A new character class option is coming to Dungeons & Dragons, and it’s expected to be a significant, free addition to the game’s most played class. This year will see several expansions for the tabletop RPG, including the recently announced Ravenloft: The Horrors Within and Arcana: Unleashed books. While Wizards of the Coast hasn’t detailed what’s inside them yet, many believe players will find new ways to customize their characters, and there’s a possibility the Hexblade class will return in the updated version of D&D.
Beyond the products we’ve already announced, the company is testing out new character choices for future releases. One exciting example is a new Druid option in playtesting for Dungeons & Dragons that dramatically changes how the class plays – letting players transform into massive creatures that can even fly by level 3! There’s plenty more planned for the tabletop role-playing game, so stay tuned.
Hell Knight Fighter Subclass Arrives In D&D Soon
The New Character Option May Be Released By 2027
As a big fan of Dungeons & Dragons, I’m really excited about the new Hell Knight subclass! It’s one of four free options they’re testing out for Fighters in the latest version of the game. Right now, you can try it on D&D Beyond through Unearthed Arcana. While it seems like Wizards of the Coast intends to eventually include it in a full sourcebook, there’s no firm date yet. Typically, these playtest subclasses show up in a published book about a year after they’re first released for testing, so we’ll have to wait and see!
The College of Spirits Bard, which was tested with players last year, will be included in the upcoming Ravenloft: The Horrors Within expansion. This is because a version of the subclass appeared in the previous Ravenloft book from 2014. As for the new Hell Knight subclass for Fighters, it’s expected to be released in books coming out in late 2026 or sometime in 2027.
New Fighter Subclass Has Free Damage Bursts You Can’t Ignore
Hell Knights Can Punish Enemies Continuously
The Hell Knight is a new fighter subclass for Dungeons & Dragons that looks really promising. It’s worth checking out and even trying in your games. Its key feature is the Hellfire Weapon, which lets you change your weapon to deal extra fire damage or its usual damage. The weapon also glows with a dim light when transformed.
Another key feature of this new Villainous Option subclass for D&D is the Infernal Wound die. Whenever you hit a creature with your Hellfire Weapon, you can add extra Fire damage equal to the roll of this die, and also inflict an infernal wound. While wounded, the creature takes Fire damage equal to the Infernal Wound die roll at the beginning of each of its turns.
This ability gets better as your character gains experience. Once you reach level 3 and then level 7, you’ll unlock the Advanced Wounds feat. This feat lets you choose a special effect whenever you roll a 6 on your Infernal Wound die. One option, Purulence of Minauros, causes the target to erupt with pus, dealing Acid damage to nearby creatures within a 5-foot radius and also poisoning the target until their next turn.
The Rupture of Cania deals Force damage to the target equal to your Constitution score. Additionally, Stygian Gangrene inflicts Cold damage equal to your Constitution score and prevents the target from taking Reactions until their next turn. However, the Advanced Wounds ability might need some adjustments to ensure fairness. The Purulence of Minauros effect might not be worth using if you could accidentally hurt yourself with Acid damage.
The Cania Rupture might not be necessary if you can use Stygian Gangrene, as it doesn’t limit the enemy’s actions. The only time Cania Rupture is better is when dealing with an enemy’s resistances or immunities.
Hell Knight Fighters In D&D Are Great For Infernal Campaigns
Descend Into Avernus With This New Subclass
If your Dungeons & Dragons campaign takes place in the Nine Hells or a comparable fiery setting, the Hell Knight Fighter is an excellent choice. Despite relying on fire-based attacks, this subclass gains a significant advantage at level 7. The Hell-Forged Equipment feature provides resistance to fire damage and allows their weapon attacks and other Fighter abilities to bypass fire resistance in enemies, making them incredibly effective.
At 18th level, Hell Knight Fighters gain the Hellfire Condemnation ability, making it extremely difficult to revive enemies they defeat with their Hellfire Weapon or Infernal Wound. With the addition of new feats in D&D that let you become a Death Knight, this Fighter subclass could become one of the most powerful choices available.
This subclass still needs some tweaks and adjustments, but it’s already proving to be a fun and powerful choice for players, even for those who aren’t playing evil characters. The positive response to these new villainous options for Dungeons & Dragons, especially the Hell Knight Fighter, shows just how well they’re being received.
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2026-04-10 09:09