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.

 

[Azzy]

It was the inner cover (after to ToC). Literally the first picture IN THE PHB after the cover. They are posed like a photograph. There is no action. No sense of danger. They just killed a dragon no bigger than a black bear and posed like a hunting photo. It couldn't be more posed if they were giving each other bunny ears. It might have a story, buts it's a boring story.

I find it strange that a lot of people love that picture, when to me it always came across as dorky—and I tend to like Elmore's work.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Nobody was complaining about art done by Committee then at least before 4th edition and I don't think it was art done by committee then. They had other complaints certainly. Now they have gotten to a point where there is a lot of boxes they have to check. It is what it is.

Most of these complaints, in my opinion, come down to "hey, this has moved on from what I and my peers were used to, and is aimed at a newer, usually younger group of customers."

Which is the way of the world. We either find ourselves no longer the target audience eventually, or find ourselves looking up at the inside lid of a coffin.

If the system still works for you, fingers crossed that the alternative covers, which I assume are still going to be a thing, are more to your liking.

Otherwise, there are other, smaller companies happy to market their fantasy RPGs to older players who like older styles of play.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I find it strange that a lot of people love that picture, when to me it always came across as dorky—and I tend to like Elmore's work.

I like it in a hilariously honest sort of way, kind of like the paintings of St. George absolutely creaming a much smaller dragon while on horseback with a lance.

It's almost like the artist is saying, "well, they're technically heroes, anyway."

D&D of all eras has plenty of epic paintings, but I think the party being smug about killing a wyrmling is probably more true to most games.

 

[Parmandur]

I find it strange that a lot of people love that picture, when to me it always came across as dorky—and I tend to like Elmore's work.

I love it and think it's dorky.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

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.

Mod Note:

Please, don’t go further down this well-trodden road to ruin. It will not end well for you.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I like it in a hilariously honest sort of way, kind of like the paintings of St. George absolutely creaming a much smaller dragon while on horseback with a lance.

It's almost like the artist is saying, "well, they're technically heroes, anyway."

D&D of all eras has plenty of epic paintings, but I think the party being smug about killing a wyrmling is probably more true to most games.

I've always found the tiny 6 by 6 inch box of treasure to be the most hilarious part. It's the draconic hoard equivalent to a penny jar.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

These books reek of "designed by committee"

Well done, you have uncovered a secret closely guarded for 50 years by concealing the names of the dozens of people involved inside the cover.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I find it strange that a lot of people love that picture, when to me it always came across as dorky—and I tend to like Elmore's work.

I think this new cover is very Elmore-ish. Composited, posed, painted on armour, bright palette. Technically, Elmore is not very good. Yet lots of people love his work (not me).

And that's the thing. Technically, the SCAG cover is much better art. Yet on an emotional level, my response to it is "boring".

 

[Zardnaar]

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.

Pathfinder had same artist as 4E. It was just another punch in the love spuds.

Generally not a fan of Pathfinder art well WAR.

 

[Corinnguard]

If the system still works for you, fingers crossed that the alternative covers, which I assume are still going to be a thing, are more to your liking

They better be a thing. I am curious about what they will look like compared to the covers seen in this thread.