Exciting Plans Revealed for Dungeons & Dragons’ 50th Anniversary
Wizards of the Coast celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons with new gaming-centric books, including a high-level campaign against the powerful lich wizard Vecna, a prequel adventure, a classic anthology, revised core rulebooks, and a historical book showcasing the game’s origins.
Exciting Plans Revealed for Dungeons & Dragons’ 50th Anniversary
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast has announced exciting plans for the beloved tabletop role-playing game. During a presentation at GaryCon XVI in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the birthplace of D&D co-creator Gary Gygax, Wizards of the Coast unveiled their upcoming products and releases for this special occasion. While there are plenty of tie-in products, such as Converse sneakers and Hawaiian shirts by Reyn Spooner, and a partnership with Lego for D&D sets, it’s the new gaming-centric books that have fans buzzing.
( Credit to: Ign )
Vecna: Eve of Ruin – A High-Level Campaign Against a Powerful Lich Wizard
One of the most anticipated releases is Vecna: Eve of Ruin, a high-level campaign that pits players against the powerful lich wizard Vecna. Although Vecna’s origins can be traced back to the Greyhawk setting in 1976, many people became familiar with the character through the popular fourth season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Vecna: Eve of Ruin is a 256-page hardcover adventure designed for characters from level 10 to the maximum level 20. It will be available on D&D Beyond on May 7 and in retail stores on May 31.
The story of Vecna: Eve of Ruin takes place in the Forgotten Realms, where players are recruited by three influential mages: Alustreil Silverhand, Tasha, and Mordenkainen. These mages inform the players about Vecna’s plans to enact his Ritual of Remaking, which would grant him dominion over all of D&D. Amanda Hamon, one of the story designers, describes the campaign as a “journey of the multiverse.” Players will travel to different D&D settings, including Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Eberron, Greyhawk, Avernus, and more, in order to assemble the Rod of Seven Parts and confront Vecna. Along the way, they will encounter iconic villains from D&D’s past.
Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye – A Prequel Adventure
In addition to Vecna: Eve of Ruin, Wizards of the Coast will release a “prequel” adventure called Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye. This bonus adventure is designed for lower-level players to familiarize themselves with Vecna and his minions, the Cult of Vecna. It will be available as a bonus with all pre-orders of Vecna: Eve of Ruin or can be purchased separately on D&D Beyond.
Quests From the Infinite Staircase – A Classic Adventure Anthology
Another exciting release is Quests From the Infinite Staircase, a 224-page anthology book that republishes six classic adventures from D&D history, all updated for Fifth Edition. The adventures included are The Lost City (1982), When a Star Falls (1984), Phaorah (1982), Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982), and Expedition to the Barrier Peaks (1976). These adventures have been chosen for their historical significance and innovative gameplay mechanics. They will be available for early access on July 9 and in retail stores on July 16.
Quests From the Infinite Staircase introduces a new character called Nafas, a noble genie who resides in the Infinite Staircase. This extradimensional realm features a staircase that spirals infinitely, with each landing leading to one of the adventures. Players can access the Infinite Staircase by simply finding the right door, eliminating the need for plane shift spells or spellcasters. The book is designed to be easily integrated into any existing campaign.
Revised Core Rulebooks and The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons and the tenth anniversary of the Fifth Edition, Wizards of the Coast will also be revising the three core rulebooks: Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. These revised editions will feature UX improvements, new art, and other enhancements requested by the D&D community. The revised Player’s Handbook will be released on September 17, followed by the Dungeon Master’s Guide on November 12, and the Monster Manual on February 18, 2025.
Finally, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing a historical book titled The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons 1970-1977. This thick tome contains the original notes and documents created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the founders of Dungeons & Dragons. The book aims to showcase the origins of the game without much editorializing and will be released on June 18.
Conclusion
These exciting releases from Wizards of the Coast for Dungeons & Dragons’ 50th anniversary promise to delight both new and veteran players alike. Whether battling the powerful Vecna, embarking on classic adventures, or exploring the game’s rich history, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this milestone celebration.