New D&D Horror Subclasses Unearthed, and They’re Absolutely Terrifying (or Slightly Moody at Best)
Unearthed Arcana Drops Eight Ghoulish Goodies – Now with 12% More Angst!
By a bloke who’s definitely not possessed, probably.
Are you into horror, Dungeons & Dragons, and spending hours arguing on forums about things that might be overpowered in a playtest PDF? Then grab your garlic, your dice, and your strongest cuppa, because Wizards of the Coast just unveiled eight brand-spanking-spooky subclasses in their latest Unearthed Arcana.
But don’t wet your wizard robes just yet, only two of them are actually new. The rest are just older subclasses with a fresh coat of “grimmer-than-your-mother-in-law” polish. The usual suspects from Xanathar’s, Tasha’s, and Van Richten’s Guide to “Definitely Not Therapy” have returned from the grave for another haunting.
Still, it’s all part of the playtest, which is nerd-speak for “this could change at any time, so please keep your angry tweets to a minimum.”
So what ghostly glitter’s in the bag this time? Let’s dig in:
Reanimator (Artificer) – NEW!
You know Dr. Frankenstein? Imagine him after three espresso shots and a minor in engineering. These Artificers are part mad scientist, part dodgy mechanic, and all creepy. They bolt together undead besties from spare ribs and leftover spleens. Think Build-a-Bear meets Build-a-Banshee.
College of Spirits (Bard) – Update!
Back from Van Richten’s Guide, these Bards talk to ghosts. No, really. But instead of therapy, they use it for musical numbers and dramatic monologues. They roll a die to see which spirit shows up, so every performance is basically a séance-themed game of bingo.
Grave Domain (Cleric) – Update!
Clerics who think the best place to hang out is a cemetery. They tiptoe between life and death like it’s a dodgy nightclub queue. They boost healing, curse enemies, and make your local graveyard look like a five-star resort.
Hollow Warden (Ranger) – NEW!
These Rangers channel spooky forest vibes and become shadowy bramble beasts of doom. Cast Hunter’s Mark and boom! You’ve gone full Swamp Thing. Regeneration, auras, and the occasional resurrection. The perfect subclass for tree-huggers with revenge issues.
Phantom (Rogue) – Update!
From Tasha’s Cauldron, this Rogue is basically death’s personal intern. They collect soul trinkets like Pokémon cards and can do ghostly sneak attacks. Great for players who enjoy being edgy, mysterious, and utterly intolerable in social situations.
Shadow Sorcery (Sorcerer) – Update!
Straight out of Xanathar’s, these Sorcerers tap into the Shadowfell, a place so grim it makes your nan’s wallpaper look cheerful. They teleport, turn incorporeal, and basically become the magical version of that weird kid who always sat alone at lunch.
Hexblade Patron (Warlock) – Update!
Bound to a sentient weapon. Yep, these Warlocks literally talk to their sword. And the sword talks back. It’s like a marriage, but with more curses and fewer arguments about Ikea furniture. Their Hex spell is now central, so you’ll be hexing more often than you pay taxes.
Undead Patron (Warlock) – Update!
Also from Van Richten’s, this subclass lets you be best mates with a vampire, a lich, or some other bony weirdo. You get hit points, a fear aura, and probably a constant craving for garlic bread you can’t explain.
Final Thoughts (Before the Spirits Possess the Comment Section)
It’s lovely to see Wizards giving horror fans a bit of love. The Hexblade is back with a vengeance, some of the old subclasses are dressed in their Sunday scariest, and we’ve even got a few newbies crawling out of the creative crypt. Whether they’ll make it into the official books is anyone’s guess; probably depends on how many people complain or draw fan art.
In the meantime, you can grab the Unearthed Arcana PDF online and start testing these subclasses on your unsuspecting Dungeon Master. Just remember: if your Reanimator starts talking to his golem in a baby voice, you made that choice.
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Growing a second wand (not where you'd expect)
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DUNGEON DUNCE EXCLUSIVE!
Breaking News from the Goblin Pressroom (We Pay in Copper and Cursed Dice)
Eberron: Race for the Crab Temple
Dungeons & Dragons unveils new adventure, crustacean-themed nonsense ensues (and we love it!)
Location: Somewhere soggy in Xen'drik
Mood: Confused but cautiously optimistic
Wizards of the Coast have once again cracked open their arcane filing cabinet and yanked out a brand-new Dungeons & Dragons adventure titled Eberron: Race for the Crab Temple, presumably after realising they’d not ticked “Crab Temple” off the list of ridiculous places to send adventurers.
This delightfully bonkers dungeon crawl will debut at PAX East, where hundreds of fans will pretend to be elves while quietly arguing about initiative order. The event runs from May 8th to 11th, 2025, or until the last DM collapses from caffeine and emotional exhaustion.
This one's brought to you by the convention specialists Baldman Games, because nothing says high fantasy like a bald bloke with a spreadsheet.
What’s the Crab Temple All About Then?
Wizards haven’t released much, just enough to get you curious and/or deeply concerned. Here’s the “official” synopsis, which we swear we didn’t make up:
“Your group has been dispatched by Morgrave University to travel to Xen’drik and seek out the Crab Temple. It’s a race between your expedition and a rival to discover its secrets!”
Yes, that’s right, a temple dedicated to a crab. No confirmation yet on whether it’s a giant crab, a sentient crab, or just shaped like one. We’re personally hoping for a crustacean-based deity who demands offerings of butter and lemon.
You’ll play premade Level 3 characters, which is perfect if you enjoy being moderately competent and still quite flammable.
Expect fresh rules from the upcoming Forge of the Artificer sourcebook, meaning your wizard can finally miscast Fireball with new and improved flavour text.
Why Should You Care?
Because it’s the first proper jaunt back into Eberron since Rising from the Last War in 2019. (Yes, that long ago. Your character probably retired and opened a tavern.)
Eberron is that campaign setting where the trains fly, the swords think, and half the population is probably secretly a changeling. Also, everyone has a mysterious past and no one uses horses anymore because elemental magic-powered locomotion is more "on brand".
There was a brief Eberron cameo in Vecna: Eve of Ruin, but honestly, if you blinked, you probably missed it.
What’s Next?
Will Race for the Crab Temple be released to the unwashed masses after PAX? No one knows. Maybe. Possibly. Wizards of the Coast is playing it coy, which usually means they’re planning to charge you £7.99 for a digital PDF shaped like a crab claw.
In the meantime, if you’re attending PAX East, you can sign up by selecting “Tabletop RPG” under “Categories” in the event schedule. Or just shout “CRAB TEMPLE” really loudly until someone hands you a character sheet.
Still confused? Pop over to the Baldman Games Discord, where you’ll find other confused people, at least one sarcastic DM, and possibly a guy named Steve who keeps asking if crabs can cast spells.
Final Thoughts from Our Resident Editor, Crusty McSceptic:
“Another Eberron adventure? Fine. But it better have magical seafood, morally dubious artefacts, and at least one warforged who regrets everything.”
DUNGEON DUNCE TIP OF THE DAY: Never trust a crab wearing a monocle.
More From the Scroll-Hoarders at Dungeon Dunce:
“Unearthed Arcana: Or, How to Give Your Ranger a Midlife Crisis”
“New Horror Subclasses Leaked—Includes Bard of Bad Decisions”
“We Asked Perkins and Crawford If They Sleep. Their Eyes Said No.”
“SRD 5.2 Released: 400 Pages of Legally Distinct Wizardry”
ADVENTURE OF THE WEEKEND: “Castle Crumpet: The Haunting of Baron Butterbottom”
A right posh horror caper where ghosts moan, knights clank, and the villain is lactose-intolerant.
THE PREMISE:
The once-proud Castle Crumpet has stood crumbling in the Foggy Moors since Baron Butterbottom vanished into his own wine cellar in 653 CY, last seen yelling, “I REGRET NOTHING EXCEPT THE CHEESE!”
Rumour has it the place is haunted. Locals say they hear strange noises at night: ghostly wails, cutlery being sorted by unseen hands, and someone practising the lute very badly.
A mysterious will has surfaced: anyone brave enough to enter the castle and survive a night may claim the Baron’s hidden treasure.
Also, there might be biscuits.
WHO’S GOING IN?
This adventure is suitable for 4–6 characters of Levels 3–5.
They must be brave, clever, and absolutely prepared to suffer lowbrow undead humour, crumpet-based traps, and spectral disappointment.
DUNGEON OVERVIEW
Castle Crumpet consists of:
The Front Gate & Trap
The Grand Dining Hall & Puzzle
The Library of Groaning Secrets
The Baron’s Cryptic Crypt
The Final Chamber & Twist Ending
TRAP ROOM: THE FRONT GATE
As the players step through the heavy, creaking doors, they hear a ghostly voice shout:
“ENTER, YE WHO LIKE BISCUITS!”
Immediately, a giant biscuit tin (with wheels) rockets down a hidden chute.
Trap: The Rolling Custard Cream of Doom™
Save vs. Wands or take 2d6 damage and become lightly crumbed.
Those hit smell delicious to undead for 1d6 hours.
PUZZLE ROOM: THE GRAND DINING HALL
A spectral table is laid out with fine cutlery and 12 ornate crystal goblets. A riddle floats in the air above:
“I come before wine, but after the cheese.
I shine in the dark, but vanish with ease.
Choose the right glass, or join the deceased.”
Solution: Players must identify the goblet with water (symbolising clarity before drunken doom). All others contain ghostly grog.
Wrong choice: The drinker begins belching up spectral fog. All attacks are at -2 for 3 turns. Also mildly humiliating.
ROOM THREE: THE LIBRARY OF GROANING SECRETS
Books float and moan titles like How to Haunt Friends and Influence Paladins and Wuthering Frights.
NPC: Sir Pompous the Spectral Librarian
Transparent, posh, and disapproving.
Knows everything. Will only answer questions phrased in perfect iambic pentameter.
If pleased, Sir Pompous will grant the party a hint to the Baron’s crypt location. If insulted, he casts Spectral Shushing (Save vs. Spells or be muted for 1 hour).
ROOM FOUR: THE BARON’S CRYPTIC CRYPT
Here lies Baron Butterbottom. Or does he?
An ornate coffin sits open. It contains:
A note: “Back in five mins, don’t touch my treasure.”
300 gp worth of silverware.
A cursed wig (whoever wears it develops an unbearable craving for gorgonzola and speaks only in limericks).
Suddenly, undead knights rise from behind the tomb, led by...
Sir Clanks-a-Lot, the Baron’s former guard captain turned skeleton DJ.
“YOU’RE NOT ON THE LIST, MORTAL.”
ENCOUNTER: SKELETON RAVE AMBUSH
Skeletons (6)
AC: 7, HD: 1, Att: 1 weapon, Dmg: 1d6, MV: 60’ (20’)
Morale: 12 (they’re hyped on ghost energy drinks)
Sir Clanks-a-Lot
AC: 4, HD: 4, Att: Bass Drop (1d8 sonic), MV: Moonwalks at 90’
Special: If anyone plays better music, he crumbles in shame.
FINAL ROOM: THE BUTTER BUNKER
Here’s the twist: The Baron never died. He faked his haunting to keep adventurers away.
You find him in a lavish hidden parlour, watching ghost soap operas and eating blue cheese with a spoon.
Baron Butterbottom (Level 0, obese, smug)
Offers the treasure if you swear to “never tell anyone I’m alive or that I watch The Ghost and the Restless.”
If refused, he runs for it! Does he swear vengeance? Probably not.
TREASURE:
800 gp in silver cheese knives and haunted candlesticks
Scroll of Summon Mildly Disapproving Grandmother
Potion of Ghost Flatulence (causes enemies to flee in confusion)
Magic Item:
The Crumpet of ResurrectionOnce per adventure, may be toasted to bring one ally back to life.
Comes with raspberry jam. Cannot be eaten by elves (they consider it heresy).
THE TWIST ENDING
As the party leaves, the castle collapses into a crumbling heap of fond memories and mild indigestion.
But back in town, the Baron’s ghost appears on every reflective surface, muttering:
“I regret... the brie...”
Was he already dead all along?
Or just really full?
The world may never know.
DUNGEON DUNCE SCOOP!
Is Ravenloft Rising… or Is WotC Just Gassing Up the Mists Again?
By Sir Snarkalot the Slightly Spooky, Master of Mildly Haunted Opinions
BREAKING: WIZARDS OF THE COAST MAY (OR MAY NOT) BE DOING SOMETHING SPOOKY.
Which, to be fair, is just called “Monday” at this point.
In their latest Unearthed Arcana playtest, Wizards dropped eight “horror” subclasses so packed with gothic flair and melodrama you can practically hear the organ music. This has, naturally, sent the D&D rumour mill spinning like a vampire on a merry-go-round.
The hot fan theory? A new Ravenloft sourcebook is looming.
Our professional take? Maybe. Or maybe WotC just likes to watch us squirm. I mean, that's just good trolling.
Exhibit A: The Mystery Book (a.k.a. Schrödinger’s Sourcebook)
Back in January, Wizards teased a “mystery” book slotted for October 2025, just in time for Halloween. That sounds promising... until you remember they’ve also released horror-themed mugs, dice sets, and novelty gelatinous cube soaps for spooky season.
Verdict: Could be Ravenloft, could be a cookbook called Feast of Flumphs.
Exhibit B: Horror Subclasses Exist, Therefore Ravenloft?
Yes, the playtest document is literally titled Horror Subclasses. Yes, they include the likes of the Hollow Warden Ranger and something called a Reanimator Artificer (a.k.a. Discount Dr Frankenstein). But have you met Wizards? They love trolling us with flavourful content that never actually gets published. It’s their love language.
Verdict: Eight spooky subclasses? Cute. Call us when one of them’s a Tax Accountant Warlock.
Exhibit C: Curse of Strahd Turns Ten
Strahd hits his double digits in March 2026. And while nothing says “celebration” like a brooding vampire stuck in an existential crisis, WotC hasn’t confirmed anything. Which is strange, since they usually can’t resist a good anniversary cash grab.
Verdict: Might be a reprint, might be a plush doll, might be nothing at all.
Exhibit D: There’s a New Novel, So Clearly an Entire Sourcebook Is Coming?
Sure, Heir of Strahd dropped recently, penned by actual author Delilah S. Dawson. And sure, it’s set in Ravenloft. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. D&D novels and sourcebooks have the same relationship as most Tinder dates: looks like a match, ends in disappointment.
Verdict: One book doth not a full-blown supplement make.
Critical Thinking Check: Failed
So let’s all take a breath before lighting the ritual candles and sacrificing our wallets. WotC has neither confirmed nor denied a Ravenloft sourcebook, which means everyone online is currently screaming into the mist like Barovian goats.
Could it be real? Possibly. Could it just be WotC throwing another horror-themed bone into the void to see what bites? Almost definitely.
Final Thoughts from the Crypt
Until Wizards says something definitive, and not in interpretive dance or coded tarot cards, we suggest you hold onto your stakes. Ravenloft might be creeping back, or it might just be another ghost story told round the virtual campfire.
Either way, Dungeon Dunce will be here, torch in hand, ready to poke it with a 10-foot pole.
And remember: just because something’s spooky doesn’t mean it’s true. Just look at that one time WotC tried to make Spelljammer cool again.
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Watch in horror delight as your Dungeon Monkeys:
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