D&D 5E (2024) When are we getting announcements for 2026 books?

[Parmandur]

That this is so blatant does make me wonder if we will see some sort of 2026 slate announcement shortly...

 

[Henadic Theologian]

@Steampunkette presented an idea of a hopepunk version of Dark Sun. Basically, a world where things are so bad there is no where to go but up. I think that sort of tone would be true to the intention (a harsh world that is full of danger) without resorting to the "it's pointless to change things, so get yours before you die" edgelord stuff the old 90s setting was infamous for. A world that can't be made good, but can be made better. Where cruelty is not accepted as just a part of life. The kinda place the common folk will help you, not just rat you out to the templars for an extra ration of water.

Like I said, WotC has a huge mountain to climb to fix Dark Sun, but if their was any setting that I personally don't care gets the retcon hatchet job, it's this one.

So in other words not Darksun. You want Hopepunk you got FR & Radiant Citadel or even just your party building that hope by convincing others on Athas there there can be a better way, not by radically transforming the setting. Again there is a free city that is already a seed of hope, so you really don't need to radically change the settings themes for that.

 

[Echohawk]

But that's not what you said. You continue to insist that it is the #1, Undusputed, top theme of Dark Sun, and you seem to think that everyone knows it, agrees with it, and can't have Dark Sun without it.

Yep, with the strikethrough above, that is exactly right and consistent with my opinion of the setting.

I mean, officially that is one of the setting's themes, but it ranks as only #6, not theme #1, according to the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting.

Here's the full list, from the Eight Characteristics of Athas section of that book:
1. The World Is a Desert
2. The World Is Savage
3. Metal Is Scarce
4. Arcane Magic Defiles the World
5. Sorcerer-Kings Rule the City-States
6. The Gods Are Silent
7. Fierce Monsters Roam the World
8. Familiar Races Aren't What You Expect

 

[mamba]

I mean, officially that is one of the setting's themes, but it ranks as only #6, not theme #1,

that is not even the theme, that is just ‘there are no gods’ without the ‘and this is why things are so terrible’ part

 

[Remathilis]

So in other words not Darksun. You want Hopepunk you got FR & Radiant Citadel or even just your party building that hope by convincing others on Athas there there can be a better way, not by radically transforming the setting. Again there is a free city that is already a seed of hope, so you really don't need to radically change the settings themes for that.

What I don't want is a setting that encourages rat-bastard PCs who are slightly less terrible than the Sorcerer-Kings and Templars they profess as enemies. A setting where Tyr is just the start, not the end, of the good that can be done via heroics and collective action. A setting that doesn't consider charity foolish, compassion weakness, or attempting to make things better to be a fool's dream.

If that isn't possible in Dark Sun, you are right, I don't want it.

 

[Garmel]

What I don't want is a setting that encourages rat-bastard PCs who are slightly less terrible than the Sorcerer-Kings and Templars they profess as enemies. A setting where Tyr is just the start, not the end, of the good that can be done via heroics and collective action. A setting that doesn't consider charity foolish, compassion weakness, or attempting to make things better to be a fool's dream.

If that isn't possible in Dark Sun, you are right, I don't want it.

There is still good in Athas.

Tyr has has been liberated.

Oronis with his city of Kurn.

The Veiled Alliance.

I think good might still win in the end.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I mean, officially that is one of the setting's themes, but it ranks as only #6, not theme #1, according to the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting.

We were never denying that the Gods are Silent. What was at dispute, was whether or not: 1) It was the absolute biggest theme. And 2) The gods being silent was the cause of the world being nasty.

 

[bedir than]

My Pax West prediction is almost certainly wrong.

This tease on DnDBeyond had me excited.

Embark on your next D&D adventure at PAX West in Seattle from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1! Sneak peeks of upcoming products and unforgettable memories await you as you journey through the Penny Arcade Expo!

But the details are all about the announced Forgotten Realms books

Dungeons & Dragons at PAX West 2025

Embark on your next D&D adventure at PAX West in Seattle from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1! Sneak peeks of upcoming products and u...

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[Parmandur]

My Pax West prediction is almost certainly wrong.

This tease on DnDBeyond had me excited.


But the details are all about the announced Forgotten Realms books

Dungeons & Dragons at PAX West 2025

Embark on your next D&D adventure at PAX West in Seattle from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1! Sneak peeks of upcoming products and u...

www.dndbeyond.com

I mean, they have a lot more products coming down the pipeline in the next few months. They did a big product reveal in December back in 2023, could be something they do again.

 

[Nikosandros]

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I'm in no hurry to hear about the 2026 books. There are two starter sets coming out soon, then two FR books and then the Eberron book. Dragon Delves is still recent. I'll think about future releases later on....