The New 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide (First Look)

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We dig into Wizards of the Coast’s plans for the new DM’s Guide launching in 2024

Originally released almost a decade ago, the fifth edition of the Dungeon Masters Guide (also known as the DMG) has remained virtually untouched since it was first published. Designed to provide DMs with practical tips on world building, campaign development and rules management, the book isn’t without its faults. One of the biggest complaints is that it can be difficult to find specific information and that it can be a bit overwhelming to new DMs.

Now a brand new version of the Dungeon Master’s Guide will be released on November 12th, 2024 and is available for pre-order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

So just what can we expect to find in this new and improved DMG? Read on to find out.

What is the New Dungeon Master’s Guide?

The new DMG is being released as part of the larger One D&D update, the code name for Wizards of the Coast’s playtest and retooling of the D&D fifth edition rules set. In this sense, the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide will contain some adjustments, but at its core will still retain the majority of existing D&D 5e rules.

Wizards of the Coast has indicated that the primary purpose for the new DMG, however, is really to reorganize content, making it easier to use by both new and existing DMs to get started and find what they’re looking for. In addition to the updated layout and content, the book will also include new artwork, maps and indexes.

Notably, the new DMG will also be released as part of the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, which has been taking place over the course of 2024.

Is the new DMs Guide still 5th edition?

Yes. The new Dungeon Master’s will still use the D&D 5e core rule set. It will also not be a “5.5” edition (something which happened with the 3rd edition of D&D, which released a “3.5” version). That being said, there will be some changes to the 5e rules, including updates to classes, species, spells and combat (all of which are being developed under the current One D&D playtest).

While details on these final rules changes are currently unknown, Wizards of the Coast has said that the new DMG will remain compatible with all previously published 5e materials. Notably, both WotC and fans seem to be divided over what to call the new fifth edition, with the book simply being called the “2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.”

What will be included in the new DMs Guide?

According to D&D Game Design Architect Chris Perkins (who is overseeing development of the new DMG), the updated guide is designed to be more user-friendly and better organized. One of the biggest changes is that fundamental information for new DMs will now be provided at the start of the book before diving into more advanced topics. The new DMG will also incorporate important rules updates and DM advice that has appeared in previous 5e supplements, such as Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

The specific chapters of the new Dungeon Master’s Guide will be broken out as follows:

• Chapter 1: The Basics: This section will cover important information for new DMs. This will include discussions of what makes a good DM as well as looking at fundamentals that weren’t covered in the current DMG. For example, why and how to use a DM screen.
• Chapter 2: Play Walkthrough: This new chapter will walk DMs through common issues that occur in play, including challenges related to scheduling, player conflict, as well as how to better improvise adventures and encounters.
• Chapter 3: Rules Compendium: This section will will include an alphabetized rules compendium and also cover additional rules that are not included in the 5e Player’s Handbook (which notably is also being updated as part of the One D&D program).
• Chapter 4: Adventure Building: This section will offer advice for how DMs can create their own adventures (either as one shots or as part of an ongoing campaign). The book will also include five short adventures as examples and step-by-step guidance, as well as breaking out the various adventure types and elements.
• Chapter 5: Campaign building: This chapter will include advice on how to build out amazing DnD 5e campaigns, using an existing campaign as an example (which DMs can use or repurpose for their own grounds.). The section will also include advice on world building, plotting and campaign resolution using the popular world of Greyhawk as an example.
• Chapter 6: Cosmology: This section will break out more details on the D&D multiverse, including the various planes of existence and the powerful gods and entities that inhabit the known realms.
• Chapter 7: Magic Items: This chapter will include details 300 magic items, 18 of which are brand new. This includes legendary and rare artifacts as well as uncommon magic items, such as those that were featured in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. The section will also include updated rules of crafting.
• Chapter 8: Bastions: This section will cover the new Bastions game mechanic, which allows players to build and manage their own head quarters, using a system of rules that govern “Bastion Turns” that can be completed in and out of adventures.
• Appendices: This final section of the book will include 15 new maps, including a double-sided poster map depicting Eastern Oerik from the Greyhawk setting and the city of Greyhawk. In addition, it will also feature a glossary of common D&D terms, as well as and a rules index. These chapters will also feature more information on the lore of D&D including, powerful entities such as Vecna and classic adventures like the Temple of Elemental Evil, both of which are examples of game history that are often referenced, but which new players may not be familiar with.

How is the 2024 DMs Guide different from the previous version?

The biggest complaint with the current 5e DMG is that it isn’t exactly user friendly, especially for new DMs. It’s also often accused of being difficult to find specific rules and sections. The current edition of the Dungeon Master’s Guide is broken out into four parts (each of which consists of multiple chapters and sections).

• Part 1: World Building: This section contains information on creating a full campaign, with advice on building out gods, currency, geographies and locations. The new DMG coming in 2024 will move this type of content to much later in the book.
• Part 2: Adventure building: This section contains chapters on NPCs, environments, downtime and treasure. The new DMG will feature these chapters much later in the book, and will also include more specific and concrete examples of building campaigns and adventures.

• Part 3: Running the Game: These current chapters are focused on rules associated with combat, monsters, spells, magic items. The New DMG will include this information in Chapter 3, with a more concise and easy-to-use index.
• Appendix & Index: These current chapters include several random dungeons, as well as info on monsters, maps and inspiration for running a game. As noted above, the updated DMG appendices will likely be much longer in length and include additional maps, glossary, lore and indexes.

When will the new DMs Guide be released?

The new Dungeon Master’s Guide will be released on November 12th, 2024, with pre-orders starting on June 18th. As with other current D&D 5e books, users will be able to pre-order the digital and physical bundle on D&D Beyond, which means players will be able to access the digital version on October 29th, 2024.

One thing that also been noted by Wizards of the Coast is that users who have purchased digital versions of the existing DMG on D&D Beyond will not automatically receive an updated version of the new DMG. Instead they will be required to purchase it separately.

How much in the new DMs Guide going for?

The new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide will retail for $49.99 USD for the physical print version and $29.99 USD for the digital version on D&D Beyond.

As with other DnD 5e books, there is also a physical-digital bundle, which in this case is all three Core Rulebooks, which will retail for $179.97 if you purchase it on D&D Beyond. This represents a savings of $60 (given that all three books would otherwise retail for $240 USD).

Is there a variant cover for the new Dungeon Master’s Guide?

Yes, as with the 2024 Player’s Handbook, there is an alternate cover that’s also available for purchase. This version features original artwork from longtime Wizards of the Coast illustrator Lena Richards. Like the primary DMG cover (which features the villains Skylla, Warduke and Venger) the alternate cover also features a villain: in this case the evil spider goddess Lolth.

The back of the alternate cover also features the 50th anniversary logo in a stylized format. Notably, the alternate cover will be the same price as the primary cover version.

Final Thoughts

In the wake of the OGL controversy, Wizards of the Coast is under the microscope by fans and third-party publishers. As such, some players have accused the publisher of simply trying for a cash grab by updating the Dungeon Master’s Guide, Player’s Handbook and Monster Manual (all three of which are considered the “core rulebooks” and all of which are slated for an update in 2024).

The fact of the matter, however, is that the current 5e DMG has been in existence for over a decade, during which time both the culture around the game and the 5e rules set itself has changed. Many players were worried that when the materials were updated it would mean a completely new edition that would essentially make all 5e materials obsolete. As we’ve since learned, however, this will not be the case and the core 5e rules will remain in place in the updated DMG and other future materials.

All of that suggests that the new DMG will likely be a welcome addition to both players and Dungeon Masters alike, giving a much-needed refresh to what’s become a bit of dated reference and a somewhat challenging entry point for new DMs. The book is available for pre-order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

In the meantime, below is a video from Wizards of the Coast with Chris Perkins offering more details on what players can expect when the new Dungeon Master’s Guide comes out in 2024.

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