D&D 5E (2024) Predict WotC's 2026 D&D releases

[Rainbow Scissors]

Clearly he thinks the last year was just fancy reprints of the PHB, DMG, MM, SCAG and RftLW...

You're a lot more skilled at moving goalposts than you are at reading the thoughts of others.

But to address what was released.
There were digital supplements.
There was (much like 3rd Edition,) a push to get some Forgotten Realms books with nice covers out the door.
Dragon Delves, which barely has any mechanics in at all. It probably should have just been a digital supplement.
There was also the special "legendary" edition of Tyranny of Dragons for $400.
The various compendiums, anthologies, and collections.
None of those strongly deviate from the usual pattern.

A lot of what is coming in 2026 are mainly products by people who aren't WotC. There are the various "workbooks," a crochet book (which is actually cool), a special version of the Dragonlance, romance novels (but alas no Fabio), and rumors of some setting books.

It could be the case that I am reading the tea leaves incorrectly and inappropriately scissoring.

My group still plays D&D. There is no emotional attachment either for or against the 2024 version of the game as printed by WotC.

Most recently, we have talked about trying A5E.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

A hint from a partner?

I will mention that WotC has recently appointed a Head of Franchising, whose job it is to improve the synchronicity between tie in products.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

A lot of what is coming in 2026 are mainly products by people who aren't WotC. There are the various "workbooks," a crochet book (which is actually cool), a special version of the Dragonlance, romance novels (but alas no Fabio), and rumors of some setting books.

All of the confirmed stuff is licensees and doesn't reflect whatever WotC's D&D team may or may not be doing.

I happen to agree that this year will probably be fairly light until the end of the year, but the workbooks, crochet book, etc., aren't evidence of that.

 

[Remathilis]

There were digital supplements.

Three D&D Beyond exclusives. They aren't the only Beyond or Digital exclusives. The Mortuary for Planescape is one, there are four Monster mini books, the Vecna book and the HoT tie ins. And they were doing digital supplements as far back as The Tortle Package.

There was (much like 3rd Edition,) a push to get some Forgotten Realms books with nice covers out the door.

Oh yeah, such as rush job to put two full Forgotten Realms books out with adventures, pc options and circle magic. Sure.

Dragon Delves, which barely has any mechanics in at all. It probably should have just been a digital supplement.

Because it's an adventure anthology. And whether you think it should be a digital supplement (which you derided above) is irreverent. Unless you aren't counting every adventure anthology from Yawning Portal onwards.

There was also the special "legendary" edition of Tyranny of Dragons for $400.

Beadles & Grimm produced that. It's partnered content.

The various compendiums, anthologies, and collections.
None of those strongly deviate from the usual pattern.

Apparently Forge of the Artificer, the Stranger Things box set and the new Basic game don't count either as release either?

Talk about your shifting goalposts!

A lot of what is coming in 2026 are mainly products by people who aren't WotC. There are the various "workbooks," a crochet book (which is actually cool), a special version of the Dragonlance, romance novels (but alas no Fabio), and rumors of some setting books.

All partnered content and not designed by WotC.

It could be the case that I am reading the tea leaves incorrectly and inappropriately scissoring.

I would be certain you are. Considering that there are a half-dozen UAs also that hint at future products with defined game mechanics, I think you are reading what you want to read in those tea leaves.