It’s a little crazy to think that 2021 will be coming to an end in just a few short months.
After dealing with the existential crisis that looking at the calendar put me through, I actually got pretty excited.
I mean, what’s not to be excited about? It’s been a GREAT year for fans of D&D 5e and it’s looking to end on a very high note.
So today I’m taking a little bit of a break from the usual content to look at what new D&D 5e releases we still have to look forward to as well as look back on this year’s previous releases!
Let’s get right into it and check out what we can expect for D&D 5e through the end of this year!
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Release Date: September 21, 2021
Everyone loves a carnival!
Regular readers of my humble blog will know that I have a major soft spot for anything involving the Feywild. With this being the first official adventure to take place primarily in the dreamy land of the Fey, you know it’s going to be something truly unforgettable!
This adventure also includes two new race options for players (Rabbitfolk/Harengon and Fairies), new character backgrounds, and some classic D&D characters from the 80s that are sure to capture players’ imaginations once again!
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight can be worked into any existing campaign, which is a major plus.
Whether you’re looking for an extended stay in the Feywild or just a visit for a night of exciting entertainment, the Witchlight Carnival has something for everyone!
Also, I’m a sucker for the accessory kits that have been being released lately and this adventure’s bundle set looked too good to pass up!
Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons
Release Date: October 19, 2021
D&D is finally getting an ultimate resource for all things Dragons!
If Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons is even half as epic as I expect it to be, I don’t expect I’ll be getting much sleep on release day!
Fittingly enough, players will get new Draconic Options in this book. Dragonborn are particularly getting some extra love with Metallic, Chromatic, and new (for 5e) Gem ancestries in addition to new spells and feats!
Two new subclasses will also be within this book’s pages including the Monk Way of the Ascendant Dragon and the Ranger Drakewarden.
For Dungeon Masters, this book will have everything you need to make dragon encounters truly memorable and terrifying for your players.
Not only do you get tools for crafting dragon lairs and adventures, you get all the lore you could possibly want to truly bring dragons in your world to life!
Oh, and did I mention the bestiary? Let’s just say you won’t be running out of draconic enemies to throw at your players anytime soon!
Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Release Date: November 16, 2021
The final D&D 5e release of 2021 sees players going back to school with Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos.
Much in the spirit of the Mythic Oddysies of Theros and the Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica, this release brings the world of Strixhaven out of Magic: The Gathering and onto the D&D table.
If you’ve ever wanted to incorporate stories like Harry Potter into your D&D game, this is your chance. Strixhaven University lets you create characters from the five different colleges as you explore the magical wonder within the school’s hallowed halls.
Players get new options including a new playable race of Owlfolk (Owlin), feats, and backgrounds!
Four new adventures for characters levels 1 through 10 and over 40 new magical creatures/characters await the party.
Mixing the challenges of campus life, the thrill of adventure, and the journey towards graduation, this is the most unique release for D&D 5e yet!
Released Earlier This Year
Amidst all the craziness of the past year and a half, I think it’s also worth including a few words about the other books that were released this year.
Both of these quickly earned spots in the “quick access” section of my bookshelf!
Candlekeep Mysteries
Release Date: March 16, 2021
Candlekeep Mysteries was the first official 5e release for 2021.
This collection of 17 mystery adventures is pretty different from the other 5e releases.
Each adventure within Candlekeep Mysteries is short enough that it can be run in one or two sessions. The focus on each of these is giving a framework for the “book” that the party is experiencing while giving the DM plenty of room to tailor the adventure to their group.
The adventures can either be run as a part of an existing campaign or the party can run these adventures as a visit to the fabled library fortress of Candlekeep.
Candlekeep Mysteries has adventures written for characters from level 1 to 16. However, there’s plenty of room to easily repurpose any given adventure to be more level appropriate for your group.
This is an imaginative collection of mysteries that are sure to capture your group’s imagination!
Sound interesting? Check out my full review!
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Release Date: May 18, 2021
I’ve spent many hours reading and rereading Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.
This setting of horror, dread, and doom is my favorite setting in all of D&D and this book gives Dungeon Masters all the tools that they need to run chilling horror campaigns.
Players gain access to two new spooky subclasses for the Bard and Warlock in addition to new backgrounds, horror-themed lineages, and legendary “Dark Gifts” from the powers that oversee Ravenloft.
Dungeon Masters get a bestiary with an assortment of new and terrifying monsters to frighten the party.
Where Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft really shines, though, is the Domains of Dread within its pages. Rather than being clear-cut adventures, each Domain gives you the lore, setting, and mechanics necessary to really personalize the horror within it to your party’s taste.
This book is a fantastic toolkit for Dungeon Masters who are looking to run a compelling horror adventure!
You can read my full review if you dare!
Conclusion – 2021 D&D 5e Releases
I think it’s safe to say that 2021 has been a pretty hectic year for basically everyone.
However, I’ve seen so many people getting into playing D&D 5e. Whether it’s their first time ever or their first time in years, it seems like people are really flocking to the game.
Call me biased, but I think it’s just a perfect way to tune out the (much less fun) “real world” and blow off some steam with friends.
It makes me happy to know that there is so much awesome material out there for us to enjoy. I’m a fan of the 2021 releases so far and can’t wait to get my hands on the new releases as they come out!
As always, I’ll be uploading reviews as soon as possible!
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