So while I’m always happy when people are criticizing D&D Beyond in particular or proprietary platforms in general, in this particular case it’s actually against the rules-as-intended to play a 2014 Oath of the Ancient in a 2024 paladin shell.

(All house ruling aside, of course, and heaven knows I love house ruling and how house ruling is an argument against D&D Beyond.)

2014 oaths that do not have a 2024 version are still legal in the 2024 shell, but for oaths that do have a 2024 version, you’ve got to play the 2024 version if your group is playing D&D 5.24.

The reason for this is that some of the updated subclasses have nerfs or that features from them have been moved to the shell or otherwise taxed. Or, even the ones that have been buffed have the same issue in some sorta bid for table balance.

I cannot pick the 2014 version of things I own if they’re in 2024 content I don’t own

The intent is that it should work like this:

I cannot pick the 2014 version of things regardless of ownership if they’re in 2024 content regardless of ownership.

If Beyond platform ownership enters the equation, the Beyond team has messed up.

(Again, the word “legal” is a little silly in a game like D&D which works best when groups can change any rule, mash up editions freely etc. So please don’t shoot the messenger here. I don’t agree with WotC’s decision here. I just remember them announcing that this was how it was going to work, even at the table with all physical books and no Beyond.)

@JackbyDev@programming.dev @dndnext@ttrpg.network