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Cypher System

This Cypher System review is part of my “Best Tabletop RPGs of All Time” article. If you want to check out more TTRPGs and see how other top-tier tabletop RPGs are ranked, visit that page.

My Review – 93 / 100

It almost can't be said enough: Monte Cook is a genius and his games are amazing. He’s a legendary game designer and world builder, and is an absolute top-tier game designer. Of all his work, Numenera and the Cypher System, I believe, are his most well-known and celebrated.

To clear up one thing really quick: The Cypher System is a cross-genre tabletop RPG system. Numenera is a specific world with customized lore and stories that uses (basically) the Cypher System.

Just know that if you plan to buy Numenera or the Cypher System, that they are slightly separate games. One comes with a pre-existing world of lore (Numenera), while the other does not (Cypher System).

Uniqueness of the Cypher System: (10/10)

In the Cypher System, there are only three character stats. These stats represent a “Pool” of points from which you draw for abilities – and if you’d like – use extra effort to complete tasks or engage in combat by temporarily spending those points.

I normally like games with a bit more “depth” to them than three simple stats, but the way that Cypher System utilizes the stats is very unique. The game gets a lot of depth from might/ health, speed/ agility, and intellect/ personality. The simplicity is also a major plus for learning the system if you’re new to the game.

With each stat you also have an “Edge,” which is like a defense against spent points in the associated Pool, for extra effort. 1 edge reduces the cost of actions in that pool by 1. This system is very much like having “armor” against fatigue. It’s as if you’re reducing damage to yourself (your Pools), when increasing exertion for complex tasks.

When it comes to the Cypher System, the player always rolls, not the game master. To hit enemies, players roll against a static value. To dodge enemies, players roll defense against a static attack value. Target values are always based on difficulty of the task. In combat, target values are largely determined by the challenge rating of your enemy.

Players can use Experience points (Exp) to improve their character in a number of ways, to avoid additional story elements brought in by the game master, or to reroll skill or combat checks. When improving their character, players can improve stats, skills, effort, or edge. After improving all of them they go up a “Tier,” which is similar to “gaining a level” in most other TTRPGs.

Characters also gain a “Type” and a “Descriptor” which heavily influence stats and skills from the very start of the game. Types and descriptors are interesting way to broadly sort of make your own class, while giving players some starting roleplay ideas. They’re basically taglines for your character that help explain who your character is, and what they’re like in terms of personality, looks, demeanor, physique, etc.

Finally, characters also get a “Focus” which adds further unique elements to the character, such as “bears a halo of fire,” or “Explores Dark Places.” The Focus gives the player additional powers per character Tier.

Between your character’s type, descriptor, and focus, you essentially create your own character “class.” Otherwise though, and broadly speaking, Cypher System is a classless tabletop RPG.

When it comes to uniqueness, Cypher System is every bit as unique as Dungeons and Dragons was when it first came out.

Ease of Learning the Game: (9/10)

Learning to play the Cypher System is relatively simple. There are quite a few options at the start of the game when creating your character, but as you get familiarized with all the basic terminology, character-building, and the game overall, becomes very simple.

Because there are no character “classes” in Cypher System, and you essentially build your own when you choose your character’s type, descriptor, and focus, you end up reading through a lot of options when building your character. After all, your choices at the start of the game make a very large difference for your character’s overall progression through the rest of the game.

As I mentioned above though, what really simplifies the game and makes it great, starting a new character, is that each player really only has to think about 3 stats. Beyond that, everything really is just bonuses.

You can build a character in Numenera/ Cypher System much faster than you can in most tabletop RPGs. Whereas in other games you might spend 45minutes to an hour creating a character for your RPG campaign, with Cypher System, you might only spend 20-30 minutes.

Personally, I also feel that it’s easier to teach new players how Numenera/ Cypher System works than it is to teach them even Dungeons and Dragons. In reality, Cypher System is much simpler than DnD, yet still retains great game depth and options for character customization and progression.

Finally, the math in Cypher System is very simple. There’s a few intricacies here and there, but nothing that’s at all overwhelming, like you find in other tabletop RPGs.

Numenera and Cypher System Presentation: (10/10)

Numenera and Cypher System feature a very easy-to-read game manual. The content is very clear, and instructions are very easy to follow. Even the font and color selection is on-point, making it very simple to reference important rules or sections of the book.

Game Lore: (10/10)

Cypher System obviously does not come with its own lore, really. Instead, it offers a wide variety of selections to its players so that they can play the game in just about any type of setting they’d like.

When it comes to Numenera though, the lore is extensive. Set far into the furthest future imaginable, technology and magic have become synonymous in many regards. The lore is edgy and cool. It hits important traditional points in fantasy/ sci-fi and tabletop RPG legend, while still drastically expanding and creating its own place.

It’s not often that you can find truly unique game settings, nowadays. Between video game RPGs, tabletop RPGs, books, and artwork, just about every conceivable angle to fantasy and sci-fi settings has been at least briefly visited. However, I will say that when you come to Numenera, you’ll find a setting that’s fresh for your imagination to explore.

Cypher System Combat: (6/10)

I like combat in Numenera/ Cypher System more than I do in most games. I don’t like it as much as in Dungeons and Dragons because I feel the simple numbers in this case (and relatively uninspiring combat options) aren’t really to my liking.

Because there are only three core stats in the Cypher System, you don’t get to really flex your strategy/ tactical muscles very much.

In combat, you mostly end up using abilities within just one of your three core stats. That means you just use one single edge and one single effort, as well. Obviously, you go with whatever stat, edge, and effort have the highest values. Meanwhile, your other two stats (and their edges and effort) get completely neglected.

If your character fails in their main pool (runs out of resource points), chances are that it’s time to run away from the fight. There’s no switching to other stat pools, changing your combat tactics, or finding a creative way to restore your main stat points to fight on, like with a second wind of sorts.

So, fights are a bit one-dimensional in my mind.

Combat is less a question of whether or not you’ll win, and more a question of when you’ll win or lose. Fights are not really a matter of tactics and overcoming your enemy’s strategy so much as it is a matter of stat points, Pools, and Edges.

All that being said, as relatively uninspired as the tactical options provide for players, I do still moderately enjoy the feel of Cypher system combat. Fights feel a lot more complex than they actually are, and it does appear like what you do in combat is meaningful, even though that isn’t really the case.

Game “Flow”: (10/10)

Numenera/ Cypher System is more rules-light than other tabletop RPGs, but still with enough framework to really give you something to hold onto. To me, Cypher System actually has the ideal amount of rules for a good flow state. I always really enjoy playing Numenera/ Cypher System.

When playing, you won’t feel like you often have to reference the rules. Dice rolls are relatively simple, and quick. Your character provides you with just enough material to work with when roleplaying, through your type, descriptor, and focus.

Ultimately, the game is great at getting out of its own way, and at letting players just play.

Numenera and Cypher System Artwork: (10/10)

The artwork looks great. It’s uniform, fits the mood, and is dynamic. Top marks.

Cypher System artwork covers are lot of genres, as the game can be played in many settings. Meanwhile, the artwork for Numenera emphasizes the uniqueness of the setting: you get technology, magic, mystery, and drama.

If you haven’t seen the artwork of either game, and you enjoy fantasy/ sci-fi work, I highly recommend checking it out. I think you’ll find that the art present in Monte Cook’s games are every bit as high-quality and engaging as anything you’d find in a DnD core rulebook.

Ease of Purchase: (9/10)

The Monte Cook Games website is pretty good when it comes to site navigation, and purchase for the rulebook you’re after.

Monte Cook games can also be found on Amazon.

Price & How Many Books Do You Need to Play: (10/10)

To play Cypher System, you need just one core rulebook that goes for $23 as a PDF. If you want a printed version, you’re looking at $70, which still isn’t bad as the print quality is very high.

Numenera can be purchased as a started set for $25, or prices range from $20 for a core rulebook PDF, to $120 for a sort of collector’s edition that comes with two different core rulebooks.

Overall, when it comes to tabletop RPGs, I think the value that Monte Cook provides is top-notch. I like the diversity of pricing options that range from those on a budget, to collectors.

Fame & Availability of Supplemental Material: (9/10)

Surprisingly, many people are not extremely familiar with Numenera or Cypher System. Both games are quite popular in the hardcore tabletop gaming community. Many casual gamers have most likely heard of at least Cypher System, most have not played.

Still, if you’re looking to start up a game of Numenera or Cypher System, it does help that most people are at least familiar with the names.

Both games/ settings come with lots of supplemental material. If you wanted to start up a Numenera or Cypher System campaign, it’d be pretty easy for you to do so.

Numenera and Cypher System are Produced By:

Monte Cook Games

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.

I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.

If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

Jacob Tegtman

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Crooked Moon's Ashborn: The Fiend-Touched Survivors of Chernabos

By Jacob Tegtman • March 17, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soOa4Uhr2iM Transcription In Chernabos, survival is more than a question of strength. It’s a question of timing… instinct… and a little bit of luck. Some creatures are shaped by that world. The Ashborn from Crooked Moon are made from it. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG. No matter how many times I revisit Crooked Moon, or how much time I spend away from it, I always find myself pulled back to this awesome source book. There are so many fun and unique pieces of this Halloween-like world, that I just love exploring. Today we’re continuing our look at the Crooked Moon races, and this time we’re stepping into the ash fields of Chernabos—To take a closer look at the Ashborn. If you haven’t seen them, I’ve already covered two Crooked Moon monstrous races, including the Harvestborn, which are my personal favorite. At this point, I’m pretty confident I’ll actually just be creating a 5-10min video that dives into each of the Crooked Moon races, separately. So, be sure to check back to find those. So, diving right into the Ashborn. Ashborn are small, fiend-touched humanoids, usually standing between two and three feet tall. They carry a distinct, almost devilish appearance—horns, muted red or gray skin, and sharp, expressive features. And most notably—A scorpion-like tail, tipped with venom. They’re comfortable in harsh places, and they tend to carry themselves with a quiet confidence. There’s a sense, when dealing with an Ashborn, that they’re already accounting for how things might go wrong… either, how they’ll respond if things were to go wrong... or how they’ll actually cause things to “go wrong,” themselves, and then benefit from the chaos. Ashborn actually don’t have a lineage in the usual sense. Instead, they form in the wake of volcanic fury—drawn together from sulfur, ash, and something entirely fiendish at its core. They emerge completely aware, capable, and already adapted to a land that would kill any other race – like, most humans, for example - in minutes. As I’d mentioned briefly, Ashborn are small—rarely more than three feet tall. Their features reflect their origin: horned silhouettes, skin in muted reds and greys, and eyes that tend to catch the light in uncomfortable ways. And then of course, there’s the tail. A scorpion’s stinger, carried as naturally as a hand. Most Ashborn carry themselves with a kind of deliberate composure. Even in harsh environments, like with most Crooked Moon races, there’s a sense of presentation—care in how they dress, how they speak, and how they’re seen. To me, it seems that they like to exercise control, even small amounts, and they have a bit of perfectionism to them. Chernabos, the land of the Ashborn, is not a forgiving place. The ground is unstable—split by lava flows and sudden fissures. The air carries ash and sulfur, thick enough to choke. And resources—such as water, shelter, and again, even breathable air—are never guaranteed. Clearly, the Ashborn don’t really need the kinds of things that humans need to survive. However, this kind of dangerous land also tends to favor a certain kind of thinking. Adapting to the environment, Ashborn tend to make quick decisions, have constant awareness, and perhaps their tendency to be a bit perfect in their presentation, they’re probably overall willing to act before they have perfect information... all in the name of survival. Ashborn are shaped by their environment from the moment they come into being. They develop habits that keep them flexible: And this is where their relationship with luck comes in. To an Ashborn, luck isn’t really about chance—it’s more about preparation meets opportunity. Or put another way, it’s about timing: · knowing when to move. · knowing when to speak. · And of course, when to take a risk that others would avoid. Mechanically, when it comes to actually playing your Ashborn, you’ll find that their cultural and personality traits of leaning into subtle control and well-timed disruption really come through. First, you have: Ashen Legacy You start with Minor Illusion, and later gain access to Charm Person and Invisibility. It’s a toolkit designed around Distraction, influence, and the ability to step out of sight when needed. They have Darkvision with the standard 60 feet, which is expected, given where they come from. As a reaction, Fiendish Fortune Allows you cause an attack that would’ve otherwise hit you, to miss, once per short or long rest. Additionally, you redirect some of that damage as force damage, equal to your proficiency bonus. Then we’re onto the Ashborn’s tail, with Scorpion Sting. Their tail grants a natural attack, with added poison. They can deal this extra damage a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus. When it comes to roleplaying, you can imagine how many fun directions you could take a halfling-sized devilish imp, with attitude. They fit great as risk-takers, performers, negotiators who are comfortable lying outright to someone’s face, wanderers who pity others for their inability to survive without shelter and water. They could easily be thieves, political statesmen/ stateswomen, or really anyone who enjoys a bit of mischief – and maybe on occasion, a bit of cruelty. I think what makes this race so fun though is that it leans into the devil ish side of things, but they’re still only 3-feet tall. So, they’re a bit more mischievous probably, than menacing. More lighthearted, than truly evil. But, those distinctions are entirely up to you to make. So! The Ashborn fit neatly into almost any kind of story, with their natural rogueish charm, and devilish antics. But I’m curious— How would you play your Ashborn? Or, if you’ve already had a campaign or adventures with one, let me know how that turned out for you! Let me know in the comments. And if you want to keep exploring the Crooked Moon races with me, there’s more on the way. So be sure to subscribe, and check in on future videos. Thanks for watching!

A fantasy illustration of adventurers battling a large dragon

D&D Encounters League Returns to Local Game Stores

By Jacob Tegtman • March 13, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N3isve9svc Transcription Wizards of the Coast just brought back a piece of D&D history… and longtime players are doing a double take. After nearly a decade gone, D&D Encounters is officially returning to local game stores . If you’ve never heard of it, D&D Encounters was a weekly organized play program where people could drop into their local game store and play a short, one-session Dungeons & Dragons adventure —no long campaign commitment required. It was basically D&D’s version of Friday Night Magic . Show up. Grab a character. Roll some dice. But the program disappeared back in 2016. And now Wizards of the Coast is bringing it back… which raises a few interesting questions. Is this just a nostalgic revival to bring new players into the hobby? Or is something bigger happening behind the scenes? Let’s break down everything we know. Welcome back to Eternity TT RPG , your party’s source for the latest Dungeons & Dragons news, updates, and community info . And today we’re talking about the surprising return of the classic organized play program . Back in 2010 , during the D&D 4th Edition era , Wizards of the Coast launched something called D&D Encounters . The idea was simple. Local game stores would host weekly D&D sessions where anyone could drop in and play a single short adventure . Each session even revolved around a 60–90 minute encounter , meaning you didn’t need a full campaign commitment. It was perfect for: • brand new players • busy schedules • or anyone who just wanted to roll some dice after work. And Wizards supported stores with exclusive materials , including: • adventure booklets • posters and maps • character sheets • and sometimes even custom miniatures . But in 2016 , the program disappeared. It was replaced by Adventurers League , which shifted organized play toward longer, interconnected campaigns instead of single-session adventures . At that time, D&D Encounters didn’t really fail. Wizards shut it down in 2016 when they reorganized everything under Adventurers League. But now that organized play has gotten complicated again—and new players struggle to get started—Wizards might be bringing back the exact entry point that they removed.” Which, speaking of, on the topic of the D&D Adventurers League. It’s still technically a thing , but its status is also a bit… complicated. · It still exists and people still play it. · But official support from Wizards of the Coast has been much lighter in recent years on that front, as well. So that program itself hasn’t been shut down. But the catch is that support has slowed. · There have been fewer new official adventures produced recently. · Wizards has been experimenting with other organized play initiatives , like we’re talking about today, and seasonal events. · Much of the Adventurer’s League infrastructure is now community-run or maintained through Discord and fan sites . That’s why the return of D&D Encounters is raising eyebrows — some fans wonder if Wizards is shifting toward shorter, store-focused events rather than the larger shared campaign model. Right now speculation in the community is that: · D&D Encounters will serve as an easy entry point for new players, which Wizards of the Coast is likely keen to acquire. · Meanwhile the Adventurers League will remain with ongoing campaign play for long-term, dedicated players But – and as with many things – Wizards hasn’t officially clarified their long-term plan yet. Ok, so all of that background aside, let’s fast forward to 2026 . D&D Encounters is coming back. The announcement happened during this year’s GAMA Expo , one of the tabletop industry’s biggest trade shows. And this new version of it sounds very similar to the original concept. Short… Accessible… Single-session adventures designed for drop-in play. Which honestly makes a lot of sense. D&D has exploded in popularity, but getting new players into their first game is still one of the biggest barriers . A weekly store event could potentially solve that problem. At least in theory, and I’ll get back around to this in a minute. But the basic thought is that new players can show up. Grab a pre-generated character, so they don’t need to worry about min-maxing or even understanding character creation rules. Roll initiative. Boom—you’re playing D&D. So, now the problem with that. This is the same concept that Wizards of the Coast uses with like Magic: the Gathering. I don’t know what your local game store’s like, but when’s the last time you saw a new player come to drop in at your weekly league night? Or even starter deck tournaments, for other games or events? In my experience, the in-person player base is slowly dwindling for most games. And, I think that’s actually pretty sad. D&D is clearly a social game, and I think you can something from the overall experience without in-person play. Not that I mind digital play, and I realize digital also comes with its own advantages. But, the bottom line is that I’m not really sure just opening a weekly D&D Encounters night at local game stores will actually pull in a lot of new players to the game. Ok, so a little bit more framework into this. The new D&D Encounters program will also tie into something that Wizards recently introduced, called D&D Seasons . These are three-month themed releases built around a particular concept. For example, the upcoming three sets will be: • Horror themed adventures • Magic-heavy campaigns • and finally, Champion focused stories D&D Encounters will help kick these seasons off by providing stores with Opening Weekend Play Kits , we think, based around these themes. The kits released for reach segment of the year will launch alongside major D&D book releases . These kits will most likely include: • prewritten encounters • promotional materials • store support tools • and possibly exclusive content. Wizards also mentioned weekly play support , though they haven’t revealed exactly what that includes yet. And they’re planning coordinated community events tied to each release. Basically… They’re trying to turn D&D launches into mini events at local game stores . So why is Wizards of the Coast bring back D&D Encounters now? A big part of it seems to be Wizards refocusing on local game stores . Over the past few years, a lot of D&D play has moved online. Between: • D&D Beyond • Virtual tabletops • and streaming games Many players never step into a physical store anymore. Traditionally, stores have been the lifeblood of tabletop gaming communities . I’m not so sure that’s true anymore. There seems to be a BIG shift away from many traditional models, in the tabletop gaming space. However, D&D Encounters does give stores something extremely valuable: consistent weekly events that make it easy for new players to come in the door. According to Wizards leadership, this move is part of a broader push toward a franchise-style model for D&D releases , led by VP Dan Ayoub . Instead of one-off books… They want ongoing seasonal engagement . Whether or not Wizards is really in-touch still with the D&D community, and this is an accurate call, remains to be seen. But, you can see based on what they think is happening, how they would feel that D&D Encounters would fit that model. So, of course that brings up another pretty big question., which is: w hat happens to the D&D Adventurers League? Because, as I’ve mentioned, the organized play program has been… pretty quiet lately. Like, for a while. There hasn’t been much new official content in recent years, in fact. And Wizards hasn’t said whether D&D Encounters will replace , supplement , or revive parts of the Adventurers League. So, right now, there’s no official answer. But many fans are speculating that D&D Encounters might become the easier entry point , while Adventurers League remains the deeper campaign system. But my impressions at the moment are that unless D&D Encounters really takes off, and creates a need for the Adventurers League to grow, then I don’t think it will be getting any more support from here than what it’s been getting. So, here’s the thing. D&D’s a great game. For many of us, it was the first TTRPG we heard of, and got us into the hobby. It’s... no longer the best TTRPG out there, and hasn’t been for some time. I created a whole multi-article series on this, comparing the top games, on the Eternity TTRPG site – and even that list needs updating. But I think for most of us, we’d love to see the hobby grow. If you’ve ever played TTRPGs in person, around a real table , you know that the dice rolling, the Miniatures clattering, and watching someone dramatically failing a persuasion check – in person, are all magical moments. Short low-commitment sessions like D&D Encounters is offering may be one of the best ways to introduce new players. And that is exactly what D&D Encounters is designed for. If Wizards executes this well… It could become a gateway program that brings the next generation of players into the hobby . Do I want to be pessimistic about this new program working the way Wizards intends? No. Am I though..? Yeah. I think new players will continue to find the hobby, but I think D&D will continue to lose market share. For new players who get into the hobby specifically through D&D, I think this D&D Encounters program will only be generating a very small percentage of those new people. Will I try out a D&D Encounters session at my local game store? ...maybe. Like many of you, I’ll probably wait to see what the buzz is around it first, to see if I might enjoy dropping in. But I do hope that is amazing, and that everything Wizards of the Coast is trying to do with it actually provides what their main audience has been asking for. So what do you think? Is the return of D&D Encounters exactly what local game stores, and the tabletop roleplay game community needs… Or is this a sign that Adventurers League and the overall organized play may be fading out in one final effort ? Let me know in the comments. And if you want more weekly D&D news, community info, and tabletop updates , make sure you like the video and subscribe. Because the dice never stop rolling here.

A vampire sits on a dark throne holding a wine glass, with the text

The Future of D&D Books in 2026 - Eight New Books to Dive Into

By Jacob Tegtman • March 11, 2026

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z2fTaAQS3g Transcription For months the D&D community has been asking the same question… “Where are all the new books?” Well—Wizards of the Coast finally answered. 2026 is bringing Ravenloft horror, high-magic arcana, a Feywild heist romance, and… a crochet owlbear. Yes. Really. Today we’re breaking down every single Dungeons & Dragons book announced for 2026 —what they are, who they’re for, and which ones might actually change your campaign. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your party’s reliable source for Dungeons & Dragons news, lore, and tabletop chaos. Today we’re going through the entire 2026 D&D release schedule . There’s quite a few books, so this list is meant to give you the quick, clean, and minimal filler low-down. If anything sounds good, you have something to start on for your own in-depth research. So, let’s get started. The biggest announcement so far for 2026 is: Ravenloft: The Horrors Within , Releasing June 16th, 2026. This new sourcebook expands the Domains of Dread , the gothic horror setting originally ruled by Strahd. For Dungeon Masters, the book adds: • new Darklords • new monsters • and expanded guidance for running horror-themed campaigns . That includes subgenres like: • gothic horror • cosmic horror • and psychological horror. Players get new options too: • horror-themed subclasses • new species and backgrounds • and expanded Dark Gift feats . The book also expands the fear and dread mechanics , which could add some serious tension to horror campaigns. And yes… Legendary monster hunter Rudolph van Richten is making another appearance. Preorders begin April 13th , and digital versions hit D&D Beyond early in June . So horror fans—Is Ravenloft your favorite setting, or are you still loyal to Curse of Strahd? Then in September 2026 , we get one of the most mysterious releases: Arcana Unleashed. Wizards of the Coast calls it a “high-magic sourcebook.” What we know so far is that it introduces new arcane subclasses from earlier Unearthed Arcana playtests. Plus: • new spells • magic items • artifacts • and expanded customization options. But the biggest addition might be a new “evolving magic item” system . That means magical gear that levels up alongside your character, which if done properly – could be pretty cool. This kind of thing could also change how treasure progression works in campaigns. We also know though that if this idea is done poorly… Well… could lead to certain things from this book being banned at some tables. Launching alongside Arcana Unleashed is an adventure expansion called: Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall. This adventure ties directly into the main Arcana Unleashed book and features the infamous Red Wizards of Thay . The story reportedly involves a massive magical war , with new lore about the organization. And interestingly… A Red Wizards adventure was originally teased way back in 2023’s D&D Direct event , so this might finally be that storyline. We don’t yet know if this will be: • a full physical book • or only a digital D&D Beyond adventure . But if you like Forgotten Realms villains… The Red Wizards are about as dangerous as it gets. Next up is something aimed at specifically Dungeon Masters : the Dungeon Master’s Workbook of Worldbuilding, releasing May 5th . This one is all about building better campaigns. The book includes exercises designed to help DMs: • design campaign worlds • create memorable NPCs • build maps • and improve improvisation skills. Which honestly might be the most important DM skill of all. Because no matter how much you prepare… Players will always find a way to kick down the door that has nothing behind it. At least until you create something on the fly, that is. So, this workbook aims to help DMs build living worlds instead of static storylines. I got some really great advise when I first started DMing, which was to steal everything. I think these kind of thought-provoking books help synthesize great material into something that’s also – at the same time – entirely your own. Alongside the DM book, and launching the same day, is something aimed at new players and storytellers . This is an interactive companion to the D&D 5.5e Player’s Handbook . Instead of rules, the book focuses on guided character creation . It includes prompts that help you: • build backstories • connect your character to the party • and design personal motivations that actually matter in the campaign. Think of it like a creative writing workbook for D&D characters. If you’ve ever stared at a blank character sheet thinking… “Uh… I guess I’m an edgy rogue with amnesia? Oh yeah, and I’m an orphan – definitely, always an orphan.” This book might actually help. And I mean that in a kind way. Nearly everyone benefits from a bit of help thinking through interesting character creation, without relying on the same tropes that Final Fantasy characters have been relying on for a few decades. Then, we have something completely different. The Feywild Job releases June 30th . And this one is actually a D&D novel , not a game book. It’s written by C.L. Polk , a Nebula and World Fantasy Award-winning author. The story follows two former lovers turned thieves hired to steal a magical artifact from the Feywild. So imagine: • magical heist story • romantic tension • with chaotic Feywild politics. Basically romantasy meets D&D crime caper. Which honestly feels like the most Feywild thing possible. Every now and then I can get into a D&D novel. Maybe you’re like me and it’s been enough time to give a new novel a try. Finally, we have Dungeons & Dragons Crochet: A Book of Many Patterns. Yes—this is a real official D&D book. Written by longtime D&D contributor Stacy King , it includes 20 crochet patterns inspired by the D&D multiverse . We’re talking: • Owlbear cub plushies • Mini beholders • And even a handmade Bag of Holding So, this obviously isn’t a rules book. It’s basically crafting for D&D fans who want to bring the monsters to life—literally in yarn. Kind of like D&D cook books, but crafts version. Which, by the way, I’ve seen a lot of these kind of things selling like hot cakes at local conventions, so you know it’s going to be in-demand. Buy it for the ladies in your weekly D&D group who are into crochet. Ok, so I lied. There’s a bonus round here, which is one possible future release. There are strong hints that Dark Sun might be returning, which I shared about a couple months ago in a previous video. Recent playtests included subclasses tied to the setting like: • Gladiator Fighter • Defiler Sorcerer • and Sorcerer-King Warlock. Those are classic Dark Sun themes . So, while nothing is officially confirmed… It’s very possible we’ll see a new Athas sourcebook in 2027. And if that happens? It would be the first major Dark Sun release in decades. I’d be super into seeing something like that come down the pipeline. That’s the full Dungeons & Dragons book roadmap for 2026. From crochet monsters… To gothic horror… To evolving magic items. It’s actually a pretty diverse lineup. But, now I want to hear from you: Which of these books are you most excited for? And which one are you skipping entirely? Drop your thoughts in the comments. And if you want more weekly D&D news, lore, and tabletop chaos— Make sure you subscribe. Until next time… May your dice roll high and your players never step through the door that you never prepared for.