Wizards of the Coast has officially unveiled the seven subclasses featured in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, the horror-themed sourcebook scheduled for release on June 16, 2026. The book serves as a spiritual successor to Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, updated for the 2024/2025 D&D ruleset, and focuses on dark, gothic, and psychologically unsettling character options.
The subclasses are drawn largely from the Horror Subclasses Unearthed Arcana released in May 2025, with one notable omission: the Hexblade Warlock patron, which will not appear in this book. Instead, the volume introduces two brand-new subclasses alongside five revised favorites, giving players fresh tools for horror-themed campaigns.
The Seven Subclasses in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Grave Domain Cleric
Walk the thin line between life and death. This domain focuses on preserving allies on the brink of death while ushering enemies across the threshold. It emphasizes healing, necromantic control, and turning the tide of battle through deathly magic.
Shadow Sorcerer
Embrace the darkness within. This subclass allows sorcerers to channel shadows, summon spirits of ill omen, and manipulate darkness for both offense and evasion. It leans heavily into the fear and mystery associated with shadow magic.
Undead Patron Warlock
Form a pact with dark, deathly powers. Warlocks gain the iconic Form of Dread, along with abilities that let them emulate undead creatures, resist death effects, and spread fear among their enemies.
College of Spirits Bard
Channel voices from beyond the veil. Bards in this college use Bardic Inspiration to summon spirits that can buff allies, debuff foes, or provide cryptic guidance. It blends support, control, and flavorful roleplay opportunities.
Phantom Rogue
Become a ghost in the machine of combat. This rogue subclass lets players ravage enemies with Wails from the Grave and collect Tokens from the Departed, turning fallen foes into resources while gaining ghostly mobility and resilience.
Reanimator Artificer (New)
Create and control your own monstrous companion. Inspired by classic horror tales like Frankenstein, this artificer builds and upgrades a Reanimated Companion to fight alongside them, offering a unique pet-based playstyle with customizable upgrades.
Hollow Warden Ranger (New)
Harness the eerie hunger of the ancient wilds. This ranger subclass draws from dark folklore (with clear Witcher-inspired vibes), granting abilities tied to primal curses, monstrous transformations, and survival in the most twisted corners of the world.
These subclasses are designed to feel at home in Ravenloft’s gothic horror setting while remaining versatile enough for other campaigns. The two new options Reanimator Artificer and Hollow Warden Ranger stand out as fresh mechanical identities that expand the artificer and ranger class fantasies in creepy, thematic directions.
Of the eight subclasses previewed in the 2025 Horror Subclasses Unearthed Arcana, only seven made the final cut. The Hexblade Warlock was left out of Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. Given its popularity, it is widely expected to appear in a future release. The most likely home is Arcana Unleashed, the second 2026 sourcebook, which promises high-magic subclasses and revisions. If it does not appear there, it could surface in the unnamed third book later in the year, which may focus on apocalyptic or villainous themes based on previous playtests.
Fans with D&D Beyond subscriptions can get a head start:
- Master Tier subscribers gain digital access on June 2.
- Hero Tier subscribers can access the book on June 9.
This gives players time to test the subclasses in their campaigns before the physical book ships on June 16. Ravenloft: The Horrors Within looks poised to deliver exactly what horror-loving groups have been asking for: mechanically strong, thematically rich subclasses that encourage creepy roleplay and memorable character moments. With two brand-new options and updated versions of beloved horror staples, the book should provide plenty of inspiration for Ravenloft campaigns or any game looking to add a darker edge.
The official release is just two months away. Whether you plan to play a death-touched cleric, a shadow-weaving sorcerer, or one of the new Reanimator or Hollow Warden subclasses, June 16 cannot come soon enough for fans of gothic horror in D&D. Which class you will pick or play as first?