With the rollout of the D&D 5E 2024 rules update and the release of new core rulebooks (the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide), I found myself asking a familiar question:
If I want to keep playing 5E… should I upgrade?
After the OGL crisis, the shift to Creative Commons, and the release of the updated SRD, some players and Dungeon Masters feel conflicted about continuing to support Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast, yet still want to enjoy the feel and mechanics of 5E. That led me to wonder:
Are there truly 5E-compatible alternatives that don’t require heavy conversions or a major cognitive shift, and that aren’t owned by Hasbro?
In other words: systems that preserve the things many of us love about 5E; six core ability scores, d20 roll-over resolution, level-based progression, classes and subclasses, meaningful ancestry/race choices, and deep character growth, without asking you to relearn the game or rebuild your existing content library.
Whether you’re a player, DM, or adventure creator, if you’ve ever wondered what comes after 5E as you know it, this is a question worth answering.
You might reasonably say: “Just play another TTRPG.”
And sure, I do. I play and enjoy many systems, and I’m designing my own.
But here’s the reality:
- Many people are already familiar with 5E and don’t want to learn an entirely new system
- Many people already own 5E books and adventures or want to keep playing 5E material
- And many people simply like 5E
So the real question:
Are there true alternatives to D&D 5E that remain mechanically compatible, without friction, relearning, or constant conversion?
It turns out there are a few. Not many, but enough that if you’re considering the 2024 update, they are worth a serious look.
These are real alternatives to D&D 5E that still deliver heroic high fantasy and robust character-building.
Not “5E-adjacent.”
Not “5E-inspired.”
Not “you can kind of convert it if you squint.”
Actual systems that hit the same mechanical sweet spots many players love about 5E.
Nimble
Summary
Nimble began life as a set of house rules for D&D 5E and evolved into a full-fledged system. It retains the core structure of 5E while streamlining mechanics, simplifying math, and a clean faster experience.
If you love 5E but wish it ran faster and smoother at the table, Nimble is well worth a look. It even includes a 5E conversion guide.
Pros
- Near-total 5E compatibility
- Built-in 5E conversion guide
- Streamlined mechanics and cleaner resolution
- Faster in play without abandoning crunch
Cons
- Minor tweaks
- Fewer official adventures (for now)
Compatibility: ★★★★
Plug-and-play with 5E material, with only minor tweaks
Link: Nimble
Tales of the Valiant – Kobold Press
Summary
A direct fork of 5E with thoughtful refinements across the board: flexible ancestry and background systems, polished classes, and improved monster design. It’s best described as “5E.2”.
Pros
- Fully 5E compatible
- Improved monster math and encounter design
- More flexible character creation
- Familiar, but refined
- Lots of adventures
Cons
- Very close to 5e, may not be different enough
Compatibility: ★★★★★
Closest to 5e, without being 5e.
Link: Tales of the Valiant
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Summary
Level Up takes 5E and turns up the crunch. It expands character options, formalizes exploration and social play, and offers some of the best monster design in the 5E ecosystem.
This is still undeniably 5E, just more structured, more tactical, and more demanding.
Pros
- Fully compatible with 5E adventures and monsters
- Extremely robust character-building and advancement
- Strong support for exploration and travel
- Excellent monster design and encounter tools
Cons
- Heavier rules load than core 5E
- Can feel overwhelming for new or casual groups
Compatibility: ★★★★★
The crunchy version of 5e
Link: Level Up Advanced 5th Edition
Black Flag Roleplaying
Summary
Black Flag is the open rules framework that underpins Tales of the Valiant. It preserves the 5E engine while stripping away IP-specific elements, making it ideal for designers and groups who want a clean, open foundation.
Pros
- FREE
- Fully 5E-compatible core
- Open and creator-friendly
- Familiar mechanics without Wizards branding
Cons
- More of a framework than a complete, table-facing game
Compatibility: ★★★★★
Open source alternative to 5e.
Link: Black Flag Roleplaying
Honorable Mention
5e Hardcore Mode by Runehammer
Not a full 5E replacement, but a rules overlay that makes 5E deadlier and more grounded. Its ideas can be applied to any of the systems above.
My Top Recommendations
- Best overall replacement for 5E: Nimble
- Best traditional 5E experience with polish: Tales of the Valiant
- Best character advancement and depth: Level Up: Advanced 5E
- Best open foundation for creators: Black Flag Roleplaying
Final Thoughts
D&D 5E is a great entry point into the hobby, but it’s far from the only option for heroic fantasy that still feels like 5E.
Its worth mentioning these are not fringe indie experiments. They are professionally supported, actively developed, and built by designers who know 5E inside and out.
If you are weighing whether to adopt the 2024 update or looking for a version of 5E that better fits your table this is a great time to look beyond the familiar and choose the system that actually works for you.
