D&D General Does WotCs “Happy Holidays” post confirm a Ravenloft book in 2026?

[GarrettKP]

Wizards of the Coast posted a graphic on social media that may confirm what’s in store for D&D in 2026.

The picture was accompanied by the following text:

“Thank you for another incredible year of stories and shared adventures. Happy Holidays from the D&D team, we can’t wait to show you what 2026 has in store.”

The picture features some classic D&D creatures like Zombies and Owlbears, but most notably includes both Count Strahd as well as Esmeralda, a character from the Curse of Strahd adventure.

Could this be hinting at the first announcement for D&D in 2026? Could the Horror UA be for a “Forge of the Artificer” style Ravenloft book?

Seems like as good evidence as any we have received so far.

 

[Parmandur]

That’s a solid "Maybe", though either way I do think such a book is likely.

 

[Charlaquin]

My partner and I have always joked about Barovia being a snow globe, so I appreciate this picture regardless of if it’s hinting at anything.

 

[mamba]

Could this be hinting at the first announcement for D&D in 2026? Could the Horror UA be for a “Forge of the Artificer” style Ravenloft book?

maybe, it certainly does not hint at Dark Sun though

 

[Reynard]

Maybe they'll update CoS for D&D 2024. I mean, it works for Skyrim...

 

[Parmandur]

Maybe they'll update CoS for D&D 2024. I mean, it works for Skyrim...

Doubtful: they are already actively selling Curse of Strahd with new ads on social media. With Beyond, they don't need to do reprints that way.

 

[Reynard]

Doubtful: they are already actively selling Curse of Strahd with new ads on social media. With Beyond, they don't need to do reprints that way.

Only if they abandon their legacy customer base.

 

[Parmandur]

Only if they abandon their legacy customer base.

Yeah, and that is against their business model.

Forge of the Artificerstyle book seems likely, rewriting Strahd does not seem likely.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Maybe there's a Ravenloft 2026 coming, or maybe it's just "put something that is clearly WotC IP on this snow globe so that it doesn't look like generic fantasy."

Ravenloft is certainly a good candidate for an update or additional book.

 

[Reynard]

Yeah, and that is against their business model.

Forge of the Artificerstyle book seems likely, rewriting Strahd does not seem likely.

I wasn't saying WotC will do that. I was making a joke about formerly creative companies going back to the well over and over again as well as "refining" their successful formula into obsolescence.