Dungeons and Dragons News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Dungeons and Dragons just confirmed an updated SRD featuring the new rules from the 2024 core rulebooks is coming shortly after the revision is complete. Fans can expect SRD 5.2 to arrive shortly after the revised Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual releases in February 2025.

Critical Role just announced Beacon, its new membership and streaming service that includes exclusive bonus content, early access to shows, and other premium perks. Run by Critical Role directly, this new service does not replace existing options like Twitch or YouTube, but is a different platform through which fans can support the company and its Dungeons and Dragons actual play shows.

Wizards of the Coast, publishers of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, has released a new FAQ addressing the use of generative AI in both franchises. As a controversial technology, it is an area that fans have been inquiring about. Generative AI has already been at the heart of controversy for Wizards, like when the company replaced AI-generated artwork in Bigby Presents: Glory of Giants for future printings after it was discovered AI artwork had been used.

has used 'fifth edition ever since it debuted back in 2015. With its simple, easy to understand mechanics, well-known reputation, and relatively fast gameplay for a tabletop game, it made it the perfect system for the streaming show, so much so that other shows, like have followed in the same vein. Still, with the constant controversy that Wizards of the Coast seems to find itself in, could look at leaving the system behind.

The revised rules for will begin its release this year, but the staggered schedule will prevent players from judging the edition’s balance until 2025. One D&D, or edition 5.5, is launching in a different order from the original 5e books. The fifth edition was released in August 2014, the in September, and the in December of that year. This year will see the revised and, but the new does not drop until 2025, making it impossible to properly evaluate its game design until the new year.

is known for its many classes and spell casters. The warlock is unique in that its spell slots can regenerate with a short rest, but it comes with having far fewer spell slots compared to most other classes. All warlock spells are cast at their highest available spell slot as well, an additional difference to other classes, which plays on the idea of borrowed power via a pact.

The 5e ruleset has an abundance of playable races for players to choose from, many of which are based on real-world animals. It's not difficult for characters to transform into animals, as this is the point of the druid's Wild Shape ability in , and there are different spells that allow the player to shift form. But there are also plenty of options for playing an animal the whole time. It just depends on whether a player wants to spend the entire game playing as a rabbit or a cat with a sword.

The upcoming adventure focuses on one of the most iconic villains in the tabletop game's history, but the return of another classic foe could have the potential to steal the show. As a multiversal romp through various settings, has its fair share of familiar faces from past adventures. All of these disparate pieces are linked by the Rod of Seven Parts, a separated and scattered artifact that needs to be reassembled if the party has any hope of defeating Vecna.

fans looking to play through a piece of history or just embark upon a classic quest are in luck as a version of one of Gary Gygax's original adventures is now available for free. While Wizards of the Coast does encourage role-players to create their own fantasy worlds, the company also releases plenty of pre-written tales to flesh out its fantasy world and serve as prompts for those who may not wish to create entire worlds. Fortunately, those who may be hesitant to purchase one of these tomes can now check out a classic adventure for nothing.

has a reputation as one of the most interesting sourcebooks for 5e, and some of its most interesting additions come in the form of wondrous tomes. These books feature a variety of spells and unique abilities, granting their bearers access to more power that tends to fall within specific themes. These can make for great treasure for a party wizard to find, and the unique flavor of each as a physical object is a nice bonus that helps give the books some personality.

Hasbro teased more video games based on Dungeonsand Dragons are in the works from the company's developers, following Larian Studios' recent announcement about its future. As one of the most iconic tabletop RPGs in gaming, the beloved franchise from Wizards of the Coast has welcomed a variety of different games to its library. The Forgotten Realms have been home to many video games, ranging from the Baldur's Gate franchise to Gameloft's newly announced Dungeons and Dragons survival RPG. Now, following Baldur's Gate 3's success, Hasbro reportedly has more on the way.

is an ever-changing, ever-growing game, and this ability to reinvent itself is part of why it's able to celebrate a 50th anniversary this year with an audience that's bigger than ever. It's also taking the opportunity to shake things up once more with a cavalcade of new books, including several core rulebooks that freshen up the ideas governing 's fifth edition for the past decade. Publisher Wizards of the Coast dropped the One D&D branding originally intended for the new products about a year ago, but it doesn't seem like it's reneged on any of its ambition.

The immense and immersive world of has evolved and grown over the years, particularly with each new iteration of the core rule books. In the current fifth edition (5e) system for the tabletop roleplaying game, the common universe of the Forgotten Realms has many deities, each with their own background of iconography and lore attached to them. Under the discretion of their DM, groups might also flex their creativity to introduce new ideas for Gods or Goddesses into a homebrew for their private games.

Dungeons and Dragons is getting a new LEGO set this spring. The newly unveiled product, meant to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the celebrated tabletop game, originated from LEGO's massively successful crowdsourcing platform.

LEGO has officially revealed an upcoming set for the 50th anniversary of the tabletop RPG, and it packs a lot of iconic elements into one design. The origins of the model come from a LEGO Ideas contest held in 2022, which picked one fan design as the winner to be produced as an actual set. Although the concept has undergone some revisions by official LEGO designers, the overall size, structure, and ideas of the contest winner all make it into the final product.

has been no stranger to recent controversy, and some new buzz around the involvement of AI has reignited tensions regarding the future of the game. Artificial intelligence has been a big talking point in the past couple of years, with developments in text, image, and video generation leaving many concerned about the future of artistic industries. As people look to companies for reassurance about creator rights and a focus on human work, they're often receiving the opposite in return.

Following the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3, Hasbro and Wizard's of the Coast have approved Disney Dreamlight Valley developer Gameloft Montreal to work on a brand new Dungeons and Dragons survival-RPG. The 2023 Game of the Year Baldur's Gate 3 was seen by many as a return to form for Dungeons and Dragons video games, and the IP's owners are keen to keep the momentum rolling with another upcoming title based on the classic franchise.

video game adaptations often focus on the high adventure that can be found within the tabletop experience, but a new life sim could shake things up from the standard. Life simulation games have become increasingly popular in recent years, from the spike in 's popularity to the ever-expanding realm of cozy indie games. It's a template that can be applied to just about anything if the execution is well-considered, and is certainly no exception.

There are many rules that tabletop RPG fans might consider iconic to , ranging from the natural 20 critical hit, to a cleric’s Turn Undead ability, but the addition of Opportunity Attacks redefined the flow of combat more than anything else in modern. Prior to the rule’s inclusion, the tactical complexity of battle was severely reduced, largely a function of opposing static numbers on a character sheet and a monster’s stat block. Opportunity Attacks made grid-based combat more rewarding, while significantly adding to the relevance of a melee-focused frontline.

One of the best parts of is the creativity and versatility that the game provides within the parameters of its rulesets and what the game master decides. While this can apply to any part of the game, one of the first and most important decisions for any campaign is what setting the adventure will take place in. There are many official settings, but a nearly endless supply of unofficial settings have also been shared with the community by talented creators.

NASA just released a free Dungeons and Dragons adventure that explores an alternative universe where the Hubble Space Telescope never existed. Titled “The Lost Universe,” NASA’s free adventure can be easily adapted to Dungeons and Dragons or any other tabletop roleplaying system.

may already be overflowing with different character creation options, but one dedicated player is going above and beyond to add another popular race to the game. Since developer Larian Studios has been so inviting to modders, fans of the role-playing game have spent plenty of time creating original content to expand upon the already massive experience. Despite how faithfully captures the essence of, some players want even more diversity.

Because of its wargaming roots, has always involved miniatures in some way. While some people prefer so-called theater of the mind exploration and combat, others prefer to use miniatures so that they have a tactile way to interact with the game world. There are a lot of officially licensed miniatures out there, from pre-painted sets representing the newest adventure books to unpainted kits players have to assemble themselves.

Beloved tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons has revealed that the company will end official Portuguese translations for the game's sourcebooks following this year. First released nearly 50 years ago, the tabletop RPG now published by Wizards of the Coast has become one of the world's most iconic tabletop games. The game has featured multiple iterations throughout its long life, with Wizards of the Coast regularly expanding Dungeons and Dragons with new sourcebooks, modules, and rulesets. Now, however, the developer is reportedly set to end support for one language.

First appearing in the Unearthed Arcana playtests, magic tattoos became an official part of the world with the release of the sourcebook in 2020. Like just about everything else in, magic tattoos are unique character features with an emphasis on the supernatural. They can be used to both customize a character's appearance, and to give them a new set of powers at once. They're ideal for a wide variety of character types, since they don't require spell slots to use. With the right preparation, anyone can have a magic tattoo.

Many Baldur's Gate 3 players are reporting a plethora of new issues following the game's newest update. Baldur's Gate 3's recent patch, which is unfortunately causing significant frustration, also introduced plenty of new features.

The release date, preorder bonuses, bundle details, and other information about ’ adventure book have been revealed, allowing players to better understand who they will be facing and what types of threats to expect. Adventure books for offer Dungeon Masters a chance to tell new stories set within different locations. Most books are designed for specific levels and follow players on journeys with a designated path, although they do have the liberty to deviate from the story being told and explore freely. is expected to be a high-level adventure.

players will have five new books to look forward to in 2024 with a great mix of adventures and resources to dive into. 2024 is set to be a very big year for as the game celebrates its 50th anniversary and concludes its playtesting for the latest edition. So what exciting new goodies can be expected in 2023?

Dungeons and Dragons just revealed the release dates of a half dozen new books it has planned over the next year. These six new Dungeons and Dragons books include the revised Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual, which will be released as a part of the One D&D project.

is a living game, meaning that it grows and changes as time passes, and that includes the ever-useful Player's Handbook. Whether that is from basic to to third, fourth, or fifth edition, the game has never stayed the same for long. The last full edition of, 5e, was released in 2014 after being playtested under the name D&D Next.

Resolution Games, known for its work on the VR board game Demeo, has announced a partnership with Wizards of the Coast to develop a VR title based on Dungeons and Dragons. Not too many details about the game have been revealed aside from the fact that it will be the first official Dungeons and Dragons VR game.

Demeo developer Resolution Games has announced an officially-licensed Dungeons and Dragons VR game, partnering with Wizards of the Coast for its adaptation of the iconic franchise. The massively popular role-playing game has long been one of the most recognizable franchises in tabletop gaming, spawning a media empire that ranges from novels and video games to web series and more. The game has been particularly prominent in recent years, following the success of spinoffs like Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Baldur's Gate 3.

The number one rule in is that there are no hard-and-fast rules. The Dungeon Master has the ability and right to change or add any rule to the game that would make the game more fun. Players often call this the Rule of Cool because, even though the rules as written make what it is, no one wants to play a game that isn't fun and cool.

Playing can mean having to keep track of a lot of information, whether someone is acting as the dungeon master or a player, and like the common saying, there is always an app that can help. Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) include lots of stats, rules, character designs, lore, and plenty of math during the game and even away from the table. Parties can focus more on the adventure at hand when they make use of some of the various mobile apps that exist.

lets people unleash their imagination in worlds of their own creation as they set off on adventures. However, despite taking place primarily in a fantasy setting, has some great real world benefits too. At its heart, is a social game which has the power to provide skills and experiences that can be transferred into people’s lives.

A Dungeons and Dragons campaign that lasted for 30 years has recently ended in a total party kill (TPK), according to its dungeon master. Most Dungeons and Dragons campaigns do not last more than a year or two, but this group stayed together for three decades, taking their characters up to Level 20 and seeing a devastating end to their story.

2024 is set to be a big year for rule changes, and the transition will be a lot easier for players who get accustomed to some of the more major ones ahead of time. The fifth edition of has undergone some evolution over the years, but mostly in a carefully managed way, with more robust class options or new playable races being drip-fed across a number of books. With the advent of the supposedly perpetual One D&D, however, a sweeping overhaul is happening that could significantly alter the balance of characters or campaigns.

One D&Dis set to shake up when it arrives as the newest incarnation of the roleplaying game in 2024, and some of its changes are easy to get excited about. Anticipation for One D&D is somewhat mixed, with contentious choices and a recent history of game license changes serving to sacrifice some goodwill from the tabletop community. Even so, there are plenty of new ideas coming in 2024 that have solid foundations and interesting implications.

Revised core rulebooks for could be released in mid-2024, but the continued aim to create a never-ending edition of the game shows Wizards of the Coast has grown out of touch with ’s fans, and the tabletop RPG hobby at large. This year saw the company burn bridges with many consumers over its attempt to create a more draconian OGL that would severely impact third-party gaming products. Though this was eventually walked back, the breach of trust is difficult for many to forget. Investor-targeted statements about being “under-monetized” raised further red flags, but the ongoing push for a perpetual edition remains the biggest misstep.

Over the past 50 years, has had dozens of classes players could adopt for their characters, along with many more subclasses to choose from. The original game started with only three basic classes, the fighting-man, the cleric, and the magic-user. 5e has not added a new character class since 2020, when the artificer was published in, which brought the total number of official classes up to 13. However, there are many unreleased classes and subclasses that have been unofficially published as playtests.

Starbreeze Entertainment is working on a new action-adventure game based on Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons and Dragons property. Codenamed Project Baxter, it will launch in 2026 for “all major platforms” with cross-play. Check out the first two pieces of concept art below.

Making an interesting character is all part of the fun of playing, but devising a good concept can sometimes be one of the most challenging aspects. Ideally, a character should feel like a natural part of the world, but creating a stock fantasy trope isn't the most interesting path. It’s far too easy to fall into the trap of using the same clichés when rolling a new character, resulting in a party that feels more like a template than an interesting group of adventurers. Any character can be roleplayed in an interesting way, but having a unique spin up front makes this task a lot easier.

2024 is set to be a big year for , and a new PAX Unplugged panel in honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the game offered a sneak peek at some books that will be coming out soon. With the imminent introduction of One D&D, the newest iteration of that will be backward compatible with the current fifth edition, the coming year will be a transitional period for material released for the game. Getting a glimpse of what's ahead is helpful for DMs and players who want to stay abreast of changes or anyone interested in jumping in for the first time.

is based on, but reaching the maximum level of 20 isn't possible in this video game version of the beloved tabletop RPG. The level cap is significantly reduced to level 12, which is higher than it was in the early access version of the game but doesn't hold up against 's standard. However, players shouldn't hold onto hope that developer Larian Studios will be increasing the level cap further anytime soon through expansions or DLC.

for 5e adds a lot of utility and lore to the much-loved Deck of Many Things magic item. For decades, players have been able to draw a card from the Deck for a random and sometimes game-changing effect. The newest version has been expanded in ways that will ensure players and DMs have resources of all kinds for almost any kind of game they want to run.

The Deck of Many Things has been a staple of for almost 40 years. When a character draws a card, a magical effect occurs. Some are peaceful and beneficial, and some are powerful enough to disrupt the session, if not the entire campaign.

The Deck of Many Things has been a player-favorite item in since 1975. With the release of, Wizards of the Coast has added 44 new cards to the classic magic item. The cards drawn from the deck can create game-changing effects, both positive and negative, or they might simply be quirky novelties the party will laugh at later on. That kind of random chance is why the Deck of Many Things has endured almost fifty years.

The Deck of Many Things has been a fan-favorite item in for nearly 50 years. It was introduced in 1975, and since then, players have been chancing their luck in hopes of winning what might as well be a fantasy lottery. With the 2023 release of, Wizards of the Coast has added even more cards to draw and a slew of never-before-seen magic items that the 5e version of the Deck can bestow on players lucky enough to draw the right card.

The expansion bundle including and contains many new options for player character customization. As per usual, this new release for the Fifth Edition of expands on the ways in which the game can be played. It brings a wide variety of new rules, concepts, and magic items to the table, in this case, all themed around cards, luck, and games of chance.

2023 may well be known as the year wholly embraced chaos, and boxed set helps exemplify that. It seems like most of the year, 5e has leaned into the strange and chaotic possibilities the TTRPG can offer, with releases like,, and now all allowing players to have fun in the mayhem of the multiverse. Of all of these, however, bundle may best illustrate just how fun all that randomness and chance can be in 5e.

is the newest addition to 5e, and a bundle focused on the new sourcebook offers a deluxe package for anyone interested in adding a little chaos to a campaign. The inspiration for the new book comes from the classic magic The Deck of Many Things, a deck of cards that contains wild effects both helpful and harmful to spice up the life of any party willing to take some risks. expands on this concept in new ways and builds interesting options around it through a number of different avenues.

Some of the most memorable NPCs in are devils and demons, but the universe has many more that Larian Studios could include in potential DLC. Though not technically part of 5e canon yet, Larian's popular RPG takes place following the hardcover adventure, in which the players travel to the first layer of the Nine Hells and encounter an array of cambions, demons, and devils. Any number of these characters would be perfect for inclusion in DLC.

The newest One D&Dplaytest release,, is out and open for surveys until November 5, 2023. Many of the changes Wizards of the Coast has proposed so far for the upcoming next edition of have been controversial, to say the least. From removing class-specific spell lists to changing critical successes and failures altogether, the game designers have been experimenting with a variety of new mechanics. In this latest update, a brand-new system for player strongholds called Bastions makes up the bulk of the content, but keen players will take notice of some major changes to cantrips that could greatly affect game balance.

As rejoins the universe, updated for 5th Edition, there is one name that is forever linked with this fantastically weird world; Tony DiTerlizzi. Players of the original of the 90s will remember DiTerlizzi's unique art style, bringing the strange denizens of Sigil and the Outlands to life. In a world where all the other Planes of meet and intermingle, Planescape has its own feel and philosophy where devils, angels and modrons all exist side by side.

Experienced groups often attempt to spice up new campaigns with innovative storytelling techniques, and adding one or more wildcard characters is a great tool for DMs. If a DM has run prior games for the same group of players, even the most skilled storyteller can become predictable. Players may anticipate plot twists and themes well in advance, due to familiarity. While the players themselves always bring surprises to a campaign, true wildcard NPCs can ensure that every participant is engaged and excited for where the campaign might go. For groups ready for an advanced approach to tabletop RPGs, a wildcard is an ideal addition.

is the latest additional resource for 5e. The boxed set, which launched fully on October 17, includes a bestiary, a setting guidebook, and an adventure book called «Turn of Fortune's Wheel.» Because of its scale, includes numerous additions that can be used in 5e campaigns outside of Sigil and the Outlands. However, some of these additions provide rules or options that can be especially fun to utilize in other adventures.

' newest edition to its library is, a set of three books that bring together many facets of the expanded worlds that the game encompasses and makes nearly anything possible in its mystical planes. Among these books is, a new companion book to the standard that adds many mighty monsters to the multiversal menagerie. Using similar presentations of stat blocks, has more than 60 enemies included for adventuring parties to vanquish, or at least attempt to.

The Planescape setting has returned to the fifth edition of , with plenty of new options for character customization. Planescape was first introduced in the second edition of, the original version of which didn't allow for angelic or demonic characters. These options were added in the first iteration of the Planescape setting, which establishes a detailed cosmology across a diverse range of existential planes. The new release,, does just the same, adapting the original rules, lore, and geography required for reality-bending campaigns to the particulars of 's fifth edition.

' latest offering is, a 3-book set that includes a setting guide, a bestiary, and an adventure called. Sigil and the Outlands are known for their weirdness and that's reflected in the magic items available in for 5e as well. However, the best new magic items should be a priority for any adventurer, since they'll make navigating and exploring the Outlands much easier.

latest book, has some very Lovecraftian new monsters included in its bestiary to add some more horror to the tabletop game. The book includes 35 enemies to go along with its adventures in the region of Phandalin, 20 of whom are horrific creatures that truly are pretty cool in a terrifying way. Many of these monsters may have started as fairly ordinary beings who have since become warped beyond recognition to create nightmare fuel.

When visiting a ruined arcane tower in, the owner Lenore is nowhere to be found, although clues are scattered throughout for the party to find. Hints to a grisly fate for Lenore do, however, appear elsewhere in the depths of the Underdark. Some things have been changed since the game's period in early access, but evidence used to point toward the idea that Lenore may have been eaten by her own pet. This remains a distinct possibility, but there's room for other interpretations of where her story went.

is the latest in a list of major crossovers, and the new DLC brings a variety of iconic elements from the tabletop roleplaying game with it. Improving equipment, fighting monsters, and journeying through dangerous caves have long been a major part of, making some core gameplay tenets of feel like natural additions. The DLC doubles down on elements of roleplaying progression and channels them into classic tabletop avenues, with the inclusion of four classes particularly serving to set it apart from the typical experience.

is putting all its metaphorical cards on the table when the newest boxed set releases next month. With a mentality of "," serves as a hub where any part of 's multiverse can come together or collide. As 5e continues to embrace an MCU-like multiverse, Sigil, the Outlands, and the entirety of can unite the fifth edition content that came before it while setting up 's future next year. What this means is that is just as weird, wacky, and psychedelic as its title implies.

The weird and wonderful world of Sigil comes alive in from . And in a new, exclusive trailer for the upcoming 5e boxed set, the fashion of Sigil is no full display thanks to Rogue Magazine. In the clip, the style of the setting is shown off, with characters in gear and outfits adventurers might spot at the Fortune Wheel's Gala or inside one of Sigil's popular hotspots like The Smoldering Corpse.

is the latest tabletop RPG from Free League Publishing, incorporating the ruleset to great effect. As its title implies, this book is all about grog-loving buccaneers and the high seas, and it has all the dark humor and brutality associated with a offering. With nautical lore, naval combat, and Lovecraftian horror, is everything anyone could want in a sea-faring TTRPG.

For many players, brainstorming a new character concept can be nearly as entertaining as a campaign, but experienced tabletop RPG fans have learned that some character archetypes are a lot more fun in theory than in practice. Players may want to pay homage to a character from a book or series they enjoy, or they may be inspired by discussion forums. Veteran players realize that the way a character plays and the way they are received will vary wildly based on the specifics of a Dungeon Master’s campaign and the player group they are fighting alongside.

Several of the core handbooks are on sale at Amazon, as are a bunch of expansions and campaigns.

When I got our review build of Baldur's Gate 3 a week ago, one of the first things I said to myself was to carve some time out to work on the multiplayer impressions of the RPG. And while I'm hard at work on our review (expect another review-in-progress update this week), getting a multiplayer game has been less than successful.