D&D’s next adventures are being designed to come apart at the seams

The release schedule for Dungeons & Dragons is packed with some meaty new adventures this year, but publisher Wizards of the Coast is rapidly changing how they’re produced. run like clockwork, almost linear campaign like Waterdeep: Dragon Heist And Icewind Dale: Rim of the Frostmaiden, In their place are books that can be easily disassembled quickly, by players and Dungeon Masters alike to create their own unique, homebrew campaigns.

“We learn from our fan base when we create products,” said product manager Chris Lindsay. “And we’ve learned from our fan base that what they really want are things they can take apart and use as they want in their games.”

It’s easy to see the core of this particular change for 5th edition. love anthology candle mystery, keys from the golden vaultAnd Journeys through the Radiant Citadel have been hits in part because they contain excellent adventures capable of running across multiple settings across multiple levels. they have been The praise piled on from outlets like Play Gamez, but also from other writers who voted on the 58th Nebula Awards. Even reboots of older D&D franchises, such as van richten’s guide to ravenloft And Spelljammer: Adventures in Space, are designed more as buffets of content rather than scripted epics. The 2023 slate of releases will build on that foundation.

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Image: Cynthia Shepard / Wizards of the Coast

Publication calendar starting 15th August Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants, a big ol’ book of big ol’ giants. It should have almost same format Dragon’s Treasure of FizbanMost of the content is geared towards the DM, with new character creation options and things like that. During a press briefing earlier this month, its developers said that it would integrate well with existing exploits. thunder kingBut its real intention is to inspire creativity.

comes next Phandelver and below: The Shattered ObeliskWhich hits the road on 19th September. It is inspired by the small, rural town of the original 5th edition dungeons and dragons starter set – Holy ground for fans of The Adventure Zone, but also the first point of contact for many 5th Edition devotees. Although it is a linear jumble as written, product manager Hillary Ross states that it is also designed to be cannibalized for other purposes.

“Even with a straight-forward adventure,” Ross said, “you want to make sure that we […] Invite all those DMs who are actually homebrewers. We really want you to lean in to write your own stories in that space, so that you get that opportunity. […] We really wanted to open it up and welcome everyone.

Fans will have access on October 17 Planescape: Adventures in the MultiverseThe hugely popular 1990s TSR-produced setting that spawned an iconic video game, Planescape: Torment, While you can still enjoy the classic thanks to Beamdog’s excellent modernization, the setting hasn’t received a proper tabletop update since 4th edition. dungeon master guide 2,

Image: Tyler Jacobson / Wizards of the Coast

For this next iteration, fans should expect the same three-volume approach used spelljammerTogether the three books are serving as a creative workshop of sorts for the aspiring DM. sigil and outlands would set the stage for the famous doughnut-shaped City of Doors, a mystical place that serves as a crossroads for the entire D&D multiverse. Morte’s Planer Parade Will contain 64 pages of all new rules for demons. Finally, fortune wheel turn off Players will have a hardcore experience with massive level jumps mid-campaign – but once again, the slime adventure is designed for groups to take it in several different directions.

“one of the most important [reasons why we] Keep these feats in there, though, [is] Not just for you to play them, ”insisted Lindsay. “Because we want you to play them. They are absolutely incredible experiences. However, a setting like Planescape can feel a bit overwhelming for new Dungeon Masters, or even just Dungeon Masters who have had little experience with such a setting.” There isn’t an opportunity to engage that’s open like that. So having an adventure out there that gives you a specific example of the kinds of things that can happen to you in a planescape setting, and then of course your imagination can roam from there Can be as you make it.

Transition to end in 2023 with more open-ended products deck of many things, which is a toolkit for the DM rather than a compilation of adventures. The Deck of Many Things of the same name is a legendary artifact that goes back to the creation of D&D in 1975. Drawing from the deck brings powerful rules or events into the game world, and its chances of hitting 22 cards are as much about the party as anything else. Wizards will include an additional 44 cards for DMs and players to choose from when creating their own custom decks, as well as a guide book full of tips, tricks and inspiration on how to use the deck at your table Could

Image: Wizards of the Coast

“One of the things we provide is a way you can lay out the cards that will allow you to find inspiration and build your adventure,” Lindsey said. “I’m particularly excited about this, because it brings attention to all of our domestic players and allows them to take this product and really create something for themselves.”

Lindsey insisted, though deck of many things For advanced players only.

“That toolbox builds on a skill set that Dungeon Masters should already have,” he said.

deck of many thingsWhich includes all 66 cards and a decorative slipcase, arrives November 14. Only Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants is currently available for pre-order, and includes Wizards’ new, higher price point of $59.95. Wizards of the Coast offers the book with a digital edition, while Amazon does not. You can also pick up a book with a special type of cover at a friendly local game store.