D&D 5E Next (3rd book of the year) endless speculation thread

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I’m going to put my two bits in for Gamma World or Spelljammer.

Would WotC consider Gamma World a classic D&D setting? One could certainly make it with a D&D chassis -- it's been done before -- but I think a lot of fans would find that a cheat to call a "classic setting" when talking about forthcoming D&D products.

That said, I would not be surprised at all to see a new edition of Gamma World alongside the My Little Pony and Transformer games.

 

[Mercurius]

I’m just not a fan of either so hold out hope they’ll give us something interesting like Al-Qadim, Dark Sun, Mystara, Nentir Vale, Planescape, or Spelljammer.

I think it very likely that we see some hybrid of Planescape and Spelljammer at some point, whenever they dive into the planes. Dark Sun is quite possible, too, especially if they figure out psionics and want to offer a sword & sorcery option for 5E, but probably not until 2022 or later. Al-Qadim is probably too specific for a full setting treatment, although I could see them doing something like they did with Chult in Tomb of Annihilation, but even then I suspect they use Calimshan or Raurin first for desert themed. Nentir Vale is probably extinct, unfortunately - I just don't think it has a place in 5E; if they want a "points of light" style campaign, they can set it in some corner of the FR. And Mystara...I just don't see them publishing another kitchen sink setting. Plus, I think they'd do a proper FR book first, or possibly a Greyhawk box set for the 50th anniversary.

All just speculative, of course.

 

[overgeeked]

I think it very likely that we see some hybrid of Planescape and Spelljammer at some point, whenever they dive into the planes. Dark Sun is quite possible, too, especially if they figure out psionics and want to offer a sword & sorcery option for 5E, but probably not until 2022 or later. Al-Qadim is probably too specific for a full setting treatment, although I could see them doing something like they did with Chult in Tomb of Annihilation, but even then I suspect they use Calimshan or Raurin first for desert themed. Nentir Vale is probably extinct, unfortunately - I just don't think it has a place in 5E; if they want a "points of light" style campaign, they can set it in some corner of the FR. And Mystara...I just don't see them publishing another kitchen sink setting. Plus, I think they'd do a proper FR book first, or possibly a Greyhawk box set for the 50th anniversary.

All just speculative, of course.

Or just wait for Critical Role S3 to be in Marquet and do another CR setting book a few years down the line.

I’m re-reading some planes-focused 4E books and loving the way they merged Spelljammer into the plane-hopping stuff. If we get another planes book, I’m hoping they give Spelljammer similar treatment. Just go full out with ship-to-ship combat rules and include cannons.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I'm thinking monster book (like Volo's/Mordenkainen's) with both Dragon and Feywild material.

It would fit the mold well. A Dragonomicon would be pretty small in scope for a 5e book, but a Dragon + Feywild book combined would match the varied material in Mordenkainen's. Having both new monsters like the Sapphire Dragon, and new Fey, plus the Fey and Dragon themed players options.

It meets several criteria for me;

1. Haven't had a monster book in a while.
2. Is different than the confirmed 2021 releases (Adventure Compilation, Setting).
3. Fits neatly in July, between Ravenloft (May) and annual adventure (September).
4. Covers recent UA.

So I'm not certain, but it makes more sense than other things I can think of.

If we have a book with both dragons and fey in it, I could definitely see "innately magical creatures" being the theme. If they need a further type, throw celestials in there as well, as they would fit the theme and are woefully lacking in 5e at the moment...

 

[Faolyn]

If the genie warlock wasn't in Tasha's, I would say that was meant for an Al-Qadim book.

It might be worth noting there was a genielock NPC in Tomb of Annihilation.

 

[Mercurius]

Or just wait for Critical Role S3 to be in Marquet and do another CR setting book a few years down the line.

I’m re-reading some planes-focused 4E books and loving the way they merged Spelljammer into the plane-hopping stuff. If we get another planes book, I’m hoping they give Spelljammer similar treatment. Just go full out with ship-to-ship combat rules and include cannons.

Yes, agreed. I actually preferred 4E's take on the planes and loved the spelljammers sailing the Astral Sea.

 

[Faolyn]

I hope they don't combine Spelljammer and the Astral. Part of Spelljammer's hazards is the lack of air in Wildspace and the Phlogiston, and the lack of gravity, while the Astral has plenty of air and you can make your own gravity.

 

[overgeeked]

I hope they don't combine Spelljammer and the Astral. Part of Spelljammer's hazards is the lack of air in Wildspace and the Phlogiston, and the lack of gravity, while the Astral has plenty of air and you can make your own gravity.

Ships had gravity planes in Spelljammer. That was fun. Any sufficiently big object had its own gravity. You carried enough air with you to travel quite a ways. And there were spells and magic items for purifying the air. It was only ever an obstacle if the DM wanted it to be. The phlogiston is a neat idea, but I always hated how it prevented fire-based magic and the use of cannons.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I want a Gatewatch’s Guide to The Multiverse, which would be full of planar adventure stuff, spelljamming vessels, a chapter on Sigil, and chapters on worldbuilding with different example worlds, some from D&D, some from MtG.

 

[Quickleaf]

Lantan, modrons, and spelljammers are probably around the corner in some capacity.

Back in 2017 September, Chris Perkins and Matt Sernett had a Dragon Talk where they discussed the significance of Lantan being included on the poster map included with Tomb of Annihilation, and got into how they'd like to see it used, and Chris dropped that it (Lantan) would appear in a future product.