Dungeons & Dragons Playtests Four New Mystic-Themed Subclasses

Dungeons & Dragons has dropped their first Unearthed Arcana playtest of 2026, with four brand-new subclasses being tested. Today, Wizards of the Coast posted a Mystic Subclasses Unearthed Arcana playtest to D&D Beyond, featuring four magic-themed subclasses. The new subclasses include the Warrior of the Mystic Arts Monk subclass, the Oath of the Spellguard Paladin subclass, the Magic Stealer Rogue subclass and the Vestige Patron Warlock subclass.

The Warrior of the Mystic Arts is a spellcasting subclass that grants Monks the ability to cast Sorcerer spells up to 4th level spells. The Oath of the Spellguard is designed with protecting magic-casters in mind, while the Magic Stealer Rogue targets spellcasting and can empower their Sneak Attacks with magic stolen from nearby spellcasters. The Vestige Patron Warlock forms a bond with a dying god, with the god taking on a vestige form as a companion. The Vestige companion grows in power with the spellcaster. Notably, the Vestige Patron draws inspiration from the Binder from past editions of D&D.

There's no indication when or what this new Unearthed Arcana could be related to. There are several Unearthed Arcanas not currently attached to an announced D&D product, although two almost are certainly tied to a Dark Sun sourcebook.

You can check out the subclasses here. Feedback opens for the playtest on January 22nd.

 

[Hussar]

Given that many of the main designers at this point started with 5E...I doubt this originated as an attempt to replicate a Binder. Someone probably thought it would be fun to explore a Pet Warlock, and then they found the Vestige term that hasn't been used or twenty years and several editions to hang on the idea.

That's probably true. Sad but true. Like I said, the Binder is my absolute favorite class. I only ever got to play it once, back in the 3e days, and I adored the class. So, to see it lobotomized like this is just so disappointing.

 

[Minigiant]

That's probably true. Sad but true. Like I said, the Binder is my absolute favorite class. I only ever got to play it once, back in the 3e days, and I adored the class. So, to see it lobotomized like this is just so disappointing.

Yeah.

Just rename it as a Dying God Pact

 

[JPL]

I like the idea with the Monk. I think there is room for a pet – based warlock build, but I agree with the earlier commenters that the essence of vestige magic is that you have multiple weak patrons.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

There is also the possibility of a living god from a wildspace could be a "vestige" in other. For example in Krynnspace the deities from Greysapace or Realmspace would be like "vestiges".

Other point is maybe some "vestige" isn't a dead deity really but an "aspirant", some ancient dragon or powerful creature of epic levels who wants to become a quasigod. In al-Qadim there were "living idols".

How would be a "monster ally" working like a simbiont or exo-armour? Like Venom(Spiderman) or Noah+Mirage in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

* Maybe there is not a future Ravenloft sourcebook but one more generic style "Heroes of Horror" with some pages about Innistrad and Duskmourn. WotC is more focused into updating crunch than developing previous metaplots.

* I feel a little sad because my spellthief class from 3.5 complete arcane is now only a subclass.

* What if the archivist from 3.5 "Heroes of Horror" was a divine+arcane hybrid with any "truename utterances"?

 

[Minigiant]

There is also the possibility of a living god from a wildspace could be a "vestige" in other. For example in Krynnspace the deities from Greysapace or Realmspace would be like "vestiges

That was some vestige options. Gods from other settings. Thor in a Greek setting.

Other point is maybe some "vestige" isn't a dead deity really but an "aspirant", some ancient dragon or powerful creature of epic levels who wants to become a quasigod. In al-Qadim there were "living idols

Arete

Literally how Acererak and Ashardalon are vestiges.

 

[pemerton]

then they found the Vestige term that hasn't been used or twenty years and several editions to hang on the idea.

Huh? Vestige Warlocks were a thing in 4e D&D.

 

[Tigris]

Huh? Vestige Warlocks were a thing in 4e D&D.

Yeah and they were actually cool.

A pet warlock is a bit lame especially when pact of the chain already kind of does that but more interesting. (Less powerfull but not just a reflavoured ranger/druid pet).


And making your pet become a bigger summon instead of summoning a new creature is also not really a plus

 

[Remathilis]

That's probably true. Sad but true. Like I said, the Binder is my absolute favorite class. I only ever got to play it once, back in the 3e days, and I adored the class. So, to see it lobotomized like this is just so disappointing.

I mean, that's pretty par for the course of you ask Warlord and psion fans... (At least the latter is getting a proper class)

 

[GarrettKP]

I think I’m rating the Monk and Paladin Green (with notes about some features) and Rogue and Warlock red. Rogue feels like it’s stepping on Arcane Trickster, flavor wise, and Vestige Warlock is just off. Bring back the Binder if you want vestiges.

 

[TwoSix]

I mean, that's pretty par for the course of you ask Warlord and psion fans... (At least the latter is getting a proper class)

Try being a Seeker fan.