Dungeons & Dragons Releases Updated Unearthed Arcana for Arcane Subclasses

Dungeons & Dragons has released an updated set of Unearthed Arcana, incorporating feedback about the Arcane Subclasses released for playtesting earlier this year. Included in the new subclass is the Arcane Archer Fighter, Tattooed Warrior Monk, and the Conjurer, Transmuter, Necromancer, and Enchanter Wizard classes.

The Arcane Archer has several new features, including Magical Ammunition that can be used outside of combat and a new Arcane Burst that pushes creatures away when the Indomitable feature is used. The Tattooed Warrior Monk has also been redesigned, with magical abilities that are no longer spellcasting, along with Beast Tattoos that provide cantrips in addition to enhancing other core Monk features.

Meanwhile, the Conjurer Wizard now emphasizes summoning spells with creatures that are much more durable, the Enchanter has moved back to a subclass similar to the 2014 design, the Necromancer now has ways to summon multiple Undead creatures, and the Transmuter now has shape-shifting ability. With the Transmuter ability, the Durability option of the Transmuter's Stone is now included as a default, as that option was seen as the strongest and other options were considered far inferior.

Three other subclasses from the original playtest - two Warlock subclasses and a Cleric Domain - were not included in the new playtest.

 

[Rushbolt]

That was, vocally, what people wanted to see: Diablo-themed necromancers.

I understand that is what people wanted, and it fills a niche for those players wishing to create this character style. It's also just possible to make an army of undead with any class or subclass that can cast Animate Dead so this problem is not just all related to the Necromancer subclass. Since it appears the designers are going to follow the feedback stating the undead controller fantasy is what this subclass should focus on then I would like to at least see some suggestions from them discussing possible challenges to running a large creature base. It could be a boxed text in the Necromancer subclass section, or they could write it into a game rules option section of the supplement that contains the subclass. Some guidance discussing the likely power level and gameplay challenges of a player running a large number of creatures as part of their turn is badly needed. I would also like to see a suggested cap on the number of creatures any player should control in organized play due to the inherent time limits associated with it.

 

[mamba]

That was, vocally, what people wanted to see: Diablo-themed necromancers.

they just changed their summon spells to not have a pack of wolves or whatever, and they had a good reason for that. Seems they forgot that lesson already

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The psion and apocalypse classes are for Dark Sun. Full stop. The psion might get a reprint ala Tasha and the Artificer, but it's absolutely for DS.
M

Psionics were part of D&D years before Dark Sun. There is no way they are going to say “you must buy this setting in order to play a psion”. That goes for the artificer too - that needs to be added to the core rules asap.

But most of all, it goes for the necromancer. There is no way that’s not going to be a core rules archetype.

 

[Parmandur]

The psion and apocalypse classes are for Dark Sun. Full stop. The psion might get a reprint ala Tasha and the Artificer, but it's absolutely for DS.
M

Thematically, yes, but we don't know what sort of product they are cooking.

What we know: in a 4 month period, they have tested a couple dozen Subclass optiona, including a brand new Class, and a parcel of Feats with the promise of Backgrounds that will fit with them.

It could fit a Ravenloft and Dark Sun set of products, but that doesn't explain a large percentage of the options.

"Heroes of the Multiverse", however...

 

[GarrettKP]

Thematically, yes, but we don't know what sort of product they are cooking.

What we know: in a 4 month period, they have tested a couple dozen Subclass optiona, including a brand new Class, and a parcel of Feats with the promise of Backgrounds that will fit with them.

It could fit a Ravenloft and Dark Sun set of products, but that doesn't explain a large percentage of the options.

"Heroes of the Multiverse", however...

They will release more than one book in a year. We saw both Forgotten Realms and Eberron playtests back to back for products this year. It isn’t unreasonable to think the Psion and Apocalyptic Subclasses are for Dark Sun while the Arcane Subclasses are for something else.

 

[Weiley31]

So instead on an Arcan Archer I can be a Arcane........uh..... Puffer?

Better than an arcane huffer!


Very glad to see subclasses get to do things that aren't spells. I hope that this design trend continues.

Slaying the BBEG with dat Arcane Vape that the Arcane Archer fighter has.

 

[Weiley31]

Changing tattoos seems like odd fluff.....

Look, the Monk regrets getting his ex's name tattooed.

 

[GarrettKP]

I think, realistically, we can expect around 4-5 books a year.

This year, the plan was one book a quarter before Eberron was delayed. So one book a quarter makes sense.

We already know a Lorwyn Setting Book is coming, and since that Magic set releases in the first quarter of next year I assume that will be the first book from D&D in 2026.

We can also safely assume an adventure or an adventure anthology will come out.

That least 2 or 3 books to be decided on. It makes sense for their big end of the year books going forward to be big setting books or book bundles, so a Dark Sun combo pack to end the year would be a safe bet.

That leaves a Q3 mystery book. Which makes plenty of sense for our first big player focused book of the 2024 era.