Dungeons & Dragons Fixes Cats in 2024 Player’s Handbook

Dungeons & Dragons Fixes Cats in 2024 Player's Handbook

As a seasoned Dungeons & Dragons player with decades of adventuring under my belt, I can wholeheartedly say that the inclusion of darkvision for cats in the 2024 Player’s Handbook is a long-overdue and much-appreciated update! For years, my cat familiar has been left in the dark, quite literally, when it came to scouting ahead in those dimly lit dungeons. Now, with this change, my feline companion can truly earn its keep as a reliable scout, thanks to its enhanced night vision.


The game Dungeons & Dragons is correcting a mistake in its 2014 rules by giving cats an important ability they should have had all along – the ability to see in the dark, known as “darkvision”. This ability is expected to be included in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. Since cats can indeed see well in the dark, it was confusing and frustrating for players who chose a cat as their familiar that this ability wasn’t originally part of the cat’s ruleset. This oversight affected many Wizard, Warlock, Ranger, and Druid players.

As a fan, I often find myself pondering over the strategic choices players make regarding their familiars, especially when it comes to scouting ahead. The issue arises when one summons a cat, which can be less than ideal in dimly lit, shadowy dungeons unless they happen upon something with an exceptionally potent scent (cats have an advantage in Perception checks due to their keen sense of smell). Interestingly enough, the tabaxi, these feline humanoids from Volo’s Guide to Monsters, were equipped with darkvision when they first graced the scene.

At a D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) press gathering during Gen Con, game designer Chris Perkins shared the reason behind an earlier exclusion. He mentioned that his late-night cat aunt’s inability to navigate stairs safely in the dark, due to a lack of a nightlight, was the cause.

As an avid fan, I’ve noticed that the 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks underwent significant changes across the board. From tweaking character creation rules and overhauling weapon mechanics in combat, to revising spells and even enhancing the abilities of a cat – almost every aspect was touched in some way, making for an exciting new gaming experience.

The new Player’s Handbook will be released on September 17th.

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2024-08-03 16:09