Just got my copy of this book. Not sure how well spread the book is and what your thoughts about it are. But I will share my first impressions after skimming through it and read through the most.. engaging parts...
Its made by Michael Witwer
Published by the british DK publisher.
Also... Near ZERO official marketing for this book by D&D Beyond and WotC. WHY?
Its a great book! Alot of info and very helpful to DMs and even players.
It settles some things, explain others and also infuriatingly neglect/ ignore certain things.
Some things ( explained under Bad ) is just mind numbingly, OCD inducing " WHY? ". Is it due to page space limitations? Cost? Time? Spite or strict demands?
Things that make me want to travel to WotC HQ and demand answers! x) I would love to visit and talk to folks there beside that for sure! :)
A short summary
The great!
- I HOPED the gem dragons would get more love. They did! And in all new splendid art!
- Sardior is hinted at NOT being dead. Open to intrepetation.
- Different artstyles from the past and currents seems to be more of phenotypes of the different dragon species
- A clearup of whats the difference between dragonborns, draconians, kobolds.
- Might not matter much but officialy, MOST dragonborns do not have tails, but its a lineage quirk. I dont mind it as long as folks can tell the difference of all these draconic humanoids.
- Love the head art of dragonborns by pure lineages and those with mixed. TOP NOTCH!
- Fantastic section of named dragons. Powerful to the ente degree!
The bad and lackluster credit/ honorable mention + art for past designers
- ZERO new art for Gem dragonborns in the section of dragonborns. HUGE shame!
- No mention of the Obsidian gem dragons and their dishonor
- The Topaz dragons had an info box about why their wings are reversed as " a mystery " in preview pictures of The Book of Dragons. Its GONE from the release version of this book! Sucpicious...
- No mention of lesser known Metallic dragons or even IMO, their sub-family of Ferrous ( means Iron basically ) dragons and even other planar dragons linked to metallics like the 4e Orium and Adamantine dragons
- Lack of description and mention of other draconic humanoids like: Half-Dragons, Dragonkin, Dragonspawn ( Tiamats past answer to Bahamuts dragonborn that morphed from any other species of humanoid )
- They categorize the salamander like Deep dragons from 5e Fizbans as ugh... purple dragons. This is a book of DRAGONS. Talk about disdain for the past dragons and great art of them. NAmely the 3e, 4e actual Purple dragons. Even Richard Alan Lloyds Purple dragons that breathe plasma energy. A comforting, saving grace is that theres strong hints of Deep dragons being the mushroom and Lower Underdark loving sub-species of the Middle and Upper Underdark TRUE Purple dragons. It just makes sense.
- ZERO hints of Gray dragons from 4e or even the Fang ones. ZERO references or credit to the Brown or 2e " Yellow " ( Beige Imo ) dragons. Richard Alan Lloyd also created for Dragon Magazine Yellow coastal and WINGED dragons spewing salt. And jungle dwelling Orange WINGED dragons spewing oily sodium that combusts. He busted the yellow and oranges wings in his second art, years later. NOT true dragons Imo. Mere oversized lizard drakes than dragons. Was tiny bit hoping WotC could revamp and gloriously bring those dragons back, winged and keeping their traits intact! NOPE!
- Michael were on the verge of changing the Topaz dragons to the CORRECT non reversed setup. But someone " convinced " him to drop such foolishness. Seriously, theres NO reason to have this OCD inducing wing setup! I at first after getting the Fizbans Treasury of Dragons book, didnt mind it. Becasue it explained the wings are like that due to be great swimmers and fliers.. BUT... that dosent hold water. Bronze dragons and Yellow dragons are equal excellent fliers with their wings. Only SLIGHT reasoning is that the Topaz dragons hails from the Negative plane. But then, Crystal dragons should have sharp 90 degree wing setups since they are from the Positive plane?? Just bad.
- Tiny tangent. - An aversion to reference the color orange for any dragons present in book that have such a color in shine or tinge. Like Topaz, Copper dragons. Yes amber is yellowish-orange hue and copper reflects orange and red light. Explains the total disregard of any mention of Tiamat having other colors. Luckily the symbol of Asgorath/ Io is kept as a splatter of ALL colors. So thats something.
I have more strong opinions of the lacking, neglected kind. But as a dragon fan. Its disappointing.
Only hope is expanded Draconic source books that, honors, refreshing new art and bring in missing dragon types into a new glorious era! Theres NO dragon bloat IF each dragon species are uniqe! So theres potentiale and opportunity for more dragon content expanding upon all other types not in the spotlight! put the D in Dungeons & Dragons :)
Well. Thats my takes. Would love to hear your if you got hold of this otherwise pretty decent book of dragons
Things that make me want to travel to WotC HQ and demand answers!
These are weird statements. This book is not written, published or sold by D&D Beyond or WotC - they have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with it. The book is unofficial, non-canon, third party content written by Michael Witwer and published by DK Publishing - and you confirmed this author and publisher in your post, so you are aware it's not a WotC product. So, then, why are you blaming WotC for inaccuracies when you know they didn't write it and for design choices when you know they didn't design/publish it?
Weird take.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
The Book of Dragons does seem to be a licensed product, as it bears the D&D branding and copyrights, as well as referencing specific D&D IP not granted under the SRD. From what I can tell it falls under the same category as the Young Adventurer's Guide and Art & Arcana (which Witwer apparently also worked on).
As for why it's not been promoted by DDB, Beyond rarely promotes books that aren't going to be sold on the site, and the site doesn't sell books that don't integrate into the tools. As for WotC promoting it, maybe part of the licensing deal with DK is DK will handle the promotion, which is very often the kind of arrangement that is made.
The Book of Dragons does seem to be a licensed product, as it bears the D&D branding and copyrights, as well as referencing specific D&D IP not granted under the SRD. From what I can tell it falls under the same category as the Young Adventurer's Guide and Art & Arcana (which Witwer apparently also worked on).
Yeah maybe but the point is saying you want to complain to WotC for something they neither wrote nor published nor designed is a very odd choice.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
The Book of Dragons does seem to be a licensed product, as it bears the D&D branding and copyrights, as well as referencing specific D&D IP not granted under the SRD. From what I can tell it falls under the same category as the Young Adventurer's Guide and Art & Arcana (which Witwer apparently also worked on).
Yeah maybe but the point is saying you want to complain to WotC for something they neither wrote nor published nor designed is a very odd choice.
Oh, totes agree with that. This is very much an ancillary product existing outside the main D&D-as-a-game sphere, so expecting promotion in line with game books, especially here on DDB, doesn't strike me as a reasonable expectations
On top of everything else, the existence of Fizbans (and general demand) are good evidence that WotC would rather do their own updated Fizban's in due course. Likely the main reason for holding back is that the 2014 rules version might not have been one of the better received books.
I just happened to learn of this book yesterday when I saw it on Amazon.
I was wondering why I had not heard anything about it, but this discussion answers that.
It looked interesting, but I was holding off on pre-ordering as I wanted to hear more about it, and boom this thread appears :)
I see the book uses a lot of the art from the Dragons of D&D art PDF that DDB released in September of 2024 as a part of the 50th Anniversary. I believe it was the first release that showcased the new Dragon Designs. I have a copy in my Google Drive, but now I can't find any mention of it on DDB.
As a huge dragon fan, I'll most likely pick this up, but will wait for a sale or Prime Day deal.
Thank you all for the info :)
Cheers!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
I admit, feeling pretty dumb now. So the book is more like an auxillary product and just liscenced for other publishers like DK under their Penguin Random House. I should have done more reasearch indeed. Just seeing the WotC logo dosent means it comes directly from them.
I admit its odd I would demand answers if ever meeting WotC staff. More like sit down with cups of coffee.
Suggesting and spearhead the potentiale and what they have missed bringing into anything dragon related when it comes to such books. Im a person of cohesivness, structure and add in gaps of varity and want WotC to give credit to the awesome artist in the past, maybe as said, resurrect and make the missing dragons in full glory for 5e14/24.
Dont get me wrong. its an overall great book. Giving it an 7.5/ 10. Not that such means much.
Still would love say... * pondering title * Fizbans Wonderous Draconomicon! could be the chunkier more expanded tome of this book and Fizbans Treasury of draogns.
Cheers and have a good weekend!
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Just got my copy of this book. Not sure how well spread the book is and what your thoughts about it are. But I will share my first impressions after skimming through it and read through the most.. engaging parts...
Its made by Michael Witwer
Published by the british DK publisher.
Also... Near ZERO official marketing for this book by D&D Beyond and WotC. WHY?
Its a great book! Alot of info and very helpful to DMs and even players.
It settles some things, explain others and also infuriatingly neglect/ ignore certain things.
Some things ( explained under Bad ) is just mind numbingly, OCD inducing " WHY? ". Is it due to page space limitations? Cost? Time? Spite or strict demands?
Things that make me want to travel to WotC HQ and demand answers! x) I would love to visit and talk to folks there beside that for sure! :)
A short summary
The great!
- I HOPED the gem dragons would get more love. They did! And in all new splendid art!
- Sardior is hinted at NOT being dead. Open to intrepetation.
- Different artstyles from the past and currents seems to be more of phenotypes of the different dragon species
- A clearup of whats the difference between dragonborns, draconians, kobolds.
- Might not matter much but officialy, MOST dragonborns do not have tails, but its a lineage quirk. I dont mind it as long as folks can tell the difference of all these draconic humanoids.
- Love the head art of dragonborns by pure lineages and those with mixed. TOP NOTCH!
- Fantastic section of named dragons. Powerful to the ente degree!
The bad and lackluster credit/ honorable mention + art for past designers
- ZERO new art for Gem dragonborns in the section of dragonborns. HUGE shame!
- No mention of the Obsidian gem dragons and their dishonor
- The Topaz dragons had an info box about why their wings are reversed as " a mystery " in preview pictures of The Book of Dragons. Its GONE from the release version of this book! Sucpicious...
- No mention of lesser known Metallic dragons or even IMO, their sub-family of Ferrous ( means Iron basically ) dragons and even other planar dragons linked to metallics like the 4e Orium and Adamantine dragons
- Lack of description and mention of other draconic humanoids like: Half-Dragons, Dragonkin, Dragonspawn ( Tiamats past answer to Bahamuts dragonborn that morphed from any other species of humanoid )
- They categorize the salamander like Deep dragons from 5e Fizbans as ugh... purple dragons. This is a book of DRAGONS. Talk about disdain for the past dragons and great art of them. NAmely the 3e, 4e actual Purple dragons. Even Richard Alan Lloyds Purple dragons that breathe plasma energy. A comforting, saving grace is that theres strong hints of Deep dragons being the mushroom and Lower Underdark loving sub-species of the Middle and Upper Underdark TRUE Purple dragons. It just makes sense.
- ZERO hints of Gray dragons from 4e or even the Fang ones. ZERO references or credit to the Brown or 2e " Yellow " ( Beige Imo ) dragons. Richard Alan Lloyd also created for Dragon Magazine Yellow coastal and WINGED dragons spewing salt. And jungle dwelling Orange WINGED dragons spewing oily sodium that combusts. He busted the yellow and oranges wings in his second art, years later. NOT true dragons Imo. Mere oversized lizard drakes than dragons. Was tiny bit hoping WotC could revamp and gloriously bring those dragons back, winged and keeping their traits intact! NOPE!
- Michael were on the verge of changing the Topaz dragons to the CORRECT non reversed setup. But someone " convinced " him to drop such foolishness. Seriously, theres NO reason to have this OCD inducing wing setup! I at first after getting the Fizbans Treasury of Dragons book, didnt mind it. Becasue it explained the wings are like that due to be great swimmers and fliers.. BUT... that dosent hold water. Bronze dragons and Yellow dragons are equal excellent fliers with their wings. Only SLIGHT reasoning is that the Topaz dragons hails from the Negative plane. But then, Crystal dragons should have sharp 90 degree wing setups since they are from the Positive plane?? Just bad.
- Tiny tangent. - An aversion to reference the color orange for any dragons present in book that have such a color in shine or tinge. Like Topaz, Copper dragons. Yes amber is yellowish-orange hue and copper reflects orange and red light. Explains the total disregard of any mention of Tiamat having other colors. Luckily the symbol of Asgorath/ Io is kept as a splatter of ALL colors. So thats something.
I have more strong opinions of the lacking, neglected kind. But as a dragon fan. Its disappointing.
Only hope is expanded Draconic source books that, honors, refreshing new art and bring in missing dragon types into a new glorious era! Theres NO dragon bloat IF each dragon species are uniqe! So theres potentiale and opportunity for more dragon content expanding upon all other types not in the spotlight! put the D in Dungeons & Dragons :)
Well. Thats my takes. Would love to hear your if you got hold of this otherwise pretty decent book of dragons
The reason it doesn't get any attention from WotC is because it doesn't have anything to do with WotC. DK is a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.
&
These are weird statements. This book is not written, published or sold by D&D Beyond or WotC - they have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with it. The book is unofficial, non-canon, third party content written by Michael Witwer and published by DK Publishing - and you confirmed this author and publisher in your post, so you are aware it's not a WotC product. So, then, why are you blaming WotC for inaccuracies when you know they didn't write it and for design choices when you know they didn't design/publish it?
Weird take.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
The Book of Dragons does seem to be a licensed product, as it bears the D&D branding and copyrights, as well as referencing specific D&D IP not granted under the SRD. From what I can tell it falls under the same category as the Young Adventurer's Guide and Art & Arcana (which Witwer apparently also worked on).
As for why it's not been promoted by DDB, Beyond rarely promotes books that aren't going to be sold on the site, and the site doesn't sell books that don't integrate into the tools. As for WotC promoting it, maybe part of the licensing deal with DK is DK will handle the promotion, which is very often the kind of arrangement that is made.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Yeah maybe but the point is saying you want to complain to WotC for something they neither wrote nor published nor designed is a very odd choice.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Oh, totes agree with that. This is very much an ancillary product existing outside the main D&D-as-a-game sphere, so expecting promotion in line with game books, especially here on DDB, doesn't strike me as a reasonable expectations
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
On top of everything else, the existence of Fizbans (and general demand) are good evidence that WotC would rather do their own updated Fizban's in due course. Likely the main reason for holding back is that the 2014 rules version might not have been one of the better received books.
I just happened to learn of this book yesterday when I saw it on Amazon.
I was wondering why I had not heard anything about it, but this discussion answers that.
It looked interesting, but I was holding off on pre-ordering as I wanted to hear more about it, and boom this thread appears :)
I see the book uses a lot of the art from the Dragons of D&D art PDF that DDB released in September of 2024 as a part of the 50th Anniversary.
I believe it was the first release that showcased the new Dragon Designs. I have a copy in my Google Drive, but now I can't find any mention of it on DDB.
As a huge dragon fan, I'll most likely pick this up, but will wait for a sale or Prime Day deal.
Thank you all for the info :)
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
Thanks for the replies!
I admit, feeling pretty dumb now. So the book is more like an auxillary product and just liscenced for other publishers like DK under their Penguin Random House. I should have done more reasearch indeed. Just seeing the WotC logo dosent means it comes directly from them.
I admit its odd I would demand answers if ever meeting WotC staff. More like sit down with cups of coffee.
Suggesting and spearhead the potentiale and what they have missed bringing into anything dragon related when it comes to such books. Im a person of cohesivness, structure and add in gaps of varity and want WotC to give credit to the awesome artist in the past, maybe as said, resurrect and make the missing dragons in full glory for 5e14/24.
Dont get me wrong. its an overall great book. Giving it an 7.5/ 10. Not that such means much.
Still would love say... * pondering title * Fizbans Wonderous Draconomicon! could be the chunkier more expanded tome of this book and Fizbans Treasury of draogns.
Cheers and have a good weekend!