Breaking the Spell: Disrupting Magic as a Witch Hunter in D&D 5e

By admin

The Witch Hunter class in Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition is a versatile and powerful option for players who want to specialize in hunting down and defeating magical creatures. As the name suggests, the Witch Hunter is particularly adept at combating witches, warlocks, and other spellcasting enemies, making them an excellent choice for campaigns that heavily feature magic. One of the primary features of the Witch Hunter class is their ability to detect and track magical energies. They possess a unique sense that allows them to detect the presence of magic within their surroundings, giving them an edge when it comes to uncovering hidden spellcasting opponents. This ability also extends to traps and enchanted objects, making the Witch Hunter an invaluable asset when navigating through dangerous areas. In addition to their detection abilities, Witch Hunters also gain a variety of skills and spells specifically tailored to countering magic.



Now You Can Play With Vin Diesel's WITCH HUNTER Class!

The class played by Vin Diesel in his recent D&D game was a custom class called the Witch Hunter, designed for him by DM Matt Mercer. Geek & Sundry has released the class as a nine-page PDF! "In a landscape tormented by all manner of beasts, devils, and abominations from beyond the veil, most live in fear of the dark, of superstition, and of the unknown. Some grow hardened by this experience, instead choosing to stand up and fight against the tide of shadow. These folk are called 'heroes'. Some, however, are so fanatical and bent on destroying the anethema that plagues the countryside that they embrace dark, forbidden knowledge. They so obsessively research forgotten magics and dangerous, experimental alchemy to become the perfect hunter that their humanity is often called into question. These folk are called 'Witch Hunters'."

Find the PDF over at Geek & Sundry here. It's a fully illustrated 20-level class for D&D 5th Edition, with three Orders to choose from - Order of the Ghostslayer, Order of the Profane Soul, and Order of the Mutant.

Watch Vin Diesel's D&D game below.


[video=youtube;yLEMb_RIZ3o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLEMb_RIZ3o[/video]
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Morrus is the owner of EN World and EN Publishing, creator of the ENnies, creator of the What's OLD is NEW (WOIN), Simply6, and Awfully Cheerful Engine game systems, and co-host of the weekly Morrus' Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk podcast. He has been a game publisher and RPG community administrator for over 20 years, and has been reporting on D&D news for two decades. He also is on a Twitter.

Staccat0

First Post

This is a pretty cool class actually. Blood Rite seems a little nutty though. I'd have to see how much the HP payment matters in practice, but it feels like a build with a solid attack mod and a high Con bonus would be insane at low levels.

D&D 5E Witch Hunter Class thoughts

My face-to-face 5e group is currently in the Ravenloft setting and I was thinking this class might be perfect for that.

What do you all think about the class overall and which Order of the class do you think is best?

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Baumi

Adventurer

All the power lies in the Subclasses, which are very interesting, but the first two level are extremely weak. On the first level his only special Ability is a non-combat situational one, while only having mediocre stats (same as cleric but without having spellcasting). At second level he gets the magic-weapon feature which seems quite nice, but the drawback is unnecessary in my Opinion.

But he looks quite nice after that, and as soon as he gets to 5th Level, with his second Attack and the damage boosts he really starts to become a interesting Striker. I think the caster-subclass is a bit weak, since it mimics the Eldritch Knight, but without the very strong Base-Class Features of the Fighter (HP, AC, up to 4 Attacks. ) and the Mutant Sub-Class is extremely cool but changing Attributes in mid-game sound annoying (hated that in 3.x).

Overall I like the flavor of the class and think that if you don't worry to much about perfect balance then it is a fun class, but try to get them to 3rd Level as soon as possible (or am I missing a special feature that makes the first level good?).

Saeviomagy

Adventurer

I think that rite's hitpoint cost is unnecessary - it's not that powerful an attack ability, and losing your level in max hp at the start of the day and every time you change weapons is pretty harsh.

Witchhunter

The Witchhunter is a pre-made class in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. In both games, Witchhunters serve as adept anti-mage combat artists. The Witchhunter uses various schools of magic and marksmanship to combat foes. To assist its combat prowess, the witchunter excels at lockpicking and athletics. Since the skills of the witchhunter are skills which both Argonians and Bretons are proficient in, they make the most effective Witchhunters. Altmer, excelling at magic, also make effective Witchhunters, so long as they wield enchanted items that resist magic or elemental damage.

In addition to their detection abilities, Witch Hunters also gain a variety of skills and spells specifically tailored to countering magic. They have access to a range of anti-magic spells, such as dispel magic and counterspell, allowing them to disrupt and nullify enemy spellcasting. This makes them highly effective in combat situations where a steady hand can tip the scales in their favor.

Contents

  • 1 Stats
    • 1.1 Specialization
    • 1.2 Favored Attributes
    • 1.3 Major Skills
    • 2.1 Skills
    • 2.2 Armor
    • 2.3 Counteracting magic
    • 2.4 Races
    Witch hunter class 5e

    Witch Hunters also possess a unique set of abilities that enhance their combat prowess. They are skilled in the use of weapons, both ranged and melee, and possess a keen eye for opportune moments to strike. They can also channel their intense focus into powerful attacks, dealing extra damage to their foes. Additionally, Witch Hunters have the ability to resist magical effects, making them highly resilient against spells and enchantments. As the Witch Hunter progresses in level, they unlock more advanced abilities that further enhance their anti-magic prowess. These include the ability to resist and dispel even the most powerful spells, as well as the capability to quickly close the distance to their foes with supernatural speed. Furthermore, at higher levels, Witch Hunters gain the ability to imbue their weapons with anti-magic properties, allowing them to bypass magical defenses and deal devastating blows. Overall, the Witch Hunter class in D&D 5th edition offers players a unique and exciting option for those who want to specialize in combating magic users. With their detection abilities, anti-magic spells, and combat skills, Witch Hunters are a formidable force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Whether hunting down witches or defending against a coven of warlocks, the Witch Hunter is an excellent choice for players looking to master the art of magic hunting..

    Reviews for "Against All Odds: Overcoming Challenges as a Witch Hunter in Dungeons and Dragons 5e"

    1. Sarah - 2/5 - I recently tried playing the Witch Hunter class in a 5e campaign, and I found it to be underwhelming and unbalanced. The class abilities were too similar to those of existing classes, like the Ranger and the Warlock, making it feel like a redundant addition. Additionally, the spells and abilities granted to the Witch Hunter were lackluster and didn't provide enough utility or versatility in combat or roleplay situations. Overall, I was disappointed with this class and would not recommend it to other players.
    2. John - 1/5 - The Witch Hunter class in 5e felt extremely overpowered and unbalanced. The class had access to too many powerful spells and abilities, making it difficult for the Dungeon Master to create challenging encounters for the rest of the party. Furthermore, the class lacked clear restrictions or limitations, allowing players to exploit its abilities without consequence. Playing alongside a Witch Hunter ruined the immersion and balance of our campaign, and we eventually had to ask the player to switch to a different class.
    3. Emily - 3/5 - While the concept of a Witch Hunter class in 5e seemed interesting, the execution fell short for me. The class lacked depth and progression, with limited options for customization or specialization. It felt like a class that was tacked on as an afterthought, without the nuance and thoughtfulness that went into other classes. Additionally, the Witch Hunter abilities and spells didn't feel thematically connected or cohesive, resulting in a disjointed play experience. Overall, I found the Witch Hunter class to be average at best and would recommend exploring alternative class options.
    4. Alex - 2/5 - I was eager to try out the Witch Hunter class in 5e, but unfortunately, it left me disappointed. The class abilities and spells seemed unbalanced and poorly designed, often leading to underwhelming results in combat encounters. In addition, the class lacked versatility and relied heavily on specific scenarios that didn't always arise in our campaign. The lack of flexibility made it difficult to fully enjoy playing as a Witch Hunter and limited my overall experience. I would suggest revisiting and reworking this class before considering it as an option in your campaign.

    The Hunt for Knowledge: Research Techniques for Witch Hunters in Dungeons and Dragons 5e

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