Dungeons and Dragons' next adventure module, Vecna: Eve of Ruin, promises to send the current iteration of 5e out with a bang. The high-level adventure is the prelude to a major rules update for this edition of Dungeons and Dragons, and it just so happens to be perfect for that end.

Dungeons and Dragons'Vecna: Eve of Ruin releases May 21st, serving as a last hurrah for the current era of D&D. Though it releases before Quests from the Infinite Staircase, an anthology that will be the actual last module before the 2024 rules update, Eve of Ruin has far more finality to it. The module, which is already available for those with early access, spans the multiverse—taking players to many beloved settings already covered in 5e, including Ravenloft, Greyhawk, Dragonlance, and more. Players will also confront a rogues' gallery of big bads from across D&D's worlds, such as Strahd, Lord Soth, Tiamat, Lolth, Acererak, and Vecna himself.

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Vecna: Eve Of Ruin Sets The Update To D&D 5e Up For Success

A big adventure with Vecna at the forefront is just what the game needs as it ventures into a new era. Vecna is one of the most iconic aspects of D&D, featuring in the hit show Stranger Things as well as in the live play series Critical Role. Even outside those big IPs, the archlich has been a key villain throughout the game's history. He was first referenced all the way back in 1976, just two years after the game's first incarnation, and his antics have been the in-universe cause of the switch from 2e to 3e. Just as the villain brought D&D into a new age back then, Eve of Ruin is a great vehicle to kick off the 2024 rules update.

Eve Of Ruin Allows Low-Level Adventures To Make Their Return

Eve of Ruin brings players from levels 10 to 20, a period of play that most will never get to see outside a one-shot. It sets its stakes at a multiversal level, far beyond other D&D 5e modules. This epic adventure is the perfect catalyst for low-level adventures to return alongside the rules update coming later this year. It will allow WOTC and other 5e adventure publishers to take a breather from high stakes and return to the more mundane hijinks of levels 1-5.

This will really let the newly-revised form of 5e strut its stuff, giving players a chance to experiment with all the changes D&D 2024 will make to character creation in particular. Beginner feats, revised monsters, and entire class revisions can easily be demonstrated with small, low-level adventures. Starter set modules will be especially important in regard to all the new players the rules update may attract.

Vecna Is The Perfect Antagonist To Bookend This Era Of 5e

Not only does Eve of Ruin go over the greatest hits of 5e and the franchise as a whole, its use of Vecna is of particular importance. Stranger Things and Critical Role are inarguably the joint cause of D&D 5e's incredible popularity, and Vecna has played a part in both. While there are other D&D villains with huge fanbases behind them (such as Strahd, who has been of major repute among 5e antagonists), Vecna occupies a pop culture role that is tough to beat.

Eve Of Ruin's Monsters Are A Good Sign For the 2025 Monster Manual

D&D 5e's rules update will be changing monsters in many ways, such as with simpler statblocks for spellcasting foes and stats for simple enemies that keep up with the player's level. Eve of Ruin's heavy-hitting monsters, like the fearsome deathwolf, are a good sign; many of D&D 5e's high-level monsters are too weak for their challenge rating, so it's important for WOTC to give these enemies a fighting chance.

Dungeons and Dragons

Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.

Franchise

Dungeons & Dragons

Original Release Date

1974-00-00

Publisher

Wizards of the Coast

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson