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.

 

[Mournblade94]

I'm just curious, what do you like about the mock book look?

For me, it just screams "this is fake" and takes me out of the mindset I'm trying to get into. However, I realize that is my issue. So what works for you about the mock book approach.

Its like an in game tome revealing knowledge of the world. I like the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms covers more than the 3rd edition standard covers though.

 

[Mournblade94]

Where indeed. Where indeed.

View attachment 412637


AD&D 2nd edition Players Handbook.

There is alot being conveyed in this image though. They just had a successful battle so theyre happy about that. They're making camp. There is something going on. The new covers are glam shots. Plus this wasn't the first selling point for a book like the FR covers are.

 

[EthanSental]

Wizards of the coast is really over compensating for representation. It is STARK how much they are overcompensatiing. Even under Human species in 2024 you have 1 white human represented and they are the example for a Small Human. 5th edition itself in 2014 had a very good representation of art. Tanji the art director makes representation a Zero Sum game and it is not.

Actually the art direction might be coming from higher up as all 3 core books have 3 different leads listed.

 

[Mournblade94]

Oh, and I know its appeal to authority, but art was a secondary in college....

Neither of those covers are "bad" art.

I personally think some of the poses are forced, but thats kinda just a dislike.

Perspective, use of color, fading into backdrop for distance, etc etc, all fine.

How is this "appeal to authority"? You're using expertise.

 

[Mournblade94]

I understand this, but as a DM,

Spoiler: Spoilers

I'd rather not have the surprise villain of my adventure on a player's book cover. Nothing to do with his role in the books.

Of course, this ship has already sailed with other WDH villains, most notably Xanathar.

Xanathar has already been made a cartoon by the quips they published in Xanathars. If they can't get rid of the 5e2024 art I really hope they stop putting In game Character Tweets in the rulebooks like they did with Fizban and Xanathar. Quotes are fine. The Xanathar one's were really awful.

 

[Mournblade94]

These books reek of "designed by committee"

That's the trend with the 20245e

 

[Mournblade94]

Back in the '80s you also had halflings getting high off of cheese. The forgotten realms were never serious.

It was as serious as you wanted to make it. It had those aspects but it also had dark and brooding aspects. Just like you had Castle Greyhawk mocking module in Greyhawk.

 

[Mournblade94]

Mistake

 

[Mournblade94]

Frankly, there are going to be people who do feel that other editions are better, or at least that the newer editions have made changes that are worse. That's perfectly fine. To be honest, you labeling them like you are in this post is more of a negativity issue than them labeling the products like they are.

Yep this is always the way. Its just smug toxic positivity which is no more helpful. Franchises love to have fans that complain about their things. It drives marketing. IF something is good the fans are just as apt to let the makers know it.

 

[Mournblade94]

Well this one here it seems most here don't like it.
Each edition usually has hit and miss art. I usually don't complain to much because of that fact. 5.5 has more hits than dud in say the MM.

The first pictures fairly bad though imho. I've seen better AI art.

There's also a lot of expectation riding on it. No FRCS type book 15+ years and the last one was a dud.

This means the books are probably going to be compared to the 3.0 FRCS. It's cover holds up today and it's generally regarded as one of the best ever (and 3.0 isn't well regarded generally).

THE 4E Forgotten Realms changes caused me to ditch the entire 4e line. Went to Pathfinder and left WOTC behind. 5e didn't do enough to fix the Forgotten Realms. 5e FR was kind of like Rise of Skywalker fixing all of Rian Johnsons bad decisions in The Last Jedi. But it was enough for me to stick with it. Just like Rise of Skywalker getting rid of alot of the Last Jedi Nonsense got me to stick around for Star Wars.

This is the clincher for me. If the FR for 2024 content isn't good (I've already made my peace with representation overcompensation and smiley happy people art) then I probably won't be buying any new material for 5e 2024. I'll stick with 5e because Beyond is a great tool. I'll just keep buying 3pp on D&D Beyond.