Mark Your Calendars! D&D SRD 5.2 (Including 2024 Rules) Arrives April 22nd, 2025

Big news for the Dungeons & Dragons community, especially third-party creators! Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has officially confirmed the release date for the updated Systems Reference Document (SRD) 5.2: it’s set to launch on April 22nd, 2025.

This is a significant development because SRD 5.2 will incorporate the core rule updates featured in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. Even better, WotC has confirmed it will be released under the Creative Commons license, ensuring these foundational rules remain freely and irrevocably available for creators.

This move is particularly noteworthy following the OGL controversy in early 2023 and signals WotC’s commitment to supporting the wider D&D ecosystem. Let’s break down what this means for publishers and players alike.

What Exactly is the DnD SRD?

For those unfamiliar, the SRD (System Reference Document) is a free online document containing the essential ruleset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It covers core mechanics like:

• Classes and subclasses
• Monster stats
• Spells and magic items
• Combat rules

The SRD exists primarily as a legal framework. Because game rules themselves cannot be copyrighted under US law, the SRD provides a licensed way for third-party publishers to use D&D’s mechanics to create and sell their own compatible content (adventures, supplements, settings, etc.) without paying fees. This is done through licenses like the original Open Gaming License (OGL) and, more recently and securely, the Creative Commons license.

It’s important to remember that the SRD isn’t a replacement for the core rulebooks. It omits specific lore, iconic trademarked monsters (like Beholders and Mind Flayers), and brand names (“Dungeons & Dragons,” “Dungeon Master”). Think of it as the engine of D&D, made available for others to build upon.

The move to Creative Commons for SRD 5.1 (after the OGL backlash) was a major step, guaranteeing that its contents could be used freely by anyone, forever, without fear of WotC revoking permission. SRD 5.2 continuing this under Creative Commons is fantastic news.

What’s Changing in SRD 5.2?

The key update is the inclusion of the rules revisions introduced throughout late 2024 and early 2025 with the new core rulebooks. While technically still “5th Edition,” these books introduced significant changes. Many creators were concerned these updates wouldn’t make it into the SRD, potentially fragmenting the third-party market.

Thankfully, WotC is integrating these updates. SRD 5.2 is expected to include:

• Updates to all core classes based on the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
• Revised monster stats reflecting the 2025 Monster Manual.
• New and updated spells and magic items.
• Newer mechanics introduced in the 2024 rules, such as Weapon Masteries, updated crafting rules, and changes to Backgrounds and Species.

WotC has also stated SRD 5.2 will be a “living document,” meaning it will be updated periodically to reflect official rules errata, keeping it aligned with the current state of the game.

When Does SRD 5.2 Release?

As confirmed by Wizards of the Coast on their D&D Beyond blog, the official release date for SRD 5.2 is Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025.

This gives third-party publishers a clear date to anticipate when they can start legally incorporating the latest official rules into their own products, moving on from the SRD 5.1 which was based on the original 2014 5e rules.