Welcome to our Half Elf Blood Hunter Guide for DND 5E! Are you ready to delve into the dark and mysterious world of blood magic? The Half Elf Blood Hunter is a unique and versatile class that offers a thrilling gameplay experience, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with optimal builds, subclass strategies, and race-specific tips for playing a Half Elf Blood Hunter. Whether you’re new to the class or a seasoned veteran looking for new insights, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways:
- Discover the updates and improvements in the 2020 version of the Half Elf Blood Hunter class.
- Explore the unique class features, including Hemocraft die, Blood Curses, Hunter’s Bane, and Blood Maledict.
- Delve into the different subclasses or Blood Hunter Orders, such as the Ghostslayer, Lycan, Mutant, and Profane Soul.
- Learn how to optimize your Half Elf Blood Hunter build with the right race, skills, background, feats, and weapon/armor options.
- Master the art of blood magic with Blood Curses and spells to enhance your combat and utility abilities.
What’s New in the 2020 Version?
The 2020 version of the Blood Hunter class brings forth several exciting changes and improvements that enhance the gameplay experience for Half Elf Blood Hunter players. Let’s explore the updates and improvements in detail.
Switched Positions: Blood Maledict and Crimson Rite
In the latest version, the Blood Maledict and Crimson Rite have switched places. Previously, Blood Maledict was awarded at higher levels, but now players can access this powerful ability at 1st level. This change allows Half Elf Blood Hunters to unleash their blood magic earlier in their adventuring careers.
Reduced Count of Blood Curses Known
Another significant change in the 2020 version is the reduction in the number of Blood Curses known. While the previous version granted several Blood Curses to choose from, the updated version limits the number of known curses. This change encourages players to make strategic decisions about which curses to master, adding depth and tactical choices to gameplay.
Revamped Subclasses: Ghostslayer, Lycan, Mutant, and Profane Soul
The subclasses available to Half Elf Blood Hunters have undergone considerable mechanical changes. In the 2020 version, the Ghostslayer, Lycan, Mutant, and Profane Soul subclasses offer new abilities and playstyles for players to explore. Each subclass brings its own unique flavor to the Half Elf Blood Hunter, allowing players to tailor their character build to suit their preferred combat style and narrative.
Blood Hunter Class Features
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons 5E, the Half Elf Blood Hunter is a formidable class that taps into the dark powers of blood magic. With their unique abilities and sacrifice-based mechanics, Blood Hunters can become deadly strikers and versatile warriors on the battlefield. To optimize your Half Elf Blood Hunter character build, it is essential to understand the class features that define this intriguing class.
1. Hemocraft Die: The Hemocraft Die is a key feature of the Blood Hunter class. This resource represents the Blood Hunter’s ability to manipulate and harness their own life force for powerful effects. It grants additional damage to attacks and fuels certain class abilities. Managing your Hemocraft Die effectively will greatly enhance your Blood Hunter’s potential in combat.
2. Blood Curses: Blood Curses are unique spells that allow Blood Hunters to curse their enemies and impede their abilities. These curses can inflict various status effects such as disadvantage on attacks or reduced movement. Strategically choosing and utilizing Blood Curses is crucial for controlling the battlefield and gaining an advantage over your foes.
3. Hunter’s Bane: Hunter’s Bane is a class feature that grants the Blood Hunter an increased proficiency in tracking and dealing with their chosen enemies. This ability improves the Blood Hunter’s ability to hunt down and defeat specific types of creatures. It provides combat bonuses against chosen foes, making the Blood Hunter a deadly predator that excels at eliminating high-priority targets.
4. Blood Maledict: Blood Maledict is a potent class feature that allows Blood Hunters to channel their own life force to unleash devastating effects on their enemies. These blood magic abilities can cause additional damage, impose debuffs, or create areas of darkness. Utilizing Blood Maledict strategically can turn the tide of battle and give your Blood Hunter an edge in combat.
Mastering these class features is essential for optimizing your Half Elf Blood Hunter character build. By effectively managing your Hemocraft Die, strategically choosing Blood Curses, maximizing the benefits of Hunter’s Bane, and utilizing Blood Maledict to its full potential, you can create a Half Elf Blood Hunter that is a force to be reckoned with.
“The power of blood magic flows through the veins of the Half Elf Blood Hunter. Sacrificing their own vitality, they become formidable strikers on the battlefield, cursing their enemies and manipulating their own life force for devastating effects.”
With a deep understanding of the Blood Hunter class features, you can unleash the true potential of your Half Elf Blood Hunter and become a formidable force in the world of DND 5E.
| Class Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Hemocraft Die | Manipulate life force for additional damage and class abilities |
| Blood Curses | Curse enemies to impede their abilities |
| Hunter’s Bane | Increased proficiency in tracking and combat against chosen enemies |
| Blood Maledict | Channel life force for powerful effects on enemies |
Subclasses – Blood Hunter Orders
The Half Elf Blood Hunter has the unique advantage of choosing from a variety of subclasses or blood hunter orders. Each order offers distinct abilities and playstyles, allowing you to customize your character to fit your preferred style of combat. Let’s explore the different orders and the benefits they bring to Half Elf Blood Hunters.
Ghostslayer
The Ghostslayer order focuses on hunting and eradicating supernatural creatures. They possess potent ghost-hunting abilities, including a heightened ability to detect and harm incorporeal beings. Ghostslayers have mastered the art of dealing with spirits and undead, making them a formidable force on the battlefield and a valuable asset in any party.
Lycan
The Lycan order embraces the inner beast within the Half Elf Blood Hunter, allowing them to tap into their primal lycanthropic powers. By channeling their feral nature, Lycans gain heightened senses, increased resilience, and the ability to transform into powerful hybrid forms. This order excels in close quarters combat and unleashing devastating physical attacks.
Mutant
The Mutant order focuses on self-experimentation and the enhancement of the Blood Hunter’s physical and mental attributes. Through the infusion of alchemical concoctions and risky experimentation, Mutants gain unique mutations that enhance their combat abilities and provide them with extraordinary powers. This order is versatile and excels in adapting to various combat situations.
Profane Soul
The Profane Soul order blends the Blood Hunter’s martial prowess with the powers of a warlock. This unique combination allows Half Elf Blood Hunters to access a limited selection of warlock spells and invocations. Profane Souls are adept at both melee combat and casting spells, making them versatile combatants who can adapt to different challenges.
| Subclass | Playstyle | Key Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Ghostslayer | Specializes in hunting and eliminating supernatural creatures. | – Enhanced detection and harm against ghosts and undead – Ability to harness ghostly wails as a powerful attack |
| Lycan | Embraces the lycanthropic nature, tapping into primal powers. | – Increased senses and resilience – Ability to transform into hybrid forms for enhanced combat prowess |
| Mutant | Focuses on self-experimentation, gaining unique physical and mental mutations. | – Alchemical infusions for enhanced combat abilities – Unique mutations that provide extraordinary powers |
| Profane Soul | Combines martial prowess with warlock spells and invocations. | – Limited selection of warlock spells and invocations – Ability to cast spells and engage in melee combat |
Races
When creating a Half Elf Blood Hunter character, race selection can greatly impact your abilities and playstyle. While the Half Elf race is the most popular choice for Blood Hunters, other races like Tiefling and Human can also provide unique benefits and synergies. Let’s take a closer look at these racial options and how they enhance the abilities of a Half Elf Blood Hunter.
1. Half Elf
The Half Elf race is an excellent choice for Blood Hunters due to their versatility and ability score bonuses. As a Half Elf Blood Hunter, you’ll benefit from the following racial traits:
- Ability Score Increase: Half Elves gain a +2 bonus to Charisma and +1 bonus to two other ability scores of your choice. This allows you to customize your character’s strengths and weaknesses based on your preferred playstyle.
- Darkvision: Half Elves have darkvision, allowing them to see in dim light within 60 feet. This can be particularly useful in exploring dark dungeons or navigating nighttime encounters.
- Fey Ancestry: Half Elves have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and can’t be put to sleep by magic. This racial trait provides valuable protection against charm-based spells and effects.
- Skill Versatility: Half Elves gain proficiency in two skills of your choice. This allows you to further specialize your character and excel in non-combat situations.
With their adaptable nature and well-rounded traits, Half Elves make for versatile and capable Blood Hunters.
2. Tiefling
If you’re looking to add a touch of infernal power to your Half Elf Blood Hunter, consider the Tiefling race. The Tiefling’s demonic heritage grants them unique abilities and a distinct flavor to their character. As a Tiefling Blood Hunter, you’ll gain the following racial traits:
- Ability Score Increase: Tieflings have a +2 bonus to Charisma and a +1 bonus to Intelligence. This combination enhances your spellcasting abilities as a Blood Hunter and allows for effective use of Blood Curses and spells.
- Darkvision: Tieflings can see in darkness as if it were dim light within 60 feet, similar to Half Elves. This ability is especially valuable in situations with limited light sources.
- Hellish Resistance: Tieflings have resistance to fire damage. This provides durability and protection against fire-based attacks or environmental hazards.
- Infernal Legacy: Tieflings know the Thaumaturgy cantrip and can cast Hellish Rebuke once per day at 3rd level. These innate spellcasting abilities add versatility and offensive options to your Blood Hunter toolkit.
The Tiefling’s demonic heritage can bring a dark and intriguing aspect to your Half Elf Blood Hunter character, making them a formidable force on the battlefield.
3. Human
For those who value adaptability and versatility in their Half Elf Blood Hunter, the Human race provides a solid foundation. While lacking the racial traits and abilities of other races, Humans excel in their ability to customize and specialize. As a Human Blood Hunter, you’ll benefit from the following:
- Ability Score Increase: Humans gain a +1 bonus to all ability scores. This allows you to distribute your ability score points more freely, providing flexibility in creating a well-rounded character.
- Skilled: Humans gain proficiency in one additional skill of your choice. This adds a valuable skill to your character’s repertoire, allowing for greater versatility in and out of combat.
- Variant Human: Some campaigns allow for Variant Human characters. This variant allows you to gain a feat at 1st level, providing additional customization and power to your Blood Hunter from the start.
While Humans may not possess inherent supernatural abilities like Half Elves or Tieflings, their adaptability and potential for customization make them a strong choice for Blood Hunters who prize versatility.
Ultimately, the choice of race for your Half Elf Blood Hunter depends on your desired playstyle, roleplaying preferences, and the narrative of your campaign. Whether you favor the versatile traits of Half Elves, the demonic heritage of Tieflings, or the customization options of Humans, each race brings unique benefits to enhance your abilities as a Blood Hunter.
Skills and Background
Enhancing your Half Elf Blood Hunter character involves making strategic choices when it comes to the skills they possess and the background they come from. By selecting the right skills and background, you can further optimize your character’s abilities and create a more immersive roleplaying experience.
When considering skills for your Half Elf Blood Hunter, there are a few that prove particularly useful for their unique abilities and playstyle. Here are some of the key skills you may want to prioritize:
- Acrobatics: This skill allows your character to perform feats of agility, balance, and flexibility, enabling them to maneuver through challenging terrain or avoid enemy attacks with finesse.
- Athletics: With proficiency in Athletics, your character gains enhanced physical strength and athleticism. This skill can help in tasks such as climbing, swimming, or grappling opponents.
- Survival: Survival skills are essential for any adventurer, and Blood Hunters are no exception. A proficient Survival skill allows your character to track creatures, forage for food, and navigate through hostile environments.
Remember to consult your Dungeon Master to determine which skills will best suit your Half Elf Blood Hunter’s abilities and the campaign you’re playing. Customizing your character’s skill set can make them more versatile and effective in various situations.
In addition to skills, the background you select for your Half Elf Blood Hunter can greatly contribute to their backstory and roleplaying experience. Here are a few popular background options:
- Haunted One: The Haunted One background is fitting for a Half Elf Blood Hunter, emphasizing an enigmatic past filled with dark secrets and encounters with supernatural forces. This background can add depth and intrigue to your character’s narrative.
- Urban Bounty Hunter: The Urban Bounty Hunter background is ideal for Blood Hunters who navigate cityscapes and urban environments. This background provides knowledge of underground networks, contacts within criminal organizations, and a knack for finding elusive targets.
- Outlander: The Outlander background suits Blood Hunters who prefer a wilderness-focused playstyle. Being accustomed to survival in the untamed wilds, this background offers skills like navigation, foraging, and an understanding of nature.
Consider your character’s personality, goals, and the campaign setting when choosing a background. This decision will not only add flavor to your Half Elf Blood Hunter but also provide interesting roleplaying opportunities and potential plot hooks.
Choosing the right skills and background for your Half Elf Blood Hunter can greatly enhance their abilities and enrich their roleplaying experience. By selecting useful skills like Acrobatics, Athletics, and Survival, and opting for backgrounds such as Haunted One, Urban Bounty Hunter, or Outlander, you can shape your character’s story and strengthen their connection to the world around them.
Feats and Weapon/Armor Options
Feats can play a crucial role in optimizing your Half Elf Blood Hunter build, providing additional abilities and bonuses that enhance your combat prowess. By carefully selecting the right feats, you can further maximize your effectiveness in battle and create a truly formidable character. Two noteworthy feats for Half Elf Blood Hunters are Sharpshooter and Great Weapon Master.
Sharpshooter: This feat is particularly beneficial for Blood Hunters who prefer ranged combat. It grants several advantages such as increasing the damage of ranged weapon attacks, ignoring cover, and taking a -5 penalty to your attack roll to gain a +10 bonus to damage. With the right weapon, this feat can greatly increase your long-range damage output.
Great Weapon Master: If you prefer a more melee-oriented playstyle, this feat is a great choice. It allows you to make powerful melee attacks with heavy weapons, dealing bonus damage and potentially making an additional attack after scoring a critical hit or reducing an enemy to 0 hit points. This feat synergizes well with the Blood Hunter’s Crimson Rite feature and can turn you into a formidable melee combatant.
Furthermore, selecting the appropriate weapons and armor is essential for optimizing your Half Elf Blood Hunter’s effectiveness in combat. The right choice of equipment can provide you with increased damage output, improved survivability, and enhanced versatility.
Here are some weapon and armor options to consider:
| Weapon | Description |
|---|---|
| Longbow | A versatile ranged weapon that offers excellent damage potential from a safe distance. It synergizes well with the Sharpshooter feat, allowing you to deal devastating damage to your enemies. |
| Greatsword | A powerful two-handed weapon that can deliver heavy blows to your foes. Paired with the Great Weapon Master feat, it becomes even deadlier, enabling you to deal massive damage and potentially make additional attacks. |
| Rapier | A finesse weapon that grants you the ability to use your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls. This can be advantageous if you prioritize a high Dexterity score for your Blood Hunter build. |
When it comes to armor, studded leather is a popular choice among Blood Hunters due to its balance between protection and mobility. It grants you a decent Armor Class while keeping your Dexterity bonuses intact. However, depending on your playstyle and preferred level of protection, you may also consider other options such as half plate or breastplate.
By carefully selecting the right feats, weapons, and armor, you can create a highly optimized Half Elf Blood Hunter build that excels in combat and enhances your overall effectiveness on the battlefield.
Blood Curses and Spells
Blood Curses and spells are essential tools for a Half Elf Blood Hunter. With their unique abilities, Half Elf Blood Hunters can curse their enemies and manipulate their blood, while also harnessing the power of spells for offense, defense, and utility. Understanding the mechanics and effects of Blood Curses and spells is crucial for optimizing your character’s potential.
Blood Curses
Blood Curses are a core feature of the Half Elf Blood Hunter class. These curses enable you to harness your own vitality to hinder and punish your foes. By sacrificing your own blood and channeling it into a curse, you can debilitate your enemies in various ways. Whether you wish to hamper their movement, weaken their attacks, or leave them vulnerable to your own strikes, Blood Curses provide a range of options to suit your playstyle.
“With the power of blood coursing through my veins, I curse you! May your limbs grow heavy and your steps falter.”
Here is a table showcasing some of the Blood Curses available to Half Elf Blood Hunters:
| Blood Curse | Description |
|---|---|
| Curse of the Eyeless | Blinds the target, incapacitating them temporarily. |
| Curse of Mutual Suffering | Transfers damage taken by the target to yourself, forging a sympathetic bond. |
| Curse of the Fending Rite | Increases your armor class, granting additional protection in battle. |
These are just a few examples of the diverse Blood Curses available. Experiment with different curses to find the ones that best align with your character concept and overall strategy.
Spellcasting
In addition to Blood Curses, Half Elf Blood Hunters can also tap into the power of spells through their spellcasting abilities. These spells offer a wide range of options for offense, defense, and utility, allowing you to adapt to different situations and overcome challenges.
As a Half Elf Blood Hunter, your spellcasting ability is tied to your Intelligence modifier. The number of spells you can know and prepare is limited, so choose your spells carefully based on your preferred playstyle and the needs of your party.
“By the arcane incantations passed down by my bloodline, I summon forth the power of elemental fire!”
Here are some spells commonly used by Half Elf Blood Hunters:
- Burning Hands
- Hunter’s Mark
- Searing Smite
- Protection from Evil and Good
- Misty Step
- Counterspell
These spells provide offensive capabilities, enhanced tracking abilities, protection against supernatural threats, increased mobility, and the ability to disrupt enemy spellcasting. Mix and match spells to create a versatile arsenal that complements your character’s strengths and the needs of your adventuring party.
Remember, Half Elf Blood Hunters rely on their own innate power and cunning to survive in dangerous situations. Utilize both Blood Curses and spells strategically to stay one step ahead of your enemies and emerge victorious in your adventures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Half Elf Blood Hunter Guide for DND 5E provides valuable insights and strategies for optimizing and maximizing the potential of your Half Elf Blood Hunter character. By harnessing the unique abilities and mechanics of the Blood Hunter class, you can create a formidable and versatile combatant.
With the updates and improvements introduced in the 2020 version of the class, the Half Elf Blood Hunter offers enhanced gameplay and mechanical novelty. Whether you choose the Ghostslayer, Lycan, Mutant, or Profane Soul subclass, each offers its own unique playstyle and abilities to suit your preferences.
By carefully selecting your race, skills, background, feats, weapons, and armor, you can further enhance your character’s effectiveness in combat and roleplaying. The Half Elf race, along with other viable options like the Tiefling and Human, provides versatile traits and ability score bonuses that complement the Blood Hunter’s abilities.
Overall, the Half Elf Blood Hunter Guide is a valuable resource for players looking to optimize their Half Elf Blood Hunter character build. Utilize the tips and strategies outlined in this guide to create a powerful and enjoyable character that excels in combat and engages in immersive roleplaying experiences.
FAQ
What is a Half Elf Blood Hunter?
A Half Elf Blood Hunter is a martial striker class in DND 5E, similar to the Ranger, that utilizes blood magic and sacrifices their own vitality for powerful abilities.
What are the updates and improvements in the 2020 version of the Blood Hunter class?
In the 2020 version, the Blood Maledict and Crimson Rite switched places, Blood Maledict is now awarded at 1st level, the number of Blood Curses known has been reduced, and the subclasses have seen considerable mechanical changes.
What are the class features of the Blood Hunter?
The class features include Hemocraft die, Blood Curses, Hunter’s Bane, and Blood Maledict, which allow the Blood Hunter to use blood magic and sacrifice their own vitality for powerful abilities.
What are the different subclasses or blood hunter orders for Half Elf Blood Hunters?
The different subclasses or blood hunter orders for Half Elf Blood Hunters include the Ghostslayer, Lycan, Mutant, and Profane Soul, each providing unique abilities and playstyles.
Why is the Half Elf race a popular choice for Blood Hunters?
The Half Elf race is popular for Blood Hunters due to their versatile traits and ability score bonuses, making them well-suited for the class’s abilities.
What skills and background should I choose for my Half Elf Blood Hunter?
Skills like Acrobatics, Athletics, and Survival can be useful for a Blood Hunter’s abilities and playstyle. Selecting a background that complements your character’s backstory and goals can also add depth to your roleplaying experience.
What feats and weapon/armor options should I consider for my Half Elf Blood Hunter build?
Feats like Sharpshooter or Great Weapon Master can enhance your combat prowess. Choosing the appropriate weapons and armor, such as a longbow or studded leather armor, can also improve your overall effectiveness in battle.
How do Blood Curses and spells work for a Half Elf Blood Hunter?
Blood Curses allow you to curse your enemies and manipulate their blood, while spells provide additional options for offense, defense, and utility. Understanding these mechanics is important for maximizing your character’s potential.
How can I optimize my Half Elf Blood Hunter character?
By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can create an optimized and powerful character that excels in combat and roleplaying, choosing the right subclass, race, skills, feats, and equipment.
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