D&D (2024) New D&D Edition's Player’s Handbook Cover Reveal

Game Informer has revealed the cover to the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

The cover features a gold dragon behind the old-school D&D characters Strongheart the paladin, Mercion the cleric, Elkhorn the dwarf fighter, and Molliver the thief. Ringlerun the wizard is absent (then again he got his showcase on one of the 1E AD&D Player's Handbooks), but a drow mage appears to have joined the party!

 

[Parmandur]

The dragon's face looks kinda leonine to me? I'm a bit "meh" about the front cover. I really like the back cover.

That's pretty traditional for the Gold Dragon, which has a bit of an Asian River Dragon vibe originally.

 

[AstroCat]

Wait who?

"Legendary characters from across the history of the game. We see the likes of Yolande the Elven queen, Strongheart the knight, Elkhorn the Dwarven warrior, the divine Mercion, and the rogueish Molliver,"

I've heard of Yolande but looking like she was race swapped (which is fine but it is a retcon). Strongheart and Elkhorn yea. The other 2?

Totally, who they heck are these "characters"?! I don't recognize anyone.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

The dragon's face looks kinda leonine to me? I'm a bit "meh" about the front cover. I really like the back cover.

The Gold Dragon makes me think of the Neverending Story.

 

[Clint_L]

People can like what they like, but people really think this cover is worse than these?


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There can be only one:

 

[Nikosandros]

People can like what they like, but people really think this cover is worse than these?


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The Easley AD&D 1e PHB cover is fantastic.

 

[Parmandur]

D&D Grognards: "Why doesn't WotC respect the history of the game and old school art??"

WotC produces a painterly cover that looks like a homage to the 2E PHB but with the 80's action figures as the characters

D&D Grognards: "Who are these characters from the 80's, who has ever heard of them, why does this look so painted??"

 

[el-remmen]

People can like what they like, but people really think this cover is worse than these?


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I'd say about equal to the first and better than the others. I mean, I think the art is okay and wish the back cover was the front cover, but I know I am not the target for this art, as I have not liked much D&D art since 2E days (even if some of that was marginal as well in my opinion)

 

[Parmandur]

There can be only one:

View attachment 363022

True, but this will do.

 

[Nikosandros]

Wait who?

"Legendary characters from across the history of the game. We see the likes of Yolande the Elven queen, Strongheart the knight, Elkhorn the Dwarven warrior, the divine Mercion, and the rogueish Molliver,"

I've heard of Yolande but looking like she was race swapped (which is fine but it is a retcon). Strongheart and Elkhorn yea. The other 2?

Mercion was one of the A&D action figures. Molliver, I had to google it up. Apparently, a character from Quest for the Heartstone.

 

[ngenius]

The cover for the 2024 PHB is generic and unambitious, which is a good thing, in that it showcases the new Dungeons and Dragons continues the 5th Edition easily accessible design mantra.