After much anticipation, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything has hit the Dungeons & Dragons fandom.
But can a 192-page book really do it all?
Mostly, although it doesn’t always go as deep as it could.
Veteran D&D players have been chafing against their relatively limited options for some time.
It’ll take a while for players to try every novel thing Tasha’s has to offer.
A lot of the guidance is laid out in very simple terms.
via WotC
- are explained with both gameplay and narrative justification.
So yeah, someone in the group is going to need to have a copy of Tasha’s handy.
More so, one might argue, than even Xanathar’s Guide to Everything.
via WotC
Which leads to the question: what does Tasha’s lack?
That depends on your expectations as you crack launch the book (or press your digital copy).
I’ll admit I got caught up in the hype from the moment the book was announced.
It sounded likea lot.
An Iron Man-style artificer subclass?
Say hello to my next character - Gnomey Stark!
Credit: Wizards of the Coast / Wylie Beckert
What kind of fresh havoc will my players wreak on my homebrew world now?
Wait, there’s even a section on puzzles for DMs?
I need help with that.
Like many other D&D fans, I followed interviews and events where Tasha’s was discussed.
In doing so, I learned that many of the sublcasses and spells would be pulled from Unearthed Arcana.
So when I finally got my hands on a copy, it was a little underwhelming.
There’s not a lot of new here.
The touted racial rework is a lot simpler than many were imagining.
The Custom Lineage, or make-your-own race, rules fill up one small text box.
Homebrew players have been delivering more detailed content for years.
The spells section is largely dominated by summoning and psychic magic.
The new magic items are geared towards casters.
Same goes for the “Dungeon Master’s Tools” chapter.
Get weird with it!"
I fully admit that I could have followed Tasha’s to the point of ruining it for myself.
But I still have this notion that the book scratches the surface at times.
There’s an alternate take to this.
Twitter user@alyssavisscherpoints out that D&D 5E is exploding more than any previous edition.
Not just to collect it, either, but to actually use it.
They’ll get those ideas thanks to the sheer amount of content in Tasha’s.
The art will also help, as it features a stunning array of diverse characters and evocative scenarios.
Wizards always gets great artists for D&D books, but the team outdid itself for Tasha’s.
From chicken missiles to dragonborn sheriffs to a mimic homestead, something is bound to get your wheels turning.
Go ahead, have a taste, and let yourself fall under Tasha’s spell.
A copy of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything was provided to TheGamer for this review.
It’s available now through online retailers, digital TTRPG services, and your favorite local game store.
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