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 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.

 

[Yaarel]

Actually, I would reuse the term "mage" for any class that uses any kind of "magic".

Then use the term "mystic" for "soul magic", essentially psionic and primal, but technically any magic that doesnt depend on the "weave".

For spell casters, I would continue to use the term "caster". Arcane sourcers are "arcanists".

 

[bedir than]

I want the Rogue's Drain Magic to help non-casters too. It's fun to give a caster a little energy bump, but what about my other rogues?

 

[Reynard]

Oh man, I can't wait to hear the gnashing and wailing over "magic stealer" and "arcane blast".

 

[Gradine]

Giving a Monk access to Shield is pretty hilarious, at least.

You've also got your proper Wheel-of-Time-Warder-esque Mage Bodyguard archetype, which seems fun.

 

[bedir than]

Giving a Monk access to Shield is pretty hilarious, at least.

You've also got your proper Wheel-of-Time-Warder-esque Mage Bodyguard archetype, which seems fun.

THIS makes me think

Leadership has hinted at Universes Beyond or official WotC D&D -- could these past UAs maybe be about things like Demon Hunters, WoT and similar?

 

[Kurotowa]

Okay, gimmicky and slightly inefficient build idea, but hilarious and not too much weaker. Menagerie Warlock.

Vestige Warlock with both Blade Pact and Chain Pact. Get a magic ranged weapon so you can stay at distance, take the Attack action and trade one attack so your Vestige Companion can attack, use your Bonus Action to command the Chain Familiar to attack. It's not a minmaxed build (unless you've got an Oathbreaker Paladin in the party) but you get to be a Warlock with two combat pets at the same time. That's high on style points, at least.

 

[GarrettKP]

So...

We can reasonably deduce a number of 2026 products at this point based on UA's, I think.

We have UA's in four categories, roughly:

Magic - Arcane Subclasses, Arcane Subclasses Update, Mystic Subclasses.

Horror - Horror Subclasses.

2014 Updates - Subclasses Update, various subclasses from other UAs above.

Dark Sun - Psion, Psion Update, Apocalyptic Subclasses.

If they have the same book release schedule as last year (1.25 per quarter), I think we could see something like this:

Q1 - Ravenloft expansion/companion to Van Richten's Guide. Similar to Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, a companion to the Ravenloft setting book that focuses on Player mechanics. Most of the Horror Subclasses UA falls here.

Q2 - Arcane players supplement. Here are most of the Arcane Subclasses, along with the new Mystic ones that make the cut. Plus expanded spells and other options.

Q3 - Tasha's/Xanathar combo/update book. Taking the revamped Xanathar's Subclasses they have tested in various spaces along with the left over Tasha's ones in a combined book to bring all the main 2014 mechanics up to date with current standards.

Q4 - Dark Sun Player and DM books. A combo of Player and DM books in the vein of the Forgotten Realms books from 2025.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

The Mystic Monk seems really basic as a subclass, it's just like the Eldritch Knight and I'm sure the key to that is finding the right can trip to combo off of. True strike or one of the weapon cantrips because you can use Monk weapons.

I guess Thunder Clap might be alright if you get surrounded a lot

 

[Charlaquin]

I LOVE the Spellguard Paladin, reminds me of a Templar from Dragon Age. Spell Stealer is a bad name, but the subclass seems pretty cool, kind of a more nimble version of a similar “fight evil mages and empower your own mage allies” concept. I could easily see a Spellguard and Spell Stealer buddy cop duo kinda thing. Monk with 1/3 Sorcerer casting using focus points in place of sorcery points makes perfect sense. Vestige Warlock is a really cool concept, I think it could probably use a little more work though. I really want it to have a Fey option, and maybe an Aberrant option too.

 

[Gladius Legis]

Spellguard Paladin is a clear throwback to the AD&D/BG2 Inquisitor.