Over the past few months, Dungeons & Dragons fans and industry watchers have been asking the same question over and over again: where are all the new D&D books? Now, we finally have an answer, with Wizards of the Coast revealing the complete D&D roadmap for the remainder of 2026 and early 2027.

So just what can we expect to see next for the world’s most popular TTRPG? Below we take a closer look at the complete DnD release schedule, breaking out all the new and upcoming books for the remainder of the year, including the return of Ravenloft and new Arcane Unleashed titles. For ease of reference, we’ve also included a full break down of past tiles that were released in both 2025 and 2024.

Table of Contents

• New DnD Books Coming in 2026 & 2027
• Past DnD Books Published in 2026
• Past DnD Books Published in 2025
• Past DnD Books Published in 2024

New DnD books coming in 2026 & 2027

Below are all the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons titles (including novels, tie-ins and adventure supplements) coming in 2026. Notably, this has been an unusual period for Wizards of the Coast, with the company only announcing major titles in February 2026.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion

Coming: September 29th, 2026

What is it: Part of a new line up of BG3 books from Penguin Random House, this novel (which is a prequel to the events from the video game) is written by Hugh Award-winning fantasy author T. Kingfisher and chroncles the early days of Astarion during his time in servitude to the vampire lord Cazador Szarr. Notably, Stephen Rooney, one of the senior writers of Baldur’s Gate 3, was consulted on the story and the audiobook will be narrated by actor Neil Newbon (who voiced Astarion in the game).

Get it on Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons Pop Manga Coloring Book

Coming: October 27th, 2026

Price: $19.99 USD

What is it: Featuring the unique pop manga art work of illustrator Camilla d’Errico, this official adult coloring book features highly detailed, black-and-white line illustrations showcasing some of the many unique monsters and characters of the D&D multiverse.

Get it on Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons Encyclopedia

Coming: October 20th, 2026

What is it: This new D&D Encyclopedia is being published by Penguin Random House imprint DK Books, and includes a complete A-Z of the D&D multiverse, listing numerous monsters, characters and locations from settings such as the Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Greyhawk and Ravenloft. The book is written by a team that includes longtime Wizards of the Coast and official D&D contributors Michael Witwer, Jon Peterson, Kalysta Harmon, Matt Forbeck and Jessica Lee Patterson.

Get it on Amazon

A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate Cookbook

Release Date: November 3rd, 2026

What is it: This cookbook features 65 recipes inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3 organized by course and camp location. The book will also have original chapter-opener illustrations and 45 photographs of the various dishes. It’s also written by longtime Wizards of the Coast contributor Andrew Wheeler, who helped pen the D&D Young Adventurer’s Series and the D&D Puncheon’s and Flagons cocktail recipe book.

Get it on Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons World of Warcraft

Release Date: November 17th, 2026

What is it: The new D&D WoW supplement is the first in the new Universes Beyond product line, and brings the legendary MMORPG to 5.5E. The new core rulebook will include 11 species, 9 subclasses, 60 spells, 15 monsters, 26 magic items and 23 factions. An alternate cover, map pack, DM screen and miniatures will also be available.

Get it on Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons Fiends & Foes

Coming: November 24th, 2026

Price: $50 USD

What is it: Written by novelist and former D&D editor Erin M. Evans (who is perhaps best known for her Brimstone Angels series), the book explores the art and lore of Dungeons & Dragons’s most iconic villains and anti-heroe, including Tiamat, Vecna, Strahd, Halaster Blackcloak, Lolth, Xanathar, Demogorgon and additional sinister figures from across the D&D multiverse.

Get it on Amazon

Dark Sun: Blood and Power

Coming: February 2027

What is it: The controversial world of Athas returns to Dungeons & Dragons with this new gameplay expansion for the 5.5E rules. One of five new products for Dark Sun, Blood and Power is designed for both players and Dungeon Masters, and includes new lore, character options and setting material. Notably, the book is rated 18+ for violence, nudity and extreme themes.

Learn more about the new Dark Sun books

Dark Sun: Edge of Oblivion

Coming: February 2027

What is it: This Dark Sun setting expansion is designed specifically for Dungeon Masters and contains new lore, background information, adventure hooks and rules to help run a complete campaign in the bloodsoaked world of Athas.

Learn more about the new Dark Sun books

Greyhawk: Crown of the Witch Queen

Coming: May 2027

What is it: A new campaign set in the world of Greyhawk, the adventure finds players battling the dreaded vampire Drelnza, daughter of the legendary wizard Tasha. The book will be the cornerstone of the upcoming Season of Sword & Sorcerey and marks a major return for the Greyhawk setting.

Learn more about Crown of the Witch Queen

Melf’s Guide to Greyhawk

Coming: January 2027

What is it: Written by Luke Gygax (son of Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax) this upcoming supplement will consist of both setting info and several adventures set in the popular setting of Greyhawk. The book will be narrated by legendary elven archmage Melf, a character first created by Luke Gygax in some of the earliest D&D campaigns of all time. It also includes new maps by cartographer, Anna B. Meyer, content from Greyhawk community contributor Jay Scott, and cover art from legendary illustrator Jeff Easley.

Learn more about Melf’s Guide to Greyhawk

Star Wars: Season of Rebellion

Coming: July 2027

What is it: Announced at Gen Con 2026, little is known about what the new D&D Star Wars crossover will consist of. We do know that it will be part of the new D&D Universes Beyond line and will be a cornerstone of the upcoming Season of Rebellion which is slated to run from July to September 2027.

Learn more about the D&D Star Wars crossover

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Past DnD Book Releases in 2026

Below are all the books that have been published for the year-to-date.

Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall

Coming: September 15th, 2026

What is it: Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall is a high-level campaign for Level 11 to 20. A tie-in to the new Arcana Unleashed supplement, the story involve players thrust into a brutal magical war involving the dreaded Red Wizards. The book will also include a gazetteer covering the politics and society of Thay, along with new magic items, monsters and maps.

Get it on Amazon

Arcana Unleashed

Coming: September 15th, 2026

What is it: What Is It: Described by Wizards of the Coast as a “high-magic sourcebook,” Arcana Unleashed features a range of new character options, including eight new subclasses, backgrounds, spells, feats and an accompanying adventure for Level 1 characters – all of which is themed around the art of magic.

Get it on Amazon

Heroes’ Feast: Legends of the Table

Coming: September 15th, 2026

Price: $40 USD

What is it: Written by the authors behind the bestselling Heroes’ Feast and Heroes’ Feast Flavors of the Multiverse D&D cookbooks, this new entry in the series features 80 recipes designed by real world chefs. Each recipe is focused on a specific D&D class and uses accessible ingredients you can find in your home or at the grocery store.

Get it on Amazon

The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Coloring Book 

Coming: August 11th, 2026

What is it: As the name suggests, this is a coloring book features 40 black-and-white line drawings of characters, creatures and locations from the Baldur’s Gate 3 video game. Notably, all of the illustrations are by artist Jaki King (creator of the webcomic Ladykillers).

Get it on Amazon

Baldur’s Gate 3: The Necromancy of Thay Notebook

Coming: July 21st, 2026

What is it: This is a blank, grid-paper notebook that is meant to be an accurate reproduction of the Necromancy of Thay; an important story-driven quest item found in the Baldur’s Gate 3 video game. The notebook will feature an embossed skull on the cover, foil stamping and illustrated “clasps” on the sides.

Get it on Amazon

The Feywild Job

Coming: June 30th, 2026

What is it: This new D&D novel is written by Nebula and World Fantasy Award-winning author C.L. Polk and is radical departure from past Dungeons & Dragons works in that it’s a romantasy with a touch of heist action thrown in for good measure. The story involves two thieves who were once romantically involved who are hired to steal a rare magic item from the Feywild.

Get it on Amazon

Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

Release Date: June 16th, 2026

What is it: This new Ravenloft sourcebook is designed for both players and Dungeon Masters. On the DM side, it expands the Domains of Dread with new Darklords, new monsters and new advice for running horror-based D&D campaigns across multiple sub-genres. The book also includes a number of NPCs, including legendary monster hunter Rudolph van Richten.

Player-facing options include new horror-themed subclasses which were first unveiled in a May 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest, which saw the return of a number of character options first released in 2021 in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. The book will also include new species and backgrounds, new Dark Gift feats and expanded rules for fear and dread

Get it on D&D Beyond or on Amazon.

Player’s Workbook of Epic Adventures

Release Date: May 5th, 2026

What is it: Described as an “interactive companion book” to the 2024 Player’s Handbook, this new sourcebook from Penguin Random House is designed to walk both new and experienced players through the character creation process, offering useful prompts and activities to help choose a class/subclass, connect a character to their fellow party members and plan out backstories and origins that fit within a larger campaign.

Get it on Amazon

Dungeon Master’s Workbook of Worldbuilding

Release Date: May 5th, 2026

What is it: A detailed companion book to the 2024 DMG, this new sourcebook from Penguin Random House is all about helping new and veteran DMs alike build out a detailed campaign structure and flesh out a living breathing world. It includes a series of brainstorming and writing exercises that are designed to get the creative juices flowing, plus includes advice on essential DM skills such as improvising, roleplaying and map making.

Get it on Amazon

Dungeons & Dragons Crochet: A Book of Many Patterns

Release Date: March 31st, 2026

What is it: Combining litches and stitches, this new D&D crochet book features twenty new patterns inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, with everything from an Owlbear Cub plushie to your very own handmade Bag of Holding. The book itself is written by longtime D&D contributor and professional artist Stacy King.

Get it on Amazon

Dragonlance Legends Collector’s Edition

Release Date: February 10th, 2026

What is it: Reprinting the Dragonlance Legends trilogy which was first published back in 1985, this new collector’s edition also includes new behind-the-scenes material from writers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, who discuss the early days of Krynn at TSR. The book itself also comes in a new high-quality hardcover format and is the second release in the new “Dragonlance Classics” imprint.

 Get it on Amazon

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Past DnD Book Releases in 2025

Below are all the books that were published in 2025.

Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Release Date: December 9th, 2025

What is it: Returning to the world of Eberron, the book will include new backgrounds and expanded rules for airship travel and combat. The book also makes significant changes to both lore and rules, including removing species requirements for Dragonmarked Houses and updating the Koravar elf-elf species. As the title suggests, the book will also feature the new Artificer class and include three adventures that can be reworked to create a complete campaign.

Get It On Amazon

Tyranny of Dragons Legendary Edition

Release Date: November 21st, 2025

What Is It: Created by Beadle & Grimm’s, this new premium D&D box set collects the original Tyranny of Dragons campaign (first released in 2024 as Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat) plus introduces a ton of other features, including new artwork, a DMs guide, player handouts, maps and miniatures.

Get it from Beadle & Grimm’s

Dragons of the Realms D&D Coloring Book

Releaes Date: November 18th, 2025

What Is It: The latest entry in a long line of D&D coloring books, Dragons of the Realms features over 80 pages of detailed black and white art on high-quality print pages that are designed specifically for coloring. Perfect for kids or adults, as the title suggests, the book also explores the many dragons which dwell in the Forgotten Realms.

Get it on Amazon

Lorwyn: First Light

Release Date: November 18th, 2025

What Is It: This short digital D&D Beyond sourcebook brings the Magic: The Gathering plane of Lorwyn–Shadowmoor into DnD 5e. Aimed primarily at Dungeon Masters but with some player options, it offers two new backgrounds (Lorwyn Expert and Shadowmoor Expert), two Origin feats (Child of the Sun and Shadowmoor Hexer), two new species (Lorwyn Changeling and Rimekin) and guidance for adapting existing species like Boggarts, Kithkin and Flamekin to the setting. The bulk of the book is a gazetteer of more than 25 locations across Lorwyn’s eternal daylight, Shadowmoor’s twisted twilight and the realms between, along with eight new monsters and two short adventures set in the kithkin village of Burrenton that showcase both the whimsical and darker sides of the plane.

Get it on D&D Beyond

Netheril’s Fall

Release Date: November 11th, 2025

What Is It: This short digital D&D Beyond supplement serves as both a mini-gazetteer and adventure anthology focused on the ancient Netherese Empire at the height of its power. The book provides an overview of Netheril’s history alongside detailed write-ups of the flying city of Eileanar and the ground-bound city of Conch. It also includes five time-travel adventures that send modern-day Forgotten Realms characters back into Netheril’s past, eight new magic items and eight monster stat blocks (including new phaerimm and magen variants), plus a series of detailed maps.

Get it on D&D Beyond

Astarion’s Book of Hungers

Release Date: November 11th, 2025

What is It: A short, digital supplement available only on D&D Beyond, Astarion’s Book of Hungers is a vampire-themed themed sourcebook featuring Baldur’s Gate 3’s fan-favourite rogue. The book introduces three new backgrounds (Carouser, Vampire Devotee and Vampire Survivor), a Dhampir species option and a suite of vampiric-themed feats ranging from blood-fuelled combat boosts to infernal bargains. Dungeon Masters also get five new monster and NPC stat blocks, plus a detailed guide to Rat’s Run, Astarion’s favourite Baldur’s Gate tavern, complete with maps, hooks and two adventures that explore his bloody past and confrontations with his vampiric “family.”

Get it on D&D Beyond

Forgotten Realms “Adventures in Faerûn” DM Expansion

Release Date: November 11th, 2025

What Is It: Designed solely for Dungeon Masters, Adventures in Faerûn is a sourcebook that goes beyond the familiar and oft-explored Sword Coast region to focus on five key settings in Faerûn: Baldur’s Gate, Calimshan, the Dalelands, the Moonshae Isles and Icewind Dale. The book will also include adventure hooks, new monsters and new magic items.

Get in on Amazon

Forgotten Realms “Heroes of Faerûn” Player Expansion

Release Date: November 11th, 2025

What Is It: Heroes of Faerûn is a new player-focused DnD book that returns to the Forgotten Realms, offering a ton of new rules options, including new subclasses, feats, backgrounds and spells. In addition it includes more lore and setting details and information on noteworthy factions like the Harpers, Zhentarim and Red Wizards of Thay.

Get it on Amazon

Young Adventurers: The Warriors & Wizards Compendium

Release Date: November 4th, 2025

What Is It: The latest entry in the popular Young Adventurers series of book designed for middle school readers, this book provides details on creating a character for Dungeons & Dragons, without really getting into any rules. Instead it covers the lore of various classes and species, with inside information weapons, spells and magic items. The goal is to be a gateway for young readers interested in getting into D&D.

Get it on Amazon

Drizzt’s Daughter: The Finest Edge of Twilight

Release Date: October 7th, 2025

What Is It: The latest entry in the legend of Drizzt saga, this book follows the exploits of Briennelle “Breezy” Zaharina, the daughter of Drizzt Do’Urden and Cattie-Brie. The story follows her attempts to enter the prestigious Monastery of the Yellow Rose, even as an old foe of her parents emerges from the shadows. It’s the 40th novel from fantasy author R.A. Salvatore who remains one of the most prolific and popular D&D novel writers of all time.

Get it on Amazon

DnD Stranger Things “Welcome to the Hellfire Club”

Release Date: October 7th, 2025

What Is It: This box set, which is the second official DnD tie-in to Netflix’s Stranger Things TV series, will include four adventures that connect to the first four seasons of the show, a new quickstart guide using the new DnD 2024 rules, and five pre-generated character sheets. It will also include character stands up, monster tokens and cards, printed player handouts (including letters and maps), four poster-sized maps (one for for each adventure) and a double-sided poster map of the realm of “Greyhawkins” (which is where the adventures take place).

Get it on Amazon

DnD Starter Set “Heroes of the Borderland”

Release Date: September 16th, 2025

What Is It: Like past DnD starter sets, this will be designed for new Dungeon Masters and players to learn the basics of the game. The box set will include dice, character sheets and a complete adventure based on the classic Keep on the Borderlands adventure module from 1979. The new adventure is entitled Heroes of the Borderlands and will be divided into three separate booklets: one focused on the titular keep, one exploring the Wilderness and one centred around the dreaded Caves of Chaos.

Get it on Amazon

D&D: Book of Dragons

Release Date: August 19th, 2025

What is It: Released by publisher DK, this draconic coffee table book is billed as the definitive guide to the lore and legends of Dragons in the D&D multiverse. Don’t expected any stat blocks of adventures, however. Instead, it offers rich descriptions and artwork for a variety of species and is written by longtime Wizards of the Coast contributor Michael Witwer.

Get it on Amazon

Dragon Delves Anthology

Release Date: July 8th, 2025

What is It: This new collection of 10 short adventures will be the first book to use the new DnD 2024 rules. As the name suggests, each adventure is focused around one particular dragon. The adventures will be suitable for a range of character tier levels and can be played together or run as individual one-shots.

Get it on Amazon

New Monster Manual

Release Date: February 18th, 2025

What Is It: The third part of the 2024 Core Rules update for fifth edition, the new 2025 Monster Manual will feature over 500 individual creatures, with tweaks made to better incorporate the new 5e rules updates and many of the elements included in third-party DnD monster books. In addition to changes to monster Challenge Ratings (CR), the book will also feature new monster lore and backgrounds, new artwork and the introduction of new monster “families.”

Get it on Amazon

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Past DnD Book Releases in 2024

Below are all the books that were published in 2024.

New Dungeon Master’s Guide

Release Date: November 12th, 2024

What Is It: Another key part of the ongoing One D&D Playtest, the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is designed to help both new and experienced DMs get up and running more quickly. The book features an enhanced content structure, new features (such as the Bastion system) and even a complete campaign world based on the legendary Greyhawk setting. It also includes detailed tips and tricks for novice DMs looking to cut their teeth on their very first adventure.

Get it on Amazon.

Worlds & Realms: Adventures from Greyhawk to Faerûn

Release Date: October 29th, 2024

What Is It: Worlds & Realms is a 368 page illustrated book that explores some of the many locations in the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, including Dragonlance, the Forgotten Realms,, Planescape, Spelljammer and Ravenloft. The book is narrated by the archmage Mordenkainen and features both new and existing artwork from various D&D sourcebooks, along with several new short stories written by a number of different game designers and fantasy authors.

Get it on Amazon.

Heroes’ Feast: The Deck of Many Morsels

Release Date: October 1st, 2024

What Is It: This unique box set is a tie-in to the Heroes Feast cookbooks and contains 50 D&D recipe cards for a variety of drinks, snacks and desserts inspired by the creatures, characters and locations of Dungeons & Dragons lore. Recipes include an Underdark Forage Board, Halfling Tea Sandwiches and Exploding Cheese Puffs, all of which can be made using easily accessible real-world ingredients.

Get it on Amazon

New Player’s Handbook

Release Date: September 17th, 2024

What is It: Based on new rules materials from the ongoing One D&D Playtest, the new Player’s Handbook is a major retooling of the existing DnD fifth edition rules and is designed to make the game easier to learn and faster to play. The new PHB includes the 12 standard classes, along with 48 subclasses and 144 character background options. While it remains completely backwards compatible with existing 5e materials, there are a number of new rules, including tweaks to classes, spells, races and the introduction of a new “weapons mastery” system that’s designed to make combat more cinematic.

Get it on Amazon

Quests from the Infinite Staircase

Release Date: July 16th, 2024

What Is It: Much like the adventure anthology Tales from the Yawning Portal, Quests from the Infinite Staircase features a collection of six classic DnD adventures updated to the new 5th edition rules. The book also details additional lore around the legendary “Infinite Staircase,” which allows individuals to traverse the multiverse. Notably, the book also introduces a new character named Nafas, a powerful genie who hears wishes made throughout the multiverse and recruits heroes to fulfill them.

Get it on Amazon

The Making of Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1977

Release Date: June 18th, 2024

What Is It: Billed as a “retrospective historical account” of the early days of Dungeons & Dragons, this non-fiction book features original artwork, playtest materials, manuscript annotations and never-before-seen correspondence between DnD co-creators Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The book was produced by noted game historian Jon Peterson and alsos feature a complete version of the original rules, including random tables, page scans and concept art .

Get it on Amazon 

Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Release Date: May 21st, 2024

What Is It: Drawing on one of DnD’s most iconic villains, the Vecna: Eve of Ruin takes players from Levels 10 to 20 as they journey through the multiverse and eventually face down the dreaded arch-lich himself. The campaign features famous locations and characters from past and present DnD history, including visits to the Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance and Eberron.

Get it on Amazon.

The Book of Many Things

Release Date: January 5th, 2024

What Is It: Based on the legendary Deck of Many Things (a magical artifact that has destroyed its fair share of campaigns over the years), The Book of Many Things is a complete DnD 5e box set that contains a deck of 66 specialty cards, an 80-page reference guide and a new 192-page sourcebook. Notably, the physical product was originally supposed to be released in November 2023, but was pushed back to January 2024 due to printing errors. The digital version is also available on D&D Beyond.

Get it on Amazon

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Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that the DnD release schedule for the remainder of 2025 may see changes in the coming months (in fact, we saw several major releases in 2024 shift due to printing and supply chain issues). That being said, Wizards of the Coast has been more efficient in recent launches, so it’s likely this release schedule won’t see any major significant shifts.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on new and upcoming DnD books in the days ahead and will update this page with more information as it’s made available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The DnD Release Schedule: All Upcoming Books for 2026 & 2027 appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Over the past few years, the Dungeons & Dragons rules have seen some fairly significant changes, culminating in the new DnD 2024 core books. A key part of this transformation, however, has been Unearthed Arcana (also known as “UA”), a collection of playtest materials Wizards of the Coast publishes online and opens up to user feedback. These playtest packages have introduced new classes, species and games mechanics such as Bastions and Weapon Mastery. In many cases, player feedback has also directly changed how certain rules appear in their final published form. For example, Wizards of the Coast removed the Ardling species after poor reception following a 2022 playtest.

With new UA coming out all the time (and Wizards of the Coast often removing older content), we thought it might be a good idea to start keeping track of these updates. For ease of reference, we’ve also saved PDF copies directly onto our website, which you can download below. We’ll also be updating this page regularly as new UA is released.

What 2026 Unearthed Arcana Playtests have been published so far?

Below is the complete list of all UA published to date in 2026.

Underdark Options 2

Published: September 10th, 2026

Feedback End: October 3rd, 2026

What was in the UA: This follow-up to the Underdark Options playtest released in August 2026, introduces two brand new subclasses (the Freedom Domain Cleric and Faerzress Sorcery Sorcerer) and updates the Circle of Spores Druid (which appeared first in Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica and later in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything).

It also introduce five new playable species that are native to the Underdark: the Deep Imaskari, Drider, Illithidkin, Kuo-toa and Myconid.

It’s not clear what supplement (if any) these new subclasses will be appearing in and it’s been over a decade since D&D properly explored the Underdark, following the 2015 Out of the Abyss campaign sourcebook.

Download the PDF

Get it on D&D Beyond

Underdark Options

Published: August 20th, 2026

Feedback End: September 3rd, 2026

What was in the UA: This Underdark-themed playtest introduces three brand new subclasses: the Path of Unlight Barbarian, the Imaskarcanist Wizard and the House Agent Rogue. The first two are related to the mysterious city of Deep Imaskar and focused around a volatile new magic known as Unlight. The latter subclass is themed around the politics and infiltration techniques of the drow city of Menzoberranzan.

It also includes a new series of sequential Feats known as the Path of Ceremorphosis which allows you to slowly turn into a Mind Flayer.

It’s been decade since Underdark character options were last available (going back to the D&D 4e days) but a new supplement now seems likely.

Download the PDF

Get it on D&D Beyond

Villainous Options Update

Published: June 18th, 2026

Feedback End: May 6th, 2026

What was in the UA: This playtest package features revised versions of three subclasses that originally appeared in the Villainous Options UA: the Circle of the Titan Druid, the Hell Knight Fighter and the Demonic Sorcery Sorcerer. It also includes four new Origin Feats and four new Epic Boons, all of which lean heavily into the Chaotic Evil side of D&D.

Wizards of the Coast has not indicated what sourcebook these three subclasses will be appearing in, but as this is the third entry in the Villainous Options playtest series, our bet is we’ll soon be seeing a new version of The Book of Vile Darkness.

Download the PDF

Get it on D&D Beyond

Villainous Options 2

Published: April 23rd, 2026

Feedback End: May 6th, 2026

What was in the UA: A follow-up to the previous Villainous Options UA, this playtest package introduces three new subclasses that allow players to embrace their inner Chaotic Evil alignment. The options are: the Path of Lament Barbarian (who uses their own trauma and the haunted voices of the past to fuel their Rage), the Warrior of Venom Monk (who uses their body’s own toxicity to poison their foes) and the Primordial Patron Warlock (who can draw on the dark powers of Elemental Evil to fuel their abilities).

Wizards of the Coast has not indicated what sourcebook these three subclasses will be appearing in.

Download the PDF

Get it on D&D Beyond

Villainous Options

Published: April 2nd, 2026

Feedback End: April 14th, 2026

What was in the UA: The Villainous Options UA introduces four brand new subclasses steeped in chaos and evil: the Pestilence Domain Cleric (who taps into magic associated with plague and vermin), the Circle of the Titan Druid (who can transform into towering kaiju-like monsters), the Hell Knight Fighter (a champion of archdevils who can imbue their weapons with Hellfire) and the Demonic Sorcery Sorcerer (who taps into the power of the Abyss and at a later levels can summon a demonic servant).

The book also includes new “Paths,” that are a series of sequential Feats that when completed allow a character to transform into a powerful new archetype. In the case of the playtest, there are two Paths, one of which allows you to transform into a Death Knight and the other allowing you to transform into a Lich.

Wizards of the Coast has not confirmed what supplement these new subclasses will appear in, but the concept of playing as villainous characters is a radical departure from the heroic high fantasy style of play that has traditionally dominated D&D 5E.

Download the PDF

Get it on D&D Beyond

Mystic Subclasses

Published: January 15th, 2026

Feedback End: February 3rd, 2026

What was in the UA: The first UA of 2026 introduces four brand new, never before published subclasses: the Warrior of the Mystic Arts Monk (a spellcasting Monk that blends Sorcerer magic with martial combat, converting spell slots and Focus Points to fluidly weave spells into attacks), the Oath of the Spellguard Paladin (a defensive, anti-mage Paladin built to intercept spells, protect allies, and punish enemy spellcasters through reactions, auras and counter-magic), the Magic Stealer Rogue (a spell-hunting Rogue who siphons magical energy from enemy casters to empower Sneak Attacks, disrupt spells and counter magical advantages) and the Vestige Patron Warlock (bound to a dying god and wielding its fading divine power through a scalable companion, potent auras and summoning-based abilities).

It’s not clear what book these new subclasses will appear in, but speculation is that we may see some kind of Xanthar’s Guide to Everything style book for the new D&D 2024 rules.

Download the PDF

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What Unearthed Arcana playtests were published in 2025?

Below are all of the UA releases for 2025 (notably, this was a big year for D&D, with a number of major products in the works).

Subclasses Update

Published: October 30th, 2025

Feedback End: November 30th, 2025

What was in the UA: This playtest revisits five of D&D 5e’s most popular martial subclasses that originally featured in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and the 2014 Player’s Handbook. Referred to as the Subclasses Update by Wizards of hte Coast, the playtest package includes revisions to the Oathbreaker Paladin, Cavalier Fighter, Path of the Ancestral Guardian (now known as the Path of the Spiritual Guardian Barbarian), Path of the Storm Herald Barbarian and Way of the Drunken Master (now renamed the Warrior of Intoxication Monk).

Key changes include The Oathbreaker Paladin now gaining Conjure Undead in place of Control Undead and a reworked Aura of Hate that affects only Fiends and Undead. The Cavalier Fighter now also gets unlimited uses of Unwavering Mark and a much more flexible Ferocious Charger. The Path of the Spiritual Guardian Barbarian expands beyond ancestral spirits to also include nature and animal spirits, while its Vengeful Spirits feature now rewards crits. The Path of the Storm Herald Barbarian sees its Storm Aura scale with Rage Damage bonuses. And finally, the Way of the Drunken Master replaces its traditional dodging antics with magical brews that provide unique combat and exploration bonuses.

It’s not clear what book (if any) these revised subclasses will appear in and whether or not the suggested revisions will resonate with fans.

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Arcane Subclasses Update

Published: September 18th, 2025

Feedback End: October 5th, 2025

What was in the UA: This playtest is actually an update of the June 2025 Arcane Subclasses playtest. This new package has taken player feedback into consideration and features changes to six of the previously featured subclasses.

In particular, it introduces new features for the Arcane Archer, Tattooed Warrior Monk, Enchanter, Necromancer and Transmuter. Noticeably absent are the Arcana Domain Cleric, Ancestry Sorcerer and Hexblade Warlock Patron (all three of which appeared in the previous playtest).

It’s still not clear what book (if any) these new character options will appear in, but it’s encouraging to see Wizards of the Coast addressing player feedback and making some solid iterative improvements.

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Apocalyptic Subclasses (Dark Sun)

Published: August 21st, 2025

Feedback End: September 11th, 2025

What was in the UA: This playtest introduces four new subclasses that have never before appeared in any edition of D&D: the Circle of Preservation Druid, the Gladiator Fighter, the Defiled Sorcerer and the Sorcerer-King Patron Warlock. While the world of Dark Sun isn’t explicitly mentioned in the playtest materials, these new player options are absolutely steeped in the lore of Athas (with mention of setting-specific terms like Preservers, Defilers and Sorcerer Kings). Notably, the playtest also includes the use Psionics, which was a hallmark of Dark Sun and also recently unveiled in the Psion class playtest.

Wizards of the Coast has not confirmed that a new Dark Sun book is in the works, but given the content of this UA it seems highly likely.

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Arcane Subclasses

Published: June 26th, 2025

Feedback End: July 3rd, 2025

What was in the UA: The Arcane Subclasses playtest introduces nine new subclasses, 7 of which are updates of previously published DnD 5e subclasses, and two of which are completely new.

The seven updated subclasses are the Acana Domain (Cleric), Arcane Archer (Fighter), Hexblade Patron (Warlock), Conjurer (Wizard), Enchanter (Wizard), Necromancer (Wizard), and Transmuter (Wizard). The two new subclasses are the Tattooed Warrior (Monk) and Ancestral Sorcery (Sorcerer). Notably, the Hexblade Patron also appeared in the May 2025 “Horror Subclasses” UA, but has been further tweaked based on player feedback.

Wizards of the Coast has not confirmed what upcoming book the subclasses will appear in and it’s possible they’ll change before their final release.

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The Psion

Published: May 27th, 2025

Feedback End: June 3rd, 2025

What was in the UA: This playtest introduces a brand new DnD Psion class (the first new class to appear since the Artificer in 2019). These mind-bending magic users tap into the power of psionics to cast their spells. Mechanically, they use a new “Energy Dice” pool to power their abilities, choosing for a range of Psionic Disciplines for specific abilities.

In addition to the rules for the core Psion class, this UA playtest also includes four new subclasses: The Metamorph (which uses psionics to alter their physical appearance), the Psi Warper (who can teleport and move around the battlefield), the Psykineitc (who can create powerful psionic barriers or unleash attacks on enemies) and the Telepath (who use their mental abilities to augment allies or manipulate the thoughts of enemies).

It’s not clear what official publication the materials will appear in, with some speculating that it my herald a return to the controversial Dark Sun setting, which is known for its psionic based species and classes.

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Horror Subclasses

Published: May 6th, 2025

Feedback End: May 13th, 2025

What was in the UA: This playtest contains eight new Horror-themed subclasses, six of which are updates of existing versions and two of which are brand new.

Returning subclasses include the College of Spirits Bard, Grave Domain Cleric, Phantom Rogue, Shadow Sorcerer, Hexblade Warlock and Undead Patron Warlock. All of the subclasses have been rebalanced or expanded with new features. For example, the Grave Domain Cleric gains improved healing for the dying and a damage boost against weakened foes, while the Phantom Rogue gets more access to soul trinkets and spectral powers.

Two entirely new subclasses also appear in the UA: the Reanimator Artificer and the Hollow Warden Ranger. The Reanimator uses a combination of science and magic to creates an undead companion that grows in power as they advance in levels. The Hollow Warden Ranger taps into ancient wild horrors, transforming during combat to become a terrifying predator with mutated traits.

It’s not clear what official publication the books will appear in, with some speculating that a new Ravenloft sourcebook may in fact be in the works with an October 2025 release date.

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Eberron Updates

Published: Feb. 27th, 2025

Feedback End: Mar. 18th, 2025

What was in the UA: This Unearthed Arcana playtest introduces the Artificer Cartographer, a brand-new subclass that combines magic and map making to help link party members together and utilize a range of effects, including battlefield teleportation.

The playtest also features substantial quality-of-life improvements to the base Artificer DnD 5e class, bringing it in line with the updated rules from the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This includes changes to features like Replicate Magic Item, Tinker’s Magic and the Soul of Artifice ability. Notably, these changes were made following player feedback to the Artificer UA playtest which was released in December 2024 (see below).

Additionally, this UA includes a new suite of Dragonmark feats for Eberron campaigns, which now allows characters to take on Dragonmarks regardless of their species (something that wasn’t possible in the 2014 rules). Each feat is thematically tied to a Dragonmarked House and grants a range of spells and powers, including “Greater” and “Potent” versions for higher-level characters.

Finally, the playtest includes a handful of new magic items and Artificer-compatible spells which will likely be appearing in the new Eberron: Forge of the Artificer sourcebook slated for release in August 2025.

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Forgotten Realms Subclasses

Published: Jan. 28th, 2025

Feedback End: Feb. 17th, 2025

What was in the UA: This Unearthed Arcana playtest introduces eight subclasses rooted in Forgotten Realms lore, with three being revised versions of existing 2014 DnD subclasses and five being entirely new.

The updated subclasses include the Knowledge Domain Cleric, Purple Dragon Knight Fighter and Bladesinger Wizard. Each has received significant mechanical and thematic revisions. The Knowledge Cleric now features a telepathy-based Unfettered Mind ability and more powerful spellcasting via Mind Magic. The Purple Dragon Knight gains a psionically bonded amethyst dragon hatchling companion, which grows in size and power over time. The Bladesinger gains access to improved weapon casting abilities, using Intelligence for attack rolls and a reworked Bladesong feature that includes mobility, defense and offensive boosts.

The five new subclasses features in this UA are the College of the Moon Bard, Oath of the Noble Genies Paladin, Winter Walker Ranger, Scion of the Three Rogue and Spellfire Sorcerer. These subclasses draw from iconic Forgotten Realms settings such as Icewind Dale, the Moonshae Isles and Baldur’s Gate. Highlights include the Spellfire Sorcerer’s radiant burst abilities and magic absorption, the Scion of the Three Rogue’s connection to the Dead Three gods, and the Winter Walker’s cold-based defenses and ice form. All eight of the subclasses will appear in the Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide, which is slated for release in November 2025.

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What Unearthed Arcana playtests were published in 2024?

2024 was a pretty slow year for UA, with only one playtest package published over the course of the year. This is because much of the focus during this time period was on the new DnD 2024 rules, which had been developed extensively over the previous few years as part of the larger One D&D Playtest.

The Artificer

Published: Dec. 17th, 2024

Feedback End: Jan. 5th, 2025

What was in the UA: This Unearthed Arcana playtest presents a first pass a new Artificer class for DnD 5e, aligning it with the revised 2024 Player’s Handbook rules and reworking both core features and all four original subclasses: Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist and Battle Smith.

Key class updates include a redesigned Replicate Magic Item system, which now allows Artificers to choose from a growing list of actual magic items as they level up. Other changes include improved Magical Tinkering, the ability to swap cantrips after a long rest and a buffed Soul of Artifice feature. Flash of Genius is also now triggered after a failed roll and Spell-Storing Item can now hold 3rd-level spells.

Each subclass has also been revamped. The Alchemist creates more and stronger elixirs and gains access to a new spell, Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron. The Armorer adds a new “Dreadnought” armor model, while Guardian and Infiltrator receive upgrades to damage and utility. Artillerists can aso now wield two eldritch cannons and can detonate them as reactions, while Battle Smiths gain a sturdier Steel Defender, improved healing and a more powerful Arcane Jolt.

The UA also introduces new magic items and spell options, including Homunculus Servant as a full spell rather than an infusion. Collectively, the content from this UA will form the backbone of the upcoming Eberron: Forge of the Artificer book.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post All Unearthed Arcana Playtests in 2026 (An Updated List) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has just released the first official Unearthed Arcana playtest of 2026. Listed as the Mystic Subclasses playtest, the package introduces four brand new subclasses that have never before appeared in existing D&D 5e materials and which tap into a variety of new magical sub-systems.

Wizards of the Coast has not confirmed what upcoming sourcebook (if any) these new subclasses will be appearing in, but given other recent Unearthed Arcana playtests (including the October 2025 Subclasses Update) it’s possible they may be part of a new Xanathar’s Guide to Everything type book for the updated D&D 2024 rules.

So just what do these new Mystic subclasses consist of? Below, we break down all the details.

What’s included in the new Subclasses Update playtest?

The four new Mystic subclasses include the Warrior of the Mystic Arts Monk, Oath of the Spellguard Paladin, Magic Stealer Rogue and Vestige Patron Warlock.

• Warrior of the Mystic Arts (Monk): This subclass offers a true spellcasting version of the Monk, blending Sorcerer magic with traditional martial combat in a way that feels closer to a gish than any prior Monk subclass. The subclass uses full spell slots and prepared spells, drawing from the Sorcerer spell list and keying off Wisdom. Its Mystic Focus feature allows spell slots and Focus Points to be converted back and forth, giving the Monk an unusual level of resource flexibility. Later features like Mystic Fighting Style also let the Monk weave cantrips and low-level spells directly into attacks.
• Oath of the Spellguard (Paladin): The Oath of the Spellguard is a defensive, anti-mage Paladin built around protecting allies from hostile magic rather than smiting foes directly. Its Guardian Bond feature establishes a literal bodyguard role, allowing the Paladin to buff an ally’s Armor Class, while Spellguard Strike lets the Paladin punish spellcasting enemies mid-cast. The subclass also leans heavily into counter-magic at higher levels, granting Advantage on Concentration checks through Aura of Concentration and pairing melee attacks with Counterspell via the Spell-Breaking Blade ability. At level 20, Eternal Spellguard transforms the Paladin into a walking anti-magic bulwark, granting widespread spell resistance, imposing Disadvantage on spell attacks, and generally enhancing a bonded ally’s ability to survive magical attacks.

• Magic Stealer (Rogue): The Magic Stealer Rogue is designed to specifically counter spellcasters, turning enemy magic into fuel for Sneak Attack damage and battlefield disruption. Its core feature, Empower Sneak Attack, lets the Rogue siphon magical energy from nearby spellcasters and convert it into bonus Force damage, scaling directly with the spell’s level. Drain Magic also adds a rare spell-slot recovery option, while later Cunning Strike options introduce effects like spell disruption, resistance theft and spell vulnerability. High-level features such as Occult Shroud and Eldritch Implosion also allow Magic Stealer to essentially take down spells entirely while stunning foes who rely too heavily on magic.
• Vestige Patron (Warlock): The Vestige Patron introduces a companion-focused Warlock whose power is derived from a forgotten, dying god desperate to reclaim relevance. At the heart of the subclass is the Vestige Companion, a customizable Celestial, Fiend or Undead entity that acts as both familiar and combat asset, scaling directly with the Warlock’s level. The subclass also blends summoning support, granting domain-based spell access and powerful aura effects at higher levels. Features like Aura of Power and Semblance of Life push the Vestige into almost Cleric-like abilities that can shield allies, prevent death and temporarily assume the form of a powerful summoned creature.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Wizards of the Coast rolling out some genuinely new classes for the D&D 2024 rules , rather than simply rehashing old ones. And while the company has not yet announced any upcoming DnD book for 2026, given the content that we’re seeing here, it’s likely we’ll be getting some news soon.

In the meantime, you can check out the four new Mystic subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. Player feedback opens on January 22nd, 2026.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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There’s no doubt that Dungeons & Dragons owes a ton of its recent popularity to Stranger Things, with the blockbuster Netflix series driving a ton of mainstream attention to the game. Wizards of the Coast has since jumped on the bandwagon in a big way, with recent tie-in products like the D&D x Stranger Things Welcome to the Hellfire Club box set and the Tales from the Table gamebook.

Yet for a show where D&D is front and center, this most recent season of Stranger Things had a surprising number of glaring errors that had grognards around the world foaming at the mouth. At the risk of joining this small but obnoxiously vocal nitpicky minority, we’ve put together a list of some of the biggest errors we noticed in our watch of the final season of the show.

*** WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD ***

1. Will is Described as a Sorcerer

Throughout season 5 of Stranger Things, the character of Will Byers is repeatedly referred to as a “Sorcerer,” with the character of Mike Wheeler even going so far as to say: “”In real life, you’re more like a sorcerer because your powers don’t come from a book of spells. They’re innate.” This is of course a reference to the D&D Sorcerer class, which wasn’t introduced until 3rd edition in 2000, long before 1987, which is when the final season of the show takes place.

Some fans online have noted that if anything, Will is really more of a Warlock in that he draws his power from his “Patron” Vecna rather than being born with innate power. Following this line of reasoning, others have pointed out that if the characters were D&D classes, Eleven would really be a Sorcerer.

2. The Spell Prismatic Spray Casts Blindness

In one pivotal scene, the character of Dustin Henderson mentions that in a campaign he cast the Prismatic Spray spell and rolled a 7, which resulted in the color violet which causes blindness. In the AD&D 1st edition rules that would have existed at the time, however, a role of 7 banishes the target to another plane of existence. That being said, in the new 5th edition rules, the roll does indeed cause blindness, so this mistake may have been the result of the show’s writers simply referencing the wrong edition.

3. Clerics Can’t Cast Dimension Door

In another scene in the show, Mike Wheeler gifts his sister Holly a D&D miniature noting: “She’s a Cleric, which means she has divine powers and can cast spells of protection to ward against evil spirit. Even cooler she can cast a Dimension Door.” In the rules at the time, this not a spell that a Cleric could cast (although notably in the current 5th edition rules it is possible for a Trickery Domain Cleric to get access to the spell).

4. Dwarven Forge Terrain Appears

Several times in the show we see characters gathered around the gaming table filled with terrain from Dwarven Forge, a company that didn’t exist until 1996 and which has only really taken off in the past decade or so.

It’s something that the vast majority of viewers likely never noticed, but was hard not to spot for any modern D&D player who has drooled over the company’s expensive, high-end physicals sets for use with miniatures.

5. Mike’s terrible Dungeon Mastering

In Season 5 (and really throughout the show) whenever Mike Wheeler is behind the DM screen he generally does a pretty terrible job of it. This is particularly evident in Season 5 when he essentially railroads the entire party at the end of their campaign. There’s no player choice or even die rolls, with Mike instead just narrating what happens.

For most watchers it’s a satisfying narrative wrap, but for longtime D&D fans it seems like something that even the most inexperienced DM would avoid doing.

Final Thoughts

In past seasons we’ve seen a few other minor D&D blunders (for example calling thieves “rogues”), but Season 5 seemed particularly glaring in what it got wrong. It’s surprising for a show that’s become so tightly intertwined with D&D. Yet it’s possible they were legitimately missed by the show’s writers and the Duffer Brothers, who pointed out in a recent interview that D&D was never really supposed to be a major of the series

One other possibility, however, is that these weren’t actually errors, but deliberate changes, with Wizards of the Coast perhaps insisting that any mention to rules use the current 5th edition to avoid confusing new players brought in by the show.

Whatever the reason may be, none of these mistakes are the end of the world and only the most uptight D&D grognards are likely going to be upset by them. If anything, Stranger Things has been an epic boon for the game and proof that RPGs have gone mainstream.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Five Strange Things Stranger Things Five Got Wrong About D&D appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

For first time Dungeons & Dragons players, creating a new character can often feel overwhelming, particularly when it comes to choosing a class. With 13 core DnD classes now officially available in the 2024 rules, each with its own unique play style, stats and abilities, it’s hard to know where to start.

To help make sense of it all, we’ve put together this basic guide which breaks down our picks for the five best DnD classes for beginners, focusing on simplicity, survivability and how intuitive each class feels at the table. For ease of reference, we’ve also included a brief note on key abilities and suggestions for starter subclasses. So grab your dice and a fresh character sheet and let’s get rolling.

What makes a DnD class beginner-friendly?

Before ranking the specific classes, it helps to understand what tends to trip up new players. A truly beginner-friendly class should have:

• Simple core mechanics that don’t require tracking too many resources
• Clear combat roles, such as frontline damage or support
• High survivability, so early mistakes aren’t punished too harshly
• Low rules overhead, especially when it comes to spell preparation
• Utility out of combat, with simple, straightforward mechanics
• Fun to play, teaches first timers the basics and let’s them get started quickly

1. The Fighter

The Fighter is widely considered the gold standard for DnD beginners. Its core abilities, including Second Wind (which lets you heal) and Action Surge (which lets you take an extra action), are easy to understand and immediately useful, helping new players quickly grasp the fundamentals of combat.

• Why it’s great for beginners: Fighters focus on movement, positioning and attacking, allowing new players to learn how combat works without worrying about spellcasting or managing complex resources.
• Best subclass for beginners: Champion (a simple and straightforward warrior) or Battle Master (adds light tactical depth without overwhelming complexity).

2. The Rogue

For beginner players who enjoy stealth and a bit more strategy in combat, the Rogue is an excellent entry point. Rogues don’t use magic, instead relying on core abilities like Sneak Attack (which provides extra damage) and Cunning Action (which lets you quickly get out of harms way).

• Why it’s great for beginners: Rogues teach new players positioning, teamwork and skill usage, while avoiding the complexity of spell slots and spell preparation.
• Best subclass for beginners: Thief (a classic take on the Rogue) or Assassin (for a darker, more tactical style of play).

3. The Barbarian

If survivability is your priority, the Barbarian is one of the most forgiving classes in the game. Their core ability of Rage boosts damage output and grants resistance to common damage types, making Barbarians exceptionally durable.

• Why it’s great for beginners: High hit points and damage resistance make mistakes less punishing, allowing new players to stay in the fight longer.
• Best subclass for beginners: Path of the Berserker (the classic take on the Rage-fueled Barbarian) or Path of the Wild Heart (a more supernatural approach which lets you tap into animal abilities)

4. The Paladin

For first-time players looking to ease their way into spellcasting, the Paladin is an excellent hybrid class that blends martial combat with light magical abilities. Their core feature of Divine Smite lets you convert spell slots directly into extra damage, keeping decisions simple and rewarding.

• Why it’s great for beginners: Even if you don’t lean into your spellcasting, you remain effective in battle thanks to your frontline combat abilities.
• Best subclass for beginners: Oath of Devotion (the classic take on the Paladin) or Oath of the Ancients (a more unique take that leans into nature).

5. The Cleric

The Cleric is the most beginner-friendly full spellcaster, combining powerful magic with solid defenses. While they can cast both offensive and defensive magic (including healing spells), they can also handle themselves in combat, making them less squishy than other spellcasters.

• Why it’s great for beginners: Prepared spellcasting allows you to change spells daily, letting new players experiment with different options without getting locked in. Combat abilities also let you remain in the fight longer than other spellcasters.
• Best subclass for beginners: Life Domain (great for healing and has classic Cleric features) or Light Domain (a bit more utility in combat).

What DnD classes are more difficult for beginner players?

While you can (and should) play any class that sounds like fun, many first timers struggle with certain classes. They aren’t bad choices per se, but they are much more complicated, and tend to reward players who already understand how the game works.

• Artificer: Combines spellcasting with infusions, item management and subclass-specific mechanics, creating a higher rules load for new players.
• Bard: Juggles spellcasting, support abilities and social utility, which can feel overwhelming for new players.
• Druid: Full spellcasting paired with Wild Shape adds significant complexity for first timers.
• Wizard: Requires careful spell preparation and has low durability if mistakes are made in combat.
• Monk: Relies heavily on Focus Points, precise positioning and specific abilities, which can be a lot to manage.
• Sorcerer: Unique spells and the use of Metamagic can be particularly challenging for new players.
• Warlock: Complex spellcasting rules and reliance on short rests can be unintuitive for first-time players.

All DnD classes ranked by difficulty to play

Below is a table that outlines all of the classes along with their difficulty to play and their primary role in the game. Note that this table is based on Wizards of the Coast’s own assessment of class complexity as outlined on Page 33 in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. Also note that the Artificer is a new official class that was introduced for the D&D 2024 rules in the pages of Eberron: Forge of the Artificer.

Final thoughts

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to building a character, and the best DnD class for beginners is ultimately one that keeps the game fun while making it as easy as possible to learn the basics. It’s all about taking that first step into the game, because once you understand how DnD works, the possibilities for character creation and adventure are literally endless.

More D&D Rules Coverage

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The Five Best DnD Classes for Beginners (2026 Guide) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Table of Contents

• What Is Heroic Inspiration in D&D 5e?
• What Was Inspiration in the 2014 D&D 5e Rules?
• How Did You Gain Inspiration in the Old Rules?
• What Is Heroic Inspiration in the 2024 D&D 5e Rules?
• How Do You Gain Heroic Inspiration?
• Can Heroic Inspiration Be Used on Any Roll?
• Does Heroic Inspiration Stack?
• Why Did Wizards of the Coast Change Inspiration?
• Is Heroic Inspiration Worth Using in Your Game?
• Final Thoughts on Heroic Inspiration in D&D 5e

What is Heroic Inspiration in D&D 5e?

Heroic Inspiration is a new rule introduced in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, that replaces the older Inspiration mechanic from the 2014 rules. It allows a character to reroll any d20 roll or hit die roll after seeing the result, making it significantly more flexible and powerful than the original version.

The goal of Heroic Inspiration is to make Inspiration easier to use, more impactful in play and more consistently remembered by both Dungeon Masters and players.

What was Inspiration in the 2014 D&D 5e Rules?

In the 2014 Player’s Handbook (p. 125), Inspiration was an optional rule that allowed Dungeon Masters to reward players for roleplaying their character’s personality traits, ideals, bonds or flaws. The rules as written were that:

• A character could have only one Inspiration at a time
• Spending Inspiration granted advantage on:
  • An attack roll
  • A saving throw
  • An ability check
• Inspiration could also be given to another player for good roleplaying
• Inspiration could not be stacked or saved for later use

While flavorful, many groups ignored the rule because it was easy to forget and limited in usefulness.

How did you gain Inspiration in the old 2014 D&D 5e rules?

According to the 2014 Dungeon Master’s Guide, DMs were encouraged to award Inspiration for:

• Roleplaying consistent with a character’s personality, ideals, bonds or flaws
• Heroic actions, such as self-sacrifice or dramatic risk-taking
• Major victories or milestones in the campaign
• Genre emulation, such as reinforcing horror, epic fantasy or intrigue

The DMG suggested awarding Inspiration roughly once per character per session, though this varied widely by table.

What is Heroic Inspiration in the new 2024 D&D 5e Rules?

Heroic Inspiration keeps the same narrative intent as the old Inspiration rule but dramatically expands its mechanical usefulness.

If you have Heroic Inspiration, you can reroll any roll in the game, including:

• Attack rolls
• Saving throws
• Ability checks
• Hit dice rolls

You decide to use Heroic Inspiration after seeing the result, but you must accept the new roll.

This change removes the restriction of “advantage only” and makes Heroic Inspiration relevant in far more situations.

How do you gain Heroic Inspiration?

Heroic Inspiration is still primarily awarded by the Dungeon Master, but the 2024 rules introduce new ways to earn it automatically, including:

• DM rewards for heroic actions, roleplay or story moments
• Class features, such as the Champion Fighter’s Heroic Warrior ability, which grants Heroic Inspiration at the start of a turn if the character doesn’t already have it
• Other subclass and system interactions introduced in the 2024 ruleset

As before, a character can only have one Heroic Inspiration at a time.

Can Heroic Inspiration be used on any roll?

Yes. Heroic Inspiration can be used on any roll, including rolls that previously could not benefit from advantage. This includes:

• Death saving throws
• Hit dice during a short rest
• Ability checks made outside combat
• Attack rolls and saving throws

This flexibility is the biggest mechanical difference between old Inspiration and Heroic Inspiration.

Does Heroic Inspiration stack?

No. A character can still have only one Heroic Inspiration at a time. If you would gain another while already having one, the new Heroic Inspiration is lost unless a feature says otherwise.

Why did Wizards of the Coast change Inspiration?

Wizards of the Coast has acknowledged that player feedback drove the redesign. Inspiration was widely viewed as:

• Easy to forget
• Too situational
• Not impactful enough to justify tracking

Heroic Inspiration solves these issues by being universally useful, easy to explain and powerful enough that players actively remember it.

Notably, Heroic Inspiration was not part of Unearthed Arcana playtests, suggesting it was a late design decision informed by long-term feedback rather than experimental mechanics.

Is Heroic Inspiration worth using in your game?

For most tables, yes. Heroic Inspiration:

• Encourages cinematic, heroic play
• Gives players meaningful agency without breaking balance
• Reduces frustration from critical failures or bad luck
• Fits naturally into both narrative-heavy and combat-focused campaigns

Because it applies to any roll, players are far more likely to remember and use it.

Final thoughts on Heroic Inspiration in D&D 5e

Heroic Inspiration is one of the most impactful quality-of-life changes in the 2024 D&D 5e ruleset. By replacing advantage with a flexible reroll system, Wizards of the Coast has transformed Inspiration from a forgotten optional rule into a core mechanic that genuinely enhances play.

Full details on the new Heroic Inspiration can be found in the new 2024 Player’s Handbook, which is available on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

Below is also a video from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel that features an interview with lead designers Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins who discuss the new DnD 5e Inspiration rule (for ease of reference it’s been timestamped to the relevant section).

More D&D News Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D News page.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Heroic Inspiration in D&D 5e (2024 Rules Explained) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Capable of altering their appearance and identities in the blink of an eye, the Changeling has always stood apart from more traditional Dungeons & Dragons species. First introduced in 2019 as a fully playable race in Eberron: Rising from the Last War, they were later updated in 2022 for Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. Since then, Changelings have quickly morphed into a fan-favorite among the DnD community, offering both unique gameplay mechanics and narrative potential.

Now, a new version of the Changeling has reformed in the pages of Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, with some significant alterations that align with the new DnD 2024 ruleset, while also introducing one major revision to how their shapeshifting ability functions.

So are these changes to the Changeling more than just a superficial face lift? Below, we go skin deep into all the details.

What Are Changelings in DnD 2025?

With ever-changing appearances, Changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each Changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face may reveal an aspect of their soul.

The first Changelings in the multiverse appeared in the Feywild, and the wondrous, mutable essence of that plane lingers in changelings today-even in those who have never set foot in the fey realm.

In their true form, Changelings appear faded, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see one in that form, for a typical changeling alters their shape the way others might change clothes. However, many Changelings develop identities with more depth, crafting a persona complete with history and beliefs to go with each shape. A Changeling adventurer might have personas for many situations, including negotiation, investigation and combat.

Multiple Changelings can share a persona. Personas can even pass down through a family, allowing a younger Changeling to take advantage of contacts established by the persona’s previous users.

What’s changed With the New 2025 DnD Changeling?

Eberron: Rise of the Artificer introduces a number of key changes from the previous legacy Changeling race that appeared in 2022 in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. Below are all their species traits and associated updates.

What Are the New Changeling Species Traits in DnD 2025?

Below is the full list of all the Changeling traits using the new 2025 rules from Eberron: Forge of the Artificer (2025).

• Creature Type: Fey
• Size: Medium (4–7 feet) or Small (2–4 feet), chosen when selecting this species
• Speed: 30 feet

As a Changeling, you have the following special traits:

• Changeling Instincts: Thanks to your fey heritage, you gain proficiency in two of the following skills: Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion.
• Shape-Shifter: As an action, you can magically change your appearance and voice. You decide the specifics of the transformation, including coloration, hair length, sex, and general features. You may also adjust your height and weight and can shift between Medium and Small size. You can appear as a member of another playable species, though none of your statistics change. You must adopt a form with a similar limb arrangement, and you cannot mimic an individual you have not seen. Your clothing and gear do not change with this transformation. While shape-shifted using this trait, you have Advantage on all Charisma checks. You remain in your chosen form until you take an action to revert to your true appearance.

Is the New Changeling Worth Playing?

For a species that never stays the same, the new 2025 Changeling is almost identical to its previous 2022 version. The only major differences are how the new DnD rules handles species, and the fact that Changeling now get Advantage on all Charisma checks when shapechanged, the latter of which is significant, but not exactly a major overhaul.

That being said, if you enjoy playing quirky characters and navigating complex social encounters, the Changeling is still a species that can quite literally be whatever you want it to.

You can try the new Changeling for yourself in the pages of Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, which is available now from your local game store, D&D Beyond and Amazon.

More D&D News Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D News page.

Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massechustes, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The New Changeling (DnD 2025 Species Guide) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Living beings possessed with the unnatural thirst and powers of a vampire, the Dhampir has long been a staple of Dungeons & Dragons, having first appeared as a monster stat block in theh third edition of the game. It wasn’t until 2021, however, that they were available as a playable species, appearing in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

Now, a new version of the Dhampir has risen from the darkness of Astarion’s Book of Hungers, the new D&D Beyond digital supplement featuring the titular vampire rogue from Baldur’s Gate 3. Updated to align with the DnD 2024 ruleset, the new Dhampir has seen significant changes to key abilities, particularly in terms of its bite attack and the way it integrates with species.

So are these new bloodthirsty beings worth playing? Below, we sink our teeth into all the details.

What are Dhampirs in DnD 2025?

Dhampirs are living humanoids who carry a spark of vampiric power, often the result of a curse, a bite that did not complete the full transformation or a dark bargain with an evil entity. Some Dhampirs may also be the direct offspring of a vampire lord, while others are mortals touched by undeath through rituals, parasitic spirits or eldritch curses. Whatever their origins, they walk a fine line between life and death, forever battling the urges that come with their unnatural existence.

While Dhampirs retain their mortal minds and bodies, their appearance often hints at their undead origin. Many have unnaturally pale or corpse-cold skin, sharp canines, ghostly or luminous eyes and a supernatural stillness that sets them apart from the living. Their vampiric traits manifest most clearly in their heightened agility, resistance to necrotic energies and their ability to drain the life force of their victims through a powerful Vampiric Bite.

What’s changed with the new 2025 DnD Dhampir?

Astarion’s Book of Hungers introduces a number of key changes from the previous legacy Dhampir playable race that appeared in 2021 in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. Below are all their species traits and associated updates.

What are the new Dhampir species traits in DnD 2025?

Below is the full list of all the Dhampir traits using the new 2025 rules from Astarion’s Book of Hungers.

• Creature Type: Humanoid
• Size: Medium (about 4–7 feet tall) or Small (about 2–4 feet tall), chosen when you select this species
• Speed: 35 feet

As a Dhampir, you also have the following special traits:

• Darkvision: You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
• Spider Climb: You have a Climb Speed equal to your Speed. When you reach character level 3, you can move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and along ceilings while leaving your hands free.
• Trace of Undeath: You have Resistance to Necrotic damage.
• Vampiric Bite: When you use your Unarmed Strike and deal damage, you can choose to bite with your fangs. You deal Piercing damage equal to 1d4 plus your Constitution modifier instead of the normal damage of an Unarmed Strike.

In addition, when you deal this damage to a creature that isn’t a Construct or an Undead, you can empower yourself in one of the following ways:

• Drain: You regain Hit Points equal to the Piercing damage dealt.
• Strengthen: You gain a bonus to the next ability check or attack roll you make within the next minute; the bonus is equal to the Piercing damage dealt.

You can empower yourself with this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Is the new DnD Dhampir worth playing?

Overall, the new 2025 Dhampir feels mechanically cleaner and better aligned with the DnD 2024 core rules (particularly when it comes species). At the same time, it also feels less powerful and less flavorful than its 2021 counterpart. The biggest nerf is that you are no longer able to use your Con bonus when rolling a bite attack, plus no longer have advantage on bite attacks when reduced to half hit points. Notably, the new rules also don’t include the Hungers and Origins tables, which provided some fun narrative meat to the species.

That being said, despite these changes, the new 2025 Dhampir remains a solid playable species with interesting mechanical and story-based features that can still tap into plenty of new veins of gameplay at the table.

You can find the complete rules for the Dhampir in Astarion’s Book of Hungers, which is available now on D&D Beyond.

More D&D News Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D News page.

Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massechustes, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The New Dhampir (DnD 2025 Species Guide) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

When it comes to D&D lore there are few forms of magic as mysterious and as feared as Spellfire. An extremely rare form of arcane energy that can only be wielded by a select few, Spellfire appears as powerful glowing blue flames that can absorb spells, blast apart enemies and heal allies. First introduced in early Forgotten Realms material, this unique form of sorcery has since made a few scattered appearances in various D&D editions over the years, including both a trilogy of novels from Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood and an ill-fated collectible card game.

Now, however, for the first time ever D&D 5e players will be toable use this arcane energy for themselves thanks to the Spellfire Sorcerer, a brand new subclass that gets its official debut in the recently released Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn. It’s a novel addition to the existisng D&D 5e Sorcerer class that opens some interesting tactical options on the battlefield, including the ability to buff allies and counteract enemy attacks.

So is this new Sorcerer subclass worth playing? Below, we fire up all the details.

What are the new Spellfire Sorcerer features?

As a Spellfire Sorcerer, your innate power stems from the source of magic itself: the Weave. This connection manifests as a rare ability known as Spellfire, and you surge with radiant bursts of this raw magic. Your talent with spellfire allows you to heal allies, sear enemies and absorb powerful spells.

Spellfire Sorcerers tend to have a penchant for wandering. Many travel between cosmopolitan settlements, such as those along the Sword Coast, and wield their magic in service of the common good. Others realize their own strange powers by roaming equally strange lands, from the magic-blasted wastes of the desert of Anauroch to the god-touched wilds of the Old Empires. Wherever they go in the Realms, Spellfire Sorcerers are courted by factions with interests in the arcane arts, such as the Harpers, Cult of the Dragon and Red Wizards.

Level 3: Spellfire Burst

When you spend at least 1 Sorcery Point as part of a Magic action or a Bonus Action on your turn, you can unleash one of the following magical effects of your choice. You can do so only once per turn.

Bolstering Flames: You or one creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself gains Temporary Hit Points equal to 1d4 plus your Charisma modifier.

Radiant Fire: One creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself takes 1d4 Fire or Radiant damage (your choice).

Level 3: Spellfire Spells

When you reach a Sorcerer level specified in the Spellfire Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Level 6: Absorb Spells

You always have the Counterspell spell prepared. Additionally, whenever a target fails the saving throw against a Counterspell you cast, you regain 1d4 Sorcery Points.

Level 14: Honed Spellfire

Your Spellfire Burst improves. You add your Sorcerer level to the Temporary Hit Points gained from Bolstering Flames, and the damage of your Radiant Fire increases to 1d8.

Level 18: Crown of Spellfire

When you use Innate Sorcery, you can alter it and infuse yourself with the essence of spellfire, gaining the following benefits while this use of Innate Sorcery is active. Once you use this feature to alter Innate Sorcery, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest unless you spend 5 Sorcery Points (no action required) to restore your use of it.

Burning Life Force. Once per turn when you are hit by an attack roll, you can expend a number of Hit Point Dice, up to a maximum equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Roll the expended dice, and reduce the amount of damage from that attack equal to the total rolled.

Flight. You gain a Fly Speed of 60 feet and can hover.

Spell Avoidance. When you’re subjected to a spell or magical effect that allows you to make a saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the save and only half damage if you fail. You can’t use this benefit if you have the Incapacitated condition.

What is Spellfire?

Spellfire is an extremely rare and volatile magical gift that appears in the Forgotten Realms. Unlike conventional spellcasting, which shapes the Weave through memorized incantations or innate sorcery, Spellfire lets wielder directly unleash raw magical energy. This manifests as blue-white flames capable of annihilating foes, healing wounds or absorbing incoming spells as fuel. Its wielders can sense magic across vast distances, burn through defenses that normally mitigate damage, and even overload themselves in catastrophic bursts if they absorb more power than their bodies can contain. In Forgotten Realms lore, Spellfire was extremely rare and highly sought after, appearing only once every generation. It could be passed by a bloodline, temporarily bestowed by the goddess Mystra, acquired through dangerous rituals or – in extremely rare cases -developed through deep connection with the Weave itself.

Over the years, Spellfire has appeared in multiple D&D novels and sourcebooks, including Ed Greenwood’s Shandril’s Saga trilogy, which follow a young woman whose spellfire abilities make her the target of the Zhentarim, the Cult of the Dragon and other power-hungry forces. Spellfire also appeared briefly in several D&D print products, including Forgotten Realms Adventures, Magic of Faerûn and Volo’s Guide to All Things Magical, although it was not an easily accessible player character mechanic due to how rare and powerful it is.

Is the new Spellfire Sorcerer worth playing?

In the lore of the Forgotten Realms, Spellfire is presented as a rare, once-in-a-lifetime gift that few are capable of wielding. With the new subclass, however, this unique concept is essentially nerfed, given that any new DnD 2024 Sorcerer can choose it at level 3. The mechanics themselves also feel a little generic, offering the ability to heal or damage a target, but not really having any utility outside of that. A heavy focus on Counterspell also seems a bit misguided, given that this spell can often feel mechanically and narratively uninteresting. The end result is a subclass that’s fine on paper but doesn’t really tap into what makes the concept of Spellfire so compelling in the first place.

You can try this new Sorcerer subclass for yourself by picking up Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The New 2025 D&D Spellfire Sorcerer (Subclass Deep Dive) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Another Black Friday is upon us, and if you’re a Dungeons & Dragons player looking to save some hard earned gold pieces, you’ll be happy to learn that there are a number of great deals you can score this year without having to roll any Persuasion checks.

To help find the best savings, we’ve sorted through the various online offerings to showcase a few deals worth looking into. Please note that while these Black Friday discounts are available primarily for US shoppers, in some cases Canadian, UK and even European fans can also find some decent savings.

So grab your bag of holding and prepare to roll a saving throw for discounts as we delve into…. the best DnD Black Friday deals for 2025.

1. Eberron Bundle (Forge of the Artificer & Rising from the Last War)

This Black Friday exclusive D&D bundle brings together two unique Eberron books: Rising from the Last War and the upcoming Forge of the Artificer expansion. Featuring setting materials, character options, magic items, and a deep dive into one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most distinctive worlds, it’s a strong pickup, especially with a rare discount on newly released materials.

Get it on Amazon

2. Heroes of the Borderlands: D&D Starter Set

A fantastic entry point into the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 rules, this starter set includes three adventure booklets, a quick-start guide, pre-generated characters and everything you need to begin your first campaign. Designed to be approachable and easy to run, Heroes of the Borderlands is ideal for kids, new players and groups who want a fun, low-prep way to jump right into the action.

Get it on Amazon

3. D&D Stranger Things: Welcome to the Hellfire Club Boxed Set

Blending Dungeons & Dragons with the world of Stranger Things, this boxed set recreates the tabletop experience made famous by Eddie Munson and the Hellfire Club in Season 4 of the popular Netflix show. Featuring custom components, character sheets, and a uniquely themed adventure, it’s a fun collector’s item for fans of the show or anyone wanting a light, D&D-flavored game-night experience.

Get it on Amazon

4. The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary

A beautifully illustrated deep dive into one of D&D’s most iconic characters, this visual dictionary explores Drizzt Do’Urden’s adventures, companions, enemies, and the world of the Forgotten Realms. If you’re a fan of the novels, video games or D&D lore, chances are you’ll find tons to love in this richly produced guide, which has a massive discount for Black Friday.

Get it on Amazon

5. Dungeons & Dragons: Lore & Legends

A stunning, full-color celebration of D&D fifth edition, this hardcover showcases the art, design, and creative evolution behind the world’s most popular tabletop RPG. Filled with interviews, behind-the-scenes commentary and more than 900 pieces of art and visual ephemera, Lore & Legends is perfect for fans who love digging into the history and creation of the modern Dungeons & Dragons ruleset.

Get it on Amazon

6. Dungeons & Dragons: Puncheons & Flagons

If you’re looking to bring a little extra flair to your next D&D session, this official cocktail and mocktail recipe book is a fantastic pick. Packed with 75 drinks and bar bites inspired by the taverns, inns and watering holes of the Forgotten Realms, it delivers plenty of easy-to-follow recipes that blend real world ingredients with Dungeons & Dragons lore.

Get it on Amazon

7. The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1977

One of the most fascinating and in-depth looks into the history of DnD, this massive volume is almost 600 pages long and packed with never-before-published content, including original game art, early drafts and correspondence between D&D co-creators Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. It’s a must have for hard core DnD fans looking for an inside look at the birth of the world’s first tabletop roleplaying game.

Get it on Amazon

8. The Young Adventurer’s Collection (4-Book Set)

This boxed set collects four illustrated D&D guidebook: Monsters & Creatures, Warriors & Weapons, Dungeons & Tombs and Wizards & Spells, all of which are designed to help younger readers explore the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Perfect for kids ages 7–12, the books introduce creatures, classes, gear and adventure concepts in a fun, easy-to-read format. It’s a fantastic holiday gift or entry point into D&D and has a solid discounts for Black Friday.

Get it on Amazon

9. Curse of Strahd

Widely considered to be one of the best D&D campaigns of all time, Curse of Strahd blends gothic horror, exploration and one of the greatest villains in tabletop gaming. It’s the ultimate way to experience the modern D&D 5e Ravenloft setting, and if it’s not already on your shelf, this year’s Black Friday sale is the perfect time to pick it up.

Get it on Amazon

10. Out of the Abyss

A fan-favorite Forgotten Realms campaign, Out of the Abyss plunges players into a desperate fight for survival against demon lords, drow and the darkness itself. It’s also worth noting that older D&D 5e campaign books aren’t likely to ever be reprinted (given that the new 2024 rules are in place), so this may be your last chance to own a physical copy of this campaign classic.

Get it on Amazon

11. Tales from the Yawning Portal

A curated anthology of some of the most beloved classic D&D adventures, Tales from the Yawning Portal includes updated versions of Tomb of Horrors, The Sunless Citadel and other iconic modules. It’s a great option for groups that prefer shorter adventures or if you’re a DM who wants some easy to drop-in content for your own current campaign.

Get it on Amazon

12. Tomb of Annihilation

This sprawling jungle survival campaign is renowned for its deadly dungeons, hex-crawl structure and memorable final showdown. It’s also based on the original 1978 Gary Gygax written module Tomb of Horrors, with the new version containing updated material from Adventure Time TV show creator Pendleton Ward. If you haven’t run it before, it’s definitely a must-play and fairly easy to update to the new D&D 2024 rules.

Get it on Amazon

13. Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

A fantastic urban campaign, Dragon Heist offers political intrigue, colorful factions and one of the most replayable structures of any D&D 5e book thanks to its multiple villain options across multiple seasons. It’s a perfect options for groups who want less dungeon crawling and more scheming, city exploration and roleplaying.

Get it on Amazon

14. Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

A complete campaign that sends players from Baldur’s Gate straight into the hellfire-filled battlefields of Avernus, this campaign introduces infernal war machines, demonic bargains and epic set-pieces. It’s a great option for groups who want a little death metal, chaos and action thrown in with their D&D.

Get it on Amazon

15. Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

A chilling sandbox adventure set in the frozen tundra of Icewind Dale, this campaign blends horror, survival and exploration. With gorgeous art, atmospheric locations and modular quests, it’s one of the most flexible D&D 5e campaigns and if you don’t already own, it’s definitely worth picking up this year on the cheap.

Get it on Amazon

16. The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

D&D 5e’s first full campaign set in the Feywild, The Wild Beyond the Witchlight offers unique characters, strange locations and an adventure that can be completed entirely without combat. It’s perfect for story-driven groups who want a roleplay-heavy, dark fairy-tale-infused experience with a strange and whimstical tone.

Get It on Amazon

17. Keys from the Golden Vault

A collection of heist-themed D&D adventures where players infiltrate museums, break into vaults and outsmart criminal masterminds, Keys from the Golden Vault is fast, fun and easy to drop into just about any setting. If you’re looking for a one-shot caper or want to build out a complete campaign for a criminal crew, this is definitely worth snagging on Black Friday.

Get it on Amazon

18. Quests from the Infinite Staircase

This anthology reimagines six old school D&D adventures, each connected through the surreal Infinite Staircase and it’s many planar doorways. Highly modular and easy to run, it’s ideal for DMs who want one-shots, short arcs or classic D&D modules updated for the modern ruleset.

Get it on Amazon

19. Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

Expanding the original Lost Mine of Phandelver starter adventure into a full-length campaign that takes players from Levels 1 to 12, The Shattered Obelisk introduces eldritch horror, new monsters and an extended storyline. If you missed out on it when it was first released back in 2023, now is a great time to add it to your collection.

Get it on Amazon

20. Vecna: Eve of Ruin

This multiverse-spanning mega-campaign pits players against the infamous lich-god Vecna himself. Featuring iconic NPCs from Dungeons & Dragons lore along with high-level gameplay, it was also one of the first campaigns to transition into the new D&D 2024 rules.

Get it on Amazon

Other Places to Find 2025 DnD Black Friday Deals

Below are also a few other places you might want to take a look at for additional Black Friday savings:

• DMsGuild: They currently have a massive 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, with discounts on both official and third-party DnD materials, including brand new titles that have just come out in the past few months.
• D&D Beyond: D&D Beyond also has a fairly significant 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale going on right now on digital products, including campaigns, supplements and other products, which are up to 50% off.
• Roll20: The popular VTT is launching their own DnD Black Friday sale for 2024, with discounts on the new core books and past campaigns like Curse of Strahd. If you’re a fan of Roll20 or thinking of getting into the platform, now is the perfect time to buy.
• WizKids: WizKids also has a few DnD Black Friday offerings for 2024, which you can find on both Amazon and via their website.
• Goodman Games: The popular DnD third-party publisher has a number of 5e and OSR products on sale for Black Friday.
• Walmart: For US shoppers, there are a ton of solid deals on DnD books, toys, dice and other products. These can often change over the holidays, so it’s worth checking back on the website even after Black Friday is over.
• Target: Target also has a ton of significant savings on DnD products as part of their Black Friday sale. Some of these are actually cheaper than almost anywhere else, but they often don’t last long, so keep a close eye on the site towards the end of the month.
• Humble Bundle: While this isn’t a Black Friday sale per se, Humble Bundle has a ton of sales going on right now with both official DnD and third-party content.

More D&D News Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D News page.

Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

*We are also a member of the DMsGuild affiliate marketing program, which provides us with a small commission on any sales at no additional cost to you the consumer.

The post The 20 Best DnD Black Friday Deals for 2025 appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Skilled battlefield leaders who can turn ordinary soldiers into victorious heroes, the Banneret Fighter has been inspiring greatness since it first appeared back in 2015’s Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. Representing a more tactical and leadership-focused take on the classic DnD 5e Fighter, this subclass is also known as the Purple Dragon Knight, which Wizards of the Coast had most recently updated (and later scrapped) in a February 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest.

Now, the Banneret Fighter has returned in the new Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn player expansion, with a number of major changes over its predecessor. So is this knightly warrior still in command? Below, we rally the troops and take a closer look at all their new features.

What’s changed in the new 2025 Banneret Fighter?

The table below lists all of the changes to the new Banneret Fighter as detailed in Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn. For ease of reference, we’ve included the level of each feature and whether or not it’s changed from the previous Legacy Banneret Fighter (also known as the Purple Dragon Knight) that was featured back in the 2015 Sword Coast Adventure’s Guide.

What are the new Banneret Fighter features?

Bannerets are paragons of valor and leadership who protect the innocent and rally fellow adventurers to the causes of justice and freedom. Many are knights serving in Cormyr , the Silver Marches, Damara, Chessenta or other lands across Faerûn. They wander the realms as knights errant, taking the fight against evil beyond their kingdom’s borders.

A Banneret relies on judgment, bravery and fidelity to the code of chivalry to guide them in defeating evildoers. A lone Banneret is a skilled warrior, but when leading a band of allies one of these warriors can transform even a poorly equipped militia into a ferocious war band.

Level 3: Knightly Envoy

You know how to conduct yourself with grace as a noble ambassador. You gain the following benefits.

Comprehension. You can cast the Comprehend Languages spell but only as a Ritual. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Polyglot. You learn one language from the language tables. When you finish a Long Rest, you can replace a language learned from this benefit with another language you have heard, seen signed or read in the past 24 hours.

Well Spoken. You gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Insight, Intimidation, Persuasion or Performance.

Level 3: Group Recovery

When you use your Second Wind to regain Hit Points, you can choose a number of allies within a 30-foot Emanation originating from yourself, up to a number of allies equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Each of those allies regains Hit Points equal to 1d4 plus your Fighter level. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Level 7: Team Tactics

When you use Group Recovery, each chosen ally has Advantage on D20 Tests until the start of your next turn.

Level 10: Rallying Surge

When you use your Action Surge, you can choose allies within a 30-foot Emanation originating from yourself, up to a number of allies equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Each of those allies can immediately take a Reaction to use one of the following options:

Attack. The ally makes one attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike.

Move. The ally moves up to half its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

Level 15: Shared Resilience

When an ally you can see within 60 feet of yourself fails a saving throw, you can take a Reaction to expend a use of your Indomitable feature. The ally can immediately reroll the saving throw with a bonus equal to your Fighter level; the ally must use the new roll.

Level 18: Inspiring Commander

You gain the following benefits.

Bolstered Rally. The area of effect for both Group Recovery and Rallying Surge is now a 60-foot Emanation.

Unshakable Bravery. You have Immunity to the Charmed and Frightened conditions.

Is the new Banneret Fighter worth playing?

The new 2025 Banneret Fighter feels like a significant improvement over its 2015 version, offering more power and versatility. It’s also markedly better than the Purple Dragon Knight playtest from February 2025 (which was focused on players having their own purple dragon hatchling companion and was largely panned by fans). With new proficiencies and the ability to buff allies, the new Banerret also maintains its unique theme (albeit one that doesn’t necessarily feel super connected to the Forgotten Realms). And while narratively the subclass feels a little close to the Paladin, it’s also a solid option that works well with new 2024 DnD Fighter class features. If you’re looking to play a chivalrous and courtly warrior who can lead on the battlefield, then the Banneret Fighter is definitely worth getting knighted for.

You can try the new subclass for yourself by picking up Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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Divine spell casters who quite literally prove that knowledge is power, the Knowledge Domain Cleric has been a fan-favorite subclass since it first appeared in the pages of the 2014 Player’s Handbook. It’s a more scholarly and cerebral take on the traditional DnD 5e Cleric, with the subclass tapping into unique mental powers, a wider range of skill proficencies and even the ability to see into the past.

Now, the Knowledge Domain Cleric has been updated for the D&D 2024 rules in the pages of the new Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn player expansion. So does this updated subclass have anything new to teach us? Below, we seek out the truth and take a look at all their new features.

What’s changed in the new 2025 Knowledge Domain Cleric?

The table below lists all of the changes to the new Knowledge Domain Cleric as detailed in Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn. For ease of reference we’ve included the level of each feature and whether or not it’s changed from the previous Legacy Knowledge Domain Cleric that was featured back in the 2014 Player’s Handbook.

What are the new Knowledge Domain Cleric features?

The Knowledge Domain values learning and understanding above all. Clerics who tap into this domain study esoteric lore, collect old tomes, delve into secret places and examine the processes of the mind. To them, knowledge is more valuable than material wealth, and learning is an act of worship. Libraries, universities and other educational institutions also draw on the power of the Knowledge Domain.

Gods of knowledge vary from masters of arcane magic to patrons of craft and invention. In Faerûn, Clerics of the Knowledge Domain worship deities of learning and ingenuity such as Oghma and Gond, among many others.

Level 3: Blessings of Knowledge

You gain proficiency with one type of Artisan’s Tools of your choice and in two of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, History, Nature or Religion. You have Expertise in those two skills.

Level 3: Knowledge Domain Spells

When you reach a Cleric level specified in the Knowledge Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

*Spell of the Divination school

Level 3: Mind Magic

As a Magic action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to manifest your magical knowledge. Choose one spell from the Divination school on the Knowledge Domain Spells table that you have prepared. As part of that action, you cast that spell without expending a spell slot or needing Material components.

Level 6: Unfettered Mind

You gain telepathy out to 60 feet. When you use this telepathy, you can simultaneously contact a number of creatures equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of one). Additionally, you gain proficiency in Intelligence saving throws. If you already have this proficiency, you instead gain saving throw proficiency with one ability in which you lack it.

Level 17: Divine Foreknowledge

As a Bonus Action, you magically expand your mind to the future. For 1 hour, you have Advantage on D20 Tests. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of this feature by expending a level 6+ spell slot (no action required).

Is the new Knowledge Domain Cleric worth playing?

The new 2025 Knowledge Domain Cleric has seen some relatively big changes from its 2014 counterpart, leaning more into mental magic and providing a bit of a bump when it comes to skill proficiencies. It feels like a slight upgrade, while maintaining the overall theme of the subclass and working well with the new 2024 DnD Cleric class features. If you’re looking to play a Cleric with an endless thirst of knowledge and the power to manipulate minds, then you’ll definitely be on the same page with this subclass.

You can try the new Knowledge Domain Cleric for yourself by picking up Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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Wizards of the Coast has just released their latest Unearthed Arcana playtest, this time returning to some of the Dungeons & Dragon fifth edition’s most popular martial subclasses. Simply entitled the Subclasses Update, the content reworks five familiar character options that were previously seen in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and 2014 Player’s Handbook. It’s not yet clear what future sourcebooks (if any) the reworked subclasses will be included in and much of course, still depends on player feedback (which is opening up on November 6th, 2025).

So just what D&D 5e subclasses are back and are they better than ever? Below, we break down all the details.

What’s included in the new Subclasses Update playtest?

The five updated subclasses include the Oathbreaker Paladin, Cavalier Fighter, Path of the Spiritual Guardian Barbarian, Path of the Storm Herald Barbarian and Warrior of Intoxication Monk, many of which have been significantly changed in both name and mechanics.

• Oathbreaker (Paladin): First appearing in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, the Oathbreaker remains the quintessential fallen knight (which can be challenging to roleplay). Its Conjure Undead ability replaces Control Undead, granting temporary undead allies, while Dreadful Aspect now interacts with Divine Smite for additional utility. Aura of Hate has also been tweaked to only affect allied Fiends and Undead, while Dread Lord is now a Bonus Action feature tied to Aura of Protection.
• Cavalier (Fighter): Originally appeared in 2017 in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Cavalier receives one of the cleanest mechanical overhauls in this Unearthed Arcana playtest. Unwavering Mark now has unlimited uses, fixing one of the subclass’s biggest limitations. Ferocious Charger has been retooled to boost both the Fighter’s and their mount’s speed while preventing opportunity attacks during the movement. The ability also allows the Cavalier to knock enemies Prone simply by charging past them.

• Path of the Spiritual Guardian (Barbarian): Formerly known as the Path of the Ancestral Guardian from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass expands the types of spirits a Barbarian can call upon. They’re now no longer limited to ancestors and can also include nature or animal spirits. The signature Spiritual Protectors feature has been completely redesigned, letting players choose from multiple protective effects whenever they hit with a weapon or unarmed strike. The Vengeful Spirits ability (formerly Vengeful Ancestors) now also rewards exceptional rolls (18–20) by granting extra attacks, working with Reckless Attack and similar features.
• Path of the Storm Herald (Barbarian): Also originating from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Path of Storm Herald’s Storm Aura now scales with the Barbarian’s Rage Damage bonus, creating a more natural power progression. The Desert and Tundra aura effects have been rebalanced (Desert now uses d4s for damage, while Tundra replaces its temporary hit points with a damage reduction mechanic). The Raging Storm capstone features for each aura have been fully reworked as Desert now ignites enemies, Sea arcs lightning between targets and Tundra halves enemy movement while freezing them in place.
• Warrior of Intoxication (Monk): Previously the Way of the Drunken Master from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this reimagined Monk retains the same chaotic melee combat, but now leans into magical brews that grant temporary bonuses. Monks can craft and consume these enchanted drinks for combat and exploration benefits, while Drunkard’s Luck has been folded into this feature and now grants Heroic Inspiration when rolling initiative without it. The name change from “Drunken Master” to “Warrior of Intoxication” seems a little odd, and the subclass as a whole is one of the more significant overhauls in the update.

Final Thoughts

Wizards of the Coast has not confirmed what upcoming DnD book these five updated subclasses will be appearing in and it’s hard to see how they’re related (other than the fact that they’re all martial and all from previously published material). Some of the changes seem solid (like the Path of the Spiritual Guardian Barbarian) while others seem like they miss the mark thematically (particularly with the Warrior of Intoxication Monk). It remains to be seen, however, just how the community responses.

You can check out the new subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. Player feedback opens on November 6th, 2025.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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The end has finally come for Dungeons & Dragons’ troubled Sigil virtual tabletop. Today, Wizards of the Coast officially announced that they will no longer be providing any further development efforts to the platform, with servers scheduled to be shut down at the end of October 2026. Anyone with a Master Tier subscription who has accessed Sigil at least once since its launch in March 2025 will receive a six-month Master Tier credit.

It marks an ignoble end to what was once hyped as the next evolution of D&D online play, but instead turned out to be a massive failure. So just why did WotC put Sigil out of its misery and what does it mean for the future of D&D? Below, we take a closer look at all the details.

What is the Sigil VTT?

Sigil is a virtual tabletop for Dungeons & Dragon built using the Unreal Engine 5 and integrating with the D&D Beyond online platform. It allows Dungeon Masters to host and run online D&D game sessions, with players able to interact with highly detailed 3D models of terrain, buildings, monsters, NPCs and characters (something that isn’t possible with other VTTs such as Roll20 and Foundry, which use 2D image assets).

First announced at Gen Con in the summer of 2024 under the code name “Project Sigil,” the platform was described as a major priority for Wizards of the Coast, with significant financial resources being put into the development (although an exact dollar figure has never been publicly acknowledged). Instead, after several years of work the VTT was quietly rolled out in February 2025, with virtually no marketing push from Wizards of the Coast. The initial Beta was riddled with technical issues and had only limited features. What’s more, the graphic-intensive, 3D nature of Sigil meant that it could essentially only be run on high-end gaming PCs (despite early promises from WotC that it would be accessible on virtually any kind of device, including smartphones and consoles). As a result, the Sigil beta generated a lacklustre community response and poor reviews. Less than a month later, WotC laid off 90% of the Sigil team, leaving behind a skeleton crew of developers to keep the platform on life support.

Surprisingly, even after the layoffs, WotC continued to release a number of different assets, including 3D digital minis, although it’s possible these were already created prior to the launch.

Why is Sigil being shut down?

In a D&D Beyond post entitled “Closing the Chapter on Sigil, and Thanking the Community” which is attributed to “D&D staff,” they note: “When we introduced Sigil, we imagined a powerful 3D virtual tabletop where you could share maps, minis, and environments with your friends and fellow players. While that vision inspired thousands of players and creators, we couldn’t sustain the level of ongoing development support that Sigil—or our community—deserved. That’s on us. What we’ve learned from Sigil, and from your feedback, will guide how we approach future digital tools. We’ll take the time to do it right in pursuit of developing the best D&D experiences possible.”

The reality is that the concept was simply something that Wizards of the Coast (and parent company Hasbro) couldn’t pull off. It shows how difficult it is to develop what’s essentially a fully fledged video game.

Final Thoughts

it’s sad to think what Sigil might have become and its cancellation marks a major misstep for both Wizards of the Coast and the D&D brand. WotC, however, seems determined to continue to push forward into the digital space, with Hasbro CEO affirming in a recent investors call that both new video games and new digital tools will remain a priority for D&D going into the future. Whether WotC will learn from the mistakes of Sigil, however, remains to be seen.

You can learn more about the shut down on D&D Beyond’s Sigil Sunset FAQ.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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In Hasbro’s recent Q3 investors call, CEO Chris Cocks pointed out that recent financial growth for Wizards of the Coast was driven in part by sales of the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 core rulebooks. He also reiterated that the D&D brand’s major focus going forward will be on new video games as well as improvements to the D&D Beyond digital surprising.

For many WotC watchers, it was surprising just how much D&D was mentioned, given that most previous investor calls tends to be focused primarily on Hasbro’s larger franchises and Magic: The Gathering. Yet it also makes sense given the structural changes we’ve seen to WotC management and the company’s new approach to to the brand, including the recent appointment of a new head of D&D franchise.

Below, we take a closer look at what else was discussed on the investors call.

What was said about D&D on the Q3 2025 investors call?

While much of the focus for Wizards of the Coast was on the growth of Magic: The Gathering (which continues to be one of the largest sources of revenue for Hasbro), Cocks did mention D&D several times:

• Dungeons & Dragons Core Books Off to Record Start: Cocks noted that “The refreshed 2024 editions of Dungeons & Dragons’ Monster Manual, Player’s Handbook, and Dungeon Master’s Guide are off to the strongest ever start for Dungeons & Dragons books.” This is, however, a bit vague, in that Cocks didn’t mention specific sales numbers or revenue.
• D&D Beyond Sees Major Growth: While Cocks didn’t mention the disastrous cancellation of the Sigil VTT, he did call out D&D Beyond Maps, which was made available free to all subscribers last month. Cocks noted that “D&D Beyond’s new accessible virtual tabletop has driven weekly traffic up nearly 50% since the September launch.” It’s important to note, however, that traffic is not necessarily an indication of increased subscription revenue.

• More D&D Video Games in Development: Cocks confirmed that “The big thing for Dungeons & Dragons is going to be digital games. We have several games in development… There’s probably five projects in development for Dungeons & Dragons across our portfolio, ranging from more casual and kid-oriented to very high-end action-adventure and role-playing games.”
• A Long-Term Digital Strategy: Cocks stated that D&D remains a priority with “a continued focus on building out the core business, the core TRPG, with a special emphasis on D&D Beyond as the best place to play a TRPG.”
• Wizards of the Coast Financial Growth: On the call it was noted that the Wizards division (which includes D&D and Magic: The Gathering) remains Hasbro’s top growth engine, with Cocks stating that “revenue grew 42% to $572 million with broad-based gains across both Tabletop and Digital.”

Final Thoughts

Investor calls tend to be just as much about PR as the numbers, so it’s not surprising that D&D was presented in the best possible light. It’s also not surprising that Wizards of the Coast will be adopting a strategy heavily focus on new D&D video games, with the company continuing to see dollar signs following the financial and critical success of Baldur’s Gate 3. What might be lost in the charts and business jargon, however, is that for fans of D&D, the most important thing is the game itself

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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Something new appears to be brewing in the land of Krynn involving actor and Dungeons & Dragons influencer Joe Manganiello, as well as Dragonlance authors Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. Recent photos shared on social media, showed the three standing together at Wizards of the Coast’s office in Renton, Washington, along with recently appointed head of the D&D franchise Dan Ayoub.

The cryptic posts have lead to a wide range of speculation among the Dungeons & Dragons fan community, with everything from a new novel or sourcebook to video game or TV series. Below, we take a look at everything we know so far about this potential return to Krynn.

What new Dragonlance project are Manganiello, Weis & Hickman working on?

So far no major details have been revealed about what the three creators are working on. At the top of the list, however, is the possible revival of a Dragonlance TV show, which Manganiello had written and shopped around to various production companies in 2023. Despite positive feedback the project ended up stalled and by early 2024 was essentially placed in what Hollywood refers to as “development hell.”

The recent July 2025 appointment of Dan Ayoub, however, may change things, as Ayoub is spearheading a new D&D franchise model that’s meant to includes film and television under a single brand umbrella.

Another possibility is a new sourcebook for D&D as the last official Dragonlance supplement was the Shadow of the Dragon Queen campaign book released in December 2022. With the release of the new D&D 2024 core books, the timing is ideal for more adventures in Krynn.

Still a third possibility is a new Dragonlance video game. Wizards of the Coast has invested heavily in new video game properties, including recently opening a new studio in Montreal and announcing a number of new titles, including new games from Giant Skull and Hasbro’s internal team. As a fan-favorite campaign setting, Dragonlance may indeed tie-in to one of these games.

Notably, Manganiello has had a close relationship with Weis and Hickman over the years, looping them in on his TV project and writing the forward to the 40th Anniversary Dragonlance Chronicles hardcover.

What new confirmed Dragonlance products are in the works?

Over the past few years, new Dragonlance content has been few and far between. Between 2022 and 2024, authors Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis did release a new trilogy entitled Dragonlance Destinies, which was generally well received by fans. Since that time, however, we’ve seen very few new released. New products coming up include:

• Dragonlance Legacies: A new trilogy of books coming out in 2026 that focus on the mythical hero Huma.
• Dragonlance Legends Collector’s Edition: A new hardcover book collecting the original Dragonlance Legends trilogy from 1986.

Final Thoughts

In recent years there’s actually been a fair bit of bad blood between Dragonlance authors Tracky Hickman and Margaret Weis and Wizards of the Coast. This stems from a 2020 lawsuit after the two authors where contracted to write a new trilogy which WotC later cancelled (the suit was later dropped by Hickman and Weis).

Similarly, the relationship between Manganiello and WotC has seemed contentious at times, and following the cancellation of his Dragonlance TV project in February 2024 the actor noted that “Dragonlance is not a property WotC are interested in developing further currently.”

With this new mystery project on the horizon it appears that bad blood is now in the past. What the final product will be, however, remains to be seen. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead and will update this page with new information as it’s made available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New D&D Dragonlance Project In the Works from Series Creators appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

In one of the more unusual outputs from the Dungeons & Dragons community, Wizards of the Coast has just released their first ever Playlist of Holding, a collection of songs selected by fans and designed to capture the spirit of D&D. The eclectic list includes everything from 80s hair metal to cinematic soundtracks and everything in between, all of which can be used at the table to set a scene or serve as inspiration during DM prep.

So is this bundle of beats worth pressing play on? Below, we crank up all the details.

What is the D&D Playlist of Holding?

The Playlist of Holding is a list of music created in October 2025 by Wizards of the Coast for their Dungeons & Dragons Spotify profile. Named after the iconic Bag of Holding, the playlist contains over 100 curated tracks which were submitted by players from around the world via the official D&D Discord and social channels.

Among the song are familiar rock and pop classics “Master of Puppets” by Metallica, “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin and “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler. It also contains some more esoteric choices, including “Big Blue” by the retro video game inspired band Powerglove, “Dungeon Master” by the heavy metal nerdcore band Visigoth and WIZARD by the fantasy doom metal band Castle Rat (whose aesthetic is heavily inspired by 80s D&D artwork and adventures). Yet the Playlist of Holding also has a number of orchestral songs that are more atmospheric in nature and would work well during a typical D&D session, including “The Anvil of Crom” from The Conan the Barbarian movie, Carmina Burana: O Fortuna as performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the theme song to the fantasy movie Willow.

Final Thoughts

Music has long been a part of the D&D experience, with DMs oftening bringing it to the table to help immerse players. With the Playlist of Holding, however, Wizards of the Coast has actually made an attempt to officially capture the sonic vibes of the game. And while not every track is likely to wind up at your table, there are some solid options here that are definite critical hits.

You can check out the complete Playlist of Holding now on Spotify,

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Cranks Up the Critical Hits With New “Playlist of Holding” appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has just provided a sneak peak of two new spells that will be appearing in the upcoming Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn player guide. Both use the new D&D 2024 core rules and have not appeared in any previous books. The two spells can also be amplified with Circle Magic, which is a completely new group casting mechanic that will also appear in the book.

The spells in question are Doomtide (which creates a field of psychic darkness) and Spellfire Storm (which summons a wave of radiant flame). Below, we conjure up all the details on these new incantations.

Doomtide (Spell Details)

This spell allows you to creates a 20-foot-radius Sphere of inky, magical Darkness that deals 5d6 Psychic damage to creatures caught within. In addition, any targets caught in the spell who fail their saving throw also subtract 1d6 from all saving throws until the end of their next turn. 

You can also cast Doomtide as a Circle spell with at least five secondary casters, which allows you to extend the spell’s range to 1 mile and sustain its power until dispelled, freeing it from the limits of Concentration. On top of the rare components, each secondary caster must also expend a level 3+ spell slot; otherwise, the spell fails.

Spellfire Storm (Spell Details)

This spell conjure a 20-foot-radius, 20-foot-high Cylinder pillar of Spellfire that deals 4d10 Radiant damage to creatures within it. It also interferes with any creatures who attempt to cast spells from inside the pillar’s area of effect. 

When cast as Spellfire Storm as a Circle spell, you can expend a blue star sapphire worth 25,000+ GP to extend the spell’s range to 1 mile and anchor its power within the circle so it no longer requires Concentration. On top of the component cost, each secondary caster must also expend a level 3+ spell slot.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Wizards of the Coast continuing to release new spells for the 2024 rules, particularly ones that tap into the new Circle Magic group casting. It’s not clear what other new spells will also be included in the upcoming Forgotten Realms sourcebooks and whether or not they’ll live up to player expectations.

You can find the complete rules for both new spells in the upcoming Heroes of Faerûn sourcebook, which is available for pre-order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New D&D Spells Revealed for Upcoming Forgotten Realms Book appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has recently unveiled new details on Circle Magic, a powerful form of spellcasting that has appeared in the lore of Dungeons & Dragons, but will soon be codified in the pages of the upcoming Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn player’s guide. The new mechanic allows multiple magic users to channel their energy together to create effects that are far more powerful than anything a single spellcaster could achieve.

So is this new form of group magic worth getting together for? Below, we circle all the details.

How does Circle Magic work in the new D&D rules?

In a recent post on D&D Beyond, Wizards of the Coast revealed more about how Circle Magic works under the D&D 2024 rules. Essentially, it allows multiple spellcasters to channel their arcane energy together to create more powerful effects. Circle Casting can be applied to any spell that has a casting time of an action or 1 minute or longer and uses a spell slot.

Casting a spell using Circle Magic requires at least three people, with one person taking on the role of Primary Caster, while the others take on the role of Secondary Casters. The Primary Caster chooses the target, maintains Concentration (if needed), provides components, expends the spell slot and makes any other choices the spell requires. The secondary casters must then take the Magic action and be near the caster to contribute to the spell. If the spell’s casting time is longer than 1 action, they have to take the Magic action each turn and maintain Concentration on the spell (along with the Lead Caster) for the entire casting time.

If all of the above criteria are met, the primary caster can then choose one of the following ways to enhance the spell:

• Augment: Stretch your spell’s range by thousands of feet.
• Distribute: Let your allies share the burden of Concentration, keeping the spell’s effects steady.
• Expand: Widen the spell’s influence, increasing its area of effect.
• Prolong: Sustain the spell’s effect for hours beyond its typical duration.
• Safeguard: Shape the spell to spare your allies from the effects of the spell.
• Supplant: Replace costly Material components with the collective strength of your circle.
• Other Effects: Some spells can also produce additional effects when cast as a Circle spell (these will be featured for the first time in the Heroes of Faerûn supplement).

Final Thoughts

Circle Magic isn’t an entirely new for concept for Dungeons & Dragons and has appeared briefly before in both lore as well as homebrew and third-party rules (including most recently in Ed Greenwood’s 2022 supplement Thay: Land of the Red Wizards). That being said, it hasn’t ever been an official core mechanic until now. It remains to be seen, however, if this new form of spell casting is something fans will actually gather around.

You can find the complete rules for Circle Magic in the upcoming Heroes of Faerûn sourcebook, which is available for pre-order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

More D&D Rules Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D Rules page.

Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Beyond Reveals New Circle Magic Spell Mechanics appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Psionic powers have long been a part of Dungeons & Dragons, although they’ve been somewhat overlooked in the fifth edition of the game. That changed in May 2025, when Wizards of the Coast unveiled a new DnD Psion Class as an Unearthed Arcana playtest. Those UA materials included rules for the base Psion class, as well as four new psychic subclasses: the Metamorph, Psi Warper, Psykinetic and Telepath.

More recently in October 2025, WotC released an updated Psion playtest based on player feedback that introduced a number of changes to the previous UA. Surprisingly, this marks the first time Wizards of the Coast has released a new class since the Artificer, which appeared back in 2019 in Eberron: Rising from the Last War.

It also marks the first time in decades that psionics have appeared in official DnD rules. Notably, these powers are most heavily associated with the D&D setting of Athas, leading many to speculate that a new Dark Sun book was in the works (a theory that was later reinforced when WotC released their Apocalyptic Subclasses playest).

So will the new DnD Psion class blow your mind? Below, we focus all our mental energy on finding out.

What is a Psion in the DnD 2024 rules?

Psions are spellcasters who channel innate mental powers to perform incredible feats and wield the magic of the mind (referred to as psionics). In the new DnD 2024 rules, the Psion is a full spellcasting class that interacts with magic using Psionic Energy Dice and the new Psionic Spellcasting feature. These mechanics are designed to give the class a distinct identity and playstyle, setting it apart from other spellcasters.

Below is the Psion class table as per the October 2025 Unearthed Arcana Playtest (which is an update to the original May 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest).

What is a Psion’s Primary Ability Score?

Intelligence is a Psion’s primary ability score. This represents the fact that they use the power of the minds to conjure unique magical effects.

Notably, Psions also gain a saving throw proficiency in Wisdom, which again reflects the more cerebral nature of the class in terms of tapping into the power of the mind.

What is a Psion’s Hit Die and Hit Points?

Psions have 1D6 hit dice per level. This mean at 1st Level your Psion’s hit points will be 6+ your Constitution modifier. Each level you advance from Level 2 onwards, you gain an additional 1D6 (or an average of 4) Hit Points, plus your Constitution modifier.

This Hit Dice score essentially puts Psions on the same footing as Wizards and Sorcerers, meaning they’re not likely to function well as frontline combatants.

What are Psion’s Proficient In?

Psions have a unique set of skills that reflect their use of mental magic.

• Armor: None
• Weapons: Simple weapons
• Saving Throws: Intelligence and Wisdom
• Skills: Choose two skills from Arcana, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Perception or Persuasion

What Equipment Do Psions Start With?

As a Level 1 Psion, you can choose between the following two options for your equipment (in addition to any other equipment provided by your Background):

• Option A: Spear, Daggers (2), Light Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts (20), Case, Dungeoneer’s Pack, and 6 GP
• Option B: 50 GP (with the ability to purchase equipment as you see fit)

What are the features of the new DnD Psion?

Below are all the key features that the new Psion class has access to.

Level 1: Psionic Power

You harbor a wellspring of psionic energy within yourself. This energy is represented by your Psionic Energy Dice. Your Psion level determines the die size and number of Psionic Energy Dice you have, as shown in the Energy Dice column of the Psion Features table (see above)

Your Psionic Energy Dice are used to enhance or fuel certain Psion features. You start with two such features: Telekinetic Propel and Telepathic Connection, each of which is detailed below. Some of your powers expend the Psionic Energy Dice, as specified in a power’s description, and you can’t use a power if it requires you to use a die when all your Psionic Energy Dice are expended. You regain one expended Psionic Energy Die when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all of them when you finish a Long Rest. Some features that use Psionic Energy Dice require your target to make a saving throw. The save DC equals the spell save DC from this class’s Spellcasting feature.

• Telekinetic Propel. As a Bonus Action, choose one Large or smaller creature other than you that you can see within 30 feet of yourself. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be moved 5 feet straight toward you or straight away from you. Alternatively, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die when you take this Bonus Action, and the distance moved is equal to 5 × the number rolled. The die is expended only if the target fails the saving throw.
• Telepathic Connection. You have telepathy with a range of 30 feet. As a Bonus Action, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die. For the next hour, the range of your telepathy increases by a number of feet equal to 10 × the number rolled. The first time you use this Bonus Action after each Long Rest, you don’t expend the Psionic Energy Die. All other times you use this feature, you expend the die.

Level 1: Spellcasting

You have learned how to channel magical energy using the power of your mind. See the Player’s Handbook for the rules on spellcasting.

• Cantrips. You know two Psion cantrips of your choice. Minor Illusion and Telekinetic Fling are recommended. Whenever you gain a Psion level, you can replace one of your cantrips from this feature with another Psion cantrip of your choice. At Psion levels 4 and 10, you learn an additional Psion cantrip of your choice.
• Spell Slots. The Psion Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your level 1+ spells. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a Long Rest.
• Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You prepare the list of Psion spells that are available for you to cast. To start, choose four level 1 Psion spells (Charm Person, Command, Dissonant Whispers, and Mage Armor are recommended). The number of prepared spells increases as you gain Psion levels. The chosen spells must be of levels for which you have spell slots.
• Changing Your Prepared Spells. Whenever you gain a Psion level, you can replace one spell on your list with another Psion spell of an eligible level.
• Spellcasting Ability. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for Psion spells.
• Psionic Spellcasting. When you cast a Psion spell, that spell doesn’t require a Verbal or Material component, even if the spell includes “V” or “M” in its components entry—except for Material components that are consumed or have a cost.

Level 1: Subtle Telekinesis

You learn the Mage Hand cantrip. You can cast it without somatic components and with the spectral hand being invisible

Level 2: Psionic Discipline

You gain two Psionic Disciplines, which use your Psionic Energy Dice. You can use only one Discipline per turn unless otherwise noted. When you level up, you can swap a known Discipline for another. The available disciplines you can choose from are as follows:

• Biofeedback: When you cast a Psion spell from the Necromancy or Transmutation school, you can expend a number of Psionic Energy Dice up to your Intelligence modifier, roll them, and gain a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the total number rolled plus your Intelligence modifier (minimum of one).
• Bolstering Precognition: When you cast a Psion spell from the Abjuration or Divination school, you can expend one Psionic Energy Die. Roll the die and choose a creature you can see within 60 feet (which can be yourself). Until the end of your next turn, the creature gains a bonus to the next d20 Test it makes equal to the number rolled.
• Destructive Thoughts: When you cast a Psion spell from the Conjuration or Evocation school that forces a creature you can see to make a saving throw against the spell, you can expend a number of Psionic Energy Dice up to your Intelligence modifier, and roll them. The creature takes Psychic damage equal to the total number rolled plus your Intelligence modifier (minimum of one), regardless of the result of the saving throw.
• Devilish Tongue: When you take the Influence action, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die and add the number rolled to the ability check. If this causes you to succeed on the ability check, the die is expended.
• Expanded Awareness: When you take the Search action, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die and add the number rolled to the ability check. If this causes you to succeed on the ability check, the die is expended.
• Id Insinuation: When you cast a Psion spell from the Enchantment or Illusion school that forces a creature to make a saving throw, you can expend one Psionic Energy Die and roll it. One target of the spell you can see subtracts half the number rolled (round up) from its saving throw against the spell.
• Inerrant Aim: When you make an attack roll against a creature and miss, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die and add the number rolled to the attack roll. If this causes the attack to hit, the die is expended.
• Observant Mind: When you take the Study action, you can roll one Psionic Energy Die and add the number rolled to the ability check. If this causes you to succeed on the ability check, the die is expended.
• Psionic Backlash: Immediately after a creature you can see hits you with an attack roll, you can take a Reaction to expend one Psionic Energy Die, roll it, and reduce the damage you take from the attack equal to two times the number rolled plus your Intelligence modifier (minimum of two). In addition, you can force the attacker to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes Psychic damage equal to the amount of damage you reduced.
• Psionic Guards: At the start of your turn, you can expend one Psionic Energy Die. Until the start of your next turn, you have Immunity to the Charmed and Frightened conditions and Advantage on Intelligence saving throws. If you are Charmed or Frightened when you use this discipline, the condition ends on you. When you use Psionic Guards, you can also use a different Psionic Discipline this turn.
• Sharpened Mind: At the start of your turn, you can expend one Psionic Energy Die to hone your destructive psionics. Roll the die and record the number rolled. You gain the following benefits for 1 minute or until you have the Incapacitated condition (when you use Sharpened Mind, you can also use a different Psionic Discipline this turn):
  • Bypassing Psionics: Damage from your weapon attacks, Psion spells, and Psion features ignores Resistance to Psychic damage.
  • Attack Mode: Once per turn, when you deal Psychic damage to one or more creatures, you can replace the number rolled on one of the damage dice with the number recorded when you activated this Psionic Discipline.
    

Level 5: Psionic Restoration

You can perform a meditation that focuses the mind for 1 minute. At the end of it, you regain expended Psionic Energy Dice. Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a Long Rest.

Level 7: Psionic Surge

You can push your psionic powers using your life force. After you roll one or more Psionic Energy Dice, you can expend one of your Hit Point Dice and treat any roll of 1, 2, or 3 on those Psionic Energy Dice as a 4.

Level 18: Psionic Reserves

When you roll Initiative, you regain expended Psionic Energy Dice until you have four, if you have fewer than that.

Level 19: Epic Boon

Gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat for which you qualify. Boon of Energy Resistance is recommended.

Level 20: Enkindled Lifeforce

You burn your life force to achieve greater psionics. Once per turn, when you roll one or more Psionic Energy Dice for a Psion feature or Psionic Discipline, you can expend one or two of your Hit Point Dice. For each Hit Point Die expended, roll an additional Psionic Energy Die and add the numbers rolled to the total. This roll does not expend the Psionic Energy Die.

What are the Psion subclasses?

There are four new subclasses for the Psion, all of which are selected at Level 3.

• Metamorph: Masters of turning psionic powers inward, Metamorphs can manipulate their flesh like clay, molding and shaping it into a variety of forms for use in combat and defense. They can also manipulate the life force of friends and foes alike
• Psi Warper: Psi Warpers use their psionic powers to manipulate the space between objects. This allows them to teleport across the battlefield, create vacuums in space and appear where they’re least expected.
• Psykinetic: These Psions can create powerful telekeneitc energy. This can manifest as sturdy invisible barriers to shield themselves and allies or they can strike with the force of a battering ram to smash down doors or hurl enemies across the battlefield.
• Telepath: Telepaths are masters of mind magic. They can use their powers to bolster the mental defenses of allies or probe and manipulate the thoughts of others.

Is the new DnD Psion class worth playing?

While the Psion is a new class in the DnD 2024 rules, psionics themselves go back to the earliest edition of the game, having first appeared to the appendix of the first edition Player’s Handbook in 1978 and being showcased in The Complete Psionics Handbook in 1991. Psionics also do technically appear in the 2024 Player’s Handbook in the form of the Soul Knife, Psi Warrior and Aberrant Sorcerer subclasses and have also appeared in MCDM’s third-party DnD 5e sourcebook The Talent.

That being said, it’s not clear what upcoming DnD sourcebook Psions will appear in or, for that matter, if they’ll even survive the playtest. Still, the introduction of a new class is a surprising move from Wizards of the Coast and one we’ll be keeping our third-eye on in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can download the rules for new Psion via the October 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest.

Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel, with more detail on what to expect from these masters of the mental arts.

More D&D Rules Coverage

For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D Rules page.

Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New DnD Psion Class Updated in Latest Unearthed Arcana appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

A new crowdfunding campaign has just kicked off with the goal of creating a memorial sculpture for Dungeons Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, which will be located in the town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (the former headquarters of TSR and the birthplace of the popular GenCon event).

Gygax passed away in 2008 after essentially creating the modern tabletop roleplaying game industry as we know it, and his widow, Gail Gygax has since established the Gygax Memorial Fund, which is running the upcoming Kickstarter.

So will this new memorial honor one of the TTRPGs legendary figures? Below, we take a look at all the details.

What is the Gary Gygax Memorial Fund Kickstarter?

The new Kickstarter is setting to raise the funds to make what they are described as a “Gygax Memorial Table.” The bronze and stone sculpture will consist of a table with a dungeon map on it and a statue of Gygax at one end sitting on a throne on one end. The full project is looking for a total of $925,000 USD in backing (although they have scaled back versions for lower funding amounts).

If completed, the new memorial will be located in Library Park, in a spot that Gygax himself chose. It’s expected, however, that it would take several years to complete, with the basic elements of the sculpture to be established in October 2026.

Rewards for bakers range from a mention on the official Gygax Memorial Fund website to having your name placed a “Wall of Honor” located near the final installation. All bakers will also receive a PDF of an old-school 18-level dungeon adventure written by game designer and historian Paul Stormberg.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see attempts being made to commemorate the life of one of pop culture’s most influential figures, and hopefully it will generate enough funding for the project to be completed. The Kickstarter will be launching on October 1st and you can learn more on their backer page.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New Kickstarter to Fund Memorial Sculpture for D&D’s Gary Gygax appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Heritage Auctions, one of the world’s leading collectible auction houses, has just released a large collection of vintage Dungeons & Dragons books that are expected to potentially fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. The auction is on now and will officially end on October 16th, 2025 and features a number of iconic D&D titles from the late 1970s and 1980s.

Interested parties will be able to bid on individual products, which is taken from a single seller’s collection and includes a number of rare finds. Below, we take a look at what’s included in this hoard of D&D history.

What D&D items are included in the Heritage auction?

In total there are 149 items available in the auction, most of which are from the 1st and 2nd editions of Dungeons & Dragons. Many of the items are also professionally graded by CGC, a company which is primarily known for their comic book appraisals. These items are encapsulated in hard plastic containers (known as “slabs”), with higher grade products naturally fetching higher value among collectors.

Some of the most valuable items up for grabs include:

• The “Wood Grain” D&D boxed set: First published by TSR in 1975, reportedly only 1,000 copies exist. Previous copies in decent condition have sold for as much as as $22,000 at auction. This particular collection includes both the second and third printings.
• The D&D “Red Box”: The collection includes a sealed copy of the popular 1983 Basic Set (also known as the “Red Box), which features the now iconic artwork from Larry Elmore. While the red box is relatively common, there are only a few copies the remain unopened.
• Danger at Dunwater: This 1982 module for D&D 1e is a classic adventure that was included in the more recent Ghost of Saltmarsh D&D 5e campaign. The copy in this collection is grade at 9.8 by CGC, making it one of the more valuable items in the set.
• Blackmoor Supplement: The collection also includes the legendary Blackmoor Supplement which was first developed by D&D co-creator Dave Arneson.

How much is the entire D&D collection worth at auction?

It’s difficult to say for certain how much the entire collection is worth, but it’s most likely to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars in total. We’ll know the final dollar amounts for many of these items once the auction ends on October 16th.

Final Thoughts

It’s incredible to think that Dungeons & Dragons books have gone from being minor pop culture curios to graded collectibles that are now highly sought after by fans and historians alike. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this auction in the days ahead to see how it all shakes out.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in picking up any of the D&D items being auctioned, you can place your bid now on the Heritage website.

More D&D News Coverage

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Subscribe to D&D Fanatics

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Collection Sets Record Breaking Price at Auction appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

It’s been almost two years since Wizards of the Coast rolled out D&D Beyond Maps, a virtual tabletop that integrates fully with D&D Beyond and allows players to run online sessions of DnD. Since that time, however, a lot has happened. First, Maps has seen some major enhancements, moving from a barebones VTT to a much more robust and usable platform. Second, the much-touted Sigil VTT (which was seen by many as a far superior, 3D version of Maps), has essentially been scrapped, with 90% of the development laid off.

As a result, Wizards of the Coast has put significantly more emphasis on enhancing Maps, including rolling out a number of new features that make it more competitive with major VTTs like Roll20, Foundry and Fantasy Grounds. As of September 16th, 2025, Maps is now completely free to all D&D Beyond users, regardless of subscription level.

So just what else is new with D&D Beyond Maps and where is it heading next? We get our bearings and track down all the details.

What is D&D Beyond Maps?

D&D Beyond Maps is a browser-based virtual tabletop (VTT) that integrates directly into the D&D Beyond platform, offering a streamlined toolset for running digital or hybrid tabletop sessions. Currently in Beta testing and allows Dungeon Masters to host encounters using official maps, character tokens, digital dice, fog of war and turn tracking. D&D Beyond Players of any subscription level can join for free, and the VTT syncs seamlessly with D&D Beyond’s existing digital content, including adventures, stat blocks and character sheets.

While D&D Beyond Maps has evolved considerably since it was first launched in September 2023, it’s often been seen as being less robust than other third-party VTTs such as Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds, which offer more advanced features like dynamic lighting, custom scripting and extensive automation. In this sense, it’s been seen as being more akin to the more simplified Owlbear Rodeo VTT. The biggest appeal of Maps, however, is its integration with D&D Beyond and it’s official tie-in to Wizards of the Coast products.

Previously, Maps required a D&D Beyond Master Tier subscription. As of September 16th, 2025, however, it is free to all users. This do, however, come with caveat that to access homebrew maps and custom tokens you will still need a D&D Beyond’s Master Tier subscription. Similarly, if you are running any official pre-made campaigns, you will need to purchase the associated DnD 5e books on D&D Beyond. That being said, there is a fairly extensive collection of free maps available.

What features are currently available on D&D Beyond Maps?

Below are the features that have been rolled out for Maps over the past few years.

Playable Maps

Maps includes a growing library of official encounter maps from published Wizards of the Coast adventures. These maps are grid-based and optimized for use within the browser, allowing for a fiarly quick setup with pre-configured environments for combat and exploration. Users can also upload their own maps as images and then scale them to fit within the Maps interface. Notably, a Fog of War feature is also available that allows DMs to ensure that certain sections of the map are not visible to players.

Character and Monster Tokens

Like other VTTs, Maps also allows Dungeon Masters to upload tokens that represent monsters, NPCs and player characters, all of which are taken from official DnD art. You can also technically upload your own tokens, however, you first have to create homebrew versions of the characters and then import them into Maps (which is a bit of laborious workaround).

Initiative Tracking for Combat

Maps now includes the ability to run combat encounters, including the ability to track rolls, initiative, rounds and turns. This includes distance tracking, damage outputs and the ability to move tokens dynamically during battle (all of which was originally missing when the platform first launched in September 2023).

Terrain & Item Stickers

This is a relatively new feature for Maps that allows you to add props, terrain, decor and other items onto your map. You can select from a list of existing items which you can then drag and drop onto your terrain, with the ability to move, rotate and resize them. Notably, you can’t create your own customize stickers, and the art assets are taken from official Wizards of the Coast products (with many having appeared in the D&D Terrain Campaign Case which first came out several years ago).

Animated Maps

This is a new feature rolled out in July 2025 that allows you to upload animated maps in an MP4 and WEBM format. All other functionality is exactly the same, with the ability to drag and drop in tokens and use combat tracking.

What new features are coming to D&D Beyond in 2025 & 2026?

Wizards of the Coast has recently revealed that a number of new features will be coming out in in the remainder of this year and into next year. This includes:

• 3D Dice: These will appear on screen and roll like physical dice (currently dice rolls appear only as numeric calculations on screen)
• DM Reveals: Dungeon Masters will be able to display custom art and handouts to players on screen.
• Campaign Console: DMs will be able to create and manage multiple maps, tokens and assets associated with one or more campaigns.
• Rules Assistant: Players and DMs will be able to quickly search up answers to specific questions directly in the Maps interface.

Final Thoughts

With the collapse of the Sigil VTT, it seems that D&D Beyond Maps has become an important platform for Wizards of the Coast in terms of player engagement and digital product promotion. And wile it’s still not quite on par with major players like Roll20 and Foundry, with the new features that have been introduced over the past few years, and other features still coming down the pipeline, Maps is heading into uncharted territory when it comes to its potential.

You can learn more about the Maps VTT on D&D Beyond. Below is also a recent video from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel, showing Maps in action.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Beyond Maps Now Officially Free for All Users appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

In June 2025, Wizards of the Coast released their Arcane Subclasses Unearthed Arcana playtest package, which featured nine magic-using subclasses, two of which had never before appeared in any past editions of Dungeons & Dragons. After reviewing player feedback over the past few months, however, the D&D design team has released a brand new playtest entitled the Arcane Subclasses Update, which has made some significant changes to six of the previously featured player options.

So just what’s been transfigured in this latest Unearthed Arcana? Below, we summon up all the details.

What’s included in the Arcane Subclasses Update?

In the previous June 2025 Unearthed Arcana, Wizards of the Coast featured nine Dungeons & Dragons subclasses: the Arcana Domain Cleric, the Arcane Archer, the Hexblade Patron Warlock, the Enchanter, the Necromancer, the Transmuter, The Tattooed Warrior Monk and the Ancestral Sorcerer (notably, the latter two were completely new to D&D 5e, while the other seven were updates of previously published subclasses).

In the new September 2025 Arcane Subclasses Update, however, the D&D design team has made a number of changes, with the playtest package now focusing only on the following six subclasses:

• Arcane Archer (Fighter): This elven-inspired tradition blends archery with arcane power, allowing fighters to infuse arrows with magical effects. The 2025 revision adds Magical Ammunition for out-of-combat utility (like creating vines, darkness, or unlocking doors) and retools features like Curving Shot and Masterful Shots for smoother play. At higher levels, they regain Arcane Shots more reliably, unleash forceful bursts when using Indomitable and counterattack when foes miss them. Their arrow effects also now range from banishing foes to restraining them with brambles or blinding them in shadow.
• Tattooed Warrior (Monk): These monks channel magic through tattoos that evolve with their training. At early levels, Beast Tattoos grant cantrips and martial boosts like blindsight, guidance-linked strikes or extra mobility. Later, Celestial Tattoos turn Focus Points into bonuses on exploration and skill actions, Nature Tattoos grant flexible resistances and Monster Tattoos unleash unique monster themed powers powers such as dragon breath, beholder eye rays, troll-like regeneration or displacer beast illusions. Tattoos can also be reshaped after rests.
• Conjurer (Wizard): Masters of teleportation and summoning, Conjurers can move seamlessly across the battlefield. Their Benign Transposition teleport now works as a Bonus Action and they can swap positions with allies. Summoned creatures also gain durable temporary hit points and resistances, while Splintered Summons allows the wizard to conjure two creatures instead of one (at half HP). They also gain immunity to losing Concentration on Conjuration spells.

• Enchanter (Wizard): Specialists in beguilement, Enchanters excel at turning foes against each other. The latest Unearthed Arcana playtest introduces Hypnotic Presence, a Concentration-based charm that incapacitates targets without requiring repeated actions. Split Enchantment also now arrives earlier, letting players enchant multiple creatures more efficiently. Instinctive Charm redirects enemy attacks, while Alter Memories enhances Modify Memory to affect multiple targets. Enchanters also now gain bonuses to social skill checks.
• Necromancer (Wizard): Delving into life and death itself, Necromancers can command undead minions and siphon vitality from foes. Their spellbook grants necrotic resistance, the ability to heal allies or undead via Grim Harvest, and even summon skeleton or zombie familiars. Later features beef up animated undead with more HP and extra necrotic damage. Necromancers can also heal themselves by sacrificing undead and they have access to Death’s Master, which bolsters their minions with temporary HP and detonates them in necrotic explosions when they’re destroyed.
• Transmuter (Wizard): Reality-shapers who bend energy and matter, Transmuters wield a versatile Transmuter’s Stone that grants resistances, darkvision or saving throw proficiency and can now serve as a spellcasting focus. They also always know Alter Self and Polymorph, each upgraded with unique benefits (extra disguise powers, concentration bonuses or retaining mental stats while transformed). Their higher-level powers improve Transmutation spells and expand the stone’s versatility, while Master Transmuter lets them reshape objects, heal allies, raise the dead or even restore youth.

Notably missing from this UA playtest are the Arcana Domain Cleric, Ancestry Sorcerer and Hexblade Warlock Patron, which previously appeared in the June 2025 playtest. It’s not clear if these three subclasses are gone for good or were not revised enough to be included in the updated September 2025 playtest material. If you want to see what changes were specifically made between the two playtests, D&D Beyond also released a post with the designers’ notes.

Final Thoughts

It’s not yet known what upcoming DnD book these six Arcane subclasses will be appearing in or if more changes may be coming down the pipeline. What is certain is that Wizards of the Coast is actually taking player feedback to heart and making changes to these magic-wielding character options that really do feel like improvements.

You can check out the latest six subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. Player feedback opens on September 23rd, 2025.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Arcane Subclasses Get Update in New Unearthed Arcana appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

While looting treasure and acquiring magic items is a major part of Dungeons & Dragons, it can also be somewhat annoying to manage when it comes to a group of players. That’s because there are certain items which are often shared among characters, making it difficult to keep track of who’s carrying what. For example, which character is actually carrying the key to the Vault of a Thousand Portals and who actually has that extra healing potion the group agreed to use for emergencies?

That’s something that D&D Beyond is addressing with their new Party Inventory feature that allows multiple players to track and share items, equipment and treasure across character sheets. It’s a simple, but incredibly useful enhancement that’s likely going to be appreciated by both DMs and players.

So how exactly does this new D&D Beyond feature work? Below, we unpack all the details.

How does the new Party Inventory feature work on D&D Beyond?

The new Party Inventory feature provides a shared space within D&D Beyond where players can manage items collectively. The feature is accessed directly from your character sheet under “Inventory” with a new section next to “My Inventory” entitled “Party Inventory.” These items are shared by all of the players who are part of your specific campaign on D&D Beyond and at any point you can add, remove or move items between your own inventory and the party’s (as long as another character isn’t currently using it).

The Party Inventory feature also includes the ability to share currency, allowing you to pool coins of all denominations together into a single amount that can be spent by the group. You can even organize your currency by placing them into specific containers for easier spending later on (for example, multiple containers of 100 gp each).

Final Thoughts

The new Party Inventory feature is so simple yet powerful, in a way it’s surprising that D&D Beyond hasn’t rolled it out sooner. It’s something that legitimately has a ton of usability both online and at the table. It remains to be seen, however, if it’s a feature that will be embraced by the larger D&D community.

You can learn more about the new feature on the D&D Beyond blog and D&D Beyond changelog.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Beyond Now Allows Players To Track Party Inventory appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

If you’re a Dungeons & Dragons fan, you may have heard the term “West Marches Campaign” before. The concept has been around for over a decade and remains a popular form of play, even recently appearing in Campaign 4 of Critical Role. But what exactly is it?

Put simply, a DnD West Marches campaign is an open-world, episodic tabletop RPG style where a pool of players are responsible for scheduling games rather than the Dungeon Master. This means there is a dynamic, rotating cast of characters, all of whom are exploring a persistent world from a shared home base. Unlike traditional DnD campaigns, there’s no fixed party or overarching plot. Instead, whatever players are available for that particular session choose what adventures to undertake, with gameplay focused on single-sessions devoted to exploration, discovery and collecting treasure. The ultimate goal is to provide a flexible framework that’s driven largely by player choices rather than the DM.

What are the key features of a West Marches campaign?

There are a number of important elements that differentiate a West Marches campaign from a traditional DnD campaign.

• Open Table & Rotating Parties: A large group of players sign up for sessions as they are available, meaning each game typically features a different group from the overall pool. The ideal number of total players is anywhere between 10-20 (which is in stark contrast to the 4-6 players which are ideal for a typical DnD campaign). Notably, during a West Marches session, there are typically 4-6 players in attendance taken from the overall pool.
• Player-Driven Exploration: Players decide which expeditions to take, with the Dungeon Master providing potential adventures and challenges. Typically this occurs in a larger uncharted wilderness setting, although some groups have also run West Marches campaigns in settings such as cities, mega dungeons and even Wildspace. One such example is an Infernal Marches campaign which is set in Avernus.
• Persistent World: While the parties change, the world itself remains the same, with a shared history and geography that characters advance and explore over time. The most important aspect is that the world responds and changes based on the character’s actions and choices. 

• Episodic Adventures: Game sessions are short, focused and designed to be completed in a single sitting, rather than requiring commitment to a long-term, overarching story. This allows different players to jump in to any given session without requiring extensive knowledge of what previously occurred.
• Focus on Exploration:The primary goal is to explore the nearby area while mapping uncharted areas, exploring dungeons, claiming treasures and constantly pushing into new territory. While combat and social encounters can and will also occur, these core pillars of DnD gameplay tend to take a back seat to exploration.
• Shared Responsibility: Players are responsible for scheduling sessions, documenting their findings and managing their own characters’ growth. This is a major departure from a traditional DnD campaign where the onus for scheduling and organization rests primarily with the Dungeon Master.

In essence, a West Marches campaign offers a more flexible and dynamic approach to Dungeons & Dragons, addressing challenges with scheduling while fostering a greater sense of shared discovery and player agency. 

Where did the term “West Marches Campaign” come from?

The term “West Marches” originally referred to the name of the frontier region in a campaign designed and run by game designer Ben Robbins in 2007. He coined the term to describe a rugged, untamed wilderness lying on the edge of civilization, with a single fortified settlement serving as the safe starting point for explorers. This notion comes straight from Robbins’ blog series entitled “Grand Experiments: West Marches.”

Over time, the concept of a West  Marches campaign has evolved from Robbins’ original design and has become a popular style of play among Dungeons & Dragons players. Notably, the concept has also spread to other TTRPGs. For example, the popular Kingmaker Adventure Path for Pathfinder borrows extensively from the concept of a West Marches campaign.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post What is a DnD West Marches Campaign? appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

The world of Dark Sun may soon be returning to Dungeons & Dragons. At least, if the latest “Apocalyptic Subclasses” Unearthed Arcana playtest is any indication. The new material includes four new subclasses that are steeped in the lore of the controversial D&D setting, even if they don’t directly mention Dark Sun by name.

It’s surprising news given that in the past Wizards of the Coast has distanced itself from Dark Sun, labelling it as “problematic” due to its inclusion of contentious topics such as slavery, cannibalism and forced breeding. It’s not clear what book the new subclasses will appear in as there don’t seem to be any likely candidates with the upcoming DnD books slated for 2025 and 2026. This has led some fans to speculate that a new Dark Sun book may indeed be on the horizon.

So do these new subclasses herald a return to the world of Athas? Below, we journey into the wastelands to find out.

What are the Apocalyptic Subclasses featured in the new Unearthed Arcana?

There are four completely new subclasses which have never before appeared in any other past or present Dungeons & Dragons editions. Although Dark Sun is not mentioned in the playtest package, the material uses terms that are almost exclusively associated with the setting of Athas. The four player options are as follows:

• Circle of Preservation (Druid): This subclass introduces a brand-new option for Druids dedicated to conserving and restoring the natural world. Circle of Preservation druids wield revitalizing magic that can consecrate ground, bolster allies, heal afflictions and even turn desert wastes into fertile land. In terms of Dark Sun lore, this subclass is clearly a nod to Preservers, which in the lore of Athas are magic users dedicated to using their arcane powers to safeguard nature.
• Gladiator (Fighter): Gladiators are fighters forged in the bloodstained pits and arenas where survival and spectacle go hand in hand. This subclass grants new combat techniques called “Brutalities,” which are similar to Weapon Mastery properties, adding extra damage and applying a variety of conditions. Gladiators also happen to be a major part of the lore of Dark Sun, even getting their own book for AD&D 2e entitled Dark Sun: The Complete Gladiator’s Handbook.

• Defiled Sorcery (Sorcerer): Defiled Sorcerers fuel their spells by siphoning the life essence from nearby creatures and plants. Their spell list leans heavily into necrosis and corruption, and features include a protective aura of defiling energy, resistance to necrotic and poison damage, and the ability to conjure a withering field that saps life and restores sorcery points. In Dark Sun lore, Defilers are responsible for turning the once lush planet of Athas into a desert wasteland.
• Sorcerer-King Patron (Warlock): Warlocks of the Sorcerer-King pledge themselves to a god-like tyrannical overlord. Their spell list is focused on control and command and they also gain the ability to use psionics for casting purposes (notably the Psion class was also introduced in a recent UA playtest). Psionics also happen to be a major part of the Dark Sun setting and subclass is also clearly giving a nod to the Sorcerer-Kings, the magically altered tyrants which rule over the city states of Athas.

What Is Dark Sun?

Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons setting that takes place on the planet Athas, a once green and verdant paradise that has been reduced to a barren wasteland in the wake of a magical apocalypse. The survivors – composed of the traditional D&D races of elves, dwarves, halfings and humans, along with several other species such as Thri-Kreens and Muls – now struggle to survive the inhospitable environment and the tyrannical rule of a group of warring city states.

The first official TSR product was the Dark Sun Boxed Set, which was released in 1991. It was accompanied by the Prism Pentad, a five-book fiction series written by longtime D&D author and designer Troy Denning. Additional game products and Dark Sun novels were released over the next few years before the line was abruptly ended in 1996 due to flagging sales.

In 2004, Dark Sun was briefly revived for the 3rd edition of D&D by publisher Paizo (creator of the Pathfinder system) who released an updated version of Dark Sun under the Open Game License. The website Athas.org was also created around this time as a gathering place for fans. Several years later in 2009, the setting was again revived by Wizards of the Coast for the fourth edition of D&D, with several new game books published at that time.

Since then the setting has largely been retired and has not appeared in any official D&D fifth edition materials. There have, however, been a number of fan-led projects, including Cities of the Trembling Plains and the Sand Marches campaign. In a 2023 interview with YouTuber Bob Worldbuilder, then D&D Executive Producer Kyle Brink stated that “I’ll be frank here, the Dark Sun setting is problematic in a lot of ways and that’s the main reason we haven’t come back to it.” For this reason many fans have long believes that the current leadership at Wizards of the Coast had no desire to ever bring Dark Sun back (an assumption that no longer seems true).

Final Thoughts

It’s not guaranteed if the subclasses will indeed be appearing in an upcoming Dark Sun sourcebook or if there’s something else Wizards of the Coast has in the works. That being said, what’s presented in the latest Unearthed Arcana playtest is undoubtedly tied to the world of Athas. Still a lot can change, and everything presented so far is entirely in the playtest phase, so it may be awhile before we see the sun rise again on Dark Sun.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can check out the new Apocalytic Subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. Player feedback is open until August 28th, 2025.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Dark Sun Returns in New “Apocalyptic Subclasses” D&D Playtest appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Popular comedy podcast The Yard is dipping their toes into the world of Dungeons & Dragons with a new actual play series that’s already racked up almost half a million views in just a few days. The new series features the complete cast of the Yard along with veteran Dungeon Master B. Dave Walters, who has run a number of other successful D&D actual plays and collaborated with Wizards of the Coast in the past.

This is the first time the Yard has ever produced any D&D content, but the series is already showcasing some high-end production value, with original artwork, intro animation, and even a complete new set design.

So just what else can fans expect from the Yard’s new D&D actual play series? Below, We take a closer look at all the details.

What is the Yard Podcast?

The Yard is a comedy podcast and video show hosted by popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers Aiden McCaig, Ludwig Ahgren, Anthony “Slime” Bruno ad Nick Vercillo. Launched in 2021, the show features the four friends discussing internet drama, gaming culture, personal stories and whatever topics come to mind. Released in both video and podcast format, the show is known for its chaotic humor, pop culture references and occasional heart-felt moments between the stars.

Over the past years, the Yard has generated a significant fan following, with over 400K subscribers on YouTube, a dedicated Subreddit and millions of listens and downloads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

What is the new Yard D&D actual play series about?

The campaign for the Yard D&D actual play is entitled “The Vampire Queen” and takes place in a fantasy kingdom where a group of heroes known as “The Pterodin” are responsible for maintaining order. The cast of characters are as follows:

• Aiden McCaig as “Leonas Azul,” a bow-wielding Sea Elf Ranger who has a fairy companion
• Nick Vercillo as “Rone Callidus,” a chain-smoking Changeling Fighter who wields two blades

• Slime as “Georg,” a. Tortle Paladin who is accompanied by a baby pseuddragon
• Ludwig Ahgren as “Stonebeard,” an Githyanki Barbarian who has a homunculus familiar named Coots

Notably, in the show the cast of the Yard have much experience playing Dungeons & Dragons. They do, however, also note that the series was originally planed for 2023, but has been delayed for several years due to other projects.

They also point out that the campaign will feature a variety of exclusive merchandise, which is available via the Yard’s Patreon and includes art prints, behind the scenes footage and even miniatures of the four D&D characters.

Final Thoughts

While there are a ton of D&D actual play series out there (including blockbuster hits like Critical Role and Dimension 20), it’s great to see a new one emerging from a major podcast that hasn’t previously been known for its TTRPG content. It remains to be seen, however, just how the campaign shakes out.

You can watch the first episode of the new Yard D&D actual play series below or download the episodes on most major podcast platforms.

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Jason Volk is the Publisher of Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics and lives in the wilds of Western Canada. He has been playing D&D for over 25 years and is a huge fan of Dragonlance and the Forgotten Realms. His favorite character of all time was a Necromancer named Neek who spent most of his adventuring career resurrecting the corpses of slain monsters. When he’s not playing TTRPGs, Jason enjoys video games, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40K, watching football and spending time with his wife and adorably nerdy children.

The post The Yard Podcast Launches New D&D Actual Play Series appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Over the past few years, Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder have essentially become the Coke and Pepsi of fantasy TTRPGs. Both are incredibly similar, yet different enough in their own right that they have often stoked a bitter rivalry among fans. Which is why it’s surprising that the popular Pathfinder Abomination Vaults Adventure Path is now available on D&D Beyond.

The campaign updates Pathfinder’s rules for the new D&D 2024 system and introduces a sprawling campaign that blends high fantasy with a mega dungeon a touch of horror. So just what can players expect when Pathfinder and D&D collide? Below, we take a look at all the details.

What is a Pathfinder Adventure Path?

An Adventure Path is similar to a campaign in Dungeons & Dragons, with the exception that it is broken into multiple parts which, when linked together, form a complete story arc. In the past, Pathfinder publisher Paizo would often release monthly adventures as part of a larger Adventure Path and often included supplementary materials, including spoiler-free Player Guides, advice articles for GMs and even tie-in fiction.

Some of Pathfinder’s most popular Adventure Paths include Kingmaker, Fists of the Ruby Phoenix, Gatewalkers and Abomination Vaults, all of which were later collected and republished as complete hardcover editions, which in effect are almost identical to a traditional Dungeons & Dragons campaign book.

What is the original Pathfinder Abomination Vaults Adventure Path?

Abomination Vaults is an Adventure Path originally published by Paizo for Pathfinder Second Edition in 2021. It consists of three connected adventures: Ruins of Gauntlight, Hands of the Devil and Eyes of the Empty Death (all of which were later collected into a hardcover edition published in 2022). Abomination Vaults was so popular that it was later updated for the D&D 5e rules (under the SRD) and published in 2024.

When run concurrently, the three adventures take characters from levels 1 to 11. The story takes place on Golarion (the default campaign setting for Pathfinder) near a small coastal town on the Isle of Kortos. The action kicks off when a mysterious beam of blue light erupts from the ruined lighthouse known as Gauntlight, which heralds the return of dark forces. Abomination Vaults is widely regarded as one of the most accessible and well-crafted campaigns for Pathfinder 2e thanks to its use of classic dungeon crawls, solid narrative and elements of horror.

Notably, Abomination Vaults is also the basis for an upcoming, co-op action RPG video game of the same name slated for release on Steam.

What’s included in the D&D Beyond version of Abomination Vaults?

The Abomination Vaults Adventure Path on D&D Beyond is virtually identical in structure to the Pathfinder version and 5e update, with the exception that all of the content has been updated for the D&D 2024 rules. In addition it includes the following elements which are new to D&D Beyond.

• 16 magic items
• 6 spells
• 92 monsters
• 13 maps (which can integrate with the Maps VTT)
• 13 non-magic items

How much is “Abomination Vaults” on D&D Beyond

The Abomination Vaults Adventure Path retails for $49.99 USD on D&D Beyond. Notably, this is comparable to what we’ve seen with other 3rd party D&D products and there’s a significant amount of content included.

It’s also worth noting that the Pathfinder 2e Abomination Vaults hardcover retails for $54.99 USD (with the PDF going for $38.99 USD) with the Abomination Vaults 5e hardcover retailing for $69.99 USD (with a PDF version going for $38.99). So what you’re really paying for with this updated version is the ability to import content into D&D Beyond.

Final Thoughts

It’s surprising to see Wizards of the Coast and Paizo bury the proverbial hatchet and release a Pathfinder product on D&D Beyond (something that likely would have been unheard of several years ago). It’s a win-win for both systems and the TTRPG industry as a whole, letting players experience one of the greatest Adventure Paths ever made.

You can pick up your copy of the Abomination Vaults Adventure Path now on D&D Beyond.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Pathfinder’s “Abomination Vaults” Adventure Path Hits D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

While Dungeons & Dragons tend to be viewed largely as an American brand that appeals primarily to English speakers, over the past few years the game has expanded its global reach. One country Wizards of the Coast has been heavily focused on is Japan, a market where D&D has never really taken off. In fact, in 2023 WotC introduced a new Japanese D&D starter set with its own distinctive style and approach, and has slowly been making inroads.

Now, the D&D Japan team has announced a new adventure entitled “Oni’s Right Hand.” Available exclusively in Japanese, the adventure is designed to support a larger Learn-to-Play program that Wizards of the Coast will be running in August.

So just what is the adventure about and what does it mean for the future of D&D in Japan? Below, we crack open all the details.

What is “Oni’s Right Hand” about?

So far we know only a few details about what “Oni’s Right Hand” is about. Much of this information is taken from a LinkedIn post that was shared by Wizards of the Coast Brand Manager Himmy T. In the post she writes:

When D&D Meets Japan…! We’re thrilled to introduce an original Japanese adventure campaign: “Oni’s Right Hand.”

Set in the bustling trading town of Phandalin, a cursed glove from the East arrives – and when the sealed “Oni’s Claw” is unleashed, eerie, monstrous shadows begin to creep into the town.

This campaign features five original Japanese-style characters from Kara-Tur, complete with pre-generated character sheets, designed by renowned illustrator Toshiaki Takayama and D&D translator Masaki Yanagida, and brought to life by popular voice talents including Ayana Taketatsu and Tomori Kusunoki.

The response from Japanese fans has been overwhelmingly positive. D&D’s global appeal lies in its ability to embrace diverse cultural styles, and we’re proud to see Japan’s unique creative spirit seamlessly integrated into the world of D&D. By weaving traditional Japanese themes into gameplay, we hope not only to delight existing fans, but also to grow the community and welcome new players in Japan.

To support this, Learn-to-Play (LTP) sessions for “Oni’s Right Hand” will begin in Japan this August.

How will users be able to access the “Oni’s Right Hand” D&D adventure?

It’s not entirely clear how the adventure will be shared with players or, for that matter, if it will be given away for free or have a cost associated with it. It’s worth noting that while D&D Beyond is used by Japanese players, there is no localized version of the website that shows the content in Japanese (or other languages for that matter). The inclusion in the LinkedIn post of “voice talents” suggests there may also be a multimedia component, although it’s not yet clear what this would consist of.

It’s also not clear yet if an English language version will be released, although there’s likely a significant interest among non-Japanese speakers, given the art and content. At the very least, it’s likely that fan-made translations will be released online at some point.

How is D&D viewed in Japan?

Dungeons & Dragons is considered a relatively niche game in Japan and is overshadowed by more popular TTRPGs such as Call of Cthulhu Japan and Sword World. The latter game remains hugely influential and was based on the popular Japanese fantasy novels (and subsequent manga/anime) Record of Lodoss War by Ryo Mizuno, which itself was based on a D&D campaign Ryo ran with his friends in the early 1980s. In fact, at one point Mizuno had approached then D&D publisher TSR about creating a Japanese version of D&D, but was frustrated by their slow response, leading to the creation of Sword World.

In recent years, however, D&D has grown in popularity, due primarily to the release of the 5th edition rules in 2014 and the rise of actual play series, YouTube content and social media communities. Japanese-language translations of core rulebooks and growing support from VTT platforms like Roll20 have also helped the game gain traction, particularly among younger Japanese players.

If you want a deeper dive into the history of D&D in Japan, you should check out the TokyoDev article by Masaki Yanagida entitled The rise and fall of D&D in Japan.

Final Thoughts

It’s interesting to see an official D&D product released from outside of the United States and in a non-English language. It’s also fascinating to see the team lean into influences from Kara-Tur (a setting that has often been viewed as problematic in its representation of Asian culture). It remains to be seen, however, just how “Oni’s Right Hand” will be received by the Japanese TTRPG community and if it will move the needle at all in terms of broadening the game’s appeal internationally.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead and will be updating this page with new information as it’s made available. In the meantime, below is an official teaser trailer from the D&D Japan YouTube channel.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

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Over the decades there have been countless Dungeons & Dragons video games across almost every console and computer imaginable. Two beloved classics, however are getting resurrected over 20 years after their initial release. Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard (a real-time strategy game from 2005) and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (a third-person brawler from 2004) are both being re-released on Steam in August 2025.

The updates are courtesy of SNEG, a small, boutique publisher that specializes in restoring popular games from the early 2000s. The new version of Dragonshard and Demon Stone also include some much needed UX overhauls, along with technical tweaks that allow them operate on today’s PCs.

So are these blasts from D&D’s past worth picking up? Below, we plug into all the details.

What is “Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard” about?

Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard is a real-time strategy game originally developed by Liquid Entertainment and published by Atari back in 2005 exclusively for Windows PCs. Set in the world of Eberron, players control one of three distinct factions: the heroic Order of the Flame, the vicious Lizardfolk or the shadowy Umbragen. The game shifts between strategic battles above ground with players also able to explore a variety of dungeons below ground. Notably, it’s considered the first D&D video game where RTS is the primary focus. The story was also written by Eberron creator Keith Baker.

The enhanced Steam version coming in August 2005, updates the original game with a number quality-of-life features, including improved resolution, enhanced save features, new localization options and better overall compatibility with current PCs.

What is “Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone” about?

Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone is a third-person action RPG developed by Stormfront Studios and originally published by Atari in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows PC. Players can switch between three heroes: Rannek the Fighter, Illius the Sorcerer and Zhai the Rogue, with gameplay is focused on stringing together combinations using melee and ranged attacks. The story itself is in the Sword Coast region of the land of Faerûn and was written by R.A Salvatore (creator of the dark elf ranger Drizzt Do’Urden) and includes voice acting by Sir Patrick Stewart.

The new Steam release coming in August 2025 includes a new enhanced graphics, full controller support and improved audio and menu settings.

What other D&D Video Games Are in the Works?

While the re-release of Dragonshard and Demon Stone are a nod to old school D&D video games, there are also a number of new projects in the works, including:

• Untitled D&D surival sim: In development from Gameloft Montreal, the studio best known for the popular Disney Dreamlight Valley, this new D&D title will be an action-focused survival-life sim set in the Forgotten Realms.
• Project Baxter: In development from Starbreeze Enterainment, who are best known for their shooter Payday 3, little has been revealed about this upcoming D&D game (code named “Project Baxter”) other than that it is a co-operative multiplayer game and slated for release in 2026 for consoles and PC.
• Baldur’s Gate 4: Larian Studios has confirmed that they will not be working on a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. Hasbro, however, is unlikely to let the lucrative franchise die and chances are good we’ll see a Baldur’s Gate 4 in the future from another developer.
• Untitled Hasbro Game: Wizards of the Coast has also indicated that an in-house studio at Hasbro is currently developing a currently unnamed D&D game, although little information has been revealed about what it will consist of.
• Untitled Saber Interactive game: The developers of the popular Space Marine 2 video game are also working on a new Hasbro title that may be D&D related.
• Untitled Giant Skull Game: The new game studio (which was founded in 2023 by several video game veterans) is working on a single-player action adventure title using the Dungeons & Dragons license.
• Battlemarked: is an upcoming co-op virtual reality RPG game set in the world of D&D. The game is built using the Demeo Action Role Playing System, which involves tactical turn-based combat for up to four players.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see two classic Dungeons & Dragons video games getting a new lease on life. Both titles will be released in August on Steam. You can add The D&D Dragonshard and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone to your Wishlist now.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Two Forgotten D&D Video Games Get Resurrected on Steam appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

The world of Greyhawk has been a major part of Dungeons & Dragons since the earliest version of the game. Yet it’s also one that’s been largely overlooked for the past decade, often mentioned only in passing in fifth edition materials with no substantive new content being created.

That’s recently changed, however, with Greyhawk back in the spotlight as a featured campaign setting in the new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide. Late last year, Wizards of the Coast also announced a new series of organized play events known as “Legends of Greyhawk” that will also bring the world of Oerth to upcoming conventions in 2025. The first such events will be taking place at this year’s Gen Con, running from August 1st to 4th, 2025.

So just what can fans expect in this return to world of Oerth? Below, we break out everything we know so far.

What is “Legends of Greyhawk”?

“Legends of Greyhawk” is a new, official organized play program from Wizards of the Coast that will feature exclusive adventure content for use at upcoming conventions in 2025., with a preview at MagicCon: Chicago 2025 and an official launch at Gen Con 2025. Like other past Dungeons & Dragons organized play events, the outcome of the adventures will impact a larger narrative that shapes the world of Greyhawk as a whole.

The first set of adventures is developed and run by Baldman Games (with approval from Wizards of the Coast) and uses the new DnD 2024 rules. Each adventure will then lead into the next, with players able to continue to use the same characters and influence major events. Any convention attendee will be able to play in a “Legends of Greyhawk” adventure so long as they have created a character in D&D Beyond (using the rules from the 2024 Player’s Handbook). Players can also earn physical rewards in the form of tradable magic item cards and other certificates at the end of each play session.

Notably, Wizards of the Coast has also released a “Legends of Greyhawk Guide” which provides more information on character creation, including guidelines on which region of Greyhawk your character can come from, how many magic items you can have based on your level, and how trading magic items with other players works.

What adventures are featured in “Legends of Greyhawk”?

Notably, the campaign takes place in the iconic Central Flanaess region of Greyhawk and is set in the year 576 CY, the same time period featured in the seminal World of Greyhawk folio written by Gary Gygax in 1980, as well as the iconic World of Greyhawk “gold box” written by Gygax in 1983. It’s a unique milestone in the history of Oerth, with evil on the rise and the shadows of war looming large over the continent of Oerik.

For Gen Con 2025, Baldman has developed two adventure trilogies: “The City of Greyhawk Trilogy” and the “Village of Homlett Trilogy.” Each of the six adventures is designed for characters of Levels 1 to 4 and can be played in any order. There will also be two “Special Events” that involve multiple tables.

The City of Greyhawk Trilogy

• Shadows Over the Free City: Amid the chill of Ready’reat, an attempted heist at the Great Library sparks rumors of a forbidden tome and its connection to evil endeavors. Most dismiss it as an isolated burglary, but one determined cleric is convinced that something far darker looms. Will you uncover the secrets hidden within the library’s vaults and untangle this dark mystery?
• Murder Among Thieves: A high-ranking figure in the Thieves Guild has been slain, and turmoil grips the underworld. Two young rogues offer a partnership with a substantial payout if you help unmask the killer. Can you solve this troubling crime? Beware that if you fail… the Guild’s next hit might be on you.
• Sword in the Shadows: Deep in the River Quarter’s tangled streets, whispers abound of a mysterious package from the Temple of Elemental Evil and a cryptic note that might lead to its whereabouts. Every clue seems shrouded in back-alley deals and unanswered questions. Will you unravel the riddle before the shadows claim this mysterious relic?

The Hommlet Trilogy

• Ruins of the Moathouse: After the Battle of Emridy Meadows, the remaining forces of Prince Thrommel IV laid siege to the temple’s outpost in the moathouse, leaving it in ruins. Recently, travelers have reported strange lights flickering among the debris. Rufus and Burne, the elders of Hommlet, have called upon you to investigate. What secrets will you uncover among the crumbling stones?
• A Village Called Hommlet: Caravans are long overdue, and whispers of danger drift through every tavern. A call for aid in Hommlet arrives as dark shadows creep in ancient and forgotten places once more. Will you brave the shadows?
• Darkness in Nulb: Nulb is a ramshackle hovel of huts and tents nestled beside the only bridge over Imeryd’s Run. Known for shady characters and even shadier deals, it’s a perfect place to gather information on those who wish to remain hidden. However, the darkness is reluctant to give up its secret easily. Will you uncover the truths hidden within?

Notably, this trilogy of adventures did original premiere at MagicCon: Chicago which ran from February 21st to 23rd, 2025.

Special Events

• The Battle of Emridy Meadows: The reign of terror of the Temple of Elemental Evil ends tonight! Forces of good have united from across the central Flanaess to stand against the rising elemental powers. Will you rise to the challenge and shape the fate of the realm? NOTE: This is a multi-table event designed for Level 7 characters (with pre-gen characters provides). It also first premiered at Magic Con 2025.
  
• The Crown of Conspiracy: A vacant seat on the Directing Oligarchy ignites a flurry of political maneuvering within the Free City of Greyhawk. Rivals vie for power, forging alliances and hatching plots to seat their chosen successor. Will you steer the city toward integrity or watch as corruption triumphs in the council chambers? NOTE: This is a multi-table event premiered at Gen Con 2025 that is designed for Level 1 to 4 characters.

How is “Legends of Greyhawk” different from “Living Greyhawk”?

The “Living Greyhawk” program was an organized play campaign for that ran from 2000 to 2008 for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The campaign was set in the Flanaess region, yet a key element of “Living Greyhawk” was that it divided the world into real-life geographical regions. For example, the kingdom of Keoland was associated with the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Local volunteer teams, known as “Triads,” were selected by Wizards of the Coast to create unique adventures and storylines specific to their region. Players in turn could participate in standardized modules during conventions, with characters able to travel between regions (by attending other conventions) and even engage in downtime activities like crafting or trading. Today, Living Greyhawk is considered by many fans to be a golden age of modern organized play for Dungeons & Dragons.

While “Legends of Greyhawk” definitely owes much of its creation to “Living Greyhawk,” it also appears to be far less complicated, with no regional breakdown or heavy reliance on large teams of volunteers. Instead, it will offer a much more streamlined approach to organized play with far less content and management required.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Greyhawk once again being a key part of Dungeons & Dragons, and the inclusion of the new “Legends of Greyhawk” organized play events seems like the perfect opportunity for both new and returning fans to explore the lands of the Flanaess. It remains to be seen, however, just what the program will look like, but the potential here is huge, offering a new way for players to reshape one of DnD’s most iconic worlds.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on “Legends of Greyhawk” in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can learn more from Gen Con and Baldman Games.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New “Legends of Greyhawk” Organized Play Launches at Gen Con appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

If you’ve ever wondered how a typical Dungeons & Dragons adventurer would fare against the otherworldly horror known as Cthulhu, you may just finally get your answer. A brand new, never before published supplement entitled Cthulhu by Torchlight is now available on D&D Beyond.

The book is created by third-party publisher Chaosium, who definitely know a thing or two about eldritch horror as the brains behind the Call of Cthulhu role playing game. It’s an unusual crossover between two of TTRPGs most recognizable brands and represents yet another major third-party publication to land on Wizards of the Coast’s digital platform.

So just what can players expect when Cthulhu lurches into the world of D&D? Below, we dig into all of the terrifying details.

What’s included in “Cthulhu by Torchlight” on D&D Beyond?

Cthulhu by Torchlight is a completely new book that has never before been published and is available exclusively in a digital format on D&D Beyond. The supplement is really geared towards players, with the majority of content focused on character options and combining the horror elements of HP Lovecraft with D&D content. It contains:

• 12 new subclasses (one for each DnD 5e class featured in the 2024 Player’s Handbook)
• 25 new spells
• 23 new monster stat blocks (including Cthulhu)
• 5 new Feats
• 5 new magic items (include “Mythos Tomes:)
• 1 new background

New subclasses include the Warlock of the Exalted Assembly of the Feline Court (which provides catlike abilities) and the Cleric of the Apocalypse (which taps into the power of the Abyss). The book also offers new Origin Feats also tap into the sanity-shattering horror vibes of the Cthulhu Mythos, with options such as “I Opened the Gate” and “I Survived to Tell the Tale.”

Cthulhu by Torchlight also contains new rules for “Passions” and “Dreadful Insights” that are designed to enhanced roleplaying, plus new rules for running Skill Challenges around investigation, interaction and chases.

How much is “Cthulhu by Torchlight” on D&D Beyond

Cthulhu by Torchlight retails for $29.99 USD on D&D Beyond. This is purely for the digital copy of the book and as of this writing there are no plans for a physical copy. Notably, this is comparable to other recently released third-party books, such as The Crooked Moon and the Grimhollow Player’s Pack.

Final Thoughts

Believe it or not, this new supplement isn’t the first time Cthulhu has encountered Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, he appeared in the first edition of Deities & Demigods back in 1980, but was removed from future printings after then publisher TSR faced legal pressure from Chaosium. So in a way, this book has been in the making for over 45 years. It’s the chance for the greatest of Great Old Ones to finally make his appearance in D&D.

You can pick up Cthulhu by Torchlight now on D&D Beyond.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Cthulhu Invades D&D Beyond With New Supplement appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

First appearing in 2004 in the Eberron Campaign Setting sourcebook, the Warforged has since become one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most unique and popular species. In fact, over the past two decades they’ve appeared as a playable character option in every edition of the game, including a DnD 5e version for in the 2019 supplement Eberron: Rising from the Last War.

Now, the Warforged is back, albeit with a few mechanical modifications to work with the new DnD 2024 rules. They’ll be officially appearing in the upcoming supplement Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, which is currently slated for a December 2025 release. In preparation for the launch, however, Wizards of the Coast has released a few new details on what to expect.

So is the 2025 Warforged a new and improved version? Below, we gear up and put together all the pieces.

What are Warforged in DnD 2025?

Warforged are sentient constructs originally crafted as tireless soldiers during the devastating Last War that ravaged the continent of Khorvaire in the world of Eberron. Created from materials such as metal and wood, Warforged are then magically imbued with consciousness and self-awareness, making them living entities rather than mere automatons. In fact, like other living beings, each Warforged possesses a unique personality and sense of identity that’s shaped by their intended purpose and the experiences they’ve accumulated since their awakening.

Since the war’s end, many Warforged have adapted to civilian life, becoming artisans, adventurers or explorers, while others continue to wrestle with lingering prejudice from a world uncertain how to accept them. Notably, within the lore of Eberron, Warforged technology was widely available, but was perfected by House Cannith. Following the signing of the Treaty of Thronehold at the end of the conflict however, Warforged have officially been granted their freedom and the Creation Forges which manufactured them are now outlawed.

What’s changed in the new 2025 Warforged?

While the Warforged species has been around for almost two decades, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer does introduce a number of minor changes from their previous Warforged iteration that appeared in Eberron: Rising from the Last War back in 2019.

What are the Warforged species traits in 2025?

Below are the full list of all the Warforged traits using the new 2025 rules from Eberron: Forge of the Artificer.

• Creature Type: Construct
• Size: Medium
• Speed: 30 feet

As a Warforged, you have the following special traits.

• Constructed Resilience: You have advantage on all saving throws against Poison.
• Sentry’s Rest: You don’t need to sleep and magic can’t put you to sleep. During a Long rest you need to spend at least six hours in an inactive/motionless state (although you can still see and hear).
• Integrated Protection: You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class with built-in Warforged armor that you can also remove and put back on.
• Tireless: You don’t gain any Exhaustion levels from dehydration, malnutrition or suffocation.

Is the new 2025 Warforged worth playing?

The Warforged is one of the most unusual species in DnD 5e, so expectations for this update are high. That being said, other than a new minor adjustments the new 2025 version appears virtually identical to its older model. And while we won’t see the final product until December 2025, for now, it’s looking like a fresh coat of paint, but little else going on under the hood in terms of modifications.

You can find the complete rules for the new Warforged in the upcoming Eberron: Forge of the Artificer sourcebook, which is available for pre-order now on D&D Beyond or on Amazon. 

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massechustes, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The New 2025 Warforged Revealed on D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has appointed a new “Vice President of Franchise” to lead the Dungeons & Dragons team. The news comes just weeks after the departure of Jess Lanzilo, who had previously served as VP of D&D for the past year. The new position is being filled by Dan Ayoub, who was promoted internally after serving as the Head of Studios for D&D since 2022.

As VP of Franchise, Ayoub will oversee a major internal shift of the Dungeons & Dragons brand, which will be moving to a new model that puts all D&D books, films, TV shows, video games and merchandising elements under a single business structure at Wizards of the Coast.

So just what does this mean for the future of D&D as both a game and a brand? Below, we take a closer look at all the details.

Who is the new D&D VP of Franchise Dan Ayoub?

Dan Ayoub is a Canadian-born senior executive with Wizards of the Coast who has extensive experience in the video game industry. He previously worked for Microsoft for over 11 years, serving as an Executive Producer and Studio Head for 343 Industries, where he oversaw the popular Halo video game franchise. Prior to that, Ayoub served in various roles at a number of major AAA video game studios, including Ubisoft, Electronic Arts and Disney. In 2019, while still working as an executive, he also graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he specialized in Artificial Intelligence; something which is likely of interest to Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks, who remains extremely bullish on the application of AI in games.

In 2022, Ayoub joined Wizards of the Coast in the position of VP, Head of Studios, and was largely responsible for overseeing eternal collaborations and internal development on several Dungeons & Dragons video games. Notably, Ayoub has said he has been a D&D fan and player since the age of 12.

What does the new position mean for the future of D&D?

The new role of VP of Franchise marks a major change to how Wizards of the Coast approaches Dungeons & Dragons. In the past, the game was largely managed as its own entity, with other WotC stakeholders handling licensing of the D&D brand for video games, films, TV and merchandise. The franchise model now means that D&D will be viewed less as a game and more as a brand.

In a LinkedIn post shared on July 9th that discusses the new VP role, Ayoub notes: “We shifted our structure internally and D&D moved to a full franchise model, meaning everything: books, video games, film, and TV – everything touching the franchise lives under one roof. The impact here cannot be overstated; this is massive for D&D and will allow a strong, coordinated, and well-funded approach for the franchise, and most importantly, for us, the fans.“

This may be worrying to fans of the game itself and brings to mind a much-criticized quote from former VP Cynthia Williams who lamented that the D&D brand was “really undermonetized.” That being said, it’s not entirely clear how this this new position will impact D&D as a whole.

Final Thoughts

In the past few months things have been chaotic at Wizards of the Coast and the D&D team, with the departure of Vice President Lanzillo, the collapse of the Sigil VTT, the lay off of video producer Todd Kendreck, and the exits of D&D game design leads Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford (both of whom later left for Critical Roll publisher, and direct D&D competitor, Darrington Press).

It’s not clear if the promotion of Dan Ayoub and the new approach to D&D as a franchise will mean a more stable period for the game or if it marks yet another tumultuous period in Wizards of the Coast’s management of the brand, following missteps such as the OGL scandal.

That being said, it’s also an exciting time for the D&D franchise, with the new 2024 Core Rules now released, a Forgotten Realms TV series in the works at Netflix, and a variety of new D&D video games in various stages of development.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops and will update this page with more info as it’s available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Wizards of the Coast Appoints New VP of D&D Franchise appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

It’s been almost four months since Wizards of the Coast scraped the Sigil VTT, laying off 90% of the development team and essentially keeping the product on life support. Since that time Sigil has been available for free to D&D Beyond subscribers, with WotC also quietly releasing a number of digital minis to go along with it.

The most recent batch of minis is the “Dragon Pack,” which feature a variety of unpainted digital dragons which you can download for free now on D&D Beyond. As with previous Sigil products, there was also almost no fanfare or promotion on the part of Wizards of the Coast. Below, we take a closer look at what’s included.

What are the new free Sigil “Dragon Pack” minis?

The new Sigil “Dragon Pack” contains the following minis, all of which are based on the new 2024 Monster Manual:

• Blue Dragon Wyrmling
• Red Dragon Wyrmling
• Wyvern
• Young Red Dragon

Notably, all are unpainted (which seems kind of odd for a VTT) and you will need to have Sigil installed on your computer and be a D&D subscriber of any tier. Surprisingly, the “Dragon Pack” does not contain the gold dragon mini which was promised to users who pre-ordered the DnD 2024 Digital & Physical Core Book Bundle.

Final Thoughts

It’s still sad to think about what might have been with Sigil, and in a way it’s even more depressing seeing Wizards of the Coast continuing to quietly release these free minis on D&D Beyond. It remains to be seen how many more of these we’ll see in the future, but for now, they’re proof that Sigil is still alive… if only just barely.

You can download the new “Dragon Pack” minis for free now on on D&D Beyond.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Beyond Offers New Free Dragon Minis for Sigil VTT appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

While Dungeons & Dragons is really known as a game that works best with three to four players and a Dungeon Master, the recently released Dragon Delves anthology offers new rules that allow you to run 1-on-1 DnD adventures with just a single player and a DM. It’s a unique and surprisingly simple way to play and can also be used beyond Dragon Delves to run other adventures or even entire campaigns.

So just how do these new rules work and how can you use them in your own games? Below, we take a closer look at all the details.

What are the new “Dragon Delves” rules for 1-on-1 play?

Not be confused with solo play (which can be played alone without a Dungeon Master), the 1-on-1 play rules in Dragon Delves require both one player and one DM. The rules, however, don’t try to reduce monster Challenge Rating or streamline the difficulty. Instead, they seeks to enhance the powers of the single player using something known as “Blessing of the Lone Champion.”

This new mechanic is somewhat similar to an Epic Boon, in that it’s a supernatural gift that bolsters a single player character’s abilities. If the DM chooses, they can provide rationale for why the player has this blessing or they can simply hand wave it without any narrative context.

What is Blessing of the Lone Champion?

As a single player, you gain the following benefits from the Blessing of the Lone Champion:

• Heroic Inspiration: You gain Heroic Inspiration whenever you finish a Short or Long Rest and whenever the DM has you roll Initiative.
• Temporary Hit Points: You gain a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to 10 times your level when you gain this blessing and when you gain a level.

Notably, Dragon Delves states that the blessing lasts for “the duration of the adventure.” This could mean multiple sessions of play over the course of a single adventure, which works well if you’re using a pre-written module. If, however, you’re running a homebrew campaign it’s up to the DM to decide when and where you receive (and potentially lose) the blessing.

What are the 1-on-1 DnD adventures in Dragon Delves?

Dragon Delves is the first official Dungeons & Dragons product from Wizards of the Coast to actually feature rules and advice on running 1-on-1 adventures (although there are a number of third-party DnD 5e products out there which, most notably the publisher D&D Duet).

The specific 1-on-1 adventures included in Dragon Delves are as follows:

• Chapter 2: Baker’s Doesn’t: Designed for a single Level 3 character, the adventure focuses on a halfling confectioner whose shop is accidentally set ablaze by a gold dragon. The player will also have to face down an evil male hag who lives in a gingerbread house in the nearby woods.
• Chapter 5: The Dragon of Najkir: Designed for a single Level 7 character, the action takes place on a monastery on the remote island of Najkir. The player will have to track down three shipwreck survivors, one of whom is a priest from their past.
• Chapter 9: A Copper for a Song: Designed for a single Level 12 character, the goal of this 1-on-1 adventure is to track down the long lost verses of a magical song that can rejuvenate the soil of a dying land.

It’s worth noting these adventures can also be run with multiple players, but the Wizards of the Coast design team has also created them with 1-on-1 play as an option.

Final thoughts

Playing 1-on-1 DnD is an amazing and overlooked experience among the TTRPG community, so it’s great to see Wizards of the Coast creating adventures and a rules framework around the concept. The Blessing of the Lone Champion mechanic is a simple and elegant way to give a single player a little more power and is a solid option for both new and experienced players. It also has the potential for use in a wide range of adventures outside of Dragon Delves and it will be interesting to see if Wizards of the Coast rolls out any more of these types of adventures in the near future.

In the meantime, the complete 1-on-1 rules and adventures can be found in Dragon Delves, which is available now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

More D&D Rules Coverage

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post How to Run 1-On-1 DnD Adventures Using “Dragon Delves” New Rules appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Skilled in the ancient elven art of channeling magic into their bows to deliver devastating ranged attacks, the Arcane Archer has been a popular Fighter subclass since it first appeared in 2017 in the pages Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. It’s a unique magical departure from the melee heavy focus of the traditional DnD 5e Fighter, offering a ton of roleplaying potential and some solid combat abilities.

Now, Wizards of the Coast has taken a shot at bringing the Arcane Archer into the DnD 2024 rules set. It’s one of nine new options featured in the latest Unearthed Arcana Arcane Subclasses playtest, all of which will be appearing in a future sourcebook that has yet to be announced.

So does the new Arcane Archer hit the magical mark? Below, we take aim at all the details.

What’s changed in the new 2025 Arcane Archer?

Below are all the changes to the new Arcane Archer using the DnD 2024 rules. For ease of reference we’ve included the level of each feature and whether or not it’s changed from the previous Legacy Arcane Archer that was featured back in 2017 in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything.

What are the new Arcane Archer features?

An Arcane Archer studies a unique elven method of archery that weaves magic into attacks to produce supernatural effects. The first Arcane Archers stood watch over their communities, keeping a keen eye out for dangers and using magic-infused arrows to defeat monsters and invaders. Over the centuries, other species have learned the elves’ mystical methods of blending arcane aptitude with archery and broadened their application to ranged weapons of many kinds while applying those talents to adventuring life.

Level 3: Arcane Archer Lore

You learn magical theory and secrets of nature, granting you the following benefits:

Cantrip: You know either the Druidcraft or Prestidigitation cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Skills: You gain proficiency in the Arcana and Nature skills. If you already have one of these proficiencies, you instead gain proficiency in a different skill of your choice (or with two other skills if you have both).

Level 3: Arcane Shot

You learn to unleash special magical effects with some of your shots.

Arcane Shot Options: You learn two Arcane Shot options of your choice from the “Arcane Shot Options” section below. You learn an additional Arcane Shot option of your choice when you reach Fighter levels 7, 10, 15, and 18. Each time you learn a new Arcane Shot option, you can also replace one option you know with a different one.

Using Arcane Shot: Once per turn when you make a ranged attack using a weapon with the Ammunition property, you can apply one of your Arcane Shot options to that attack. You decide to use the option when you hit a creature and deal damage to it unless the option doesn’t involve an attack roll.

Uses: You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Arcane Shot Die: Your Arcane Shot Die is a d6.

Saving Throws: If an Arcane Shot option requires a saving throw, the DC equals 8 + your Intelligence modifier + your Proficiency Bonus.

Arcane Shot Options

The following options are presented in alphabetical order:

• Banishing Shot. Your magic temporarily sequesters your target in a harmless demiplane. The creature you hit takes additional Psychic damage equal to one roll of your Arcane Shot Die and must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be banished. While banished, the creature is incapacitated with a speed of 0. At the end of its next turn, the target reappears in the space it left or, if that space is occupied, in the nearest unoccupied space.
• Beguiling Shot. Your magic causes the ammunition to temporarily beguile your target. The creature you hit takes additional Psychic damage equal to two rolls of your Arcane Shot Die and must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the start of your next turn, treating either you or one of your allies within 30 feet (your choice) as the charmer. The charm ends early if the charmer attacks the target, deals damage to it, or forces it to make a saving throw.
• Bursting Shot. You imbue your ammunition with explosive force energy. Immediately after you deal damage to the creature, your target and each creature within a 10-foot emanation originating from the target take Force damage equal to two rolls of your Arcane Shot Die.
• Enfeebling Shot. Your ammunition saps your target’s strength. The creature you hit takes additional Necrotic damage equal to two rolls of your Arcane Shot Die and must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the end of its next turn. Whenever a target poisoned this way hits with an attack roll, it subtracts an amount equal to one roll of your Arcane Shot Die from the total damage of that attack.
• Grasping Shot. Your ammunition creates clutching brambles around your target. The creature you hit takes additional Slashing damage equal to one roll of your Arcane Shot Die and must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be restrained until the start of its next turn. The target or a creature within reach can use an action to make a Strength (Athletics) check against your Arcane Shot DC, ending the restrained condition on a success.
• Piercing Shot. You give your ammunition an ethereal quality. When you use this option, you don’t make an attack roll. Instead, the ammunition moves in a 30-foot line, 1 foot wide, originating from you, ignoring cover. Each creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes damage as if hit plus additional Piercing damage equal to two rolls of your Arcane Shot Die; on a success, it takes half as much.
• Seeking Shot. You grant your ammunition the ability to seek out a target. You don’t make an attack roll. Instead, choose one creature you have seen in the last minute. The ammunition flies toward that creature, moving around corners and ignoring half cover and three-quarters cover. If the target is within your weapon’s long range, it must make a Dexterity saving throw; otherwise, the ammunition disappears after traveling as far as it can. On a failed save, the target takes damage as if hit plus additional Force damage equal to two rolls of your Arcane Shot Die, and you learn its current location. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage.
• Shadow Shot. Your magic occludes your foe’s vision with shadows. The creature you hit takes additional Psychic damage equal to one roll of your Arcane Shot Die and must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.

Level 7: Curving Shot

If you make an attack roll with a weapon with the Ammunition property and miss, as a Bonus Action immediately after the attack, you can make an extra attack with the same weapon against a different target that you can see, that is within the weapon’s long range, and that isn’t behind Total Cover. This extra attack doesn’t require ammunition.

Level 7: Ever Ready Shot

When you roll initiative and have no uses of Arcane Shot left, you regain one expended use of it.

Level 10: Improved Shots

Your Arcane Shot Die becomes a d8.

Level 15: Powerful Shots

Your Arcane Shot Die becomes a d10.

Level 18: Masterful Shots

Your Arcane Shot Die becomes a d12.

Is the new Arcane Archer worth playing?

The new 2025 Arcane Archer is definitely an improvement over the 2017 version, packing more of a punch in terms of damage output, and letting players tap into a broader array of ranged weapons. In fact, in many ways it’s odd to even still call the subclass the Arcane Archer, given that you could potentially wield a blow gun, flintlock pistol or musket (barring your DM’s approval, of course). In other words, Wizards of the Coast has hit an absolute bullseye when it comes to offering a new ranged subclass option for the DnD 2024 Fighter

That being said, we won’t actually see the final version of the Arcane Archer until it’s officially released (although it’s still not clear what book it will even appear in). In the meantime though, if you want to check out the subclass for yourself, you can download it directly from the Unearthed Arcana Arcane Subclasses playtest.

Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel with DnD designers Makenzie De Armas, Amanda Hamon and Ben Petrisor. For ease of referenced, we’ve timestamped to where she discusses the new Arcane Archer.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post The New 2025 DnD Arcane Archer (Subclass Deep Dive) appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Magic loving Dungeons & Dragons fans may be interested to learn that Wizards of the Coast has just unveiled a new Unearthed Arcana playtest that features complete rules for nine Arcane-themed subclasses. Notably, only two of these subclasses are new to DnD 2024, with the other being updated versions of existing subclasses that have appeared in past publications, including Xanathhar’s Guide to Everything as well as the original 2014 Player’s Handbook. Like all UA releases, the subclasses are still a work in progress and may change before their final release based on player feedback.

So just what’s included in these magically delicious new character options? Below, we conjure up all the details.

What new Arcane subclasses are featured in the latest UA?

Below are all the nine subclasses. Where applicable we’ve called out which ones are new and which are updates of already existing subclasses from the DnD 2014 rules.

• Arcana Domain (Cleric) UPDATE: Originally introduced in 2015 for the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, the Arcana Domain Cleric blend divine conviction with arcane mastery. The new 2024 subclasses gains Expertise in the Arcana skill, two wizard cantrips and the ability to reshape their spells on the fly, granting temporary hit points or imposing penalties on saving throws. At higher levels, they can dispel magic as a bonus action after healing or removing conditions and even “borrow” high-level wizard spells for their own use.
• Arcane Archer (Fighter) UPDATE: First appearing in 2017 in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, Arcane Archers weave magical effects into their ranged weaponry. The new 2024 version now allows for a variety of weapons and ammunition types (including firearms) and offes a variety of new Arcane Shot options that deal extra damage and impose conditions or area effects. Their shot die also now scales more smoothly from d6 to d12 and they recover uses much more quickly than the 2017 version of the subclass.
• Tattooed Warrior (Monk) NEW: This is a completely new subclass for DnD 5e (although notably, a similar build was featured in DnD 3.5). Tattooed Warrior Monks inscribe living magic into their bodies in the form of tattoos which the can add as they grow in levels. This includes new “Beast Tattoos” that offer a range of effects inspired by various creatures (including Beholders and Displacer beasts) and a variety of additional tattoos that can be used to support exploration, defense and offense.

• Ancestral Sorcery (Sorcerer) NEW: This is also a completely new subclass for DnD 5e. These Sorcerers draw power from a powerful Ancestory, gaining skill bonuses and proficiencies, a curated list of lineage spells they always have prepared and a spectral Visage that grants advantage on a range of actions. As they grow, Ancestral Sorcerers can cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic without slots, exude an aura that can frighten or knock down foes and auto-succeed on concentration checks.

• Hexblade Patron (Warlock) UPDATE: First introduced in 2017 in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, a revised Hexblade Warlocks for DnD 2025 was included in the Horror Subclasses UA released in May 2025. This new version has been tweaked based on player feedback and is no longer as reliant on the Hex spell as a primary feature. It also now includes the Hexblade’s Curse feature that can be used more than once and integrated into spells.
• Conjurer (Wizard) UPDATE: Originally appearing in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, the Conjurer Wizard is capable of bending space and summoning allies. The revised DnD 2024 version now includes an upgraded version of Benign Transposition. The subclass is also now able to gain access and use more Conjuration spells in general and can maintain Concentration on them even when hit in combat.

• Enchanter (Wizard) UPDATE: Another base class that original appeared in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, Enchanters specialize in mind-altering magic. The new DnD 2024 version swaps out the Hypnotic Gaze feature for the more versatile Vexing Movement (which allows you to Disengage and Dash after casting an enchantment). It also includes the new and Enchanting Talker feature (granting an Intelligence bonus on Charisma checks) and the ability to “split” Enchantment spells against multiple targets.
• Necromancer (Wizard) UPDATE: This is another subclass that first appeared in the 2014 PHB, with Necromancers able to tap into the forces of life and death. The new version of the subclass includes a redesigned Spellbook feature that grants necrotic resistance and temporary hit points when casting necromancy spells. They can also now cast Summon Undead for free and gain new abilities that allow them to teleport and regain HP when seriously injured or near death.
• Transmuter (Wizard) UPDATE: This Wizard subclass was also a throwback to the 2014 Player’s Handbook, with Transmuters able to reshape reality itself. The new DnD 2024 version, includes a revamped Transmuter’s Stone (creating pebbles that grant darkvision, speed, saving-throw proficiency or resistances) and a new Master Transmuter capstone that can be used to raise the dead and restore youth.

Final Thoughts

It’s not entirely clear what upcoming DnD book these new and revised Arcane subclasses will be appearing in. It’s also possible that these subclasses may change significantly (or be dropped altogether) in the months ahead.

In the meantime, you can check out the new subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. Player feedback is open until July 3rd, 2025.

Below is also a recent video from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel, with designers Makenzie De Armas, Amanda Hamon and Ben Petrisor. Notably, this is the first official video from D&D that does feature Todd Kenreck, who has served as the primary interviewer for these types of videos over the past three years and was only recently laid off. Notably, the video also includes new artwork which has not appeared in previously published DnD books.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New D&D Arcane Subclasses Revealed in Latest Unearthed Arcana appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

The past few years have been a golden age for Dungeons & Dragons video games, thanks in large part to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. In fact, as of this writing there are now almost a dozen D&D games in various stages of development, both in-house at Wizards of the Coast and with third-party creators.

Sadly, not every D&D video game passes its production saving throw. Such was the case with an untitled D&D game from Seattle-based developer Hidden Path, which was code named “Project Dante” and cancelled in late 2024. At that time studio founder Michael Austin posted on LinkedIn that 44 developers had been let go as a result of the game being axed.

And while the work for most cancelled video games never sees the light of day, concept art and gameplay footage from Project Dante has recently been leaked online. So just what was Hidden Path’s defunct D&D video game all about? Below, we take a look at what might have been.

What was Hidden Path’s cancelled D&D video game about?

Hidden Path’s untilted D&D video game was a third-person action RPG that has been in development for over three years. Gameplay footage was recently leaked onto the online video hosting platform Streamable, showing about eight minutes of action. The footage includes the player fighting off enemies and solving a puzzle. There’s. also several lines of dialogue (with full voice acting) for two NPCs companions named Kavir and Ri Om.

Concept art for the game was also leaked on Imgur, which depicts a range of environments, characters and creatures. It’s hard to get a sense of the scope of the game and the story given the limited amount of footage and artwork, but it’s clear that the game was well into the development process and that a lot of work, imagination and resources had been poured into it.

It’s not entirely clear why the the game was cancelled. And in fact, in January 2023 Hidden Path CEO has insisted that the game was still in the works, despite the fact that Wizards of the Coast had axed five other video games in various stages of development and Hidden Path’s Project Dante was allegedly on the chopping block.

What other D&D Video Games Are in the Works?

While Hidden Path’s D&D game unfortunately never made it to a full release, there are currently a number of games in various stages of development:

• Untitled D&D surival sim: In development from Gameloft Montreal, the studio best known for the popular Disney Dreamlight Valley, this new D&D title will be an action-focused survival-life sim set in the Forgotten Realms.
• Project Baxter: In development from Starbreeze Enterainment, who are best known for their shooter Payday 3, little has been revealed about this upcoming D&D game (code named “Project Baxter”) other than that it is a co-operative multiplayer game and slated for release in 2026 for consoles and PC.
• Baldur’s Gate 4: Larian Studios has confirmed that they will not be working on a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. Hasbro, however, is unlikely to let the lucrative franchise die and chances are good we’ll see a Baldur’s Gate 4 in the future from another developer.
• Untitled Hasbro Game: Wizards of the Coast has also indicated that an in-house studio at Hasbro is currently developing a currently unnamed D&D game, although little information has been revealed about what it will consist of.
• Untitled Saber Interactive game: The developers of the popular Space Marine 2 video game are also working on a new Hasbro title that may be D&D related.
• Untitled Giant Skull Game: The new game studio (which was founded in 2023 by several video game veterans) is working on a single-player action adventure title using the Dungeons & Dragons license.
• Battlemarked: is an upcoming co-op virtual reality RPG game set in the world of D&D. The game is built using the Demeo Action Role Playing System, which involves tactical turn-based combat for up to four players.
• Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition: A new version of Obsidian Entertainment’s 2006 hit is being rereleased in July 2025 for the PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Final Thoughts

It’s always sad to see what might have been, and Hidden Paths’ unreleased Dungeons & Dragons video game looks like it had a lot going for it and a significant amount of effort put into its creation. Sadly, for now, all we have left are the few tantalizing tidbits leaked online.

More D&D Video Game Coverage

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Footage & Art from Cancelled D&D Video Game Leaked Online appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Dungeons & Dragons brand owner Hasbro has quietly rolled out a series of lay offs that will impact 3% of its total workforce, representing a cut of about 150 people from its pool of over 5,000 employees. The news was announced in the Wall Street Journal and comes hot on the heels of the recent departure of D&D VP Jess Lanzillo, with D&D video producer Todd Kenreck also announcing that he had been laid off.

The cuts aren’t a surprise to many, given that Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks has hinted that lay offs were likely coming due to the ongoing impact of US tariffs. So just what does this mean for the future of Dungeons & Dragons? Below, we break out all the details.

Why has Habsro carried out the lay offs?

Despite economics being the chief reason for the lay offs, Hasbro profits are actually up, due largely to Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, with the company’s sales increasing 17% in the first quarter of 2025. That being said, the expected impacts of tariffs are now catching up, as about 50% of all of Hasbro’s toy and game products are produced in China.

As such, the lay offs are likely a proactive measure as Hasbro braces for the financial impact of the US government’s tariffs on their toy lines, which were already seeing flagging sales even before the US’s global trade war began.

How will Wizards of the Coast and D&D be impacted?

So far the only confirmed casualty of the lay offs on the Wizards of the Coast side is D&D video producer Todd Kenreck. It’s still not entirely clear if the departure of Jess Lanzillo is related, but it seems likely given the timing. It’s also not yet clear if other WotC and D&D team members have been let go.

The small percentage of cuts across Hasbro as a whole, however, suggests that the D&D team may not be as impacted as it has been in previous lay offs.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t the first time that Hasbro has rolled out mass lay offs. In January 2023 the company laid off 15% of its workforce. Less than a year later in December 2023 it cut another 1,100 employees, including Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition co-lead Mike Mearls and a number of other key D&D staff members.

More recently, in March 2025, Wizards of the Coast cut 90% of the Project Sigil team (representing about 30 employees) after they announced the much-touted VTT was being scaled back and essentially scrapped.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops and will update this page with more info as it’s available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Hasbro Announces Lay Offs for 3% of Its Workforce appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

If you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons actual plays, you may have heard of the long running series The Legends of Avantris. In 2023, the team behind Avantris launched a succesful Kickstarter for their first official D&D 5e supplement. Entitled The Crooked Moon, it raised a whopping $4 million from backers, with the book introducing a new folk horror setting, along with new character options, monsters, magic items and a complete campaign.

Now, The Crooked Moon is available on D&D Beyond, marking yet another major third-party publication to land on Wizards of the Coast’s digital platform. It’s actually been parsed into three separate books: one for players, one for Dungeon Masters and a bundle that contains both books. You can order them now directly on D&D Beyond

So just what new horrors lurk in the shadow of the Crooked Moon? Below, we take a look all the details.

What Crooked Moon books on D&D Beyond?

The original Crooked Moon supplement is a single physical book that is currently available for pre-order on Backerkit (users who supported in Kickstarter have already received their copies).

The D&D Beyond version, however, has taken the book and broken it out into three separate products. It’s important to note that all use the DnD 2014 rules (although with a little work you can easily port them over to the new DnD 2024 mechanics).

The Crooked Moon Part One: Player Options & Campaign Setting

This book is really designed to introduce the setting of Druskenvald, a mysterious realm trapped between dusk and the witching hour that’s steeped in the creatures and magic of folk horror, with a touch of Halloween, pagan festivals and dark fantasy thrown in for good measure. It includes the following:

• Lore and background information on Druskenvald
• 15 Subclasses
• 13 Species
• 13 Familiar companions
• 26 Magic Items
• 40 Spells
• 14 Feats
• 13 Potions

The Crooked Moon Part Two: Monsters & Adventure Campaign

This book is really designed for Dungeon Masters and includes the following:

• A campaign for Levels 1–13
• Additional content to reach level 20
• New Fateweaving rules mechanics
• 11 Boss battles
• 85 Monsters
• 158 Curses

The Crooked Moon Full Bundle

This book includes everything that comes in both Part One and Part Two and is essentially a D&D Beyond version of The Crooked Moon physical book and PDF that’s being offered by Avantris Entertainment (although the materials has been slightly modified for Wizards of the Coast).

Notably, all of the content integrates with D&D Beyond, including the Maps VTT and the character builder.

How much are The Crooked Moon books on D&D Beyond

The pricing for the three books is as follows:

• The Crooked Moon Part One: $39.99 USD
• The Crooked Moon Part Two: $39.99 USD
• The Crooked Moon Full Bundle: $69.99 USD

Notably if you pre-ordered the books (before the June 17th, 2025 release date) you were able to unlock 4 exclusive frames and 10 backdrops for your character sheet.

Final Thoughts

The Legends of Avantris is an incredibly influential actual play series, so it’s great to see their campaign materials reaching an even wider audience via D&D Beyond. The horror folk vibes will likely appeal to fans of Ravenloft and dark fantasy, and the art style and vibes are definitely unique. More importantly, it marks yet another chapter in Wizards of the Coast pushing more third-party content.

The books are available now on D&D Beyond

Below is also a recent trailer from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel that offers a closer look at what’s included.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Legends of Avantris’ The Crooked Moon Now On D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

If you’ve seen any official Dungeons & Dragons video content over the past two years, chances are you’ve seen Todd Kenreck. In fact, in many ways he’s become the face of the D&D brand, acting as a host and interviewer fordozens of YouTube videos produced by Wizards of the Coast to promote their wide range of products.

Unfortunately, Kenreck recently announced that he had been laid off by WotC, marking the end of almost four-and-a-half years with the company, during which he was involved in numerous projects. Below, we break out all the details on what happened and what it might it could mean for the future of D&D.

Who is Todd Kenreck?

Todd Kenreck is a writer, video producer and content creator best known for his work in tabletop roleplaying games and Dungeons & Dragons in particular. Kenreck started his career as a video game and TTRPG reporter for Forbes magazine, before moving on to a role as a Creative Manager at D&D Beyond. In 2021, we was hired by Wizards of the Coast as a consultant to support their D&D video content efforts and was eventually promoted to a full-time Senior Content Marketing Strategist in their Video Marketing department.

Over the past two years, Kenreck has served as the host of dozens of videos that appeared on the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel, often interviewing D&D designers such as Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford. He was also actively involved in the D&D actual play series Legends of the Multiverse which ran in 2023.

Notably, he is also married to Meagan Kenreck who is a Production Artist at Wizards of the Coast and has appeared in numerous videos on his personal YouTube channel.

Why was Todd Kenreck laid off by Wizards of the Coast?

It’s still not entirely clear why Kenreck was let go. On X (formerly Twitter) he notes: I have been laid off from D&D. Thank you to Chris Perkins, Jeremy Crawford and the entire D&D team for being some of the kindest, most talented and passionate people I’ve ever known. This was my dream job. The tabletop community has given me everything.

I have been laid off from D&D. Thank you to Chris Perkins, Jeremy Crawford and the entire D&D team for being some of the kindest, most talented and passionate people I've ever known. This was my dream job. The tabletop community has given me everything.

— Todd Kenreck (@ToddKenreck) June 16, 2025

Final Thoughts

Kenreck’s termination comes the same day that D&D Vice President Jess Lanzillo also announced her departure, which seems like more than a coincidence and suggests some inner turmoil at Wizards of the Coast. Regardless of why he was let go, Kenreck has been a major part of the D&D brand and it suggests that there may be some larger changes coming to how WotC presents its video content in the future.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops and will update this page with more info as it’s available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post D&D Video Host Todd Kenreck Laid Off by Wizards of the Coast appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Another veteran member of the Dungeons & Dragons brand team is leaving, with Vice President Jess Lanzillo announcing her departure from Wizards of the Coast. This marks the third senior member of the D&D team to leave in as many months, following the recent exits of Creative Director Chris Perkins and Game Director Jeremy Crawford (both of whom also just announced new positions with Critical Role’s Darrington Press).

Lanzillo has been with Wizards of the Coast for eight years, having worked extensively on Magic: The Gathering for most of her career before recently transitioning into a new role as VP of Franchise and Product for Dungeons & Dragons.

So just what does Lanzillos’ departure mean for the future of D&D? Below, we break out all the details.

Who is Jess Lanzillo?

Jess Lanzillo is a former senior executive at Wizards of the Coast, having worked extensively on both Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Lanzillo first joined WotC in 2017 where she helped spearhead the art direction and narrative of a number of MtC card sets. In 2021, she was promoted to VP of Creative for Magic, before being promoted again in 2022 to a Chief of Staff role under then President Cynthia Williams (who herself left Wotc after a little over a year).

In late 2023, Lanzillo stepped into the high-profile position as Vice President, Franchise & Product for Dungeons & Dragons. During her brief tenure, she oversaw a number of major initiatives, including the revamping of core rulebooks, the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons and the development of the now defunct Project Sigil VTT.

Why is Jess Lanzillo leaving Wizards of the Coast?

It’s still not entirely clear why Lanzillo is departing WotC given that she was only recently promoted to her new VP role a little over a year ago. In her post on LinkedIn she notes:

After eight years at Wizards of the Coast, I have made the totally reasonable decision to leave a job where I got paid to argue about whether fictional lizard people can have tails. (Of course they can.)

My trajectory at Wizards has been wonderfully unhinged: leading creative during an absolutely wild ride with Magic: The Gathering, doing business things as Chief of Staff, and finally, getting to be the VP of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise — which is either the best job title ever invented or proof that late-stage capitalism has finally achieved absolute absurdity. Take that, liberal arts naysayers!

Wizards turns imaginary worlds into real communities, which sounds fake but is actually the most satisfying work in the world. To everyone who let me champion this mission while constantly asking “can you add more glowies?” — you are perfect and I love you.

I’ve been ridiculously fortunate for these eight years, and now I’m lucky enough to, yet again, get to choose my own plot twist. The best part about having super specific creative obsessions is that occasionally the universe decides to reward you for them. More soon!

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t bode well that the Dungeons & Dragons team has seen the departure of so many high profile leaders in such a short period of time and many are speculating that there’s more going on here than simple turn over. In fact, Lanzillo has been quite active in recent months as a spokesperson for D&D, having been interviewed in AdWeek and CNBC, so her departure seems particularly abrupt. It also leaves yet another vacancy during a critical period in the development of the D&D game.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops and will update this page with more info as it’s available.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Dungeons & Dragons VP Jess Lanzillo Leaves Wizards of the Coast appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

In news which came as a complete surprise to the TTRPG community, former Dungeons & Dragons senior design leads Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford have officially joined Darrington Press, the publishing arm of the popular Critical Role brand. 

The story was first broken by The LA Times, with Darrington Press later confirming the news and announcing that Perkins would be taking on the role of Creative Director while Crawford would be assuming the position of Game Director, both of which are new roles and similar to their titles while working on D&D for Wizards of the Coast.

Notably, Perkins had announced his “retirement” from Wizards of the Coast in April 2025, with Crawford joining him shortly after. The two designers were seen by many as being integral to Dungeons & Dragons, both in terms of their work on the game’s mechanics, as well as largely being the public faces of the D&D brand.

The move comes at a pivotal time for both Dungeons & Dragons and Critical Role, with the former now looking to fill the shoes of two key personnel and the latter having recently released their new game Daggerheart, which is viewed by some industry pundits as potentially eating into D&D’s market share.

So just what does this mean for the future of both D&D and Daggerheart? Below, we break out all the details.

Who is Chris Perkins?

Chris Perkins is a Canadian-American game designer and editor best known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons. He originally began his career in 1988 under the pen name “Christopher Zarathustra,” publishing several adventures in Dungeon magazine before joining Wizards of the Coast in 1997 as an editor. Over the following decades, Perkins rose through the ranks, becoming editor-in-chief of periodicals, then a senior producer and eventually serving as Game Architect and later Creative Director. Perkins was a key figure behind the development of a number of major D&D products across multiple editions, contributing to the lore, mechanics and design of the game. Notably, he served as lead story designer on the Curse of Strahd campaign book in 2016 and played a major role in the development of the new D&D 2024 books.

Beyond his design work, Perkins became a beloved public figure in the D&D community through his work as a Dungeon Master for Acquisitions Incorporated live shows and the popular Twitch series Dice, Camera, Action from 2016 to 2019. He also wrote the long-running blog “The Dungeon Master Experience,” offering guidance based on his personal campaign world, Iomandra, which he continues to run privately. Perkins also routinely appeared in promotional videos for Wizards of the Coast, becoming one of the most recognized public figures associated with the brand, often appearing in his trademark black baseball hat.

Who is Jeremy Crawford?

Jeremy Crawford is an American game designer best known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. He began his professional career at Green Ronin Publishing, where he co-designed Blue Rose, a romantic fantasy RPG that was released in 2005 and won multiple ENNIE Awards. After contributing to other titles, including Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Mutants & Masterminds, Crawford joined Wizards of the Coast in 2007. He initially served as rules manager for D&D 4th Edition and later became Co-Lead Designer of the D&D 5th Edition rules alongside Mike Mearls. Crawford played a central role in shaping the D&D 5e ruleset, serving as the managing editor for the core books, including the 2014 Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master’s Guide.

Crawford’s work on the fifth edition rules was instrumental in helping to drive D&D’s popularity, with demographics shifting to include a significantly larger number of women and new players. After working on numerous D&D products, including major campaigns and sourcebooks, he was named lead designer on the 2024 revision of the Player’s Handbook. Over the years he has also appeared in countless promotional videos and actual play events, becoming one of the most recognized faces of the D&D brand. As an openly gay and married man, Crawford also received the Gayming Icon Award in 2024 in recognition for his impact on game design and LGBTQ+ visibility in the industry.

Why did Crawford & Perkins move to Darrington Press?

According to the LA Times article, Perkins and Crawford were approached by Critical Role shortly after news broke that the pair were departing Wizards of the Coast.

“I was committed to staying with Wizards until after D&D’s 50th anniversary, which gave me lots of time to work on succession planning and exit strategies,” Perkins told the LA Times. “What brought me out of retirement was the chance to work with Jeremy and the brilliant folks at Critical Role on things that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.”

“Chris and I talked about his retirement plan for years, so his approaching departure was long on my mind. When we sent the new D&D rule books to the printer last year, I felt it was time to explore a new chapter for myself,” Crawford added. “I love the game and its team, but 18 years is a long time. I was ready for a new adventure. The chapter that we’ve now opened feels like coming home — resuming work with Chris and returning to Southern California.”

Final Thoughts

The fact that Perkins and Crawford were snatched up so quickly has lead to some speculation that all was not well at Wizards of the Coast prior to their departure. The news also comes hot on the heels of another major departure from Wizards of the Coast, with VP Jess Lanzillo announcing that she was moving on.

For Darrington Press and the Critical Role team, however, having two of the TTRPG industry’s biggest names working on their games is clearly a major coup. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Former D&D Leads Chris Perkins & Jeremy Crawford Join Critical Role appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

A brand new class that shoots first and asks questions later is making its way to D&D Beyond courtesy of third-party publisher Mage Hand Press. The new DnD Gunslinger was first introduced in 2022 in the pages of Valda’s Spire of Secrets, a player sourcebook that also recently landed on D&D Beyond.

The new class, which technically uses the DnD 2014 rules set, features six new subclasses along with new spells, feats, character hooks and rules that govern the use of firearms. You can grab your copy of the class guide now via D&D Beyond.

So is the new DnD Gunslinger quick on the draw? Below, we saddle up and run down all the details.

What’s included in the Gunslinger Class on D&D Beyond?

The Gunslinger Class book from Mage Hand Press contains complete rules for Levels 1 to 20. It also includes:

• 6 subclasses (the Deadeye, High Roller, Secret Agent, Spellslinger, Trick Shot and White Hat)
• 14 new firearms (with new properties and masteries)
• New firearms maneuvers and new “Risk Dice” mechanics
• 9 new firearm-focused spells
• 3 new Feats

Notably the content originally appeared in Valda’s Spire of Secrets sourcebook in 2022, which was created by third-party publisher Mage Hand Press after a massive Kickstarter back in 2021. The book gained a ton of popularity due to the sheer amount of content it presented, as well as its humorous and quirky tone.

It’s also important to note that the rules are designed for DnD 2014 (although with a little work it can easily be ported over to DnD the 2024 rules).

How Much is the Gunslinger Class on D&D Beyond?

Currently, the Gunslinger Class book retails for $14.99 USD on D&D Beyond, which seems a little on the steep side, but on par with other third-party classes, such as MCDM’s Illrigger class, which also retails for $14.99 USD on D&D Beyond.

What other DnD Gunslinger options are available?

Notably Mage Hand’s version isn’t the first time we’ve seen a DnD Gunslinger on D&D Beyond. In fact, it also appeared as an unofficial Fighter subclass that was created for the D&D 5e rules by Matt Mercer or Critical Role fame back in 2018. A version of Mercer’s Gunslinger subclass was also released on DMsGuild.

Final Thoughts

It’s cool to see Wizards of the Coast continue to publish new third-party classes on D&D Beyond, and while the Gunslinger might not be for everyone, it’s also an intriguing idea (and one that would work well in settings and adventures such as Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone)

In any case, if you’re looking to add the new DnD Gunslinger class to your group, you can grab ’em now via D&D Beyond.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New DnD Gunslinger Class Gets the Drop On D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Over the years we’ve seen some incredible Dungeons & Dragons video games, with everything from 90s classics like the Eye of Beholder series to more recent releases like Baldur’s Gate 3. One of the most influential, however, remains Neverwinter Nights 2, a game released back in 2006 from Obsidian Entertainment that was almost universally lauded by both fans and critics alike.

Now, the popular title is coming back in the form of Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, which will be coming later this summer for consoles and PCs. The game includes a number of new features, audio and graphical updates, plus all of the DLC expansions that were included with the original game. Below, we take a closer at all the details.

What is Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition?

Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter Nights 2 : Enhanced Edition is a fully remastered version of Obsidian’s original 2006 RPG, which uses the D&D 3.5 base rules to govern combat, spells, magic items and character creation. The game will be available for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC. The Enhanced Edition includes the complete base game plus all three expansions: Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir and Mysteries of Westgate. Collectively, this means over 100 hours of gameplay spanning four seperate campaigns.

The remaster also includes enhanced visuals and audio fidelity, refined camera controls and a new user interface. It also include Steam Workshop integration and cross-platform multiplayer co‑op.

When is Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition coming out?

Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition will be released for PC and consoles on July 15th, 2025 (although you can pre-order it now).

How much is Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition?

The game will retail for $29.99 USD on all platforms. As of this writing, it you pre-order it you can snag it for 10% off on PC and most consoles.

What other D&D Video Games Are in the Works?

While the Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition marks the return of an old school classic, there are also a number of new D&D video game projects in the works, including:

• Untitled D&D surival sim: In development from Gameloft Montreal, the studio best known for the popular Disney Dreamlight Valley, this new D&D title will be an action-focused survival-life sim set in the Forgotten Realms.
• Project Baxter: In development from Starbreeze Enterainment, who are best known for their shooter Payday 3, little has been revealed about this upcoming D&D game (code named “Project Baxter”) other than that it is a co-operative multiplayer game and slated for release in 2026 for consoles and PC.
• Baldur’s Gate 4: Larian Studios has confirmed that they will not be working on a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. Hasbro, however, is unlikely to let the lucrative franchise die and chances are good we’ll see a Baldur’s Gate 4 in the future from another developer.
• Untitled Hasbro Game: Wizards of the Coast has also indicated that an in-house studio at Hasbro is currently developing a currently unnamed D&D game, although little information has been revealed about what it will consist of.
• Untitled Saber Interactive game: The developers of the popular Space Marine 2 video game are also working on a new Hasbro title that may be D&D related.
• Untitled Giant Skull Game: The new game studio (which was founded in 2023 by several video game veterans) is working on a single-player action adventure title using the Dungeons & Dragons license.
• Battlemarked: is an upcoming co-op virtual reality RPG game set in the world of D&D. The game is built using the Demeo Action Role Playing System, which involves tactical turn-based combat for up to four players.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Neverwinter Nights 2 get a new lease on life and it’s a great way for fans who haven’t experienced it before to jump into the game. While it might not be Baldur’s Gate 4, it’s a way to experience one of Dungeons & Dragons most influential video games.

You can pre-order the game now for PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. Below you can also check out the official launch trailer.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post A Classic D&D Video Game Returns After A 20 Year Hiatus appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

2024 marked the launch of a completely new rule set for Dungeons & Dragons. And while the mechanics still technically fall under the fifth edition rules that were launched in 2014, there are a number of significant changes that alter how the game is played. Yet surprisingly, the new 2024 Player’s Handbook and 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide don’t really spell out these updates in detail, with no side-by-side comparison listing just what has and hasn’t changed.

Fortunately, Wizards of the Coast has decided to rectify that oversight by releasing a new conversion guide that highlights everything that’s changed from the D&D 2014 rules to the new D&D 2024 rules. Below, we take a closer look at what’s included.

What is the new D&D 2014 to 2024 Conversion Guide?

First, it’s important to note that the new conversion guide applies to Dungeons & Dragon’s Systems Reference Document (SRD), the official free rules which third-party publishers are legally allowed to use when creating new content.

As such, the conversion guide really breaks out the differences between the SRD 5.1 (2014 rules) and SRD 5.2 (2024 rules). One thing to note is that the conversion guide is really more of a technical document and is definitely not as reader friendly as something you’d find in an official Wizards of the Coast book. Major highlights in the conversion guide include:

• Terminology Changes: Many core terms have been renamed for clarity and consistency (i.e. “Race” is now “Species”) and capitalization has been standardized.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Changes have been made to core mechanics, including rules such as Surprise and Exhaustion.
• Character Creation: Ability score bonuses are now granted by Backgrounds rather than Race, and other character creation rules have been updated.
• Classes: All twelve core DnD classes feature new and revised features, unified spell lists and a delayed subclass selection at level 3.
• Feats and Proficiencies: Feats have been reworked and recategorized into Origin, General, Fighting Style and Epic Boons.
• Equipment & Weapons: Weapon Mastery rules add new tactical options and weapons tables have been reorganized.
• Spells and Spellcasting: Several new spells ha been added, while other spells have been renamed and had their rules tweaked.
• Monsters: Stat blocks have been overhauled for clarity, with initiative scores, gear and clearer spellcasting sections.
• Rules Glossary: Dozens of terms now have formal definitions (i.e. Bloodied) and new rules cover travel, environmental hazards, curses and mental stress.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to all of the changes between the D&D 2014 and 2024 rules, the new PDF from Wizards of the Coast definitely has you covered. It’s likely the document will be updated in the days ahead as new rules appear in subsequent sourcebooks, but in the meantime you can download it now from D&D Beyond

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post New Guide Details How to Convert D&D 2014 to 2024 Rules appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has just unveiled a new free adventure to celebrate International Day of Play; an annual event created by the United Nations which recognizes the universal right of children to play. The adventure is entitled Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble and is available for download now for free via D&D Beyond (you do need an account, but don’t have to be a subscriber).

Notably, the adventure will also be featured in upcoming D&D International Day of Play events, which run from June 9th to 30th at participating game stores in the US. These all-ages events are designed to introduce younger players to D&D and are co-sponsored by Dominos, who is offering $50 gift cards to select stores who join in the program.

So just what kind of trouble will adventurers get into with this celebration of play? Below, we take a look at all the details.

What is “Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble” about?

Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble is a short one-shot adventure for four to six level 1 characters that will take roughly 1 to 2 hours to complete. It’s designed specifically to teach new players the basics of Dungeons & Dragons using the new 2024 rules. It also serves as a preview of the upcoming Heroes of the Borderlands D&D start set which is slated for released in September 2025.

The adventure kicks off with players hired by the castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands to track down a band of goblins who stole a powerful magical artifact known as the Bowl of Plenty. Unfortunately, the goblins have headed to the dreaded Caves of Chaos and it’s up to the players to retrieve the Bowl and stop the goblins, while exploring the cave and overcoming a variety of traps and monsters.

What is International Day of Play?

International Day of Play is an annual event held each year on June 11th that was created by the United Nations (with the first one occurring in 2024). The event is described by the UN as being designed to “preserve, promote, and prioritize playing so that all people, especially children, can reap the rewards and thrive to their full potential.” It’s also focused on raising awareness of play as a fundamental human right under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Last year, Wizards of the Coast (and parent company Hasbro) was actively involved in first ever International Day of Play, running a number of events and providing significant donations and volunteer efforts.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Wizards of the Coast supporting an event like International Day of Play as well as bringing younger players into the game with a free adventure (although oddly, the event has received little promotion via D&D Beyond or their social channels). It’s also the chance to get an early look at just what will be included in the upcoming Heroes of the Borderlands starter set.

You can download Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble for free now on D&D Beyond and can also register for upcoming D&D International Day of Play events in the US via the Wizards Play Network.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post WotC Releases Free D&D Adventure for International Day of Play appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wizards of the Coast has recently posted two new job openings for senior designers on the Dungeons & Dragons team, both of which will be responsible for guiding the overall direction of D&D as the game evolves in the wake of the new 2024 rules set.

The postings come just a few months after the departure of senior D&D design leads, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford, both of whom were instrumental in the development of the Dungeons & Dragons brand and game mechanics over the past decade.

So what do these new open roles mean for the future of D&D? Below, we break out all the details.

What are the latest senior D&D design roles?

Wizards of the Coast describes the Head of Game Ecosystem role as a “crucial leadership position responsible for driving the complete design and evolution of the Dungeons & Dragons game system. This role ensures consistency across all game releases, both physical and digital, preserving the integrity of the rules and mechanics while encouraging innovation.” The posting also notes that WotC is looking for a veteran RPG professional with at least 10 years of game designer experience.

The Principal Game Designer position will “lead the execution of Dungeons & Dragons’ major product releases. These tentpole projects span analog and digital expressions and may include setting content, rules-adjacent systems, adventures, and platform-native features. This role architects and stewards the design vision of sophisticated product suites, working closely with design leads, editorial, rules leadership, and digital teams to ensure cohesion and quality across every player touchpoint.” The role is also geared towards veteran TTRPG designers, with at least 8 years of experience in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Based on the descriptions, both roles seem very similar to the work Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins have been overseeing over the past few years. It’s clearly a vacuum that Wizards of the Coast is attempting to fill, while at the same time over the past year or two we’ve seen more exposure and projects going to senior D&D designers such as Justice Arman and Makenzie de Armas.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can learn more about (and apply for) the Head of Game Ecosystem and Principal Game Designer roles directly via the Hasbro website.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Wizards of the Coast Looking for New D&D Design Leads appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

First released in 2022, Dungeons of Drakkenheim has since become one of the most popular third-party D&D campaign settings, spawning a wide range sourcebooks published primarily by Ghostfire Gaming. Drakkenheim has also appeared extensively on D&D Beyond, with a number of books ported over to the digital platform.

The latest release to make it onto D&D Beyond is Monsters of Drakkenheim, a new sourcebook which, as the name suggests, is focused heavily on a range of monsters, along with new lore, lairs, spells, magic items and maps. The books is available now on D&D Beyond.

So what kind of foul new monstrosities lurk in the depths of Drakkenheim? Below, we face down all the terrifying details.

What is Dungeons of Drakkenheim?

Dungeons of Drakkenheim is a campaign created by popular YouTuberes “The Dungeon Dudes” based on an actual play series they ran on their channel back in 2019. The material was later adapted into a full-fledged campaign book after a successful Kickstarter and was released by third-party DnD 5e publisher Ghostfire Games.

The campaign world is focused largely on the city of Drakkenheim, a one thriving metropolis that was devastated 15 years earlier by an otherworldly meteor storm. It’s now an urban wasteland filled with foul sorcery, mutated monsters and various factions vying for control of the ruins. Thematically, it’s a unique blend of cosmic horror and dark fantasy, with the original campaign featuring non-linear story progression and sandbox style play, earning it a spot on our list as one of the best DnD campaigns of all time.

What’s included in “Monsters of Drakkenheim” on D&D Beyond?

Monsters of Drakkenheim is designed primarily for Dungeon Masters, offering new monsters, locations, lairs and magic items. That being said, there’s also player-focused content, including new spells, crafting recipes and equipment. Specifically the book includes:

• 226 monsters ranging from CR 1 to CR 30
• 53 Magic Items
• 16 Spells
• 14 Maps for use with the D&D Maps VTT
• 7 non-magical Items and pieces of equipment

Notably the content is a port of the Monsters of Drakkenheim book which was Kickstarted in 2024 and is being released to backers now. It’s also important to note that the rules are designed for DnD 2014 (although with a little work it can easily be ported over to DnD the 2024 rules).

How Much is “Monsters of Drakkenheim” on D&D Beyond?

Currently, Monsters of Drakkenheim retails for $29.99 USD on D&D Beyond, which isn’t a bad price considering the amount of content you’re getting and is comparable to other DnD monster books that are available in print of on D&D Beyond.

Notably, you can also purchase the Drakkenheim Adventure Bundle for $64.99. This includes Monsters of Drakkenheim, the Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign sourcebook and the adventure In Search of the Smuggler’s Secrets. Individually these three products will run you about $75 USD, so it’s not a bad savings if you’re thinking of going all in with Drakkenheim.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see that Dungeons of Drakkenheim is continuing to get support from Wizards of the Coast on D&D Beyond in order to reach a wider audience. It’s an amazing dark fantasy setting and really does showcase the incredible work that third-party DnD 5e publishers are capable of producing.

If you’re looking to get your hands on Monsters of Drakkenheim, you can purchase it now on D&D Beyond. Below is also a video from The Dungeon Dudes with more information on what’s included.

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post Monsters of Drakkenheim Unleashes New Horrors on D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

While playing in a long term Dungeons & Dragons campaign is always an amazing experience, sometimes you just want a quick and easy adventure that can be wrapped up in a single session. Enter One-Shot Wonders, a collection of adventures from Roll & Play Press that was first Kickstarted in 2023 but has now arrived on D&D Beyond.

It marks yet another major third-party publication to make it on Wizards of the Coast’s digital platform, although notably the original book has been sliced and diced into three separate products, each of which includes maps, NPCs, monsters and adventure outlines.

So are these short and sweet one shots truly a wonder to behold? Below, we take a look at all the details.

What One-Shot Wonders are featured D&D Beyond?

The original One-Shot Wonders is a book from Roll & Play Press that features over 100 individual one shot adventures. The D&D Beyond version, however, has taken the book and broken it out into three separate products, each of which includes 10 standalone adventures (ranging from Levels 1 to 8). Each adventure can be wrapped up in about 3 hours, although the books also offer suggestions on how to link them together into a single campaign. Each book also digital maps that were are actually taken from Roll & Play Press’ separate Map Library box set.

The three digital books on D&D Beyond are as follows:

• Forest Adventures
• Coastal Adventures
• Desert Adventures

It’s important to note that all use the DnD 2014 rules (although with a little work you can easily port them over to the new DnD 2024 mechanics).

How much are One-Shot Wonders on D&D Beyond

Each of the One-Shot Wonders books on D&D Beyond retails for $9.99 USD. Notably, the original One-Shot Wonders physical hardcover book retails for $74.99 USD (not including shipping and handling), with the PDF version going for $44.99 USD.

As noted above, you’ll also get a few digital maps that are based on the Map Library box set (with the digital version of that product going for $84.99 USD). So the price point here isn’t bad if you’re looking to pick up one or all of the books on D&D Beyond.

Final Thoughts

There are a ton of amazing one shot adventures, but not many available on D&D Beyond, so it’s great to see this offering, with the ability to grab adventures for a variety of environments and levels. It’s also fantastic to see Wizards of the Coast continue to promote and publish third-party publishers like Roll & Play.

You now grab your copy of the three new One-Shot Wonders now on D&D Beyond.

See Our D&D Beyond Coverage

Visit our D&D Beyond page for more news, reviews and updates.

Subscribe to D&D Fanatics

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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).

The post One-Shot Wonders’ Short & Sweet Adventures Land On D&D Beyond appeared first on Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics.

Wielding sentient magical weapons and dark eldritch powers, the Hexblade Warlock has been a fan-favorite subclass since first appearing in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything back in 2017. It’s a unique martial take on the more traditional DnD 5e Warlock and has often been considered one of the more powerful subclasses in terms of sheer damage output.

Now, the Hexblade has returned with a vengeance in the DnD 2024 rules. It’s one of eight new options featured in the latest Unearthed Arcana Horror Subclasses playtest, all of which will be appearing in an as-yet-unannounced product (with some speculating it may be a new Ravenloft sourcebook).

So is this reforged Warlock still as sharp as ever? Below, we conjure up all the details.

What’s changed in the new Hexblade Warlock?

Below are all the changes to the new Hexblade Warlock using the DnD 2024 rules. For ease of reference we’ve included the level of each feature and whether or not it’s changed from the previous Legacy Hexblade that was featured back in 2017 in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything.

What are the new Hexblade Warlock features?

You’ve made a pact with a sentient magic weapon and the cursed forces contained within its blade. Such a weapon could be the sword sheathed at a Warlock’s side, or it could be an infamous magic weapon stored elsewhere, projecting its power across the multiverse to further its cunning plans. To those who are willing to follow this weapon’s whims, these inscrutable patrons offer the power to bestow malignant curses, deliver punishing blows and bolster the wielder.

Level 3: Hexblade Spells

The magic of your patron ensures you always have certain spells ready. When you reach a Warlock level specified in the Hexblade Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Level 3: Hexblade Manifest

Your patron grants you the power to summon cursed echoes of its blade to hinder your foes. You gain the following benefits:

Hexblade’s Curse: You can cast Hex without expending a spell slot a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest. When you cast Hex, a spectral weapon resembling your patron orbits the cursed target.

Hexblade’s Maneuvers: Once per turn, when you hit a target cursed by your Hex with an attack roll, you can cause one of these additional effects:

• Draining Slash: The target makes a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the target can’t make Opportunity Attacks and its speed is halved until the start of your next turn.
• Harrowing Blade: The target makes a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the next time the target makes an attack roll against a creature other than you before the start of your next turn, the target takes Necrotic damage equal to your Charisma modifier.
• Stymying Mark: The target has Disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes before the start of your next turn.

Level 6: Life Stealer

Your patron’s might allows you to drain vitality from those you curse, granting you the following benefits:

Hungering Hex: Whenever the target cursed by your Hex drops to 0 Hit Points, you regain Hit Points equal to 1d8 plus your Charisma modifier.

Inevitable Blade: Once per turn, if you make an attack roll against the target cursed by your Hex and miss, you can deal Necrotic damage to that creature equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1 Necrotic damage).

Level 10: Armor of Hexes

When you take damage from the cursed target of your Hex, you can take a Reaction to reduce the damage taken by an amount equal to 2d8 plus your Charisma modifier. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Level 14: Masterful Hex

Your patron’s accursed might flows even more strongly through you, granting the following benefits:

Accursed Critical: Any attack roll you make against the target cursed by your Hex scores a Critical Hit on a roll of a 19 or 20 on the d20.

Infectious Hex: When you use one of your Hexblade’s Maneuvers, you can target one additional creature within 30 feet of the cursed target. The additional target takes 1d6 Necrotic damage.

Resilient Hex: Taking damage can’t break your Concentration on Hex.

Is the new Hexblade Warlock worth playing?

The new Hexblade Warlock feels like a step backwards for the subclass. In fact, it feels like Wizards of the Coast has effectively stripped the “blade” out of the name by dropping key 2014 features like Hex Warrior. Instead, the focus now is almost entirely on the Hex spell, removing a lot of the flavor and power that made the subclass so effective and popular in the first place. In short, it feels like it really misses the mark for the new 2024 Warlock class and is a move that’s likely to annoy longtime fans of the subclass.

That being said, we won’t actually see the final Hexblade Warlock until it’s officially released (in whatever format and book that might be). In the meantime, if you want to check out the subclass for yourself, you can download it directly from the Unearthed Arcana Horror Subclasses playtest.

Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel with DnD lead designer Makenzie De Armas. For ease of referenced, we’ve timestamped to where she discusses the new Hexblade Warlock.

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