FULL D&D NEXT RELEASE SCHEDULE! Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Fantasy Roleplaying Fundamentals (D&D Boxed Game) Hits Amazon!

This page/article has grown long. It is divided into an intro section, which includes logos and some quotes, then each of the eight scheduled products, and at the bottom is assorted higher resolution artwork and large product covers. You might need to scroll!The rumours were right! The D&D Starter Set (for D&D Next/5th Edition) has hit Amazon. And it has a name: Fantasy Roleplaying Fundamentals. As expected, it’s $19.99, and will be available on July 15th. But that’s not all! Here’s the rest of the 5E release schedule! Three core rulebooks, and two adventures – designed by Kobold Press! That last bit is an interesting (they kept that quiet!) and, frankly, excellent bit of news, in my opinion. Kobold Press, headed up by Wolfgang Baur (who, if you don’t know him, you might remember for his work on DRAGON and DUNGEON magazines back in the day) has won plenty of awards and produced really top-notch gaming products for a variety of games, including Pathfinder and 13th Age (here’s a recent EN World review of their work). [311 comments]Kobold Press’ press release is here. WotC’s is here. Why the staggered release? Mike Mearls says “PH/MM/DMG releases were split because stacking them causes big quality issues, a la the 4e errata. Too much work at once.” He also adds “You will not need the MM or DMG to run a campaign. Or the PH or Starter Set to make a character” and “You will be able to run a complete campaign starting in August, with the release of the PH.”My complete wild guess? “You will not need PH or Starter Set to make a character” means simply that there will be an online character builder from launch. That’s only a guess, though.On the difference from the final public playtest packet, Mike answered “Core rules are pretty similar. Mostly tweaks to monster HP (went up), added warlock and sorcerer, and balanced out classes.”When asked, WotC confirmed that “The PHB will be available at Gen Con this August.” (thanks to @newbieDM for thinking to ask on the Twitters)Names & LogosThings to note: a brand new D&D logo; plus the game is clearly only referred to as Dungeons & Dragons. As rumoured, there’s no “5th Edition”, “Next” or anything else in the title. There’s a closer look at the logo below – as you can see, it has the old classic dragon-breathing ampersand in it.Here’s the other one on each cover:And this version is floating round, also:Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Fantasy Roleplaying Fundamentals (D&D Boxed Game) – July 15th; 96 pagesExplore subterranean labyrinths! Plunder hoards of treasure! Battle legendary monsters!The Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set is your gateway to action-packed stories of the imagination. This box contains the essential rules of the game plus everything you need to play heroic characters on perilous adventures in worlds of fantasy.Ideal for a group of 4 6, the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set includes a 64-page adventure book with everything the Dungeon Master needs to get started, a 32-page rulebook for playing characters level 1 5, 5 pregenerated characters, each with a character sheet and supporting reference material, and 6 dice.Page Count: 96Price: $19.99; C$22.95 Mike Mearls on a common question: “Lots of questions about character creation and the starter set – you will definitely be able to make characters when it comes out.”Players Handbook – August 19th; 320 pagesThe Players Handbook is the essential reference for every Dungeons & Dragons roleplayer. It contains rules for character creation and advancement, backgrounds and skills, exploration and combat, equipment, spells, and much more.Use this book to create exciting characters from among the most iconic D&D races and classes.Dungeons & Dragons immerses you in a world of adventure. Explore ancient ruins and deadly dungeons. Battle monsters while searching for legendary treasures. Gain experience and power as you trek across uncharted lands with your companions.The world needs heroes. Will you answer the call?The PHB will be available at Gen Con this August.Format: HardcoverPage Count: 320Price: $49.95; C$57.00 Hoard of the Dragon Queen Adventure – August 19th; 96 pagesFight the War Against Draconic Oppression in this Adventure for the Worlds Greatest Roleplaying GameIn an audacious bid for power the Cult of the Dragon, along with its dragon allies and the Red Wizards of Thay, seek to bring Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells to Faerun. To this end, they are sweeping from town to town, laying waste to all those who oppose them and gathering a hoard of riches for their dread queen. The threat of annihilation has become so dire that groups as disparate as the Harpers and Zhentarim are banding together in the fight against the cult. Never before has the need for heroes been so desperate.The first of two adventures in the Tyranny of Dragons story arc, Hoard of the Dragon Queen provides everything a Dungeon Master needs to create an exciting and memorable adventure experience. Fans of the Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game can get a sample of what this product has in store for them through the D&D Encounters in-store play program. Adventure design and development by Kobold Press.Page Count: 96Price: $29.95/C$35.00Monster Manual – September 30th; 320 pagesA menagerie of deadly monsters for the worlds greatest roleplaying gameThe Monster Manual presents a horde of classic Dungeons & Dragons creatures, including dragons, giants, mind flayers, and beholdersa monstrous feast for Dungeon Masters ready to challenge their players and populate their adventures.The monsters contained herein are culled from the D&D games illustrious history, with easy-to-use game statistics and thrilling stories to feed your imagination.The leader in providing contemporary fantasy entertainment, Dungeons & Dragons is the wellspring for the entire modern game industry, digital as well as analog. This newest edition draws from every prior edition to create a universally compelling play experience, and exemplifies the true spirit of a game that holds captive the hearts and minds of millions of players worldwide.The second of three core rulebooks, this book details all manner of creatures that characters might encounter over the course of their adventures. An essential resource for Dungeon Masters to use in populating any type of challenge they might contrive for their players. Created as part of a massive public playtest involving more than 170,000 fans of the game.Format: HardcoverPage Count: 320Price: $49.95; C$57.00The Rise of Tiamat Adventure – October 21st; 96 pagesAvert the Cataclysmic Return of Tiamat in this Adventure for the Worlds Greatest Roleplaying GameThe Cult of the Dragon leads the charge in an unholy crusade to bring Tiamat back to the Realms, and the situation grows more perilous for good people with each passing moment. The battle becomes increasingly political as opportunities to gather allies and gain advantage present themselves. From Waterdeep to the Sea of Moving Ice to Thay, it is a race against Evil. Succeed or succumb to the oppression of draconic tyranny. Win or lose, things will never be the same again.The second of two adventures in the Tyranny of Dragons story arc, The Rise of Tiamat provides everything a Dungeon Master needs to create an exciting and memorable adventure experience. Fans of the Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game can get a sample of what this product has in store for them through the D&D Encounters in-store play program.Adventure design and development by Kobold Press.Page Count: 96Price: $29.95/C$35.00 Dungeon Master’s Guide – November 19th; 320 pagesEverything a Dungeon Master needs to weave legendary stories for the worlds greatest roleplaying gameThe Dungeon Masters Guide provides the inspiration and the guidance you need to spark your imagination and create worlds of adventure for your players to explore and enjoy.Inside youll find world-building tools, tips and tricks for creating memorable dungeons and adventures, optional game rules, hundreds of classic D&D magic items, and much more!The third of three core rulebooks, this book contains tools a Dungeon Master needs to provide captivating stories and game play.An excellent resource for new and existing Dungeons Masters to engage in both adventure and world creation, with rules, guidelines, and sage advice from the games experts.Created as part of a massive public playtest involving more than 170,000 fans of the game.Format: HardcoverPage Count: 320Price: $49.95; C$57.00 Deluxe DM Screen – January 20th (2015)No further information on this one.Icons of the Realms Starter Miniatures Set – July 2014The D&D Icons of the Realms Starter Set is the perfect supplement for your D&D tabletop roleplaying game. The 6-figure Starter Set represents some of the most iconic characters classes and races from the Dungeons & Dragons universe, including the dwarf cleric, human ranger, halfling rouge, northlands fighter, elf wizard, and the famous drow ranger, Drizzt DoUrden. Combine these high quality miniatures with the 44 found within the D&D Icons of the Realms: Tyranny of Dragons booster packs to bring an exciting new depth to your D&D adventures. Produced under license by WizkidsFormat: Starter SetPrice: $19.99Icons of the Realms: Booster – July 2014Collect all 44 miniatures found in the D&D Icons of the Realms: Tyranny of Dragons boosters. Found in 4 figure blind booster packs, and inspired by the Tyranny of Dragons storyline, you’ll find dragons, kobold fighters, bugbears, wraiths, mind flayers, and many more iconic D&D characters guaranteed to level up your tabletop roleplaying game experience.Produced under license by WizkidsFormat: Booster Price: $19.99Higher Resolution ImagesWotC’s PR agency has sent along these higher-res images. Pretty!Higher Res Versions of the Cover ArtHere are some slightly larger versions of the covers. Should make it easier to see the art!

Originally written and published by at EN World. Click here to read the original story.