Mercurius
Legend
There's been a ton of speculation about the future of the D&D line, so at the risk of re-hashing discussions, I wanted to present a different way of approaching the subject.
I'm going to present a list of possible products that I think there is some chance of Wizards of the Coast publishing at some point, with a color-coded key of likelihood.
Key:
Almost Definite - I would be very, very surprised if this didn't happen at some point.
Very Likely - Seems almost definite, but with an edge of doubt; meaning, while I think we'll almost definitely see this in some form or fashion, unlike the first category, I can envision a scenario--though unlikely--where it doesn't happen.
Likely - We'll probably see coverage, at least in some form. Maybe not soon, but it will probably happen.
Maybe - Could go either way.
Unlikely - I mean, it could happen, but given limited production, I don't think it will happen...at least not in the foreseeable future.
Snowball's Chance - It might have its fans, but the chances of seeing official support are almost nil, unless the context changes.
THE LIST
SOMETHING UNEXPECTED - My first item on the list might seem a bit of a sneaky way of qualifying the rest of the list, but I wanted to mention it because one of the characteristics of 5E is that there have been suprises. Ravnica (and Theros) was a surprise, the Volo's/Mordenkainen's format was a surprise, as was Wildemount. I think it almost certain that we'll see more surprises...could we see an entirely new setting? A science fiction game? Post-apocalyptic science-fantasy? A reboot of various classic settings? An Advanced D&D tactical book? I wouldn't bet on any of these specific examples, but they're just examples of the type of suprises that could happen, and the ponit is that something surprising almost definitely will.
(MORE) MAGIC SETTINGS - Other than the not-worth-mentioning adventure books (because they're an absolute certainty), this is the most likely specific category on this list. We'll definitely be seeing more of the Magic-verse, maybe as many as one setting book a year (Ravnica and Theros are 20 months apart, originally 18, so I would expect the next Magic setting after Theros to be end of 2021, or early 2022 at the latest). Based upon the Rabiah Scale, and the fact that WotC's first two are among the five highest rated worlds, it would seem that the most likely to see publication are Dominaria, Innistrad, and Zendikar, which fill out the top five; next likely would be Eldriane and Ikoria...and so on. The point being, Magic settings books seem to be a new product line, perhaps on an annual basis.
As a side note, I do think it is possible--even likely--that we'll eventually see an entirely new Magic setting, perhaps a collaborative effort between the Magic and D&D sections of WotC, a true "WotC media event." Think about it: it makes too much sense not to happen.
MANUAL OF THE PLANES/PLANESCAPE - It seems like a foregone conclusion, considering that the planes are probably the single-most beloved aspect of D&D canon that hasn't yet been touched by 5E. This is compounded by endless rumors and the simple fact that planes are a popular aspect of the game (and we Gen Xers love our Sigil). I'm guessing it is a three-book affair: a Manual of the Planes overview/splat a shorter Shemeska's Guide to Sigil setting book, and a story arc or adventure compilation in the planes. ETA: Any day now...but I would guess 2021, or maybe 2022.
DARK SUN - Even though I have a penchant for reminding my fellow grognards and quasi-grognards that we're now a minority, with a new majority of younger players for whom "Greyhawk" is like vinyl and "Mystara" like cassette tapes, I do find myself convinced by the reverant tone with which folks here and in similar places speak of Dark Sun--that its publication is a near-certainty. I think we'll see Planescape first, but Dark Sun will be after that. ETA: 2022.
XANATHAR 2 - (By a different name, of course...I like @darjr 's idea of Xagyg's Unearthed Arcana). We don't know what will be in it--whether psionics, epic rules, revised ranger-sorcerer-druid, or whatnot, but it will almost certainly happen at some point. As an aside, it could be that "Xanathar's 2" is some kind of Dark Sun Player's Guide, complete with psionics, and a smattering of epic rules via dragon-kings and agathion. ETA: 2021-22.
REVISED/50th ANNIVERSARY CORE RULEBOOKS - By "revised" I meanly lightly revised, and fully backwards compatible. It could be anything from "errata plus" with a few rules clarifications, new art, and a few new bells and whistles, to a "5.2" revision with some rules tweaking, new versions of certain classes, etc. ETA: 2024.
PSIONICS - While I think psionics is very likely, I placed it a rank below because the big question is when. WotC doesn't seem to have found the right formula in their mystic/psion attempts, or at least not to wide appeal. But they'll get it eventually. One would think. ETA: 2022-23.
SPELLJAMMER - It is clear that Spelljammer is more in the minds of the D&D team than it was in 3E or 4E days. I personally think we'll first see it as an alternate cosmology in a Planes book; if it proves to be popular, possibly a full treatment to follow - but not for awhile. ETA: 2021 (Planes book), 2022 or later, if ever (full treatment).
EXANDRIA - Wildemount might be it, but I could also see them doing a full treatment of the Gwessar continent, and/or possibly Issylra-Marquet and other lands. However they proceed, I don't think we're done with Exandria. Critical Role is really popular and, assuming Wildemount did well, I see no reason why they wouldn't flesh out the world further. ETA: 2022.
RAVENLOFT - The only thing keeping me from rating this in the Likely category is Innistrad, which is one of the most popular Magic settings (and what I think Perkins meant by his "If you like Ravenloft" comment). So while a fuller treatment of the setting is possible, I think a journey to Innistrad is more probable.
FIEND FOLIO - How can they not re-use this name? We'll almost certainly see another monster book at some point, so why not Fiend Folio?
ORIENTAL/ASIAN ADVENTURES - Ninjas, samurai, ronin, katana...how can we do without all of this fun stuff? Well, we have so far - and remember that there hasn't been a dedicated Oriental Adventures book in almost two decades. But it could happen...perhaps alongside a re-vamped and properly Realms-ified Kara-Tur.
EPIC HANDBOOK - I think a dedicated Epic Handbook is less likely than a Xanathar's 2 (or 3) with epic rules. Maybe WotC trial runs the basics with dragon and agathion rules in a Dark Sun book, but of the major un-explored (or lightly treated) sub-systems, I think epic is behind planes and psionics in the queue, so we're probably at least a few years away.
FORGOTTEN REALMS SETTING BOOK(S) - It is hard to say, with three scenarios that I can see. One, they continue covering the Realms via adventure books and mini-gazetteers within the books. Two, they eventually move beyond the North and offer an Adventurer's Guide for the new region(s). Three, we get a full campaign guide. I could see any or all of the three occuring. I'd fold Al-Qadim and Kara-Tur into this category.
GREYHAWK - I've often said that as much as D&D Boomers (those of us who started playing in the early 80s) wax nostalgiac about Greyhawk, it seems kind of dated and out of place in today's context, like watching a Cecil B DeMille film (OK, not that extreme, but...). That said, I do think, we'll see something, with my prediction beinEveng connected to the 50th Anniversary in 2024. The dream would be a deluxe box set, with solid books of the World of Greyhawk, the City of Greyhawk, and a Castle Greyhawk adventure pa...sandbox, complete with cloth maps and other doo-dads. Hey, it could happen.
DRAGONLANCE - In a similar category as Greyhawk. With Greyhawk first really published in 1980, and Dragonlance only four years later, they are basically contemporaries, although feel like different eras, with Greyhawk borne of the halcyon 70s, and Dragonlance out of the booming times. But both are beloved, and Dragonlance probably translates a lot better to today. Taken on their own (contextual) merits, I think DL is more likely, but given GH's unique status as "the" classic D&D setting, it kind ,of evens out with both scoring as undecisive "Maybes." That said, my fearless prediction is the same for both, with deluxe box sets in 2024, the 50th anniversary of D&D and 40th of Dragonlance. I see the DL box including three books, as well: The World of Krynn, War of the Lance adventure path, and Dragonlance Players Guide. Probably not enough room for everything, but you never know.
NEW SETTING - With WotC publish a new setting other than Magic and Exandria? Who knows. I don't think so anytime soon, but it could happen at some point--especially if the Magic and Legacy setting lines remain popular; they could add a third line of new or other worlds. Perkins' Iomandra would be quite welcome.
NENTIR VALE/NERATH BOOK - This seems unlikely, with many of us still having a slight touch of melancholy about the shelved gazetteer. I would never say never, though, and it could fit into an "other worlds" line (see above).
MYSTARA - If Greyhawk and Dragonlance are maybes, then Mystara has to be unlikely. Or rather, it is unlikely now and in the foreseeable future, but things could open up for it if the edition is still thriving and other legacy setting products did well...let's revisit the idea in four or five years.
BIRTHRIGHT - More obscure than Mystara, but with a distinct mechanical theme that gives it an edge. Another setting that looks unlikely now, but could rise in a few years time.
COUNCIL OF WYRMS - Even more obscure, but it could make a great micro-setting/adventure path combo. In a box, of course. Still, rather unlikely.
GHOSTWALK, JAKANDOR, PELINORE, DRAGON print magazine, etc - A snowball has a chance, but...
OK, that was ridiculous but fun to muse on (although I tapered off there at the end).
Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, and--hopefully--add or make your own (color-coded) entries.
And as a bonus, how about this of ridiculously speculative fun:
I'm going to present a list of possible products that I think there is some chance of Wizards of the Coast publishing at some point, with a color-coded key of likelihood.
Key:
Almost Definite - I would be very, very surprised if this didn't happen at some point.
Very Likely - Seems almost definite, but with an edge of doubt; meaning, while I think we'll almost definitely see this in some form or fashion, unlike the first category, I can envision a scenario--though unlikely--where it doesn't happen.
Likely - We'll probably see coverage, at least in some form. Maybe not soon, but it will probably happen.
Maybe - Could go either way.
Unlikely - I mean, it could happen, but given limited production, I don't think it will happen...at least not in the foreseeable future.
Snowball's Chance - It might have its fans, but the chances of seeing official support are almost nil, unless the context changes.
THE LIST
SOMETHING UNEXPECTED - My first item on the list might seem a bit of a sneaky way of qualifying the rest of the list, but I wanted to mention it because one of the characteristics of 5E is that there have been suprises. Ravnica (and Theros) was a surprise, the Volo's/Mordenkainen's format was a surprise, as was Wildemount. I think it almost certain that we'll see more surprises...could we see an entirely new setting? A science fiction game? Post-apocalyptic science-fantasy? A reboot of various classic settings? An Advanced D&D tactical book? I wouldn't bet on any of these specific examples, but they're just examples of the type of suprises that could happen, and the ponit is that something surprising almost definitely will.
(MORE) MAGIC SETTINGS - Other than the not-worth-mentioning adventure books (because they're an absolute certainty), this is the most likely specific category on this list. We'll definitely be seeing more of the Magic-verse, maybe as many as one setting book a year (Ravnica and Theros are 20 months apart, originally 18, so I would expect the next Magic setting after Theros to be end of 2021, or early 2022 at the latest). Based upon the Rabiah Scale, and the fact that WotC's first two are among the five highest rated worlds, it would seem that the most likely to see publication are Dominaria, Innistrad, and Zendikar, which fill out the top five; next likely would be Eldriane and Ikoria...and so on. The point being, Magic settings books seem to be a new product line, perhaps on an annual basis.
As a side note, I do think it is possible--even likely--that we'll eventually see an entirely new Magic setting, perhaps a collaborative effort between the Magic and D&D sections of WotC, a true "WotC media event." Think about it: it makes too much sense not to happen.
MANUAL OF THE PLANES/PLANESCAPE - It seems like a foregone conclusion, considering that the planes are probably the single-most beloved aspect of D&D canon that hasn't yet been touched by 5E. This is compounded by endless rumors and the simple fact that planes are a popular aspect of the game (and we Gen Xers love our Sigil). I'm guessing it is a three-book affair: a Manual of the Planes overview/splat a shorter Shemeska's Guide to Sigil setting book, and a story arc or adventure compilation in the planes. ETA: Any day now...but I would guess 2021, or maybe 2022.
DARK SUN - Even though I have a penchant for reminding my fellow grognards and quasi-grognards that we're now a minority, with a new majority of younger players for whom "Greyhawk" is like vinyl and "Mystara" like cassette tapes, I do find myself convinced by the reverant tone with which folks here and in similar places speak of Dark Sun--that its publication is a near-certainty. I think we'll see Planescape first, but Dark Sun will be after that. ETA: 2022.
XANATHAR 2 - (By a different name, of course...I like @darjr 's idea of Xagyg's Unearthed Arcana). We don't know what will be in it--whether psionics, epic rules, revised ranger-sorcerer-druid, or whatnot, but it will almost certainly happen at some point. As an aside, it could be that "Xanathar's 2" is some kind of Dark Sun Player's Guide, complete with psionics, and a smattering of epic rules via dragon-kings and agathion. ETA: 2021-22.
REVISED/50th ANNIVERSARY CORE RULEBOOKS - By "revised" I meanly lightly revised, and fully backwards compatible. It could be anything from "errata plus" with a few rules clarifications, new art, and a few new bells and whistles, to a "5.2" revision with some rules tweaking, new versions of certain classes, etc. ETA: 2024.
PSIONICS - While I think psionics is very likely, I placed it a rank below because the big question is when. WotC doesn't seem to have found the right formula in their mystic/psion attempts, or at least not to wide appeal. But they'll get it eventually. One would think. ETA: 2022-23.
SPELLJAMMER - It is clear that Spelljammer is more in the minds of the D&D team than it was in 3E or 4E days. I personally think we'll first see it as an alternate cosmology in a Planes book; if it proves to be popular, possibly a full treatment to follow - but not for awhile. ETA: 2021 (Planes book), 2022 or later, if ever (full treatment).
EXANDRIA - Wildemount might be it, but I could also see them doing a full treatment of the Gwessar continent, and/or possibly Issylra-Marquet and other lands. However they proceed, I don't think we're done with Exandria. Critical Role is really popular and, assuming Wildemount did well, I see no reason why they wouldn't flesh out the world further. ETA: 2022.
RAVENLOFT - The only thing keeping me from rating this in the Likely category is Innistrad, which is one of the most popular Magic settings (and what I think Perkins meant by his "If you like Ravenloft" comment). So while a fuller treatment of the setting is possible, I think a journey to Innistrad is more probable.
FIEND FOLIO - How can they not re-use this name? We'll almost certainly see another monster book at some point, so why not Fiend Folio?
ORIENTAL/ASIAN ADVENTURES - Ninjas, samurai, ronin, katana...how can we do without all of this fun stuff? Well, we have so far - and remember that there hasn't been a dedicated Oriental Adventures book in almost two decades. But it could happen...perhaps alongside a re-vamped and properly Realms-ified Kara-Tur.
EPIC HANDBOOK - I think a dedicated Epic Handbook is less likely than a Xanathar's 2 (or 3) with epic rules. Maybe WotC trial runs the basics with dragon and agathion rules in a Dark Sun book, but of the major un-explored (or lightly treated) sub-systems, I think epic is behind planes and psionics in the queue, so we're probably at least a few years away.
FORGOTTEN REALMS SETTING BOOK(S) - It is hard to say, with three scenarios that I can see. One, they continue covering the Realms via adventure books and mini-gazetteers within the books. Two, they eventually move beyond the North and offer an Adventurer's Guide for the new region(s). Three, we get a full campaign guide. I could see any or all of the three occuring. I'd fold Al-Qadim and Kara-Tur into this category.
GREYHAWK - I've often said that as much as D&D Boomers (those of us who started playing in the early 80s) wax nostalgiac about Greyhawk, it seems kind of dated and out of place in today's context, like watching a Cecil B DeMille film (OK, not that extreme, but...). That said, I do think, we'll see something, with my prediction beinEveng connected to the 50th Anniversary in 2024. The dream would be a deluxe box set, with solid books of the World of Greyhawk, the City of Greyhawk, and a Castle Greyhawk adventure pa...sandbox, complete with cloth maps and other doo-dads. Hey, it could happen.
DRAGONLANCE - In a similar category as Greyhawk. With Greyhawk first really published in 1980, and Dragonlance only four years later, they are basically contemporaries, although feel like different eras, with Greyhawk borne of the halcyon 70s, and Dragonlance out of the booming times. But both are beloved, and Dragonlance probably translates a lot better to today. Taken on their own (contextual) merits, I think DL is more likely, but given GH's unique status as "the" classic D&D setting, it kind ,of evens out with both scoring as undecisive "Maybes." That said, my fearless prediction is the same for both, with deluxe box sets in 2024, the 50th anniversary of D&D and 40th of Dragonlance. I see the DL box including three books, as well: The World of Krynn, War of the Lance adventure path, and Dragonlance Players Guide. Probably not enough room for everything, but you never know.
NEW SETTING - With WotC publish a new setting other than Magic and Exandria? Who knows. I don't think so anytime soon, but it could happen at some point--especially if the Magic and Legacy setting lines remain popular; they could add a third line of new or other worlds. Perkins' Iomandra would be quite welcome.
NENTIR VALE/NERATH BOOK - This seems unlikely, with many of us still having a slight touch of melancholy about the shelved gazetteer. I would never say never, though, and it could fit into an "other worlds" line (see above).
MYSTARA - If Greyhawk and Dragonlance are maybes, then Mystara has to be unlikely. Or rather, it is unlikely now and in the foreseeable future, but things could open up for it if the edition is still thriving and other legacy setting products did well...let's revisit the idea in four or five years.
BIRTHRIGHT - More obscure than Mystara, but with a distinct mechanical theme that gives it an edge. Another setting that looks unlikely now, but could rise in a few years time.
COUNCIL OF WYRMS - Even more obscure, but it could make a great micro-setting/adventure path combo. In a box, of course. Still, rather unlikely.
GHOSTWALK, JAKANDOR, PELINORE, DRAGON print magazine, etc - A snowball has a chance, but...
OK, that was ridiculous but fun to muse on (although I tapered off there at the end).
Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, and--hopefully--add or make your own (color-coded) entries.
And as a bonus, how about this of ridiculously speculative fun:
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