This is my hope as well. I have already written off the subclasses as too setting specific to work in my homebrew world, but if Strixhaven is so magic centric then there should be new spells.
I really wanted a Feywild sourcebook, with it being an adventure I'm going to give it a pass. I already have so many adventures between DMs Guild, 3rd parties, other official published adventures, and my own homebrew, I'm probably never going to get around to running them all.
As for the MtG sourcebook, I can see the appeal for MtG fans, but I left MtG behind 25 years ago. The lore and setting(s) do not hold enough of an interest to me to justify the expense, and I've skipped all of the other MtG sourcebooks so far.
I don't think we'll be seeing a 5th book this year. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong though. The possibility of a Dragnomicon intrigues me, but not being a fan of Dragonborn in general (I blame growing up on Basic, 1e, & 2e) with what has been published in the UA it is going to be a pass for me unless there is some really enticing additional content.
I realize that I am probably no longer the target audience for WotC (and probably in the minority that feels this way), but as a long-time fan of D&D, the current material that has been coming out leaves me feeling... despondent.
I second . . . almost everything you said. I left competitive MtG a few years ago; for multiple reasons.
When it comes to the Feywild adventure, I have no issues with it; however, the cover and promotional art is giving me a really bad case of deja vu. It reminds me of the Heckna campaign setting released by Hit Point Press last year. In addition, Hit Point Press released another Kickstarter two years ago called Humblewood and the fae races that were released earlier this year; it's like WotC is now relying on third-party material to create their own.
While I was happy to see GGtR, some of the other MtG stuff that has entered D&D just didn't appeal to me; it's not new material to me. Maybe that is why I am a little hesitant on buying more official WotC material lately; there are plenty of third-party companies making their own content and its better.
I had the same thought on Humblewood and Heckna! other posters have pointed out that Owlfolk (and maybe rabbitfolk) were actually PC races in prior editions (at least fourth) but the "we're doing circus too!" thing on the cover seems a bit much.
All that said, I'm hoping it'll be more something in the speed of of Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. The adventure there in is well and good, but the book also works pretty well as a first layer of Hell sourcebook, plus 90 pages of background on Baldur's Gate. Assuming this next hardcover is not split focused like BG:DiA was, this book could be a de facto Feywild sourcebook. Or a source for Fey Circus characters.... I'm hoping for the former.
When Tasha's was leaked in its entirety, Fantasy Grounds I believe was the source. I mean, it is weird that Amazon can leak the titles for pre-order, meaning I can pay for it now, while the FLGS and digital edition purveyors like here and Fantasy Grounds can't* ... so I can sort of imagine the "leaks dept" or whatever responsible for this leak if in fact it was Fantasy Grounds sent this out as a sort of **** you to Amazon's tactics and Hasbro/WotC complicity in it. It's a sour grapes move taking the gas out of the D&D Live event where things are supposed to be official revealed, but capitalism isn't immune to emotional outburst if clearly disadvantageous play is involved.
That said, the cover is not what I was expecting based on the Folk of the Feywild UA I read (presuming there's a relationship, which seems likely). It's sorta odd because it strikes me as derivative of Hit Point Press's Heckna! adventure set that should be released a few months beforehand, demonic carnival and all. I tend to prefer the alt covers for game store pre orders anyway, but this art ... I dunno it's not what I'd expect for a Feywild book (adventure or not). Guess we'll have to see if this is in fact more of the cat out of the bag and if there's any clarification. Also wondering if WotC has sent any communique to the Fantasy Ground along the lines of "dude..." to which Fantasy Grounds will fire back its fair business practice manifesto.
*If it's in your means support your local game store, they'll have it and will likely be even willing to order one specifically for you in advance. Yes Amazon will likely sell this for much lower eventually, but supporting a bricks and mortar shop is literally supporting the infrastructure of the hobby. Thank you, I'll take my soap box with me now.
Just wanted to circle back to game industry "leakage." Over on Wizards' site, Fantasy Grounds is not listed as a place where one can pre-order Wild Beyond the Witchlight, nor do I see it available in the Fantasy Grounds store (though I'm admittedly not that adept at their shop). Minor sanction? Coupled with the Tasha's complete book leak a "no pre sales for you" sanction? Heck Books a Million is up there, and I don't recall seeing them up there before.
Also will throw out a thought, maybe/hopefully the circus in the cover depiction is simply the Fey Crossing / Chapter One for the adventure? A traveling fey crossing would be one way for a campaign with little set Fey presence in game to have access to the Feywild in their set game world.
This is my hope as well. I have already written off the subclasses as too setting specific to work in my homebrew world, but if Strixhaven is so magic centric then there should be new spells.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
I had the same thought on Humblewood and Heckna! other posters have pointed out that Owlfolk (and maybe rabbitfolk) were actually PC races in prior editions (at least fourth) but the "we're doing circus too!" thing on the cover seems a bit much.
All that said, I'm hoping it'll be more something in the speed of of Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. The adventure there in is well and good, but the book also works pretty well as a first layer of Hell sourcebook, plus 90 pages of background on Baldur's Gate. Assuming this next hardcover is not split focused like BG:DiA was, this book could be a de facto Feywild sourcebook. Or a source for Fey Circus characters.... I'm hoping for the former.
Reminds me I need to read the Heckna previews.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Just wanted to circle back to game industry "leakage." Over on Wizards' site, Fantasy Grounds is not listed as a place where one can pre-order Wild Beyond the Witchlight, nor do I see it available in the Fantasy Grounds store (though I'm admittedly not that adept at their shop). Minor sanction? Coupled with the Tasha's complete book leak a "no pre sales for you" sanction? Heck Books a Million is up there, and I don't recall seeing them up there before.
Also will throw out a thought, maybe/hopefully the circus in the cover depiction is simply the Fey Crossing / Chapter One for the adventure? A traveling fey crossing would be one way for a campaign with little set Fey presence in game to have access to the Feywild in their set game world.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.