New Unearthed Arcana Released, With 8 New Forgotten Realms-Themed Subclasses

Today, Wizards of the Coast has announced a new Unearthed Arcana playtest featuring eight new Dungeons & Dragons subclasses that will appear in the upcoming Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. The new subclasses include five classes tied to Forgotten Realms regions, as well as the return of the Knowledge Domain Cleric subclass from the 2014 Player's Handbook and the Bladesinger Wizard subclass and Purple Dragon Knight Fighter subclass from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.

Each of the five remaining subclasses are themed to one of the five regions explored in the Forgotten Realms Adventure Guide also coming out in November. The College of the Moon Bard subclass is tied to the Moonshae Isles, the Winter Walker Ranger subclass is tied to Icewind Dale, and the Oath of the Noble Genies is tied to Calimshan. The Scion of The Three is tied to the Dead Three (of Baldur's Gate fame). Meanwhile, Spellfire Sorcery dates back to 2nd Edition and can both heal allies and harm foes.

The eight new subclasses can be found below:

• College Of The Moon (Bard)
• Knowledge Domain (Cleric)
• Purple Dragon Knight (Fighter)
• Oath Of The Noble Genies (Paladin)
• Winter Walker (Ranger)
• Scion Of The Three (Rogue)
• Spellfire Sorcery (Sorcerer)
• Bladesinger (Wizard)

The Forgotten Realm's Players Guide comes out on November 11th.

 

[TwoSix]

8 new subclasses. 5 of them FR based.

Revised subclasses don't count. We already had them.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

The flavor text in the UA suggests these PDK's are special compared to the standard PDK, in that they bond with dragons at birth. Leaves room for the standard PDK being your average Fighter on top of the new options.

Nope, reread that, the unique think is that the PC version bonds with a Amethyst Hatchling while regular Purple Dragon Knights bond with adult Amethyst Dragons. It's a huge unexplained retcon for now until FRPG explains that it's a new alliance or something.

BTW way this is a HUGE boost in military power for Cormyr.

Also they are now recruiting Purple Dragon Knights in Chessenta, Silver Marches, Damara, etc..., is a huge retcon until it gets explained.

"Lucy, you got some explaining to do..."

 

[Weiley31]

Revised subclasses don't count. We already had them.

Not according to WoTC for 2024

Smiles in Crawford

 

[TwoSix]

Not according to WoTC for 2024

Smiles in Crawford

As per a theme for 2025, I don't have to repeat misinformation just because someone uses their pulpit to say it.

 

[the Jester]

The Forgotten Realms books basically serve as generic D&D splats.

As a FR-hater, I say that this is nonsense.

 

[Yaarel]

Also they are now recruiting Purple Dragon Knights in Chessenta, Silver Marches, Damara, etc..., is a huge retcon until it gets explained.

"Lucy, you got some explaining to do..."

Military advisors/trainers in foreign countries is fairly normal.

 

[Kurotowa]

Oh heck, I didn't notice this on first read. Bladesinger lost Light armor. They don't get it from their feature anymore, and Bladesong is now incompatible with any armor. That's a big balance consideration.

 

[Yaarel]

I have a sense that the 2024 core rules are easier to tweak for homebrew settings. Thus disconnecting from Forgotten Realms as the "default" setting. Thus freeing up Forgotten Realms to do deep dives into its unique lore.

 

[mamba]

So, how do we fix it?

fill out the feedback and hope for the best?

 

[TwoSix]

Oh heck, I didn't notice this on first read. Bladesinger lost Light armor. They don't get it from their feature anymore, and Bladesong is now incompatible with any armor. That's a big balance consideration.

It's definitely something to consider if magic items are in play at higher levels, but at low levels it means that the character can't save a slot on mage armor by buying studded leather. It's a decent low-level nerf, I would agree, but not overly impactful.