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.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I would have liked to have seen more player-facing material, especially more witchy spells. Maybe those are coming, or maybe they'll just be an opportunity for smart DMs Guild content creators.

 

[dave2008]

I was just hoping that 5E was far enough along in its life cycle that we were going to start seeing some 2E style rules overhauls to get the flavor right for the subgenre, and Ravenloft being both different in tone and assumed era than standard D&D, was a prime candidate. I wasn't expecting an AiME level overhaul (though that would be cool, too) but a concerted effort to show just what D&D can do with a few substantive tweaks.

That would be interesting, but I don't think WotC is interested in doing that. Lots of great options in the 3PP / DMsGuild market though.

 

[Hatmatter]

I forgot they did two boxed sets and a hardback in 2E for campaign settings.

Yeah...I just had the first of the boxes...but I got a bunch of the Van Richten guides. We had a lot of fun with Ravenloft.

 

[dave2008]

I remember there were some predictions last year that Innistrad might be covered as one of the new campaign settings; it made sense. But, speaking for myself, I am glad that they are first covering the traditional D&D setting before doing Innistrad. But, I would love to see Innistrad down the line.

I wonder if Innistrad could be one of the new Domains of Dread?

 

[R_J_K75]

Yeah...I just had the first of the boxes...but I got a bunch of the Van Richten guides. We had a lot of fun with Ravenloft.

Van Richtens Monster Hunters Guide was an updated 3 vol compendium of the VR Guides that was really good, wish Id kept my copies. Good stuff in there even for non RL campaigns.

 

[Stormonu]

Strange, I love I6 to death, but haven’t been enamored with the Domains of Dread. I sort of prefer the “weekend in hell” instead of a campaign world.

 

[Hatmatter]

I wonder if Innistrad could be one of the new Domains of Dread?

Nice idea!

 

[Hatmatter]

Van Richtens Monster Hunters Guide was an updated 3 vol compendium of the VR Guides that was really good, wish Id kept my copies. Good stuff in there even for non RL campaigns.

Maybe I will look it up if I want more material after this book comes out. Thanks!

 

[R_J_K75]

Maybe I will look it up if I want more material after this book comes out. Thanks!

2E but iirc pretty edition neutral.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I gave the vid a watch. New darklords and big changes to previous domains. Falkovnia losing Vlad Drakov and instead going with a zombie apocalypse theme for example.

This is exactly what I was hoping for. Big changes, new darklords, entirely new domains. Pretty much the only way I'd end up buying this, and it sounds like they did it. Smart move from my perspective and I'm now actually kind of excited about this.