Dungeons & Dragons has plans for 2026 and beyond, but for the longest while, the only hints players had as to those plans were the Unearthed Arcana playtest documents. Now, a new article on DnDBeyond has revealed what’s in store for the roleplaying game, including a return to Ravenloft, books of magic, and more.
These new releases are divided into “Seasons” with set themes: Season of Horror, Season of Magic, and Season of Champions.
D&D 5.5e
At the same time as the announcements, it was revealed that the 2024 version of D&D 5th edition, previously referred to as 5e 2024, is now officially 5.5 edition. While this is basically just a branding change, it was done to align with what players have already been calling the game, similar to how D&D 3.5 provided slight updates from 3rd edition.
Season of Horror
The Season of Horror kicks off in Spring with the release of “Ravenloft: The Horrors Within.” This book updates the Ravenloft setting, including species and subclasses introduced in “Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft,” bringing them from 5e to 5.5e.
Many of these subclasses were previewed and playtested in the Unearthed Arcana Horror Subclasses, which featured the revised College of Spirits Bard, Grave Domain Cleric, Phantom Rogue, Shadow Sorcerer, Hexblade Warlock, and Undead Warlock. It also introduced two new subclasses: the Reanimator Artificer and Hollow Warden Ranger.
Early reports suggest the book will also contain the Dhampir, Hexblood, and Reborn species updated for 5.5 (Dhampir seeing its own release earlier in the digital-only “Astarion’s Book of Hungers”) as well as the Lupin species.
Ravenloft is D&D’s horror setting, featuring Domains of Dread that both serve as kingdoms and prisons for their respective Darklords, most famous of which being the vampire Strahd Von Zarovich. In these realms, players can receive Dark Gifts that grant power, but at a heavy cost. Early reveals of artwork for the book showcase a variety of horror, including cosmic horror with the return of Cthulhu to Dungeons & Dragons.
The Season of Horror will also see an updated release of the Tarokka Deck, a set of tarot-like cards used for fortune telling within “Curse of Strahd.” This 60-card deck is designed to work with “Ravenloft: The Horrors Within” and will retail for $24.99.
“Ravenloft: The Horrors Within” goes up for pre-order on April 13th, with release planned for June 16th and an MSRP of $59.99. A map pack and Dungeon Master screen will also be available for $24.99 each.
Season of Magic
The Season of Magic, which runs from mid-Summer to mid-Autumn, features two books: “Arcana Unleashed” and “Deadfall.”
“Arcana Unleashed” is a new sourcebook featuring new spells, magic items that level up with the characters, and presumably the subclasses playtested in the Arcane Subclasses and/or Mystic Subclasses from recent Unearthed Arcana articles.
The Arcane subclasses featured updated versions of the Arcana Domain Cleric, Arcane Archer Fighter, Hexblade Warlock (again), and four Wizard subclasses, as well as the new Tattooed Warrior Monk and Ancestral Sorcerer. The Mystic subclasses introduced the Warrior of the Mystic Arts Monk, Oath of the Spellguard Paladin, Magic Stealer Rogue, and Vestige Warlock. Which (if any) of these will be in the book is still a matter of speculation.
“Deadfall” is a new adventure, which the artwork suggests will heavily feature the Red Wizards of Thay, recurring antagonists in the Forgotten Realms (including the Honor Among Thieves movie). Little is known beyond that.
The Season of Magic will also feature new reference cards, containing spells, monsters, and magic items in easily-accessible card form for players and DMs, to be released in August 2026. Both books will be released in September 2026, with “Arcana Unleashed” retailing for $49.99 and “Deadfall” for $29.99.
Season of Champions
There’s still another book or two left under wraps, as D&D announced the Season of Champions from mid-Autumn to mid-Winter, but without telling us what that season will contain.
The common theory is that it will reintroduce the Dark Sun setting, an apocalyptic world where casting magic has drained the life out of the planet. Of course, that theory isn’t without reason, as the Apocalyptic Subclasses Unearthed Arcana is designed for the Dark Sun setting, featuring the Circle of Preservation Druid, Gladiator Fighter, Defiled Sorcery Sorcerer, and Sorcerer-King Patron Warlock.
However, this is all speculation, as we’ll have to wait and see what awaits in the Season of Champions.
Updates to Organized Play?
D&D Adventurers League players have been wondering what will come of their program, given the introduction of the 5.5e-only Legends of Greyhawk organized play system, which is focused more on conventions. While Adventurers League has been ongoing, it’s been relying mostly on player-published Dungeoncraft adventures and a Player’s Guide designed to provide evergreen guidance.
Reports from other websites suggest that the D&D Encounters program is making its return, designed to align with the upcoming Seasons. D&D Encounters, which predates Adventurers League, features short adventures for new and recurring players, but also provides stores with exclusive content for players.
According to reports, D&D Encounters will provide stores with play kits tied to the major book releases, recurring weekly play support, and coordinated efforts to engage the community around each new release. What any of this will consist of is still unknown.
How this will impact Adventurers League and/or Legends of Greyhawk is also currently unknown, but many players are hoping that D&D Encounters will be used to supplement and enhance the Adventurers League experience, rather than exist outside of or competing with it.
For now, we can see what’s ahead for Dungeons & Dragons, so players can prepare to enter the Season of Horror, look forward to the Season of Magic, and wonder what the Season of Champions may hold.
