PSA: Dungeons and Dragons Fans Should Circle March 15 and May 18 on their Calendars

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Tabletop gamers have a lot to anticipate in 2026, with exciting releases like the expected new edition of Warhammer 40k (potentially in summer) and the Vaults of Vaarn Second Edition launching in October. However, Wizards of the Coast, a major player in the hobby, hasn’t revealed its plans for the year yet. While details are scarce, Dungeons & Dragons traditionally celebrates significant anniversaries, and 2026 marks two important dates that fans of horror-themed games will be particularly excited about.

Good news for Dungeons & Dragons players – it seems like something exciting might be coming soon! In the meantime, mark your calendars for March 2026, the 10-year anniversary of the popular adventure Curse of Strahd. Then, in May, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft will celebrate its fifth anniversary, bringing back the classic Domains of Dread to a new audience. These anniversaries suggest that Ravenloft could be the focus of future D&D content.

What a Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft & Curse of Strahd Anniversary Could Look Like in 2026

There haven’t been any official announcements, so we should treat all rumors as speculation. However, looking at past anniversaries for Dungeons & Dragons, we’ve noticed some trends. Specifically, Wizards of the Coast often revisits the Ravenloft setting when they want to experiment with different styles and themes beyond typical heroic fantasy. Therefore, if something is planned for the anniversary, it’s likely to involve Ravenloft. Here are some potential ideas for what that could look like:

  • A revised or expanded Curse of Strahd. Not a full remake, since it’s still based on D&D 5e rules, but potentially:
    • Updated stat blocks aligned with the revised 2024 Player’s Handbook
    • Expanded roleplay tools for Strahd and Barovia’s NPCs
    • Optional horror-forward variants or narrative toggles
    • Some rules or nods that tie back to the recently released Astarion’s Book of Hungers, a vampire-based rulebook
  • A Ravenloft anthology or domain sourcebook. Building on Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, this could mean:
    • New Domains of Dread
    • Deeper dives into existing lords
    • Short adventures designed for drop-in gothic horror campaigns
  • Digital or organized play tie-ins
    • Limited-run Adventurers League content
    • D&D Beyond features, bundles, or curated horror campaigns
    • Anniversary one-shots spotlighting Ravenloft’s most iconic themes
  • Cross-media celebration
    • Actual-play spotlights or collabs
    • Creator-led horror campaigns
    • Themed merchandise or alt-cover releases

There are no promises, but Ravenloft has historically done well when Dungeons & Dragons shifts towards a slower pace, a more serious mood, and a deeper exploration of the nature of both monsters and heroes.

How Players Can Celebrate Ravenloft in 2026—With or Without Official Releases

Even if Wizards of the Coast doesn’t release many new books this year, Ravenloft is perfect for celebrating – especially if players take the lead. Because it’s designed in a flexible way and focuses more on atmosphere than strict storylines, it’s easy to enjoy without needing the latest sourcebooks. Here are some ideas for how game groups can celebrate the anniversary themselves:

Player’s Guide to Celebration

  • Revisit Curse of Strahd with a twist:
    • Play it from a Dhampir’s perspective, or one of Strahd’s would-be-spouses
    • Run Barovia post-Strahd
    • Focus on NPC-led stories rather than the Darklord himself

For Dungeon Masters

  • Use Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft as a toolkit:
    • Build custom Domains
    • Experiment with fear, stress, and corruption mechanics
  • Reframe familiar monsters through the lens of other horror franchises for inspiration

Beyond the Table

  • Themed one-shots for Halloween, or March and May anniversaries
  • Community events, streams, or zines centered on Ravenloft
  • Character-driven horror writing inspired by Domains of Dread

I’ve always been captivated by Ravenloft, and it’s amazing how it doesn’t need constant updates to stay special. Its core ideas – the things that make it so chilling and compelling – are timeless. Even if Wizards of the Coast doesn’t make a big deal out of it, 2026 feels like the perfect time for players to revisit those misty realms, embrace the storytelling, and remember just how powerfully gothic horror can enhance the D&D experience.

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2025-12-30 14:05