Dungeons and Dragons is set to have its latest sourcebook release on May 18th. Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft is a follow-up to one of fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons' most prominent adventures, Curse of Strahd. The new book is looking to reintroduce more gothic horror elements after the isolation and desperation themes in the last major horror-themed adventure, Rime of the Frostmaiden. One thing about the new book that has many fans excited are the official releases of some new subclasses, but both, including the new Undead Patron for Warlocks, are likely to have some adjustments made from their original playtest forms.
DnD generally releases new subclasses, races, features, monsters, and the like after playtesting them through its Unearthed Arcana. UA releases, for free, new content for players and DMs to test out and then sets up surveys to allow for feedback from their community. The upcoming Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft will be the official release for a new Warlock subclass, allowing aspiring Warlocks to form a pact with a powerful Undead force. The new features add to a plethora of useful abilities and spells for Warlocks in 5e and looking forward to seeing the new canon version of the subclass.
Features Coming With Undead Warlocks in Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
In fitting with the overall theme of spooky, gothic-style horror coming in Van Richten's Guide, the new Patron option for the Warlock allows the spellcaster to forge a contract or some other pact with a powerful Undead force. That powerful creature is left up to DM and player discretion but can range from things like an ancient lich that has chosen the Warlock as a pawn its long-winded game or a even the titular Strahd himself. Forging an agreement with a powerful Undead grants many boons to the player, but most them could also be seen as a curse. From a roleplaying standpoint, this can be used to great effect in DnD to create some unique backstories.
As the newly christened Undead Warlock gains levels in their subclass, the player will find their character becoming more and more similar to their Patron. Features like Form of Dread allow the Warlock to transform, temporarily displaying features like rotting flesh or bat-like features indicative of their Patron. The transformation bestows abilities like immunity to the fear effect, the capacity to inflict fear on enemies, and extra temporary hit points that can junction well with other spells and feats in DnD. The slow change into something more resembling an undead than a regular mortal continues into the higher levels.
Once players reach high levels in the new subclass, they'll become more a spirit than a body. With that players are able to leave their corporeal forms behind for a limited period of time, empowering their Form of Dread and many of their spells. When set against the other new races coming to DnD, these abilities have many fans looking to play a more morally-bankrupt one shot or campaign will have a lot of options to truly live out some Castlevania-esque monstrous fantasies. The new sourcebook will likely have some minor tweaks to damages or limits on the new features coming with the Undead Warlock (which is normal for published content after its UA incubancy) but players are likely going to find a lot to like in the new Warlock subclass.
Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft releases May 18th in both digital and physical formats.