The Dark Sun campaign setting is returning to Dungeons & Dragons in 2027 with a trio of new books. This marks the first time the grim, post-apocalyptic world of Athas will be available as a D&D campaign setting since its initial run in the early 1990s.
Dark Sun Returns with Mature Themes and New Content
For decades, fans have desired the return of Athas, a harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape ruled by brutal overlords where survival is the primary goal. It was long believed that controversial themes like slavery and genocide would prevent Wizards of the Coast from revisiting the setting.
This belief was proven incorrect at Gen Con 2026, where the publisher announced a trio of new Dark Sun books scheduled for release in 2027. These offerings will be the first D&D products released in 2027, signaling a significant return for the beloved setting.
The new Dark Sun books are expected to be rated 18+ and will carry content warnings for depictions of violence, nudity, and slavery. Officials at Wizards of the Coast noted that legal recommendations led to the decision to shrink-wrap the books for added precaution.
New Dark Sun Books and Content Details
Wizards of the Coast will release two core Dark Sun books in 2027. One of these books will introduce a brand new Psion class to the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition ruleset. No exact release dates were provided, but they are slated as the initial D&D products of the year.
These two books, titled Edge of Oblivion and Blood & Power, will together contain approximately 400 to 500 pages of new material. This includes lore, mechanics, and original artwork. The setting was initially launched in 1991 and was also part of D&D’s Fourth Edition.
Beyond the core books, a limited edition Dark Sun-themed Player’s Handbook with alternate artwork is planned. Additionally, a DM Screen and a Map Pack will be available, suggesting a comprehensive campaign setting rollout.
Dragon Kings: A Spiritual Successor to Dark Sun
Dragon Kings is a new project from Strange Owl Games, developed by original Dark Sun creators including Timothy Brown, Troy Denning, Brom, Bill Slavicsek, Rich Baker, and Shane Hensley. The original Dragon Kings was a Dark Sun accessory module released by TSR in 1992.
In 2014, Timothy Brown launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for Dragon Kings, introducing the world of Khitus and providing rulesets for Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, and 13th Age. A subsequent Kickstarter adapted these rules for D&D 5e.
This new iteration of Dragon Kings is presented as “the spiritual successor to Dark Sun.” It is compatible with 5th edition and features new ancestries, classes, over 30 new creatures, and more than 60 pieces of original art.
Notably, it also includes conversion rules for D&D 2nd edition, appealing to veteran players who wish to recapture the feel of playing in the early 1990s.
Player Reception and Creator Involvement
The announcement of new Dark Sun products has generated excitement among players. However, some are skeptical about Wizards of the Coast’s ability to capture the original setting’s brutal sword-and-sorcery feel, particularly given concerns about toning down controversial elements like slavery.
None of the original Dark Sun creators are involved in the new Wizards of the Coast books.
Timothy Brown stated, “Where Dark Sun told of a world squandered, Khitus is a world grown complacent and now paying for it.
The difference is this: it is not yet too far gone.” He also commented, “By making Dragon Kings its spiritual successor, I can revive the concepts that never made it into Dark Sun and take them somewhere more desperate, more dangerous, and a little more hopeful.”
Dragon Kings is positioned as an alternative for fans seeking an experience as close as possible to the original Dark Sun. The project is set to launch officially on Backerkit on Sept. 22. Early backers can gain access to special pricing and exclusive content, including a limited edition ceramic dice set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dark Sun?
Dark Sun is a post-apocalyptic campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons, characterized by a brutal desert world named Athas. It features themes of survival, tyranny, slavery, and environmental collapse, with magic users often acting as oppressive sorcerer-kings.
What is Dragon Kings?
Dragon Kings is a new TTRPG setting published by Strange Owl Games, created by the original creators of Dark Sun. It is presented as a spiritual successor to Dark Sun, offering a similar atmosphere and themes for players who enjoy that style of gameplay.
When will the new Dark Sun books be released?
The new Dark Sun books are scheduled for release in 2027. They are expected to be the first D&D products to launch that year, with no exact release dates announced yet.
What is the Dragon Kings Kickstarter?
In 2014, original Dark Sun creator Timothy Brown launched a successful Kickstarter for Dragon Kings, introducing the world of Khitus. This project later saw its rules adapted for D&D 5e through another crowdfunding campaign.
The return of Dark Sun by Wizards of the Coast and the parallel release of Dragon Kings offer players distinct but thematically similar options. Wizards’ new books bring the official setting back with mature themes, while Dragon Kings provides a product crafted by the original visionaries for those who prefer to stay in the original system of Dark Sun.
