When Wizards of the Coast begins releasing the revised 5th edition rules for Dungeons & Dragons this summer, the role-playing game’s three core rulebooks will have a completely new look. They will also come in two different editions: A more traditional set available at mass retail, and a collectible alternate art set available only from local game stores. After weeks of teases and reveals, we now finally know what all six of those books will look like.
The core books have been illustrated, front and back, by Tyler Jacobson — the same artist who provided art for the covers of the Player’s Handbook (2014) and the Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014). But, as you’ll see in the images below, his style here is subtly different, with a more dreamy look on the fronts that matches the timeless nature of its subjects. More precise renders emphasize the character’s facial expressions on the back. Jacobson said earlier this week that prints will be available on his website soon.
The alternate covers, on the other hand (including the collectible Player’s Handbook first revealed here on Polygon) are by two different artists — Wylie Beckert and Olena Richards — they are unified with a unique filligree design by sign maker Simen Meyer. That’s the same artist who created the collectible cover for Candlekeep Mysteries.
Due to the volume of printing required to produce all three hardcover volumes, the release of all three books will stretch into next year. The Player’s Handbook (2024) will be available for pre-order beginning June 18 before arriving at local game shops on Sept. 3. Fans should expect Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024) a bit later on in November, with Monster Manual (2025) arriving in February.
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