When the revised fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons becomes available on September 17, the world will finally get a taste of the enhanced mechanics of the groundbreaking role-playing game. But D&D’s most dedicated fans will likely have an edge. The Player’s Handbook (2024), including a version with a special alternate art cover, will be the first to hit physical shelves on September 3.
Polygon can now reveal the cover art of the collectible for the first time.
Illustrated by Wylie Beckertthe alternative art cover of the Player’s Handbook (2024) features a party consisting of D&D’s four iconic classes – the Fighter, the Wizard, the Cleric and the Rogue – all gathered around a friendly golden dragon, sharing tea. This soft scene is in stark contrast to the main line Player’s Handbook (2024), which will have a bright, bold cover Tyler Jacobsen with similar characters occurring in the moments before they were hit.
“We liked the idea of turning the alt cover into something that was a sweeter, calmer version of that,” Wizards head of art Josh Herman said in a video interview with Polygon. “Something that is not so aggressive, (with) fight (and) fight right away. That’s certainly a (…) big pillar of D&D, but sometimes a big part of what D&D is is just storytelling.”
‘I actually wanted a coffee table book,’ Herman continued, ‘but one that I could sit and relax in hygge way, where you can relax and just enjoy reading something.”
Image: Wylie Beckert/Wizards of the Coast
Fans will likely recognize Beckert’s style from the alternate art cover of Tasha’s cauldron of everythingreleased in 2020. The artist, who works in ink and watercolors, but also with oils and graphite powder, was Herman’s first choice for the project. He praised both the softness of her textures and the movement in her composition. You can first see it in the movement of the smoke above Tasha’s cauldron, and in the movement of her arms.
On the Player’s Handbook (2024), Beckert’s skill and style are expressed through the sinewy curves of the dragon that surrounds the party almost protectively, before ending in a cheeky ampersand symbol with the end of its tail. A light source, centered around the dragon’s magical breath, is also subtly reminiscent of the very first one Player’s Handbookfeaturing art by David Trampier featuring a firelit gold idol with giant red gemstones for eyes.
“I think what that old cover does so well,” Herman said, “is that it shows people on an adventure. It shows people doing something in the middle of an adventure. This is the contrast of that. This is almost your downtime (between adventures). This is relaxing. We’re at camp and I’m recovering my spell slots. I’m just relaxing and chilling.”
Image: Wizards of the Coast
Beckert’s art is just one part of the final cover treatment. The alternate art on each of the three core rulebooks, including the Player’s Handbook (2024), Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024), and Monster manual (2025), will also include a special gold filigree border designed by Simen Meijera sign painter who created the alternative art covers for Candle mysteries And Keys from the Golden Vault. That, along with the 50th anniversary logo on the back, should make these books stand out in any collection.
“I really like the idea of a local game store being the first place you can get something,” Herman said. “And I especially love that you can do it with the alt cover too.”
The Player’s Handbook (2024) will be available for pre-order from June 18 before arriving in local game stores on September 3. Fans can expect Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024) a little later in November, with Monster Manual (2025) arriving in February next year.