Wizards of the Coast has unleashed a bone-chilling new Unearthed Arcana playtest document for Dungeons & Dragons, featuring eight horror-inspired subclasses perfect for spine-tingling campaigns. This macabre collection introduces two completely new archetypes - the mad scientist Reanimator Artificer and the cryptid-like Hollow Warden Ranger - alongside six terrifying revisions of existing fan favorites.

The playtest arrives just as D&D completes its core rules refresh for 5th Edition's 10th anniversary, continuing the tradition of Unearthed Arcana documents that allow players to shape future content through feedback. These horror subclasses may hint at upcoming Halloween-themed releases, with an unnamed October book recently announced that could serve as their official home.

Ghoulish Gameplay Enhancements

The revised subclasses receive substantial improvements that amplify their horror potential:

• College of Spirits Bard: Now features enhanced 'Spirits from Beyond' abilities with new synergy for Spirit Guardians
• Grave Cleric: Receives major overhauls to signature abilities like Path to the Grave
• Phantom Rogue: Tokens of the Departed become more mechanically consistent
• Shadow Sorcerer: The renamed 'Spirits of Ill Omen' now interacts with Summon Undead
• Warlock Patrons: Both Undead and Hexblade receive significant power boosts and new synergies

Fresh Nightmares to Haunt Your Campaign

The two brand-new subclasses offer terrifying new ways to play:

Reanimator Artificer: Players can fulfill their Frankenstein fantasies by creating and modifying a Reanimated Companion that can explode on enemies. This mad scientist archetype arrives just before the Artificer's appearance in the upcoming Eberron: Forge of the Artificer book.

Hollow Warden Ranger: Embodying nature's dark side, these rangers transform into cryptid-like monsters while concentrating on Hunter's Mark, gaining abilities to strangle foes with vines and drain their life force.

Complete List of Horror Subclasses

• Artificer: Reanimator (NEW)
• Bard: College of Spirits
• Cleric: Grave Domain
• Ranger: Hollow Warden (NEW)
• Rogue: Phantom
• Sorcerer: Shadow Sorcery
• Warlock: Hexblade Patron
• Warlock: Undead Patron

Players can currently test these terrifying new options and provide feedback starting May 13. The development team will use this community input to refine the subclasses before their potential official release.