Not exactly a new publication, but a new visual in line with the re-branding of Dungeons and Dragons as a more prestige game, using more lush paintings for the book covers, this is the first of three new covers for the 3 big books of AD&D.

In line with new publications, like Monster Manual II, these new covers helped homogenize the brand, and Jeff Easley’s awesome art does give the books a different feel. Not necessarily better, and it ended up not being as iconic as Dave Trampier’s original, it does look more “realistic” and polished, eschewing the cartoonish style of earlier manuals.

The interior of the book remains the same as the previous printings, so not much more to talk about here. Which is pretty good for me as I am working through the Greyhawk box set, so these covers are really useful as a stopgap!