D&D (2024) 2024 Player's Handbook Reveal #1: "Everything You Need To Know!"

Each day this week, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing a new live-streamed preview video based on the upcoming Player's Handbook. The first is entitled Everything You Need To Know and you can watch it live below (or, if you missed it, you should be able to watch it from the start afterwards). The video focuses on weapon mastery and character origins.

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There will be new videos on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week, focusing on the Fighter, the Paladin, and the Barbarian, with (presumably) more in the coming weeks.

 

[Kurotowa]

Has D&D ever had grimdark art? Outside of maybe Darksun, which was intentionally more so than baseline?

Not really. But some people want the things like loved as kids to grow up with them. Just... not always in a good way. I mean, this comic is nearly 20 years old, and it's still relevant.

 

[Scribe]

Not every picture needs to be Grimdark.

Right, 1 page.

I mean, this comic is nearly 20 years old, and it's still relevant.

Yes, yes, we can continue the hyperbole.

 

[mellored]

Not particularly, but I would like to see more of the style @Scribe prefers (t&a or otherwise), and I don't. Too many soft colors and fuzzy lines for my tastes, and the cuteness and perhaps silliness levels have gone up over time. Since I don't see art as much of a selling point anyway, art I don't like is a straight negative to me.

You want to look at the class art. That's all action and adventure.

The species art is specifically supposed to feel like a home you grew up in. With you aunt and uncle hanging out in the corner.

 

[TwoSix]

Has D&D ever had grimdark art? Outside of maybe Darksun, which was intentionally more so than baseline?

Even the art in Ravenloft back in the day was more gothic fairytale than grimdark.

Ehh, probably not.

 

[Kurotowa]

Yes, yes, we can continue the hyperbole.

Humorous hyperbole to make a point is the stock in trade of many comics, yes. It's not meant to be literally true.

 

[Scribe]

Humorous hyperbole to make a point is the stock in trade of many comics, yes. It's not meant to be literally true.

If you look around, there are plenty who think that any shift as I've been talking about, amounts to the same thing.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Not every picture needs to be Grimdark. I've spent enough time in grim and gritty fantasy to last a lifetime. I actually like the idea of showing beauty and domestic life in the art too. A reminder why people go out and risk life and limb battling evil. I've had enough Game of Thrones inspired nihilism, give me the soft and cheerfulness of the Hobbit.

Sure, I like those things too. I just prefer a different balance than I suppose you do, and am not pleased the balance is shifting (like many other things in mainstream gaming) away from my preference.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Has D&D ever had grimdark art? Outside of maybe Darksun, which was intentionally more so than baseline?

Even the art in Ravenloft back in the day was more gothic fairytale than grimdark.

I guess we need to define what you mean by grimdark then. And it's on you, because none of us are using that clearly pejorative term.

 

[Scribe]

I guess we need to define what you mean by grimdark then. And it's on you, because none of us are using that clearly pejorative term.

Grimdark isnt pejorative, its the best genre/style that exists.

 

[Staffan]

How likely do you think a piece like the one you liked above is to make it into the current books?

I doubt we'd see it as a standalone picture. As part of a larger scene showing some sort of gala, sure.