Dungeons & Dragons has just unveiled a fresh Unearthed Arcana playtest document featuring significant revisions to five beloved character subclasses. This testing phase includes updates to the Path of the Spiritual Guardian and Storm Herald Barbarian traditions, the Cavalier Fighter, Warrior of Intoxication Monk, and Oathbreaker Paladin. Most of these character options originally debuted in the celebrated Xanathar's Guide to Everything sourcebook and are now being refined to harmonize with the upcoming 2024 core rules revision for the world's most popular tabletop roleplaying game.

Few supplemental books in the extensive history of Dungeons & Dragons have achieved the widespread acclaim and enduring popularity of Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Released in 2017, this comprehensive volume is often regarded by the gaming community as the essential companion to the Player's Handbook, providing an impressive collection of 31 character subclasses alongside numerous other player and Dungeon Master resources that have become staples at gaming tables worldwide.

The latest Unearthed Arcana document presents substantial revisions to adapt these character options for the modern era of Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast's recent publication showcases five revised subclasses, with four originating from the pages of Xanathar's Guide to Everything:

• Barbarian – Path of the Spiritual Guardian (previously known as Ancestral Guardians)
• Barbarian – Path of the Storm Herald
• Fighter – Cavalier
• Monk – Warrior of Intoxication (formerly Way of the Drunken Master)
• Paladin – Oathbreaker (originally from the 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide)

Both Barbarian paths have received significant enhancements to their core abilities. The Path of the Spiritual Guardian now offers Spiritual Protectors with additional damage-dealing options, features improved scaling for Spirit Shield based on character level, and introduces a powerful new capstone ability called Vengeful Spirits that can grant extra attacks. Meanwhile, the Storm Herald's Storm Aura now scales in effectiveness with the Barbarian's Rage Damage bonus, and the Raging Storm environmental effects have undergone comprehensive reworking.

The Cavalier Fighter, consistently ranked among the most potent Fighter archetypes, now benefits from unrestricted use of Unwavering Mark and gains a movement speed bonus during the initial combat round through the Ferocious Charger feature. The Warrior of Intoxication Monk, previously called the Way of the Drunken Master, embraces its thematic identity with the new Mystic Brew ability, allowing characters to craft special alcoholic beverages that enhance their combat prowess. The Oathbreaker Paladin, the sole subclass in this playtest not originating from Xanathar's Guide, has undergone the most dramatic transformation, gaining the ability to summon undead minions, combine powers with Divine Smite, and augment their Aura of Protection with sinister energies.

The specific publication where these revised subclasses will ultimately appear remains uncertain. With the subclasses from this year's Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun and Eberron: Forge of the Artificer books already revealed, these updated character options will likely debut in an unannounced 2025 product. The official survey for player feedback on these subclass revisions opens on November 6, providing an opportunity for the D&D community to help shape the final versions of these classic character options.