Dungeons and Dragons Followers Ought to Circle March 15 and Might 18 on their Calendars

Tabletop followers are in for an adventurous 2026. From the rumored Warhammer 40k eleventh version, hopefully dropping in summer time, to the totally backed Vaults of Vaarn Second Version launching in October, there’s lots to look ahead to. However one main participant within the tabletop area stays characteristically quiet within the ultimate days of the 12 months. As of now, Wizards of the Coast has stored its tabletop roadmap for 2026 below wraps. There are a couple of concrete alerts about what main releases or revivals would possibly outline the 12 months forward. Nonetheless, Dungeons & Dragons has by no means let a significant anniversary move with out at the very least a nod, and 2026 occurs to mark two milestones that horror-inclined gamers know nicely.

Dungeons & Dragons followers, hopefully, received’t have to attend lengthy earlier than one thing stirs. However within the meantime, they may wish to maintain two main dates in thoughts. March 2026 is the tenth anniversary of Curse of Strahd, one of the crucial influential 5e adventures ever revealed. Two months later, in Might, Van Richten’s Information to Ravenloft turns 5, having reintroduced Domains of Dread to a brand new technology of gamers. Individually, these anniversaries are notable. Collectively, they quietly level towards Ravenloft getting into the highlight as soon as extra.

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What a Van Richten’s Information to Ravenloft & Curse of Strahd Anniversary Might Look Like in 2026

Nothing has been introduced, and hypothesis ought to stay simply that. Nonetheless, D&D’s publishing history reveals a couple of acquainted patterns in anniversary years. Ravenloft, particularly, has confirmed to be a setting Wizards returns to when it desires to discover tone, style, and temper exterior of excessive fantasy heroics. So if something occurs, the celebration would possibly as nicely be Ravenloft-themed. Attainable anniversary initiatives might embody:

A revised or expanded Curse of Strahd. Not a full remake, because it’s nonetheless primarily based on D&D 5e guidelines, however probably:
- Up to date stat blocks aligned with the revised 2024 Player’s Handbook
- Expanded roleplay instruments for Strahd and Barovia’s NPCs
- Optionally available horror-forward variants or narrative toggles
- Some guidelines or nods that tie again to the not too long ago launched Astarion’s Book of Hungers, a vampire-based rulebook
A Ravenloft anthology or area sourcebook. Constructing on Van Richten’s Information to Ravenloft, this might imply:
- New Domains of Dread
- Deeper dives into present lords
- Quick adventures designed for drop-in gothic horror campaigns
Digital or organized play tie-ins
- Restricted-run Adventurers League content material
- D&D Past options, bundles, or curated horror campaigns
- Anniversary one-shots spotlighting Ravenloft’s most iconic themes
Cross-media celebration
- Precise-play spotlights or collabs
- Creator-led horror campaigns
- Themed merchandise or alt-cover releases

None of that is assured. However Ravenloft has all the time thrived in moments the place D&D desires to decelerate, darken the tone, and interrogate what monsters (and heroes) actually are.

How Gamers Can Rejoice Ravenloft in 2026—With or With out Official Releases

Even when Wizards of the Coast opts for a quieter 12 months in publishing, Ravenloft remains to be uniquely well-suited for celebration. Particularly if that celebration is player-driven. Its modular construction and emphasis on temper over canon make it simple to revisit without having new books on the shelf. Listed here are a couple of methods tables can mark the anniversaries themselves:

Participant’s Information to Celebration

Revisit Curse of Strahd with a twist:
- Play it from a Dhampir’s perspective, or one among Strahd’s would-be-spouses
- Run Barovia post-Strahd
- Concentrate on NPC-led tales relatively than the Darklord himself

For Dungeon Masters

Use Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft as a toolkit:
- Construct customized Domains
- Experiment with worry, stress, and corruption mechanics
Reframe acquainted monsters via the lens of different horror franchises for inspiration

Past the Desk

Themed one-shots for Halloween, or March and Might anniversaries
Neighborhood occasions, streams, or zines centered on Ravenloft
Character-driven horror writing impressed by Domains of Dread

Ravenloft has by no means wanted fixed assist to stay related. It endures as a result of its themes are evergreen. Whether or not or not Wizards of the Coast formally marks these anniversaries, 2026 presents gamers an ideal excuse to return to the mists, sharpen their narrative knives, and keep in mind why gothic horror stays one among D&D’s strongest modes of play.