D&D 5E (2014) What Is the Iconic Artwork Of 5E?


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5e has tons of quality artwork. I liked the art direction more in its earlier years (2015-2020) because it was more evocative, whereas most material now evokes a very specific tone that doesn’t do anything for me. This is more of a change in art direction than in quality of art, which remains mostly very good with a few exceptions.

The most iconic piece to me is a tie between the 2014 PHB and the DMG covers. Speaking personally, all adventures from Out of the Abyss through Rime of the Frostmaiden had inspired art design; a special mention to the excellent art direction in Descent Into Avernus.
 

Had to go back and have a look.

Difference between iconic and best though.

Iconic probably one of the 5.0 core books, Tiamat off HotDQ or something from LMOP.

Early books are pretty but not vs a bit later. Post Tashas generally went downhill with some exceptions.

Quick flick through.

Cover art. Alt art Eberron. Think its hard to beat that. Im not even that big of an Eberron fan. Interior art is decent as well but outclassed by others.

Two best looking. Probably Icewind Dale and Theros. Alt art Icewind Dale is probably the prettiest overall and contender for prettiest D&D book ever outside an art of xyz type book. Alt Art takes of Infinite Staircase I thought was pretty.

Honorable mentions to Witchlight interior alt art cover is good but not great. Ravnica is good as well.

Final score.
Iconic. Probably Tiamat
Cover. Toss up alt art Eberron vs Icewind Dale.
Interior. Therros then Icewind.
 

Ghosts of Saltmarsh cover, cannot post pic from phone
Yup. This was the first piece of 5e cover art that I actually liked. And probably the 1st D&D art I've liked since 2e.
That piece is not by Wayne Reynolds. Judging by the signature in the lower right, it's by Pindurski.
Not only is it an art style I hate, it's a deliberate imitation of an art style I hate, not even original.
 

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