2024 Player’s Handbook Alternate Cover Delayed
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Dungeons & Dragons fans have been waiting for over a decade to get their hands on a copy of a new Player’s Handbook. Unfortunately, it looks like some of us may have to wait a longer than expected, with Wizards of the Coast recently announcing delays of the alternate cover of the 2024 PHB for markets outside North America.
So just what does this mean for international players who were hoping to get their copy in the coming weeks? Below, we break down all the details.
What is the alternate Player’s Handbook cover?
The alternate cover for the Player’s Handbook is illustrated by Wylie Beckert, an artist currently based in Maine who is know for her unique cover illustrations, including work on the alternate cover for Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything back in 2020.
Notably the price for the 2024 PHB alternate cover is identical to the standard version, with a $49.99 USD price tag for the physical copy. The total number of copies was also expected to be similar to the standard PHB cover.
Why Was the Alternate Player’s Handbook Cover Delayed?
Wizards of the Coast has been fairly vague as to what caused the delay, citing only “unforeseen circumstances” in the printing process. WotC isn’t alone in facing these issues, however, as numerous other publishers have also experienced print challenges, with increased printing demands remaining high in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While this delay impacts the PHB alternate cover release, it’s important to note that the digital version and the standard cover of the Player’s Handbook have not been impacted.
What countries are impacted by the PHB delay?
The delay in the release of the PHB alternate cover affects regions outside of North America. The updated release schedule is as follows:
- North America: The release remains unchanged, with early access at local game stores beginning on September 3rd and a general release on September 17th.
- UK and Europe: The alternate cover is now expected to be released on October 18th.
- Australia: The release date has been pushed to October 24th.
- New Zealand: The alternate cover will be available starting October 31st.
Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that while these are the anticipated in-store release dates, stores may get the alternate covers earlier, depending on when the printing issues can be resolved.
Final Thoughts
This delay is not the first time Wizards of the Coast has encountered issues with printing and distribution. Earlier this year, the company faced similar challenges with the release of the Book of Many Things, with print issues marring the run of the cards that were included in the box set. While it is frustrating for fans outside of North America, the good news is that the delay doesn’t seem to be too long and that copies of the standard PHB cover should be widely available.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead. In the meantime, the new Player’s Handbook is available for order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.
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Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.
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