One D&D Playtest Updates Druid and Paladin Classes

New One D&D content offers some surprising new changes to the nature-loving magic users and smite-happy warriors.

It’s been several months since we last heard from Wizards of the Coast regarding the One D&D playtest; a series of prototype rules for a new D&D product that will launch sometime in 2024 while remaining compatible with existing fifth edition rules.

This marks the fourth batch of playtesting materials that Wizards of the Coast has released to the general public for feedback under their Unearthed Arcana banner. While past playtests covered a wide range of content, this particular update features a number new rules for the Druid and Paladin.

So just what is changing for those two classes in One D&D? Below, we break out all the details.

What’s new for Druids?

While druids have been a staple of D&D for almost as long as the game has been around, according to Wizards of the Coast it’s also the least played out of any of the DnD 5e classes. As such, the latest One D&D playtest has made a number of significant updates to the Druid DnD 5e class.

• New Channel Nature ability: Similar to the Channel Divinity ability available to Clerics and Paladins, the One D&D playtest introduces “Channel Nature,” which is an innate druidic ability to call upon the primordial power of the nature itself. Using this ability, druids will now be able to call animal familiars, summon magical healing blossoms and perform a number of other actions as they progress in levels.
• New Updates to Wildshape: In the current D&D 5e rules, when players use wildshape they must choose what animal they want to transform and then pull the animal’s stats from the Monster’s Manual. In the new One D&D version of wildshape, however, players now have three set versions to choose from, each of which comes with its own predetermined stat block. The three options are: Animals of the Land, Animals of the Sky and Animals of the Sea. So whether a player wants to transform into a wolf or a bear, the basic stat block would remain the same (with bonuses added based on their ability scores). Initially, players will only have access to the Animals of the Land, with the Sky and Sea options available at later levels. That being said, players will eventually have the ability to turn to smaller-sized creatures and customize their animal form, including creating optional hybrid versions (which could potentially allow for a druid to transform into something like an owlbear). Later levels will also be able to shift in and out of wildshape without wasting an action. Finally, the ability is now available to Druids at 1st level, rather than 2nd level.
• Circle of the Moon subclass updates: This popular Druid subclass has seen several new updates in One D&D. First and foremost is that the One D&D playtest has done away with the ability to wildshape into an elemental. Now, players will be able to infuse elemental magic into their animal form, allowing them to become creatures such as fire-infused wolf or lightning-infused owl. Additionally, in this new form they will now deal damage of that elemental type. For example, a fire wolf might shoot flames out of its mouth. Circle of the Moon Druids will also now be able to wildshape as a bonus action, and while in their wildshape form can now cast Adjuration spells or burn a spell slot to heal themselves. If all that wasn’t enough, Circle of the Moon druids also gain unarmed strikes as a bonus action and at a higher levels also gain the Alter Self ability.

Below is a video from Wizards of the Coast which details more on these One D&D updates to the Druid class.

What’s new for Paladins?

While the changes to the Paladin class is less substantial than Druids, the One D&D playtest does introduce a number of new rules.

• New Channel Divinity Options: Paladins will still receive access to Channel Divinity at Level 3, but now at 9th level will receive Adjure Foes ability. Additionally, Paladins will not have access to two Channel Divinity uses per day, with this number increasing as the character levels up. What’s more, a number of Paladin abilities which are treated separately under 5e will now fall under the auspices of Channel Divinity. This includes Divine Sense and Restoring Touch (currently known as Cleansing Touch in the existing rules).
• New Divine Smite attacks: In the current D&D 5e rules, Divine Smite allows characters to burn a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage during a melee attack. In the One D&D playtest, however, Paladins will now be able to use their Divine Smite ability with both ranged weapons and unarmed strikes (in other words, Paladins can now “smite punch” an enemy). The ability, however, can now only be used once per turn and only if the Paladin has not already cast a spell.
• New Smite Spells: In addition to the new divine smite option, all of the Paladin Smite Spells have been updated in the One D&D playtest. While these spells previous required concentration to cast, with the effects only taking place after the spell had been cast, in the new rules rules the impact of Smite Spells will now take place immediately. In other words, you can now do a melee attack and then instantly use a smite spell as a bonus action to augment the attack.
• Updates to Lay On Hands: In the new rules, Paladins will now have more versatility for this simple. At higher levels, Paladins will be able to spend 5 of their own hit points to remove a number of conditions from another character, including poison, paralyzed and petrified.
• Changes to Auras: In the current 5e rules there are various Paladin Auras which are available depending on which Oath subclass the players chooses. In the One D&D playtest, however, there is now only single aura that unlocks new abilities as you advance levels.
• Oath of Devotion Subclass Update: Once per day, a Paladin following the Oath of Devotion can cast a spell without burning a slot. Additionally, the Sacred Weapon Channel Divinity ability is now a bonus action. Finally, the level progression has also changed for the subclass, so that a player’s capstone abilities are now unlocked at Level 14 instead of Level 20, which means the Holy Nimbus ability can now be used earlier on (albeit in a slightly less powerful form).

Below is a video from Wizards of the Coast which details more on these One D&D updates to the Paladin class.

What’s next for the One D&D playtest?

This latest Unearthed Arcana is available free on D&D beyond, with the feedback survey being made available on March 20. Wizards of the Coast has said they will also be releasing future playtest materials in longer periods (rather than once ever month or so) and users are expecting that the next batch will likely be focused on the Mage or Warrior classes.

Check back in the days ahead as we’ll be covering more about this updates.

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