D&D 5E Chains of Asmodeus: Official 286-Page Nine Hells Book & Adventure Released!

For Extra Life, the children's hospital charity, Wizards of the Coast just released Chains of Asmodeus on DMsGuild in PDF format. Written by James Ohlen and Adrian Tchaikovsky, this book includes an adventure for levels 11-20, stat blocks for Asmodeus and the other archdevils, a corruption mechanic, and more.

Arcanum Worlds Presents: Chains of Asmodeus
Chains of Asmodeus is a 286-page source book and adventure for the Nine Hells written by legendary game designer James Ohlen (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins) and award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time, The Tiger and the Wolf, The Doors of Eden). This book is beautifully illustrated with haunting art from Sergei Sarichev, Sergey Musin, Julian Calle, Sebastion Kowoll, Paul Adams, Luis Lasahido, and the Aaron Sims Company.

Travel through the Nine Hells to save your soul in this tome that includes:

• 50+ High Challenge Monsters
• Stat Blocks for Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine, and all major Archdevils
• 20+ Infernal Magic Items
• New Item Corruption Mechanic
• Details on all Layers of the Nine Hells, with Beautifully Illustrated Maps created by John Stevenson
• A Fiendish Adventure for Levels 11-20

The book includes full stat blocks for Asmodeus (CR30), Beelzebub, Belial, Dispater, Fierna, Glasya, Levistus, Mammon, Mephistopheles, and more including Bel, Zariel, and a ton of monsters and NPCs.

You can pick it up for $29.99 on DMsGuild.

 

[darjr]

It's the "newest" book but also not from the D&D Studio.
It's highly doubtful that the Studio gave guidance to a third-party producer the year+ ago that they started this project and said "The 2024 version won't have X"

I don’t see why not?

 

[bedir than]

I don’t see why not?

Because they don't really do that with any partner.

My expectation is this product started at the Austin group, that eventually Renton found out and said "we could slap an official label on it and raise money for charity" with no rules advice at all.

 

[darjr]

Because they don't really do that with any partner.

My expectation is this product started at the Austin group, that eventually Renton found out and said "we could slap an official label on it and raise money for charity" with no rules advice at all.

That's not been my experience or what I've been told. However I can't go into it. I suspect a lot is hidden by NDA.

But it could be different here and or because of the 2024 content and I don't know a lot.

 

[Weiley31]

There is a comment up thread that at least one statblock (from a preview) in the upcoming book Deck of Many Things uses Legendary Actions. So either not all branches of the D&D team got the memo or LA are still an option (at this time).

Though in my mind that doesn't necessarily mean they are not moving away from them.

True, and it's also possible they are trying different things in different products to see the reactions (pardon the pun).

I would like to see thematic Reactions/Bonus Actions and Legendary Actions (and more!) as tools in the monster creating toolbox.

 

[Distracted DM]

It's the "newest" book but also not from the D&D Studio.
It's highly doubtful that the Studio gave guidance to a third-party producer the year+ ago that they started this project and said "The 2024 version won't have X"

Ha I had no idea the Deck wasn't a WotC book. Makes total sense, then.

edit: Ohhh, crossed wires. I was referring to the Deck statblocks having Legendary Actions, and I think you thought I was referring to Chains of Asmodeus

 

[Micah Sweet]

For Extra Life, the children's hospital charity, Wizards of the Coast just released Chains of Asmodeus on DMsGuild in PDF format. Written by James Ohlen and Adrian Tchaikovsky, this book includes an adventure for levels 11-20, stat blocks for Asmodeus and the other archdevils, a corruption mechanic, and more.

View attachment 318807​

Arcanum Worlds Presents: Chains of Asmodeus
Chains of Asmodeus is a 286-page source book and adventure for the Nine Hells written by legendary game designer James Ohlen (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins) and award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time, The Tiger and the Wolf, The Doors of Eden). This book is beautifully illustrated with haunting art from Sergei Sarichev, Sergey Musin, Julian Calle, Sebastion Kowoll, Paul Adams, Luis Lasahido, and the Aaron Sims Company.

Travel through the Nine Hells to save your soul in this tome that includes:

• 50+ High Challenge Monsters
• Stat Blocks for Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine, and all major Archdevils
• 20+ Infernal Magic Items
• New Item Corruption Mechanic
• Details on all Layers of the Nine Hells, with Beautifully Illustrated Maps created by John Stevenson
• A Fiendish Adventure for Levels 11-20

The book includes full stat blocks for Asmodeus (CR30), Beelzebub, Belial, Dispater, Fierna, Glasya, Levistus, Mammon, Mephistopheles, and more including Bel, Zariel, and a ton of monsters and NPCs.

You can pick it up for $29.99 on DMsGuild.

View attachment 318808​

View attachment 318809

View attachment 318810View attachment 318811View attachment 318812View attachment 318813

Sounds like an awesome 3pp. The Guild comes through again!

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Sounds like an awesome 3pp. The Guild comes through again!

This is an official book produced by WotC.

 

[Reynard]

This is an official book produced by WotC.

Is it? "Arcanum Worlds Presents" strongly suggests that it was not produced in house.

 

[Parmandur]

Ok, so it is on DMsGuild storefront, but only listed in the from Wizards section. Interesting. I guess it is good they give prime virtual real-estate to 3PP.

That's probsvly the best ROI for WotC, since the writers self-fund with WotC IP and WotC jaut takes their cut. Marketing is part of the deal along with the IP.

 

[Parmandur]

This is an official book produced by WotC.

Wwll, it is a sanctioned book written by WotC employees. Like the other Extra Life stuff, this would not have gone through the full development process.