Dark Sun Returns: D&D’s Edgy Desert Wasteland is Back in 2027!

Ah, the ’90s—a time when being edgy and environmentally conscious were all the rage. Enter Dark Sun, a Dungeons & Dragons setting that captured the spirit of the era with its harsh, desert wasteland where tyrannical sorcerer-kings ruled and psychic warriors battled for survival. It was the perfect backdrop for those who craved adventure and danger.

Although Dark Sun saw a brief revival in D&D’s 4th edition, fans have long been clamoring for it to make a triumphant return in the current 5th edition. Recent playtests of the psion class, originally from Dark Sun, have kept the buzz alive, and during the D&D keynote at Gen Con, Wizards of the Coast finally flipped the switch on nostalgia—Dark Sun is officially coming back!

Next year, players can look forward to a new rulebook titled “Blood and Power,” featuring the psion class. Dungeon Masters will also receive a comprehensive guide called “Edge of Oblivion.” Plus, a special edition of the Player’s Handbook that showcases Dark Sun’s iconic, gritty art style is on the way. All three publications are set to release in 2027, so mark your calendars!

Wizards of the Coast has made it clear that these new releases will include mature content, which is why they’ll be shrinkwrapped and tagged with an “18+” rating for violence, nudity, and strong language. Expect a flood of online debates about how the setting might change—especially with the ever-present discussions about “woke” culture. But, judging by the brutal animated trailer, Dark Sun looks just as intense as it did back in the day!