Ahead of theForgotten Realms Player’s Guideplanned to release this November,Dungeons & Dragonshasreleased eight new subclassesfor intrepid adventurers to try early. These subclasses cover a range of classes, meaning no matter a player’s preference, it’s likely there’s going to be something for everyone. While these new subclasses aren’t the only thing coming forD&Dfans this year,with theMonster Manualreleasing in February andEberron: Forge of the Artificerset to come out in August, they’re sure to be the most exciting for players who enjoy playing with new tools, spells, and abilities.
The eight subclasses, announced through an Unearthed Arcana playtest that’s available for all players,come from a variety of sources that are intrinsically tied to Forgotten Realms lore.Notable calls to past publications include the College of the Moon Bard, which hails from the Moonshae Isles, as well as the Winter Walker ranger subclass that’s tied to the Icewind Dale. Whether players are new to the Forgotten Realms or die-hard lore lovers, these eight subclasses are sure to be a hit at any table.
1College Of The Moon (Bard)
Inspire Allies With Dramatic Tales Of The Moonshae Isles
Like most bard subclasses, the College of the Moon bard, available in anUnearthed ArcanaPDF download fromD&D Beyond, focuses on boosting the power of their party by drawing on the magic of inspiration. Stereotypically, this is through music and ridicule, but the College of the Moon bard has a different approach;these bards rouse their allies with stories of the Moonshae Isles and the primal magic of the region.The type of story players choose to tell determines the effect on the party, but each tale will influence a fight in its own way.
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As a College of the Moon Bard increases in level, their story-weaving capabilities increase. By tapping into the innate magic of the Moonshae Isles and the Fey magic they contain, high-level College of the Moon bards can deal oppressive damagewhile also healing, inspiring, and bolstering their allies.This subclass focuses heavily on inspiring allies and leveling up the benefits of this Inspiration, allowing players to leverage the full power of the moon.
2Knowledge Domain (Cleric)
Gain Mastery Over Secrets Of The Mind
Returning from the 2014Player’s Handbook(PHB,) the Knowledge Domain cleric subclass represents those clerics who value erudition and knowledge over all, sometimes to the detriment of themselves and others.These Clerics unearth the hidden things of this world, tapping into ancient knowledge and wielding it to their own benefit.As a Knowledge Domain cleric, players can read, influence, and even control the minds of those beings less enlightened than themselves.
Changes to the Knowledge Domain are among many changes coming in 2025 forD&D,including someadditions to theMonster Manual.
There have been a few changes to the Knowledge Domain subclass since its appearance in the PHB, most notably the tweaks that have been made to the higher-level features. For one,the list of Knowledge Domain spells has been updated to include more combat-relevant and damaging spellsthan it had previously, allowing Clerics to do more than just buff, debuff, and heal. Furthermore, more features have been added that allow Knowledge Domain clerics to fully take advantage of their mental capabilities, casting more spells using Channel Divinity and gaining better INT checks.
3Purple Dragon Knight (Fighter)
Become Champion Of The Regal Amethyst Dragons
Purple Dragon Knights are fighters who take up the arms ofD&D’s amethyst dragons,rallying around the causes of justice, freedom, and chivalry.Though the original Purple Dragons hailed from Cormyr, any new recruit may join, given they’re adequately chivalrous. The modern order recruits knights from a plethora of regions, including the Silver Marches, Damara, and Chessenta.
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The Purple Dragon Knight fighter subclass was released in theSword Coast Adventurer’s Guide,but has been updated since.Unlike their Purple Dragon predecessors, Purple Dragon Knights psionically bind with an amethyst dragon hatchling at a young age,allowing the two to grow side-by-side and feed off one another’s strengths. This allows Purple Dragon Knights to have draconic companions, as well as a few new features that come with this telepathic bond.
4Oath Of The Noble Genies (Paladin)
Control The Elements With The Power Of Genies
Paladins that choose to swear the Oath of the Noble Genies gain the power of the Elemental Plains, wielding the powers of earth, air, fire, and water with terrible displays of elemental control. These paladins follow a set of tenets that revere chaos and order in equal measure. Lead with splendor and grace, respect and fear the elements, and bring creation through destruction. Like the capricious elements themselves, Oath of the Noble Genies paladins will champion the whims of the Genies through any means.
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Like Clerics, Oath of Noble Genies paladins gain access to a select set of spells at level three that allow them to further tap into the Elemental Planes from which the Genies originate.At higher levels, these paladins can also use the elements to shield themselves from damage, gaining resistance and further control over their connection with other planes.Oath of Noble Genies paladins don’t follow the same strict, worldly tenets of other paladin Oaths, instead choosing to dedicate their energy towards the whims of the Elements.
5Winter Walker (Ranger)
Weaponize The Devastating Power Of A Winter Storm
A Winter Walker ranger harnesses the horrible cold of harrowing ice and snow in frigid places like Icewind Dale, giving them the power to eventually become masters of the ice and wind. These rangers wield the ice for their own protection, allowing them to becomeexperts in the monstrous darkness lurking in the depths of fallen Netherese citiesand various animalistic threats that creep across the Forgotten Realms.They’re revered for their power but feared in equal measure, and the source of their power is a common topic of conspiracy among those who see them.
As a Winter Walker, players will gain resistances to Cold damage as well as a range of attacks and abilities that exemplify their rime-soaked power. Rangers are tactical masters on the battlefield, and Winter Walkers are no different.Using frost to damage and slow while also eventually gaining the power to become one with the ice,Winter Walker rangers are frozen terrors on and off the battlefield.
6Scion Of The Three (Rogue)
Perhaps riding the comet ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s success, the Scion of the Three rogue subclass is for those who wish to fully inhabit the wishes of Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. Tyranny, violence, and murder are the calling card of these rogues, and their paths can be traced by the bloodstains they leave behind. Whether they were cursed into the Dead Three’s service or chose this violent path for themselves, a Scion of the Three displays a mastery of death and terror.
A Scion of the Death three is a master of blood, and follows the song of their masters to frighten and defeat their foes like thecult of Bhaal displays inBaldur’s Gate 3.At higher levels, Scions gain a powerful Aura that radiates the malevolence of their chosen god, dealing damage and gaining advantage over those around them.While a Scion of the Death Three’s toolkit is gruesome, their mastery over fear and talent for silencing foes make them handy allies to have, if players can ignore their gory proclivities.
7Spellfire Sorcery (Sorcerer)
Harness The Power Of Raw Magic, Grasp The Weave
Spellfire Sorcerers gain their power directly from the Weave itself, giving them immense control over a unique type of magic called spellfire.Spellfire, introduced in theWaterdeep: Dragon Heistadventure through an NPC, is now finally in the hands of players.This raw magic can be shaped into any form the wielder desires, allowing Spellfire sorcerers to change the pace of the fight on a whim.
Spellfire Sorcerers, as their magic might suggest, tend to be precocious souls with a whimsical, temporary sort of nature. Their penchant for travel sees them roaming all around the Forgotten Realms, gaining new knowledge and power with every new city they encounter.For those who don’t wish to be confined by the traditional rules of magic, Spellfire Sorcery breaks many long-held magical tenets,limited only by the player’s creativity (and what the DM will let them get away with).
8Bladesinger (Wizard)
Wield A Blade And Spellbook With Lethal Competence
With the flourish of a sword and the flash of a powerful spell, Bladesinger Wizards utilize both physical and metaphysical weapons to put their enemies down. Their mastery of traditional magic, when combined with the dance-like flourishes of intricate swordplay,allows a Bladesinger to levy their magic towards stalwart defenses and devastating attacks.Though Bladesinging is traditionally associated with the elven realms, non-elven societies have adopted this practice to better protect common people.
Since its appearance inTasha’s Cauldron of Everything,Bladesinging has gotten a few updates.These updates prioritize the usage of the character’s INT modifier for attack and damage rolls during Bladesong, as well as granting high proficiencies and allowing Bladesingers to use their melee weapons more. Bladesinger wizard is the subclass for players who don’t want to confined to just one combat style, taking both Weave and blade in hand to defeat their enemies.
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These eight subclasses are just the tip of the iceberg of what’s in store this year forDungeons & Dragons,and withso many additions coming to the beloved franchise, there’s a lot to be excited about. The developers atWizards of the Coast seem to be delving deeper into the lore of the Forgotten Realms to bring new life to a classic game. For die-hard fans and new players alike, 2025 is a great year for tabletop RPGs.
