New D&D Horror Subclasses Revealed in Latest Unearthed Arcana
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If you’re a fan of horror and Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll be happy to learn that Wizards of the Coast has recently unveiled eight new bloodcurdling subclasses as part of their latest Unearthed Arcana Playtest. Only two of these subclasses, however, are new to DnD 2024. The other six are updated versions of existing subclasses that have appeared in past publications, including Xanathhar’s Guide to Everything, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. Like all UA releases, they’re also all in the early stages of development and may change before their final release.
So just what’s included in these terrifying new builds? Below, we break out all the details.
What new horror subclasses are featured in the latest UA?
Below are all the subclasses. Where applicable we’ve called out which ones are new and which are updates of already existing subclasses from the DnD 2014 rules.
- Reanimator (Artificer) NEW: Blending necromancy with science, these Artificers can create grotesque undead companions from dead body parts. They use electricity, strange augmentations and unholy engineering to fight, heal and experiment. Their custom-built undead companions also gain more powerful features as the Artificer levels up.
- College of Spirits (Bard) UPDATE: Originally appearing in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, these Bards can channel the spirits of the dead to bolster allies or curse enemies. Notably, they roll to determine which spirit manifests, adding a bit of randomness to their abilities.
- Grave Domain (Cleric) UPDATE: A new version of the subclass that originally appeared in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, these Clerics walk the fine line between life and death. They can curse enemies to become more vulnerable, bolster the healing of fallen allies and even absorb necromantic energy.
- Hollow Warden (Ranger) NEW: These Rangers draw power from ancient and terrifying natural forces. When they cast Hunter’s Mark, they transform into monstrous guardians cloaked in eerie shadows and brambles. Their powers grow to include health regeneration, debilitating auras and even the ability to return from death.
- Phantom (Rogue) UPDATE: First appearing in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, these Rogues are attuned to the realm of the dead, manifesting ghostly powers to deal necrotic damage and gather soul trinkets that allow them to gain temporary knowledge and cast spells.
- Shadow Sorcery (Sorcerer) UPDATE: Also taken from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, Shadow Sorcerers wield magic drawn from the Shadowfell, blending invisibility, darkness and necrotic energy. They can teleport through shadows, summon undead and take on an incorporeal form that resists most damage.
- Hexblade Patron (Warlock) UPDATE: Another subclass first appearing in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, these Warlocks are bound to a sentient magical weapon that curses foes and augments their combat power. In the new subclass, their Hex spell is a central feature, offering a range of combat options.
- Undead Patron (Warlock) UPDATE: Also first appearing in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft these Warlocks are bound to a lich, vampire, or other unholy being. Their Form of Dread ability grants temporary hit points and a terrifying presence feature for added battlefield control.
Final Thoughts
It’s great to see some of the more unusual horror-themed subclasses getting a revamp for the DnD 2024 rules, particularly with the fan favorite Hexblade Warlock. It’s also great to see a few new subclasses added to the mix. It remains to be seen, however, just how fans respond and which upcoming publications these new subclasses will be appearing in.
In the meantime, you can check out the new subclasses via the Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly.
Below is also a recent video from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel, with designer Makenzie De Armas offering more information on what to expect.
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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).
