Level Up (A5E) Level Up: An Art Preview

Here's a quick look at just some of the diverse art you will find in the Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition hardcover rulebooks. Some of these are from the Core Rulebook, and others are from the Monstrous Menagerie.

Halfling (Erik Davis-Helm)

Tiefling (Erik Davis-Helm)

Ranger (Mark Bulahao)

Aboleth (Kim Van Deun)

Faerie (Egil Thompson)

Cambion (Yihyoung Li)

Hobgoblin (Vinicius Wemeck)

Basilisk (Sade)

Chimera (Guilherme Sommermeyer)

Behir (Guilherme Sommermeyer)


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[FitzTheRuke]

do we need new art if it is compatible with 5e?

Why would we not want new art? New art is awesome. Still the same D&D no matter what.

Thats some nice artwork

is it just me or does the halfling look Filipino?

Sure, why not? (That is rhetorical, not an accusation that you object in any way).

As an aside: To my shame, it took me awhile to understand 'race-bending' in media. For example, I objected to Tuvok (the black Vulcan on Star Trek Voyager). Not because of racism (at least not in my mind) but because I felt that Star Trek aliens looked too human as it is, and them having the same diversity as real world humans made them less alien to me. It took many years for me to realize that the real-world consideration of POC actors getting more roles was far more important than fantasy (or sci-fi) 'races' all looking similar, and in fact, the fictional races were FAR MORE INTERESTING because of it. (Fictional races, in particular on TV, are still far too good-looking, but that's another type of diversity to tackle down the road.)

 

[Morrus]

I love the art shown so far. I have this sense @Morrus that you may have a dynamite kickstarter when you finally launch.

I bloody hope so! We're pouring everything into this thing!

 

[Lefi2017]

Why would we not want new art? New art is awesome. Still the same D&D no matter what.



Sure, why not? (That is rhetorical, not an accusation that you object in any way).

As an aside: To my shame, it took me awhile to understand 'race-bending' in media. For example, I objected to Tuvok (the black Vulcan on Star Trek Voyager). Not because of racism (at least not in my mind) but because I felt that Star Trek aliens looked too human as it is, and them having the same diversity as real world humans made them less alien to me. It took many years for me to realize that the real-world consideration of POC actors getting more roles was far more important than fantasy (or sci-fi) 'races' all looking similar, and in fact, the fictional races were FAR MORE INTERESTING because of it. (Fictional races, in particular on TV, are still far too good-looking, but that's another type of diversity to tackle down the road.)

no new monster art is a hint they will publish new monsters stat blocks I thought the selling g point was that it would work with existing 5e material basically the current option as build stuff and some on top for players plus a few optional new mechanics like travel and exploration for dm but 5e monsters and spell should work

 

[FitzTheRuke]

no new monster art is a hint they will publish new monsters stat blocks I thought the selling g point was that it would work with existing 5e material basically the current option as build stuff and some on top for players plus a few optional new mechanics like travel and exploration for dm but 5e monsters and spell should work

I'm sorry, I'm struggling to understand what you've written. You appear to think that new art somehow negates backwards compatibility. Is that right?

Level Up will work with existing material AND they are making new monster stat-blocks. You can use their new monster stat-blocks and their version of the art interchangeably with any 5e material as you like. At least that's how I understand it.

 

[Morrus]

no new monster art is a hint they will publish new monsters stat blocks I thought the selling g point was that it would work with existing 5e material basically the current option as build stuff and some on top for players plus a few optional new mechanics like travel and exploration for dm but 5e monsters and spell should work

I also don't understand what this or your previous posts mean (sorry, I know that English is not your language, and it's certainly better than my German), but it's a standalone game which 5E materials will work with. I thought we'd been clear about that!

 

[NerdyBird]

so the 5e cr is still usable with the system for challenge approximation while you creat a variant of I mean as a Dm I have about 10 Monsterbooks at least (3party included) and countless monster pdfs I would not want to limit myself to much by monster choices at this point in 5e`s lifetime and I bet many still want to use for examples sandy peterosn Grerat old one statblocks with more in-depth pc builds after all 5e pcs are already ver capable

That's a lot of words to not have any punctuation.

You're criticizing Level Up for... what? Taking a different approach to 5e? Doing monsters a little differently and using different art?

I don't get your point. Use the monsters in Level Up or don't. Use Sandy Peterson's versions or don't. Use Level Up or don't. The choice is, and always has been yours. In the meantime, stop crapping on something because it's not your version of it.

 

[Lefi2017]

Ok I Will try refracting it.
Monster Art usually implies a monster manual-like book. I was just worried the 5e monsters and cr's would not be compatible with the advanced version as a GameMaster/DungeonMaster I don`t like giving up my options to and what are skill and class options are for players for me are Monster and environment effects and so on. I love to see variation after all I spend a lot on third party monster books and adventures so easy adaptability for monsters and existing 5e and therefore adventures is important so my player can have more agency in these adventures with "level up" and their new "Toy" without me as a DM giving up my story for them to have a few more.

I like the art except the chimera doesn't hide my sweet spot neither das the 5e art the pathfinder art hits it more in the case of that monster but that is tast for you^^)

 

[Lefi2017]

That's a lot of words to not have any punctuation.

You're criticizing Level Up for... what? Taking a different approach to 5e? Doing monsters a little differently and using different art?

I don't get your point. Use the monsters in Level Up or don't. Use Sandy Peterson's versions or don't. Use Level Up or don't. The choice is, and always has been yours. In the meantime, stop crapping on something because it's not your version of it.

I just want to know if i can run 5e monster with level up monsters side by side

 

[Morrus]

Ok I Will try refracting it.
Monster Art usually implies a monster manual-like book.

Yes, it's called Monstrous Menagerie.

I was just worried the 5e monsters and cr's would not be compatible with the advanced version

They will all be compatible. We have an elite team of diverse 5E designers working on this with that specific directive in mind. You can take any 5E monster book, adventure, or whatever, and use it with Level Up.

 

[Morrus]

I just want to know if i can run 5e monster with level up monsters side by side

I think I've said like three times now, but yes.