I have read and re-read the new 2024 Players HandBook, and I have to say i really like it. A true upgrade, not “just another edition”, since everything from 5e is usable.
For Christmas I got the new Forgotten Realms, Heroes of Faerun. And it is not “just a splatbook” but full of good stuff, including some decant subclasses and backgrounds.
I’ve enjoyed the 2024 update. I like that they were thinking more about action economy and how it plays (e.g. more things pushed into bonus actions so it doesn’t sit unused for most classes). I really like the weapon mastery feature they added to weapons so that martials get effects during combat to tip things in their favor. The art and writing were a big quality improvement as well.
They didn’t do much to close the high level martial/caster divide but I really didn’t expect it. That divide is baked into the main game since inception. The best way to close it is to allow martials more equipment attunements (armor and weapons) than the standard three which I homebrew into my games.
As for Faerun, I wish they gave new subclasses to all the main classes and not just the eight handpicked. But other than that, it is packed with a wealth of fun ideas and worldbuilding. Zhentarim Tactics might be my favorite feat, true counter-attack with increased damage (since Zhentarim Ruffian is a prereq).
They did push it back, so that we noticed it didnt happen until later. And to be honest few campaigns ever get that high.
4e fixed it, but 4e was pretty unpopular.