Hexblades, Tattoos, and AI—Oh My! The Unearthed Arcana Subclass Roast Begins!

This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by our friends at DungeonFlow.app — the fastest way to go from “I have five minutes to prep” to “My players think I’m a genius.” Generate dungeons, traps, room descriptions, and now combat encounters with just a few clicks. It’s like having a magical AI intern that doesn’t eat your snacks or argue about flanking rules. Check it out today!

In this episode, the RPGBOT crew puts on their wizard hats and dives face-first into the latest batch of Unearthed Arcana content from Wizards of the Coast. What’s on the menu? A buffet of subclasses that range from “pretty okay” to “who let this out of playtesting?”

The team kicks things off by discussing the role of AI in gaming, including its growing influence, its potential for humor, and whether it can generate a subclass that doesn’t suck (spoiler: jury’s still out). Then, the hosts dive into some of the new arcane-themed subclass options currently in public playtest.

From the Arcana Domain Cleric’s handy new toolkit to the Arcane Archer’s complete renovation (now with fewer reasons to cry), they explore the good, the bad, and the “seriously, why does the Tattooed Warrior Monk need a short rest for this?”

They also take aim at the Ancestral Sorcery subclass, which is trying to make "spiritual déjà vu" a core mechanic. Meanwhile, everyone wrestles with the realization that the once-iconic Hexblade may have lost its edge (both literally and figuratively).

Finally, the crew speculates wildly (as tradition demands) about future D&D releases, including whether Elminster is due for a gritty reboot and if spellcasters can finally just have one subclass that doesn’t explode under scrutiny.

• Unearthed Arcana: Arcane Subclasses

Content from RPGBOT.net

• UA: Arcane Subclasses Review

Key Takeaways:

• AI in TTRPGs can enhance gameplay—and jokes—when used well.
• The Arcana Domain Cleric gets quality-of-life boosts that feel earned and fun.
• Arcane Archer is no longer just sad Legolas with homework; resource management changes help a lot.
• Tattooed Warrior Monk has style points but flops on execution—it's got big “cool tattoo, bro” energy with little payoff.
• Ancestral Sorcery adds flavor but not much else—do sorcerers really need more ancestry?
• Balancing class features is hard, but essential to avoid power creep or boredom.
• The Hexblade, once a fan favorite, now feels more like “that guy who peaked in 5E launch week.”
• Passive features are fine, but active abilities are what keep players engaged.
• Concentration mechanics continue to frustrate spellcasters everywhere. (Can we please have a nap?)
• Player feedback is shaping the next generation of D&D—keep yelling (constructively).
• The crew remains hopeful about future releases, including a potential return to iconic characters like Elminster.

Want a second helping of subclass critiques and wizard-fueled speculation? Stay tuned for Part 2!

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ

How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

• BlueSky: @rpgbot.net
• TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET

Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
• BlueSky: @GravenAshes
• YouTube: @ashravenmedia

Randall James

• BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG
• Amateurjack.com
• Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link)

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati