An adventurous year 2026 awaits tabletop fans. From rumors Warhammer 40k 11th edition, hopefully coming out in the summer, into full support Vaults in Vaarn We have a lot to look forward to in the second edition, which will be launched in October. But one major player in the desktop space remains characteristically quiet in the final days of the year. As of now, Wizards of the Coast has kept its tabletop plan for 2026 under wraps. There are few concrete signs of what major releases or revivals could define the year ahead. Still, Dungeons & Dragons has never let a meaningful anniversary pass without at least a nod, and 2026 will mark two milestones well known to horror-inclined gamers.
Dungeons & Dragons Hopefully, fans won't have to wait long for something to move. But in the meantime, they'll want to keep two main dates in mind. March 2026 will be 10 years Curse of Strahdaone of the most influential 5e adventures ever released. Two months later, in May, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft the fifth when he reintroduced Domains of Dread to a new generation of players. Individually, these anniversaries are remarkable. Together they silently point to Ravenloft stepping into the spotlight again.
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Wizards of the Coast may have an ideal publishing rhythm with nostalgic Dungeons & Dragons modules, but it may be a rhythm it can't sustain.
What Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft & Curse of Strahd Anniversary Could Look Like in 2026
Nothing has been announced and speculation should be left at that. However, D&DPublishing history reveals several familiar patterns in anniversary years. Ravenloft, in particular, has proven to be the setting Wizards returns to when they want to explore the tone, genre, and mood beyond heroics in high fantasy. So if something happens, the party might as well be Ravenloft themed. Possible annual initiatives could include:
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Revised or expanded Curse of Strahda. It's not a full remake because it's still based on D&D 5e rules, but potentially:
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Updated stat blocks aligned with the revised ones 2024 Player's Handbook
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Enhanced roleplaying tools for Strahda and Barovia NPCs
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Optional horror variants or narrative switches
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Some rules or nods that tie to the recently released Astarion's Book of Faminesa vampire based rulebook
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Ravenloft anthology or domain sourcebook. Building on Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloftit can mean:
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New domains of terror
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Deeper dives into existing masters
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Short adventures designed for gothic horror campaigns
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Digital or organized tie-dye games
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Limited Adventurers League content
- D&D Beyond features, packs or curated horror campaigns
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One-off anniversary images highlighting Ravenloft's most iconic themes
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A celebration across media
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Real spotlight or co-op gameplay
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Creator-led horror campaigns
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Thematic merchandise or alt-cover versions
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None of this is guaranteed. But Ravenloft has always thrived in moments when D&D it wants to slow down, darken the tone, and question what monsters (and heroes) really are.
How players can celebrate Ravenloft in 2026 – with or without official releases
Even if Wizards of the Coast opts for a quieter publishing year, Ravenloft is still uniquely suited for celebration. Especially if this celebration is player controlled. Its modular structure and emphasis on mood over canon make it easy to revisit without needing new books on the shelf. Here are a few ways the tables can mark the anniversaries themselves:
Player's Guide to the Celebration
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Will visit again Curse of Strahda with a twist:
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Play it from the point of view of Dhampir or one of Strahda's potential husbands
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Start Barovia post-Strahd
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Focus on NPC led stories rather than the Darklord himself
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For Dungeon Masters
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Use Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft as a toolkit:
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Create your own domains
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Experiment with fear, stress and corruption mechanisms
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Reframe familiar monsters through the lens of other horror franchises for inspiration
Off the table
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Themed disposables for Halloween or March and May anniversaries
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Ravenloft-focused community events, streams, or zines
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Character driven horror writing inspired by Domains of Dread
Ravenloft has never needed constant support to stay relevant. It persists because its themes are evergreen. However Wizards of the Coast formally commemorates these anniversaries, 2026 offers the perfect excuse for players to return to the mists, sharpen their storytelling knives, and remember why gothic horror remains one of D&Dthe most powerful ways to play.
- Franchise
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Dungeons & Dragons
- Original release date
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1974
- Designer
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E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson
