Dungeons & Dragons: Fizban’s Dragon Hoard Review

Over the years, Dungeons & Dragons has traditionally focused more on the dungeon element of fantasy RPG than on dragons. Now Wizards of the Coast seeks to remedy this imbalance with a new bestiary rich in lore, encounters and information about these beloved and scaly monsters. Fizban’s Dragon Hoard is primarily geared toward helping Dungeon Masters improve their campaigns, but players can get something too.

Last year, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything emphasized character creation options, with around two dozen subclasses and a recently refined method of running through custom origins. While Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons offers less for the typical D&D gamer, the sourcebook encourages quality over quantity. And where Tasha covered many items without a particular topic in mind, Fizban cleverly focuses on dragons and their perennial influence within the universe.

Fizban’s Dragon Hoard is divided into six chapters. The introduction is an entry focused on the tradition narrated by the Fizban the Fabulous themselves. The first two chapters offer players new character creation tools and feats, spells, and dragon-related items to choose from. Originally from the Player’s Handbook, the Dragonborn race receives an overhaul with three unique subclasses of the three available dragon types, with an additional subclass upgrade from the playtests for Rangers.

Fizban’s Dragon Hoard also features a new mechanic for taking magic items from dragons. You get various templates that allow weapons and items to increase in power from the magic of being in a dragon’s hoard. The sourcebook is rich in detail and includes nuances that you might not otherwise consider when creating a D&D campaign, which is one of the book’s strengths.

At the heart of this book is the Draconomicon, a large chunk of content dedicated to a score of different species of dragons, including gem dragons, which have been omitted from official D&D reference books since the third edition. It is not a bestiary compared to Volo Monster Guide, but it does offer a sprinkling of knowledge and stat blocks for those looking for a condensed player’s manual with DM in mind.

With Draconomicon, DMs can visualize what a dragon’s lair would look like thanks to beautiful full-page maps. Each map sets the mood for the dragon’s preferred home or backdrop for adventurers. Going further, the reference book goes into incredible detail about the dragon’s hoard, which is reflected in the dragon species, both in narrative and mechanical terms. It’s not just about epic fights with scaly beasts, either – Fizban’s Dragon Hoard offers instructions on how to create dragon allies, such as backers, mercenaries, or warlords to enrich the overall campaign experience.

Although the font book leans a lot towards DMs, there is also content for character players. First of all, you have Drakewarden, which is a subclass offering for Rangers. As the name suggests, the player gains a draconic companion that grows and attaches to the character. Through an encounter or discovery in the Ranger’s past, the character forms a bond with a draconic spirit that was born when he was a child dragon. With this bond, Drakewarden becomes proficient in the dragon race, giving them the ability to read, speak, and write in the draconic language.

It is true that Drakewarden’s partner is small to begin with, but he offers help in combat and takes actions immediately after the character’s turn. As the Drakewarden levels up, so does the companion, to the point where the Drakewarden can ride it into battle at the seventh level. Drakewarden offers a particular Pokémon vibe to the subclass, as they find a companion that grows alongside the character, to the point where it evolves into something powerful and epic. Since Tasha and Xanathar’s Guide to EverythingThe Rangers are becoming one of the deepest and most versatile classes within the D&D universe, and Drakewarden is just adding strings to that rising bow.

Then you have the revised rules update for the Way of the Ascending Dragon for Monks, which is a novel way to revere the power of dragons through this class. The monks who follow the Ascending Dragon include a careful study of the dragon race, offering insight into some of the dragon’s known traits, such as breath weapons and those sturdy wings that carry them swiftly across the battlefield. Through this subclass, monks learn to speak, read, and write Draconic with a Draconic aura upon their presence, reinforcing charisma and aiding in their persuasion or intimidation in certain settings.

Fizban’s Dragon Hoard Preview Pages

Monks who follow this path will also gain access to dragon breathing abilities, which increase the more powerful the monk becomes. At level six, monks gain the ability to channel a dragon’s wings. This can take them to the skies when they use their Wind Step ability, which allows the player to inspect the area before engaging in combat. Despite the draconic ki changes with the subclass, Way of the Ascendant Dragon is a unique and tasty way to play D&D.

Overall, Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons is tailored for DMs and is a must-have for your collection. What makes the book a hit is the ability to add more dragon content to games without falling into the same tropes and habits when it comes to creating campaigns. It’s as if Wizards of the Coast is finally giving individuality to the dragon species, which feels way overdue given the age of fantasy RPG. Either way, if you are looking to emphasize dragons in Dungeons & Dragons, then Fizban’s Treasure of Dragons is the treasure that awaits you.

Where to buy

Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons has a suggested retail price of $ 49.95, but is available for less at some retailers.

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Wizards of the Coast provided a review copy of the Fizban Dragon Hoard.