Playtest 8 of DnD Unearthed Arcana: Big Changes for Barbarians, Druids, and Monks
The latest playtest from Dungeons and Dragons’ Unearthed Arcana, Playtest 8, introduces significant changes to the Barbarian, Druid, and Monk classes. While Barbarians and Monks receive exciting buffs, Druids get nerfs and a shift in their playstyle. Let’s take a closer look at the changes:
Barbarians: Powerful Buffs and Expanded Abilities
The Barbarian class receives substantial enhancements in Playtest 8. Their Rage now regenerates one charge during Short Rests, allowing them to utilize their strongest class feature more often. At level 15, they can regain all uses of Rage once per Long Rest. Additionally, the Weapon Mastery feature provides Barbarians with a broader range of weapon options.
A new way to Reckless Attack has been introduced, replacing Advantage with the ability to shove enemies and deal extra damage. This playtest also introduces the Path of the World Tree archetype, offering Barbarians a unique tanking style through teleportation and temporary health regeneration.
Monks: Improved Weapon Pool and Enhanced Resource Regeneration
The Monk class also experiences significant improvements. Monks now have access to a wider range of Light Weapons. They benefit from better resource regeneration, allowing them to regain all of their Discipline Points (renamed from Ki Points) once per day. By level 15, Monks will rarely have fewer than four Discipline Points due to regeneration with every Initiative call.
Monks no longer need to attack to gain a bonus action Unarmed Strike and can use their bonus action for Disengage or Dash without spending resources. They also reduce damage from melee and ranged attacks as a Reaction, with the ability to parry magic attacks at higher levels.
Stunning Strike has received additional damage, and Flurry of Blows now incorporates three Unarmed Strikes, making Monks more effective in late-game scenarios. The class also benefits from an expanded selection of magical items, allowing their unarmed strikes to gain attack and damage bonuses.
Druids: A Shift in Playstyle and Improved Spellcasting
Druids have undergone changes in Playtest 8, transitioning from their 5E counterparts. The Primal Order feature separates Druids into two focuses: Caster and Weapon-based. Wild Shape, a core Druid ability, sees significant alterations, with limitations on the forms a Druid can assume and the removal of the animal’s HP as an over shield. While charge regeneration is slower, Druids gain more Wild Shapes over time.
Wild Shape now offers substantial damage potential, granting elemental damage with each attack. Druids in the Circle of the Moon gain a static AC based on Wisdom, significantly improving their animal form’s durability. They also gain access to specific spells, such as Vampiric Touch, that can be cast while Wild Shaped. Furthermore, Druids can now wear certain magical equipment.
Caster Druids now enjoy improved spellcasting abilities. They acquire better aggressive cantrips and the ability to convert a Wild Shape into a spell slot once per rest. Additionally, they gain the ability to cast Speak with Animals and Commune with Nature for free, adding versatility and flavor to their spell repertoire.
Several spells have undergone changes in this playtest as well. “Conjure” spells no longer summon creatures but instead create static effects that range from damaging to healing. Healing spells like Cure Wounds and Healing Word receive an additional dice of health, providing a significant buff to the Druid’s healing capabilities.
Conclusion: Exciting Changes and Promising Future
Playtest 8 of DnD Unearthed Arcana presents an enjoyable experience with substantial adjustments to the Barbarian, Druid, and Monk classes. Barbarians and Monks experience powerful buffs, solidifying their roles as fully-fledged classes for late-game encounters. While Druids face nerfs from their 5E counterparts, the class is stabilizing from previous adjustments and offers a unique playstyle with improved spellcasting options. These changes hint at promising new horizons and an exciting future for Dungeons and Dragons players.