D&D 5E (2024) Here's The Covers of BOTH of November's Forgotten Realms Books

We've known for some time that in November, WotC will be releasing not one but two Forgotten Realms books--one aimed at players, the other at Dungeon Masters. Thanks to Game Informer, we now have a look at the covers of Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun and Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerun. The article showcases more art, and is well worth checking out--and for those who want more, the print magazine has a full feature previewing the books.

 

[dave2008]

It's not the subject matter that I dislike. It's the art style and the trade dress.

I much prefer this:

To this:

I strongly dislike the cartoonish pseudo-3D rendering style of the latter and much prefer the more painterly style of the former.

I also dislike the new fonts they're using, and I much prefer the more fantasy-themed ripped banner than the weird red gradient bar with the cut-out edges that they're using for the new supplements.

I know, I know ... don't judge a book by its cover, but D&D's art has always had a big influence on my enthusiasm for the game. When I don't like the art, it does actually make me want to play the game less. And I already have reservations about the revised game's content so ...

I'm honestly teetering on the edge of the 5e band wagon here. This cover art isn't gonna push me off, no. But it is yet another little nudge closer to the edge. I think the now-delayed Eberron book's content is going to be the make-or-break point for me.

I also prefer the Sword Coast cover for many of the same reasons you list, but I don't think either of them is particularly good. Cover art should attract me and tempt me to purchase the book. Neither of those covers do that for me.

 

[Corinnguard]

Dragons, always more dragons.

PF1 has about 7 groups of True Dragons. Chromatic, Metallic, Primal, Esoteric, Planar, Imperial and Outer. Is that enough? If 5e had this number of dragon groups in it, I would be ecstatic.

 

[dave2008]

PF1 has about 7 groups of True Dragons. Chromatic, Metallic, Primal, Esoteric, Planar, Imperial and Outer. Is that enough? If 5e had this number of dragon groups in it, I would be ecstatic.

Not really interested in more types of dragons, just more images, videos, stats, minis, etc. of dragons. I would also get behind a genetically engineered dragon - maybe we can crowdfund that!

 

[Corinnguard]

Not really interested in more types of dragons, just more images, videos, stats, minis, etc. of dragons. I would also get behind a genetically engineered dragon - maybe we can crowdfund that!

Building a bigger, stronger, faster dragon...

For me, more dragon groups mean more kinds of Dragonborn.

 

[Mockraven]

Dragons, always more dragons.

IDK, maybe a map of FR or similar landscape overview for the Adventures book. Focus on the setting not the characters. For the player's guide it is a little to cartoony for my taste, but I don't find it offensive or anything. It wouldn't stop me from buying it, it just doesn't encourage my to buy it.

I wouldn’t mind a map on the cover of the Adventures book, would have preferred some of the baddies from BG3 or maybe Manshoon posed like Cobra Commander looking into a crystal ball that displays the cover of the companion book like they did in 4e.

I’m excited that Karlach is on the cover of the first book. I’m still a fan of the 3e trade dress.

 

[TravDoc42]

Building a bigger, stronger, faster dragon...

For me, more dragon groups mean more kinds of Dragonborn.

Spirit dragonborn!?
(I would do ridiculous things to play as a spirit dragonborn in some capacity!!)

 

[Ghost2020]

Oof! Yikes that's bad.

Ehhh Kobold Press and A5e has it figured out for 5e systems, and art, and that's more than plenty for me.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I'm personally someone for whom art never dictates whether or not to purchase a book. I'm playing the game in my imagination, not with the actual art pieces... so if the game is good, then that's all that really matters. If bad art ever stopped me, then I never would have bought the original AD&D in the first place, because a lot of that artwork sucked, LOL! Both on the covers and the black and white images and cartoons within the books themselves.

 

[Corinnguard]

Spirit dragonborn!?
(I would do ridiculous things to play as a spirit dragonborn in some capacity!!)

In Level Up, there are a group of dragons known as the Essence dragons. They're less common than Chromatic, Metallic and Gem Dragons. Celestial, Chaos, Earth, River, Sea, Shadow, Spirit, and Underworld (and the Dragon Turtle). Monstrous Menagerie has info on the Earth, River and Shadow Essence Dragons. Monstrous Menagerie 2 has info on the Spirit Essence Dragons.

Essence dragons fly wingless over distant shores, their serpentine pennant-like bodies snapping back and forth magically as they soar. Their spirits are intertwined with the magic of the land and are usually tied to a specific sea, river, or mountain, or to a separate plane entirely. Essence dragons see their dragonborn as trusted guardians and custodians, charging them with the safety and protection of the place from which they draw their power. Such dragonborn clans are often highly attuned to nature, and guard their progenitor’s home at all costs.

Spirit Essence Dragons in Level Up are the protectors of shrines.

 

[TravDoc42]

In Level Up, there are a group of dragons known as the Essence dragons. They're less common than Chromatic, Metallic and Gem Dragons. Celestial, Chaos, Earth, River, Sea, Shadow, Spirit, and Underworld (and the Dragon Turtle). Monstrous Menagerie has info on the Earth, River and Shadow Essence Dragons. Monstrous Menagerie 2 has info on the Spirit Essence Dragons.

Essence dragons fly wingless over distant shores, their serpentine pennant-like bodies snapping back and forth magically as they soar. Their spirits are intertwined with the magic of the land and are usually tied to a specific sea, river, or mountain, or to a separate plane entirely. Essence dragons see their dragonborn as trusted guardians and custodians, charging them with the safety and protection of the place from which they draw their power. Such dragonborn clans are often highly attuned to nature, and guard their progenitor’s home at all costs.

Spirit Essence Dragons in Level Up are the protectors of shrines.

That sounds SO COOL!!! I'll definitely have to check that out, thank you so much!!