A bunch of new subclasses for Dungeons & Dragons are set to be released for 2024’s updated rules in the near future, and some of them are looking particularly great. Since 5e’s update in 2024, which brought forth a new and updated ruleset, several things changed for the TTRPG. The new subclasses in the D&D 2024 Player’s Handbook include the Archfey Warlock, for instance, which was not originally part of the core ruleset in 2014.

After the major update to the rules, Wizards of the Coast also released supplements that expanded player options. In late 2025, the company added several new subclasses from D&D: Forgotten Realms, such as the College of the Moon Bard, Oath of the Noble Genies Paladin, and the powerful Spellfire Sorcery Sorcerer. Last year, the company tested several other subclasses that have not yet been released, but will likely arrive for 5e in 2026 or later.

College Of Spirits Bard

These Lore-Centered Bards Have Cool Spiritual Powers

As part of the Horror Subclasses playtest content on D&D Beyond’s Unearthed Arcana, the College of Spirits Bard is one of the coolest new subclasses that may arrive for 5e soon. Originally featured in 2021’s Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft supplement book, this Bard subclass allows the character to commune with spirits and obtain special powers from them.

One of the updates to the subclass during the playtests is that the Guiding Whispers and Spiritual Focus feats were combined into a single unit called Channeler. The most notable change, however, was how the Spirits from Beyond feat, which was previously called Tales from Beyond, allows the rolled spirit to take effect immediately with a Bonus Action, rather than relying on summoning it with a Bonus Action and then activating it with an Action.

The new version of this Bard subclass in D&D also grants the character Spirit Guardians, a powerful damage and area control spell that works well with their archetype. The College of Spirits Bard is one of the most interesting and different takes on the class, as it is centered mostly around stories and lore rather than music, per se (I’m not ignoring College of Lore), which is particularly exciting for roleplay purposes.

Grave Domain Cleric

Cancel Critical Hits & Impose Disadvantage With This Returning Subclass

Also part of the Horror Subclasses playtests on Beyond, the Grave Domain Cleric may soon make an official comeback with updated 2024 rules. Grave Clerics in D&D were already some of the very best ones in their class, and the updated rules make them even stronger. The subclass still has the powerful Path to the Grave feat, which allows you to spend a Channel Divinity to curse a target, imposing Disadvantage on their attacks and saves, but now this is an ongoing effect.

Furthermore, you can burn the curse to deal extra damage, which is great when you know you’re closer to the end of combat, for example. Sentinel at Death’s Door, which allows Grave Clerics to basically nullify Critical Hits, has been modified. Now, you can trigger it with any type of attack roll, making it not limited to Crits, but as a balancing consequence, the target needs to be Bloodied for it to work.

The playtest Grave Clerics also get a ton of new spells, which make them a lot more relevant in combat. There’s a lot to look forward to with the new Grave Clerics for D&D 5e 2024, if they arrive in the way that they were presented in the playtests.

Circle Of Preservation Druid

Aid Your Party With A Fully Dedicated Healer

Featured in the Apocalyptic Subclasses playtests on D&D Beyond, the Circle of Preservation Druid is a healer-focused take on the versatile class. Preservation Druids get access to a bunch of conservation and restorative magic. This can be seen through their spells, which include Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Sanctuary, Beacon of Hope, Aura of Life, Death Ward, and Greater Restoration, for example.

The Preserved Land feat lets the Preservation Druid spend a Wild Shape usage to create a 15-foot cube that can concede Temporary Hit Points to allies, and remove Frightened or Poisoned from them – this is, essentially, a small beacon in combat. At later levels, this Druid subclass in D&D can also help allies with CON saves when they’re inside the Preserved Land’s area, and even deal damage to enemies, reducing their speed.

At level 10, Preservation Druids can cast Lesser Restoration or Greater Restoration without consuming a spell slot or components, and at level 14, Preserved Land doubles in size, and you can use a reaction to halve damage to a creature hit inside the area. This new Druid subclass is perfect for players who want to play a dedicated support role but aren’t too keen on running Clerics, for example.

Gladiator Fighter

This New Subclass Makes Weapon Masteries Even Cooler

The Gladiator Fighter is another new subclass featured in the Apocalyptic playtests, and it may be one of the most exciting ones. What’s different about this Fighter is that its subclass effects are dictated by Charisma. With its level 3 feat, Brutality, the Gladiator can, once per turn, activate different Weapon Mastery effects on top of the ones they are using with the weapon, a number of times equal to their Charisma modifier.

For instance, triggering Bleed via Brutality, the Gladiator can activate Sap on top of a Handaxe’s Vex Weapon Mastery effect in D&D, in addition to causing more damage. At level 10, Brutality gains three extra effects you can choose. Additionally, the level 3 Combat Theatrics grants the Gladiator three extra Proficiencies and the ability to improve their Acrobatics and Athletics checks with their Charisma modifier.

At level 7, Gladiators can also spend a reaction when they are hit to improve their AC based on their Charisma modifier, potentially making the attack miss; if this happens, they can counterattack. The new Gladiator is a breath of fresh air for the Fighter class, and the way it leans into Weapon Masteries makes it all the more enticing.

Warrior Of Intoxication Monk

The classic drunken kung fu warrior archetype is making its way to D&D 5e’s 2024 rules with the Warrior of Intoxication Monk, as seen in the Updated Subclasses playtest on D&D Beyond. Returning from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass underwent a few changes. For example, the new level 6 Mystic Brew feature allows them to create magical brews that provide different benefits, such as healing, gaining Resistances, and even spitting toxic flames.

Additionally, at level 3, Flurry of Blows increases the Intoxication Monk’s movement and impedes Opportunity Attacks. Also at level 3, they get one more skill proficiency, as well as proficiency with Brewer’s Supplies. At level 11, this new Monk subclass in D&D gains the ability to craft two extra Mystic Brews. Lastly, at level 17, they can add extra Unarmed Strikes to their Flurry of Blows, as long as each attack targets different creatures.

Monks are one of the most versatile and slippery classes in the TTRPG, and are often a headache for DMs considering how much they can dodge, mitigate, and avoid altogether. The Warrior of Intoxication subclass leans further into that, and it provides a lot of roleplaying opportunities, stacked with flavor during combat.

Oathbreaker Paladin

These Edgelords Are Stronger Than Ever

Arguably one of the edgiest subclasses in Dungeons & Dragons, the Oathbreaker Paladin is bound to make a comeback soon. Featured in the Updated Subclasses playtests, too, the rework will now allow the Paladin to Conjure Undead instead of simply Control Undead – this was an issue in the 2014 rules, which always required nearby bodies for it to work. The subclass’ Dreadful Aspect has now been incorporated into the use of Divine Smite.

With it, Oathbreakers can spend a Channel Divinity to force a Wisdom save or impose Frightened on nearby creatures of their choice. With the playtests, Oathbreakers also get new spells to use, like Witch Bolt, Fear, Phantasmal Killer, and the extremely potent Steel Wind Strike. Their Aura of Hate now only benefits Fiends and Undead that are allies, not all Fiends and Undead.

At level 20, this Paladin subclass in D&D can now use Dread Lord to imbue Aura of Protection with Darkness and Fear via a Bonus Action rather than having to spend a full Action. Furthermore, their updated description in the playtests implies that not every Oathbreaker needs to have an evil alignment and can actually be good, bending the tenets of their Oath to achieve a noble deed.

Hexblade Warlock

The Fan-Favorite Subclass Loves Being Offensive

The fan-favorite Hexblade Warlock is also expected to make a comeback with the updated 2024 rules, as it has been featured twice in Unearthed Arcana. Last highlighted in the Arcane Subclasses playtests on D&D Beyond, Hexblades will be able to restore HP and even gain extra AC when dealing with opponents that are victims of their Hexblade’s Curse.

At higher levels, they can also score Crits on 19 or 20 dice rolls, and deal explosive extra damage to opponents close to the cursed target. Moreover, this Warlock subclass in D&D enables you to punish enemies that try to break your Concentration, while also continuously attacking enemies.

This may be one of the most offensive Warlock subclasses, and it fits both casters and Pact of the Blade users quite well. Of course, all these subclasses are still going through playtests, so they may not even be released. However, it’s likely we’ll see the majority of them in Dungeons & Dragons quite soon.

Original Release Date

1974

Publisher

TSR Inc., Wizards of the Coast

Designer

E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson

Player Count

2-7 Players