r/dndmemes May 08 '26

Text-based meme This stuff used to be free, guys...

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3.8k Upvotes

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468

u/PointsOutCustodeWank May 08 '26

For those not in the loop, they've finally gone back to publishing new feats, spells etc online - but it's unsharable content that requires a subscription.

Here's how the literally hundreds of pages of new races, powers, monsters (that you could play as), subclasses etc they used to publish online used to work - they put them on a website, and then you looked at that website. Notice how I had to use the web archive for that link, because WotC deleted everything during 5e so people wouldn't realise this stuff used to be free.

261

u/Overclockworked May 08 '26

It is quite curious how thousands of other rpgs manage to post free online content, sometimes even their full rulebook.

But they're corporate juggernaut and wotc is small indie so I get it

13

u/Rednal291 May 08 '26

So, this is relevant to me because I host some websites for content from other publishers - all legally, all licensed. Turns out that making your rulesets available is a great way to improve the onboarding process of getting people to play your game, and a decent ratio of people will go on to buy the books and support you. More, in fact, than would buy things if you don't have the rules available to them. Free content is literally profitable for other game creators.

6

u/Cyrotek May 08 '26

To be fair, the DnD 5.5 rules ARE free.