The Next Dungeons & Dragons Storyline Will Be...

And the new storyline for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is...

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Waterdeep: Dragon Heist! The plot will focus on an urban treasure hunt and a focus on urban and city-based adventures with special rules for running games in that environment. The adventure itself will have variable goals and antagonists similar to the original I6: Ravenloft module, where the DM chooses what "villain" will be the secret villain of the campaign, which will change outcomes of various events. The adventure itself will also have downtime built into the adventure along with the ability to own property in Waterdeep. The adventure for Level 1-5 will be released on September 18, 2018, with an MSRP of $49.95.

A second announcement is anticipated later this weekend, as the product codenamed "Catacombs" has a release date of November 20 and is also a 256-page hardcover book. This would make Waterdeep: Dragon Heist the codename "Broadway" (which also had a custom dice release announced for solicitation last year with the other products, including "Marathon" which turned out to be Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes).

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Wizards of the coast made the announcement as part of a weekend-long live streaming event on their Twitch channel, "Stream of Many Eyes". Other products announced during the live stream include updates to the Neverwinter MMO and its Barovia expansion, a new official history artbook about Dungeons & Dragons with images throughout the history of the game, and a new series of boxed sets with props and handouts for published adventures released so far as well as for Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

This article will be updated with more information as the Wizards of the Coast live stream continues.

 

[Leatherhead]

I haven't had a chance to check. Is the paladin a gnome?

Not likely, although his armor does look a bit like a construct. So possibly?

 

[HawaiiSteveO]

Any mention if either product is going to have poster map (similar to CoS)?

 

[lordstimpy]

I think Perkins said Dragon Heist roundtables. Giant poster map of Waterdeep in the announcement roundtable.

 

[Aldarc]

Not me. From the overall tone of this thread, not many.

But it is for me, and I am only speaking for myself.

What would you prefer?

Not Waterdeep. Not the Sword Coast. Not Forgotten Realms.

If I understand correctly the adventure for levels 1-5 and it is 256 pages. They also mentioned new urban environment rules. It seems to me this is as much, if not more, and urban adventure book with a starter adventure thrown in than a proper adventure path. Now that may not be your thing, but it seem to be to a potentially really useful supplement. I know I struggle to handle urabn environments well, and if this can help, I will pick it up regardless of the adventure.

Ptolus may not be 5e, but it is probably one of the better D&D books for providing a "guide" for urban adventures. If previous adventures are any precedent, I just don't see much chance of me being inspired by anything from this book.

 

[dave2008]

If previous adventures are any precedent, I just don't see much chance of me being inspired by anything from this book.

I usually find something useful or interesting in each of the 5e adventures, but I don't believe I have been inspired by any adventure, from any publisher.

 

[Yaarel]

I usually find something useful or interesting in each of the 5e adventures, but I don't believe I have been inspired by any adventure, from any publisher.

I extend this to any published adventure. One size can only fit some.

 

[EthanSental]

I find it interesting that it seems for every 1 that posts various 5e products aren't for them, apparently 10 people buy it anyway since the sales for the products are top sellers. Enough previous gamers and many new gamers are having fun with what they are creating. Perkins has been doing great as the story line creator in my book and watching him on Lore You Should Know shows he cares about the material. Props Chris!

 

[abirdcall]

I find it interesting that it seems for every 1 that posts various 5e products aren't for them, apparently 10 people buy it anyway since the sales for the products are top sellers. Enough previous gamers and many new gamers are having fun with what they are creating. Perkins has been doing great as the story line creator in my book and watching him on Lore You Should Know shows he cares about the material. Props Chris!

This site (or any forum) does not represent the D&D player base.

 

[Ancalagon]

... has anyone noticed that Jarlaxle looks like Perkins?

 

[Demetrios1453]

Any mention if either product is going to have poster map (similar to CoS)?

The first book will have a poster map of Waterdeep.

The second book is apparently going to have a separate poster map pack of the various levels of Undermountain for purchase:

http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/waterdeep-dungeon-mad-mage-map-pack

(I wonder if the map pack is our legendary "fourth product" for the year that has been previously hinted at. If we don't hear anything else announced today, I'm assuming that this is likely the case...)