Eberron: Forge of the Artificer to Be Priced at $29.99

Dungeons & Dragons is returning to the splatbook era. Today, Wizards of the Coast announced pre-orders for Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, a new "rules expansion" focused on Eberron. Buried in the pre-order announcement is that the physical version of the book will cost just $29.99, suggesting a much thinner page count and the lowest price point for a Fifth Edition book released by Wizards of the Coast.

Wizards previously teased that the new Eberron book would be different from other D&D sourcebooks, but the $29.99 price point is about half of the current $50-$60 price point for current D&D rules manuals. No page count has been confirmed for the new Eberron book, so we'll have to see just how much of a splatbook Eberron: Forge of the Artificer ends up being.

 

[Parmandur]

There's some clues about page size from some of the page previews. Chapter 1 is the Artificer, and Chapter 2 (character options) starts on page 23. With 20-something feats and 17 backgrounds, and 5 species, that's probably 21 more pages. Three adventures DMG style will only be about 6 pages. 20 monsters is about 20 pages. Give about 10 pages for Airships and bastions, and that puts the total at 80. I imagine it'll be 80 pages, hardback.

Perhaps, if I'm underestimating some of these, it'll be 96. But my money is on 80.

I think you are specifically underestimating the campaign material: they don't have three adventures, they have three Campaigns ("Campaign Model" apparently). Based on the Greyhawk stuff in the DMG, I think that means 96-128 pages.

 

[WanderingMystic]

I think you are specifically underestimating the campaign material: they don't have three adventures, they have three Campaigns ("Campaign Model" apparently). Based on the Greyhawk stuff in the DMG, I think that means 96-128 pages.

Most common pack size is a 32 page bundles, some printers work with different figures, break them down to 16 page bundles but cost wise 32 is the most efficient. 96 page count is a great estimate and while 128 works I feel that that might be more pages than what they want for this type of book. "Campaign Model" I believe will be more information about how to run games using those themes instead of anything more concrete. If they give any extra setting information I would have gone with a 128pg count but since they say that there is not really any of that in this book my vote is for 96. Also I highly doubt that they will do a hard back print run instead of a paperback one. The book size is to small to justify the large price increase that is hard baked printing.

 

[Zardnaar]

Except the work load lore for this edition has been done in E: RftLW, where as the SCAG had to be both in a far too small package.

Assuming one bought Eberon though.

 

[GarrettKP]

Assuming one bought Eberon though.

They are selling them as a bundle specifically for people who have not.

 

[Parmandur]

Most common pack size is a 32 page bundles, some printers work with different figures, break them down to 16 page bundles but cost wise 32 is the most efficient. 96 page count is a great estimate and while 128 works I feel that that might be more pages than what they want for this type of book. "Campaign Model" I believe will be more information about how to run games using those themes instead of anything more concrete. If they give any extra setting information I would have gone with a 128pg count but since they say that there is not really any of that in this book my vote is for 96. Also I highly doubt that they will do a hard back print run instead of a paperback one. The book size is to small to justify the large price increase that is hard baked printing.

The cover photos are pretty clearly of a hardcover book, it has the ringing for it. So at the very least, this is a hardcover book. O6 pages would still match with those in the Planescape box set.

But since the "campaign models" were specifically compared to those in the DMG...I think 138 pages is in play. Greyhawk got three campaign outlines and a Gazateer, we may see something similar here.

 

[Parmandur]

There's some clues about page size from some of the page previews. Chapter 1 is the Artificer, and Chapter 2 (character options) starts on page 23. With 20-something feats and 17 backgrounds, and 5 species, that's probably 21 more pages. Three adventures DMG style will only be about 6 pages. 20 monsters is about 20 pages. Give about 10 pages for Airships and bastions, and that puts the total at 80. I imagine it'll be 80 pages, hardback.

Perhaps, if I'm underestimating some of these, it'll be 96. But my money is on 80.

Most common pack size is a 32 page bundles, some printers work with different figures, break them down to 16 page bundles but cost wise 32 is the most efficient. 96 page count is a great estimate and while 128 works I feel that that might be more pages than what they want for this type of book. "Campaign Model" I believe will be more information about how to run games using those themes instead of anything more concrete. If they give any extra setting information I would have gone with a 128pg count but since they say that there is not really any of that in this book my vote is for 96. Also I highly doubt that they will do a hard back print run instead of a paperback one. The book size is to small to justify the large price increase that is hard baked printing.

Here is what we learned about the three "Campaign models" back when this was first announced, each is getting their own full chapter:

"While the book won't include a full campaign, there are three chapters presented as campaign "options" with sample adventures. The three chapters, titled Sharn Inquisitives, Dragonmark Intrigue, and Morgrave Expeditions are organized using the methods explained in the Dungeon Master's Guide and include several sample adventures."

Thread 'D&D Adds Two New Books to 2025 Slate, Including New Eberron Book'

Jan 28, 2025

Wizards of the Coast is adding two Dungeons & Dragons books to its 2025 slate, including Eberron: Forge of the Artificer in August and an unnamed mystery book in October. Eberron: Forge of the Artificer will include the revised Artificer class, several new backgrounds and feats, and revised Eberron species, including the “classic” species that previously appeared in Eberron: Rising From the Last War and the new Khoravar species. The design team for Eberron: Forge of the Artificer includes James Wyatt (who worked on the...

• Christian Hoffer
• Replies: 176
• Forum: *Dungeons & Dragons

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[Zardnaar]

They are selling them as a bundle specifically for people who have not.

On beyond?

 

[GarrettKP]

On beyond?

Yep: Era of Eberron Ultimate Bundle - Shop D&D Beyond

“Combine the flavor and lore from Eberron: Rising from the Last War with updated mechanics and thrilling character options from Eberron: Forge of the Artificer in this Dungeons & Dragons bundle.”

 

[DavyGreenwind]

Here is what we learned about the three "Campaign models" back when this was first announced, each is getting their own full chapter:

"While the book won't include a full campaign, there are three chapters presented as campaign "options" with sample adventures. The three chapters, titled Sharn Inquisitives, Dragonmark Intrigue, and Morgrave Expeditions are organized using the methods explained in the Dungeon Master's Guide and include several sample adventures."

Thread 'D&D Adds Two New Books to 2025 Slate, Including New Eberron Book'

Jan 28, 2025

Wizards of the Coast is adding two Dungeons & Dragons books to its 2025 slate, including Eberron: Forge of the Artificer in August and an unnamed mystery book in October. Eberron: Forge of the Artificer will include the revised Artificer class, several new backgrounds and feats, and revised Eberron species, including the “classic” species that previously appeared in Eberron: Rising From the Last War and the new Khoravar species. The design team for Eberron: Forge of the Artificer includes James Wyatt (who worked on the...

• Christian Hoffer
• Replies: 176
• Forum: *Dungeons & Dragons

• 
• 
• 

In that case, yeah, 96 feels right. I also forgot about magic items. That'll be a few pages.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I wonder if there's any chance that they would reduce the trim size and increase the page count? I'm not advocating for it. Just wondering.

I can see 96 or 128 pages in a regular sized HC, though.