Tier Ranking all the Grim Hollow Subclasses: Rogues & Sorcerers

MONSTERS OF DRAKKENHEIM is 300+ pages of eldritch horror inspired monsters for 5e by the Dungeon Dudes! Coming to Kickstarter March 26th, 2024: www.kickstarter.com/projects/... We continue our look at Grim Hollow subclasses with the Rogues and Sorcerers.
This video is sponsored by World Anvil! Check them out here: www.worldanvil.com/
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Sponsor
01:12 - Intro
04:37 - Rogue: Highway Rider
13:00 - Rogue: Misfortune Bringer
22:25 - Sorcerer: Haunted
30:52 - Sorcerer: Wretched Bloodline
41:16 - Outro
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[@ikmart112]

So Ive played a highway rider up to 11th level. Early on we got a necklace that allowed the attuner to cast spider climbing, and I already had a Saddle of The Cavalier. So when I casted the spell, due to find steed rules, I applied the spell to my horse. Then due to the saddle I cannot be dismounted unless I wish to be. So Suddenly I was riding my horse horizontally along buildings in fights, hiding behind buildings on the second floor. Chasing people vertically up structures. Fighting from the 30ft ceiling at range. It's awesome.

[@Ferretic]

Like that cowboy Spider-Man from ATSV!

[@benjamingal3823]

Dovahkiin, dovahkiin...

[@NovelVanguard]

The greatest Spider-Man story never told

[@jag1460]

A true ghost rider.

[@KaioKenneth4]

That’s incredible and I really wanna try this at some point. I wonder if your DM knew the implications when they gave you those magic items? Regardless, excellent stuff from both of you.

[@randyimel8523]

Be a haunted sorcerer and then multi class into undead warlock, and your patron is the spector for your haunted sorcerer

[@TheMightyBattleSquid]

I did the same kind of thing when I built a sorlock tiefling. They were all of those things because their dear old dad made a contract with a demon, who now had dominion over their entire bloodline.

[@Xenozfan2]

Oh, cool idea: your patron is a previous 20th level character.

[@breaz5554]

Such a cool concept, I've had a haunted sorcerer undead warlock charecotr planned for my next campaign since the book came out. It's so cool and synergistic

[@mysteryuser96]

Building on this idea; Your specter is your deceased loved one, who promised to never leave your side and later manages to become your undead warlock patron in order to protect you even from the beyond ❤

[@Xenozfan2]

@@mysteryuser96 That is adorable!

[@Tim_Leclair]

Desperado just reminds me so much of the classic scene where the hero gets shot by the villain and the partner shoots the villain. Villain falls of the edge to their doom and had like a flashdrive or something they all needed. Then the partner goes over to the hero to tend to the wound and the hero is sitting there with the item because they took it as they got shot or something. Just an amazing role playing ability.

[@LycanDreams9159]

Finally. A way to roleplay as a cursed cowboy without having to auto pick warlock and only warlock as a potential subclass. I love the evil eye+ jinx mechanic.

[@KaioKenneth4]

Jonah Hex

[@chrisg8989]

Definitely going to adopt that "hair trigger" feature and put it on an item or feat for one of my players. Very cool.

[@jeremynadaskay7872]

Make it a rabbit's foot!

[@sambirch5153]

​@jeremynadaskay7872 appreciate the pun my friend

[@Trauma284]

Lvl 3 ability renamed. " Han shot first " Halfling on a mastiff

[@TheNerdzerker]

I never really considered playing the highway rider before, but thinking about it, I could see myself taking up the mantle of bounty hunter. Once a small time gang member out of desperation, he witnesses his gang commit an unspeakable atrocity, and has devoted his life to seeking redemption, and righting the wrongs. Hunting the members of his gang, hunting other monsters that prey upon the weak & innocent.

[@Klaital1]

Highway Rider is one of my favorite subclasses from the whole book, it has such cool flavor and mechanics.

[@jeremydrummer2711]

Once again taking this subclass opportunity to suggest the class and subclasses created for Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt. I believe you guys would enjoy them thoroughly.

[@MadElk32]

Technically the books not even out yet 😢

[@ogrestreetgangtatto5078]

I already have both

[@toyodacanada]

I second this once the book is out

[@TheRealMuckluck]

Sounds very Bloodborne-inspired. Is it?

[@toyodacanada]

@@TheRealMuckluck absolutely

[@Ferretic]

10:08 here's how you make Desperado a bit more powerful: If you make an attack with it and that attack reduces an enemy to zero, you gain advantage on death saves.

[@NovelVanguard]

Yes

[@zzfrute]

This is correct

[@TheRealMuckluck]

Honestly, why not have it be that if you reduce them to zero hit points, you automatically stabilise (but don't regain consciousness, as you'd still be at 0 hit points). Or, as I also suggested elsewhere, change the trigger for Desperado to be: "... when you or a member of your party that you can see within 30 feet are reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction ..." etc.

[@TheRealMuckluck]

Or: Have it be that if you reduce your attacker to 0 hit points with the attack, you fall prone and drop to 1 hit points instead of 0, but you can only gain that particular benefit once per day (you can use the rest of Desperado as often as you want, though).

[@fuzzborne]

Make it give disadvantage on death saves and advantage to allies next attack for the roleplay value.

[@insanesuperstar]

The rogue's new mantra: ABS. Always Be Sneakin'.

[@jizburg]

Always Be Stabbing

[@ChaosMind10531]

Always Be Stealing...

[@TheRealMuckluck]

For the Misfortune rogue, you can still be ABC: Always Be Critting.

[@BennenTheBaker]

Benjamin Huffmans Pugilist! Also Humblewood for some added wholesomeness

[@N0Name_btw]

One note for the highway rider is the squeezing rules. If you really wanted to, you can bring your mount into dungeons and other spaces not suited for large creatures, just at a slower pace.

[@ericgonzales419]

I freaking love the hair trigger feature

[@Klaital1]

Next part is going to be great, three out of the four remaining subclasses are huge favorites of mine. First Vampire warlock, and both of the wizard subclasses.

[@rekc_bcq4816]

I heard about gun proficient Rogue and immediately thought “Can Colby make another Gunk build with this?” 😂

[@DaRatTalks]

I had a late game highway rider for a game and it was probably one of the best burst damage characters there. First attack on initiative was a crit and i fell in love.

[@Cristian-ih8qz]

I love the fact that you are reviewing 3rd party quality content. I'd love to see some Eberron content reviewed as well. Exploring Eberron and Chronicles of Eberron has some great class to look into. I'd love to see how you would rate them

[@Southpaw_Blue]

Would love to see you review the SCtD subclasses. I think you’ve shown you can be self-critical where necessary. What I’d love is the ability to send those clips to players so they have a sense of how to make the best odds the subclasses, straight from the mouth of their designers.

[@Dave_Ehlers]

When you were talking about the Highway Rider, all I could think about is this subclass armed with a rapier and a whip, and you have Zorro from the old black and white TV show. Maybe mix in a little Battlemaster or Swords Bard for good measure.

[@gabebaum6527]

I'll recommend taking a look at Valda's Spire of Secrets by Mage Hand Press. Tons of subclasses, as well as original classes are in that book, and it's overall a worthwhile pickup

[@thomasjenkin26]

I second that. Plenty of stuff that's interesting and fun

[@johnkelley7194]

Agreed

[@Leif47]

I love the Haunted Sorcerer, the theme is so cool and having a ghost with you opens up a lot of fun role-play. The only two things I would change is that the Spectre gets to use your Spell Attack bonus for its attack rolls and that it uses a bonus action to attack instead of your action

[@capslockpenguin7518]

I played the Highway Rider Rogue in a campaign. I ended up with 4 levels of the Celestial transformation too. The character felt very dominant, often ending encounters the moment they started. I absolutely adore that subclass. The mount is incredibly useful in combination with Tasha's ability to give yourself advantage in exchange for your movement. I had a completely different flavor too. I played a cowardly thief who died when he did the right thing for the first time in his life. For his sacrifice he was given training on mt Celestia and when the party revived him, he returned with determination, the Highway Rider Subclass and the Celestial Transformation.

[@blushworthyspeaks]

"Are the authors in the room with us today?"

[@Stopdressur]

YES! I always look forward to these! By the way, are we getting a continiation to the apothecary series about the Chemist? My next character is probably gonna be that subclass.

[@souvenirspices5812]

I didnt know you guys worked on this book, the highway rider is one of my fav subclasses from the book, good job guys!

[@user-th8bn5mk4q]

I've loved your videos on the grim hollow subclasses great job you guys creating some incredible content really makes me want to buy the book

[@nathanschmaltz672]

this 3rd party content is some of my favorite content from you guys. I appreciate it. Keep it up!

[@Atown0921]

I would love for you guys to do Valda's Spire of Secrets from Mage Hand Press next!

[@Atown0921]

I know it's a lot, but it would be awesome!

[@danielberg5049]

Love this channel. Keep it up, guys!

[@LupineShadowOmega]

In the words of Spike Spiegel, "Bang." Desperado is just a very fun and gritty ability idea.

[@theparagoncompany]

The Rogue in my party uses the Misfortune Bringer subclass and we've been waiting to see this.

[@TheDemosthones]

The book says 3 jinx points? Where is it that they are pulling these screenshots or snipits?

[@thundyrcat]

Just received my copy of it! I purchased it after your first Teir Ranking from this book. So excited to use them.

[@HorizonOfHope]

The art for Haunted Sorcerer looks phenomenal.

[@azurewolf606]

Love the work guys 😂

[@Southpaw_Blue]

DD video - instant watch!

[@AxelCCMD]

Shennanigannery is my new favorite word.

[@mutantmoth]

I ran a Misfortune Bringer with the fey transformation, and the Charisma boost was a big help with sticking the Evil Eye. I do agree that the save against led to spamming it until it worked, but it was worth it. Curse of the Doomed and Maimed work really well. It was a really fun subclass to play. Getting Jinx back on a short rest comes in clutch too.

[@Narifamen]

I know it's a lot - like a lot a lot - but I'd love to see a couple videos on Valda's. Primarily because I adore the Witch Class it presents.

[@eclectic9210]

I love the desperado feature!

[@destroyerinazuma96]

Fun fact: one of the first Sorcerers with a legit extra spells known table was UA Favored Soul. To this day one of my favourites.

[@immortalmonk2891]

Had a player play the highway rider, absolutely amazing class. They blew me away with how dynamic they could be in play. Very fun, and they had fun running interference running down enemies trying to escape or get help.

[@AndyReichert0]

Please review/rank the subclasses in the Humblewood, Nightfell, and Plangegea third party setting books

[@GeraldKatz]

Played in a game where another player was a Misfortune Bringer. He chose the jinx of tripping the Evil Eye target to stop movement. Proved effective in saving PCs from attacks when a bad guy wanted to move.

[@raen19]

I love that Haunted Sorcerer and must play one immediately!

[@theq86]

I play the Plague Doctor Wizard subclass, tons of fun; can't wait to see your review. Are you guys going to be going over the Grim Hallow races and transformations?

[@jonahrockwell6521]

My note on the Bad Luck Charm combo with Bestow Curse is that it makes Bestow Curse much easier to land which you can build around anything.

[@83ericp]

Valda's Spire of Secrets has some great subclasses! I'd love to see a review

[@tylergee1405]

I'm excited for the wizard subclass tier list. Played Grim Hollow and found a busted combo with Sangromancer/Echo knight. In one turn I can do 21d12 necrotic to current and max hp.

[@destroyerinazuma96]

I have an idea for your highway Rogue. If one takes 5 levels in Fighter, one can dump 4/6 of a revolver within one turn. And the build works thematically, too.

[@gerbenwierda9683]

great video - have you considered going through KibblesTasty classes / subclasses?

[@DrgnDrake]

Felt worth noting that the Nocturnal Wretched Curse also lets you see through magical darkness. Rare and very useful.

[@mosqapuccino]

Hahaha, love when you evocated the halfling on a pig. I play a beastmaster halfling who rides his pig in battle. He started with a trident fashioned as a pitchfork and is called Dani the Farmboy and Pig the Pig. He has one level of Peace Domain cleric, so the duo of Dani and Pig is a powerful force for the team…

[@mosqapuccino]

also… the name "little death"… for a French person it's very funny, because it is an idiom used for a climax…

[@TheHornedKing]

The Haunted sorcerer sounds amazing!

[@user-xq7jc8yn2p]

Can't wait to see the warlocks.😊

[@jimnop2000]

Started playing a misfortune rogue in a grimdarkish campaign, but she got killed off at 2nd level, so i never got to try out the curses 😢 Love the flavor. Enjoyed the GH content on curses and transformations -- starts to fill in some holes in D&D.

[@michaelsackett4410]

With the wretched soul sorcerer, don't forget that the bad luck charm doesn't have to always applied to YOUR spells. You can use direct damage, but still give them disadvantage against your fighter's disarm, or your cleric's banishment. SYNERGY!!!

[@jameshewitt4706]

The Curse of the Maimed and Doomed combo just gives me SUCH "Tsubame Gaeshi" vibes! lol

[@arc4382]

I really liked the Highway Rider rogue. Almost picked it going into a Drakkenheim campaign.

[@chrisunruh8292]

Been thinking of a arcane gun slinger inspired by the cowboy wizard from Dresden files. I am now thinking artillery artificer multiclassed into highway rouge because of this video😊

[@somerandomginger9938]

Question since you guys wrote it. Healer Feat, and Healers Kit with Hair Trigger? Does that work?

[@OpenWorldAddict0]

I would like to see you review Taron 'Indostructoboy' Pounds classes (and subclases) of the Dancer and the Runekeeper. I would also like for you rank the subclasses that you made in Sebation Crowe's Guide to Drakkenheim.

[@CBCB8282]

The highway rider is my favorite subclass in the book. I love it next time I play a rogue I'm going to ask to play it. My wife is currently a ranger 5 rogue 1 in our curse of Strad game, I'm going to see if she wants to go 2 levels in rogue next for highway rider.

[@collinmendon4642]

I would love to see you guys rate the classes and subclasses in Valda's Spire of Secrets. Lots of content to explore and your opinions and ratings are great. Just an idea for more 3rd party content.

[@joedepersiis9150]

Highway rider+ wretched bloodline sorcerer combo feels like a pretty fun way to almost get to be Ghost Rider

[@serioussjam]

I never bought 3th party book because TTRPGs book are expensive and it can be hard to find a book with something you know you gonna like but your videos convince me to buy the grim hollow books

[@TomNelsonBlueRider]

I think I'd personally love trying out the Misfortune Bringer. I think I could build a nice backstory around that. If you're looking for suggestions on other things to review, I'd like to recommend City of Crescent by Metis Creative and their Historica Arcanum game world. I'm going to be running that for my players as soon as they finish their current campaign. The setting for CoC is an alternate history Constantinople in the mid 19th century where magic and non-human races exist. The subclasses are well thought out and thematic and the book contains a lot of material to help build out the game world. (They also have two other books in the series (Empires of the Silk Road: 13th century Silk Road, and Era of the Crusades set in the 12th century.)

[@lukeseigfried7687]

Would love to see Humblewood reviews

[@Doombot221]

The wretched bloodline getting darkvision that works on magical darkness at lvl1 as an option is wildly powerful and I think that is being slept on a bit here. And l since you're a sorcerer you can just dump wisdom and not have to worry about being the scout for the party. Plus, because the flavor text frames it as a daylight kind of issue, I can see ways that a permissive DM could even allow certain loopholes for the disadvantage. For example, would it matter that it's technically daytime if the party is in an underground cave dungeon? Another thought is that the hex on ability checks and saving throws could also be used outside of combat situations such as interactions. I have this idea in my head that you could potentially cast darkness you can see thru, and then guide your party through the darkness while giving an enemy/monster disadvantage on perception to find them. It seems like there are fun opportunities to play cat and mouse with the archetype and agree it should be a strong A-tier

[@TheRealMuckluck]

10:01 With regards to slightly buffing *Desperado*, my suggestion is to change the trigger to the following: "... when you _or a member of your party that you can see within 30 feet_ are reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to ...", and so on. Alternatively, have it be that if you use Desperado to attack your killer/the creature who reduced you to 0 hit points, you: 1. Immediately draw and reload a one-handed ranged weapon, if you aren't holding a loaded one already. 2. If your counter attack reduces your attacker to 0 hit points, you fall prone (as if you had been reduced to 0 hit points), but you are instead reduced to 1 hit point. Risk/reward.

[@bearcat1868]

I'd be curious to hear your takes on the Humblewood subclasses, now that they've been added to D&D Beyond.

[@Dnicole32]

You guys had this as a focus for potentially mounted combat. Did you ever consider or is there a reason you didn’t pump up that mount for like the level 17 feat. Like giving them find greater steed as an additional feature at those later levels?

[@NXPhoenix3]

The latent 3.5 player in me is drunk on the thought of the Wretched bloodline's Bad Luck Charm. Save-or-suck! Save-or-suck! Save-or-suck! I'd argue it also has uses beyond your own save-or-suck spells--the effect is on the target's next roll, which doesn't necessarily need to be on your turn. You could Bad Luck Charm a target to set up another party member who goes after you and has a clutch save-based ability ready to go. The 5th+ level Monk will love you for setting up their Stunning Strike. The Battle Master fighter will appreciate the shenanigans you can let them reliably do. Paladin smite spells (e.g. Wrathful Smite, Blinding Smite) just got more wicked. If someone absolutely, positively needs to grapple an enemy you're their friend. Think of all the subclasses, features, and feats that would be great if the targets could more reliably fail their saves. Your wretched self is their patron saint and you still have whatever shenanigans you can do with your regular action. I am now tempted to make a support Wretched Sorcerer...

[@RLKmedic0315]

Will any of these sub classes be available on Beyond? If so, any idea when?

[@palatonian9618]

I wanted to say on the curse of the ruined ability, I think while it is much less powerful than abilities you can use after seeing the roll, it is easy to use it in ways that arent wasteful. When the spell caster casts hold monster or hypnotic pattern or any important spell, you use curse of the ruined to debuff their save like heightened spell. It's not a waste because you are debuffing. And if i am understanding it right, it stacks with disadvantage making it synergistic with heightened spell. Also I want to go on the record that I think silvery barbs is cheap and lame and this is way more interesting and fun

[@jmoneyow]

could you guys do a tier ranking on the new humblewood subclasses? i think the fighter one looks very interesting back i would like to see an outside opinion

[@DungeonDudes]

It’s on the list

[@Smeelio]

Could you use Little Death for healing? I might be misreading, but it looks like no matter what you come back to life with half your maximum hitpoints, so if you used the spell at 1hp you'd be getting a pretty significant "heal" when the spell ends (and really it's worthwhile if you are any significant amount below half HP when you cast it, provided you don't mind losing the slot and/or have something useful to do as a ghost as well)

[@parko246]

Can you attempt a non partisan review of your modules on roll 20 and foundry?

[@parkermiller1631]

My big thing is that, as with the Misfortune Bringer’s Jynx points (and BM superiority / Bard’s Bardic Inspo), there are sometimes arbitrary amounts of limited uses for abilities. And I think (and I know this is third party BUT) with dnd trying to be streamlined and easy to digest. Most resources like that should depend on PB. It would make resource management make so much more sense and would reflect the characters growing stronger more accurately.

[@jasonlehman4591]

I would love to see your take on MrRhexx MonsterClasses.

[@TheRealMuckluck]

Me, reading Bad Luck Charm: "You get a Disintegrate! And you get a Disintegrate! Everybody gets a Disintegrate!" Requires high level, yes, but whew ... and since you already debuffed them with Bad Luck Charm as a separate bonus action, if you're in a fight involving a hostile spellcaster, you can use your metamagic slot for the Disintegrate spell to make it subtle ... meaning you can cast it even if you're silenced or unable to move your arms, AND it can't even be counterspelled! In other words, Wretched bloodline sorcerers are the best ever at hitting enemies with Disintegrate without anything interfering.

[@captainthorrek262]

Out of these characters, I would grab Haunted Sorcerer in an instant. Flavor him to be a kind of kid version of John Wick, and have the Specter be his dog!

[@freedomphantom5]

My issue with the haunted ones spell list is unseen servant. Anything that spell can do the specter can do

[@TheDemosthones]

My book shows that the misfortune bringer rogue starts with 3 jinx points? Where are you gettinf your clips or the sources you are showing?

[@majinsole8554]

Desperado is such a fun badass feature. ~_~

[@shinemoon4673]

There should be a warlock subclass that "back loads" its expanded spell list. Choice spells added in the last 2 to 4 spell levels.

[@not-a-theist8251]

Damit the high way rider is staaaacked haha. Mjakea sense for a rogue to have lots of abilities on lvl 3 I think just because they get their second subclass features so late.

[@guamae]

Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul really *broke* Sorcerer subclasses... At my table, we give all subclasses expanded spell lists, and take away retraining.... I Really Hope this is all fixed in 6e...

[@zeestar0112]

wretched bloodline sorcerer with levels in hexblade or celestial warlock is flavorful. Yes, they are twins teehee

[@robertlindholm3315]

You guys got sent to the barber!

[@JadeFalcon07]

I wanted to make a cowboy halfling rogue, and Highway Rider sounds perfect. Was planning on using inquisitive rogue and imagined the insightful fighting as a western staredown. I'm curious how these stack against eachother. Edit: been playing this character in BG3 as a thief and dual wielding hand crossbows giving me 3 attacks.

[@OnetastyJoe]

The hair trigger ability is really cool and original. Something related to the function of it is a bit well... i dont know what to call it. The issue would be that i dont think people would be walking around holding their weapons, so in their first turn they draw their weapons, this supersedes that and to attack you would need to draw the weapon right? I KNOW this is super nitpicky but there are dungeon masters that care about this and that kinda removes the ability of making an attack with the feature. Just wanted to point this out if it could still be reworded to consider this scenario.

[@DungeonDudes]

They draw their weapon as part of the action, the idea is that they are a quick-draw expert. The weapon isn’t being held, they pull it out and attack like the classic cowboy movies.

[@foolwise4703]

At my table, all sorcerers just get a flavor-adjusted expanded spell list. Not retrainable though.

[@jonathanstern5537]

Recomendation for 3rd party content: Tome of Heroes by Kobold Press. It's huge, you can do new races, subclasses, backgrounds, tools, etc.

[@RFSCaveman]

Would be cool to see you guys cover the subclasses in Dante's Guide to the Inferno by Acheron Games

[@nicolasv6031]

Would it be too broken to add this to the 17th level feature of the Highway Rider Rogue? When a creature you can see within 60 feet of you attacks you, you can use your reaction to take one of the actions listed in your Hair Trigger feature. The chosen action takes place after the triggering attack. You can use this a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier, regaining spent uses on a long rest. I feel like this would be good to add in addition to the 0 hit points part, as the current version doesn't take place that often, making it feel like a no-feature until the rare moment you're brought to 0 hp, as at that level, you can easily have over 100 hp

[@AllHailSp00nRiver]

Will these make their way to DND beyond?

[@eyedoc8567]

Any idea when Sebastian's Guide will be available on D&D Beyond?

[@DungeonDudes]

That’s up to D&D beyond.

[@andremoreira2785]

Please make an Echo Knight video

[@john-rossmorland]

The sound on the advert at the start was a bit off for some reason.