D&D 5E [Updated with cover!] The D&D Book Is.... Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft!

Yesterday's hints that a new D&D book would be announced today have born fruit -- we now have a product description and a title! It's a Ravenloft setting book, with tools and new rules for horror-themed games, and new horror-themed character options. I'll update this post with a product image as soon as one is revealed -- the official announcement allegedly comes today!

D&D 5E - Here's the Ravenloft Alternate Cover!

As usual, there is an alternate hobby-store exclusive cover for the upcoming Ravenloft book. Here's a look at it! And here's the full wraparound art. https://www.enworld.org/threads/updated-with-cover-the-d-d-book-is-van-richtens-guide-to-ravenloft.678411/...

www.enworld.org

D&D 5E - Everything We Know About The Ravenloft Book

Here is a list of everything we know so far about the upcoming Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Art by Paul Scott Canavan May 18th, 256 pages 30 domains (with 30 villainous darklords) Barovia (Strahd), Dementlieu (twisted fairly tales), Lamordia (flesh golem), Falkovnia (zombies), Kalakeri...

www.enworld.org

Here’s some info on Dr. Rudolph Van Richten! He's a vampire hunter (he appeared in Curse of Strahd, and he's been around in the Ravenloft setting for decades) and is basically Van Helsing to Strahd's Dracula. His name appears on a whole pile of 2nd Edition D&D sourcebooks, all titled "Van Richten's Guide to.... Vampires/Ghosts/Werebeasts, etc."

The Ravenloft setting, of course, features a bunch of 'domains' other than Barovia itself, each ruled by its own Dark Lord. Strahd rules Barovia, but even other signature D&D villains like Lord Soth and Vecna have been placed in Ravenloft ruling dread domains of their own, along with an assortment of other domain rulers.

The Mist Beckons

The image below is not of the upcoming book, but of one of the many D&D 2nd Edition Van Richten's Guides.

 

[Alzrius]

I am happy with the return of the setting, but I wonder when the metaplot is going to continue. Is canon the one published for 3.5. by White Wolf?

I'd be surprised if it continued the 3.5 metaplot (which, insofar as I know, was canon to the setting) surrounding the Doomsday Gazetteers, though I'd be pleased if they did. For what it's worth, after the 3.5 line ended, the designers gave us the full story about what the rest of the metaplot would have entailed.

 

[NotQuiteANoble]

I'll have to wait until they release a table of contents with page numbers, so I can see how much of each subject is in the book, but I am surprisingly interested in this. I was gifted the PHB and DMG about 5 years ago, and have only bought some digital content from WOTC since then - mostly player options from various releases. But if this has a decent amount of new character options and a lot of "how to do different kinds of horror in 5E", I might have to buy the whole thing!

I've rarely played optimistic characters, so this is right up my street. Jolly Hexblood Druid here I come! I want to see my party flip out when the sweet twin of the Aasimar calls Lightning from the sky

 

[embee]

I'll have to wait until they release a table of contents with page numbers, so I can see how much of each subject is in the book, but I am surprisingly interested in this. I was gifted the PHB and DMG about 5 years ago, and have only bought some digital content from WOTC since then - mostly player options from various releases. But if this has a decent amount of new character options and a lot of "how to do different kinds of horror in 5E", I might have to buy the whole thing!

I'd also wait to find out what the Amazon price is. Because Amazon isn't going to be selling it for $50. Probably $35.

 

[skerritthegreen]

Any word on this being Adventure League legal?

Wait for the product announcement. AL will be announcing how/what we will be using as part of the various statements that are coming out over the next few weeks.

 

[Professor Murder]

I'm waiting for the alt cover to get from my flgs.

 

[Bravesteel25]

For me, they picked the most boring of classic settings. I'm glad for the horror fans, but I suppose I'm more excited about the Candlekeep book now.

 

[ART!]

I'd also wait to find out what the Amazon price is. Because Amazon isn't going to be selling it for $50. Probably $35.

I totally get that, and have gone that route many a time. After months of ordering everything through Amazon last eyar, I did a lot of my Christmas shopping locally - especially for books. So, if I do get the hard copy, I will probably order it from my FLGS and pay full price. I figure I spend so little on game books, I can afford to buy the rare item from my local shop. They're good people. Amazon gets plenty of my family's money as is.

 

[NotQuiteANoble]

For me, they picked the most boring of classic settings. I'm glad for the horror fans, but I suppose I'm more excited about the Candlekeep book now.

Really? Despite Van Richten travelling only to Barovia, and a guide to Ravenloft shouldn't really include other demiplanes, you could feasibly make you own demiplane of dread. And have a really cool horror campaign. Also, a common misconception I've found is that Shadowfell inhabitants directly confront people. Strahd's best weapon is fear after all, and there's nothing like inspiring fear in seasoned heroes

 

[Bravesteel25]

Really? Despite Van Richten travelling only to Barovia, and a guide to Ravenloft shouldn't really include other demiplanes, you could feasibly make you own demiplane of dread. And have a really cool horror campaign. Also, a common misconception I've found is that Shadowfell inhabitants directly confront people. Strahd's best weapon is fear after all, and there's nothing like inspiring fear in seasoned heroes

Yeah, that stuff just never really inspired me. I'm not saying it's bad, and I'll probably still buy it, but it will probably be a purchase for completionism's sake rather than because I honestly feel I'll use much of it.

 

[NotQuiteANoble]

Yeah, that stuff just never really inspired me. I'm not saying it's bad, and I'll probably still buy it, but it will probably be a purchase for completionism's sake rather than because I honestly feel I'll use much of it.

Fair enough. It's a fairly weird thing to add to most campaigns anyway