Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything: D&D’s new book begins to address diversity and racial stereotypes

Wizards of the Coast’s latest D&D book did not leak. They teased us, we guessed Tasha but not the whole book.

The new book was described by Wizards two months ago in their important diversity statement when they said;

Later this year, we will release a product (not yet announced) that offers a way for a player to customise their character’s origin, including the option to change the ability score increases that come from being an elf, a dwarf, or one of D&D’s many other playable folk. This option emphasises that each person in the game is an individual with capabilities all their own.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything expands on subclasses offering new options for every D&D class, including the artificer.

The player-focused book also offers up new class features, feats and ways to customise your character’s origins with straightforward rules for modifying a character’s racial traits.

So, there we have it. For now, D&D keeps racial traits, but Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything provides a workaround.

The supplement also has group patron rules for when the whole party is working for the same ancient dragon or as part of a criminal syndicate.

Magic tattoos are added with new artefacts and spells. The book’s titular character, Tasha, is a great wizard. She’s the Tasha of the spell Tasha’s hideous laughter.

D&D’s new book, which will be out in November, also adds rules for sidekicks, supernatural environments, natural hazards, speaking with monsters and guidance on running a session zero.

A “session zero” for any campaign has become a best practice for tabletop gamers, but it remains optional. In it, the players and the DM get to grips with their characters, how those characters might interact and also agree on setting the tone or style of the game. It’s session zero in which you find out just how much gore people want in their combat or whether you can tolerate another horny bard in the group.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything adds a host of ready-made traps to make life easier on the DM and harder on the players. Given all the extra player options the book brings, this seems harsh but fair.

Wizards of the Coast have two versions of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. They’re both out on November 17, but the alternative cover in pale tones is exclusive to local game stores.

You can read about the new book over at D&D’s official page. It’s also already available on pre-order at Amazon.