Which version of the new D&D Dragonlance campaign should you buy?

Dungeons & Dragons is fully embracing a digital future. This is the granddaddy among all role-playing game, and it finally treats digital and print as equals. It offers multiple bundles which include both formats of the material. This transition will be accompanied by the return of Dragonlance, an iconic franchise dating back over 30 years. However, the end result may prove to be quite confusing. There are now a number of SKUs that can be used in conjunction with videogame companies’ special edition bundles. Which bundle is best for your group?

There are two main components to the Dragonlance campaign. First, a traditional hardcover book of 224 pages titled “The Campaign Book”. Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon QueenThe new version will feature new characters and backgrounds, as well as a story inspired by old war movies. F. Wesley Schneider (Senior Designer at Wizards of the Coast) tells Polygon the Dungeon Masters are allowed to alter the campaign in any way they like. The only caveat is that Dragonlance-inspired campaigns should ideally take place in Krynn, which is an entirely different world than the majority of 5th edition’s previous campaigns. So get ready to say goodbye to the Forgotten Realms — and likely whatever characters you’re playing right now.

Image: Wizards of the Coast

A tabletop wargame called “The Second Component” is the second component. Dragonlance: Warriors Of KrynnRob Daviau and Stephen Baker, board game experts, created the board game. The campaign and the board game complement each other, with some of the campaign’s major narrative arcs playing out as set-piece battles on a modular game board. Players will be able to take their characters, and their characters’ miniatures, and place them directly inside the board game to take part in the struggle. The TTRPG will also allow for the transfer of loot and boons to the board game.

Does the boardgame require you to take part in the campaign? Or vice versa. Polygon was assured that Daviau said no. Schneider also confirmed that set-piece battles could be won using the simplified rules found in the campaign book. This is even without purchasing the game. Both products are designed to complement each other since inception. Schneider as well Daviau said that group play will be richer if the two products are used together.

So, rather than just a campaign book with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $49.99, dedicated groups are looking at also picking up a hefty board game with a list price of $79.99. That’s a grand total of $129.98 when you purchase it through your friendly local game store on or before release date — Dec. 6.

If you’d like to save a little money — or if you have gone all-in on digital D&D yourself — the same campaign book is available on D&D Beyond for $29.99. The same content is also available at the same price on Roll20, along with all of that platform’s baked-in video-conferencing hooks that you would need to play the campaign remotely. The board game has no digital corollary, so if you want to have the full experience you’ll likely need to be able to meet in person with your group on a regular basis.

Things get more complicated from here: There are 4 Diverse bundles that we’ve found that combine the physical campaign book, the digital campaign book, and the board game in different ways. Some bundles allow you to start the game earlier than others.

Bundle 1 from Wizards of the Coast, $60

The campaign book and the D&D Beyond version of the same material are available as a bundle directly from Wizards of the Coast for $59.94 — a $20 savings. This bundle comes with free shipping to all 50 US states. AndIt gives you early access to digital versions of the game. Instead of waiting until Dec. 6, you’ll be able to start planning your adventure on Nov. 22 — two full weeks ahead of time.

Bundle 2 from Wizards of the Coast: $155

ItDragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen Deluxe editionBundle includes the campaign book in physical format (with foil covers), and the digital book. AndThis includes the Dragonlance. Warriors of Krynn Play a board game at $154.98 Free shipping to all 50 US states

Wizards may also bring a Dragonlance themed DM screen. There aren’t a lot of comparables for just a DM screen, but based on this DM screen kit, let’s call it a value of $15. The savings are also approximately $20.

Bundle #3 available at Amazon for $145

Amazon sells an identical bundle with the same name, except that it does not include the digital edition of the campaign books. The deluxe book, the DM Screen, and the game can be purchased for $144.99. Delivery is available on or before Dec. 6.

Bundle #4, Amazon $175

Amazon has a fourth choice available right now. Grab it for just $174.55 Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen Deluxe Edition — with the foil cover and the DM screen. A copy of the game board is also included. You won’t get the digital version of the campaign book, but it does come with a second physical book, a kind of monster manual called Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. Released a little over a year ago, it’s chock-full of dozens of different dragons — just the thing for adding additional flavor to a storyline all about marauding dragons. Read our full review.

Pre-order similar packages from other smaller online gaming retailers. Fantasy Grounds is another online tabletop marketplace that sells the campaign book at $49.99. Wizards of the Coast is the best place to play your campaign book two weeks before everyone else.

Confusing as it may be, this kind of approach is unlikely to stop in future D&D releases. It is clearly intended to gauge consumer sentiment. Wizards of the Coast is likely to release more scenarios in the future.