Dungeons & Dragons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dungeons & Dragons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Choose Your Magical Faction with New Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed Backgrounds
Wizards of the Coast has released a preview of the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Arcana Unleashed, detailing new backgrounds and Origin Feats. These backgrounds are tied to specific magical factions and offer players enhanced customization and mechanical benefits based on their character's affiliations and growing renown within these groups.
Mike Shea's Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter Campaign Offers Vital Table Advice
TTRPG author Mike Shea has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his new book, 'Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster,' the fourth in his 'Lazy GM' series. The campaign has already surpassed its $35,000 goal, raising over $233,000. The book offers advice on running engaging tabletop RPG sessions with minimal effort and includes various resources like adventure outlines and maps.
Gather Your Party and Venture Forth to D&D Tower at Gen Con 2026
Wizards of the Coast will host a Dungeons & Dragons Tower event at Gen Con 2026 from July 30 to August 2 in Indianapolis. The multi-day celebration will feature live actual plays, panels with prominent TTRPG personalities like Matt Mercer and Jasmine Bhullar, and discussions on game design and worldbuilding.
New Occult Secrets are Revealed in Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed
Pre-orders are now available for Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed, a new supplement for the tabletop RPG. The release includes two books: a gameplay expansion with new player options and lore, and an epic-level adventure titled Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall set in Thay. Both books are scheduled for release on September 15.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various topics in game design and the industry, including Bruno Dias's thoughts on meaningful choice in narrative, Oma Keeling's analysis of modernism and postmodernism in platformers like Fallstruktur and Automaton Lung, and Justine Barron's critique of media bias regarding Long Covid. It also touches on the politics of Dungeons & Dragons, advice for writing about indie games from Michael Brough, and the Itch.io manifesto jam.
Vampire: The Masquerade's D&D crossover is a condescending cave-in to people who are afraid of trying something…
This opinion piece discusses the recent announcement of a Vampire: The Masquerade rulebook for Dungeons & Dragons, titled Bound by Blood. While acknowledging its potential appeal to D&D players and character-building enthusiasts, the author expresses frustration with the industry's tendency to integrate existing IPs into D&D rather than promoting dedicated systems for specific genres like horror or vampire themes. The article encourages players to explore dedicated Vampire: The Masquerade systems for a more authentic experience.
D&D and Magic owner Hasbro is reportedly trying to get child actors from Peppa Pig to sign away their voices to AI
Hasbro is reportedly attempting to secure AI voice rights from child actors, including those from Peppa Pig, according to an open letter from the Agents of Young Performers Association. The company has faced criticism for its handling of AI and labor practices, with the letter highlighting a 'take it or leave it' contract clause regarding AI usage.
Dungeon Masters Season 2 Will Feature Material from Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed
Wizards of the Coast announced that Dungeon Masters Season 2 will premiere on July 8th on YouTube, featuring host Jasmine Bhullar and guests Devora Wilde, Neil Newbon, Mayanna Berrin, and Christian Navarro. The season will showcase new player subclasses from the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Arcana Unleashed, and is set in the Anarouch Desert. Additional seasons are planned for later in the year.
If you want to get into 3D printing, I recommend these two excellent beginner machines (and now they're cheaper…
Amazon is offering significant discounts on two beginner-friendly 3D printers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 and the Anycubic Kobra X, as part of its Prime Day event. Both machines are now available for around $300, representing record low prices and substantial savings off their original retail prices.
United Wizards of the Coast Union Has Officially Been Formed
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena have officially formed the United Wizards of the Coast union, affiliated with the Communication Workers Association. The union, established with a majority vote from 79 out of 102 employees, aims to negotiate collective bargaining agreements covering layoff protections, remote work, workload sustainability, and AI tool guidelines. Wizards of the Coast has stated they will engage in good faith negotiations.
I've run D&D games for years, here are the Prime Day deals I'd recommend
A Dungeon Master with years of experience recommends Dungeons & Dragons modules and sourcebooks available during Amazon's Prime Day sale. The article highlights various offerings, including horror-themed adventures, classic fantasy quests, and beginner-friendly stories, noting that many are discounted.
Wizards of the Coast Releases Revised Dungeons & Dragons Villainous Unearthed Arcana
Wizards of the Coast has released revised Dungeons & Dragons villainous Unearthed Arcana content, incorporating player feedback on subclasses like the Circle of Titans Druid and Hell Knight Fighter. The company also provided designer insights and clarified the future of various playtest subclasses, confirming that the Circle of Titan Druid, Warrior of Venom Monk, and Path of Lament Barbarian may see future revisions, while the Primordial Patron Warlock will not. Feedback on Villainous Path Feats like Lich and Death Knight was positive, suggesting potential inclusion in future supplements.
I had my doubts about Critical Role's new 13-player D&D campaign, but its latest episodes have me fully bought…
This article discusses Critical Role's ambitious 13-player Dungeons & Dragons campaign, praising its ability to manage multiple storylines and player tables. The author highlights the recent episodes where all parties converged, noting the successful implementation of legitimate character death and consequences, which solidifies the campaign's stakes and potential for a masterpiece.
Nintendo Download: 11th June (North America)
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America features a variety of new games and updates for the Nintendo Switch. Highlights include Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with 4K support and new features, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, and a Star Fox demo. Numerous other titles across genres like RPGs, racing, and platformers are also available on the eShop.
If you need a break from your D&D campaign, this mischievous hobbit adventure is spot on
This article reviews The One Ring: Hobbit Tales and The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying: Shire Adventures, highlighting them as light-hearted alternatives to epic tabletop RPG campaigns like Dungeons & Dragons. Both modules focus on mischievous hobbit adventures in the Shire, with Hobbit Tales using The One Ring system and Shire Adventures adapting the content for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition.
Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons - Ravenloft is now my most anticipated board game of the summer
Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons - Ravenloft is generating significant buzz as a highly anticipated board game, drawing inspiration from classic horror and the popular Dungeons & Dragons campaign Curse of Strahd. The game combines cooperative mechanics with gothic horror themes, featuring unique hero classes and 'Dark Gifts' that add a layer of corruption to gameplay. It is set to be released in July, making it a timely addition for the spooky season.
Getting Started with D&D in 2026: A No-Nonsense Beginner's Guide | TAG
This guide provides a no-nonsense approach for beginners looking to start playing Dungeons & Dragons in 2026, emphasizing its nature as a collaborative storytelling game. It recommends starting with the 2024 core rulebook update and suggests minimal initial purchases, such as dice and a character sheet, with the Starter Set being ideal for Dungeon Masters. The article also debunks common myths about time commitment, complexity, and required creativity, and offers alternative RPGs for those who might not find D&D suitable.
D&D rival Paizo forced to make layoffs after "devastating" loss stemming from $10m in stock being held…
Pathfinder publisher Paizo has announced layoffs affecting 12 staff members due to significant financial losses stemming from its former distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors, going bankrupt and holding onto approximately $10 million in Paizo goods. The company also faces challenges with declining book-trade sales and increased production costs, leading to a reduction in organized play scenarios and a shift towards community-created content.
What we've been playing - "Have you ever downloaded a game on Steam just to boot it up and delete it five minutes later?"
Several writers share their recent gaming experiences, including the meticulous character creation process for Dungeons & Dragons, the addictive gameplay of Mina the Hollower on Nintendo Switch, and the emotional conclusion of 007 First Light on PlayStation 5. Other titles discussed include Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and RuneScape, alongside reflections on taking breaks from gaming and enjoying real-world activities.
Wizards of the Coast Addresses Some Elements of Controversial D&D Beyond Drops
Wizards of the Coast is revising its controversial D&D Beyond content drop policy following player feedback. The company will address issues such as the inability to share content from drops and will offer an annual bundle for non-subscribers to purchase a year's worth of material. Updates on content sharing are expected in the coming weeks.
