D&D 5E (2024) Josh Herman (Head of Art) Interview with Silver and Blue Dragon Art

[mamba]

Storms are actually quite common in deserts

they are quite common everywhere as far as I can tell. They certainly are not specific to deserts, so choosing to focus on storms for a desert creature is a bit weird

 

[Scribe]

they are quite common everywhere as far as I can tell. They certainly are not specific to deserts, so choosing to focus on storms for a desert creature is a bit weird

Confirmed, anywhere I've lived there have been storms.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Storms are actually quite common in deserts

I was just about to say the same thing. I live in Arizona, and the summer monsoon storms here are usually very spectacular, with lots of lightning (which unfortunately are one of the main causes of wildfires out here) that, combined with the desert, I could definitely see associated with blue dragons.

 

[Veltharis ap Rylix]

Storms are actually quite common in deserts

I was just about to say the same thing. I live in Arizona, and the summer monsoon storms here are usually very spectacular, with lots of lightning (which unfortunately are one of the main causes of wildfires out here) that, combined with the desert, I could definitely see associated with blue dragons.

Fair enough.

I don't live in/near a desert (on the contrary, pretty sure the land my hometown is built on used to be a swamp), so I suppose I'm not too familiar with their seasonal cycles.

Main point I was trying to make is that "storms" bring imagery of heavy rainfall, flooding, and frankly stupid levels of humidity to my mind, which feels a bit weird when linked to creatures designed for arid climates. But again, no real personal experience living in that type of climate, and there are absolutely ways to square the two together. Will need to see the full blue dragon write up, I think...

In that context, I think I'm warming up to the new blue dragon a bit. Still think I prefer the old 3e Lockwood design, though...

 

[Xeviat]

I'll always prefer the Lockwood designs. It's going to take some time for me to warm up to these.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

I’m really enjoying the new blue dragon design, and I agree with others that they seem to be leaning more towards the dragons’s connection to the storm and it’s love of fly then it’s desert riots. This was what they did in 4e if I recall before they reverted back to earlier lore during the switch to 5e.

 

[dave2008]

Of mixed opinions on the blue... I like the design - quite a lot, actually - but it doesn't say "desert dweller" to me like the 3e design did. It's an awesome design for a blue-scaled dragon, but it doesn't quite say "blue dragon" to me...

How did the 3e design feel like a desert dweller to you? I peronally never could see that in the blue's design in 3e or before.

Feels more like a kind of "storm" dragon. Something thematically linked to massive thunderstorms - maybe even hurricanes, which would imply a more oceanic habitat akin to the bronze - but not so much arid climates and sand dunes.

Yes, and that is what I have wanted from blues for a long time!

 

[dave2008]

I'll always prefer the Lockwood designs. It's going to take some time for me to warm up to these.

As a dragon lover, I think all of these are an improvement.

I do miss the blue's "ears" though.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How did the 3e design feel like a desert dweller to you? I peronally never could see that in the blue's design in 3e or before.

Blue dragons being desert dragons always felt like someone saying "crap, do we have a desert dragon? Do we need to make up indigo dragons or something?"

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I am liking the modest silver redesign. Always was one of my favorites.