Unlock the Enchanting Realm: Dungeons and Dragons Unveils Their Mind-Blowing Seventh D&D Playtest

Highlights

Dungeons and Dragons has released a playtest packet for its upcoming One D&D project, which aims to make the core rules more user-friendly.

The packet contains updates to the Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard classes, taking into account feedback from players.

Revisions encompass restoring Barbarian abilities to their original functionality, introducing new abilities for Fighters, enhancing spellcasting for Sorcerers, and restructuring Warlock subclasses.

Dungeons and Dragons has just unveiled its seventh Unearthed Arcana for the upcoming revision of the core rules in the following year. This playtest packet serves as the next phase of the ongoing One D&D initiative, celebrating the game's 10-year anniversary.

In the previous year, Dungeons and Dragons introduced One D&D, a project aimed at transforming 5th Edition into a perpetually relevant system. Rather than releasing a completely new edition, Dungeons and Dragons is focused on creating a more user-friendly version of the core rules, which are being tested and refined through the Unearthed Arcana packets.

The 54-page packet revisits previous One D&D playtests, making revisions to the Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard classes based on player feedback. Additionally, it introduces the disruptive Path of the World Tree Barbarian and the fistfighting Brawler Fighter subclasses. Certain spells and weapon properties have also been revised.

The Barbarian abilities have been restored to their original functionality, incorporating popular optional features from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, such as Primal Knowledge and Instinctive Pounce. The Totem Warrior subclass has been renamed Path of the Wild Heart, following the design in Baldur's Gate 3, and has undergone a significant redesign. Furthermore, the Path of the Zealot has been adjusted to be less overpowering in high-level play.

Fighters gain new abilities, such as Tactical Shift, Master of Armaments, and Studied Attacks, enhancing their ability to adapt and maneuver in any battle. While most D&D Fighter subclasses remain unchanged, the combat maneuvers from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything have been incorporated into the Battlemaster subclass, and the Eldritch Knight now possesses improved integration of multiple attacks and spellcasting.

Sorcerers now possess the ability to temporarily enhance their spells through Innate Sorcery, and certain features have been modified to complement this newfound ability. The Draconic and Wild Magic subclasses have received slight buffs and adjustments, allowing them to utilize their features more frequently or with reduced costs.

Warlocks have reverted back to their original Pact Magic design, but now have the ability to regain spell slots through Magical Cunning. Pact Boons have been transformed into Invocations, giving Warlocks more choices. In Dungeons and Dragons, all Warlock subclasses now automatically know their Patron Spells at no cost. The Archfey and Great Old One subclasses have undergone extensive redesign, with the former now focused on enhancing Misty Step, and the latter emphasizing Awakened Mind and the Hex spell.

Wizards have undergone minimal changes, mostly returning to their previous state, but with a few minor adjustments to Spell Mastery and the subclasses. Counterpell, however, now requires a saving throw, which many view as a significant disadvantage. Feedback for this Unearthed Arcana will begin on September 21, so players are encouraged to complete the survey once it becomes available.

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Source: D&D Beyond