D&D General D&D releases new Apocalyptic Subclasses UA

[Scribe]

I do not understand what the problem is. The UA looks fine. You have two evil subclasses even.

If you think Dark Sun as it was, is how the new book is going to present it, I've got a bridge deal you really need to look into.

 

[mamba]

If you think Dark Sun as it was, is how the new book is going to present it, I've got a bridge deal you really need to look into.

will it be the same, no, obviously not, but I am more curious about it than any (non-core) book released in 2025...

 

[Chaltab]

If you think Dark Sun as it was, is how the new book is going to present it, I've got a bridge deal you really need to look into.

So? Every new edition presents settings in their own way. Dark Sun in 2E isn't quite the same as Dark Sun in 4E. Dark Sun in 5E is clearly still focused on the environmental devastation and tyranny themes. That's the core of the setting.

 

[Scribe]

Dark Sun in 5E is clearly still focused on the environmental devastation and tyranny themes. That's the core of the setting.

We will see.

I'd been waiting for my Conan-esque, Brom/Frazetta, Chainmail Bikini setting, so lets keep our fingers crossed eh?

 

[SkidAce]

Why is there a need for a 'new take'. Its a pre-existing entity, its got a pre-existing tone, presentation, and so on.

sigh

I get it, its a lost cause, the battle is already over and nobody cares, but if there is a setting that is LESS appropriate for 'modern D&D' than Dark Sun, I dont know what it is, but they are going to mutilate and retcon it anyway until it fits and is child friendly.

And thats a shame to me. Not that you or anyone else must care, I just think its lame that this is the now standard corporate practice.

To be fair, they "might" not water it down.

Athas, water, get it?

 

[Kurotowa]

Putting aside the excitement over a new Dark Sun book for a minute... what are the four subclasses like?

Sorcerer-King Warlocks are a clever thematic update to the 2e Templars. Mechanically it's a little plain; no real transformative features, just some cute tricks with Command and group buffs/debuffs. Not bad, but probably something you take more for lore reasons.

Gladiator Fighter is really trying to leverage the Weapon Mastery system with bonus Mastery applications on a Cha secondary subclass. Again, not transformative, but thematic and probably effective enough in play. More tactically complex than the Champion, less so than the Battle Master.

Preservation Druid continues the pattern. A nice thematic update to established Dark Sun lore that looks reasonably mechanically effective without being new or transformative. Beyond that, I dunno, Druids aren't my thing.

Defiler Sorcerer is that one that stands out to me. The ability to suck Hit Dice out of foes (or yourself or willing allies) to empower your damage spells makes a damage focused Sorcerer a bit more attractive. Piercing resistance to two damage types adds to that character type. And then there's nice tricks like siphoning Sorcerer Points from slain foes that just look strong. All in all it seems really neat.

 

[SkidAce]

Defiler Sorcerer is that one that stands out to me. The ability to suck Hit Dice out of foes (or yourself or willing allies) to empower your damage spells makes a damage focused Sorcerer a bit more attractive. Piercing resistance to two damage types adds to that character type. And then there's nice tricks like siphoning Sorcerer Points from slain foes that just look strong. All in all it seems really neat.

I literally finished revising my campaign's version of blood magic yesterday...now this clever idea shows up...sigh

 

[Leatherhead]

Dark Sun... Confirmed?
I am shocked!

 

[Remathilis]

We will see.

I'd been waiting for my Conan-esque, Brom/Frazetta, Chainmail Bikini setting, so lets keep our fingers crossed eh?

Dark Sun never hit that vibe. If it had, I'd have been all over it. Can I interest you in Primeval Thule instead?

 

[TravDoc42]

I find it funny that, after putting in the 2024 PHB that the game assumes the PCs are good aligned, they've shown a "Murder rogue" in the Forgotten Realms Books, and now two pretty unequivocally evil subclasses here.