In the first week since its launch on September 17, the 2024 Player’s Handbook has become the fastest-selling Dungeons & Dragons product in the game’s 50-year history. The success surpasses Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the previous record-holder which soared to success upon release in 2020.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the resounding critical and fan acclaim and record-breaking launch of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, and we have our loyal fans to thank for it. They played a major role in helping make this product what it is,” said Jess Lanzillo, VP of D&D Product and Franchise at Wizards of the Coast. “Our team has been analyzing feedback from players since the release of the 2014 Player’s Handbook and have worked hard and thoughtfully to implement it into the new core rulebooks to create something that we hope everyone will enjoy.”
Anticipating the demand, Wizards of the Coast printed three times the number of 2024 Player’s Handbooks than the previous version in 2014, making this the largest physical first printing of a book in the history of D&D. The players responded and the 2024 Player’s Handbook has sold three times as many copies as the 2014 Player’s Handbook did at launch.
The success comes amid a year of celebrations and milestones to commemorate Dungeon & Dragon’s 50th anniversary and at a time when the game has never been more popular. Boasting more than 85 million D&D fans worldwide and more than 18 million registered D&D Beyond users, Dungeons & Dragons is back in a big way.
The new and improved 2024 Player’s Handbook is the ultimate guide for fifth edition D&D players. Fans are able to play their way with optimized rules for character creation and advancement, exploration, combat, equipment, spells, and so much more. Additionally, they can create fantastic heroes from an expanded selection of character origins, class features, and subclasses, revised and balanced for endless fun.
In addition to high marks from players, media including CBR and Bonus Action awarded the 2024 Player’s Handbook a 10 out 10 review score with the former calling it “…a must-have for everyone ready to follow D&D into the future.” Polygon stated that ”…the very shape of the brand feels suddenly glossy, modern, and new” and ScreenRant, ComicBook, WarGamer and others also positively reviewed the new release.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook can be purchased on D&D Beyond, where fans can get both the physical book delivered right to their doorstep and a digital edition that’s instantly playable on D&D Beyond, which provides access to an extensive suite of tools and services.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook can also be purchased at retailers across the US including local game stores, Amazon, and select Barnes & Noble stores where fans can take home an exclusive poster with their purchase[1].
To learn more about the 2024 Player’s Handbook from the designers themselves, check out this all-encompassing playlist which includes everything you need to know, information about new spells and new feats, backgrounds, and species.
