D&D: 5 Settings We Want For 5th Edition
Dungeons and Dragons has a big catalogue of game settings and here are 5 we want to see come to 5th!
There are many worlds of D&D. From obscure ones like Pelinore, the TSR-UK designed setting with a lot of heart, to more popular, beloved settings like Planescape, you can find a world that is just ripe for you to play in. That said, we’ve reached back in the catalogue to pull out some of our favorite settings that we hope get the 5th edition treatment one day.
Dark Sun
A popular contender and for a good reason. This post-apocalyptic fantasy wasteland was ruined by magic and left a barren, Mad Max wasteland. Magic is looked on as evil, Halflings are the ancient race that first mastered magic, but now they have degenerated and become feral and even cannibalistic marauders. And the world is basically broken into enclaves of safety broken up by monster-filled deserts. It’s a brutal setting unlike any other. Plus there are psychics.
Birthright
Birthright is a world where mortal heroes won divine power in an ancient battle. That power, called Regency, is passed down through bloodlines, hence the name. The setting itself is interesting, but what we’d really love to see ported over for 5th Edition are the rules for becoming a rule. Birthright was all about playing at “The Domain Level,” with an innovative rules system characters could use to become ruler. You’d gain ‘regency’ and could spend it to manipulate your domain and events within it. It’s honestly one of the better systems for figuring out how to handle player characters setting up shop and running their own provinces and we’d love to see how it meshes with 5th Edition.
Dragonlance
This one could be an interesting choice. It’s much beloved by its fans–especially Joe Manganiello who wants to bring the world of Krynn to the big screen. With death knights and dragons and lances the campaign setting has a lot in common with some of the other settings out there, but it’s a world that was built for D&D. Dragonlances are artifacts that heroes are expected to forge. The original setting has rules to handle how they’re built and what they do in combat, which was in the stories that made the setting popular. The books outline a system of magic that is basically alignment-driven, and there are other mechanics that make up the story. With 5th Edition’s streamlined take on rules, we’d love to see how (if at all) it changed the world of Krynn.
Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim is a world of adventure inspired by 1,001 Nights. Set in a fantasy version of Middle Eastern kingdoms, in Al-Qadim you’ll find Zakhara, the Land of Fate. Populated by the nomadic, desert dwelling Al-Badia and the cosmopolitan peoples of the cities, the Al-Hadhar, the Land of Fate is home to pretty much every race in D&D, all themed in line with the setting’s main inspiration.
This setting also made extensive use of kits for each of the classes. You might play a Thief who is a Barber or a Holy Slayer, or a Wizard who summons genies. Combo that with the idea of Fate–the most powerful of all deities, whose hand can cast down the mightiest sultan or elevate the lowliest beggar, and you’ve got a recipe for adventure that can’t be beat. It also makes it ripe for expansion for 5th edition!
Spelljammer
This one may be in the works–or at least teased for awhile now. We’re hoping to take a magic journey back into Space with Spelljammer. Load-up on supplies, gather your crew, and watch out for the Mindflayers. We got a pretty major nod to Spelljammer with the Dungeon of the Mad Mage and we’ve been hopeful ever since. C’mon Spelljammer and make the jump to 5th!
What settings would you like to see come back to 5th?
