I am the witch of the woodland. In the deep, dark forest, where the leaves whisper secrets and the moonlight dances on the moss-covered ground, is where you will find me. I am the mistress of enchantment, the guardian of ancient magic. My connection to nature runs deep, and it is through this connection that I draw my power. The woodland creatures, both big and small, know of my presence. They speak of me in hushed voices and seek my wisdom in times of need.

D&D 5E Let's talk about Witches

What defines a Witch? Can you make a really good Witch using current classes (and multiclassing?) If it were a multi-class, which base class is it? Or do we need a new base class? If so, what else goes under that class?

Here are the Witch features that I see already covered by existing classes, mostly Wizard
- Divination spells
- Enchantment spells
- Familiars
- Polymorph
- Gaseous Form?
- Curses & Hexes: (Ray of Enfeeblement, Bane, Ray of Sickness)

But there are some features not covered:
- Crafting of potions and charms
- More & better curses and hexes

Still, could probably make do with Wizard. However, I see two "flavor" problems:
1) All the existing Wizard sub-classes correlate to schools of magic. Will we ever see Wizard subclasses that don't fit that pattern. (If the answer is "no" it means we'll never see new subclasses.)
2) Witches just don't strike me as the sort who learn their craft through study and research.

Sorcerer doesn't quite fit, either, because I see Witches as having a broad range of abilities, not just a handful of spells.

Is it possible that Witch, Shaman, and Witch-Doctor are all sub-classes of a spirit-based caster class? Or am I off in the weeds with that one?

It's tempting to want to make Witch the base class, and "Wicked Witch" and "Good Witch" the sub-classes.

TheCosmicKid

Hero

I think "witch" is a pretty generic term that can be applied to any of the arcane classes and possibly even the divine ones.

For me, the three iconic witches etched into my brain from my childhood are Snow White's unnamed Evil Queen, Maleficent, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The Evil Queen goes down into her dungeon, pulls down a book of magical disguise spells from her shelf, and performs an elaborate ritual to cast the spell transforming her into a peddler women. You don't get much more D&D-wizard than that.

Maleficent is something not entirely human (a wicked fairy in the original tale) who calls on "the powers of Hell". Pretty obvious warlock. (Also her Charisma is through the roof.)

The Wicked Witch of the West doesn't conform quite so easily to a D&D class (and there's no reason why she has to), but her magic seems vaguely ritualistic and she extensively uses and covets magical items, which gives me a wizardly vibe again.

In pop culture, "witch" really just means "evil female magician". And you can scratch the "evil" part in a lot of newer stuff like Harry Potter. There's no real consistency on the source of the magic or its technique, which are what would define the archetype as a new or existing class in D&D. The closest you get is with the "witch' of Early Modern European lore, which is exactly what the D&D warlock is supposed to model, and the, shall we say, alternative interpretation of the modern Wiccans, which is very much a D&D druid.

How to Play a Witch: D&D 5e Character Concepts

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For as long as mankind has feared the unexplainable, the Witch has been a foreboding force in the imaginations of all. Traditionally, witches have taken the blame for enigmatic phenomenon, lustful beguilement, and heretical influence. Witches have also been utilized to beseech beings of other realms.

In the Bible, the Witch of Endor called upon the spirit of Samuel, who prophesied the death of Saul the following day. In 1486, “The Hammer of Witches” guided German men on how to identify and hunt witches. In 1706 Virginia, Grace Sherwood was convicted of killing her neighbors’ pigs and hexing their cotton, thrown into a lake, and accused of witchcraft for not sinking (Source).

In this article, we’ll explore several classifications of witches, including druidic Wiccans, prophesying Seers, traditional Hags, sea-faring Sirens, and astrological Cosmic Witches. We will also provide several canonical class builds, following the rules-as-written Dungeons and Dragons manuals.

Note: Though we often refer to witches as female throughout this article, there is precedence for male witches (historically referred to as warlocks). Please use this guide to fit whatever needs you have as a player.

They speak of me in hushed voices and seek my wisdom in times of need. I am their protector, their healer, and their guide. **I weave spells with the whispers of the wind and brew potions with the essence of earth, creating a delicate balance within the enchanted realm.

The Wiccan

Worshippers of nature, Wiccans fare on the gentler side of witchcraft. Expect your Wiccan character to be aligned good, though perhaps chaotic, as her beliefs may not be accepted in certain villages. Wicca covens are typically small, tight-knit, run by wise priestesses, and hold the credo “An it harm none, do what ye will.”

Wicca is typified by its worship of a female deity, The Goddess, and other associated gods. Sisters in style to Shamans, Wiccans believe in meditation and seasonal rituals revolving around moon cycles, planet obits, the vernal equinox, summer solstice, and Halloween by invoking deities, crafting potions, cleansing energies, and casting spells.

Your Wiccan character should explore skills in Herbalism, brewing potions in the form of teas. See our guide to crafting magic items, which applies to potions. Furthermore, you should speak to your DM about developing formulas for your potions.

Elements of Wicca to Add to Your Character Description

• Use gemstones and crystals as your arcane focus, should you need one.
• Describe your spells in terms of Sacred Geometry if they require somatic components.
• Emphasize rituals occurring during moon cycles.
• Utilize herbs, especially for burning, to cleanse negative energies.
• Choose a deck of Tarot cards for your game equipment.
• Bring the four elements of nature into your character build.
• Choose a faithful familiar companion such as a cat or a raven to be by your side.

Class Builds

Druid: This nature-centric class is perfect for a Wiccan witch build. Choose Circle of the Moon (Player’s Handbook) for Wiccan lore adjacency: “Their order gathers under the full moon to share news and trade warnings.” Circle of the Land also fits coven fables: “mystics and sages who safeguard ancient knowledge and rites[,…] the circle’s wisest members preside as the chief priests of communities that hold to the Old Faith.”

Wizard: Arcane magic is your domain as a Wiccan Wizard. Choose the School of Theurgy (Unearthed Arcana) if your DM allows official playtest material. “…for magic is as much a part of the fabric of the cosmos as wind, fire, lightning, and all other primal forces.” For your chosen Cleric domain as part of this Wizard archetype, choose one that also focuses on Arcana, such as the Arcana Domain (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide), Nature Domain (Player’s Handbook), or Life Domain.

Cleric: A Wiccan can easily fit the build of a Cleric. Especially as one who has achieved some degree of priesthood in her coven, a Wiccan witch could fulfill the role of one of the “intermediaries between the mortal world and the distant planes of the gods.” Some appropriate domains would include Arcana Domain (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide), Nature Domain (Player’s Handbook), or Life Domain.

Magic

Choose spells that serve as wards (Absorb Elements, Guards and Wards), cleanse evil energy (Protection from Energy, Protection from Evil and Good), charge a space with magical energy (Guidance, Bless), call upon The Goddess (Augury, Divination), and improve health (Healing Word, Enhance Ability, Virtue).

Be creative in your justification of how your chosen spells work as a Wiccan. For instance, to cast the Locate Object spell: “I burn some sagebrush to clear my head. I hold a forked twig in one hand and my Citrine crystal (arcane focus) in the other, cross my arms in similitude of the pentagram Sacred Geometry, and call upon The Goddess to bring images to my mind where the Sword of Orion is.”

Battle

Your Wiccan character may not be comfortable with battle, but will realize that in order to protect what she loves, she must sometimes fight for it. Be satisfied as a support in battle, and shine in preparation for battle with potions, magic items, and wards.

** My home is hidden deep within the heart of the forest, a humble cottage nestled between towering trees and blooming flowers. The walls are lined with shelves overflowing with books of spells and ancient texts. **I find solace in the silence of the woods, where I can commune with the spirits and seek their guidance.** But do not mistake me for an evil sorceress, for my magic is a force of good. **I use my powers to heal the sick, comfort the weary, and protect the innocent.** The woodland creatures know this, and they trust in my abilities to bring light and hope into their lives. In the middle of the night, when the moon is at its fullest and the stars shine brightly, I cast my most powerful spells. **I dance in the moonlight, my silver hair flowing in the wind, as I harness the energy of the universe and channel it into my magic.** Many have sought me out, seeking my wisdom or a cure for their ailments. It is in their eyes I see the longing for something greater, something beyond their understanding. For it is in the heart of the forest, where the ancient trees whisper their secrets and the creatures of the woods find solace, that true magic exists. I am the witch of the woodland, a guardian of nature and a seeker of truth. My magic flows through the forest, connecting all living creatures in a delicate web. It is my purpose to maintain this balance, to protect the enchantment of the woodland and its inhabitants. And so, I will continue to weave my spells and tend to the magic that thrives in these woods, for I am the witch of the woodland, and this is where I belong..

Reviews for "The Rituals of the Woodland Witch: A Guide to Celebrating the Wheel of the Year"

1. Sarah - 2/5

I am the witch of the woodland was a disappointment for me. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow the plot. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. Additionally, the writing style was convoluted and overly descriptive, dragging the pace of the story. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it.

2. Mark - 1/5

I can honestly say that I am the witch of the woodland is one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot was non-existent, and the characters felt bland and uninteresting. The writing style was pretentious and self-indulgent, with long and unnecessary descriptions that added nothing to the story. I forced myself to finish the book, hoping it would improve, but unfortunately, it remained consistently dull and uninspiring. Save your time and skip this one.

3. Emily - 2/5

I am the witch of the woodland had a promising concept, but it fell flat in execution. The world-building was minimal, leaving the setting feeling vague and lacking detail. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden plot twists that felt forced. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the interactions between characters. Although there were some interesting ideas, overall, this book left me feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled.

4. Jason - 1/5

I am the witch of the woodland was a complete bore. The writing was overly flowery and seemed to prioritize style over substance. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any growth or development throughout the story. The plot was predictable and failed to hold my interest. I struggled to connect with any aspect of this book and couldn't wait for it to be over. I do not recommend wasting your time with this novel.

Finding Your Path as a Woodland Witch: A Guide to Self-Discovery