Dungeons and Dragons fans should mark March 15 and May 18 on their calendars

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Table fans face an adventurous 2026. From the rumor Warhammer 40k 11th edition, hopefully released during the summer, to the fully supported Vault of Vaarn Second Edition launches in October, there's a lot to look forward to. But a major player in the table top is still characteristically quiet during the last days of the year. As of now, Wizards of the Coast has kept its 2026 table plan under wraps. There are some concrete signs of what big releases or revivals could define the coming year. Still, Dungeons & Dragons has never let a meaningful anniversary pass without at least a nod, and 2026 happens to mark two milestones that horror-inclined gamers know well.

Dungeons & Dragons fans hopefully won't have to wait long before something moves. But in the meantime, they'll want to keep two big dates in mind. March 2026 is the 10th anniversary of Curse of Strahdone of the most influential 5e adventures ever published. Two months later, in May, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft turns five after reintroducing Domains of Dread to a new generation of players. Individually, these anniversaries are remarkable. Together they silently point to Ravenloft stepping into the limelight once again.

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What a Van Richten Guide to Ravenloft & Curse of Strahd Anniversary Could Look Like in 2026

Nothing has been announced, and speculation should remain just that. However, D&Ds publishing history reveals some familiar patterns in anniversary years. Ravenloft, in particular, has proven to be a setting that Wizards return to when they want to explore tone, genre, and mood outside of high fantasy heroics. So if something happens, the celebration might as well be Ravenloft themed. Possible anniversary initiatives could be:

  • A revised or expanded Curse of Strahd. Not a full remake, as it is still based on D&D 5e rules, but potentially:

    • Updated stat blocks in line with the revised ones 2024 player's handbook

    • Expanded RPG tools for Strahd and Barovia's NPCs

    • Optional horror-forward variants or narrative switches

    • Any rules or nods that tie back to the recently released one Astarion's Book of Hungera vampire based rulebook

  • A Ravenloft anthology or domain sourcebook. Building on Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloftthis can mean:

    • New Domains of Dread

    • Deeper into existing gentlemen

    • Short adventures designed for drop-in gothic horror campaigns

  • Digital or organized play connections

    • Limited Adventurers League content

    • D&D beyond features, packages or curated horror campaigns

    • Anniversary one-shots highlighting Ravenloft's most iconic themes

  • Cross-media celebration

    • Real-play spotlights or collaborations

    • Creator-led horror campaigns

    • Merchandise or alt-cover releases

None of this is guaranteed. But Ravenloft has always thrived on moments there D&D wants to slow down, darken the tone and interrogate what monsters (and heroes) really are.

How players can celebrate Ravenloft 2026 – with or without official releases

Although Wizards of the Coast is opting for a quieter year in publishing, Ravenloft remains uniquely well-suited for celebration. Especially if that celebration is player driven. Its modular structure and emphasis on mood over canon make it easy to revisit without needing new books on the shelf. Here are some ways tables can mark the anniversaries themselves:

Player's Guide to Celebration

  • Return visit Curse of Strahd with a twist:

    • Play it from the perspective of a Dhampir, or one of Strahd's would-be mates

    • Drive Barovia after Strahd

    • Focus on NPC-led stories rather than the Darklord himself

For Dungeon Masters

  • Use Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft as a toolbox:

    • Build custom domains

    • Experiment with fear, stress and corruption mechanics

  • Remake familiar monsters through the lens of other horror series for inspiration

Beyond the table

  • One-shots with Halloween or anniversary themes in March and May

  • Community events, streams or zines centered on Ravenloft

  • Character driven horror writing inspired by Domains of Dread

Ravenloft has never needed constant support to stay relevant. It endures because its themes are evergreen. Whether Wizards of the Coast formally celebrates these anniversaries or not, 2026 offers players a perfect excuse to return to the mists, sharpen their storytelling knives, and remember why gothic horror remains one of D&Ds most powerful gameplay.

dungeons-and-dragons-series-game-tabletop-franchise

Franchise

Dungeons & Dragons

Original release date

1974

Designer

E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson


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