D&D Player’s Handbook (Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook) (2014) Hardcover – 19 Aug. 2014

What a return to form!After the ghastly 4th edition, Wizards of the Coast have conjured a superb rules set that harks back to the glories of the classic game whilst employing modern, cutting-edge mechanics.The advantage system is elegant and economical. The overall rules-light approach, steering away from battle grids and overly-tactical play, returns the game to the role players (as opposed to the roll-players), where it rightfully belongs. There is even a playful vibe throughout that reminds this reviewer of Gary Gygax’s original.This version, with its outstanding artwork and layout, succinct explanations and rightful prioritisation of imagination and storytelling, is truly a worthy successor to its 1970s trailblazer.It is supported by a fantastic range of adventures and campaign setting supplements. And the publishers have commendably steered clear from the temptation to complicate the game with too many rules additions, as Paizo did with Pathfinder.Overall, this is a peerless product, particularly recommended for teenagers as a way to develop imaginative faculties and collaboration skills. Then again, you’re never too old...

D&D is back. I am sure i am gonna get some hate, but i disliked fourth edition with a fiery passion. I used to refer to it as "World of Warcraft Dungeons and Dragons Edition". Wizards of the Coast have restored my faith in D&D.D&D is finally back to its roleplaying roots. It feels like all the good bits of various Editions rolled into one (and it probably is).As the above statement indicates, Fifth Edition (5E) is a lot less mechanical than it used to be, and has returned to roleplaying as its focus.Character sheets are simple now. All with just enough information. And no unneeded junk cluttering up the sheet. A lot of the sheet is taken up by skills, and boxes to note racial and class bonuses/abilities. As well as the obvious section for Ability Scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, etc...) And one or two other little bits.The book is now a lot less cluttered with mechanics and rules for every eventuality. In fact it is obvious to me that its general jist is that you should not let rules slow the game down (in fact there is a small section in the book that says something along those lines.) The main part of the book is given over to character creation. The different races, classes, and so on. And other parts of the book give insight into the multi-verse of D&D. A whole section is given over to magic. Not just spells, but also information on how spells work narratively. Rather than mechanically. And there is even a nice reasonably sized section explaining how there can be so many different worlds (games) without there being crossover or strict rules as to playing in particular settings; the multiverse. Its a a lot more interesting than i remember fourth edition being. Third Edition seems an age ago to me now, so i cannot comment on that much.The Artwork is very nice. And there is a lot of it.I have not had this long, but i am already a fan of 5E. And i can say its good to be back playing D&D.Dont have a group to play with? Well right now neither do I. I still play a few RPG's though. Solo. I am guessing advertisment is not allowed on reviews, so i will just say "Mythic" Have fun!

🐉 This book makes a great impression and has that new-book smell that I find slightly exciting in an anticipatory way. The book is very colourful, with full-page images throughout, but not to the detriment of the information enclosed. This book was a gift for my daughter, who plays D&D, and she was delighted to receive the book and immediately sent pictures of it to her fellow D&D players. She spent a great deal of time pouring through the book, so it seemed to captivate her attention. It’s not a cheap book, and I worried about the possible advent of another version of the ruleset. My rationale is that I could prevaricate forever, as there always seem to be threats of rule changes with such games, so I took the plunge. Recommended. ✔️

Great book for the beginner D&D player. I was able to set up my character with my DM, then level up on my own with the book.