Dungeons and Dragons has revealed a new Unearthed Arcana full of villainous subclasses and feat chains to help players embrace the dark side. Using these Dungeons and Dragons playtest options, characters can embody some of the most iconic villainous archetypes.
Within the context of Dungeons and Dragons, Unearthed Arcana are official playtest documents produced by Wizards of the Coast that allow fans to provide feedback for subclasses that will appear in later sourcebooks. For example, the mystic subclasses from D&D’s last Unearthed Arcana will likely appear in Arcana Unleashed, the second book coming in 2026.
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Villainous Subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons Unearthed Arcana
Now, Dungeons and Dragons has revealed a new Unearthed Arcana playtest for gamers to try out and shape. These four subclasses are new to 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons, and all share a villainous vibe that would be perfect for evil campaigns and anti-heroes:
- Cleric: Pestilence Domain
- Druid: Circle of the Titan
- Fighter: Hell Knight
- Sorcerer: Demonic Sorcery
The Pestilence Domain Cleric is a blighted priest who gains mastery over Necrotic and Poison damage. They can exude an aura that inflicts Exhaustion on foes, cause corpses to explode, and even transform into swarms of vermin. Meanwhile, the Circle of the Titan Druid can transform into the Huge Behemoth, Leviathan, and Insectoid Titan Forms. These powerful D&D Wild Shapes can stomp across the battlefield, smash through buildings, and even devour enemies whole.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
The Hell Knight is an infernal warrior who wields a Hellfire Weapon empowered by Devilish patrons. These blazing weapons can inflict burning Infernal Wounds, cut through Fire resistance, and condemn slain foes to Avernus, the first layer of Hell in D&D. On the opposite side of the Blood War is the Demonic Sorcerer, who undergoes mutations to strike and defend, summons fiendish servants, and exudes the warping powers of the Abyss in an aura.
Dungeons and Dragons Death Knight and Lich Feat Chains
This Unearthed Arcana also includes two Paths of Villainy – feat chains that allow characters of multiple classes to slowly gain the abilities of iconic monsters. The Path of the Death Knight includes six feats that characters with the Weapon Mastery feature can take between levels 4 and 12. As they progress down this path, Death Knights gain the ability to cast spells like Wrathful Smite, Command, Bane, Fear, and Find Steed with special modifications. Finally, Death Knight Ascension at level 12, which requires at least two previous feats, transforms the character into an Undead creature and can launch Hellfire Orbs like Lord Soth and Olanthius.
Spellcasters can instead walk the Path of the Lich. Like iconic D&D Liches like Vecna before them, these characters bind their souls to spirit jars and use the Soul Siphon ability to empower spells, regain spell slots, and gain temporary hit points. Eventually, these characters can even learn iconic abilities of the Lich, including Paralyzing Touch, Frightening Gaze, and Rejuvenation, making them nearly impossible to kill.
What Dungeons and Dragons Book Will This Unearthed Arcana Appear In?
Presently, it is unclear exactly where these subclasses and feats would make their official appearance. While they would thematically fit Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, coming June 16, the gothic sourcebook is already full of subclasses, including reprints of D&D fan-favorites like the Hexblade Warlock and Grave Domain Cleric. While they could appear in that book, it's unlikely Wizards would add more subclasses to it on such short notice.
The subclasses in Arcana Unleashed, the D&D sourcebook coming in September 2026, are likewise spoken for, including options like Conjurer and Enchanter Wizard. What’s more, these villainous options wouldn’t be thematically appropriate in this book.
That said, there is going to be a third book this year in December. Though it has not been revealed yet, it will be released during Wizards of the Coast's “Season of Champions,” which could fit the theme of these subclasses. What's more, Lord Soth is on the roadmap, making it even more likely this Unearthed Arcana appears before the end of the year. There are also two sets of Unearthed Arcana subclasses that do not have homes yet: the Dark Sun-esque apocalyptic subclasses and updated popular D&D classics from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. Fans will have to wait and see if these villainous subclasses appear in this book alongside them, or if they show up in some unannounced project for 2027.