It's too bad that WotC can't move this up in the release schedule to compensate for the delay of Eberron. I know that they have a couple things coming out in the next few months, but this and the Eberron book are the only things I am looking to buy this year. Not a true complaint, just lamenting my woes.
Until I have the finished products in my hands, I will hesitate to comment on the upcoming Faerun / Forgotten Realms books. Other than to say, that I shall assume that the content of Heroes of Faerun will take precedence over the content of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide?
Until I have the finished products in my hands, I will hesitate to comment on the upcoming Faerun / Forgotten Realms books. Other than to say, that I shall assume that the content of Heroes of Faerun will take precedence over the content of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide?
It's kinda a given your can't/shouldn't comment on something you haven't seen...
As for taking precedent over SCAG, only for rules and game options that already exist, and contradictory lore
Generally speaking it sounds like this is more meant as a supplement to that book, though it’s hard to gauge until we get a look at one of these player expansions.
It sounds like they are revisiting a lot of areas beyond the sword coast finally. For that I’m thankful as I’m sort of tired of Neverwinter, Waterdeep and Baldur’s Gate. Of course WotC/TSR has always had a bit of a problem with staying in one area for most of their adventures - I remember back when everything seemed to be about the Dales years ago. Looking forward to both books.
The first image, of the heroes, On its own, it is very compositionally just ok, but when the image is viewed in full, like having the book open seeing the front and back, it is fully dynamic and really 'wow!' worthy..
It looks like it was designed to be a poster first, that is where it has its full impact.
Had a chance to see the full pictures now and agree, it really takes the artwork up a notch. The full cover for the DM's book is fantastic, I love seeing the four heroes repeated across both but now in danger
They already doing this for some time, Chult in Tomb of Annihilation and Icewind Dale in Rime of the Frostmaiden, they were last two true FR books they launch pre-2024 Core and both are out of Sword Coast
Until I have the finished products in my hands, I will hesitate to comment on the upcoming Faerun / Forgotten Realms books. Other than to say, that I shall assume that the content of Heroes of Faerun will take precedence over the content of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide?
It's kinda a given your can't/shouldn't comment on something you haven't seen...
As for taking precedent over SCAG, only for rules and game options that already exist, and contradictory lore
One of the problems with settings books by WOTC is that you have to read the detailed interior pages to know which book is the most recently published, and thus, the book with the most current information. Otherwise, you have to remember that the 2014 PHB has the image of a giant on its cover while the 2024 PHB has a dragon on its cover. At least one of the players in my gaming group has yet to grasp this simple notion.
Yes, it is nice to see the covers of these books. It only whets my appetite for the content of the new books. I plan on buying at least two (2) copies of Heroes of Faerun (one for myself, one for my DM). I will buy at least one copy of Adventures in Faerun for my DM; I might buy another copy for myself just in case there is essential player information in that book. What kind of information would I consider essential? Areas of effect for spells, for example, so that a future pyromaniac of a sorcerer does not incinerate the entire party while clearing out a flock of stirges from a small chamber. (Yes, Ryetlos the Witless Wizard, I am thinking of YOU!!)
Until I have the finished products in my hands, I will hesitate to comment on the upcoming Faerun / Forgotten Realms books. Other than to say, that I shall assume that the content of Heroes of Faerun will take precedence over the content of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide?
It's kinda a given your can't/shouldn't comment on something you haven't seen...
As for taking precedent over SCAG, only for rules and game options that already exist, and contradictory lore
One of the problems with settings books by WOTC is that you have to read the detailed interior pages to know which book is the most recently published, and thus, the book with the most current information. Otherwise, you have to remember that the 2014 PHB has the image of a giant on its cover while the 2024 PHB has a dragon on its cover. At least one of the players in my gaming group has yet to grasp this simple notion.
Yes, it is nice to see the covers of these books. It only whets my appetite for the content of the new books. I plan on buying at least two (2) copies of Heroes of Faerun (one for myself, one for my DM). I will buy at least one copy of Adventures in Faerun for my DM; I might buy another copy for myself just in case there is essential player information in that book. What kind of information would I consider essential? Areas of effect for spells, for example, so that a future pyromaniac of a sorcerer does not incinerate the entire party while clearing out a flock of stirges from a small chamber. (Yes, Ryetlos the Witless Wizard, I am thinking of YOU!!)
There's not going to be player-facing information in the DM book, that's why they're breaking it apart into a player book and a DM book.
Beyond that point, I have no clue what you're talking about. Spells will be in the player book if there are any. And no, you don't "have to read the detailed interior pages to know which book is the most recently published", you can literally just google the name of the book....
Well, I know people make magic item wishlists or come up with builds using particular items, so arguably those are at least adjacent to player facing content. Overall though, yeah it sounds like the essentials are all in the player book.
They already doing this for some time, Chult in Tomb of Annihilation and Icewind Dale in Rime of the Frostmaiden, they were last two true FR books they launch pre-2024 Core and both are out of Sword Coast
Well sort of - yes Chult is definitely not part of the Sword Coast but pretty much everything set there both starts and ends along the Sword Coast. Icewind Dale is across the Sine of the World Mountains, but it’s also the northern most section of the Sword Coast. You also have Out of the Abyss which does have action under the Dales so they have reached out a bit here and there but for practical purposes all of 2014 really occurred along the Sword Coast. To me, the Sword Coast extends from Icewind Dale ( included) to Amn ( excluded) and from the Sea of Swords to the Sunset Mountains and the western edge of Anauroch. I’m looking forward to both books to see what lore and advancements have occurred in areas outside the sword coast as its recent history have been fairly well documented via the games and modules of the last 10 years.
I been craving an Update history of Faerun for a while now since they kind of stopped placing dates in the most recent books if almost all 5e books. Also would love a updated full map with all the towns/ settlement, trail roads, ruins and POIs. Also the 50 adventures if done right can help make a good faerun sandbox campaign with other released books.
1) Big yes to more Karlach (or any of the BG3 crew really).
2) An interesting note in the article is the intent to have different art styles by setting (one art style for Faerun, a different one for Eberron, etc.) I'm in favor of this since it could result in settings feeling really distinct from one another, e.g. Ravenloft getting some pretty bleak/dreary/evocative art direction and so on. If they ever work out the kinks with Dark Sun I could see it getting some heavy inspiration from Mad Max, Boris Vallejo, Masters of the Universe etc.
1) Big yes to more Karlach (or any of the BG3 crew really).
2) An interesting note in the article is the intent to have different art styles by setting (one art style for Faerun, a different one for Eberron, etc.) I'm in favor of this since it could result in settings feeling really distinct from one another, e.g. Ravenloft getting some pretty bleak/dreary/evocative art direction and so on. If they ever work out the kinks with Dark Sun I could see it getting some heavy inspiration from Mad Max, Boris Vallejo, Masters of the Universe etc.
Given the stated goals of the company and the themes/ideas presented in Dark sun I don't think it's possible for them to thread that needle; you'd either release something extremely controversial (which the company seems terrified of doing) or neuter the hell out of it (at which point what's the point?).
As to the Forgotten realms materials: I don't really have any strong feelings on it yet beyond appreciating that they're broadening the scope though I kind of wish they'd included Cormyr as a sub setting instead of Icewind dale.
To be fair, that UA with the Psion seemed to lean towards Dark Sun themes with the backgrounds and feats. Maybe they are just gonna bite the bullet and do a mildly dystopian Dark Sun setting and hope offering a new class- if Psion makes it out of UA- and part of the vibe will attract enough interest to offset the Grognards raising a fuss over the change in tone.
To be fair, that UA with the Psion seemed to lean towards Dark Sun themes with the backgrounds and feats. Maybe they are just gonna bite the bullet and do a mildly dystopian Dark Sun setting and hope offering a new class- if Psion makes it out of UA- and part of the vibe will attract enough interest to offset the Grognards raising a fuss over the change in tone.
What sets Dark Sun apart from other D&D settings is that ~to be blunt~ basically everyone is an A-hole and that trying to help out by doing things like say... overthrowing the sorcerer kings actively makes the situation worse for basically everyone involved.
Then you have the prickly issue of how Slavery is a core aspect/theme (to the point where there is a unique race of half dwarves that were expressley created to be slave laborers and/or gladiators) represented in basically all of the societies outside of the nomadic bandits eking out a survival in the vast wastelands as well as the various races being wildly different from the way most people would expect.
On top of that there is the seething hatred of magic (which is a problem for modern 5e given how magic has been slapped into virtually every class via the subclass system) which would make most party's of adventurers be percieved as nihilistic sociopaths to the masses even if they weren't defilers. As such DS is entirely too thorny of a rose for it to be worth going for with WotC since it's entirely too offensive for their sensibilities and dumbing it down for mass consumption would essentially neuter the things that make the setting compelling and interesting. And frankly, them not running with it is better IMHO.
They're better off just letting this one sit in the vault and either addapting other classic settings that aren't as chock full of thorny issues or creating whole new ones that don't have any pre-existing expectations.
I acknowledged that they’d need to pretty thoroughly break from the existing lore. I’m just not ruling out the possibility that they figure a more generic “grim dystopia” theme potentially with a new class would have enough mass market appeal to work out despite complaints that it’s not the “real” Dark Sun. Honestly, if I had to call it I’d say it depends if they’re going to publish Psion- a new class will pull a lot of weight as a selling point regardless of the state of the lore.
I acknowledged that they’d need to pretty thoroughly break from the existing lore. I’m just not ruling out the possibility that they figure a more generic “grim dystopia” theme potentially with a new class would have enough mass market appeal to work out despite complaints that it’s not the “real” Dark Sun. Honestly, if I had to call it I’d say it depends if they’re going to publish Psion- a new class will pull a lot of weight as a selling point regardless of the state of the lore.
And the point I was trying to make is that like, if you need to break more then 40% of the extent themes of your setting then you're better off not bothering with the process of remaking the setting because too much is getting left on the cutting room floor for it to actually be the product your trying to sell.
As to psionics: while those are certainly an iconic part of Dark sun they were around a lot longer then it and have been used in other settings (though less prominently) the other end of it is that WotC has been catering more and more to a free form approach to content wherein the word "no" doesn't really exist and as such Psionic playtesting rules mean precisely zip.
It's why I say they're better off just making a whole new setting built with the ideals of the modern company at heart as opposed to trying to contort an old one into the same shape.
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It's too bad that WotC can't move this up in the release schedule to compensate for the delay of Eberron. I know that they have a couple things coming out in the next few months, but this and the Eberron book are the only things I am looking to buy this year. Not a true complaint, just lamenting my woes.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Until I have the finished products in my hands, I will hesitate to comment on the upcoming Faerun / Forgotten Realms books. Other than to say, that I shall assume that the content of Heroes of Faerun will take precedence over the content of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide?
It's kinda a given your can't/shouldn't comment on something you haven't seen...
As for taking precedent over SCAG, only for rules and game options that already exist, and contradictory lore
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Generally speaking it sounds like this is more meant as a supplement to that book, though it’s hard to gauge until we get a look at one of these player expansions.
It sounds like they are revisiting a lot of areas beyond the sword coast finally. For that I’m thankful as I’m sort of tired of Neverwinter, Waterdeep and Baldur’s Gate. Of course WotC/TSR has always had a bit of a problem with staying in one area for most of their adventures - I remember back when everything seemed to be about the Dales years ago. Looking forward to both books.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Had a chance to see the full pictures now and agree, it really takes the artwork up a notch. The full cover for the DM's book is fantastic, I love seeing the four heroes repeated across both but now in danger
They already doing this for some time, Chult in Tomb of Annihilation and Icewind Dale in Rime of the Frostmaiden, they were last two true FR books they launch pre-2024 Core and both are out of Sword Coast
One of the problems with settings books by WOTC is that you have to read the detailed interior pages to know which book is the most recently published, and thus, the book with the most current information. Otherwise, you have to remember that the 2014 PHB has the image of a giant on its cover while the 2024 PHB has a dragon on its cover. At least one of the players in my gaming group has yet to grasp this simple notion.
Yes, it is nice to see the covers of these books. It only whets my appetite for the content of the new books. I plan on buying at least two (2) copies of Heroes of Faerun (one for myself, one for my DM). I will buy at least one copy of Adventures in Faerun for my DM; I might buy another copy for myself just in case there is essential player information in that book. What kind of information would I consider essential? Areas of effect for spells, for example, so that a future pyromaniac of a sorcerer does not incinerate the entire party while clearing out a flock of stirges from a small chamber. (Yes, Ryetlos the Witless Wizard, I am thinking of YOU!!)
There's not going to be player-facing information in the DM book, that's why they're breaking it apart into a player book and a DM book.
Beyond that point, I have no clue what you're talking about. Spells will be in the player book if there are any. And no, you don't "have to read the detailed interior pages to know which book is the most recently published", you can literally just google the name of the book....
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Well, I know people make magic item wishlists or come up with builds using particular items, so arguably those are at least adjacent to player facing content. Overall though, yeah it sounds like the essentials are all in the player book.
Well sort of - yes Chult is definitely not part of the Sword Coast but pretty much everything set there both starts and ends along the Sword Coast. Icewind Dale is across the Sine of the World Mountains, but it’s also the northern most section of the Sword Coast. You also have Out of the Abyss which does have action under the Dales so they have reached out a bit here and there but for practical purposes all of 2014 really occurred along the Sword Coast. To me, the Sword Coast extends from Icewind Dale ( included) to Amn ( excluded) and from the Sea of Swords to the Sunset Mountains and the western edge of Anauroch. I’m looking forward to both books to see what lore and advancements have occurred in areas outside the sword coast as its recent history have been fairly well documented via the games and modules of the last 10 years.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I been craving an Update history of Faerun for a while now since they kind of stopped placing dates in the most recent books if almost all 5e books. Also would love a updated full map with all the towns/ settlement, trail roads, ruins and POIs. Also the 50 adventures if done right can help make a good faerun sandbox campaign with other released books.
1) Big yes to more Karlach (or any of the BG3 crew really).
2) An interesting note in the article is the intent to have different art styles by setting (one art style for Faerun, a different one for Eberron, etc.) I'm in favor of this since it could result in settings feeling really distinct from one another, e.g. Ravenloft getting some pretty bleak/dreary/evocative art direction and so on. If they ever work out the kinks with Dark Sun I could see it getting some heavy inspiration from Mad Max, Boris Vallejo, Masters of the Universe etc.
Given the stated goals of the company and the themes/ideas presented in Dark sun I don't think it's possible for them to thread that needle; you'd either release something extremely controversial (which the company seems terrified of doing) or neuter the hell out of it (at which point what's the point?).
As to the Forgotten realms materials: I don't really have any strong feelings on it yet beyond appreciating that they're broadening the scope though I kind of wish they'd included Cormyr as a sub setting instead of Icewind dale.
To be fair, that UA with the Psion seemed to lean towards Dark Sun themes with the backgrounds and feats. Maybe they are just gonna bite the bullet and do a mildly dystopian Dark Sun setting and hope offering a new class- if Psion makes it out of UA- and part of the vibe will attract enough interest to offset the Grognards raising a fuss over the change in tone.
What sets Dark Sun apart from other D&D settings is that ~to be blunt~ basically everyone is an A-hole and that trying to help out by doing things like say... overthrowing the sorcerer kings actively makes the situation worse for basically everyone involved.
Then you have the prickly issue of how Slavery is a core aspect/theme (to the point where there is a unique race of half dwarves that were expressley created to be slave laborers and/or gladiators) represented in basically all of the societies outside of the nomadic bandits eking out a survival in the vast wastelands as well as the various races being wildly different from the way most people would expect.
On top of that there is the seething hatred of magic (which is a problem for modern 5e given how magic has been slapped into virtually every class via the subclass system) which would make most party's of adventurers be percieved as nihilistic sociopaths to the masses even if they weren't defilers. As such DS is entirely too thorny of a rose for it to be worth going for with WotC since it's entirely too offensive for their sensibilities and dumbing it down for mass consumption would essentially neuter the things that make the setting compelling and interesting. And frankly, them not running with it is better IMHO.
They're better off just letting this one sit in the vault and either addapting other classic settings that aren't as chock full of thorny issues or creating whole new ones that don't have any pre-existing expectations.
I acknowledged that they’d need to pretty thoroughly break from the existing lore. I’m just not ruling out the possibility that they figure a more generic “grim dystopia” theme potentially with a new class would have enough mass market appeal to work out despite complaints that it’s not the “real” Dark Sun. Honestly, if I had to call it I’d say it depends if they’re going to publish Psion- a new class will pull a lot of weight as a selling point regardless of the state of the lore.
And the point I was trying to make is that like, if you need to break more then 40% of the extent themes of your setting then you're better off not bothering with the process of remaking the setting because too much is getting left on the cutting room floor for it to actually be the product your trying to sell.
As to psionics: while those are certainly an iconic part of Dark sun they were around a lot longer then it and have been used in other settings (though less prominently) the other end of it is that WotC has been catering more and more to a free form approach to content wherein the word "no" doesn't really exist and as such Psionic playtesting rules mean precisely zip.
It's why I say they're better off just making a whole new setting built with the ideals of the modern company at heart as opposed to trying to contort an old one into the same shape.