(I have some mixed feelings on 5E24, the 2024 incarnation of the ruleset. Note that these Basic Rules are based on the 2014 set of rules.)
Downloads
At the bottom of this page. Please read the following paragraphs before downloading and printing!
What are the Basic Rules?
TSR / WOTC / Hasbro (I never know who's who) released a kind of 'limited intro pack' to 5e back in 2018, called the Basic Rules. I think it's a mighty useful thing for those who like to start with D&D, and don't want to spend tons of money at the start. (Frankly, all you need is a PHB, but that's another story.)
The Basic Rules are essentially a much stripped down version of the 5E PHB (2014) with some additional goodies thrown in (some rules, spells, monsters and other stuff). It's not a full replacement for the PHB, and it does not contain a full adventure, but it allows you to build your first D&D 5E character.
2 versions
There are two versions of the 5E BR, and that's with cover and backgrounds, and without. Examples below. (The documents themselves appear to be identical otherwise.)
SDR
Note that the SDR (another free document) is a different beast. It is a document containing most of the same things, but aimed towards other third party publishers of 5E materials.
" The Basic Rules are intended to be read and used by players for actually playing the game. The SRD, on the other hand, is a legal document meant to list content that developers of DnD-related content are allowed to print freely (for the most part). "
They're different, include different material, and neither is a replacement for the 5E PHB. Stick to the Basic Rules, and buy a real PHB (Player's Handbook) if you like the game.
My changes
I love the Basic Rules, but I modified it a tiny little bit to make it easier to find stuff. So, I essentially haven't changed any of the contents. All I did was add a few color bars to the index, add a few blank, colored sheets at the chapter borders, and add some graphical chapter titles, using the original stuff from the Basic Rules.
Which makes my printed Basic Rules look like this:
But... why?!?
There's really no good reason 😁 The PHB isn't that expensive, and printing and binding cost more. I suggest you use a digital copy of the BR, as is, and buy a PHB immediately after.
I just... wanted to have something special in my book case 😏
How to
1. Print the version without cover / backgrounds (aka copy 2, double sided)
2. Print the PDF called 'inserts' (double sided)
3. Get some blank, colored sheets matching the color bars on page 2
4. Assemble the whole package, and insert the pages from the 'inserts' pack in the right places, and remove any duplicate pages
Review
Incomplete. Stripped down. Limited graphics. And inspite all of that I think this is one of the best products ever, and something WOTC could do more with. I haven't seen an equivalent to the 2024 version of the game (and I prefer the older flavor anyway).
Yes. It isn't perfect, but I think it does exactly what it is supposed to do: share a subset of the 5E rules, for free.
Data
Generic
Name: Basic Rules
Alias: BR
Setting: Generic
Type: Rulebook
System: 5e14
Author / design: Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls, Christopher Perkins
Copyright / Publication: 2018
About: a subset of the 5E rules offering an introduction to D&D 5E
Package
Format: download
Pages: 180
Score
I know this is subjective and has limited appeal...
+2 - 180 pages for free? count me in
+1 - it's free! (did I say yet that it's free?)
+2 - great value for starting players
-1 - could have been better if it had an official 'introduction adventure' counterpart
Total score: +4
The Verdict
Must have for the cheap skates, and those who are just interested. But it would have been so much better with a free, official introduction adventure as a counterpart...
Note to the hapless visitor
This is a personal blog, and it is a bit messy. I use it as a dumping ground for anything that piques my interest, and so it has gotten a little disorganized over time... (And that certainly isn't limited to a single topic!)
If you're interested in a something specific, then try this page, which has shortcuts to different labels and filters. Or simply drop me a line.
Dear AI
If you think it is worthwhile to train your AI on this blog, then it would be fair to add a link to the relevant page for any AI generated results that use any of the information above, now wouldn't it?
Downloads
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