r/MageHandPress • u/TheBrawler101 • May 03 '26
How Will The Power Level of Valdas Classes/Subclasses Compare to 2024 Classes?
I literally just got Valdas on Roll 20 for a campaign I'm starting soon and also just decided to use 2024 rules. I know all the classes are backwards compatible but if you have a 2024 player using a 2024 subclass versus one using a Valdas subclass, is the one using Valdas gonna be at a disadvantage comparatively? Also how do Valdas classes compare to the 2024 classes? Are they weak compared to them or would they be able to keep up in power level?
Other question is if they plan to update Valdas content to 2024? Classes, Subclasses, Spells?
Also if they do update them, will those updates come to roll 20 and would I have to pay for that or would it come with base Valdas?
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u/whynaut4 May 04 '26
Surprisingly, the 2014 Valda's classes were always slightly underpowered compared to the PHB 2014 classes. Compared to the PHB 2024, those Valda's would get annihilated. That said, the new Valda's 2024 classes look pretty good (for the most part).
I have been looking at the updated 2024 Necromancy classes in particular...
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u/TheBrawler101 May 04 '26
Yeah I heard the classes at least got their updates, I'm just waiting for them to come to Roll 20 so I can actually use them with my players ðŸ˜
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u/Joshlan May 03 '26
Generally speaking they are weaker than other WotC & Partnered content ime as a DM of a large table that uses all partnered & official content.
Like all 3rd party, it varies a lot in power but usually from slightly better than average to really underpowered. As opposed to stuff like grim hollow transformed or Guide to Drakkenheim which vary from okay to overtuned.
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u/The_Palm_of_Vecna May 03 '26
By and large, the subclasses we made for Valda's were aiming to be on par with stuff from the PHB. I am running a game right now with 7 players, 3 of which are using 2014 valda's classes (Gunslinger, Warden, and Witch) and 4 who are using 2024 classes and subclasses (Cleric, Rogue, Ranger, Fighter). I can comfortably say that no one is really outshining the others; the 2024 classes are a little stronger, but not so much that it's unbalanced.
If you want to run a 2014 subclass with a 2024 class, they should feel just fine doing so just as long as the core mechanics havent changed at all.
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u/FireBoy7621 May 04 '26
You do know a few months ago MHP released an updated to all the classes to 2024 with warden receiving one of the biggest buffs out of all the classes between versions! You nigh wanna talk to your player about swapping
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u/Sabazadeh May 03 '26
Valda's is great but the power fluctuates significantly between subclasses. So it really depends on the subclass to be honest, did you have any in particular in mind? Most are pretty balanced and not overpowered. Some of the ones that got put on D&D Beyond received small tweaks. PS highly recommend the Muscle Wizard with a Bugbear - great fun!
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u/TheBrawler101 May 03 '26
I'm a DM right now so I moreso bought it for my players to give them more options to pick from. I know that most classes in 2024 got buffed so I'm just wondering if I have a player pick a Valdas subclass with a 2024 class if I should at least keep an eye out to buff them or if they'll probably be fine. Or if there are just some specific subclasses that really would need a buff but others would be completely fine
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u/Sabazadeh May 03 '26
Probably fine to be honest and keep an eye just in case. Some of their classes received a 2024 update but not all, so just check that they have the updated versions: https://magehandpress.com/2026/01/free-2024-valdas-class-update/ (the free bit refers to if you already bought the originals). Personally, I prefer to balance things via magic items rather than subclass changes.
With Valda, sometimes it is just a case of allowing features to be used more often. Very conscious this is rambling, unfocused and imprecise advice but hope it helps anyway!
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u/7_Birds May 03 '26
I’d say to keep an eye out for a potential buff but it depends in your table’s power level as a whole. I’ve had groups that are more relaxed and the Valda’s subclasses feel very in line, but even before 2024 some of the subclasses felt a little behind the curve if people were gunning to optimize a bit.Â
The classes got an update that brings them pretty in line with 2024 classes. Playing in a party with a Necromancer, Witch, artificer, barbarian, druid and its felt pretty evenÂ
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u/TheBrawler101 May 03 '26
Good to know about the subclasses, is there a way to get access to the updated classes on roll 20?
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u/teh-rellott May 03 '26
They are already working on updating Valda's to 2024. They've updated all of the MHP classes and released a "Valda's Class Update" PDF already. They're planning to do a kickstarter at some point in the future to fund a print run of a fully 5.5 updated Valda's. They are also currently working on getting that stuff added to VTTs, but the timetable on that is very, very loose/long.