D&D (2024) Upcoming One D&D: Unearthed Arcana 'Expert' Classes (Bard, Ranger, Rogue)

WotC has posted a video describing the upcoming Unearthed Arcana playtest document which will feature three of the core character classes, each with a single subclass.

This document is the second in a series of Unearthed Arcana articles that present material designed for the next version of the Player's Handbook. The material here uses the rules in the

2014 Player's Handbook, except where noted. Providing feedback on this document is one way you can help shape the next generation of D&D!

Inside you'll find the following content:

Expert Classes. Three Classes appear in this document, each one a member of the Expert Group: the Bard, the Ranger, and the Rogue. Each Class appears with one Subclass. More Subclasses will appear in Unearthed Arcana in the months ahead.

Feats. Feats follow the Class descriptions, particularly feats available to the classes in this document.

Spell Lists. Three Spell lists-the Arcane, Divine, and Primal lists-are featured here. The Ranger uses the Primal list, and the Bard potentially uses all three, thanks to the Magical Secrets feature.

Rules Glossary. In this document, any term in the body text that is underlined appears in a glossary at the end. The glossary defines game terms that have been clarified or redefined for this playtest or that don't appear in the 2014 Player's Handbook.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

That could easily be in a subclass, though. In fact, I'd LOVE to see non-magic Ranger subclasses with abilities that are roughly as powerful as spellcasting. Imagine a pet that's equal to spells?

Sorry, I just happen to like the half-caster Ranger, it’s always been a blast to play. And if I wanted a pet, I’d pick Beast Master or Drakewarden.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Sorry, I just happen to like the half-caster Ranger, it’s always been a blast to play. And if I wanted a pet, I’d pick Beast Master or Drakewarden.

And if there’s a half-caster subclass?

And you misunderstand me on the pet: I didn’t mean it should be in the base class, I mean that if spellcasting is a subclass feature, then other subclass features…such as pets…should be comparable.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

And if there’s a half-caster subclass?

And you misunderstand me on the pet: I didn’t mean it should be in the base class, I mean that if spellcasting is a subclass feature, then other subclass features…such as pets…should be comparable.

If you mean that Ranger wouldn’t be a half-caster CLASS because all their magic is shoved into one single subclass, then no, I prefer the whole class having magic like it already has.

And I understood what you meant by a pet as the subclass feature instead of spells, however I can have both with how the class is now so it’s a win win for me.

As I said I am probably part of the minority on this site but I’m happy with the current direction of the Ranger. Maybe add back a couple of the exploration features from past iterations but overall I like the changes.

 

[Charlaquin]

Also, I really hate this syntax:

Dexterity Check (Stealth)

Why not just say Stealth check? I really hate this so much. So very much. It is clunky and unnecessarily complex.

They’ve said “Dexterity (Stealth) check” since the Next playtest, here they’re just reversing the order of “check” and the parenthetical skill. The reason they do so is because there’s no such thing as a skill check in 5e. Skills are a feature that allow you to add your proficiency bonus to a subset of ability checks.

 

[Bill Zebub]

They’ve said “Dexterity (Stealth) check” since the Next playtest, here they’re just reversing the order of “check” and the parenthetical skill. The reason they do so is because there’s no such thing as a skill check in 5e. Skills are a feature that allow you to add your proficiency bonus to a subset of ability checks.

Wait…I thought they are abilities. As in, “I’ll use Insight.” WTF?!?!?

 

[Charlaquin]

Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who likes Rangers with spells. I’m actually really excited that they are getting the ability to prepare spells, gaining cantrips, and are getting a wider spell list.

You’re definitely not the only one, it’s just that spells on rangers are very polarizing. People either love it or hate it and there’s very little middle-ground.

 

[Charlaquin]

Wait…I thought they are abilities. As in, “I’ll use Insight.” WTF?!?!?

Not at all. The standard operation in the how to play rules is that the player describes what they want to do, and the DM determines the results, calling for an ability check if the action has a meaningful chance of failure and dramatically interesting consequences. The DM or the rules of certain features can allow you to add your proficiency bonus to certain ability checks, if you have proficiency in certain skills.

 

[Amrûnril]

The parenthetical format makes sense if you want to support the possibility of nonstandard skill-ability combinations, like an Intelligence (Medicine) check for knowledge of a rare disease or a Constitution (Athletics) check for endurance running. I think this is a great mechanical option to have, though unfortunately the skill presentation on standard character sheets and on D&D Beyond steers you away from using it.

 

[Minigiant]

Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who likes Rangers with spells. I’m actually really excited that they are getting the ability to prepare spells, gaining cantrips, and are getting a wider spell list.

I loves Rangers with spells.

My gripe is that WOTC keeps giving Ranger's Druid spells and doesn't make Ranger spells and this playtest Ranger is another continuation of it.

 

[Parmandur]

Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who likes Rangers with spells. I’m actually really excited that they are getting the ability to prepare spells, gaining cantrips, and are getting a wider spell list.

No, you are the opoisite of alone that's the majority teport, WotC found like 6 years ago when theybdid all those tests that magic is a necessary part of the Ranger for most people. They won't ever do a spelless Ranger, that's why they made the Scout Rogue.