Ravenloft: The Horrors Within Announced, Release Date Scheduled for June 2026

[Christian Hoffer]

Dungeons & Dragons is returning to Ravenloft for its first release of 2026. Today at GAMA Expo, Wizards of the Coast announced Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, a new D&D sourcebook detailing the Ravenloft campaign setting. The new campaign book will feature horror-themed subclasses, species, backgrounds, and Dark Gift feats for players, along with details about various Darklords and their Domains of Dread. There will also be "dozens" of denizens of the fearsome mists, including potential allies like Rudolph Van Richten. Multiple genres of horror will be covered, including gothic, dark fantasy, cosmic, and the occult.

An early preview of the book revealed that the book will contain four new playable species - the Dhampir, Hexblood, Lupin, and Reborn species. The dhampir was previously released as a digital-only option in the D&D Beyond "DLC" Asterion's Book of Hungers. This seems to hint that various player options released as "DLC" may still have future in print releases. Also revealed was a new Investigator background option. The book also features Cthulhu as a Darklord, with 385 HP and a spell save DC of 25, hinting at a CR range of around 25.

And here's the cover artwork (by Anna Podedworna) and alternate cover artwork (by Pam Wishbow).

Ravenloft: The Horror Within was one of three D&D products announced today. You can find a full rundown here.

 

[GarrettKP]

The previewed background lists “Sharp Eye” as a new Origin Feat but also allows you to swap your Origin Feat with a Dark Gift of your choice. Interesting.

 

[EternalDungeonMaster]

This is definitely a darker take on Ravenloft, which I think is something we needed. That image of Strahd, in particular, really makes me feel like I DO NOT want to meet up with that dude. I loved 5e Curse of Strahd, but in the multiple times I ran it I always found myself darkening it up from the published material.

 

[TravDoc42]

CTHULHU!!

 

[TravDoc42]

Also, finally a lupin race!!

 

[Artamo]

That’s a badass pic of Strahd! I also like the black background for some of the pages. It looks like it will be a gorgeous book, for sure.

 

[Sulicius]

Excuse me, Cthulhu?!

My first reaction is actually disappointment. Curse of Strahd is wonderful, I'd love to run it again some time. Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft was a perfect addition, giving more options, solid guidance on running a horror campaign as a DM, player guidance and lore.

Now we get even more Ravenloft?

The only thing that might save this book for me, is solid guidance on running and playing an "evil" party.

 

[GMMichael]

So glad Matt Mercer landed the Strahd gig! Maybe his next game will be called Stakeheart?

Seriously . . . was Strahd always an elf?

 

[Remathilis]

So we know where the horror subclasses go.

As a Ravenloft fan, I'm super stoked. And it's only three months away. Won't get you use it any time soon (just finished Ravenloft, now starting Eberron) but I am still grabbing this day one.

Interesting tidbits from killing my eyes on the preview.

Dhampir and reborn are both humanoids. No undead species.
The lupin looks like it has the following traits: darkvision, a claw attack, a howl used to give enemies disadvantage (prof/day) and a free skill (perception, stealth or survival).
I thought the investigator was a reprinted/update of the one in the Eberron book, but that's the inquisitive. Very similar though.

Least I have something to look forward to. Bring on the Psion and I'm happy.

 

[Artamo]

So glad Matt Mercer landed the Strahd gig! Maybe his next game will be called Stakeheart?

Seriously . . . was Strahd always an elf?

No, but as a vampire he’s always been depicted having the pointy ears. 5e has made him more elven-like facially than in the past a bit.