Play Easily Now (PEN) Roleplaying Game Review - Score: 77 / 100

This review is part of my new TTRPGs page, where you can find awesome Games Like DnD that you may never have heard of before. If you're interested in finding a new game to play, check out that article!

Play Easily Now (PEN): Roleplaying Game is a new TTRPG by Josiah Mork, from Hoodwink Games. As of the time of this article, the Kickstarter is just about to launch (on October 3rd, 2024), so if you like the sound of this review, be sure to support the game.

PEN is effectively BaG (the Basic and Generic Roleplaying Game), but 2nd edition. The name's changed but the game’s core mechanics are very similar, with nice quality of life improvements and cool new features.

As with BaG, PEN focuses on providing players with the option for gaming in multiple genres (fantasy, scifi, modern, etc.), with rules that are easy-to-learn, well laid-out, and that perhaps above all, allows players to create and roleplay any character they can imagine. The game’s mechanics are also flexible and streamlined, creating very quick gameplay that's easy to learn.

My overall impression of the game is very favorable. I would purchase this game and play campaigns with it, which is really the key takeaway, and probably the most important question to answer for any review.

Review Intricacies

Because PEN is really BaG 2nd edition in many ways, and I’m writing this review not only for players new to Hoodwink Games, but also for those who have already played BaG 1st edition and want to know how the sequel plays, many of the sections that I've reviewed (below) compares and contrasts PEN to BaG.

Some scores for PEN are also even influenced by BaG (such as the “uniqueness” score), though I have tried to be as fair as possible in scoring, especially given the unique circumstances of reviewing this 2nd edition game.

For anyone reading this review, PEN actually has a slightly lower score in my book than BaG, but I would actually prefer playing PEN. I try to review games as if they were an art form, which takes into account many factors, for a wide audience of people. In this case, PEN has a slightly lower score than BaG particularly in the "Uniqueness" and "Art" categories. So, even though I've given PEN a better score in many other categories, the overall score is lower than BaG received.

Personally, I don't think an RPG's uniqueness or art are the be-all-end-alls for a game, which is why I'd still prefer playing this game over BaG - in a playability sense, PEN is better. So, just keep in mind that if it weren't for those two rather unimportant sections (so far as gameplay is concerned), PEN would have a much higher score.

How Unique is PEN: (6/10)

Starting off, PEN is just as unique of a game as BaG, which received an 8/10 in the “uniqueness” category. However, because PEN is the 2nd edition, and there aren’t a ton of new, unique materials or concepts that particularly distinguish it from BaG, I am actually scoring PEN lower in this category.

Maybe that reasoning doesn’t seem quite fair, but BaG was simply more unique when it came out than PEN is from its predecessor.

What I can definitely say is that PEN has provided some nice improvements over the unique features that were from BaG. But, as valuable as incremental growth is for games, it isn’t the same thing as providing a truly “unique” experience.

All of that being said, there still are some very interesting new rules and options for players in PEN.

Item and Magic Crafting

Two of the things I still think are most unique about PEN are its item and magic crafting sections. Hoodwink Games has really put some thought into how to build item and magic crafting system with flexibility into its multi-genre rulebooks.

I’ve always been a fan in games like World of Warcraft, crafting weapons and armor for my characters. Maybe not everyone is into that kind of thing, but for me – and I know there are more people like me out there – it’s fun to run around the game world, collecting rare and unique materials for use in my new gear.

Item Crafting

In a TTRPG, building item crafting like you see in WoW into a rulebook is (most likely) far too tedious for it to be practical. In PEN, however, the problem is solved with a very flexible suggested list of crafting materials, which may be combined together as the GM/ player see fit, and using a simple “Mechanics” roll for crafting success.

Magic Crafting

The magic crafting section is probably the only segment in the PEN rulebook that can be slightly intimidating, but it is possible to create basically any spell you could possibly imagine. You may create spells using a number of elements (earth, wind, fire, death, etc.), effects, school of casting, targets, range, duration, and more. Combined, these options allow players to craft spells that may do virtually anything.

In PEN, magic feels... well, like magic. It feels like magic from a book, the first time you read about it, back when you were a kid – when magic wasn’t just something like, “I click my hotkey to cast fireball, which does 127-spell damage.”

Instead, magic in PEN is unpredictable, exciting, open to infinite possibilities, and is truly a unique system that you won’t find in any other TTRPG out there, anywhere. It might feel a little complex at first, but nothing that any "true wizard" would ever let hold them back.

Play Easily Now PEN Roleplaying Game Magic

How Easy is it to Learn to Play BaG RPG: (10/10)

PEN is so easy to learn that I even factor this score as an added bonus into the “uniqueness” section above, as it’s one of the things that I love most about the game. You could almost say, in fact, that I give this section an 11/10.

Including the index, PEN is 93-pages long, so like BaG, you can read through the entire game manual in about an hour – that is, if you glance over the more technical pieces, and just read for general comprehension. This should be welcome news to any game master.

Furthermore, like BaG, the book is laid out in a series of “Modules,” that teach you how to play the game, in stages. More advanced concepts and options (like item crafting, magic, and even character creation) come after basic gameplay rules are provided.

Character Creation

What I like most about character creation in PEN is that players may actually select premade characters, based on 7-different archetypes. The reason I like these premade characters is that they're still generic enough for players to fit their own style into the game, and having characters that are 100% ready to go means that people who know nothing about PEN can pick up the rulebook and start adventuring in literally minutes.

One of the biggest hurdles (in my opinion) for roleplaying games is that it's usually a lot of work for (usually) the game master to learn the game, walk players through character creation, and then teach everyone how to play. With PEN, a large shortcut may be taken through that stage of character-building, saving great deals of time.

Later on, once players are familiar enough with the game to build their own characters, then custom character creation becomes available.

It's also worth noting that PEN is a classless RPG, and so features an incredible number of options for players once they do get to the point of creating their own custom character.

Gameplay

Nearly all of the game takes place through resolving 14-different kinds of skill checks. One thing I really like about PEN is that even combat scores are considered “skill checks,” so there’s really only one system for the game (with yes, a little variety when it comes to combat). This is opposed to games like DnD, where you have an attack roll bonus, then skill bonuses, then resist check bonuses, which all function pretty differently.

Basically, there are “Degrees of Success” in PEN, ranging from Critical Failure all the way up to Heroic Success. Players make skill checks using 3d6, and then consult the all-important table on Pg.7 of the rulebook to see what category their roll falls into. For combat, there’s also an opposing roll from your target before results become clear and damage is dealt, etc.

Characters start with 65-skill points into their 14-skills, meaning each probably averages around 4-5 at the start of the game. With a 3d6 + 4 (or 5), characters should succeed (in some manner) on virtually every roll.

The system has depth to it, with Degrees of Success, but the game is ultimately easy to learn. Whenever a player tries to "do" something, the answer from the game master is usually just to, “roll 3d6, add your skill, and consult the table on Pg.7.”

Chaining Skill Checks

Speaking of Degree of Success, each skill check often affects the next, depending on the "Degree of Success" reached: players have a kind of detriment to their next roll (on the low end of success, called a “Strive”), or bonus to their next roll (with Critical and Heroic Successes).

The game is less often about “whether or not your character succeeds at doing what you want them to,” and more often becomes about, “how does your choice of actions from before effect what’s to come?”

For example, if you Dodge an enemy’s attack, but you merely do so with a “Strive” (by narrowly “striving” to get out of the way), you position yourself badly, so that your next attack now has a lowered roll.

Or conversely, your character has a Heroic Success on their Notice roll, allowing them to not only see bandits sneaking up on the party, but giving them a (substantial) bonus to their next Magic roll, allowing them to blast the rogues from afar.

Play Easily Now PEN Roleplaying Game Skill Checks

Presentation: (8/10)

Everything in PEN looks just as good as BaG, or better. The color choice is great, font is clear, tables look good, and I really appreciate the use of highlighted sections in the book that expand upon tough concepts with the use of quick examples.

There’s even a giant “Important” text over the game’s key table (for Degrees of Success) on Pg.7.

Overall, the rulebook looks great, reads easily, and leaves absolutely no complaints. The only reason I didn’t give PEN a higher score in this section is because I’m picky and feel that there’s a little “something” missing. Though the format’s really good, I feel that game books should be first and foremost, entertaining for its readers. And by "entertaining," I mean that they should even be entertaining beyond what's written inside: they need to "pull readers in," and make it "fun for them to learn the game," not just "easy to learn the game."

I think that maybe if the clean/ efficient use of space and technically perfect style of PEN met Josiah’s other game, Starset RPG: The Great Dimming somewhere in the middle, with its immaculate sense of style and grandeur, PEN would be a solid 10/10 in this category.

Lore: (3/10)

In my review of BaG, I mentioned how I was originally going to give the game a 3/10 for its lore, because like Savage Worlds, the game relies almost entirely upon the game master to create a fun world and storyline.

This is effectively the problem with multi-genre games. Because you must create rules that can fit any genre (fantasy, scifi, grimdark, modern, cyberpunk, etc.), you can’t really provide lore for game masters and players to use in each and every category, without supplemental books and materials.

It’s my understanding that PEN will have specific setting books available in the future, for various genres. However, as of the time of this writing – so far as I know – no such book exists. Thus, I have to leave my score where it stands. I’m happy to adjust it upwards though as such books do become available.

Combat in BaG RPG: (7/10)

PEN sought to fix some of the issues with combat from BaG RPG, and I’m very grateful for that.

I love that combat in PEN is fast-paced, simple, and allows players agency even when they’re attacked (you can choose to Block an attack, or Dodge). I also enjoy that combat simply uses skill checks, like everything else in the game. So, there isn’t this feeling that combat is it’s own mini-game, which is separate from the rest of the game.

Since skill checks are a 3d6 system, the “target” numbers are also easier to understand than they were in BaG RPG. Finally, I particularly enjoy how Degrees of Success work while in combat, and find the interactions they create very interesting, especially when it comes to counterattacking.

With all of that being said, and though I do think the game has improved combat from BaG (quite a bit), I still have a few issues with PEN’s combat system.

Counterattacking

When I first read that every time your character is attacked in combat, you get to counterattack, I really liked the idea. It sort of makes sense, after all: somebody tries to whack you, so you whack them back.

The idea also flows really well with Degrees of Success, as a very successful Block or Dodge translates into an instantly more powerful counterattack.

As a power gamer though, here’s the issue: the more times I get attacked, the higher my “DPS” will be. If I'm the “tank” for my group (not that PEN has archetypes like a "tank," specifically – but if I'm the guy who runs into a group of enemies, trying to protect my allies), I get as many attacks per turn as enemies who surround (and attack) me.

This means that even if I have a low hit chance – and, as a “tank,” a very high Block score, of course – because I'm getting attacked, and thus counterattacking, more often than anyone in my group... by default, I do the most damage.

So, when reading through the PEN combat system, my first thought was, “ok, I max out my skill in Resistance (my Block value), get the best armor possible, and put the rest of my stats into having the highest HP possible.” Basically, no other build even comes close to being as powerful as what I'm describing here, so far as combat is concerned.

I do think that most people would look at PEN and focus on all of the great customizable options for items, magic, and “Maneuvers” (below), but for those with power gamer tendencies like me, this just is what it is.

Maneuvers

In PEN, you can do more than attack and defend. You also have access to “Maneuvers,” which like many games, are the solution for physical-based characters to have their own kind of “magic-like” system.

To be honest, I don’t 100% understand Maneuvers, just from reading the rulebook. I think you can use as many Maneuvers as you want during your turn, and they each lower your hit chance – if you use multiple, or combine them with your attack, that is. Otherwise, they each have a unique effect such as distracting your target or lowering their hit chance, instead of simply dealing damage when you attack.

From playing around with Maneuvers, however, it didn’t feel like they were “powerful” enough, as compared to dealing damage. So, they quickly became a bit of an afterthought in our group.

It’s nice that Maneuvers are available, and in some clutch situations they did prove to be very useful, such as when we shoved a group of enemies off a ledge. But overall though, they felt underwhelming.

Mass Combat

I always enjoy when games provide options for mass combat. PEN does an admirable job of taking the vast amounts of info that could go into any war game and distilling it to its most basic elements. My gaming group didn’t get to try out mass combat in any great detail, but what we did play through was fun, satisfying, and added to the overall gaming session in a positive way.

BaG RPG Game “Flow”: (10/10)

PEN has everything going for it when it comes to game “Flow” that BaG did, plus more. Skill checks are easy and fast, perks and quirks make roleplaying more meaningful, while also contributing to skill checks, items and magic are interesting without being cumbersome, premade character archetypes allow gaming groups to immediately jump into play, and there are even premade adventure modules in the main rulebook.

PEN is still the best TTRPG for player creativity that I've seen, as you can do literally anything with your character that you’d ever want. And this is where the multi-genre style really pays off, because you can be a heroic knight, a space pirate, a mechanic in a steampunk universe, or really anything that you can imagine.

I also honestly cannot say enough how much I love opening a rulebook that’s under 100-pages in length. It’s just so easy to find any reference table that’s needed, and then immediately get back into your RPG campaign.

It felt like PEN gave my gaming group enough framework to play our gaming sessions, but then was otherwise “out of the way,” so that we could focus on having fun and immersing into our adventure. Literally perfect.

Artwork: (3/10)

As with nearly all up-and-coming/ independent TTRPGs, I feel that allowances must be made when it comes to having high-quality artwork. Artists are expensive, and art takes a tremendous amount of time to create.

That being said, Josiah’s done a very good job including some simple art in the PEN rulebook. The art that is present both looks good and helps convey the message that each section covers.

At the end of the day, this isn’t the most artistically beautiful TTRPG rulebook out there, and that lack of art does affect the overall aesthetic to some degree.

Ease of Purchase: (10/10)

PEN is extremely easy to purchase. You can find it on the Hoodwink website, and of course, the Kickstarter page.

Price & How Many Books Do You Need to Play: (10/10)

As of the time of this writing, PEN hasn’t yet “officially” launched on the Hoodwink website or Kickstarter page, so I’m not 100% sure on the price. However, if it’s anything like Hoodwink Games’ other products, it’ll be in the $15 range for PDF, and $25 for print.

Compare this to D&D, which is like, what, $60 per book nowadays (and you need three of them to play), and you can see why I love the price of this game.

Ease of Starting a Group & Availability of Supplemental Material: (10/10)

Another advantage to multi-genre games is that finding a group to play is extremely easy. You can connect with any tabletop gamer and ask if they want to get together for some kind of adventure – be it in an elven forest, on an asteroid (for your scifi gamer friends), or whatever else people are into.

PEN is not a famous game yet, but Hoodwink Games has now successfully launched and funded numerous Kickstarter projects, so it may well become so. Furthermore, you can help make it so.

Even if your friends haven’t yet heard of PEN, it's a game that people truly enjoy. I’m also pretty certain that more supplemental books are coming out soon, which should expand character-building options in a wide variety of ways, custom to each genre setting. Perfect for providing you with content to game with your friends, no matter what kind of game they're into.

Give PEN a try! You’ll be happy that you did.

Play Easily Now (PEN) Roleplaying Game is Produced By:

Josiah Mork/ Hoodwink Games

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Share This Article

Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.

I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.

If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

A vampire sits on a dark throne holding a wine glass, with the text

The Future of D&D Books in 2026 - Eight New Books to Dive Into

By Jacob Tegtman • March 11, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z2fTaAQS3g Transcription For months the D&D community has been asking the same question… “Where are all the new books?” Well—Wizards of the Coast finally answered. 2026 is bringing Ravenloft horror, high-magic arcana, a Feywild heist romance, and… a crochet owlbear. Yes. Really. Today we’re breaking down every single Dungeons & Dragons book announced for 2026 —what they are, who they’re for, and which ones might actually change your campaign. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your party’s reliable source for Dungeons & Dragons news, lore, and tabletop chaos. Today we’re going through the entire 2026 D&D release schedule . There’s quite a few books, so this list is meant to give you the quick, clean, and minimal filler low-down. If anything sounds good, you have something to start on for your own in-depth research. So, let’s get started. The biggest announcement so far for 2026 is: Ravenloft: The Horrors Within , Releasing June 16th, 2026. This new sourcebook expands the Domains of Dread , the gothic horror setting originally ruled by Strahd. For Dungeon Masters, the book adds: • new Darklords • new monsters • and expanded guidance for running horror-themed campaigns . That includes subgenres like: • gothic horror • cosmic horror • and psychological horror. Players get new options too: • horror-themed subclasses • new species and backgrounds • and expanded Dark Gift feats . The book also expands the fear and dread mechanics , which could add some serious tension to horror campaigns. And yes… Legendary monster hunter Rudolph van Richten is making another appearance. Preorders begin April 13th , and digital versions hit D&D Beyond early in June . So horror fans—Is Ravenloft your favorite setting, or are you still loyal to Curse of Strahd? Then in September 2026 , we get one of the most mysterious releases: Arcana Unleashed. Wizards of the Coast calls it a “high-magic sourcebook.” What we know so far is that it introduces new arcane subclasses from earlier Unearthed Arcana playtests. Plus: • new spells • magic items • artifacts • and expanded customization options. But the biggest addition might be a new “evolving magic item” system . That means magical gear that levels up alongside your character, which if done properly – could be pretty cool. This kind of thing could also change how treasure progression works in campaigns. We also know though that if this idea is done poorly… Well… could lead to certain things from this book being banned at some tables. Launching alongside Arcana Unleashed is an adventure expansion called: Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall. This adventure ties directly into the main Arcana Unleashed book and features the infamous Red Wizards of Thay . The story reportedly involves a massive magical war , with new lore about the organization. And interestingly… A Red Wizards adventure was originally teased way back in 2023’s D&D Direct event , so this might finally be that storyline. We don’t yet know if this will be: • a full physical book • or only a digital D&D Beyond adventure . But if you like Forgotten Realms villains… The Red Wizards are about as dangerous as it gets. Next up is something aimed at specifically Dungeon Masters : the Dungeon Master’s Workbook of Worldbuilding, releasing May 5th . This one is all about building better campaigns. The book includes exercises designed to help DMs: • design campaign worlds • create memorable NPCs • build maps • and improve improvisation skills. Which honestly might be the most important DM skill of all. Because no matter how much you prepare… Players will always find a way to kick down the door that has nothing behind it. At least until you create something on the fly, that is. So, this workbook aims to help DMs build living worlds instead of static storylines. I got some really great advise when I first started DMing, which was to steal everything. I think these kind of thought-provoking books help synthesize great material into something that’s also – at the same time – entirely your own. Alongside the DM book, and launching the same day, is something aimed at new players and storytellers . This is an interactive companion to the D&D 5.5e Player’s Handbook . Instead of rules, the book focuses on guided character creation . It includes prompts that help you: • build backstories • connect your character to the party • and design personal motivations that actually matter in the campaign. Think of it like a creative writing workbook for D&D characters. If you’ve ever stared at a blank character sheet thinking… “Uh… I guess I’m an edgy rogue with amnesia? Oh yeah, and I’m an orphan – definitely, always an orphan.” This book might actually help. And I mean that in a kind way. Nearly everyone benefits from a bit of help thinking through interesting character creation, without relying on the same tropes that Final Fantasy characters have been relying on for a few decades. Then, we have something completely different. The Feywild Job releases June 30th . And this one is actually a D&D novel , not a game book. It’s written by C.L. Polk , a Nebula and World Fantasy Award-winning author. The story follows two former lovers turned thieves hired to steal a magical artifact from the Feywild. So imagine: • magical heist story • romantic tension • with chaotic Feywild politics. Basically romantasy meets D&D crime caper. Which honestly feels like the most Feywild thing possible. Every now and then I can get into a D&D novel. Maybe you’re like me and it’s been enough time to give a new novel a try. Finally, we have Dungeons & Dragons Crochet: A Book of Many Patterns. Yes—this is a real official D&D book. Written by longtime D&D contributor Stacy King , it includes 20 crochet patterns inspired by the D&D multiverse . We’re talking: • Owlbear cub plushies • Mini beholders • And even a handmade Bag of Holding So, this obviously isn’t a rules book. It’s basically crafting for D&D fans who want to bring the monsters to life—literally in yarn. Kind of like D&D cook books, but crafts version. Which, by the way, I’ve seen a lot of these kind of things selling like hot cakes at local conventions, so you know it’s going to be in-demand. Buy it for the ladies in your weekly D&D group who are into crochet. Ok, so I lied. There’s a bonus round here, which is one possible future release. There are strong hints that Dark Sun might be returning, which I shared about a couple months ago in a previous video. Recent playtests included subclasses tied to the setting like: • Gladiator Fighter • Defiler Sorcerer • and Sorcerer-King Warlock. Those are classic Dark Sun themes . So, while nothing is officially confirmed… It’s very possible we’ll see a new Athas sourcebook in 2027. And if that happens? It would be the first major Dark Sun release in decades. I’d be super into seeing something like that come down the pipeline. That’s the full Dungeons & Dragons book roadmap for 2026. From crochet monsters… To gothic horror… To evolving magic items. It’s actually a pretty diverse lineup. But, now I want to hear from you: Which of these books are you most excited for? And which one are you skipping entirely? Drop your thoughts in the comments. And if you want more weekly D&D news, lore, and tabletop chaos— Make sure you subscribe. Until next time… May your dice roll high and your players never step through the door that you never prepared for.

D&D is Now Officially called D&D 5.5e - No more One Dnd or Dnd 2024

By Jacob Tegtman • March 4, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vE0niUm8vU Transcription Wizards of the Coast has finally done it. After years of calling it “One D&D(?)”… then “D&D 2024”… and pretending it wasn’t a new edition, while kind of also insisting that it was… They’ve now officially named it what I had assumed the community at-large has been referring to it as now for probably at least a year, which is: D&D 5.5e. Was this the right call? Did, in fact, the community already decide this for them? And does this mean we’ve now officially entered into an edition war era again? Let’s talk about it. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG — your go-to source for all things Dungeons & Dragons. Today we’re breaking down Wizards of the Coast’s official confirmation that the latest, 2024 rules update is now officially known as D&D 5.5e , what it means for the community, and whether this name change actually does anything. So, after years of brand confusion, Wizards of the Coast has indeed officially confirmed via a detailed FAQ that the 2024 rules update will now be called: Dungeons & Dragons 5.5 Edition. On D&D Beyond, all 2024 material will carry a “5.5e” tag, while legacy 2014 content will simply remain labeled “5e.” According to the FAQ, the reasoning is simple: Players mixing 2014 and 2024 content were confused about which rules applied. Which, yeah. No kidding. And honestly? If you’ve ever tried building a character using mixed subclasses, spells, and feats… you know that confusion is real. For years this thing – this edition – has had an identity crisis. First it was called One D&D — for some reason – positioned as “the future of D&D.” Then marketing shifted heavily toward “D&D 2024.” And now? We’re back to the old-school edition numbering convention. Wizards of the Coast says using “5e” and “5.5e” makes it quicker and easier to tell what rules you’re using — especially on digital platforms. Which, I agree. I actually got my start into D&D during the 3.5e era, so nothing crazy there for my generation. From a UX standpoint I think this also makes sense, especially as D&D continues to push their online gaming and presence. D&D Beyond has kind of always been a bit of a mess, to be honest. So any naming convention upgrade to simplify is kind of a win in itself. But here’s where it gets interesting… Wizards claims that “5.5e” matches how the community already talks about the game. But, to my surprise, it turns out the data tells a slightly different story. According to Google Keyword Planner data (March 2, 2026) — filtered across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia — here’s how the search terms stack up: “dnd 2024” – 6,600 monthly searches (+50% Year over year growth) “dnd 5.5e” – 1,300 monthly searches (+19% Year over year growth) “dnd 5.5” – 1,000 monthly searches “d&d 5.5e” – 140 monthly searches So while “5.5e” and its variant search options is growing… “D&D 2024” absolutely dominates search volume — almost 2.5x higher, and growing substantially faster, it turns out. Now, that doesn’t mean 5.5e won’t become standard over time. Especially with this “official switch,” it will. But this is an interesting choice since – this admittedly limited data, shows – that people were perhaps by-and-large finally beginning to actually adopt the “D&D 2024” title. So, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this on the channel, but my main profession is marketing. One small thing that immediately comes to mind is social media hashtags. You can’t use a period in hashtags. That means: #dnd5.5e – that’s out So is it #dnd55e then (?) #dnd2024, however, totally fine All this to say is that from a modern branding and searchability standpoint, “D&D 2024” is cleaner. It’s more searchable. More social friendly. Maybe a little easier to type. So this decision feels less like a marketing move… and more like a database clarity move. This is about tagging systems. Cataloging. Digital sorting. I think D&D is still having a bit of an identity crisis, basically. And with all this, here’s the bigger philosophical question. If it’s called 5.5e… Does that mean it’s officially a half-edition? Historically, we’ve seen this before. Like I’ve referred to a couple times already, Wizards of the Coast released 3.5e back in 2003 — and that absolutely felt like a mechanical overhaul. But 5.5e? Is... more like a systemic refinement. Core math remains largely intact. Bounded accuracy is still king. Monsters hit differently, classes are tuned, spells adjusted… But I’m not sure I’d say it’s such a huge departure from 5e, like perhaps 3.5e was from 3e. The community sentiment is mixed. Some players are relieved there’s finally more clarity. Others feel like the branding mess could have been avoided entirely, and I certainly agree with that. And then there’s the group that’s been calling it 5.5e for two years going, saying: “I told you so.” Ultimately though? The name doesn’t change the gameplay. By most metrics, the 2024 rules have been widely adopted and actively played. Which means whether you call it: 5.5e 5e 2024 One D&D Or “The Patch Update” The dice still roll the same. This move feels like an administrative correction. Maybe it’s helpful for clarity, but isn’t really what D&D needs to move forward right now after all of the mixed feelings people have had about D&D, Wizards, and Hasbro. Wizards of the Coast is aligning the digital ecosystem with how people track rules versions internally. Will 5.5e stick? Probably. Will people still Google “D&D 2024” for years to come? Absolutely. You know they will. But at the end of the day… A game by any other name still crits on a 20. So, what are you calling 5.5e at your table? Thanks for watching today! If you want more weekly D&D news, rule updates, and community deep dives — make sure you like, subscribe, and ring the bell. Otherwise, I’ll see you next session.

D&D book cover: adventurers face a huge monster with a snowy-white head. Emerald and blue hues create a forest scene.

D&D Beyond's Book Where Guaranteed - Everyone Dies - Beadle & Grimm's

By Jacob Tegtman • March 1, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvU0p3UMOiU Transcription What if I told you there’s a brand-new D&D book… where your party is supposed to die? Not “might.” Not “if you roll badly.” But guaranteed total party annihilation. And now it’s officially on D&D Beyond . Today we’re diving into Faster, Purple Worm! Everybody Dies, Vol. 1 — the adventure anthology where death isn’t a failure… it’s the feature. Let’s talk about what’s inside, what’s new, and whether this is actually one of the best low-level chaos tools of 2026. It’s been a minute guys, but welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your go-to source for all things Dungeons & Dragons — from rule shakeups to purple worm-sized chaos. Last summer, third-party RPG publisher Beadle & Grimm’s released something… deeply unhinged. A 138-page anthology. 15 one-shot adventures. All for level 1 characters. All playable in 1–2 hours. And every single one ends in a Total Party Kill. Not “balanced.” Not “scalable.” Not “talk it out with the villain.” Just. Dead. The book ties directly into the actual play series Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill! , which features celebrity players like Deborah Ann Woll , Seth Green , Anjali Bhimani , and co-founder Matthew Lillard . The whole concept? Lean into the absurdity of low-level adventurers making catastrophically bad decisions… and go full cinematic disaster mode. And honestly? That’s kind of genius. Because most tables never actually experience a true TPK. And this book says, “Cool. Let’s make that the entire point.” So what’s new now that it’s on D&D Beyond ? Mechanically? Same 15 adventures. But digitally? It’s juiced up. You get: 11 Quickplay Maps integrated into the Maps VTT 25 monster stat blocks (9 brand-new creatures + 16 variants) 17 new magic items ready to drop into character sheets 8 shareable handouts That’s actually pretty solid integration. And here’s the real surprise… The price. On D&D Beyond? $19.99. Compare that to: $45 for print $25 for PDF $50 for bundle That’s… unusually reasonable. For D&D... to be honest. Which is not something we say often about digital toolsets. Content-wise, it also leans into classic D&D chaos — including trips to Strahd von Zarovich in Barovia , and even tangling with the beholder crime lord Xanathar . Level 1 characters. Against that. You already know how that ends. If you’re newer to the scene, Beadle & Grimm is known for their ultra-premium boxed editions of official 5E books. We’re talking: Physical handouts In-world props Encounter cards Massive maps High-end collector-tier stuff. Founded in 2018 by Matthew Lillard and partners, they built a reputation on premium experiences. But this anthology? This is original content. Not just luxury packaging. And that’s interesting. Because it signals something bigger: Third-party publishers integrating more directly into official digital ecosystems. That’s a big deal. Here’s why this isn’t just a novelty book. It’s low-commitment D&D. Perfect for new players. It reframes failure as entertainment. Which is actually very healthy for the hobby. We can all take a solid step away from min-maxing, and pretending like we all need to be “good” at our favorite hobby, which to me is often besides the point of “having fun.” Three - It gives DMs a safe sandbox for chaos. Ever wanted to: Drop a meteor? Let the villain monologue uninterrupted? Run a trap that is wildly unfair? Now you can. Because the players know. They signed the waiver. And weirdly? That kind of expectation-setting creates some of the most memorable tables. This also feels very aligned with modern D&D culture — faster, punchier, content-friendly sessions. And for $20 digital? This might quietly become one of the best pickup party-night modules out there. We’ve seen serious campaigns. And they’re awesome. We’ve seen grimdark epics. And they’re also awesome. But this? This is D&D saying: “What if we just lean into the madness?” And honestly… I love it. Would you run a guaranteed TPK night at your table? Or is that sacrilege? Let me know in the comments. If you enjoy weekly D&D news, breakdowns, and community chaos — hit like, subscribe, and ring the bell. And tell me: What’s the wildest TPK you’ve ever experienced? That’s it for today! Until next time all, I’ll see you next session.