The popular role-playing game, “Dungeons & Dragons,” recently introduced a new Unearthed Arcana named Apocalyptic Subclasses. Some enthusiasts speculate that this might hint at an upcoming Dark Sun book development, as the grim fantasy setting has been absent from D&D for 15 years. This fresh playtest document may suggest a change in that trend.
Dark Sun is an apocalyptic dark fantasy world that was introduced to Dungeons and Dragons in 1991 during the 2nd Edition. Unlike popular settings such as the Forgotten Realms, Eberron, and Greyhawk which have all been updated for the 5th Edition, Dark Sun remains unchanged, with its last published material coming out in 2010 during the 4th Edition.
D&Dโs Apocalyptic Subclasses Could Be Teasing Dark Sun
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but get excited about the latest Unearthed Arcana release from Dungeons and Dragons! They just introduced four intriguing, apocalypse-themed subclasses that could potentially shake up our gameplay – Circle of Preservation Druid, Gladiator Fighter, Defiled Sorcerer, and Sorcerer-King Warlock. Their dark fantasy vibe would be a perfect fit for the bleak world of Dark Sun, making me wonder if D&D might be planning to delve into this setting with a new book!

Dungeons and Dragons Uneathed Arcana โ Apocalyptic Subclasses
- Druid โ Circle of Preservation
- Fighter โ Gladiator
- Sorcerer โ Defiled Sorcery
- Warlock โ Sorcerer-King
For the past 15 years, Wizards of the Coast has been reluctant to delve into the world of Dark Sun for Dungeons and Dragons novels or supplementary materials due to its sensitive subject matter and potentially offensive representations. The setting’s world, Athas, features themes like slavery, genocide, and questionable stereotypes towards specific playable species. However, the upcoming 2024 rulebooks offer a hint that Dark Sun is still on their radar. If they decide to revisit this universe, it would probably necessitate substantial revisions to align with contemporary ethical standards.

The newly introduced subclasses are quite captivating. In the realm of D&D, the Circle of Preservation for Druids focuses on rejuvenating the world, offering multiple methods to strengthen allies by securing strategic battlefield zones. On the other hand, the Gladiator Fighter emphasizes Weapon Mastery significantly more. The Defiled Sorcerer amplifies their spells by tapping into their own Hit Dice, whereas the Sorcerer-King Warlock wields the power of their dictatorial patron to instill fear and control over their enemies. From August 28 onwards, gamers are encouraged to share their thoughts about these subclasses.
Currently, it seems there aren’t any books scheduled for 2025 that would suit these character types. Therefore, it’s likely we might see them sometime next year, possibly coinciding with the release of the new Psion Dungeons and Dragons playtest class, given their significant presence in Dark Sun. Fans will just have to stay tuned to find out if one of these unannounced projects is a continuation of Dark Sun or if it emerges from a different post-apocalyptic sourcebook that serves a similar purpose.
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2025-08-22 01:56