You all may see a few new options appear for your characters; I've just signed up to participate in the playtest for the 6th batch of Unearthed Arcana content they're checking out for the new edition of D&D that they keep denying is a new edition of D&D.  I have full content sharing on in my campaign so I would think all of you will be able to access the playtest content also; I'll post here as I run across things I think might be intteresting to your characters,, and I'll describe also a bit of what caught my interest.

I like to noodle just a bit in homebrew, and I like to play among other things bards, so I'd already been considering 'brewing up a bard College of Acrobatics, and I see that one of the theings they're trying out in this content is a bard College of Dance. close enough to immediately catch my eye as at least a customizable homebrew template.  The text iin the page the link led me to is as follows:

In this new Unearthed Arcana document for the 2024 Core Rulebooks, we explore material designed for the next version of the Player’s Handbook. This playtest document presents updated rules on seven classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, and Rogue. This document also presents multiple subclasses for each of those classes, new Spells, revisions to existing Spells and Spell Lists, and several revised Feats. You will also find an updated rules glossary that supercedes the glossary of any previous playtest document.

This Is Playtest Content

The material in Unearthed Arcana is presented for playtesting and to spark your imagination. These game mechanics are in draft form, usable in your D&D campaign but not refined by final game development. They are not officially part of the game. For these reasons, material in this column is not legal in D&D Adventurers League events. For more information, please visit our FAQ.

and alsotothereforethus:

What to Expect in Unearthed Arcana Moving Forward 

To now, the playtest materials you’ve seen for the 2024 Player’s Handbook have represented an experimentation phase. We’ve made big swings in these playtest packets to see what resonates with players and to help us home in on the best ways to improve upon the 2014 Player’s Handbook. 

Now, we’re moving into a refinement phase. “This is the first Unearthed Arcana in the series that represents a lot of refinement based on the playtest feedback we have been receiving previously in this series,” said Crawford. “Now we’re really focusing on refining those things that are going to end up in the 2024 version of the Player’s Handbook.” 

You may have noticed that some class features from the 2014 Player's Handbook have been absent in previous playtest packets. As we move toward our goal of finalizing player options, you can expect to see a return of these features in this and future playtests. 

Class Changes in Player’s Handbook Playtest 6

Player’s Handbook Playtest 6 updates seven classes: the bard, cleric, druid, monk, paladin, ranger, and rogue. The following table highlights some of the bigger revisions to these classes. Below that, we discuss a few overarching changes you’ll notice across these classes.

Player’s Handbook Playtest 6: Class Revision Highlights
Class	Highlights
Bard	Choose a spell list (Arcane, Divine, or Primal) as your bard spell list at 1st level  New College of Dance subclass  Power word heal and power word kill are always prepared with new capstone
Cleric	Specialize at 1st level with the Divine Order feature and at 7th level with Blessed Strikes Redesigned Divine Intervention feature is more reliable and requires less DM fiat
Druid	New Wild Shape is a bonus action, requires you to prepare forms from Beast stat blocks, and allows you to speak Convert Wild Shape uses into spell slots, and vice versa New Circle of the Sea subclass and redesigned Circle of the Land and Circle of the Moon
Monk	Damage die increase on Martial Arts, plus brand-new class features, including ability to catch ranged spell attacks Redesigned Warrior of the Elements, overhauled Warrior of Shadow, and updated Warrior of the Hand Weapon Mastery feature added
Paladin	Divine Smite is now a spell, most smite spells are paladin-exclusive, and some have been updated Use Lay on Hands as a bonus action Faithful Steed feature grants the find steed spell, and the spell has been improved Weapon Mastery feature added
Ranger	Deft Explorer is now a standard feature Hunter’s mark only works on first attack that hits, but damage scales with spell slot level Conjure barrage is now a ranger-exclusive spell and works with melee weapons Redesigned Beast Master subclass Weapon Mastery feature added
Rogue	Trade Sneak Attack damage for effects that hamper foes with Cunning Strike  Steady Aim is now a standard feature  Weapon Mastery feature added

Subclass Progression Reverted to 2014 Player’s Handbook

Subclass features follow the same level progression as they do in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, meaning classes will look more like what you’re used to from the 2014 Player’s Handbook. “It was a fun experiment to see how it would work if every class proceeded through their subclass levels at the same time, but that exploration was causing some ripple effects that were then causing other problems in certain classes,” Crawford explained. 

However, there is one exception: Subclasses still kick in at 3rd level across the board. 

Weapon Mastery Added to New Classes

Introduced in the previous UA, the Weapon Mastery feature and Mastery weapon properties were a huge hit, so we’re continuing to playtest them. The following classes get the Weapon Mastery feature in Player’s Handbook Playtest 6: monk, paladin, ranger, and rogue. 

Additionally, the War Domain cleric can access the Mastery property for one weapon. 

Epic Boons No Longer a Capstone Feature

Epic Boon feats are taking a backseat in this playtest packet. Feedback shows that while players enjoy them, Epic Boons aren’t a good substitute for class-specific features at 20th level. So, we’ve brought back capstone class features and, in some cases, introduced new ones. We’ll explore Epic Boons more in a later playtest. 

So if anything particularly strikes anyone about the new content I would be glad to pass on your feedback with curmudgeonly honesty.  For instance, my first comment was:

Are you saying these new features are open for us to try in your campaign? I can see that if I go to edit the character, under Class - Optional Feature Management, the option to use the Steady Aim is available at level 3, there is a check box to add it. Other than that I can't see anything new and don't want to try to edit the character more than just look at what is available.

Available but not required, and honestly I'm not sure what exactly the new material adds, only that WOTC asks that if I try it I give them playtest feedback on it.  So I'm fine with anyone using as much or as little of it as they want; but if you do try it and want to give some feedback you'd like me to pass on to WOTC that's what I'm offering to do.  This is strictly optional for those who want to use it

After a little shake, Tarton looks more relaxed, though embarrassed as he spilled another drop of his drink. He takes a drink so as to not spill more, than asks the group, "How long have you known each other, or are we all just meeting tonight?"

"I cannot speak for the rest, but for me, it is the first time meeting everyone. However, I must say, it has been an interesting meeting so far," The Black Rose smiled. "That reminds me, one of you was suggesting a wager, if I'm not mistaken. Was it you, Artifex?"

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Im okay not using the new rules for the monk, it is my first time trying the monk class so i would like to try it with the original rules first, but thanks for the offer. 

Erolith responds to Tarton, “Today is my first time to traverse the streets of this city and be in the company of these travelers. I am far from home but adventure marks the path I follow.” 

A mischievous gleam and a smirk passes across Erolith’s face as he says this.

"As for myself, my eyes have never before been laid up on the faces present, though I hardly find that a surprise." Artifex says, taking another sip of their wine, looking at the bit of spilled wine with a slight shake of its head, more disappointed by the wasted alcohol than anything else. "I have not been away from Durmista for long, at least as Quessir reckon time. It's been..." They think for a moment. "Twenty snows I believe."

Artifex turns to The Black Rose, Its smirk stretching into a grin. "T'was indeed I who suggested a wager. Its how I pass the time, though I did not have anything specific in mind. Would you prefer to choose the game, or the stakes?"

At the mention of wagers, and Artifex' passing their time, a deep gleam begins to sparkle in Mr. Leewamba's eyes.  "As it happens, my good Tel'quessi, I happen to appreciate passing the time in that way myself, and the kindness of our hosts has led them to acquire the apparatus for a great many games of chance for the connoisseurs among their patrons to enjoy."  As he speaks, Myrine emerges again from the fogbound bar with a tray holding a fresh round of drinks.  She walks over to you slightly more delicately than she departed, wisps of smoke from the cloud swirling in her wake as it slowly drifts over to mingle with the general reek around you, that even the nicest common room finds inevitable until the proprietors can afford permanent continual light spells.   Myrine's eyes seem nearly crossed as she approaches; she seems to have one steadily fixed on Artifex while the other is equally hypnotized by Mr. Leewamba.  As she comes nearer, you also note that the smoldering resentment in her eyes has been completely replaced by a somewhat befuddled grin.

Erolith accepts the new glass of elven wine but decides not to partake any more libations. The abundance of alcohol, the properties of the smoke, and the reactions of our hosts have suddenly put him on alert, although it may be nothing.

I’d like to scan our surroundings and pay closer attention to Myrine and Mr. Leewamba for anything out of the ordinary.

Tarton says, "If we're playing games of chance, then I will have to be a spectator unless a crowbar will do in place of coins."

"We can always bet something we all possess," The Black Rose said as he accepted another dwarven ale. "Information," he elaborated, "The winner may ask the loser a question that must be followed by an honest answer."

"But I feel that we owe our host to listen to his story first."

Tarton nods at The Black Rose's proposal. Noticing a drink for himself, he takes a moment to smell his drink before finishing it and placing the empty cup on the tray and taking his new cup. 

Artifex accepts their refill gratefully, giving Myrine a kind smile. "Many thanks Ar'ama" it says, giving her a wink before turning their attention back to The Black Rose. "Information can often cost more than some are willing to pay. I can think of no better prize for a game of chance."

It turns once more towards their host. "He is right about saving that for later though, pardon my interruption. Please, continue. From your words before I gather you have brought us together to address a matter of some import?" 

You have a little difficulty engaging your host's full attention; the river gnome seems to have drifted off to a pleasant. private world of memories at some point while you were getting your second round of drinks, which you cannot perceive as in any way being different from the first.  You would swear they are even filled to the exact same level in the glass.  after a few moments, he calls his attention back to you.  "Yes ... well, I do think the rooftop garden would be a better place to discuss the details, but briefly, I am concerned about a certain peril to us, and I think a certain item would help immensely in lessening that peril.  Pretty standard fairytale stuff, isn't it really? Stuff most adventurers live on, other places.  Here, it's, "Oh, Zanexi, stop fretting.," and "Silly old Zoppebis, what does he  know about giants, 

"...and the boors don't see they claim how insulting that is, and ... "  He seems to be growing more animated as he speaks, if a little distracted, waving you towards the rooftop stairs while appearing completely oblivious that it is talking with him that is diverting you from doing that.  The sweet smell of lilac and lavender is now evident as grace notes of the complex scent that swirls and spins kaleidoscopically into one scent in the smoke drifting over to you from the kenders' pipes.  You begin to have a warm, woozy, happy feeling as you catch the whiff; for a moment, all things are as looming and epic and emotional as they were to you as a child.

Quote from McColough >>

Erolith accepts the new glass of elven wine but decides not to partake any more libations. The abundance of alcohol, the properties of the smoke, and the reactions of our hosts have suddenly put him on alert, although it may be nothing.

I’d like to scan our surroundings and pay closer attention to Myrine and Mr. Leewamba for anything out of the ordinary.

 Absolutely!  Straight Perception roll, I'd think, so go ahead and do that now

How do you join

If I am allowed 

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

Quote from McColough >>

Erolith accepts the new glass of elven wine but decides not to partake any more libations. The abundance of alcohol, the properties of the smoke, and the reactions of our hosts have suddenly put him on alert, although it may be nothing.

I’d like to scan our surroundings and pay closer attention to Myrine and Mr. Leewamba for anything out of the ordinary.

 Absolutely!  Straight Perception roll, I'd think, so go ahead and do that now

 Done

Quote from Wolf2010 >>

How do you join

 

Quote from Wolf2010 >>

If I am allowed 

 Sure can! :)  Make a post here with the following information about the character you're proposing to join with.  Pretty much all official material is allowed though you might have to adjust your background to account for being here if you're a race or class that's rare or just doesn't exist in this part of this world or in this world at all.  There are also at this point two homebrew races, the riverkin and the Sauvogian half-minotaur, and a couple homebrew subclasses; those should be in a post near the beginning of the thread.  Once you know what you want to play, make two posts for your character.  In the first, use the dice roller function on the forums (looks like a black six sided die with three pips visilble, in the line of icons above the box to type the post in).  Use the tab that says, "Ability scores" and leave all the settings on their defaults.  Then quote those ability scores in a second post (using the "Quote" command underneath the first post which has the ablility scores ... it will be in between "Reply" and "Multi-quote"_), and add the other information listed below:

• Ability scores: (4d6, drop lowest; take standard array if you hate what you get)**
• Character name:
• Character race, class/subclass*:
• (Background) Backstory:

I'll look it over and if I think your character will fit in well with the group I'll send you a link.  I'll also message you at that point about whether its OK at that point in the action for your character to just show up or if it would be better for the story to plan a way to work you in