Order of the Lycan


 * This article is about the mechanical subclass, distinct from the branch of the Claret Orders. For the branch, see Claret Orders.

Order of the Lycan is a blood hunter subclass focusing on controlling lycanthropy with hemocraft. It confers benefits such as advantage on specific Perception checks, increased movement speed, and the ability to transform into a hybrid form. Like the rest of the blood hunter class, this subclass was created by Matthew Mercer.

The Order of the Lycan is associated with the Claret Orders branch of the same name, based in the Cyrengreen Forest in Wildemount. A blood hunter of this subclass, however, is not necessarily a member of that branch of the Claret Orders. Such blood hunters outside of the Orders include the Lorelei family, the Gorgynei, Tova, and Chetney Pock O'Pea.

Powers and abilities
Like other blood hunter subclasses, this subclass is chosen at third level. It immediately grants advantage on Perception checks relying on hearing or smell. It also grants Hybrid Transformation: as a bonus action, the blood hunter transforms into their hybrid form for an hour, conferring the following benefits:
 * +1 to melee damage rolls. This increases by 1 at level eleven, then again by 1 at level eighteen.
 * Advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
 * Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical attacks not made with silvered weapons.
 * +1 to AC while not wearing heavy armor.
 * Crimson Rite can be applied to unarmed strikes as a single weapon. Beginning at level eleven, unarmed strikes with a Crime Rite active are considered magical weapons.
 * Unarmed strikes can use Dexterity for the attack and damage rolls in place of Strength. Unarmed strikes also deal 1d6 slashing damage, increasing to 1d8 at level eleven.
 * An additional unarmed strike can be made as a bonus action after attacking with unarmed strikes as an action.
 * At level fifteen, attacks against a creature branded by Brand of Castigation are made with advantage.

The hunter can speak, use equipment, and wear armor in their hybrid form, which replaces the lycanthropy rules outlined in the Monster Manual. They revert to their normal self before an hour ends upon falling unconscious, dying, or choosing to do so as another bonus action. Hybrid Transformation is available once per rest and increases to twice per rest at level eleven. At level eighteen, this transformation can be invoked an unlimited number of times and lasts indefinitely.

Additionally, if they begin their turn with less than half their maximum hit points, they must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8), automatically failing if unable to concentrate or if concentrating on a spell, or become overcome with bloodlust. They must attack the nearest creature with their action before regaining control for the rest of the turn; they may choose whether or not to use their Extra Attack feature, and they roll randomly to determine a target if there are multiple. Beginning level fifteen, the saving throw is made with advantage.

Beginning at level eleven, if the hunter has at least one hit point and less than half their total hit points, they regain hit points equal to 1 + their Constitution modifier (minimum of one) at the beginning of each of their turns; if in hybrid form, they gain these points before rolling the saving throw against their bloodlust.

Blood hunters of this subclass also gain a 10-foot movement speed increase at level seven. They additionally gain 10 feet to their long jump distance and 3 feet to their high jump. They also gain a new blood curse at level eighteen, which does not count against their total curses known: Blood Curse of the Howl; as an action, they force each creature in 30 feet (60 feet if amplified) to succeed on a Wisdom saving throw of become frightened of the hunter until the end of their next turn. Those that fail by five or more are additionally stunned, and those that succeed are immune to the curse for the next twenty-four hours. The hunter may choose not to affect any number of creatures.

Lycan blood hunters have particular control over their powers, and unlike other lycanthropes, only spread their curse if they wish to.

Trivia

 * Six Exandrian blood hunters subclassed as Order of the Lycan have appeared: Tova, Portia Lorelei, Lawrence Lorelei, Benicio Lorelei, Gurge Kisgregg, and Chetney Pock O'Pea. None are members of Claret Orders branch of the same name.
 * Tova, a werebear, is the only Order of the Lycan character so far to not be a werewolf.