D&D's The Book of Dragons Comes Out in August

A new Dungeons & Dragons guidebook is coming out later this year. DK Books has announced The Book of Dragons, a new guidebook featuring the dragons of D&D. The new book is written by Michael Witwer and will be released in August 2025. The 224-page book isn't a rulebook but rather a licensed book that focuses on the lore of dragons. The book is written at least partially from the perspectives of Tiamat and Bahamut.

The book will cost $40, with the description found below.

This definitive guide unveils the rich lore, diverse types, and legendary characters of the dragon realm. Essential for every D&D fan, it offers unparalleled insights into these iconic creatures that for decades have been the heart and soul of the game. Elevate your campaigns and deepen your knowledge—discover why The Book of Dragons is a must-have for every adventurer's collection.

 

[Parmandur]

Witwer is living his best life.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Having quickly scanned through it, I will have to say, it is a gorgeous book. There's a huge amount of art, some of which we've seen before, but a lot that looks to be new. Also the scales on the cover of the book are raised, giving it a nice 3d feel when holding it.

The first section is on dragons in general, with basic stuff like anatomy, life cycles, hoards and the like. It also has a section on dragon gods, with Bahamut and Tiamat getting four pages, Sardior two, and the other dragon gods all given a quick run-down on two further pages. It's interesting how, even despite maintaining some Fizban's lore such as the First World and the (possible?) destruction of Sardior, the draconic deities are considered outright gods again, and not just powerful dragons as in Fizban's. Then we get into the dragons proper themselves, with each chromatic and metallic type getting six pages, gem dragons getting four pages for each type, and then a big chapter covering a whole slew of other miscellaneous draconic creatures, from kobolds and draconians to shadow dragons and dracoliches, each getting one or two pages. The final section details 30 individual dragons of note, combining old favorites as well as ones I haven't heard of before, each getting two pages. Good ol' Themberchaud is there, giving us a little bit of lore in how he moved from Gracklstugh to his own lair, with his movie appearance getting a bit of a nod.

Overall, it doesn't add much to D&D dragon lore, although it does consolidate it all quite nicely. But there are new things sprinkled here and there (such as, as I mentioned, the rumor that Sardior might have survived, and Themberchaud moving to a new lair). So if you're just looking for lore, well, it basically doesn't go much beyond what was in Fizban's. But... it's 200+ pages of lots and lots of really amazing dragon art, which, obviously, as a coffee table book, is supposed to be its selling point anyway.

(But still no weird, but traditional, chromatic or metallic dragons like yellow or steel. That would be my only complaint, and that's extremely minor).

 

[dave2008]

It's interesting how, even despite maintaining some Fizban's lore such as the First World and the (possible?) destruction of Sardior, the draconic deities are considered outright gods again, and not just powerful dragons as in Fizban's.

Not exactly. The 2nd paragraph of the Tiamat section states:

"Many scholars believe that Tiamat was a primordial dragon who helped form the Material Plane with her brother Bahamut." And Bahamut is describe as "A primordial dragon so massive he dwarfs..."

Also, both Tiamat's Lament and The Ballard of Bahamut seem to suggest they are something "other" to the "Ill gods" or the "visitors grand from distant planes."

So while the book does refer to them as gods, FToD also said they were worshiped as gods and are in effect gods if of a different essential nature than the gods. I don't think the books treat them as dissimilar as you suggest.

 

[dave2008]

(But still no weird, but traditional, chromatic or metallic dragons like yellow or steel. That would be my only complaint, and that's extremely minor).

Yes, the have mind flayer dragons and dracohydras but not the other chromatic or metallic dragons. It is a bit odd IMO as well.

 

[Parmandur]

Not exactly. The 2nd paragraph of the Tiamat section states:

"Many scholars believe that Tiamat was a primordial dragon who helped form the Material Plane with her brother Bahamut." And Bahamut is describe as "A primordial dragon so massive he dwarfs..."

Also, both Tiamat's Lament and The Ballard of Bahamut seem to suggest they are something "other" to the "Ill gods" or the "visitors grand from distant planes."

So while the book does refer to them as gods, FToD also said they were worshiped as gods and are in effect gods if of a different essential nature than the gods. I don't think the books treat them as dissimilar as you suggest.

Also, there's a certain strain of "this is Bahamut's personal opinion about 'dragon gods' including himself" in Fizban's: take it or leave it in terms of "what really counts".

 

[Demetrios1453]

Not exactly. The 2nd paragraph of the Tiamat section states:

"Many scholars believe that Tiamat was a primordial dragon who helped form the Material Plane with her brother Bahamut." And Bahamut is describe as "A primordial dragon so massive he dwarfs..."

Also, both Tiamat's Lament and The Ballard of Bahamut seem to suggest they are something "other" to the "Ill gods" or the "visitors grand from distant planes."

So while the book does refer to them as gods, FToD also said they were worshiped as gods and are in effect gods if of a different essential nature than the gods. I don't think the books treat them as dissimilar as you suggest.

There's obviously some unreliable narration either in Fizban's or in this - or both! Which, even if it's purposely keeping things a bit unclear, allows for player and DM choice in the matter.