A huge change to the rules of Dungeons and Dragons is coming, and we've got Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to thank for it. Set to launch November 17 2020, this rulebook allows players to break free from character racial traits while adding new sub-classes, spells, and customizable origins. You can pre-order the D&D book now. It's a good time to do so; its price has tumbled by 40% in the US.
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything |
$50$29.97 at Amazon US /£38£33.40 at Amazon UK
Serving as a follow-up to Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything aims to provide readers with tools that'll enrich their games via new and revised mechanics. That includes customizable origins (not unlike the Heroic Chronicles from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount) which allow you to create 'lineages'. In other words, you can make a personalized backstory not constrained by strict racial traits with bonuses depending on whether you're a dwarf, elf, or something else entirely. Want to be an academic orc? Nothings standing in your way anymore.
As explained by Jeremy Crawford, principal rules designer of D&D, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything "allows you to take some of the traits in your character's race... and modify those traits so that you can better reflect the story you have in mind". Because there's been criticism of D&D's racial traits system in recent months, seeing that addressed is welcome (especially because we can use those rules for new adventures like Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden and the revised Curse of Strahd Revamped).
Other significant additions from the book are new magic items and group patrons that send your party on missions. In addition, this rulebook adds dedicated puzzles that can be slotted into your adventure. Dungeon Master rules for magical areas and sidekicks that help fill out a party with fewer players also make an appearance.
However, fresh subclasses are perhaps the most exciting part of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. The full list appeared via an IGN interview, and we've listed those subclasses below. The Artificer and Sorcerer seem to have the lion's share of new features, so it'll be interesting to see how this changes their playstyle.
- Artificer: Armorer, Alchemist, Artillerist, Battle Smith
- Barbarian: Path of Wild Magic, Path of the Beast
- Bard: College of Eloquence, College of Creation
- Cleric: Order Domain, Twilight Domain, Peace Domain
- Druid: Circle of Spores, Circle of Wildfire, Circle of Stars
- Fighter: Rune Knight, Psi Warrior
- Monk: Way of Mercy, Way of Astral Self
- Paladin: Oath of the Watchers, Oath of Glory
- Ranger: Swarmkeeper, Fey Wanderer
- Rogue: Phantom, Soulknife
- Sorcerer: Clockwork Soul, Aberrant Mind, the Fathomless, the Genie
- Wizard: Bladesinging, Order of Scribes
As the name would suggest, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything features in-universe notes from Dungeons & Dragons magic-user Tasha, AKA the demi-god Iggwilv. Having been created decades ago by Gary Gygax, one of the luminaries behind D&D, Tasha is among the game's longest-running characters. Despite having served as a rival to players throughout the years, she's more complex than your average, straight-up villain. Indeed, she was once an adventuring hero in the popular setting of Greyhawk.
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New to D&D? Start here
If you're new to D&D, be sure to check out our guides listed below. They'll take you through the basics, including how to find a game and where to start. Alternatively, you can take a look at the Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set for an introduction to one of the best tabletop RPGs around.
If you'd prefer something a little simpler, be sure to check out the new Dungeons & Dragons board game, D&D Adventure Begins.
