Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) enthusiasts can gear up for big things in 2024, heralded as the “Year of the Dragon”, with new content including a return to the Forgotten Realms. In a recent producer’s letter, Amanda “Tolero” Grow, DDO’s producer, unveiled a detailed roadmap outlining upcoming updates and celebrations of both 50 years of Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) and the MMO’s 18th Anniversary.
Celebrating D&D’s 50th Anniversary
As Dungeons & Dragons celebrates its 50th anniversary, DDO is primed to launch a year-long celebration starting in February. Coinciding with the lunar year of the Dragon, this auspicious occasion provides the perfect backdrop for DDO to pay homage to the rich legacy of D&D.
There is still time to redeem the FREEDDO2024 Coupon Code and get tons of free quests! ALSO: Select 99 point expansions in the DDO Store! Get more info here: https://t.co/3WJuGQaSA8 Available through February 11th. #DDO
— DDO Unlimited (@DDOUnlimited) January 22, 2024
The festivities kick off with DDO’s 18th anniversary on February 28th. To add to the excitement, Tolero revealed a special coupon code, FREEDDO2024, valid until February 11th, 2024. This code unlocks access to nearly all of the MMO’s premium quest packs for free. This provides a great entry for new players to try DDO, especially those who have only recently been introduced to D&D via the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios.
New Class Archetypes and Update 66
DDO will be introducing at least two new class archetypes in 2024, with the Dragon Lord Fighter archetype already making its appearance on the test server through Update 66. The Dragon Lord Fighter is a variant archetype inspired by the Dragon Lord Prestige Class from 3.5E’s Dragon Magic book.
Masters of crowd control, defense, and Draconic power, Dragon Lords gain unique draconic aura abilities, providing various bonuses to them and their allies based on the chosen aura. However, the downside is taking this archetype removes the Kensai (aka Weapon Master) enhancement tree, as well as the standard Fighter class proficiency with shields.
Update 66 (luckily no younglings are being slaughtered for this one) isn’t just about the Dragon Lord Fighter. It also encompasses a destiny balance refresh, tooltip upgrades, and an experimental AoE ranged attack feature. Additionally, players get a sneak peek at one of Update 67’s new dungeons, titled “Fred’s First Date.”
Major Expansion: Myth Drannor
Alongside the smaller numbered updates, bigger things also loom on the horizon. One of the big highlights of the year is the anticipated summer launch of a major expansion set in Myth Drannor, a beloved location in the Forgotten Realms.
Previously the seat of the high elven empire of Cormanthor, Myth Drannor’s ruins has served as a popular adventure area for the tabletop roleplaying game, as well as video game adaptations. Classic CRPGs such as Eye of the Beholder, Pool of Radiance, Curse of the Azure Bonds, and more have been partially or fully set in this legendary location in the Forgotten Realms.
The DDO expansion introducing Myth Drannor to the MMO will also coincide with increasing the level cap of characters to 34. It will also explore Wild Magic areas and delve into the mysteries surrounding the Red Wizards of Thay. The presale for this expansion begins in June, promising players new challenges and deeper immersion into the expansive D&D universe (price TBD).
Dynamic Event and VIP Program Updates
In the fall, Standing Stone Games (SSG) will introduce a new Dynamic Event for DDO, focusing on narrative and canon events in Eberron (specifically Stormreach), catering to characters of all levels. A test-run of this style of event was conducted last year with the ‘Illithid Invasion’.
The new planned event replaces the Hardcore season, allowing for broader player participation. Moreover, the game’s VIP program undergoes updates in the spring, incorporating changes based on valuable player feedback.
Game Enhancements and New Features
Infrastructure upgrades in the previous year paved the way for several enhancements, including updates to the Crystal Cove and Night Revels events, support for a higher-level cap, and the addition of a new dungeon in Night Revels.
The introduction of the Deck of Many Curses, initially part of the Illithid Invasion dungeons, has added an exciting dimension to gameplay. Integrated into the Legendary sagas, these cards (inspired by the tabletop version called the Deck of Many Things) provide a new way to enhance player characters’ gear for further customization.
Recent features like the dungeon “Catastrophe”, Class Archetypes such as Blightcaster, Dark Hunter, and Acolyte of the Skin, and updates to enduring content like Chronoscope and Attack on Stormreach continue to enrich the DDO experience. Tolero mentions there are plans for more updates to old content and mechanics this 2024.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
Emphasizing their commitment to community engagement, Tolero highlighted behind-the-scenes content creation, such as the player-involved decision-making process for the dungeon “Catastrophe.” The team plans to attend the upcoming PAX East this March, with more details to be announced soon.
Amanda “Tolero” Grow expressed gratitude to the DDO community for their ongoing support and invites players to stay tuned for more updates from SSG. With a blend of nostalgia and forward-looking innovation, 2024 and the year of the dragon is shaping up to be a landmark year for Dungeons & Dragons Online.
