Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything was released before the end of last year. This book is hosted by Tasha who is a powerful witch raised by Baba Yaga herself. She gives a fun, if snarky, commentary throughout this manual. For game purposes, this new book is similar to Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, which means it is a chaotic mix of new sections for both Players and Dungeon Masters to expand their 5E Dungeons and Dragons game.
Genre: Fantasy/Gaming
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Released: 2020
Stars: 4.5 Stars
Reviewer: Michael D. Griffiths
It starts with the first new character archetype which has been introduced in five years. The Artificer is a fun new class which focuses on making their own magic items. The manual already introduces several Artificer subclasses as well. I know some players will enjoy running one of these, but I also see a great opportunity for the DM to toss a whole new regiment of villains at the players which they might not be prepared for.
Next on the menu are 26 new character subclasses. Many of these look enjoyable and I have used a few already as a DM; but wow, sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed. This might, again, be useful for a DM, but as far as being a player goes, the whole time I have been a player in 5E I have only run one character. I guess I still have about 75 to check out.
This is followed by a heap of new magic items. I liked how some of these focused on the newer classes. For instance, there is an item for Shadowfel Sorcerers and Artificers.
They toss in some interesting new feats, and even better, a table for creating random effects in the various realms one might encounter. One of my favorites here is Infestations. Then we bookend the manual with a section of fun puzzles for the characters to solve. Some of these seem great and I will be using them whenever I get a chance.
I am not sure what kind of downsides there are here and if you play 5E I cannot see any reason why you would not grab this manual. I guess if I had to throw stones it would be to suggest this that book, although fun, almost seems like a gimmick to get people to spend more money rather than give players something they really need. Sometimes I think having 80 different character classes is a bit of overkill and like junkies looking for a fix, they just keep tossing more at us knowing some people can never have enough. But in the end, what the heck. Wizards of the Coast does a great job and certainly seeks to excel. I think anyone playing 5E should just grab it. You will not be disappointed.
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