Mercurius
Legend
With WotC's relatively new focus on publishing settings, there's been tons of speculation on what we'll eventually see coming down the pike. Seeing as it is scattered through a bunch of different threads, I thought it would be worthwhile to start a "meta-thread" discussing the issue as a whole, particularly around speculation with regards to (hypothetical) order and likelihood of publication. I know less about the Magic settings, but will give it a shot based upon a cursory scan of the settings.
LEGACY SETTINGS
Definite: Forgotten Realms (via adventure paths). It seems a foregone conclusion that we'll continue to see the Realms as the default setting. Presumably they'll eventually expand beyond the North, probably into the Dalelands/Cormyr/Moonsea region, possiblly Lantan, Thay, Anauroch, etc.
Likely/Sooner-than-later: Dark Sun, Planescape. These just seem to be the most likely to happen in the next few years, both because they offer something new to the 5E line that are intrinsic parts of the game (psionics, sword & sorcery, planes), and also because people are obviously clamoring for them--at least the vocal minority of quasi-grognards.
Maybe-to-probably/At some point: Forgotten Realms (campaign book), Dragonlance, Greyhawk, Spelljammer, Ravenloft, Al-Qadim. All for different reasons. FR may never get another big setting book, although is definite for further coverage in adventure books. Dragonlance and Greyhawk both seem quite possible, although it wouldn't surprise me at all if WotC leaves them untouched for a variety of reasons--but I would guess that we'll see something. Spelljammer is most likely to be given a spot in some kind of planar book, and less likely to receive its own treatment. Ravenloft will probably be revisited, but less likely as its own setting (my guess is that they'd rather do Innistrad and not both). Al-Qadim seems ripe for an update, but I could see it through an adventure book with a big setting section, but it might belong in the next category...
Unlikely/Probably never: Mystara, Birthright, Kara-Tur, Nentir Vale. I just see all of these in an unlikely category, but I could also see scenarios for each to surface in some form or fashion. For instance, you'd think WotC would eventually do some kind of Oriental/Asian Adventures book, but would they do Kara-Tur or something else? Birthright is ideal for kingdom-building, so would be an obvious choice if they expand in that direction, but probably not for years to come. I suppose I could see a "Return to Nentir Vale" product at some point, but wouldn't bet on it. Mystara is beloved by people who grew up on BECMI, but I think gets crowded out by other kitchen sink legacy settings. I could see it receiving a minor treatment in some kind of 50th anniversary product, but unlikely a full setting book.
In the Vault: Jakandor, Ghostwalk, Council of Wyrms, Blackmoor, Pelinore, Rokugan. I think these are all essentially dead settings and won't be revisited by WotC. I suppose I could see Blackmoor given minor treatment in a hypothetical 50th anniversary product, but not as a complete setting. For some reason Council of Wyrms gives me pause, though, as it would make a great adventure-setting box set. Hmm...
MAGIC SETTINGS
I really don't know, but from what I've gathered, Zendikar and Innistrad seem most likely, followed by a group that includes Dominaria, Kaladesh, Ixalan, and others. But I really have no clue as to what is most popular or recent or upcoming; Zendikar and Innistrad get mentioned a lot, and Dominaria is the classic, so seems probable at some point.
What do you think? Which settings do you think are likely, maybe, unlikely and in the vault?
LEGACY SETTINGS
Definite: Forgotten Realms (via adventure paths). It seems a foregone conclusion that we'll continue to see the Realms as the default setting. Presumably they'll eventually expand beyond the North, probably into the Dalelands/Cormyr/Moonsea region, possiblly Lantan, Thay, Anauroch, etc.
Likely/Sooner-than-later: Dark Sun, Planescape. These just seem to be the most likely to happen in the next few years, both because they offer something new to the 5E line that are intrinsic parts of the game (psionics, sword & sorcery, planes), and also because people are obviously clamoring for them--at least the vocal minority of quasi-grognards.
Maybe-to-probably/At some point: Forgotten Realms (campaign book), Dragonlance, Greyhawk, Spelljammer, Ravenloft, Al-Qadim. All for different reasons. FR may never get another big setting book, although is definite for further coverage in adventure books. Dragonlance and Greyhawk both seem quite possible, although it wouldn't surprise me at all if WotC leaves them untouched for a variety of reasons--but I would guess that we'll see something. Spelljammer is most likely to be given a spot in some kind of planar book, and less likely to receive its own treatment. Ravenloft will probably be revisited, but less likely as its own setting (my guess is that they'd rather do Innistrad and not both). Al-Qadim seems ripe for an update, but I could see it through an adventure book with a big setting section, but it might belong in the next category...
Unlikely/Probably never: Mystara, Birthright, Kara-Tur, Nentir Vale. I just see all of these in an unlikely category, but I could also see scenarios for each to surface in some form or fashion. For instance, you'd think WotC would eventually do some kind of Oriental/Asian Adventures book, but would they do Kara-Tur or something else? Birthright is ideal for kingdom-building, so would be an obvious choice if they expand in that direction, but probably not for years to come. I suppose I could see a "Return to Nentir Vale" product at some point, but wouldn't bet on it. Mystara is beloved by people who grew up on BECMI, but I think gets crowded out by other kitchen sink legacy settings. I could see it receiving a minor treatment in some kind of 50th anniversary product, but unlikely a full setting book.
In the Vault: Jakandor, Ghostwalk, Council of Wyrms, Blackmoor, Pelinore, Rokugan. I think these are all essentially dead settings and won't be revisited by WotC. I suppose I could see Blackmoor given minor treatment in a hypothetical 50th anniversary product, but not as a complete setting. For some reason Council of Wyrms gives me pause, though, as it would make a great adventure-setting box set. Hmm...
MAGIC SETTINGS
I really don't know, but from what I've gathered, Zendikar and Innistrad seem most likely, followed by a group that includes Dominaria, Kaladesh, Ixalan, and others. But I really have no clue as to what is most popular or recent or upcoming; Zendikar and Innistrad get mentioned a lot, and Dominaria is the classic, so seems probable at some point.
What do you think? Which settings do you think are likely, maybe, unlikely and in the vault?
