Dungeons and Dragons just released a new Unearthed Arcana called Apocalyptic Subclasses – and many fans think this could be a sign that a Dark Sun book could be in development. Though the dark fantasy setting hasn’t been touched by Dungeons and Dragons in 15 years, this new playtest document could be a sign of that changing soon.
Dark Sun is an apocalyptic dark fantasy setting that first arrived in Dungeons and Dragons in 1991 during 2nd Edition. Though settings like the Forgotten Realms, Eberron, and Greyhawk have all appeared during 5th Edition, Dark Sun has not received the same treatment, with its last sourcebook appearing in 4th Edition in 2010.
However, there is a chance that this could change in the future. Dungeons and Dragons just put out an Unearthed Arcana with playtest versions of four brand-new, apocalypse-themed subclasses: the Circle of Preservation Druid, the Gladiator Fighter, the Defiled Sorcerer, and Sorcerer-King Warlock. These grimdark archetypes would fit perfectly in the dark fantasy world of Dark Sun, leading many to speculate that Dungeons and Dragons may be developing a book in this setting.
Though the setting is incredibly popular, Wizards of the Coast has been hesitant to revisit Dark Sun in any Dungeons and Dragons novels or sourcebooks for 15 years. This is because the setting’s world of Athas contains sensitive themes, such as slavery and genocide, and problematic stereotypes towards certain playable species that could be seen as offensive. That said, the revised 2024 rulebooks do briefly make mention of Dark Sun, so it is clear D&D has not forgotten about it. Nevertheless, a return to Dark Sun would likely require some extensive rewrites to bring it up to modern ethical sensibilities.
The new subclasses themselves are quite interesting. The Circle of Preservation for D&D‘s Druid class is all about revitalizing the world, with many ways to buff their allies by protecting parts of the battlefield, while the Gladiator Fighter doubles down on the Weapon Mastery system in a big way. The Defiled Sorcerer can empower their spells by infusing them with their own Hit Dice, while the Sorcerer-King Warlock channels the power of their tyrannical patron to intimidate, frighten, and dominate their foes. Gamers who would like to provide feedback for these subclasses can do so starting August 28.
At present, no books announced for 2025 would be good fits for these archetypes, so they will probably appear some time next year – likely alongside the new Psion Dungeons and Dragons playtest class, as they also have a prominent role within Dark Sun. Fans will have to wait and see if one of these unannounced projects is a return to Dark Sun, or if they appear in some other post-apocalyptic sourcebook that fills a similar niche.
Dungeons & Dragons
E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
