New Unearthed Arcana, old faces! Playtest updated versions of five iconic subclasses, freshly designed for use with the new Player's Handbook! Try new versions of:
Path of the Spiritual Guardian (Barbarian)
Path of the Storm Herald (Barbarian)
Cavalier (Fighter)
Warrior of Intoxication (Monk)
Oathbreaker (Paladin)
Download the playtest packet now and read the Designer Insights in our latest blog! And remember, Unearthed Arcana playtests are not available for use in the D&D Beyond character builder.
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Your Friendly Neighborhood Community Manager (she/her) You can call me LT. :)
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The magical brews aren't really doing it for me. They're a bit too arcane for a (non 4 elements) monk, and they're also a little too on the nose. The flavor of the original subclass let you decide if your character was simply mimicking the unpredictable movements of an inebriated person in their fighting style (like irl drunken boxing) or if you were actually sauced as you fought (as it's depicted in movies). I would love if the features focused more on misdirection and unpredictability than like, fire-breath potion.
The magical brews aren't really doing it for me. They're a bit too arcane for a (non 4 elements) monk, and they're also a little too on the nose. The flavor of the original subclass let you decide if your character was simply mimicking the unpredictable movements of an inebriated person in their fighting style (like irl drunken boxing) or if you were actually sauced as you fought (as it's depicted in movies). I would love if the features focused more on misdirection and unpredictability than like, fire-breath potion.
I strongly advise you read the opening description of Warrior of Intoxication again, then read Mystic Brew & Master Brewer again.
It still allows for that, since there is no downside to usage of the drinks, which actual booze would & should. Monk's aren't immune to poison, so it isn't inherently booze.
You can flavor this as many different drinks being conjured because of that. I'm already thinking of ways I can make a soda or energy drink version within the context presented
My problem is with this subclass is that it's not any different from 2014 Drunken Master until level 6, which not as many players will get to, as the numbers show. So people won't get to enjoy any changes until then.
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DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
I find it annoying that they still have multiple marking mechanics (Paladin Compelled Duel, Battle Master Goading Attack, and now Spiritual Guardian Protect and Cavalier Unwavering Mark) that all have similar behavior, but are not unified under a single mechanic (they all basically amount to variants on the 4th edition condition Marked). A unified mechanic would be:
Marked. A marked creature has disadvantage on attacking creatures other than the creature that marked it, unless that creature is Incapacitated. Mark ends early if any other creature marks the same creature.
Compelled Duel. "On a failed save, the target has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you, andis Marked by you. While Marked, it can’t willingly move to a space that is more than 30 feet away from you."
Goading Attack. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other thanbe Marked by you until the end of your next turn.
Distract. Until the start of your next turn, the target has Disadvantage attack rolls against targets other than you or another Barbarian who has this feature is Marked by you.
Unwavering Mark. you can markMark the creature until the end of your next turn. This effect ends early if you have the Incapacitated condition, you die, or someone else marks the creature. While it is within 5 feet of you, a creature marked by you has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you.
I find it annoying that they still have multiple marking mechanics (Paladin Compelled Duel, Battle Master Goading Attack, and now Spiritual Guardian Protect and Cavalier Unwavering Mark) that all have similar behavior, but are not unified under a single mechanic (they all basically amount to variants on the 4th edition condition Marked). A unified mechanic would be:
Marked. A marked creature has disadvantage on attacking creatures other than the creature that marked it, unless that creature is Incapacitated. Mark ends early if any other creature marks the same creature.
Compelled Duel. "On a failed save, the target has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you, andis Marked by you. While Marked, it can’t willingly move to a space that is more than 30 feet away from you."
Goading Attack. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other thanbe Marked by you until the end of your next turn.
Distract. Until the start of your next turn, the target has Disadvantage attack rolls against targets other than you or another Barbarian who has this feature is Marked by you.
Unwavering Mark. you can markMark the creature until the end of your next turn. This effect ends early if you have the Incapacitated condition, you die, or someone else marks the creature. While it is within 5 feet of you, a creature marked by you has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you.
Am I off my rocker, or was Marking in the 2014 core books or Tasha's as an optional rule?
My problem isn't with the Unwavering Mark or the changes to Ferocious Charger. Its that, yet again, this is a subclass that has fundamentally zero differences from 2014 in the levels where most people play.
It should be free, since it's barely changed.
It needs Find Steed to guarantee a mount, too.
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DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
Love the Storm Herald update, although one thing that I may put in the poll is that I wish the Burning imparted by the Desert option didn't have a 1 minute duration. The Burning hazard as defined in the 2024 PHB can already be ended early by taking an Action to make yourself Prone or is otherwise doused. I dont feel theres much issue with the potential for the Burning condition to last beyond a minute if a fight drags on, and outside of combat theres no way it will continue in perpetuity without a time limit because a creature will just stop drop and roll.
For the Oathbreaker, I kinda wished they had taken the opportunity to take this subclass in a different direction. I like the idea of a corrupted and evil Paladin, but Im not jazzed about them being mini necromancers. Not to mention, it doesn't mesh well with the base Paladin kit to be able to smite with divine radiance and heal your allies. It would be cool if a version of this subclass explored giving new (and evil) ways to use base Paladin abilities. Maybe a way to swap Radiant damage for Necrotic on smites or a way to expend Lay on Hands to drain lifeforce from another creature rather than restore it.
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Four-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
I find it annoying that they still have multiple marking mechanics (Paladin Compelled Duel, Battle Master Goading Attack, and now Spiritual Guardian Protect and Cavalier Unwavering Mark) that all have similar behavior, but are not unified under a single mechanic (they all basically amount to variants on the 4th edition condition Marked). A unified mechanic would be:
Marked. A marked creature has disadvantage on attacking creatures other than the creature that marked it, unless that creature is Incapacitated. Mark ends early if any other creature marks the same creature.
Compelled Duel. "On a failed save, the target has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you, andis Marked by you. While Marked, it can’t willingly move to a space that is more than 30 feet away from you."
Goading Attack. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other thanbe Marked by you until the end of your next turn.
Distract. Until the start of your next turn, the target has Disadvantage attack rolls against targets other than you or another Barbarian who has this feature is Marked by you.
Unwavering Mark. you can markMark the creature until the end of your next turn. This effect ends early if you have the Incapacitated condition, you die, or someone else marks the creature. While it is within 5 feet of you, a creature marked by you has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you.
Am I off my rocker, or was Marking in the 2014 core books or Tasha's as an optional rule?
My problem isn't with the Unwavering Mark or the changes to Ferocious Charger. Its that, yet again, this is a subclass that has fundamentally zero differences from 2014 in the levels where most people play.
It should be free, since it's barely changed.
It needs Find Steed to guarantee a mount, too.
Giving it find steed is a fantastic idea. They’d need to allow it to cast higher level versions as the character levels, but that should be easy enough to do.
Heck yeah Cavalier...a subclass based on being mounted....has no easy way of GAINING a mount...let it summon a mount once or x times based on either con or prof bonus /day at least.
Either Find Steed or Find Greater Steed at later levels Or even Phantom Steed...something to help it be an actual mounted subclass.
Otherwise, don't even include the mounted combatant part of it.
Wow the Warrior of Intoxication comments just disappeared like completely deleted... Drunken Fist was the original name in Mandarin for the last ~800 years. If you want to be PC then call it Drunken Fist. "Warrior of Intoxication" screams "I need a helmet in life to play this game" and works so hard to alienate the players who made all of this possible from the 70s on.
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D&D StaffNew Unearthed Arcana, old faces! Playtest updated versions of five iconic subclasses, freshly designed for use with the new Player's Handbook! Try new versions of:
Download the playtest packet now and read the Designer Insights in our latest blog! And remember, Unearthed Arcana playtests are not available for use in the D&D Beyond character builder.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Community Manager (she/her)
You can call me LT. :)
CM Hat On | CM Hat Off
Generally active from 9am - 6pm CDT [GMT-5].
Thank you for your patience if you message me outside of those hours!
Useful Links: Site Rules & Guidelines | D&D Educator Resources | Change Your Nickname | Submit a Support Ticket
The magical brews aren't really doing it for me. They're a bit too arcane for a (non 4 elements) monk, and they're also a little too on the nose. The flavor of the original subclass let you decide if your character was simply mimicking the unpredictable movements of an inebriated person in their fighting style (like irl drunken boxing) or if you were actually sauced as you fought (as it's depicted in movies). I would love if the features focused more on misdirection and unpredictability than like, fire-breath potion.
Wow the Cavalier has made a comeback after nearly 40 years from the original UA from TSR.
I strongly advise you read the opening description of Warrior of Intoxication again, then read Mystic Brew & Master Brewer again.
It still allows for that, since there is no downside to usage of the drinks, which actual booze would & should. Monk's aren't immune to poison, so it isn't inherently booze.
You can flavor this as many different drinks being conjured because of that. I'm already thinking of ways I can make a soda or energy drink version within the context presented
My problem is with this subclass is that it's not any different from 2014 Drunken Master until level 6, which not as many players will get to, as the numbers show. So people won't get to enjoy any changes until then.
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
Cavalier was in xanathar’s. I mean, certainly it was in UA, along with the barbarian and lots of other stuff. But in 5e it was In Xanathar’s.
I find it annoying that they still have multiple marking mechanics (Paladin Compelled Duel, Battle Master Goading Attack, and now Spiritual Guardian Protect and Cavalier Unwavering Mark) that all have similar behavior, but are not unified under a single mechanic (they all basically amount to variants on the 4th edition condition Marked). A unified mechanic would be:
has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you, andis Marked by you. While Marked, it can’t willingly move to a space that is more than 30 feet away from you."have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other thanbe Marked by you until the end of your next turn.has Disadvantage attack rolls against targets other than you or another Barbarian who has this featureis Marked by you.markMark the creature until the end of your next turn.This effect ends early if you have the Incapacitated condition, you die, or someoneelse marks the creature. While it is within 5 feet of you, a creature marked by you has Disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you.Am I off my rocker, or was Marking in the 2014 core books or Tasha's as an optional rule?
My problem isn't with the Unwavering Mark or the changes to Ferocious Charger. Its that, yet again, this is a subclass that has fundamentally zero differences from 2014 in the levels where most people play.
It should be free, since it's barely changed.
It needs Find Steed to guarantee a mount, too.
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
Mark from the 2014 DMG is yet another different mechanic.
Love the Storm Herald update, although one thing that I may put in the poll is that I wish the Burning imparted by the Desert option didn't have a 1 minute duration. The Burning hazard as defined in the 2024 PHB can already be ended early by taking an Action to make yourself Prone or is otherwise doused. I dont feel theres much issue with the potential for the Burning condition to last beyond a minute if a fight drags on, and outside of combat theres no way it will continue in perpetuity without a time limit because a creature will just stop drop and roll.
For the Oathbreaker, I kinda wished they had taken the opportunity to take this subclass in a different direction. I like the idea of a corrupted and evil Paladin, but Im not jazzed about them being mini necromancers. Not to mention, it doesn't mesh well with the base Paladin kit to be able to smite with divine radiance and heal your allies. It would be cool if a version of this subclass explored giving new (and evil) ways to use base Paladin abilities. Maybe a way to swap Radiant damage for Necrotic on smites or a way to expend Lay on Hands to drain lifeforce from another creature rather than restore it.
Four-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
Giving it find steed is a fantastic idea. They’d need to allow it to cast higher level versions as the character levels, but that should be easy enough to do.
Heck yeah Cavalier...a subclass based on being mounted....has no easy way of GAINING a mount...let it summon a mount once or x times based on either con or prof bonus /day at least.
Either Find Steed or Find Greater Steed at later levels Or even Phantom Steed...something to help it be an actual mounted subclass.
Otherwise, don't even include the mounted combatant part of it.
im not a fighter type of person but cavalier made my heart ache 😍😍
Wow the Warrior of Intoxication comments just disappeared like completely deleted... Drunken Fist was the original name in Mandarin for the last ~800 years. If you want to be PC then call it Drunken Fist. "Warrior of Intoxication" screams "I need a helmet in life to play this game" and works so hard to alienate the players who made all of this possible from the 70s on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunken_boxing
What happened to the survey?
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master