D&D 5E That Eberron Cover Is Just A Placeholder

According to WotC's Jeremy Crawford, Ben Oliver's cover for Eberron: Rising from the Last War on Amazon and WotC's website is an interior illustration serving as a placeholder.

Crawford added that "That warforged has customized itself in unusual ways. Each warforged can alter how it looks. That said, the book has plenty of traditional-looking warforged." There's more to the art, as you can see in the banner across the top of WotC's webpage. I rather like it.

Ben Oliver is credited as the cover artist in WotC's product page; his cover art will presumably be revealed soon, as the book is only three months away.

Ben Oliver was the artist who illustrated the covers of Tomb of Annihilation and Curse of Strahd.

 

[DWChancellor]

So, not fair to WotC, the publisher of the book? I’m just trying to figure out who you feel is being treated unfairly in some way.

Yeah, I guess that's it. It is like talking about sports cars and someone mentions that the Tesla S could have a nicer interior. Sure, it is sort-of-relevant, and sure, it could be nicer, but the point of the Tesla is to get you an electric car. The point of Acq. Inc. is to highlight Penny Arcade's version which includes a Krahulik cover. One thing isn't quite like the others.

 

[Parmandur]

Yeah, I guess that's it. It is like talking about sports cars and someone mentions that the Tesla S could have a nicer interior. Sure, it is sort-of-relevant, and sure, it could be nicer, but the point of the Tesla is to get you an electric car. The point of Acq. Inc. is to highlight Penny Arcade's version which includes a Krahulik cover. One thing isn't quite like the others.

Not an apples to apples comparison. The Rick and Morty box set isn't going to follow the normal art design, either.

 

[MockingBird]

It isn't really fair to lump in Acq. Inc. since it was a pet project that WOTC decided to publish as an official book.

I wasnt really sure where it fell in the grand scheme of 5e books. I only added that side note to express my opinion on the art style (which isn't horrible by any means, I just dont like it personally). I could have easily said "I love all the art work on all the 5e books" but that isn't true cause I dont like the Acq Inc art.

 

[DWChancellor]

I could have easily said "I love all the art work on all the 5e books" but that isn't true cause I dont like the Acq Inc art.

Sorry if you felt I was being negative =) That cover certainly sticks out whether you like it or not. Just a bit of a D&D art nerd, me.

Cheers.

 

[MockingBird]

Sorry if you felt I was being negative =) That cover certainly sticks out whether you like it or not. Just a bit of a D&D art nerd, me.

Cheers.

I didnt feel any negativity. I understood what you meant I just figured I'd better articulate my thoughts on it haha.

 

[MNblockhead]

Ben Oliver, who also did the cover art for Curse of Strahd.

I really liked the Curse of Strahd cover. It really did a good job of capturing the flavor of the adventure. The Eberron picture didn’t. Though I think that it could be fine as an interior piece. But it’ll be difficult for any picture to top the alternative cover, which alI really like.

 

[Dr. Bull]

Please... Everyone... Take a closer look?

The resolution of the art is different. It is a low-res image. The cover art is actually pretty good (if it had been in a higher resolution). Shadows, skin tone, detail... They are all of a "lower" quality than what we have grown accustomed to... Relax!
The final art is guaranteed to be excellent. WOTC prides itself on image and imagery. The "bar" gets raised every time they produce a product. I doubt that they will suddenly produce something that people won't purchase!

The alternative cover is pretty cool though, eh?

 

[doctorhook]

Honestly, I don't see any problem with the cover. I like the limited edition art better, but it also doesn't match the branding for the rest of the D&D product lines. The only thing "wrong" with the default cover to me is the warforged's sword doesn't have a tip...

It’s just a face, man. It doesn’t show us anything related to anything, especially in this hobby where we’re generally making our own heroes. Who is the person? Why is their head the entirety of this cover? Why not an action scene like every other Eberron cover ever? This one is not great cover art.

 

[doctorhook]

The final art is guaranteed to be excellent. WOTC prides itself on image and imagery.

I see you don’t own a 5e Player’s Handbook!

EDIT: Halflings.

 

[darjr]

The Acq Inc book IS SO a part of the main line! Don’t @ me.