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The hollow warden ranger subclass inDungeons & Dragonsis all about siphoning the power of ancient, macabre beings for your own benefit. While this subclass is perfect for any horror-themed Dungeons & Dragons campaign, you’re able to also easily build a character concept for any type of adventure with this subclass.
But if you’ve never played a ranger before, you might be wondering if this build is really right for you and your character. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide. Here’s everything you need to know about how the hollow warden ranger works in Dungeons & Dragons and how to build one.
Hollow Warden Ranger Subclass Overview
As alluded to, the hollow warden ranger subclass is all aboutdrawing on the powers of ancient, malevolent entities. Hollow warden rangers transform into similar entities to terrify and attack enemies.
Here’s an overview of the subclass, with each ability and feature broken down by level.
Feature Or Ability
Hollow Warden Spells
3
At certain levels, beginning at level three,you gain access to various spells, including Wrathful Smite, Spike Growth, and Phantom Steed.
Wrath of the Wild
you may harness macabre and ancient powersfor your own benefit, altering the powers of your Hunter’s Mark.
When you cast Hunter’s Mark, you transformand gain bonuses to your AC and an emanation effect that reduces enemy action economy.
Hungering Might
7
Yougain a bonus to your Constitution saving throws and can regain hit pointswhen you are in your Wrath of the Wild form.
Rot & Violence
11
When you are using your Wrath of the Wild transformation,creatures within your emanation effect take additional damage.
Additionally,you may trigger a Slow or Sap weapon mastery propertyin addition to any other weapon mastery property.
Ancient Endurance
15
When transformed,if you drop to zero hit points, you can use a spell slotof level four or higher,granting you hit pointsequal to five times the level of the spell slot you used.
You cannot become exhaustedby any means.
This subclass is excellent if you’re playing in a horror campaign, but can also be usedif you want to play an evil-aligned character.
Best Ability Scores For Hollow Warden Rangers
For rangers,Wisdom and Dexterity are your most important stats, as these affect your spell save DC and weapon attacks. However, thereare additional statsyou’ll want to prioritize as well.
Details
Dexterity
Because all of your weapon attacks are dictated by your Dexterity, you’ll want toplace your highest stat in Dexterity.
Wisdom
Your spell save DC, as well as the effects of your Hungering Might, are impacted by the strength of your Wisdom, soplace your second-highest stat in Wisdom.
Constitution
Rangers can be powerful martial and ranged combatants, so you’ll want toplace a decently high stat in Constitutionas well.
Strength
Because rangers also have access to Strength-based attacks and have proficiency in Strength saving throws, make sure youplace a semi-decent stat in Strength.
Charisma
Ultimately, your ability to persuade or deceive others isn’t all that important for a ranger, unless it makes sense for your character concept, soplace a low stat in Charisma.
Intelligence
Intelligence has very little bearing on a ranger’s abilities, soplace your lowest stat in Intelligence.
Best Species For Hollow Warden Rangers
With the release of the2024 Player’s Handbook, species has a far smaller impact on your character build. However,some species synergize well with the hollow warden ranger.
Dragonborn
Dragonborn work well with rangersas their breath weapon and damage resistances make them more powerful martial combatants.
Plus,you gain temporary flight at level five, meaning you’ll have more mobility options, which can augment your ranged attacks.
Elf
Becauseelves have access to various innate spellcasting options, this can help flesh out your ranger spell list.
Select wood elf to gain access to greater speed, Druidcraft, Longstrider, and Pass Without Trace, which are allgreat ranger spells.
Harengon
Harengon are rabbit-like humanoids withamazing agility and mobility, which is great for rangers during combat.
You alsogain advantage on Initiative rolls, which is helpful as your party will expect you to take a very proactive role in combat.
It’s important to remember that, when it comes to species,your character concept is more important than optimization. Pick what works best in your mind!
Best Backgrounds For Hollow Warden Rangers
Lastly, there are a handful ofbackgrounds that can work really wellwith hollow warden rangers, though they are not limited to just this list.
Guide
Guide is an excellent background for any ranger, as yougain ability score improvements to Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom, your three main stats.
Plus, you gain extra druid spells, whichhelp flesh out your spell list.
Hermit
Hermits also work great for hollow warden rangers, as you can easilyboost your Constitution and Wisdomwith this background.
Plus, yougain the healer feat, meaning your ranger will prove to be more of a flex support/martial class hybrid, helpful for rounding out your party.
Sailor
Sailor can also prove useful thanks to ability scoreimprovements for Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom.
The Tavern Brawler feat synergizes well with a ranger and is granted by this background. Plus, yougain proficiency with Navigator’s Tools, which is helpful if your party expects its ranger to guide them through exploration-based adventures.
