The news was shared briefly during the convention and later confirmed in a post on BlueSky.

Lorwyn-Shadowmoor is a distinctive setting within the Magic: The Gathering multiverse, known for its absence of humans and its focus on fae creatures such as Kithkin, Merfolk, Bogarts, and Flamekin. The setting is divided into two contrasting aspects: Lorwyn, a bright and idyllic world of perpetual daylight and midsummer, and Shadowmoor, a darker counterpart where the same creatures take on more sinister roles.

The plane undergoes a cyclical transformation every 300 years, shifting between its Lorwyn and Shadowmoor states. This duality offers a unique backdrop for storytelling and gameplay, with potential for creative mechanics and narrative exploration in the upcoming D&D supplement.

Previous crossovers between Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons have introduced new rules and systems to the 5th Edition of D&D, such as the guild mechanics from Ravnica and the piety system from Theros. It remains to be seen what specific elements from Lorwyn-Shadowmoor will be adapted for the tabletop role-playing game, but the setting’s rich lore and dynamic nature suggest opportunities for innovative gameplay.

No release date has been announced, though speculation points to a possible late 2025 or 2026 launch. As more details emerge, fans of both franchises will be watching closely to see how WotC brings the whimsical and dark world of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor to life in the D&D universe.

The 2025 Monster Manual includes 85 new monsters and a total of over 500 monsters, each accompanied by detailed illustrations, including a striking cover by artist Tyler Jacobson depicting a green-eyed beholder facing off against Minsc and Boo.

The revised core rulebooks have proven highly popular, with reprints already underway to meet demand.

The 2025 Monster Manual is available for purchase at various retailers, including D&D Beyond, Amazon, DM’s Guild, local game stores, and Barnes & Noble. For those looking to fully embrace the revised editions, D&D Beyond also offers a 2024 Digital & Physical Core Rulebook Bundle for $179.97, which includes hardcover and digital versions of all three books along with exclusive digital bonuses such as the Dragons of D&D digital art book.

The designers shared that this new edition includes over 500 stat blocks, making it the largest Monster Manual in the history of Dungeons & Dragons. They explained that every monster has been updated in some way, with adjustments to mechanics, lore, and presentation. Additionally, the book introduces over 80 new creatures, expanding the range of options available to Dungeon Masters.

The artwork was highlighted as a major focus, with illustrations showcasing monsters actively engaging in their environments rather than appearing in isolated settings. The creative team emphasized that this approach aims to help Dungeon Masters visualize how creatures might interact within their campaigns, making it easier to integrate them into stories. Monsters like the rust monster, beholder, and ancient dragons were described as receiving fresh depictions that highlight their abilities and behaviors.

The team also pointed to mechanical improvements, particularly for legendary creatures and higher-level threats. Changes such as streamlined stat blocks and the incorporation of new abilities are intended to make encounters more dynamic while simplifying gameplay for Dungeon Masters. The inclusion of default loot tables and environmental details for each creature was mentioned as another way the book supports smoother preparation and play.

Classic monsters, including vampires and dragons, have been revisited to include new gameplay options. For example, the designers noted that ancient dragons now have spellcasting abilities directly integrated into their stat blocks, while vampires have gained additional tactical tools to reflect their elusive and dangerous nature. Lower-level creatures, such as goblins, have also been expanded with new variants to offer more diversity in encounters.

In terms of organization, the book has been designed to be more intuitive. Monsters are listed alphabetically by name rather than by type, a change aimed at making it easier for newer players to locate specific entries. Comprehensive indexes for sorting creatures by challenge rating, type, and environment remain, offering flexibility for those planning detailed adventures.

The narrative content has been reworked as well, with lore streamlined to provide Dungeon Masters with enough context to inspire creativity without overwhelming them with rigid backstories. The designers explained that many entries now include concise taglines summarizing a monster’s essence, serving as quick reference points to spark ideas.

Monster Vault 2 introduces over 300 new monsters, including various demons and undead. The book also introduces “monster bundles”, which are groups of related creatures (such as frost giants and winter wolves) designed to create balanced encounters for any tier of play.

Backers at the $29 level or higher will receive the Field Guide to Monster Harvesting, a companion volume detailing how to gather and use materials from creatures featured in Monster Vault 1 and 2. These materials can be used to enhance spells and provide benefits during gameplay. Examples include using void essence to increase a spell’s effectiveness or a unicorn horn to improve healing. Additional stretch goals will expand the guide with more materials and items.

Monster Vault 2 will be available in print, PDF, and virtual tabletop (VTT) formats. Both regular and limited editions are offered. Additionally, backers will receive an STL file to 3D print a Sporeborn monster from the original Monster Vault.

Not everything Elon acquires turns to shit, but its not for the lack of trying as he recently announced that he is turning his popular car brand Tesla into a cab company with the launch of the Cybercab, a very small and impractical car with no stearing wheel. This was an idea he got while playing the arcade game Crazy Taxi by himself in the $35M compound he bought for his 11 kids and their mothers after watching a documentary about the Waco Siege and thinking it looked cool. Elon is the number one ranked Crazy Taxi player on his Crazy Taxi arcade machine. He is also best Diablo 4 player in the galaxy, and its definitely him playing and not a team of SpaceX interns who are paid in meme coins and ketamine.

In Hasbro’s recent Q3 earnings report, it was revealed that Dungeons & Dragons isn’t performing well. Many speculate that the brand’s future will grow even bleaker once the Baldur’s Gate 3 hype fades and the final season of Stranger Things airs next year. Both properties contributed significantly to the game’s recent boom which got off to a flying start during the pandemic, but the momentum appears to be waning. It’s surely nothing that massive layoffs and AI can’t fix, two things that both Musk and leadership at Hasbro are very fond of. “Dungeons and Dragons fans also love AI, and there has never been any backlash against the use of AI in WOTC products,” said Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks while staring me rabidly in the eyes while holding a shank he made from compressed Magic: The Gathering cards and melted Monopoly game pieces.

It remains to be seen if Chris Cocks will give up his position as CEO of Hasbro in the case of an acquisition or if there is room for two Cocks in the company.

The book introduces 13 distinct witch-themed subclasses, each providing a different approach to magic. The options range from the healing-focused Serenity Witches to Pact Witches, who form connections with mysterious entities. For those seeking more traditional RPG roles with a witchcraft twist, subclasses such as the Hex Archer and Corpse Crafter combine familiar archetypes with new, witchcraft-inspired elements.

The world of Witchfyre includes several covens, each offering unique abilities and teachings. For example, The Thorned Roses focus on defensive magic, while The Distant Orchard provides skills in stealth. Players can also engage with one of 13 Witchfyre Dragons or pursue pacts with various Accursed Gods, adding additional paths for character progression and storytelling.

Alongside character options, Witchfyre includes a full campaign that spans 13 levels, guiding players through a world affected by a widespread curse. This adventure provides a structured storyline for players interested in immersing themselves in a darker, magic-focused setting.

The Kickstarter campaign for Witchfyre has currently exceeded its initial goal of $5,000, with pledges totaling over $73,000. The campaign remains open until midnight on November 14.

In Edge of the Realms – Fields of Faerun, players take on the role of explorers working to construct individual maps of Faerun by drawing and placing map cards. Players aim to complete quests by linking terrain, landmarks, and cities across their maps. Using a card-drafting system that promotes simultaneous play, the game minimizes downtime, moving quickly through 15 rounds until a final score determines the top explorer.

The game includes art by Gerralt Landman, featuring 139 cards, 50 cubes, four tokens, five pawns, and a score pad. Suitable for two to four players aged 12 and up, it offers a playtime of around 30 minutes. The game will be available at a retail price of $24.99, with pre-orders now open.

The adventure was developed by Amanda Hamon, with Will Doyle contributing as a designer. It incorporates the 2024 rule set and includes several magic items from the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide. It also features updated statblocks for creatures like the incubus and succubus, with the ability to switch forms. Each form has unique abilities, including the succubus’s use of the Dominate Person spell and the incubus’s Nightmare action.

Scions of Elemental Evil will be available for play during organized events from October 29th to November 25th. Additionally, it will be available for free to all D&D Beyond users starting on October 29th, as part of the 50th Anniversary Play Series.

Hasbro’s overall financial performance has been a mixed bag. Their total revenue dropped 15% year-over-year, excluding the sale of eOne, while gaming revenue saw a slight uptick, up 3% year-to-date, but down 6% in Q3. Wizards of the Coast’s operating margin of 44.9% remains impressive, though the third-quarter decline in revenue has raised concerns about the long-term trajectory of D&D. Much of the drop was attributed to the significant revenue generated by Baldur’s Gate 3 in Q3 2023, which had an outsized impact on last year’s figures.

Dungeons & Dragons, though performing well in the marketplace, appears to be under pressure to maintain the momentum of its 5th edition, especially as the full slate of core books for 2024 rolls out. Wizards of the Coast saw a 5% revenue decrease in Q3 2024 compared to the same quarter last year, largely due to the absence of Baldur’s Gate 3 revenue, which had significantly boosted earnings in 2023. Many hoped the 2024 Player’s Handbook would help soften this decline, but it seems the latest release hasn’t compensated for the drop.

Despite this dip, the overall operating margin for Wizards of the Coast remains robust at 44.9%, only slightly down from last year’s 47.0%. While a 3.1-point decrease may seem notable, margins above 40% are still considered highly favorable in the industry. Magic: The Gathering, meanwhile, continues to be a strong performer, with revenue up 3%, helping to offset some of the losses from D&D.

Year-to-date, Wizards of the Coast’s performance has been relatively strong. Revenue for the first nine months of 2024 is up 7%, and operating profit has surged by 30%, reflecting solid operational efficiency and cost management. Additionally, tabletop gaming as a whole saw a modest 3% increase in revenue. The strong numbers might have more to do with the massive amounts of layoffs Hasbro and WOTC have seen in the last few years, which has helped reduce cost, rather than a high number of sales.

A particularly worrying issue is the fact that Dungeons and Dragons have previously been highlighted in quarterly earnings as a bright spot in Wizards of the Coast’s and Hasbro’s struggling portfolio. Now it seems like it’s just Magic: The Gathering that is keeping them afloat.

As Hasbro continues to adjust its business strategy, the outlook for Dungeons & Dragons remains unclear. Despite strong initial sales for the 2024 core books, they have not made a substantial impact on the company’s overall financial performance. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast recently experienced further layoffs as part of a corporate reorganization aimed at “streamlining operations”. This restructuring reflects Hasbro’s increased focus on digital platforms, such as D&D Beyond, and efforts to “integrate more technology-driven innovation”, which might refer to both their upcoming VTT Sigil, but also generative AI which CEO Chric Cocks has been eager to implement.

More info about the recent layoffs can be found here.

Dixon Dubow played a significant role in building relationships with the community. His contributions were widely recognized amongst content creators as helping Wizards of the Coast maintain strong connections during major events and product releases.

The corporate reorganization remains vague, with concerns about what this means for the future of Wizards of the Coast and its structure. Wizards of the Coast has yet to issue an official statement regarding this development.

This is not the first time Wizards of the Coast has faced significant layoffs in recent years. In December 2023, Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, announced a round of layoffs that affected 1100 staff members, many of whom were part of Wizards of the Coast. This came after an earlier round of 800 layoffs at the beginning of 2023, bringing the total number of positions eliminated last year to over 1900, marking a 20% workforce reduction. The layoffs were part of a broader strategy by Hasbro to navigate financial challenges amid a struggling toy market, while also cutting costs by selling their stake in eOne and closing their Providence, R.I. offices.

During these challenging times, Wizards of the Coast had been a bright spot for Hasbro, with Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons seeing significant popularity. However, the recent developments raise questions about the company’s direction and its ability to sustain community-focused initiatives.

Update 24/10

Toybook.com has revealed that Hasbro has announced significant organizational changes as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.

In a letter to Hasbro employees CEO Chris Cocks stated that less than 100 employees will be affected by a workforce reduction, as WOTC seeks to streamline operations and speed up its product development processes. These changes are aimed at reducing the time to market by at least three months, with a focus on “design to value” according to Cocks.

The letter goes on to say that the restructuring reflects Hasbro’s increasing focus on digital, direct, and technology-driven innovation, with several leadership roles being redefined. You don’t have to read between the lines here to understand that this means that the focus is getting players on D&D Beyond and Sigil while shifting book sales over to digital. Technology-driven innovation also likely refers to projects such as Sigil but also to generative AI which Cocks seems to be a big fan of.

The entire letter can be read over at Toybook.com.