D&D (2024) More Dragon Redesign Clues

[dave2008]

But the art is a big part of the appeal for me. If I don't like the art, it makes me feel less interested in playing the game.

Me too! Of course I've really like the vast majority of the art they have shown for the 2024 books, so its working for me. Sorry it isn't working for you.

PS - I'm still attached to the 1e dragon art (to some extent)!

 

[dave2008]

Blue and White look more like eels than I like.
Red seems okayish.
Green is very different than before.
I'm undecided about Black.

I do think the blue head in the crystal ball looks better than the purplish version in the other Tiamat art:

 

[pukunui]

PS - I'm still attached to the 1e dragon art (to some extent)!

I started with 2e, which I know has plenty of bad art (especially in the MM), but it also had lots of fantastic fantasy landscapes and contextual character vignettes by the likes of Elmore and Caldwell. Those will always be the gold standards for me. I wasn't a huge fan of 3e's dungeonpunk aesthetic, or the preference for character cut-outs. Don't get me started on the 4e art. The OG 5e art has been mixed but I regard it mostly positively (the standard Tasha's cover and Planescape DM screen art being two pieces that stood out enough for me that I have used both as computer wallpapers). I particularly appreciate the inclusiveness of WotC's 5e art. Unfortunately, for me, the bulk of this new art is going in the wrong direction for my tastes.

And to be clear, I'm not talking about the art styles employed. I'm mostly talking about the design aesthetic / overall art direction. For instance, I generally like Tyler Jacobsen's style. I've appreciated all his previous 5e cover pieces, for instance. It's just that with his new covers, the colors are all too muted / washed out / pastel / whatever. The contrast needs to be upped on them. I don't know if that's his doing or WotC's, but it rubs me the wrong way.

And with these new dragons - I can admit that a lot of this new art is masterfully done. I just really don't like the designs.

I don't like to use the word "hate" unless I really truly mean it. I'm getting pretty close with these dragons.

 

[dave2008]

And with these new dragons - I can admit that a lot of this new art is masterfully done. I just really don't like the designs.

I don't like to use the word "hate" unless I really truly mean it. I'm getting pretty close with these dragons.

Sorry to hear that, I'm loving that they are taking a fresh look at the dragons. I don't like everything they are doing (and I definitely didn't like some of the 3e designs), but I appreciate the effort, and, for the most part, I do like what they are coming up with.

 

[pukunui]

Sorry to hear that, I'm loving that they are taking a fresh look at the dragons. I don't like everything they are doing (and I definitely didn't like some of the 3e designs), but I appreciate the effort, and, for the most part, I do like what they are coming up with.

Which is fine. Art is subjective, and I've been trying to avoid telling anyone else they are wrong for liking these new dragons. It's possible I'll get used to them eventually. Right now I'm just having a moment.

 

[Shardstone]

Has anyone ever wondered why Tiamat is literally always screaming?

 

[pukunui]

Has anyone ever wondered why Tiamat is literally always screaming?

Maybe because her plans are always being thwarted ... or maybe because she just likes showing off her teeth.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

Has anyone ever wondered why Tiamat is literally always screaming?

I just imagine she is singing bolsterously. My version of Tiamat used the song of creation to shape her dragon children, and its cool that she gets to be her own little Quintet.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I don't like them all, but I also don't think the are distinctly inferior. Here are my thoughts on the dragon we have seen vs the 3e+ versions of them.

Red: not much difference, but I think the new concept art is a slight improvement or perhaps equal but different. But the 3e+ design was the best D&D dragon design of that era IMO. I like to move to make it more "dragon-like" and less horse-like. I also prefer the longer tail, it was to short in the 3e+ design for me.
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Blue: new art, though I am not sure I like it, is an improvement IMO. the 3e era blue strayed to much from the original IMO and I never liked the stocky proportions (for a blue) or semi-skeletal head of the 3e+ designs. I prefer the less body-builder design, but it I will wait until we get full look at it.
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Green: I am undecided if I like it, I would love to see the concept art on this one, but I always felt the green design (3e and before) was somewhat lacking. This new version seems to be distinct and leaning into its poisonous roots (with the cobra-like design). So I think it is an improvement over 3e+, but I am not sure I like it yet.
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Black: Barely changed. However, I think all the subtle changes over the last few years have been improvements to the 3e+ design. I do wish the head would be a little less skull-like, but I prefer the current look to the 3e+ smashed skull design. I like the evolution of the black and think the minor revisions are almost all improvements over the 3e version. I like the more distinct dorsal spines to the traditional frill
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White: Need to see more. I think the 3e+ design was one of the worse changes to the original 1e design. However, I am not sure if the new design is an improvement. It appears to have last the classic mono-fin on the head which I liked. I will wait and see.
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Gold: I am from 1e so I do appreciate a return to a more classic design. However, I thought the 3e+ gold design was a nice synthesis of the 1e version while bringing it up to modern design standards. For me, this is a wash I think. PS - the 3e+ design of the gold was often shown with a tail 2x the length of the body - so that is not new to the 2024 version.
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Silver: Appears to be virtually unchanged to me. I feel the 3e+ design of the silver and red were very similar and the best of the chromatic and metallic "traditional" dragon designs. They seem to have kept them both mostly the same, which was a good idea IMO. I think the the 2024 silver is = to the 3e+ design.
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Bronze: I think 2024 design is an improvement over the 3e design. It is just more interesting and distinctive to me.
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I fricken love the Gold and Bronze dragon redesigns.

I like what we can see of the green and white, the black is…fine I guess? The horns were better IMO previously.

But I love all the super long tails.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Has anyone ever wondered why Tiamat is literally always screaming?

Instead of resting beach face, she has resting beach voice.