The D&D Direct online showcase, along with new D&D books and D&D video game content.
All it takes to play D&D is the three core rulebooks, a set of dice, some pencil and paper, and imagination, but there are lots of groups that prefer to enhance their game with different accessories. The players who want to expand their options can use the additional rulebooks released after the Player's Handbook, such as Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, or Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. A lot of groups also like to use maps and minis, as they can be used to visualize combat encounters and help everyone keep track of their current position on the battlefield. A map is also helpful for measuring the effects of AoE spells and abilities. There are standard plastic minis available, but some D&D players will make custom minis that better reflect their character.
There will soon be a new alternative to maps and minis. Wizards of the Coast revealed during the D&D Direct that two new sets are on the way that will make running games easier. These are the D&D Campaign Case: Creatures set, which contains counters and markers for monsters of different sizes, and the D&D Campaign Case: Terrain set, which contains inter-locking map pieces with markers for different items on the overworld. Pre-orders for both sets are live and they will be released on July 19, 2022.
D&D Campaign Case: Creatures contains 64 plastic discs of different sizes that can be used as counters during battle. The set comes with five sheets of reusable clings, depicting classic D&D monsters, which can be applied and taken off the counters as needed. D&D Campaign Case: Terrain contains an adventure grid map, and a set of 30 double-sided adventure tiles that can be clipped together as needed, with different background artwork featured. This set also comes with five sheets of reusable clings, depicting items that the DM want to add to a map, such as a campfire or a nest filled with eggs. These make it easy for D&D DMs on a tight schedule, who don't have time to prepare maps or minis. Both sets are stored in easy-to-carry cases, taking the load off for the DMs who are carrying lots of items to a game.
These sets are ideal for DMs who want to run short introductory games at a convention or to keep to hand whenever the players do something unexpected. The sectioned map pieces are also useful for slowly assembling a dungeon room by room so that players are getting a feel for its scope as they explore. These sets can make running D&D easier for groups that enjoy the combat and exploration sides of the game, as the D&D experience can be improved by maps and pieces that give a glimpse at the monsters the group is facing.
The D&D Campaign Case: Creatures and the D&D Campaign Case: Terrain will be released on July 19, 2022.
