D&D 5E Monsters of the Multiverse Releases a Day Early

Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse is now available to buy, a day earlier than scheduled. While it releases most places tomorrow, you can grab it from D&D Beyond today.

Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse - Shop D&D Beyond

Pick up this wonderous bestiary to unlock 34 playable species and stat blocks for 261 monsters for Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition.

dnd.wizards.com

 

[Parmandur]

Overall I like what I saw of the changes. Compiling the player races is nice. Theres more than a few creatures in here I'll probably never use, but I could probably run a full campaign with this book alone if I wanted. One gripe, and this is one of the few times that I'd condone reprinting something, but I think they should have included stats for the small creatures that accompany the Ogre Howdah in the same entry. It would make it much easier to use. The art is OK, some of it is really great while others not so much IMO. I guess that can be said for all editions, but I haven't been a big fan of D&D art since 2E.

I like the 5E art in general, but any book will be hit or miss for different people in different ways. At least some of this art is from the Magic Cards (the Lozardfolk Bard, I recall in particular)

 

[R_J_K75]

I like the 5E art in general, but any book will be hit or miss for different people in different ways. At least some of this art is from the Magic Cards (the Lozardfolk Bard, I recall in particular)

Any idea if WotC outsources their art, if they have an in-staff art department or both?

 

[Parmandur]

Any idea if WotC outsources their art, if they have an in-staff art department or both?

A lot of freelancers, who are credited on the page the art appears along the inside of the page. They have a core art team for concept art and some pieces, and managing the freelance communications.

WotC, because of Magic, has one of the most sophisticated art procurement programs in the business, and they pay well I am given to understand.

 

[Parmandur]

Any idea if WotC outsources their art, if they have an in-staff art department or both?

This is from 6 years ago, but Kate Irwin is still in charge of the art st the D&D Studio:

 

[R_J_K75]

A lot of freelancers, who are credited on the page the art appears along the inside of the page. They have a core art team for concept art and some pieces, and managing the freelance communications.

WotC, because of Magic, has one of the most sophisticated art procurement programs in the business, and they pay well I am given to understand.

Good point I never considered how much art goes into MtG cards. I dont play so Im dont pay much attention to them.

 

[Parmandur]

Good point I never considered how much art goes into MtG cards. I dont play so Im dont pay much attention to them.

Several hundred new cards each year, basically, each one with a full highly detailed painting thst stands out if blown up. A lot of art: the freelancers also have rights to sell prints, which is a nice perk.

 

[R_J_K75]

This is from 6 years ago, but Kate Irwin is still in charge of the art st the D&D Studio:

Im green with envy.

 

[Parmandur]

I mean, Magic art collecting is sort of a hobby all it's own, it seems:

Painting for Tiamat by Chris Rahn Sells for $65,000

This is a new record for a newly released piece of artwork and for an artwork sold on the MTG Art Market.

www.hipstersofthecoast.com

 

[R_J_K75]

I mean, Magic art collecting is sort of a hobby all it's own, it seems:

Painting for Tiamat by Chris Rahn Sells for $65,000

This is a new record for a newly released piece of artwork and for an artwork sold on the MTG Art Market.

www.hipstersofthecoast.com

Thats alot of money.

 

[Parmandur]

Thats alot of money.

A fair chunk. It's a nice painting for a mantlepiece.