Transform into a hag-like being with this fey species that likes to trick and curse.
Hexbloods are beings that have found their very being transformed by the magic of the Fey. Usually, this is due to a bargain struck with a hag. Perhaps a couple long for a child, receiving a hexblood infant as part of a bargain. Maybe in desperation, a sickly individual seeks a cure from their malady, only to be turned into a hexblood. There are many ways someone can become a hexblood, and not all of them need a bargain with a hag.
When this happens, these individuals develop hag-like features and magic. They might gain discoloured skin, long hair that regrows if cut or forked ears. They may also develop haggish powers like telepathy and minor curses in the form of the hex spell.
The Hexblood has been updated from its original version from Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. The new version is built for D&D 2024 and can be found in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. If you want to play a Hexblood, then read on for advice on optimisations and tactics.
Is a Hexblood the right species for me?
Choose a Hexblood if you want to…
- Have the hex spell
- Spy on people
- Use innate spellcasting
A Hexblood might not be for you if…
- You don’t want innate spellcasting
- Lack the attacks to benefit much from hex
- Aren’t playing a cunning or deceptive character
What’s changed?
Not a lot. Other than some slight wording changes, the only functional change is:
- Ancestral lineage: Lineages are no longer a separate classification of species so you don’t retain skill proficiencies or movement speeds from a former species.
Other than that, the Hexblood is exactly as you remember it from the 2014 version.
Hexblood traits
| Creature Type | Fey |
| Size | Small or medium |
| Speed | 30ft |
| Traits | Darkvision, eerie token, hex magic |
| Resistances | None |
| Proficiencies | None |
| Darkvision | Yes |
| Innate spellcasting | Disguise self, hex |
| Book found in | Ravenloft: The Horrors Within |
Tactics
Hexbloods are mainly about utility, disguises and gaining use of the hex spell. I’d use the following tactics for a hexblood:
Hex in name, hex in nature: Hex is a strong 1st level spell, especially for those making plenty of attacks. It’ll increase the damage of each attack against a target impacted by this and only requires a bonus action to apply. This makes it great for high attack classes like fighters. You’ll only get one use per long rest (unless you’re already a caster) so time your uses carefully for tougher encounters. Just be aware that it does have a bonus action cost whenever it moves target so monks will have to balance that with things like flurry of blows, as will other bonus action reliant classes.
Classes that possess spellcasting and plenty of attacks like paladins, blade warlocks, valor and dance bards and eldritch knights may benefit most here.
Long range telepathy: Telepathic message is a very long range form of telepathy. Much longer than most telepathic options. It does have its drawbacks like one way communication, and you will need to predetermine your target, but split parties and coordinating with NPCs can become easier this way.
Super spy: Remote viewing is a great way to spy on others if you can determine their location in advance. It might even be that you can chuck it discreetly near someone you want to eavesdrop on without needing to get as close to them. If you do this, a tooth probably makes your best projectile, even if it’s one of your more grotesque options.
You’ve also got disguise self in your repertoire which is great for impersonations and sneaking into places you shouldn’t be. You may want a decent charisma if you intend to go around making such deceptions.
Choosing a class for your Hexblood
Below I’ve scored how well each class works with a Hexblood:
Artificer⭐⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐
Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best classes for a Hexblood
The best hexblood classes will be able to make multiple attacks to take advantage of hex. Spellcasting will help you repeat cast hex and a high charisma will help you actually pull off a disguise.
Because of this, I’d suggest that the best classes for a Hexblood are:
Of these, paladins and warlocks are probably your best options. Both possess spellcasting and a high charisma while paladins have an extra attack and most warlocks can easily have multiple attacks through eldritch blast or eldritch invocations.
The other 2 classes kind of need to build specifically to fit a hexblood. For example, bards can make great hexbloods, but only really valor and dance bards have the attacks necessary for this. Equally, only an eldritch knight does really well for a hexblood (due to their spellcasting), but other subclasses remain good options.
Worst Hexblood classes
Hexbloods rely a fair bit on spellcasting and barbarians not only can’t do this while they rage, but they also struggle for a decent spellcasting ability score. This makes them the worst option here.
Classes lacking multiple attacks will also struggle here which means classes like rogues, sorcerers and clerics may not be your best options.
About Hexbloods
Appearance
Hexbloods retain the appearance of their former race, but they develop hag-like features. This can include discoloured skin, split ears that form a point, hair that regrows when cut and an irremovable living crown.
You can flavour your appearance to be more or less hag-like depending on how you want your character to appear.
How can you become a Hexblood?
Hexbloods can be formed in many ways, but they usually are created from the magic of a hag or similar fey creature. The new Hexblood entry doesn’t suggest much in the way of ideas for how you can become a Hexblood, but Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft does provide some suggestions:
- You are the child of a parent that made a bargain with a hag to gain a child.
- Fey kidnappers swapped you and your parent’s child.
- You were created to replace a hag lost from a coven.
- Cursed as a child, you became free of the curse by making a deal with the spirits that also transformed you into a Hexblood.
- You began life as a fey, but an accident caused you to flee home and become a Hexblood.
- A slighted druid transformed you and bound your life to the life of a sacred tree.
- You made your own bargain with a hag, becoming a Hexblood as a result.
How to roleplay a Hexblood
Becoming a Hexblood often isn’t something that characters want or seek. In many cases, it’s unexpected. Many characters may choose to hide their appearance or work to have their appearance changed. Your character may attempt to hide their appearance or feel awkward when it’s mentioned. They may also seek to reverse the effects of their transformation.
Alternatively, they could lean more heavily into their hag heritage. They might become a little more deceptive and embrace trickery, using those gifts they’ve been granted. This might especially be the case if your character was born a Hexblood.
You may also want to think about how you enact some of the more grotesque elements of your traits. Removing a tooth or fingernail for eerie token is pretty gross. Do you embrace that, or do you turn around and hide while you perform the act?
Other D&D species guides
Not sure a Hexblood is the right species for you? Why not check out one of our other species guides for D&D 5e.
