D&D 5E There Will Be No More Hydro74 Alternate D&D Covers

For the past 10 years, there have been alternative covers for the Dungeons & Dragons hardcovers available at local game stores. These covers were usually designed by artist Joshua M. Smith, aka Hydro74.

Hydro74 has confirmed that Vecna: Eve of Ruin was their final alternate cover for D&D.

Just got my copy of Vecna, Eve of Ruin from D&D in. The Gold & Silver really are fantastic. Sadly [Wizards of the Coast] said this was my last book since they are changing direction, which is disappointing but freelance life! Was a fun ride!

Photo by Hydro74
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Here's a look at just some of Hydo74's alternate covers over the years.

 

[Zehnseiter]

I mean, I thought the whole point was to have their cake and eat it too. It's a new era, but it's the same game. We've made everything better, but everything that came before is in no way deprecated. Etc. That's why they're refusing to give it any kind of actually distinct name, like 5.5e or the like, because doing so would be admitting that it is a distinct thing. But giving new art is a different story; every new book has new art by definition, so they can give the feeling of newness without giving the label of newness.

Did 3.5E have all new art as well back them ? Or pushes all the new art this .5 half edition (if we put all the marketing speech that tries to hide it aside for a moment) more to wards a .6 or .7 .....

 

[dave2008]

I wonder if "changing direction" means less attention to game stores and more to DnDBeyond print plus digital bundles.

I think it means a different artist. They have shown the alt covers for the core books and they all seemed to be by the same artist and it wasn't Hydro.

 

[dave2008]

A big thank you to Hydro74, and best of luck in his future endeavors! The art was amazing, and will always be remembered.

I hope that the next alt covers can live up the amazing standard that has been set.

Well the have already previewed the core book alt covers. Whether the live up to Hydro74's work is a matter of personal preference.

I generally like the new alt-covers better, but though I respect the talent and quality of Hydro47's work, I didn't really care for their covers. Just not the style I wanted in a D&D book cover.

For reference, here are the 2014 alt covers:

 

[Distracted DM]

Well the have already previewed the core book alt covers. Whether live up to Hydro74's work is a matter of personal preference.

View attachment 370430

Thanks for sharing them all together here! None of them appeal to me for core book covers, but it's entirely personal preference. They're all very cozy or non-action oriented; that isn't to say that I don't like the art itself, I do like the PHB art on its own and think the others are fine, but they're not the feel that I want when I look at a core D&D book.

 

[dave2008]

Thanks for sharing them all together here! None of them appeal to me for core book covers, but it's entirely personal preference. They're all very cozy or non-action oriented; that isn't to say that I don't like the art itself, I do like the PHB art on its own and think the others are fine, but they're not the feel that I want when I look at a core D&D book.

That is how I felt about the Hydro47 covers. I think I plan on getting the physical alt covers, but not 100% sure yet. I may get them both, but that is not usually my style.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Well the have already previewed the core book alt covers. Whether the live up to Hydro74's work is a matter of personal preference.

View attachment 370430

I generally like the new alt-covers better, but though I respect the talent and quality of Hydro47's work, I didn't really care for their covers. Just not the style I wanted in a D&D book cover.

Thank you so much for sharing these! I like that they are going in a notably new direction, but they are also making them "of a set" and also beautiful.

I disagree with you about the prior alt-covers, but that's okay! I'm happy that they are allowing interesting art as an option. By definition, it shouldn't be equally appealing to everyone.

 

[dave2008]

Thank you so much for sharing these! I like that they are going in a notably new direction, but they are also making them "of a set" and also beautiful.

I disagree with you about the prior alt-covers, but that's okay! I'm happy that they are allowing interesting art as an option. By definition, it shouldn't be equally appealing to everyone.

To be clear, I think Hydro47's work was amazing. It was just not the feel I was going for in a D&D book cover.

I think the only alt cover I got (when I still purchased physical books) was Eberron which was done by someone else.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

To be clear, I think Hydro47's work was amazing. It was just not the feel I was going for in a D&D book cover.

I think the only alt cover I got (when I still purchased physical books) was Eberron which was done by someone else.

Fair point, and I appreciate the clarification (and/or apologize for misunderstanding).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Yeah I really enjoyed the Hydro74 covers, but I don't have a problem with them switching things up. If I don't like them then I won't get them. I don't love the mood of the alternate 5.2 PHB, so if I do get the new books it'd probably be the standard versions. No biggie

I wouldn't be surprised if the alternate covers carry on the storybook vibe of the 2024 core book alternate covers, which will no doubt enrage all the dudes with profile pics sitting in their pick-up trucks and wearing Oakleys who angrily post on all of WotC's FB ads. (Good news, my dudes: Kickstarter is full of edgelord 5E sourcebooks and campaigns. You will be fine.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Did 3.5E have all new art as well back them ? Or pushes all the new art this .5 half edition (if we put all the marketing speech that tries to hide it aside for a moment) more to wards a .6 or .7 .....

The 3.5 books toned down the "printed on parchment" look internally and gave us updated (more elaborate) covers, but recycled a lot of the 3E interior art, as I recall.