Keys From The Golden Vault

Dungeon Masters draw inspiration from many different sources for themselves Dungeons & Dragons sports. The most obvious sources are things like Conan stories or epics like Lord of the Courts. The newest book from Wizards of the Coast looks for inspiration from an unlikely source: heist movies.

Keys From The Golden Vault brings the twisted plots and clever banter of movies like Ocean’s 11 or Now You See Him on the table. Thirteen games give players a chance to steal something cool from an unusual location. Some collections are aimed at adventurers; this book is for criminal workers.

“Each event takes place in one location and includes a specific type of time,” said a Wizards of the Coast spokesperson. “Co-op is the name of the game for players, where in each game they have to find a mission, plan a mission, execute their plan, and try to escape undetected.”

Think we need another one?

To help the workers confirm their work, each game comes with two maps. One is for the players to spill, discuss the details and put together a fantastic plan. The other is Dungeon Masters, full of mysterious traps, unexpected encounters and last-minute heists that make crime capers fun.

“All the areas are fun and unique,” Wizards said. “And the most interesting place is totally dependent! There’s a heist at the natural history museum, a Nine Hells-themed casino, a huge underground tomb, a castle ash falls, an underground train, a mansion in the Feywild, etc. It’s up to the Dungeon Master to decide which places he likes best.

Heard a Stone, Give to the Poor

The Golden Vault in the title refers to a secret society that is said to have created these works to exploit the bad guys, Robin Hood style. The first notes of each game come from a magic key placed in a music box that plays a note. Project: Impossible style.

Most heist stories feature high-tech and difficult-to-overcome obstacles. In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, things like laser grids and biometric locks are replaced by traps and magical devices. The games range from level one to eleven and offer unique challenges for each story.

Wizards said: “Some levels have a set of levels in them. “For example, The Stygian Gambit is a gambling game set in a Nine Hells-themed casino, so it includes fun mechanics for other games that can be played there, including a slot machine. Similarly, Information about the Concordant Express is a spontaneous movement in the interplanar train. Each time a train enters a new plane, this event describes the current activity until the train leaves that plane. Keys from the Golden Vault it also offers new stats for creatures and magical items, including an impressive visual that can listen to close conversations.”

Get The Lowdown

Wizards of the Coast has also released a video with more information about the stories in the book. Co-hosts Amanda Hamon and Chris Perkins are asked questions about what to expect from the entertainment series.

Keys from the Golden Vault features an alternate cover by Simen Meyer, available only in game stores, and an evergreen cover by Anna Podedworna, available in North America on February 21, 2023. Backers who pre-order the digital/physical bundle at dndstore .wizards.com will be able to access the digital release on March 7, 2023.