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.

 

[Older Beholder]

That is actual art that denotes fantasy and adventure. I would rather they recycle that than the new art they paid for.

Pretty sure this is actual art that denotes fantasy and adventure...

 

[Azzy]

There are plenty of old book covers with characters posing that no one complained about.
Personally, I think people just prefer the way oil paintings look.

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Yep, it's generic and static. It doesn't speak to the setting as presented, the rider isn't interesting, and there's no sense of adventure.

 

[Jahydin]

There are plenty of old book covers with characters posing that no one complained about.
Personally, I think people just prefer the way oil paintings look.

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The medium does go a long way in making this world feel more authentic for me, that's for sure, but also think there's more to it than that.

First, the look on the warrior here. Her expression tells me she's "sizing me up". This tells me we haven't met before and allows me to imagine myself as a friend or foe. The unicorn, seems more on the distrusting side. I immediately start to wonder why, especially since there's a pain to it.

Also, she's interesting! Why is she out here? How did she tame a unicorn and train it for battle? Does she have anything to do with the buildings in the foreground? What's in the sack on her side? Is it worth fighting her for (evil PC)?

And what about the Realms? I get a sense it's magical, contains interesting NPCs, has fantastical areas to explore, and is dangerous.

//

Looking at the new picture, I see an elvish like forest town? Cozy, I guess...

Then a group of adventurers that seem to have no ties to the background town or each other getting ready to fight...something? Honestly, my first thought would be it's an illusion.

Second picture is better; it at least looks dangerous. I'm still not really sure what I'm looking at though. Evil elf casting something while I'm on the ground. What's everything else though? Just looks like a collage of random monsters. Nothing seems to even notice the elf or me...?

 

[Distracted DM]

Personally, I think people just prefer the way oil paintings look.

I'd agree. That's not to say that I only like the oils, far from it, but I do think that oils tend to rank higher with me.

 

[Sulicius]

I disagree. AI art has nothing on classic TSR art and does not hold up to pre 4E WOTC art or MTG art. The poor quality of D&D art is mostly 4E and 5E 2024 art. Coincidentally this is also the time frame that AI art became available easily on the mass market. Most D&D fans are against AI art and have caused WOTC to backtrack quite a bit as WOTC upper management has been very enthusiastic about embracing it so they don’t have to pay artists.

It’s funny how out of touch this is. The 2024 D&D art is literally from the same artists as MTG art. All this tells me is that you have an agenda, not an ability to discern art.

 

[Corinnguard]

Pretty sure this is actual art that denotes fantasy and adventure...

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I like this particular pic because atm it reminds me of that scene from the Avengers MCU movie where Wanda Maximoff is about to face off against two of Thanos' minions in order to protect Vision. It says 'Come and Get Me. I can take you.'

 

[Older Beholder]

Also, who’s this little guy behind the hook horror?

 

[Parmandur]

Also, who’s this little guy behind the hook horror?

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Owlbear in the distance.

 

[Scott Christian]

There are plenty of old book covers with characters posing that no one complained about.
Personally, I think people just prefer the way oil paintings look.

View attachment 412735

I'll agree. I was never a fan of this cover. My reference was to that specific cover. I even said:

It's always been strange to me when people mock this picture.

As you can see, I was referencing the dragon picture. As for the oil painting, that is a very good point.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Also, who’s this little guy behind the hook horror?

View attachment 412741

Gollum wandered into the wrong cave.