While a Ranger is your best bet for a classic Witcher-style monster hunter, any class can work. A cleric or paladin who hunts down undead and other abominations is a cool option!
Otherwise you could use pretty much any class with a little tweaking, Warlocks might hunt down creatures for their patron, the aforementioned Cleric/Paladin undead hunter, Fighter or Rogue for that bounty hunter or big game hunter vibe, Druids who try to prevent monsters form encroaching on civilisation (because if they do encroach the civilised lands will likely lay waste to the wilds to get rid of the monster), Sorcerer and Wizards might go monster hunting for spell components, Monks might go monster hunting to test themselves and Bards might do it just to create songs and tales of their own heroism.
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I would probably recommend either a Scout or Arcane Trickster Rogue or an Eldritch Knight Fighter. Scout Rogue is very Ranger equivalent but no spells - and the other two are obviously spellcasters. To really have a Ranger-like feel without being a Ranger - spells are kinda required. A Scout Rogue could get a similar feel with Magic Initiate or one of the new Tasha's Fey/Shadow Touched Feats - or a racial feat like Wood Elf Magic - or a dip into full caster like Warlock or Wizard or even Druid.
There are loads more options than that though. Pact of the Blade Warlock (with Improved Pact Weapon Invocation for bows) or Kensei Monk just to name two.
I agree with the above comment. There are many different types of characters that could be monster hunters. There are also definitely some spells that could sort of replicate the Monster Hunter's features. Even a full caster class with some training in weapon use, such as a Bladesinger Wizard or College of Swords Bard, could be tweaked a bit to resemble this subclass of Ranger. Even though both have something to do with music, you could have the music be something that most wouldn't count as music and be hard to identify as music. For example, the blood of your prey dripping out onto the ground or the sound of your weapon gouging into your target.
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I am a Sauce Acolyte, Sauce Knight, Sauce Defender, Sauce Monk, Sauce Brewer, and Sauce Priest of the Supreme Court of Sauce because of my homebrew Rogue subclass, the Hot One, as well as my homebrew spell,Saucy Creation. Oh, I'm also a Sauce Serenader for the College of Sauce.
It's probably a matter of how each person views the general concept of a monster hunter. To me it's all about this regular adventurer overcoming the odds through sheer grit and skill. In that sense I think a fighter is the most appropriate... It also creates a better contrast to the fantasical monsters that you're gonna be fighting... Bladesingers are cool, but at that point you're a magical being fighting another magical being... not really the flavor I'd be looking for.
Vengeance Paladin, Blood Hunter, the UA monster hunter fighter, or even kensei monk could all work quite well, also you take pretty much any character and give them a monster-hunter sort of backstory, but idk.
is there any way i can be monster hunter without being a ranger(i dont like rangers) i would love to hear your ideas
While a Ranger is your best bet for a classic Witcher-style monster hunter, any class can work. A cleric or paladin who hunts down undead and other abominations is a cool option!
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You have the Bloodhunter as well which could be viable: https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/blood-hunter
Otherwise you could use pretty much any class with a little tweaking, Warlocks might hunt down creatures for their patron, the aforementioned Cleric/Paladin undead hunter, Fighter or Rogue for that bounty hunter or big game hunter vibe, Druids who try to prevent monsters form encroaching on civilisation (because if they do encroach the civilised lands will likely lay waste to the wilds to get rid of the monster), Sorcerer and Wizards might go monster hunting for spell components, Monks might go monster hunting to test themselves and Bards might do it just to create songs and tales of their own heroism.
I would probably recommend either a Scout or Arcane Trickster Rogue or an Eldritch Knight Fighter. Scout Rogue is very Ranger equivalent but no spells - and the other two are obviously spellcasters. To really have a Ranger-like feel without being a Ranger - spells are kinda required. A Scout Rogue could get a similar feel with Magic Initiate or one of the new Tasha's Fey/Shadow Touched Feats - or a racial feat like Wood Elf Magic - or a dip into full caster like Warlock or Wizard or even Druid.
There are loads more options than that though. Pact of the Blade Warlock (with Improved Pact Weapon Invocation for bows) or Kensei Monk just to name two.
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Now, someone come up with an Insect Glaive I can use... and you betcha... Rogue Scout would be a perfect fit!
Might help to specify when you say monster hunter.
Guy with giant weapons made of bones and fangs with a little kitty sidekick?
Grim guy with silver hair, two swords, and an uncanny knack for describing the weather?
Doctor who loves crossbows and cool hats and hates vampires?
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I agree with the above comment. There are many different types of characters that could be monster hunters. There are also definitely some spells that could sort of replicate the Monster Hunter's features. Even a full caster class with some training in weapon use, such as a Bladesinger Wizard or College of Swords Bard, could be tweaked a bit to resemble this subclass of Ranger. Even though both have something to do with music, you could have the music be something that most wouldn't count as music and be hard to identify as music. For example, the blood of your prey dripping out onto the ground or the sound of your weapon gouging into your target.
I am a Sauce Acolyte, Sauce Knight, Sauce Defender, Sauce Monk, Sauce Brewer, and Sauce Priest of the Supreme Court of Sauce because of my homebrew Rogue subclass, the Hot One, as well as my homebrew spell, Saucy Creation. Oh, I'm also a Sauce Serenader for the College of Sauce.
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It's probably a matter of how each person views the general concept of a monster hunter. To me it's all about this regular adventurer overcoming the odds through sheer grit and skill. In that sense I think a fighter is the most appropriate... It also creates a better contrast to the fantasical monsters that you're gonna be fighting... Bladesingers are cool, but at that point you're a magical being fighting another magical being... not really the flavor I'd be looking for.
I would suggest going for a Paladin of Vengeance, choosing shadow themed spells with a 20 strength.
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Vengeance Paladin, Blood Hunter, the UA monster hunter fighter, or even kensei monk could all work quite well, also you take pretty much any character and give them a monster-hunter sort of backstory, but idk.
Mystic v3 should be official, nuff said.
Also use the class money option, spend your extra money on vials and acid.
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Threads: Cult of Chaos, The Supreme Court of Sauce.
The First Archpriest of The Supreme Court of Sauce (now just a priest)
First member of the Chaos Council.
Click here if you are cool