these updates, many players would be caught unaware and might have to scramble to adjust their character build or table strategy to avoid showing up with an illegal character.

Updating our Format

This update also presents two changes to our normal method of updating rules. First, the text description for each of the changes (appearing in each book’s update file) also includes a brief rationale for the change. We understand that sometimes an update can appear arbitrary, and we’re hoping that this addition helps shed a little more light on why we made these changes.

The second change is more cosmetic than functional, but it bears mentioning. In addition to the familiar text descriptions of the changes, we’ve also included a handy pdf that features the fully revised version of each change. This lets you see the feat or power in its full form, rather than having to translate the text descriptions into a normal entry.

Both of these changes are experimental: please let us know what you think.

Thanks for Your Help

We want to thank all the players and Dungeon Masters who diligently let us know about these and other potentially problematic issues via email, message boards, and/or personal conversations. If you think you’ve found something in the game that needs to be re-examined, send us an email that explains the issue and we’ll take a look.

While we never relish changing published material, we recognize that keeping the array of options fresh, fun, and varied—and, yes, reasonably balanced—is crucial to maintaining a vibrant play environment for players and DMs alike.

Dungeons & Dragons is a living game, adapting to the ever-changing needs and desires of its players. We appreciate your help in keeping the game dynamic and exciting for many years to come!

Roll Initiative!

Andy Collins
D&D Development & Editing Manager