{{Short description|5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons boxed set}} {{For|the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition boxed set|Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space}}
{{DnDmodule| |module_title=''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' |image=File:Spelljammer_in_space_2022.png |caption = The cover of the digital D&D Beyond edition. Art by Bruce Brenneise, Justin Gerard, and Ekaterina Burmak |module_rules=''Dungeons & Dragons'', 5th edition |module_character_levels= 5–8<ref name="5e Spelljammer">{{Cite web |date= |title=Spelljammer: Adventures in Space |url=https://dnd.wizards.com/products/spelljammer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421160624/https://dnd.wizards.com/products/spelljammer |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Dungeons & Dragons |publisher=Wizards of the Coast|type= product page}}</ref> |module_campaign=Spelljammer |module_lead_designers= Christopher Perkins |module_authors= ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' {{bulleted list |Christopher Perkins|Jeremy Crawford|Ari Levitch}} ''Light of Xaryxis'' {{bulleted list |Justice Ramin Arman|Sadie Lowry|Jeffrey Ludwig}} ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' {{bulleted list |Christopher Perkins}} |module_first_published=August 16, 2022 |isbn=9780786968169 |pages=64 per book}} '''''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space''''' is a boxed set for the 5th edition of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. The boxed set includes three sourcebooks: the ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' (a ''Spelljammer'' campaign setting guide), the ''Light of Xaryxis'' (an adventure module), and ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' (a bestiary of Wildspace and Astral Sea creatures). It was published by Wizards of the Coast and released on August 16, 2022.
== Contents == ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' is a campaign and adventure boxed set for using the ''Spelljammer'' setting in the 5th edition. It contains three 64-page sourcebooks, a Dungeon Master's screen, and a poster map of the asteroid-city Rock of Bral.<ref name="5e Spelljammer"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title=D&D's Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Is Exactly What's on the Tin |url=https://gizmodo.com/spelljammer-dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-confirmed-1849361439 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-us}}</ref>
The three sourcebooks expand on game elements for the 5th edition, such as:
''Astral Adventurer's Guide''
* Six new player races – Astral Elf, Autognome, Giff, Hadozee, Plasmoid, and Thri-Kreen<ref name="Astral Adventurer's Guide">{{Cite book |title=Astral Adventurer's Guide |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |year=2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=2022-08-18 |title=How D&D's Spelljammer Races Are Different |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-races-different-changed/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Brooke |date=2022-08-20 |title=Every New Race In D&D 5e's Spelljammer Setting, Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/new-spelljammer-dnd-5e-races-explained/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> * Spelljamming ships – sixteen ship stat blocks<ref name="Table of Contents">{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=J. R. |date=2022-08-09 |title=D&D: Take a Peek at 'Spelljammer's Table of Contents |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/08/dd-check-out-spelljammers-table-of-contents.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Astral Adventurer's Guide"/> * Updated mechanics on Spelljamming, air envelopes, gravity planes, the Astral Plane and magic<ref name="Table of Contents" /><ref name="Astral Adventurer's Guide"/> * A guide to the asteroid-city Rock of Bral<ref name="Table of Contents" /><ref name="Astral Adventurer's Guide"/>
''Boo's Astral Menagerie''
* A bestiary that includes 72 Wildspace and Astral Sea creature stat blocks<ref name="Table of Contents" /><ref name="TechRaptor review" /><ref name="Boo's Astral Menagerie">{{Cite book |title=Boo's Astral Menagerie |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |year=2022}}</ref>
''Light of Xaryxis''
* An adventure module which mixes classic science fiction and high-seas themes<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arndt |first=Dan |date=2022-08-22 |title=Spelljammer Adventure 'Light of Xaryxis' Is A Tribute To High Seas Adventure, But Ends Up A Little Light In The Cargo Hold |url=https://www.thefandomentals.com/light-of-xaryxis-review/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=The Fandomentals |language=en-US}}</ref> * The module is broken into "episodes, each of which ends in a cliffhanger"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dohm-Sanchez |first=Jeffrey |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Wizards of the Coast Announces 'D&D Spelljammer: Adventures in Space' |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50989/wizards-coast-announces-d-d-spelljammer-adventures-space |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ICv2 |language=en}}</ref> * It is designed to take player characters from 5th level to 8th level<ref name="Table of Contents" /><ref name="Light of Xaryxis">{{Cite book |title=Light of Xaryxis |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |year=2022}}</ref>
== Publication history == thumb|right|Standard edition of ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' which includes a map of Rock of Bral, Dungeon Master's Screen, three sourcebooks and a slipcase.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-01 |title=Spelljammer: Adventures in Space - Artwork and Editions |url=https://sea.ign.com/dungeons-and-dragons-1/188598/gallery/spelljammer-adventures-in-space-artwork-and-editions |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |language=en-sg}}</ref> The ''Spelljammer'' campaign setting was introduced in 1989 with a boxed set, similarly titled ''Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space'', for ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucard |first=Alex |date=March 7, 2014 |title=Tabletop Review: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Second Edition) |url=http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/03/07/tabletop-review-spelljammer-adventures-in-space-advanced-dungeons-dragons-second-edition/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308023411/http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/03/07/tabletop-review-spelljammer-adventures-in-space-advanced-dungeons-dragons-second-edition/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 8, 2014 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Diehard GameFAN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-04-21 |title=D&D's Spelljammer reboot looks unlike any other 5th edition adventure so far |url=https://www.polygon.com/23033732/dnd-spelljammer-adventures-in-space-release-date-price |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2022, Wizards of the Coast announced a new boxed set titled ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' which was released on August 16, 2022; this release updates the ''Spelljammer'' setting for the 5th edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Spelljammer and Dragonlance Return in Dungeons & Dragons' New Adventures |url=https://gizmodo.com/d-d-direct-spelljammer-dragonlance-starter-set-1848822873 |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Bleeding Cool on Spelljammer date">{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Brings Back Spelljammer With Three Book |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dungeons-dragons-brings-back-spelljammer-with-three-book/ |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref> Chris de Hoog, for ''CGMagazine'', commented that "it's been about thirty years since the last officially published material in this realm, and since acquiring the game in 1997 Wizards of the Coast has only alluded to aspects of it sparingly".<ref name="CGMagazine review" />
The box set includes three 64-page hardcover books: ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' (a Dungeon Master guide), ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' (a bestiary), and ''Light of Xaryxis'' (an adventure module).<ref name=":0" /> On the decision to release ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' as boxed set with three sourcebooks, lead designer Chris Perkins said, "Spelljammer has always been a bit of a weirdo. And so we felt like this was a great opportunity to play around with the form factor".<ref name="ComicBook.com review" /> "Perkins also noted that ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' had a higher art budget than any other ''Dungeons & Dragons 5E'' product, which allowed for 'lavish illustrations' in all three books".<ref name="ComicBook.com review" />
=== Editions === The standard edition has cover art by three different artists – ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' cover art is by Bruce Brenneise, ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' cover art is by Justin Gerard, and ''Light of Xaryxis'' cover art is by Ekaterina Burmak.<ref name="5e Spelljammer" /><ref name=":9" /> The standard Dungeon Master's Screen features a Wildspace scene with art by Julian Koch.<ref name=":9" /> An alternate art edition, with cover art of all three books by Hydro74, was released for sale in local hobby and game shops.<ref name=":9" /><ref name="Polygon review" /> The alternate Dungeon Master's Screen features an Astral Sea scene with art by Jedd Chevrier. The contents of the two editions are otherwise identical.<ref name=":9" /> ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' was also released as a digital product through the following Wizards of the Coast licensees: D&D Beyond, Fantasy Grounds, and Roll20.<ref name="5e Spelljammer" />
Beadle & Grimm, another Wizards of the Coast licensee, is scheduled to release a special edition titled ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space – Platinum Edition'' in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Platinum Edition of Spelljammer: Adventures in Space |url=https://beadleandgrimms.com/products/spelljammer-adventures-in-space-platinum-edition |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=Beadle & Grimm's Pandemonium Warehouse |language=en |type=product page}}</ref> It will include the three sourcebooks as softcovers, an additional booklet of adventure encounters, pre-generated characters, game cards (for encounters, ships, magic items and spells), various maps and miniatures, physical props, and other handouts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2022 |title=Beadle & Grimm's Reveals 'D&D Spelljammer: Adventures in Space - Platinum Edition' |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51399/beadle-grimms-reveals-d-d-spelljammer-adventures-space-platinum-edition |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ICv2 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=Spelljammer Gets The Beadle and Grimms Treatment |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/spelljammer-gets-beadle-grimms-treatment |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Starburst Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> Beadle & Grimm will also release a ''Silver Edition'' at a lower price point; this edition will include fewer items than the ''Platinum Edition''.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2022-04-26 |title=Beadle & Grimm's Reveals D&D Spelljammer Special Editions |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/beadle-grimms-reveals-dd-spelljammer-special-editions/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2022 |title=Beadle & Grimm's Announce Silver and Platinum Editions for SPELLJAMMER ADVENTURES IN SPACE for D&D |url=https://geektyrant.com/news/beadle-amp-grimms-announce-silver-and-platinum-editions-for-spelljammer-adventures-in-space-for-dampd |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=GeekTyrant |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Errata === On September 2, 2022, Wizards of the Coast issued an apology for offensive material included in ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space''. This content was removed from digital editions and will be removed from future print editions; errata was also released.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Statement on the Hadozee |url=https://dnd.wizards.com//news/statement-hadozee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915133504/https://dnd.wizards.com/news/statement-hadozee |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Dungeons & Dragons |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |type=Press release}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=September 3, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Apologizes for Hadozee Lore, Issues Errata for Spelljammer Books |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-hadozee-statement-apology/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dohm-Sanchez |first=Jeffrey |date=September 7, 2022 |title=WotC Removes Offensive Content from 'D&D Spelljammer: Adventures in Space' |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/52082/wotc-removes-offensive-content-d-d-spelljammer-adventures-space |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ICv2 |language=en}}</ref> Charlie Hall, for ''Polygon'', wrote that this "apology is in reference to a race called the hadozee [...]. The primatelike creatures were called out for their association with in-fiction slavery, as well as problematic themes and images that together serve to reinforce racism against Black people".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-09-06 |title=Dungeons & Dragons publisher apologizes for racist content in Spelljammer |url=https://www.polygon.com/23339180/dnd-spelljammer-racist-hadozee-apology-errata |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
Following this apology, Christopher Perkins – Wizards' game design architect – announced a new inclusion review process for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' studio in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-11-10 |title=D&D will use cultural consultants to prevent racist content in all of its books |url=https://www.polygon.com/23451803/dnd-cultural-consultants-vetting-spelljammer-racism |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":41">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-11 |title=Dungeons & Dragons implements new cultural review following Spelljammer's racist inclusions |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-creates-new-cultural-inclusion-review-spelljammer-racism |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=2022-11-10 |title=Dungeons & Dragons To Require Cultural Consultants For Every Release Following Spelljammer Hadozee Controversy |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-hadozee-controversy-review/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> This process will now require "every word, illustration, and map" to be reviewed at several steps in development "by multiple outside cultural consultants prior to publication".<ref name=":422">{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Christopher |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Leveling Up Our Creative Process: Learnings From Spelljammer |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1375-leveling-up-our-creative-process-learnings-from |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111051259/http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1375-leveling-up-our-creative-process-learnings-from |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=D&D Beyond |language=en-us |type=Press release}}</ref> The previous process only included cultural consultants at the discretion of the product lead for a project. All products being reprinted will also go through this new review process and be updated as needed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces New Inclusivity Processes After Spelljammer Revisions |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-sensitivity-inclusion-processes-spelljammer/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":41" /><ref name=":422" />
== Related products ==
=== Miniatures === As part of their ''Icons of the Realm'' line, Wizards of the Coast licensee WizKids released 47 pre-painted miniatures that correspond with the ''Spelljammer'' setting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2022 |title=WizKids Will Release 'D&D Icons of the Realms: Spelljammer Adventures in Space' Booster Set |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51014/wizkids-will-release-d-d-icons-realms-spelljammer-adventures-space-booster-set |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ICv2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=30 Bonkers New D&D Miniatures to Bring Your Spelljammer Games to Life |url=https://gizmodo.com/wizkids-dungeons-and-dragons-miniatures-spelljammer-1848870003 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-us}}</ref> They also released two gargantuan figures – an astral dreadnought and Prince Xeleth (a character from ''Light of Xaryxis'') on top of an adult solar dragon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2022 |title=WizKids Reveals Two 'D&D Icons of the Realms: Spelljammer Adventures in Space' Gargantuan Figures |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50997/wizkids-reveals-two-d-d-icons-realms-spelljammer-adventures-space-gargantuan-figures |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ICv2 |language=en}}</ref>
=== ''Spelljammer Academy'' === ''Spelljammer Academy'' is an introductory adventure module released on D&D Beyond. It acts as a prequel and teaser for ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Releases Free Spelljammer Adventure |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-academy-free-adventure/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr-Jung |first=Sorrel |date=2022-07-26 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Adds Introductory Spelljammer Adventure |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-spelljammer-introductory-adventure/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2022 |title=What Is the Spelljammer Academy Adventure Series? |url=https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1284-what-is-the-spelljammer-academy-adventure-series |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=D&D Beyond |type=Press release}}</ref> The module is designed to take player characters from 1st level to 5th level; 5th level is the starting level for ''Light of Xaryxis''.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> ''Spelljammer Academy'' was released in four parts from July 2022 to August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=2022-04-22 |title=D&D Spelljammer Prequel Adventure Launches In July |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-prequel-adventure-release-july-2022/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=2022-08-01 |title=D&D's Full Free Spelljammer Campaign Is Now Available |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-free-spelljammer-campiagn-dnd-beyond/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> It was a free promotion which could only be claimed by D&D Beyond users, however, it was also a time-limited promotion and could not be claimed after August 16, 2022.<ref name=":8" />
=== ''Spelljams'' === Wizards of the Coast released a soundtrack, titled ''Spelljams'', for ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' digitally on August 16, 2022;<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-08-17 |title=The new D&D album rips, and it's free to play and download |url=https://www.polygon.com/23309840/dnd-spelljams-album-free-download-decembrists-reggie-watts |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-16 |title=D&D's new Spelljammer adventure has inspired an official music album |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/dungeons-and-dragons-5e/news/dungeons-and-dragons-spelljams-musical-album-spelljammer |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2022 |title=New D&D Campaign SPELLJAMMER Has Its Own Trippy Soundtrack Album |url=https://nerdist.com/article/wizards-of-the-coast-dungeons-and-dragons-campaign-spelljammer-soundtrack-album-spelljams/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Nerdist |language=en-US}}</ref> "each song on Spelljams corresponds with a chapter in the" adventure module ''Light of Xaryxis''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=2022-08-16 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Drops Spelljammer-Themed Album Spelljams |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-album-spelljams/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> Four different themed physical two-disk LP vinyl records were also released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2022-08-16 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Releases Spelljams Soundtrack Album |url=https://bleedingcool.com/pop-culture/music/dungeons-dragons-releases-spelljams-soundtrack-album/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=** PRE-ORDER ** SPELLJAMS |url=https://killrockstars.com/products/spelljams |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Kill Rock Stars |language=en |type=Product page}}</ref>
The Decemberists guitarist Chris Funk, who plays ''Dungeons & Dragons'' with some of his band mates, had previously contacted Wizards of the Coast as someone interested in the musical aspect of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Hein |first=Kenneth |date=August 16, 2022 |title=The Decemberists' Chris Funk on creating the first Dungeons & Dragons soundtrack |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/08/16/the-decemberists-chris-funk-creating-the-first-dungeons-dragons-soundtrack |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=The Drum}}</ref> This led to Perkins reaching out to Funk to produce the album.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> On the development of the album, Funk said<blockquote>Chris Perkins and I started coming up with the idea that [we would pick select] bands to write a song inspired by each chapter from the [game] module. We gave the bands a Cliff Notes version of each chapter. They were like: ‘Is this for a video game or a commercial?' We said: ‘No, you are just using the [Spelljammer chapters] world as a song prompt.' Everybody was like, top to bottom: 'This is the most fun I've had writing a song in a long time.'<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Charlie Hall, for ''Polygon'', wrote that "even if you don't pick up or play the campaign, there's something excellent in here for everyone who loves music. The album opens with a moody synth track from Magic Sword, transitions into a theremin-and-thrash-metal song from Osees, before Reggie Watts channels David Hasselhoff doing a William Shatner impression in 'Space Is A Place'".<ref name=":2" /> Tony Dehner of ''Iowa Public Radio'' similarly noted that "there truly is a little something for everyone on ''Spelljams'', with a variety of musical styles represented, and every song here fits".<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Dehner |first=Tony |date=August 24, 2022 |title="Spelljams" is a joy for D&D players, and everyone else |url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-music/2022-08-24/spelljams-is-a-joy-for-d-d-players-and-everyone-else |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Iowa Public Radio |language=en}}</ref> Dehner noted that album "vibe is very similar" to the ''Guardians Of The Galaxy'' movie soundtracks "where space adventures are accompanied by classic rock, mostly of the '60s & '70s", along with "a couple of ass-kicking heavy metal songs".<ref name=":10" /> He also highlighted that "few songs make direct reference to the Spelljammer setting" and "you don't need to be a D&D player, or have any understanding of what Spelljammer is, to enjoy" the album.<ref name=":10" /> On the ''Flash Gordon'' (1980) inspiration for the boxed set, Eric Diaz of Nerdist commented that "yes, the one with the awesome theme song by Queen. ''Spelljammer'' is an over-the-top space opera where the players have to fight to save their home planet from an evil Elven Empire that wishes to destroy it. Just like the Queen score was crucial to ''Flash Gordon'', the ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' soundtrack is just as crucial to the game".<ref name=":5" />
== Reception == Chris de Hoog, for ''CGMagazine'', rated ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' a 9.5/10 and called the development team's choice to split the material over three sourcebooks a "wise move".<ref name="CGMagazine review">{{Cite web |last=de Hoog |first=Chris |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Spelljammer: Adventures in Space (D&D) Review - CGMagazine |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/tabletop/d-and-d-spelljammer-adventures-in-space/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=CGMagazine |language=en-CA}}</ref> On ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'', de Hoog wrote that it "has one of the most bizarre rosters of enemies to date, from more mundane threats like solar and lunar dragons or combatant versions of the new playable races; to spacefaring variants of aquatic creatures; straight through to Lovecraftian horrors".<ref name="CGMagazine review" /> The ''Light of Xaryxis'' adventure module impressed him the most, especially with the adventure's layout and structure. de Hoog commented that "on one hand, there's more material in the setting guide than some recent books, which came as a pleasant surprise; on the other, I was still craving more background from ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space''. It presents an excellent hub for your space-faring adventures, the Rock of Bral, and enough inspiration for DMs to shape their own version of the astral realms to their campaigns [...]. All told, ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' passed the ultimate final test of any ''D&D'' product: when I put it down, I immediately reached out to my friends to rave about it and schedule our first foray into Wildspace".<ref name="CGMagazine review" />
Samantha Nelson, for ''Polygon'', called ''Light of Xaryxis'' "a zany space opera" inspired by ''Flash Gordon'' and commented on the episodic nature of the module where each chapter is "meant to be run as a two- to three-hour session".<ref name="Polygon review">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=2022-08-17 |title=Spelljammer is for losers |url=https://www.polygon.com/23308644/dnd-spelljammer-review-losers |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Nelson highlighted the balanced encounters of the module and that "almost every challenge in ''Light of Xaryxis'' comes with text on what happens if the players fail — and those setbacks often have extremely entertaining results. [...] These suggestions help change the nature of conflict in the game [...]. ''Light of Xaryxis'' normalizes failure as just a key part of the narrative".<ref name="Polygon review" /> While she didn't consider the module "perfect", Nelson wrote that ''Light of Xaryxis'' is an "excellent introduction to ''Spelljammer''" and that the ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' can also provide "plenty of ways to extend your ''Spelljammer'' adventure beyond ''Light of Xaryxis''".<ref name="Polygon review" />
Christian Hoffer, for ''ComicBook.com'', wrote that "not only does the boxed set reinvent the popular ''Flash'' ''Gordon''-esque space setting originally introduced in 1989, but it also brings some very strange new player options that are well beyond what's normally associated with the high fantasy at the heart of most ''Dungeons & Dragons'' campaigns. [...] The Autognomes and the hippopotamus-like Giff were long associated with the Spelljammer setting, while the Hadozee, Thri-Kreen, and Plasmoids were all 're-skins' of races from the TSR RPG ''Star Frontiers'' that were eventually brought into ''Spelljammer''".<ref name="ComicBook.com review">{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=August 2, 2022 |title=Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Is "Last Frontier" for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/spelljammer-adventures-in-space-preview/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref> Hoffer highlighted a "noticeable departure from past lore" is that the crystal sphere system has "been replaced by the Astral Sea, a key component of D&D's current cosmology".<ref name="ComicBook.com review" /> Hoffer commented on the "ocean and seafaring themes" along with the space themes and wrote that the sixteen included ships are a "mix of weird spaceships like nightspiders and nautiloids and traditional ships like galleons, complete with their own sails and masts".<ref name="ComicBook.com review" />
Andrew Stretch, for ''TechRaptor'', commented that splitting the content into three separate books "improves table dynamics" as it creates a clear delineation between content for players and content for Dungeon Masters.<ref name="TechRaptor review">{{Cite web |last=Stretch |first=Andrew |date=2022-08-16 |title=Spelljammer: Adventures In Space Review |url=https://techraptor.net/tabletop/reviews/spelljammer-adventures-in-space-review |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=TechRaptor |language=en}}</ref> Stretch wrote that "while navel ship combat isn't new to ''Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition'' there are a few more intricacies with the ''Spelljammer'' ships including some very out there mechanics that you'll need to learn. Each ship gets to act as its own point of gravity when up in the Astral Sea and even create its own envelope of breathable air".<ref name="TechRaptor review" /> He highlighted the expansive bestiary and that it encourages Dungeon Masters "to take what might already be a favorite monster [...] and turn it into a ''Spelljammer''-worthy enemy". Stretch stated that "the complete collection of ''Spelljammer'' isn't just a good ''Dungeons & Dragons'' adventure, but for a group of players that high fantasy might not be their jam is a great hopping on point. The adventure isn't going to span years and it's a strong story filled with memorable characters and big story moments".<ref name="TechRaptor review" />
=== Hadozee === Eris Currier-Mead, for ''CBR'', wrote that the 2nd Edition Hadozee were "a people without an origin. Their society didn't place heavy value on history, so their cultural memory focused only on their current existence as sailors, whether that be of the stars or the sea. They were described as giving little consideration to ethics and morals and looking forward to their shipboard tasks and chores"; however, ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' changed their origin "to now have a definitive backstory" with a wizard's experiments turning them a sellable intelligent army.<ref name="CBR on Hadozee">{{Cite web |last=Currier-Mead |first=Eris |date=2022-09-01 |title=D&D's Spelljammer Raises Racism Concerns Among Fans |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-spelljammer-racism-concerns/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Currier-Mead commented that "fans argued that a race of sapient apes who were granted intelligence by an outsider who enslaved them, experimented on them and intended to sell them hits too many racist notes. [...] Even the elevating to sapience by an outside force has been compared by fans to many racist myths, as well as the white and colonial savior archetypes".<ref name="CBR on Hadozee" />
Charlie Hall, for ''Polygon'', highlighted an offensive passage on the Hadozee player race, "a spacefaring mammal that looks like a primate," which "fans on social media have been pointing out the parallels to the Black experience, and the history of slavery in the United States and abroad [...]. Critics have also found images in the book that hearken back to racist minstrel shows".<ref name="Polygon on Hadozee">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-08-31 |title=D&D's anti-racism efforts have taken a step backward |url=https://www.polygon.com/23330621/dnd-spelljammer-hadozee-racist |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Hall stated that Hadozee were brought into the original ''Spelljammer'' setting from TSR's ''Star Frontiers'' (1982); when digging into the older published content, "things really go off the rails, with additional background information about the hadozee evoking many other racist stereotypes of Black people".<ref name="Polygon on Hadozee" /> Hall highlighted that Wizards of the Coast had previously taken steps towards more inclusivity and had altered parts of 5th Edition to reduce racial stereotypes.<ref name="Polygon on Hadozee" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=2020-06-23 |title=Wizards of the Coast is addressing racist stereotypes in Dungeons & Dragons |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/23/21300653/dungeons-dragons-racial-stereotypes-wizards-of-the-coast-drow-orcs-curse-of-strahd |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> He wrote that "following those progressive actions, many fans, as well as other tabletop game designers, have been vocal in their criticism of Wizards' choice to reintroduce the hadozee in this way".<ref name="Polygon on Hadozee" />
Chase Carter, for ''Dicebreaker'', highlighted the minstrel show nature of the Hadozee artwork and stated that "the original text provided an origin for the Hadozee that begins with a wizard magically uplifting them to sapience in order to sell them as warrior slaves".<ref name="Dicebreaker on Hadozee">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2022-09-06 |title=Dungeons & Dragons 5E removes racist Hadozee depiction from Spelljammer, apologises for "offensive material" |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/dungeons-and-dragons-5e/news/dungeons-and-dragons-spelljammer-hadozee-racist-lore-removed |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref> Carter wrote that "some of those who called out the racist Hadozee depiction asked why no cultural consultants were hired to consult on a setting with explicit slavery and plenty of allusions to real-world colonial time periods (none of the Spelljammer books list consultants in their credits). Others postulated that either no sensitivity readers were brought on to the project, or else Wizards of the Coast chose to ignore them. Such processes might be addressed in the 'thorough internal review' Wizards cited in its apology, but heavy scepticism is understandable given the company's apparent inaction over the last two years".<ref name="Dicebreaker on Hadozee" />
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * ''Unearthed Arcana'' public playtest release: ** ''[https://media.wizards.com/2021/dnd/downloads/UA2021_TravelersoftheMultiverse.pdf Travelers of the Multiverse]'' (October 2021): featuring six player character races (Astral Elf, Autognome, Giff, Hadozee, Plasmoid, and Thri-Kreen) * ''[https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sja Spelljammer Academy]'' on D&D Beyond {{D&D materials}} {{D&D topics}}
Category:Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings Category:Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks Category:Role-playing game supplements introduced in 2022 Category:Spelljammer