Eight New DnD Subclasses Coming to Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide

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Scheduled for release in November 2025, the upcoming Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide brings the new DnD 2024 rules to the lands of Faerûn, introducing a range of new lore and character options geared specifically towards players. Now, we’re getting a small taste of what that entails thanks to a recent Unearthed Arcana playtest that showcases eight new subclasses: The College of the Moon Bard, Oath of the Noble Genies Paladin, Winter Walker Ranger, Scion of the Three Rogue, Spellfire Sorcerer, Bladesinger Wizard, Knowledge Domain Cleric and Purple Dragon Knight Fighter.

Notably, the latter three options have previously appeared in the 2015 Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide and later in 2020 for Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, but have been significantly overhauled since then. The remaining five subclasses are completely new to DnD 5e, having never before appeared in any other materials. In all cases, they’re using the new rules outlined in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, which has resulted in some major changes to the way classes and subclasses work.

So just what can players expect to find in this return to Realms? Below, we roll up all the details.

College of the Moon Bard Subclass (New)

Using the rules of the new 2024 Bard, the College of the Moon draws upon the myths and folklore of the Moonshae Isles, using ancient stories to buff allies and hinder foes. Key features include:

• Moonshae Folktales: Unique “Tales” you tell grant different benefits, such as healing bonuses, stealth-enhancing magic or the ability to impose penalties on enemy saving throws.
• Primal Lorist: Gain proficiency in Druidic and an extra Druid cantrip.
• Blessing of the Moonwells: At 6th level, you can cast Moonbeam for free once per long rest, with an added healing effect.
• Bolstered Folktales: At 14th level, you enhance your Folktale abilities, allowing for extra movement and power boosts.

Oath of the Noble Genies Paladin Subclass (New)

Using the new Paladin class (which has been significant updated over the 2014 version, particularly when it comes to Divine Smite), this new subclass allows you to wield elemental power derived from genies. Key features include:

• Elemental Smite: Channel Divinity to add elemental effects to your smites, such as grappling foes or creating teleportation effects.
• Genie Spells: Gain access to a new spell list including Chromatic Orb, Fly and Summon Elemental.
• Aura of Elemental Shielding: Provides resistance to a chosen elemental damage type.
• Elemental Rebuke: At 15th level, reflect damage back at attackers.
• Noble Scion: At 20th level, gain flight and the ability to turn failed d20 rolls into successes for allies.

Winter Walker Ranger Subclass (New)

Tapping into the new mechanics of the updated Ranger class, Winter Walkers are masters of of survival in frozen wastelands and capable of wielding icy magic. Key features include:

• Frigid Explorer: Gain resistance to cold and an extra cold damage boost that ignores resistance.
• Hunter’s Rime: Casting Hunter’s Mark grants temporary hit points and prevents the target from disengaging.
• Fortifying Soul: Heal allies after a short rest and grant them fear resistance.
• Chilling Retribution: Frighten attackers with a reaction.
• Frozen Haunt: At 15th level, enter a ghostly form immune to cold damage, with movement bonuses and area damage.

Scion of the Three Rogue Subclass (New)

Balancing some of the new features of the updated 2024 Rogue class, this new bloodsoaked subclass draws upon the power of the Dead Three (the gods Bane, Bhaal and Myrku) to bring death and terror your enemies. Key features include:

• Bloodthirst: Get bonus damage against bloodied foes, with the ability to teleport and attack when enemies fall.
• Dread Allegiance: Choose one of the Dead Three for damage resistance and a cantrip.
• Strike Fear: Gain the ability to frighten enemies with Sneak Attack.
• Aura of Malevolence: At 13th level, radiate an aura that deals damage matching your chosen god.
• Dread Incarnate: At 17th level, gain advantage on attacks against frightened foes and improve Sneak Attack damage rolls.

Spellfire Sorcerer Subclass (New)

Drawing on the new metamagic changes that have been made to the Sorcerer class in 2024, these unique spellcasters use the unpredictable power of Spellfire to tap directly into the Weave itself. Key features include:

• Spellfire Burst: Spend sorcery points to deal radiant or fire damage or grant temporary hit points.
• Spellfire Spells: Get access to spells that include Cure Wounds, Dispel Magic and Wall of Fire.
• Absorb Spells: Gain Counterspell and regain sorcery points when successfully countering magic.
• Honed Spellfire: At 14th level, increase the power of your Spellfire Burst.
• Crown of Spellfire: At 18th level, gain flight, damage resistance and spell negation.

Bladesinger Wizard Subclass (Revised)

Originally appearing in the 2015 Swordcoast Adventurer’s Guide and later revised in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Bladesingers have become one of the most popular subclasses in recent years. This revised version, however, uses the new features from the 2024 Wizard class and has also made a number of tweaks from the previous 2014 Bladesinger. Key features include:

• Bladesong: Gain AC, speed boosts and the ability to use Intelligence for weapon attacks.
• Training in War and Song: Gain proficiency with melee weapons and the ability to use them as spell foci.
• Extra Attack: At 6th level, make two weapon attacks or replace one with a cantrip.
• Song of Defense: Use spell slots to reduce incoming damage.
• Song of Victory: At 14th level, make a weapon attack as a bonus action after casting a spell.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Subclass (Revised)

Also originally appearing in the Swordcoast Adventurer’s Guide, this updated subclass uses the rules of the new 2024 Cleric but remains all about uncovering lost wisdom, mastering esoteric lore and expanding your character’s mind. Key features now include:

• Blessings of Knowledge: Gain proficiency in Artisan’s Tools and two knowledge-based skills with expertise.
• Mind Magic: Use Channel Divinity to cast a domain spell without expending a spell slot.
• Unfettered Mind: Gain telepathy and the ability to use Wisdom in place of low Intelligence checks.
• Divine Foreknowledge: At 17th level, gain advantage on all d20 tests for an hour.

Purple Dragon Knight Fighter Subclass (Revised)

Another subclass that first appeared in 2015 in the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, the revised Purple Dragon Knight (also known as the Banneret) uses the rules for the new 2024 Fighter class. The biggest change is that these chivalrous warriors are now bonded to a purple amethyst dragon, which grows as you advance in level. Key features include:

• Purple Dragon Companion: A bonded amethyst dragon hatchling fights alongside you.
• Dragon Rider: At 7th level you can ride your dragon and enhance its breath attack.
• Rallying Surge: Using Action Surge allows allies to attack or retreat.
• Amethyst Pinnacle: Your dragon grows in size and power, and you can attack in tandem.
• Enduring Commander: Gain resistance to force and psychic damage.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see that Wizards of the Coast is rolling out some new DnD subclasses to go along with the updated 2024 rules. It’s also not too surprising that they just happen to be associated with the Forgotten Realms, which remains one of the game’s most popular campaign settings. It’s important to note, however, that these subclasses are still in the playtest phase, so may change before they’re released in the Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide in November 2025.

In the meantime, you can download the latest Unearthed Arcana materials from the DnD website. Below is also a recent video from the official DnD YouTube channel, with designers Jeremy Crawford and Makenzie De Armas breaking down more details on the eight new subclasses.

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