D&D 5E Xanathar's for a specific setting according to Mearls

[gyor]

That's how I read it.

Surprising, though. I would have expected something more like SCAG. Also, I still hate the name "Xanathar". The format may or may not be better for Eberron (for example) than SCAG, but any comparison to the "book of gargled peanut butter" gets a negative reaction, from me.

WTF, can you explain that please?

 

[Mercule]

WTF, can you explain that please?

I assume you mean the "gargled peanut butter" quip. Not being a Realms player, I'd never run across the name "Xanathar" before the book was formally announced. I still have a hard time remembering the actual name of the book. I'm sure it'll eventually sink in, but it's not exactly "Volo" in terms of ease of reading, either. Even now that it's not a new word, to me, I still don't like the sound of it. It just sounds garbled in my head, when I read it -- with all the elegance and appeal of someone trying to gargle with peanut butter. I think it's a lousy name for a book. It's just an aesthetically displeasing name, to me. It's very much subject, though, as are most things aesthetic, so YMMV, etc.

If you meant about the difference between SCAG and XGtE, then it was more a statement based on an assumption that XGtE is going to be laid out a bit like a 3.5E "Complete Book of X" or PHB2. I would expect something with a structure more like SCAG and found XGtE to be an odd point of reference to use for a setting book.

 

[Jester David]

In fairness, we haven't seen XGtE yet, so that's hard to judge. We only know the contents of a quarter of its pages.

 

[pukunui]

Surprising, though. I would have expected something more like SCAG.

Agreed. The SCAG format makes more sense to me.

But then, it's entirely possible he just used Xanathar's as an example because it's fresh on his mind.

 

[Charles Rampant]

It might also be that they feel there is greater profit from a XGtE sized book than a SCAG sized one. After all, Volo's Guide sold well, it seems, and I never saw complaints about its value, whereas every review for SCAG mentioned that it felt 'pricy for the contents'. Combine greater sales with a greater price tag, and what he might be referring to is a 256page book, not a 126 page one.

 

[pukunui]

I wasn't referring to the page count so much as the contents/format.

 

[gyor]

It might also be that they feel there is greater profit from a XGtE sized book than a SCAG sized one. After all, Volo's Guide sold well, it seems, and I never saw complaints about its value, whereas every review for SCAG mentioned that it felt 'pricy for the contents'. Combine greater sales with a greater price tag, and what he might be referring to is a 256page book, not a 126 page one.

Yes, the SCAG's greatest weakness was it's small side.

 

[tomBitonti]

Not sure if this has been posted. The first is the the normal version ($33 + prime shipping); the second is a limited edition ($55 + $15 shipping). That second price is from a third party, meaning, not amazon pricing or shipping. Release date is Nov 21, 2017.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/078696611...&ascsubtag=4e547873adacccae948bb4b20e4febed_S

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dra...=UTF8&qid=1500914813&sr=8-2&keywords=Xanathar

The description text has:

Explore a plethora of fantastic new rules options for both players and Dungeon Masters in this supplement for the world’s greatest roleplaying game

The Xanathar…
Waterdeep’s most infamous crime lord, and a beholder to boot…
You’d be shocked to discover just how much he knows about you…
Yes, you… adventurers.

Assembled here for the first time is new information on adventurers of every stripe. In addition, you’ll find and valuable advice for those of nefarious intent who must deal with such meddling do-gooders, including the Xanathar’s personal thoughts on how to dispatch anyone foolish enough to interfere with his business dealings. Alongside observations on "heroes" themselves, the beholder fills the pages of this tome with his personal thoughts on tricks, traps, and even treasures and how they can be put to villainous use.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but evil is in its heart!

For use with the fifth edition Player’s Handbook®, Monster Manual®, and Dungeon Master’s Guide®.
• Complete rules for more than twenty new subclasses for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons®, including the cavalier, the inquisitive, the horizon walker, and many more.
• Dozens of new feats and spells, and a system to give your character a unique, randomized back story
• A variety of systems and tools that provide Dungeon Masters new ways to personalize their home games, while also expanding the ways players can engage in organized play and shared world campaigns.
• Fans of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® can get a sample of what this book has in store for them by visiting their local hobby retailer and participating in the D&D Adventurers LeagueTM organized play program.
• Design and development by the Wizards tabletop RPG team.

The leader in providing contemporary fantasy entertainment, Dungeons & Dragons is the wellspring for the entire modern game industry, digital as well as analog. This newest edition draws from every prior edition to create a universally compelling play experience, and exemplifies the true spirit of a game that holds captive the hearts and minds of millions of players worldwide.

The limited edition has this:

This is a Special Edition (Alternative Cover) RPG.

Text is copied directly from the amazon product pages.

Edit: While I'm at it, here is the page for Tomb of Annihilation, which lists at $45 + prime shipping, and has a release date of Sept 19, 2017:

https://www.amazon.com/Tomb-Annihil...=UTF8&qid=1500914813&sr=8-3&keywords=Xanathar

Thx!
TomB

 

[BoldItalic]

"No, you'd just need a "core supplement" of sorts to bridge the gap between core 3 and the setting; Xanathar's for a specific setting"

I read that as "you would need a bridge book for each setting, equivalent to a Xanathar's Guide (which is generic) but setting-specific."

Are people reading it as "Xanathar is for a specific setting"?

 

[gyor]

"while also expanding the ways players can engage in organized play and shared world campaigns." I really wish we had more details on this and what they mean by that.