Brace Yourselves, Mortals! New Horror Subclasses Lurk in Latest D&D Unearthed Arcana

For those brave souls who enjoy a touch of terror with their tabletop adventures, prepare to have your dice rattle! Wizards of the Coast has just unleashed a chilling wave of eight new subclasses in their latest Unearthed Arcana playtest, each one steeped in the macabre and designed to send shivers down your players’ spines. Interestingly, many of these terrifying archetypes are revamped versions of existing subclasses, plucked from the shadowy corners of past D&D 5th Edition supplements like Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and the aptly named Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. As with all Unearthed Arcana releases, remember that these are works in progress and may evolve before their final, horrifying debut.

So, what gruesome goodies await those daring enough to delve into this latest playtest? Let’s pull back the veil and reveal the new horror subclasses that have emerged from the shadows:

What New Horror Subclasses Are Featured in the Latest UA?

Here’s a breakdown of all the unveiled subclasses, with a note on whether they are brand new or updated versions of existing options from the D&D 2014 ruleset:

• Reanimator (Artificer) – NEW: Prepare for some truly unsettling creations! These Artificers dabble in the forbidden arts of necromancy, but with a twisted scientific flair. Imagine an inventor piecing together grotesque undead companions from scavenged body parts, powered by crackling electricity, bizarre augmentations, and unholy engineering. These custom-built abominations aren’t just mindless minions; they grow in power alongside their Artificer creator, promising a unique and disturbing playstyle.

• College of Spirits (Bard) – UPDATE: Originally haunting the pages of Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, these Bards act as conduits for the restless dead. They channel spectral energy to empower their allies or curse their foes. A key feature of this subclass is the element of chance – the Bard rolls to determine which spirit manifests, adding an unpredictable and thematic twist to their abilities.

• Grave Domain (Cleric) – UPDATE: This updated take on the Cleric subclass from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything continues to explore the delicate balance between life and death. These holy guardians can curse enemies, making them vulnerable to harm, bolster the healing of those teetering on the brink, and even absorb the very essence of necromantic magic.

• Hollow Warden (Ranger) – NEW: Tapping into primal fears and the terrifying power of nature’s darker side, these Rangers are a force to be reckoned with. When they cast Hunter’s Mark, they undergo a chilling transformation into monstrous guardians wreathed in eerie shadows and thorny brambles. As they gain experience, their powers expand to include unsettling health regeneration, debilitating auras that can cripple foes, and even a chilling ability to claw their way back from death itself.

• Phantom (Rogue) – UPDATE: First introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, these Rogues possess a disturbing connection to the realm of the dead. They manifest ghostly powers to inflict necrotic damage upon their enemies and collect fragments of souls in the form of soul trinkets. These trinkets grant them temporary knowledge and the ability to cast spells, making them versatile and spectral threats.

• Shadow Sorcery (Sorcerer) – UPDATE: Hailing from the shadowy depths of Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, these Sorcerers draw their magic from the malevolent energies of the Shadowfell. They weave together spells of invisibility, darkness, and necrotic energy. Their abilities include teleporting through shadows, summoning shadowy undead allies, and even briefly becoming an incorporeal form resistant to most forms of damage.

• Hexblade Patron (Warlock) – UPDATE: A fan-favorite subclass that first appeared in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Hexblade Warlock is bound to a sentient magical weapon. This pact grants them the ability to curse their enemies and significantly enhance their combat prowess. In this updated version, the Hex spell takes center stage, offering a versatile array of combat options for these weapon-bonded warlocks.

• Undead Patron (Warlock) – UPDATE: Originally found within the pages of Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, these Warlocks have forged a pact with a powerful undead entity, such as a lich, a vampire lord, or some other unholy being. Their signature Form of Dread ability grants them temporary hit points and a terrifying presence that can control the battlefield by instilling fear in their enemies.

Final Thoughts

It’s certainly exciting to see some of the more unique and thematically resonant horror subclasses receiving an update for the evolving D&D ruleset, especially the widely popular Hexblade Warlock. The addition of entirely new subclasses like the Reanimator Artificer and the Hollow Warden Ranger also injects fresh, terrifying concepts into the game. The community will undoubtedly be eager to see how these subclasses play out and where they might ultimately appear in future D&D publications.

For those brave enough to experiment with these terrifying new builds, you can find the full details on the official Unearthed Arcana page or download the PDF directly. You can also gain further insights by checking out the recent video from the official D&D Beyond YouTube channel, where designer Makenzie De Armas offers more information on what to expect from these chilling subclasses. Happy (and perhaps slightly fearful) adventuring!