Joe Manganiello Unveils D&D’s New Official Setting, Packed with Metal Vibes

For the past month, Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts have been buzzing about a new setting crafted by actor and D&D aficionado Joe Manganiello. First mentioned in an event description for GenCon, “Death Saves” draws inspiration from Manganiello’s clothing line of the same name. Recently, he shared additional insights in a post on X ahead of the setting’s launch.

While details remain limited, it seems that Death Saves will be an official mainline setting for Dungeons & Dragons, introduced as part of a new “Black Label” series. This dark fantasy realm aligns perfectly with the aesthetic of Manganiello’s clothing line. The setting was developed in collaboration with Mike Mearls, who previously served as co-lead designer for D&D’s 5th edition and was the franchise’s creative director until his departure from Wizards of the Coast in 2023.

The Black Label branding suggests a more mature and gritty line of products, similar to the DC Comics imprint that targets adult audiences. The description of Death Saves: The Blood War fits this theme well. In this world, the Blood War—an eternal struggle between the devils of Baator and the demons of the Abyss—has concluded, the gods are no more, and “the world hangs on by a thread.” Initially referred to as “the Great War” in the GenCon event description, the name has been updated to Blood War in Manganiello’s post, likely to better align with the established D&D cosmology.

There was speculation that Manganiello’s Death Saves clothing line had been discontinued due to a lack of new stock for years. However, he is now reviving the dark fantasy, heavy metal aesthetic beloved by many D&D players, complete with a fully realized world to explore. The fact that this is an official event from Wizards of the Coast, along with Manganiello’s ongoing partnership with the publisher, indicates that Death Saves is set to become a recognized D&D setting. While specifics are still emerging, inquiries have been made to a representative for further information, and updates will follow.

D&D fans have a wealth of incredible worlds to dive into, from the Forgotten Realms to Greyhawk. Yet, Manganiello’s Death Saves offers a uniquely grimdark atmosphere reminiscent of the indie TTRPG hit Mörk Borg. As he noted in his post, he’s “drawing from D&D’s past to chart its future,” with the first look at this new chapter coming during a live play event at GenCon this weekend. Attendees can catch it on Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET at the Janet Allen Stage.