Horde Breaker (Melee)

Horde Breaker (Melee) is a Hunter Ranger class action. This ability allows them to deal damage an additional nearby target.

Description

Target two creatures standing close to each other. Deal Weapon DamagePhysical to the first creature and open up the second for a follow-up attack.

Properties

Cost

 Action

Damage

Normal weapon damage

Details

Attack roll

AoE: 1.5 m / 5 ft (Radius)

Recharge: Per turn

Condition: Horde Breaker

 Horde Breaker

Duration: 1 turn

• Creature is open to a follow-up attack.

How to learn

Classes:

• Class level 3: Hunter

Notes

• The additional attack can be against anyone in AoE: 1.5 m / 5 ft (Radius) around the target of this ability. Every creature in the area receives  Horde Breaker condition, even if the attack misses, marking them as eligible for the follow up attack. The Hunter can use a Horde Breaker Follow-Up to make an attack against any of these creatures as a Free Action, even if the starting attack misses.
• The follow-up attack can be either a  Horde Breaker Follow-Up (Melee) or a  Horde Breaker Follow-Up (Ranged), no matter if starting with a different weapon type, e.g. a ranged horde breaker attack can be followed by a free melee attack against a nearby enemy. Using either of them expires the condition in other creatures.
• Some abilities expected to affect the original Horde Breaker target might instead trigger to a random enemy in the Horde Breaker zone. This is known to happen with  Ability Drain,  Sneak Attack and Boots of Stormy Clamour.
  • As these abilities are triggered after the base attack, they will always be applied to random enemies in the area if the targeted enemy is killed, which can be used on player's advantage.
• To make use of Horde Breaker more regularly, the Ranger can use abilities repositioning enemies closer to eachother, without costing a whole action:
  •  Shove
  •  Sorrowful Lash cantrip, a variation of  Thorn Whip costing only a bonus action, granted by Sorrow
  •  Pushing Attack (Titanstring Bow), granted by Titanstring Bow
  •  Enraged Throw throw enemies into each other so they are close enough for Horde Breaker (if multiclassing with Berserker)
  •  Pushing Attack (Melee) and  Pushing Attack (Ranged) manoeuvres (if multiclassing with Battle Master)
• Some weapons have abilities capable to trigger to targets (including teammates, but excluding the Horde Breaker character) in area when they receive Horde Breaker condition - likely a bug. Known weapons to interact with Horde Breaker are:
  • The Watcher's Guide can add  True Strike to a nearby enemy and a nearby ally if the original target is hit.
  • Weapons forcing all enemies in Horde Breaker area to roll a saving throw to avoid receiving a condition: Vision of the Absolute ( Blinded), Bow of the Banshee ( Frightened) and Sussur Greatsword ( Silenced). Probably works as well for Sussur Dagger and Sussur Sickle.
  • Shortsword of First Blood ability Break the Unbroken activates dealing 1d8Piercing to targets that still have all their hit points.
  • Rat Bat unnamed ability deals 1d6PiercingDRS at all targets.
  •  Greataxes ability  Prepare deals [Strength modifier]PhysicalDRS damage to all targets.