Read on Twitter
Alright... Let’s do a twitter flip through of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the latest #dnd 5e release from @Wizards_DnD, who kindly provided me with a review copy of the book.
As always, this is afirst impressions” look at the book. I have not opened it yet.
As always, this is afirst impressions” look at the book. I have not opened it yet.
I highlight and focus on things that catch my eye as I flip through the book. We are looking at it together for the first time. Okay? Okay!
First, you may be asking yourself, who is Tasha, and why does she get a book all to herself? I refer you to this thread, where I did a deep lore dive on the witch across various editions of #dnd. https://twitter.com/newbiedm/status/1317699954094280704
Magali Villaneuve is responsible for the book’s cover. Great rendition of the young witch.
While artist Wylie Beckert designed the alt cover. You can see Baba Yaga’s hut there, a big part of her lore. See the thread referenced for why that is.
Happy little cauldron.
The disclaimer tradition loves on. Tip: Bring muffins with you when you open the book.
Full table of contents.
Up front—it’s all optional.
Like Xanathar’s, it starts with 10 rules to remember, but adds one not explicitly written in that book. “Have Fun”.
So, chapter 1 launches with the much discussed changes to a race’s ability scores, and how to customize them beyond the PHB’s guidelines. Honestly, this whole thing was IMO much ado about nothing, and I have zero objections to it in my own game. The book devotes two pages to it.
Here’s a new thing. Create your own “lineage”—ignoring race altogether.
It’ll be interesting to see how it’s received. As presented, it’s a small sidebar, but with huge implications....
It’ll be interesting to see how it’s received. As presented, it’s a small sidebar, but with huge implications....
You can change your subclass too. My table will see this happen, I know it.
Next we get to the parts I am less interested in... PC options. Sorry players, this stuff makes me yawn. :)
The Artificer gets it’s first full writeup, free of Eberron trappings. And look!! Sigil lore!
The Artificer gets it’s first full writeup, free of Eberron trappings. And look!! Sigil lore!
Ughhhh. Its. Not it’s. Blergh.
This made me laugh.
Alright. The fighter gets some neat tricks here. New fighting styles, maneuvers, and psionics.
Rune Knight subclass.
Okay. Look at the table of contents. Lots of new class options for every class in the game. Like I said... not my thing. Ask me if you have any specific questions and I’ll see if I can answer. @jaa0109 loves doing that shit to me. 
Chapter Two takes a concept out of the Eberron hardcover and applies it to the core game, Group Patrons. An individual or org that unites the party as a team. It basically codifies what a lot of us already do in our games and the stories we tell.
Eberron presented 11 patrons, Tasha’s gives us 8. Many overlaps.
