New D&D Player’s Handbook: Most Subclasses with a Catch

The upcoming release of the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook will feature a record-breaking number of subclasses, surpassing any previous official book. However, several iconic ones were not included.

The initial D&D 5E Player’s Handbook released in 2014 featured an imbalance in subclass options, with the Cleric and Wizard receiving a significant advantage. While the remaining classes had a maximum of 2 or 3 subclasses, the Cleric boasted 7 and the Wizard had 8 options.

The upcoming release of the D&D Player’s Handbook on September 17 will expand the possibilities for characters by introducing new subclasses and updating existing ones, such as the psionic subclasses featured in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

Despite the return of many familiar subclasses, there are a few that won’t be making an appearance in the 2014 Player’s Handbook. These include the Knowledge, Nature, and Tempest Domains for the Cleric, and the Conjuration, Enchantment, Necromancy, and Transmutation Schools for the Wizard.

This modification ensures that all classes have a consistent selection of subclass options. In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, each class will now have precisely four options to choose from.

“According to Crawford, our goal was to provide an ample variety of options for all of our classes, resulting in each class having four subclass options. However, due to page constraints, the Wizard and Cleric, who had a larger number of subclass options in 2014 compared to other classes, had to sacrifice a few of their subclasses for this book.”

Although some of the most popular Cleric and Wizard subclasses may currently be unavailable, it is expected that they will eventually make a return. As the D&D rules continue to evolve, more sourcebooks will be released, allowing for the reprinting of these cut subclasses with fresh and updated abilities.

It is unfortunate that players who wish to transfer pre-existing characters that utilize those subclasses will need to be patient for the revised versions. Nevertheless, the updated Player’s Handbook not only improves these classes but also introduces over 200 new and revamped spells, providing a plethora of exciting options for veteran spellcasters.