Shadow Hunter

Shadow Hunter: The Hunt calls for the few who think themselves brave enough to fight the curse of the beast. In order to face the curse however, one must embrace it, and these hunters have taken in the beast curse in hopes of using it as a weapon to slaughter their enemies. Shadow Hunters are constantly at the brink of madness, and struggle to keep themselves from transforming into the slavering beasts they hunt down.

Shadow Hunters are very aggressive fighters, cursed with a dwelling savagery that threatens to consume them when in the heat of combat. However, they may use this ferocity against their enemies to swiftly and effectively crush any opposition bold enough to stay in their way.

Select two professions: Alchemy, Acrobatics, Crafting, Climbing, Deception, Engineering, Handle Animals, History,Intimidation, Investigation, Occult, Medical, Stealth, Swimming, Survival, Religion

Beasthood: Shadow Hunters have a unique statistic called Beasthood. Beasthood is ranged between 0-10, and is used for playing out certain abilities. Beasthood lowers itself at a rate of 1 per long rest. Particularly violent or stressful scenes risk raising the Shadow Hunter's beasthood by 1.


Every two points in Beasthood grants a +1 bonus to agility and strength checks, however, you suffer a charisma and wisdom penalty equal to this bonus.

Be wary, using too many beasthood raising abilities at 10 potentially risks the curse overtaking the Hunter. If the Hunter allows the curse to take them, they will temporarily lose control of their character. Going feral too many times risks permanently succumbing to the curse.


Level 1:

Hunter's Pact: Shadow Hunters embrace the Beast's curse upon initiation. As a result, the Shadow Hunter is capable of using this to help them sense those who have been afflicted by the curse, including other Shadow Hunters.

Trick Weapon: Hunters employ specialized weapons in their hunt. This weapon is a very unique, partially mechanical device that they can use to outmaneuver and quickly take out their opposition. Trick weapons are alchemically treated and smithed with holy water and quicksilver, making them exceptionally useful against demons and those afflicted with the beast curse. Trick weapons are specially crafted and durable, and are to be discussed with the DM. They're typically multi-functional.

In the case of somehow losing theirs, a trick weapon can be ordered by the Shadow Hunter, and arrive after a day of waiting.

Bloodlust: Critical strikes raise beasthood by +1, and the Hunter gains an additional +10 feet of additional movement speed towards that target. (Average movement speed is 30 feet for a full round.)

Level 2:

Frenzy: The Shadow Hunter may perform a second attack, at the cost of raising their beasthood by +1.

Level 3:

Ability Score Enhancement: Raise one of your ability scores by +1.


Level 4:

Decimate: The Hunter performs a devastating attack onto the target, if the Hunter successfully hits the target, they cause heavy bleeding in the target. The bleeding must be staunched, lest the target bleeds out. Raises beasthood by +1.

At 5 or more Beasthood, Decimate is a critical strike that raises beasthood by +2.

Level 5:

Blood Hound: The Shadow Hunter may drink the blood of the target. The curse allows them to effectively track and hunt down that target, granting them a +4 bonus to survival checks in tracking the victim down. The Hunter gains +1 beasthood.

Drinking blood at 5 Beasthood or more triggers a blood rage, granting the Shadow Hunter a +2 Bonus to agility and strength for 3 rounds, as well as raising beasthood by +2 instead.

Level 6:

Ability Score Enhancement: Raise one of your ability scores by +1.


Level 7:

Slaughter Cry: The Shadow Hunter charges straight for a single target, raising their arms. Attacks of opportunity may be made on the Hunter, but the Shadow Hunter may choose to ignore the attack and the damage dealt to them. If the Shadow Hunter strikes the target they charge, it stuns them.

If the Shadow Hunter has 5 or more Beasthood, they may make an intimidating battle cry, making an intimidation check that gains a bonus equal to 1/2 of their beasthood. Anything nearby will be feared for one round.

If the Shadow Hunter has 8 or more Beasthood, their attack not only stuns the target, but if the target is injured, the slaughter cry may potentially kill the target instantly. (To the DM's discretion)

Level 8:

Seize Prey: With supernatural strength granted by the curse, the Shadow Hunter may leap towards the target to make a savage attack. Landing on a smaller target, or one of the same size, knocks them prone. The leap the Hunter performs covers a longer distance, scaling with beast hood.

(15 feet: 1-2

3-5: 30

6-8: 40

9-10: 50)

Level 9:

Ability Score Enhancement: Raise one of your ability scores by +1.


Level 10:

Beast Form: The Shadow Hunter unleashes their beast form. This form is substantially stronger than their mortal form, gaining a variety of bonuses and unique attacks depending on the shadow hunter's form. While in beast form, the Hunter's Beasthood is treated as if it were 10.

Discuss with the DM As to what the beast form entails; the form can come in may shapes and sizes.