Want to use 2014 character sheet but I like the 2024 character sheet dice roll features

I will be DMing for the first time for my friends (this will be their first ever D&D experience) online using Discord and Roll20. Our session 0 will be this coming Saturday to create our characters. I'm currently a player in another campaign (in person) with another group of friends and we are using the 2014 character sheet as well as the 2014 PHB. I'd like my new campaign with this new group to use the 2014 rules and character sheet since I'm more familiar with it and it's more "OG". But as I was messing around with Roll20 and setting up the campaign, I tested the 2024 character sheet and I like how you can click a skill check, initiative, saving throw, long/short rest, and etc., and it will automatically roll dice for you.  Is there a big difference in the 2014 vs 2024 character sheet in terms of character creation options (classes, backgrounds, sub-species, etc), spell rules? In other words, can I use the 2024 character sheet but 2014 character and PHB rules? Or is it better to use one or the other? I just love the convenience and ease of use in the 2024 character sheet. I have not dabbled in anything related to 2024; as in, I don't own/haven't looked into new changes in the 2024 PHB/rules.  Thank you in advance for any input!

Hi Jasmin! To go through your post bit by bit: First off, the 2014 sheet should also be thoroughly clickable for all of the things you mention. In general, the 2024 sheet is needed to run 2024 material. It can also run 2014 material. the 2014 sheet can only run 2014 material. There are some exceptions and quirks to each of these behaviors, but this is largely the state of the sheets and compendium. If you like the 2024 sheet, it's perfectly serviceable. Same with the 2014 sheet. If you like things about each sheet, and create your game using the (default) Jumpgate option, then you can actually add the second sheet to the game once you have created it, under the settings tab.

Another thing I did notice with both the 2014 and 2024 character sheets is that there isn’t an option for certain sub-species when creating characters. For example, I wanted to make a wood elf since that sub-species is in the 2014 PHB, but neither of the sheets show that option in their drop down menus; they only show high elf. I haven’t dabbled with other species but I’ve had to manually type in each characteristic, stat, and proficiency, etc for the wood elf. Is this supposed to happen, and does this affect gameplay at all? 

Jasmin C. said: Another thing I did notice with both the 2014 and 2024 character sheets is that there isn’t an option for certain sub-species when creating characters. For example, I wanted to make a wood elf since that sub-species is in the 2014 PHB, but neither of the sheets show that option in their drop down menus; they only show high elf. I haven’t dabbled with other species but I’ve had to manually type in each characteristic, stat, and proficiency, etc for the wood elf. Is this supposed to happen, and does this affect gameplay at all?  In this case, it sounds like the owner of the game has either not purchased the Players Handbook, or has sharing turned off for it in that game. Can you verify? If the game is only operating under the Free Basic Rules (derived from the SRD), then options are limited.

keithcurtis said: Jasmin C. said: Another thing I did notice with both the 2014 and 2024 character sheets is that there isn’t an option for certain sub-species when creating characters. For example, I wanted to make a wood elf since that sub-species is in the 2014 PHB, but neither of the sheets show that option in their drop down menus; they only show high elf. I haven’t dabbled with other species but I’ve had to manually type in each characteristic, stat, and proficiency, etc for the wood elf. Is this supposed to happen, and does this affect gameplay at all?  In this case, it sounds like the owner of the game has either not purchased the Players Handbook, or has sharing turned off for it in that game. Can you verify? If the game is only operating under the Free Basic Rules (derived from the SRD), then options are limited. Haha, I'm the game owner and I didn't know I had to also purchase the Player's Handbook! Forgive me, this is my first time using Roll20 and I thought Roll20 automatically has that available for all users. Thank you so much! 

Ha! No worries. :) It's a common stumbling point for new players. For background information: Wizards of the Coast publishes the Players Handbook for purchase, but also publishes a subset of the rules called the System Reference Document in Creative Commons to allow third party publishers to make D&D content. It's not complete, but enough to allow for paying the basic game. The SRD is made available in several places in a document called the Free Basic Rules, which is how Roll20 allows for basic D&D play. To use all of WotC's toys, though, requires the purchase of the Players Handbook in some format. Printed for tabletop play, or a digital conversion for Virtual Tabletop play. A lot of work goes into making the conversion into code that works in a virtual tabletop environment, which is why purchasing the physical copy does not automatically grant you the digital conversion or vice versa. TL;DR: There's a free version of the rules and a paid versions of the rules. Unless you specifically buy the paid version, you default to what is available for free.