Wavewarden

The Wavewarden is a ranger tradition built upon a deep understanding of the ocean's rhythm. These warriors are not conquerors of the sea, nor do they seek to bend it to their will. Instead, they dedicate themselves to preserving the fragile balance between the world above and the depths below.

Wavewardens are the explorers who venture beyond known waters, the scouts who chart dangerous currents, and the guardians who stand watch over isolated shores. They know that the ocean is both a source of life and a place of endless danger, and they have sworn themselves to protect those who depend upon it.

Many Wavewardens serve aboard ships as navigators, scouts, and hunters, guiding crews through treacherous waters and defending them from pirates, monsters, and the dangers hidden beneath the waves. Others patrol remote islands, forgotten coastlines, and ancient ruins swallowed by the sea, ensuring that threats from the deep remain forgotten.

Their greatest skill is their ability to read what others cannot. A Wavewarden can sense a coming storm by the movement of the wind, track a creature through empty waters by the disturbance of waves, and navigate the ocean using knowledge passed down through generations of seafarers.

To a Wavewarden, every wave tells a story. Every current carries a warning. Every horizon holds a secret waiting to be discovered.

They are not the masters of the ocean.

They are its keepers.

Level 3: Eyes of the Horizon

You gain the following benefits:

Ocean's Awareness

You gain proficiency with water vehicles and navigator's tools.

If you already have proficiency with either, you instead gain proficiency in one of the following skills:

• Perception
• Survival
• Nature
• Stealth

Additionally, you gain advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks made while near or on water.

Mark of the Wavewarden

As a bonus action, you can mark one creature you can see within 90 feet as your quarry for 1 hour.

While a creature is marked:

• You always know the creature's direction as long as it is within 1 mile of you and on the same plane of existence.
• You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track it.
• The first time you hit the marked creature on each of your turns, it takes additional damage equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1).

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Tideborn Movement

Your connection to the sea allows you to move through coastal environments with ease.

You gain the following benefits:

• You ignore difficult terrain caused by sand, mud, shallow water, and natural coastal terrain.
• You have advantage on checks made to resist being knocked prone or moved by waves, currents, or unstable surfaces.

Level 7: Sentinel of the Swell

You gain the following benefits:

Unbroken Awareness

You cannot be surprised while you are conscious.

Additionally, you add your Wisdom modifier to your initiative rolls.

Warning Current

When you or a creature within 30 feet of you makes an initiative roll, you can use your reaction to grant that creature a surge of awareness.

The creature gains a bonus to its initiative equal to your Wisdom modifier.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Coastal Adaptation

Your experience traveling across dangerous waters has made you exceptionally resilient.

You gain resistance to one of the following damage types:

• Cold
• Lightning
• Poison

You may change your chosen resistance after completing a long rest.

Additionally, you have advantage on saving throws against environmental effects caused by:

• Storms
• Extreme weather
• Strong currents
• Natural hazards

Level 11: Hunter Beneath the Waves

You gain the following benefits:

Deepwater Pursuit

You gain a swimming speed equal to your walking speed, and you can breathe both air and water.

Additionally, while underwater:

• You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
• You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track creatures.
• Your movement is not slowed by underwater environments.

Predator of the Current

When you hit a creature marked by your Mark of the Wavewarden feature, you can force the creature to reveal itself to your senses.

Until the end of your next turn:

• The creature cannot benefit from invisibility against you.
• You know the creature's location if it is within 60 feet of you.
• The creature cannot hide from you unless it has total cover.

Additionally, your first attack against a marked creature each round deals an additional 1d8 damage.

Relentless Pursuit

When a creature you can see moves away from you, you may use your reaction to move up to half your speed toward it without provoking opportunity attacks.

If you end this movement within range of the creature, you may make one weapon attack against it.

You can use Relentless Pursuit a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Level 15: Tidebound Predator

You gain the following benefits:

Predator's Instinct

You have advantage on initiative rolls against creatures that are marked by your Mark of the Wavewarden feature.

Additionally, when you hit your marked creature with a weapon attack, you can choose to learn one of the following:

• The creature's current hit points.
• One damage resistance or immunity it possesses.
• One damage vulnerability it possesses.
• One condition it is currently affected by.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

No Escape From the Tide

When a creature marked by your Mark of the Wavewarden moves more than 15 feet away from you, you may use your reaction to move up to your speed toward it.

This movement:

• Does not provoke opportunity attacks.
• Ignores difficult terrain.
• Allows you to move across water and vertical surfaces during the movement.

If you end this movement within range of the creature, you may make one weapon attack against it.

Legendary Navigator

Your bond with the sea has become supernatural.

You gain the following benefits:

• You cannot become lost except by magical means.
• You always know your exact location while on a ship or within natural ocean environments.
• You have advantage on saving throws against exhaustion caused by travel, weather, starvation, or dehydration.
• You and any creatures traveling with you can move at a normal pace while navigating difficult ocean environments.