D&D 5E Is Dragons of Stormwreck Isle Based on the 80s D&D Cartoon?

We've known about the new starter set for D&D, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, for some time, but we've known precious little about the boxed set.

The folks over at comic book.com have a theory, though -- they posit that the adventure is based on the 1980s Dungeons & Dragon cartoon. Looking closely at the cover art (which is very blurry) it looks a lot like Hank the ranger with his energy bow, and Diana the acrobat leaping over the dragon's lightning breath, while the one piece of interior art we can see features somebody with a glowing shield -- the signature magic item of Eric the cavalier in the cartoon.

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But that's not the only clue! WotC has been teasing the cartoon in various social media posts over the last couple of weeks, as has D&D Beyond.

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The cartoon ran in the 1980s and featured a group of children who found themselves in the magic world of Dungeons & Dragons, and were granted magical items by the mysterious Dungeon Master. Those children became Hank the ranger, Eric the cavalier, Diana the acrobat, Presto the magician, Shelia the thief, and Bobby the barbarian. The show also featured Uni the unicorn, plus the Dungeon Master, the villain Venger, and, of course Tiamat the 5-headed dragon.

A couple of years ago, a Brazilian car commercial featured a live action version of the D&D cartoon heroes.

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[John R Davis]

Personally I appreciate having more options given for how to resolve an encounter with enemies without fighting, which is still always an option seeing as most of D&D's rules are about fighting. Besides, Wild Beyond the Witchlight is pretty much the only one that has significant support for nonviolent options.

Radiant will be full of them.
And it is the way things are going given the change in players

 

[Steampunkette]

Oh! Hopefully it will include "The Quest for Venger's Other Horn."

Not with kids involved it won't!

 

[Von Ether]

If this rumor is true, it seems a weird choice to me unless the angle is "Nostalgia for the parent who runs the game for their kids." I think Critical Role starter set would be more aimed at the newbie crowd, but of course WotC doesn't own that IP ... yet.

 

[Ace]

This renault commercial... it's brilliant! I could watch this over and over non-stop!

Great casting though Hank looks hard as nails. I'd watch that in Portuguese much less English for the action as much nostalgia.

 

[Parmandur]

If this rumor is true, it seems a weird choice to me unless the angle is "Nostalgia for the parent who runs the game for their kids." I think Critical Role starter set would be more aimed at the newbie crowd, but of course WotC doesn't own that IP ... yet.

It makes more sense if they are doing a reboot cartoon show aimed at kids with nostalgic parents.

 

[Ace]

Personally I appreciate having more options given for how to resolve an encounter with enemies without fighting, which is still always an option seeing as most of D&D's rules are about fighting.

Exactly . D&D is at it roots and bones a combat game. Modernizing with options built into it that allow for less violent games is an unalloyed good thing. Nothing is lost and new methods of play are gained.

Besides when I need a murder hobo fix I can just watch the new Jack Reacher TV show, is hobo (calls himself that) arrested for murder , kills lot of lots pf people and is chaotic good. Needs more magic, I kid I kid

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Of course magic allows lots of not-lethal-damage options, spells as web, grease, sleep, hold person... and it should be low-level for self-defense.

 

[teitan]

If this rumor is true, it seems a weird choice to me unless the angle is "Nostalgia for the parent who runs the game for their kids." I think Critical Role starter set would be more aimed at the newbie crowd, but of course WotC doesn't own that IP ... yet.

Nah that’s the exact market that Mattel has aimed for extremely successfully with their Origins line of MAsters of the Universe toys.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Perhaps its a hint that in 5.5E the iconic party will be ranger, barbarian, magician, thief, cavalier, and acrobat!

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

It is not only nostalgia, but parents, uncles and adults wanting to share with the next generation their love for their favorite cartoons from their childhood. And a revival or reboot is easier than starting from zero.

And the cartoon is a good way to introduce the brand in other markets. For example in Spains D&D cartoon arrived before the TTRPG. You asked about D&D and the people would answer it was a fantasy cartoon show.

And D&D cartoon show is one of the icons of the 80's. It was not perfect, but if it was remembered better than others, there is some reason.