Summary
Dungeons and Dragonsjust released an Unearthed Arcana playtest featuring eight horror-themed subclasses, including brand-new options like the Reanimator Artificer and Hollow Warden Ranger alongside revised versions of fan favorites like the Grave Cleric, Shadow Sorcerer, and Hexblade Warlock. Players can test out these new and improvedDungeons and Dragonssubclasses now and help shape how they appear when they are officially published.
On February 18,Dungeons and Dragonsreleased the revised version of theMonster Manual, finishing up the core rules refresh for5th Edition’s 10th anniversary. As it prepares to release new content using these rules,Dungeons and Dragonsoccasionally publishes Unearthed Arcana– free playtest documents where players can provide feedback on future releases.
Now,Dungeons and Dragonshas put out a new Unearthed Arcana that is perfect for fans of the horror genre. TheDungeons and Dragonsplaytest documentconsists of eight subclasses, six of which are revised versions of existing options. The College of Spirits Bard had its Tales from Beyond renamed and improved to Spirits from Beyond and gained a new feature to synergize with Spirit Guardians, while the Grave Cleric received significant reworks to abilities like Path to the Grave and Sentinel at Death’s Door. The Phantom Rogue’s Tokens of the Departed were changed to be more consistent, and the Shadow Sorcerer’s Hound of Ill Omen, now called Spirits of Ill Omen, now works with the Summon Undead spell. Both the Undead andHexblade Warlocks inDungeons and Dragonsalso received some big alterations, with the former gaining a more powerful Form of Dread and the latter now synergizing with the Hex spell.
D&D Unearthed Arcana Horror Subclasses
There are two new subclasses in this Unearthed Arcana as well: the Reanimator Artificer and Hollow Warden Ranger. The Reanimator allowsDungeons and DragonsArtificersto fulfill their Frankenstein fantasy by creating and modifying a Reanimated Companion to lurch across the battlefield and explode on their foes. Meanwhile, the Hollow Warden embodies the darker side of nature, transforming into a cryptid-like monstrosity while concentrating on Hunter’s Mark to strike fear into foes, strangle them with vines, and devour their life force.
Though it is unclear exactly where these horror subclasses will appear,Dungeons and Dragonsrecently announced an unnamed book for Octoberthat would be just in time for Halloween. Given the Artificer is set to appear inEberron: Forge of the Artificeron August 19, players would theoretically have a few months to get used to the class before the Reanimator joins the roster of its archetypes.
Surveys for this Unearthed Arcana open up on May 13. Fans who want to help shape the final releases of these eight archetypes should be sure to take a close look so they can share their thoughts withDungeons and Dragonsonce the feedback period begins.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
