D&D (2024) Gizmodo preview on 2024D&D's PHB and DMG

[Weiley31]

Fixed

Thank you. Now it is even more glorious!!!

 

[Mortellan]

What are you annoyed by? Like the only notable changes I see are calling things like the Tiger Nomads (Aka Chakyik) what they call themselves.

Like these names are not new.
View attachment 367830

Oh no you are perfectly right. Aerdiaak is the worst change by far. Any of us could rename it better. My other gripes are purely semantic. Like adding "north" seems to be a compromise for dropping "barbarian". I kinda like Arn though I'm dismayed to no longer see Blackmoor enshrined up there, but WotC is covering themselves I'm sure. I just have the original map hardwired in my brain and it will take a while to adjust, haha

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

The interior previews of the pages look great.

 

[Riley]

Schley's mountain ranges look like actual mountain range maps! Ridges of mountain peaks, with valleys running between them.

I truly love Darlene's maps. I have three pairs! (Plus the 2e Ashes revised one, and the 3e ones.) Unlike all of those, this map suggests how/where to explore/adventure in those mountain ranges.

 

[Parmandur]

Schley's mountain ranges look like actual mountain range maps! Ridges of mountain peaks, with valleys running between them.

I truly love Darlene's maps. I have three pairs! (Plus the 2e Ashes revised one, and the 3e ones.) Unlike all of those, this map suggests how/where to explore/adventure in those mountain ranges.

Yeah, this really just pops and makes the relation of things crystal clear

I love the old map, but this is the best sort of updated map: one that shows new angles on the material.

 

[JEB]

I love the old map, but this is the best sort of updated map: one that shows new angles on the material.

Point of order: this isn't an updated map, it's a map of the Greyhawk of 2024 5e. The Darlene maps were of the 1e Greyhawk, which is officially a distinct entity (along with 2e and 3e Greyhawk, among others). Long-term Greyhawk fans should keep that in mind when noting any differences.

 

[Parmandur]

Point of order: this isn't an updated map, it's a map of the Greyhawk of 2024 5e. The Darlene maps were of the 1e Greyhawk, which is officially a distinct entity (along with 2e and 3e Greyhawk, among others). Long-term Greyhawk fans should keep that in mind when noting any differences.

It is a map based on the original.

 

[Quickleaf]

Side by side (Darlene's map vs. Schley's map), reduced quality for uploading purposes

Both are extremely well designed and AFAICT list all the same locations.

As far as emotional impact / feel (which is incredibly subjective), I prefer Darlene's for the beautiful script, the greater color contrast and stronger linework between coast and sea, and the hand drawn feel.

While Mike Schley's is extremely well done, and I find the white outer glow around text just a generally more readable approach, it feels more modernized / sanitized to me. The feel is lost for me.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I love Schley's work so prefer the new map. Both are as mentioned pretty good.

 

[Parmandur]

Both are extremely well designed and AFAICT list all the same locations.

The new map adds a couple (Saltmarsh, some of the famous Dungeons), and renames a few (Blackmoor is Arn, etc.). But, yeah, it's a good match up.

I love the old map, but I love this new one, too. Similar to the OG Forgotten Realms maps and Schley's work, actually.