D&D (2024) Upcoming One D&D: Unearthed Arcana 'Expert' Classes (Bard, Ranger, Rogue)

WotC has posted a video describing the upcoming Unearthed Arcana playtest document which will feature three of the core character classes, each with a single subclass.

This document is the second in a series of Unearthed Arcana articles that present material designed for the next version of the Player's Handbook. The material here uses the rules in the

2014 Player's Handbook, except where noted. Providing feedback on this document is one way you can help shape the next generation of D&D!

Inside you'll find the following content:

Expert Classes. Three Classes appear in this document, each one a member of the Expert Group: the Bard, the Ranger, and the Rogue. Each Class appears with one Subclass. More Subclasses will appear in Unearthed Arcana in the months ahead.

Feats. Feats follow the Class descriptions, particularly feats available to the classes in this document.

Spell Lists. Three Spell lists-the Arcane, Divine, and Primal lists-are featured here. The Ranger uses the Primal list, and the Bard potentially uses all three, thanks to the Magical Secrets feature.

Rules Glossary. In this document, any term in the body text that is underlined appears in a glossary at the end. The glossary defines game terms that have been clarified or redefined for this playtest or that don't appear in the 2014 Player's Handbook.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

The survey is ONE source of information they are gathering...I assume.

I don't know how many ACTIVE D&D players there are, so 4 million is a pretty wild guess. It could be 5 million or 10 million (I would actually say 10 million could be on the excessively extremely high end of guesses, in relation to a PHB buying question I asked previously here, though obviously this could be a skewed sample size in relation to reality, I really need to ask how many use a PHB at the table as a follow up on that).

BUT 40K was 1% of 4 million, so went with 4 million.

However, there are other sources of information (or I am pretty sure there are). Some have been internal tests that have already been going on most likely. Another source are NDA'd testers that are out there (perhaps with a fuller set of rules than what you see with UA). Another source which may not be AS reliable, but easy to see and get commentary live are forums, reddits, facebook, instagram, and other areas of social media that fans congregate and talk about these things. Obviously, an easy one is also to check comments and statements on D&D beyond and other places like that as well.

In addition, it need not just be forums, sending people to the CONS and just listening there to what people are saying and talking about (could be passive, could be active) is another source.

Survey's are a major source I imagine, but the don't have to be the ONLY source of information or feedback they are gathering.

You sound as if I disagreed with your assessment. Which I do not.

 

[Hussar]

I wouldn't mind the paladin being in warriors (warrior with a little divine) and making the monk being in priests (priest with a little martial), something like:

Warrior: fighter (pure warrior), barbarian (warrior with a little primal), paladin (warrior with a little divine)
Mage: wizard (arcane mage), sorcerer (primal mage), warlock (mage with a little martial or a little expert)
Priest: cleric (divine priest), druid (primal priest), monk (priest with a little martial or a little expert)

Warlock subclasses could be arcane focused, primal focused, and possibly divine focused, and monks could be divine focused or primal focused (and maybe eventually psychic focused).
At the end of the day, the paladin tends to be a bigger damage dealer than the monk, so I feel like "hits things harder" gives the warrior paladin the edge over priest paladin.

To be fair, monks in 2e were a subclass of cleric, so there is a tradition there. (Well, not really a subclass - but, kinda sorta - they were presented as a variant priest anyway)

 

[UngainlyTitan]

The survey is ONE source of information they are gathering...I assume.

I don't know how many ACTIVE D&D players there are, so 4 million is a pretty wild guess. It could be 5 million or 10 million (I would actually say 10 million could be on the excessively extremely high end of guesses, in relation to a PHB buying question I asked previously here, though obviously this could be a skewed sample size in relation to reality, I really need to ask how many use a PHB at the table as a follow up on that).

BUT 40K was 1% of 4 million, so went with 4 million.

However, there are other sources of information (or I am pretty sure there are). Some have been internal tests that have already been going on most likely. Another source are NDA'd testers that are out there (perhaps with a fuller set of rules than what you see with UA). Another source which may not be AS reliable, but easy to see and get commentary live are forums, reddits, facebook, instagram, and other areas of social media that fans congregate and talk about these things. Obviously, an easy one is also to check comments and statements on D&D beyond and other places like that as well.

In addition, it need not just be forums, sending people to the CONS and just listening there to what people are saying and talking about (could be passive, could be active) is another source.

Survey's are a major source I imagine, but the don't have to be the ONLY source of information or feedback they are gathering.

Jermey Crawford said as much in the video. That they read the forums/reddits, YouTube and such but that the survey was the best way to give feedback.

 

[Hussar]

Hrmmm, so 12 classes with 4 subs each (probably - at least that's my guess.) I wonder if artificer will be added as a subclass to a bunch of other classes so it can be added to the PHB without adding more than the base 12 classes. 3 subs/class seems pretty standard, so adding one more sub - Battlesmith gets added to fighter, for example.

Just a thought.

 

[Minigiant]

All experts get Expertise. When I read the 2014 Ranger,I was just confused why they went out the way to no give Ranger Expertise in Favored Enemy.

What do other class groups get?

All warriors get a Fighting Style? Will Martial Arts and Reckless Attack become Fighting Styles?

All priests get Channel? Will Wildshape become Channel Primality: Wildshape?

All mages get Arcane Recovery?

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Priest probably have "Channeling" as their one thing in common, so that makes it Cleric, Paladin and Druid, Cleric's and Paladin's Channel is Channel Divinity, Druid's Channel is Wildshape.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Class groups are more a thematic grouping from what I see. They aren't like 4e's Video Game inspired roles of Tank (Defender), DPS (Striker), CC (Controller) and Healer (Leader).

 

[Minigiant]

Priest probably have "Channeling" as their one thing in common, so that makes it Cleric, Paladin and Druid, Cleric's and Paladin's Channel is Channel Divinity, Druid's Channel is Wildshape.

This also works with futureproofing and the new way they are doing feats.

A Feat than adds a Channel option could have the prerequisites of Level 4 and being a Priest. By having the Priest requirement, it saves trouble in terminology. You'd know all Priests have a Channel and not have to write "Cleric, Paladin, and Druid" over and over and refer to different class features.

And if WOTC or a 3PP wants to design a new priest like a Shaman, Runepriest, or Invoker, you just have to give them a Channel.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Priest probably have "Channeling" as their one thing in common, so that makes it Cleric, Paladin and Druid, Cleric's and Paladin's Channel is Channel Divinity, Druid's Channel is Wildshape.

Yeah, newer subclasses get different uses of Wildshape too (Wildfire Spirit, for example). Similar to how all of the Cleric Domains and Paladin Oaths grant at least one different option for Channel Divinity.

 

[Flamestrike]

Calling it now:

Warrior: Fighter Barbarian Monk.

They'll all get maneuvers like BM/ ToB. Barbs will have tanky/ hit stuff hard manouvers. Monks will have speed/ mobility and fancy stuff. Fighters will have a bit of both.

(please let this be true, and give these guys ToB stuff)

Mage: Wizard, Warlock and Sorcerer

Arcane spells. Sorcs and Locks will have Metamagic and Invocations respectively. Wizards...? School specialists perhaps.

Priest: Cleric, Druid, Paladin

Channel divinity (and Divine Spells).

Expert: Rogue, Bard, Ranger

Expertise, with a smattering of spells, or maneuvers from the Warrior, Priest and Mage classes.

(Please make casting optional on the Ranger)