D&D Beyond revives classic spells from early editions in new Drops program

Buzzing Bee, Sticks to Snakes, and Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment are back in play for Hero and Master Tier subscribers on D&D Beyond, and each one brings a very different kind of table trouble. Buzzing Bee is a conjuration spell with a lineage that runs back to Gary Gygax’s original Bee spell, then through Mordenkainen’s Buzzing Bee; Sticks to Snakes is a transmutation spell that turns up to four sticks into snakes you can command; and Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment is an enchantment spell built around charming creatures into fixating on a topic chosen by the caster. For a current fifth-edition group, that means fresh control options, weird utility, and the kind of offbeat magic that can change a fight before anyone reaches for a fireball.

The spells arrived as part of D&D Beyond’s new Drops subscriber library, which launched with more than 500 content listings. The first wave included 125 maps, 250 reveals, 10 stickers, 11 player options, and the three revived spells now listed for May 2026. D&D Beyond says the library will add new content every week, with larger monthly additions, and that Drops is meant to complement the books rather than replace them.

That positioning gives the program a clear identity. This is not a straight replacement for hardcover releases. It is a steady drip of play-ready material built for subscribers who want regular updates without waiting for a full book. D&D Beyond also says Drops will mix brand-new material with treasures from earlier editions adapted for fifth edition play, which makes the spell lineup feel like a preview of the broader pitch.

The legacy angle is especially sharp with these three spells. EN World noted that Mordenkainen’s Buzzing Bee first appeared in the 2003 Miniatures Handbook, itself based on Gygax’s earlier Bee spell. It also traced Sticks to Snakes back to the AD&D Player’s Handbook and later 2nd edition, while Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment comes from the original Unearthed Arcana rulebook. D&D Beyond’s library turns those references into usable content instead of museum pieces.

Polygon reported that Hero Tier costs $2.99 a month and Master Tier costs $5.99 a month, and said future Drops are expected to include more narrative-driven encounters starting in the fall. D&D Beyond also says Drops content is not eligible for Master Tier content sharing, unlike marketplace purchases. Taken together, the launch shows Wizards of the Coast using D&D Beyond as a live feed for the game’s back catalog, giving tables a reason to check in often and a new way to rediscover some of D&D’s strangest magic.