The Art Was a Taco.

Wizards of the Coast creates another masterpiece of boredom.

Apparently the artwork, which was apparently featured in the new 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Player’s HandBook has a bunch of the (older members of the) online community up in arms. We’ve seen so many shenanigans from Wizards of the Coast over the last few years one can only imagine this could be a completely staged or manufactured controversy to draw even more attention to the game and the book. Apparently WotC is in the camp of all publicity is “good.”

Disclaimer: This is my blog. This is how I see things and how I feel. There is little factual information being presented. If you have issue with anything being presented, please contact me privately on X (Twitter,) Instagram, BlueSky, or by email. Otherwise, there are lots of platforms out there for you to vent your feelings and opinions, too.

I’ll say the same thing every time one of these art controversies arises. It’s art. Everyone’s perception is going to be different. Everyone is going to have a different takeaway from the same piece.

If you don’t like a piece of art, it’s simple. Say, “Euww,” and walk away. Go find something you like.

Apparently several people can’t just walk away. Yes, it’s unfortunate when it’s in your favorite TTRPG book. I get that it’s going to be there every time you flip to that page.

I’ve heard everything from cries of racism and bigotry to corporate “wokeness” over this one piece of D&D artwork. If you like it there’s supposedly something wrong with you. If you don’t absolutely love it there’s supposedly something wrong with you. We’re apparently all bigots or none of us are. It’s so hard to tell.

I’m sure by the time this article goes up we’ll be onto some new pointless crisis, but good grief, y’all.

It’s not even new art. The piece of artwork in question was originally used in the Heroes’ Feast cookbook circa 2020. It’s not even new! It just had the misfortune of showing up in PHB 2020. How is this just now becoming some sort of controversy?

Is it multiculturally diverse or misappropriation?

It’s not just a taco in the picture. People have also pointed out that there’s sushi, hamburgers, shrimp cocktail, empanadas, and what I think looks like a bacon wrapped corndog. (Nice Iowa State Fair reference.) The food does look pretty tasty. I think it’s a nice piece of art.

The real controversy that has been sparked is whether or not it’s “historically accurate” or “culturally appropriate” to have these foods depicted in D&D. I’ll echo the sentiments of several people on X (Twitter) and YouTube here. Who cares? It’s a fantasy game.

Tacos can be a delicacy in a fantasy RPG. So can cheeseburgers. Why not? Heck, we can invent brand new food items and pretend they’re normal for whichever region of our fantasy worlds.

Many of us agree that it is just plain silly to be freaking out over this piece of art. The spell text doesn’t specify the food produced. It’s open to DM and player interpretation. All we’re seeing is one artist’s depiction.

Personally, I normalized rice as a crop in one of my game worlds. Rice was more common or as common as wheat or corn. Sushi, rice cakes, fried rice, rice balls, rice crackers, and all kinds of other commonly cooked rice dishes were easy to find. That entire game world was Asian inspired, just like many of my games are. I’m trying to introduce new ideas to my players through fantasy gaming.

It all boils down to the simplest thing-

If the DM wants tacos to appear as part of Heroes’ Feast, it’s fine. Whatever makes you and your group happy. If you don’t want tacos, don’t rent some Taco Bell before the game session. It’s fine. No one is going to freak out. It’s a fantasy game!

Getting upset over tacos in D&D because they aren’t historically correct or wouldn’t exist at that time is the possibly silliest online argument since before the combat wheelchair. When are some of these kind people going to realize you can have it your way. (Literally there’s a cheeseburger in the picture, it could have come from anywhere.)

On the other hand, if you think it’s stupid to have tacos in D&D, you can have your peasants feasting on gruel, turnips, a little meat, and basic bread- go for it. There are plenty of 5E approved and references for historical games out there. You can make your D&D game as gruelingly detailed as you like. No one is going to come to your house and confiscate your gaming books. I promise.

I go back to the notion that anything/everything 2024 D&D is just not an issue.

From what I saw of the new 2024 D&D Player’s Handbook, it looked like a coffee table fantasy art book first and a lot of game stats second. 150 pages of character creation guidelines with tons of art? Not for me. No thanks Wizards of the Coast. You’re not getting me to shell out $50 or more on this.

I love Dragonbane! I can make two characters and be off to the races before most people can input one character into D&D Beyond. I prefer simple. I can add to Dragonbane all day and homebrew anything I want. I can use 5E material in my Dragonbane game. This isn’t even a poke at WotC at this point. It’s just a simple preference for what I feel is a superior game.

As always, play whatever makes you and your group happiest. Do what you think is best. No one can tell you how best to run your game. No one online can dictate what art you like or dislike. Just go out and experience it all. Let’s have some fun.

Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.