D&D’s big Gen Con panel was surprisingly exciting, marking the start of what feels like a bold new era for the game.
It isn’t every day that you get to watch an animated barbarian tearing someone’s head off. And yet, that’s exactly what you could have seen if you were at D&D’s big ‘Vision Keynote’ panel for 2027. When WotC said this would be the place to “witness a new dawn rising for D&D,” they meant it. As someone who sees a lot of announcements, I am impressed. Excited even to see what comes next as D&D branches out in a big way.
It’s hard to pin down a single biggest takeaway, other than it feels like the WotC team is swinging for the fences over the next year. I can’t wait to see how it works out. I’ll get into detail about all the announcements; however, here’s a taste of what I saw: A gory return to Dark Sun in all its content-warning-requiring glory. Classic settings like Dragonlance and Eberron and Greyhawk are all getting much more love and attention. Plus, also, Star Wars is coming to D&D in 2027! It’s a good time for D&D, however you might be involved.
D&D And World Of Warcraft – Together Again
First things first, the next big D&D book also confirms the leaked reveal with D&D: World of Warcraft. It is the anchor of the “Season of Champions” and is due out November 17th, when you’ll get to explore the world of Azeroth, including classic raids like Icecrown Citadel and a few other dungeons that should make WoW players new and old feel right at home.
It’s not just a big setting book, though. The book comes stuffed with new toys to make your character with, because honestly, what is the point of a WoW book if you can’t make your character in WoW but in D&D?
To that end, you’ll find 11 new species, 6 new subclasses (and 3 updated versions of old ones), and a bunch of new magic items, artifacts, spells, and factions. Not to mention the new monsters. Awaiting within. I’m sure we’ll see.
D&D And Dark Sun, Together Again, This Time With Content Warnings
And then there’s Dark Sun. The rumors are true, as WotC heads from Arthas to Athas, which sounds like a rom com, but less meet-cute, more meat-cute. Because for this return to Dark Sun, WotC is going all out. While some folks out there (me included) have been wondering how/if D&D could do a Dark Sun justice, worry not. The darker undertones, overtones, and also just regular tones were on full display. Complete with content warnings and everything.
Dark Sun heralds 2027, with the Season of Survival. This is one of the bigger swings from the WotC team, encompassing mature themes. This is one thing I’m excited to see, from a variety of companies; RPGs, even the big ones, aren’t shying away from having a little bite.
D&D And Star Wars – Together Again (Officially)
The big surprise announcement at this year’s Gen Con was the return of Star Wars to D&D to anchor the end of 2027, for the Season of Rebellion. That’s literally all we know right now, so stay tuned for more later.
Worth noting, this isn’t the first time WotC has done Star Wars. At the tail end of the 3.x era, there was Star Wars: Saga Edition, a d20-based RPG that paved the way for many new innovations in D&D, including, ultimately 4th Edition.
Greyhawk Returns With Crown Of The Witch Queen
Before Star Wars, though, D&D returns to another classic setting: Greyhawk. This is anchored by Tasha: Crown of the Witch Queen, a new adventure that will “decide Greyhawk’s fate amid the return and ascent of Drelnza, the vampire daughter of Iggwilv the Witch Queen—perhaps better known as Tasha—as she seeks to claim her birthright.”
D&D Icons
Of course, Greyhawk and Dark Sun aren’t the only D&D settings getting some love. Under the auspices of writer, actor, and werewolf Joe Manganiello, WotC will launch “D&D Icons” a series of partnerships with WotC that will ensure that your favorite setting doesn’t sit idle for ten years or more. Hopefully.
This includes Eberron, Dragonlance, another Greyhawk, and more. Though rather than WotC developing it themselves, they’ll be working with trusted partners. For instance, Luke Gygax is working on a new Greyhawk Boom. Margaret Wris and Tracy Hickman are back with more Dragonlance. But even Ravenloft is getting more thanks to a partnership with Ghostfire Gaming. All of this is just the beginning, though. Look for even more as a whole new era of D&D dawns.
D&D and Star Wars, eh? Could do a whole Saga about that!
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Source: Bell of Lost Souls
