Hedge Mages learn magic through demonstration, repetition, and practical need: a whispered rhyme from a mentor, a knot tied in the right cord, or a pinch of ash scattered into the wind. They are arcane spellcasters, but their craft is personal and adaptable rather than academic. A Hedge Mage's defining talent is making a spell work with whatever is on hand, even when the expected materials are nowhere to be found.
Magic taught hand to hand, made from whatever the moment provides.
Full arcane spellcaster; adaptable problem-solver and battlefield controller.
At a glance
Hit die d6
Intelligence
ConstitutionYou gain spellcasting, using Intelligence as your spellcasting ability. You know three cantrips from the Hedge Mage spell list and prepare a number of level 1 or higher spells equal to your Intelligence modifier plus your Hedge Mage level; you can change your prepared spells when you finish a Long Rest. You use the full-caster spell slot progression, and you can use a component pouch, but not an arcane focus, to provide material components.
You can cast a prepared spell even if you lack its non-costly, non-consumed material components. Describe or produce a plausible improvised substitute, such as a pinch of dust or a bit of thread; the DM determines whether the circumstances permit it. You must still provide any material component with a listed cost, and any component the spell consumes.
Choose one skill from Arcana, History, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, or Survival in which you lack proficiency. You gain proficiency in it, reflecting a practical knack learned outside formal instruction.
You gain a subclass of your choice. Your choice grants features at levels 3, 6, 10, and 14.
Your spellcasting is difficult to interrupt. You have Advantage on Constitution saving throws you make to maintain Concentration on a spell when you take damage.
Ability Score Improvement
You learn one additional cantrip from the Hedge Mage spell list. When you finish a Long Rest, you can replace one cantrip gained from this class with another Hedge Mage cantrip.
Your subclass grants you a feature.
When you cast a spell using a spell slot, you can use a Bonus Action to manipulate a small nearby object or natural material as part of the same casting. The object can make a harmless sensory effect or a simple, non-damaging movement, subject to the DM's judgment.
Ability Score Improvement
When you finish a Short Rest, choose one prepared spell of level 1 or higher. You can replace it with another Hedge Mage spell of the same level from your spell list.
Your subclass grants you a feature.
When you cast a spell that has a range of Touch, you can instead give the spell a range of 30 feet. If the spell requires a melee spell attack, it instead requires a ranged spell attack.
Ability Score Improvement
You learn one additional cantrip from the Hedge Mage spell list. You can replace one cantrip gained from this class with another Hedge Mage cantrip when you finish a Long Rest.
Your subclass grants you a feature.
When you cast a spell using a spell slot, you can choose to cast it without verbal components. Once you use this benefit, you can't use it again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.
Ability Score Improvement
When you roll Initiative and have no level 1 or higher spell slots remaining, you regain one level 1 spell slot.
You learn one additional cantrip from the Hedge Mage spell list. You can replace one cantrip gained from this class with another Hedge Mage cantrip when you finish a Long Rest.
Ability Score Improvement and Epic Boon
When you finish a Short Rest, you regain expended spell slots with a combined level of no more than 6. None of the slots can be level 6 or higher. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest.
IntelligenceConstitutionHit pointsHit Point Die: D6 per Hedge Mage level. Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier. Hit Points at Higher Levels: (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per Hedge Mage level after 1st.
Saving throwsIntelligence and Wisdom saving throw proficiencies. Light armor proficiency; no shield proficiency.
ArmorLight armor.
WeaponsSimple weapons.
ToolsNone.
Saving ThrowsIntelligence and Wisdom. Choose two skills from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, and Survival.
EquipmentChoose the standard starting equipment for a spellcaster, including a component pouch; an arcane focus cannot replace material components for Hedge Mage spells.
Skill choicesArcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Survival
ResourceSpell slots, using the standard full-caster spell slot progression. Hedge Mages prepare spells rather than relying on a fixed list of spells known.
MulticlassingPrerequisite: Intelligence 13. When you multiclass into Hedge Mage, you gain proficiency in one skill from the Hedge Mage skill list. For spell slots, combine Hedge Mage levels with levels in other spellcasting classes using the multiclass spellcaster rules. You cannot use an arcane focus for Hedge Mage spells; a component pouch and Improvised Components function as described by this class.
You are a full spellcaster and use the standard full-caster spell slot progression.
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability; your spell save DC equals 8 + your Intelligence modifier + your Proficiency Bonus, and your spell attack modifier equals your Intelligence modifier + your Proficiency Bonus. You prepare spells from the Hedge Mage spell list after a Long Rest. You cannot use an arcane focus to replace material components; you may use a component pouch, or use Improvised Components for eligible material components.
A trusted creature is more than a familiar: it is a partner in every working.
You learned magic to keep people safe, warm, and well.
You survive by turning the unexpected into an advantage.
Hedge Mages learn magic through demonstration, repetition, and practical need: a whispered rhyme from a mentor, a knot tied in the right cord, or a pinch of ash scattered into the wind.
They are arcane spellcasters, but their craft is personal and adaptable rather than academic. A Hedge Mage's defining talent is making a spell work with whatever is on hand, even when the expected materials are nowhere to be found.
You play as a full arcane spellcaster with broad spell access and an emphasis on solving problems creatively.
Plan your prepared spells, but stay attentive to the objects and materials around you: Improvised Components let you cast many spells without carrying their usual mundane ingredients. You remain physically fragile, so use positioning, control, and allies to avoid being cornered.
There is no single Hedge Mage curriculum.
An apprentice usually begins by helping a practitioner with ordinary work, learning safety, materials, and small workings by imitation. A mentor may teach through songs, recipes, chores, riddles, or repeated demonstrations; apprentices often inherit a few habits but develop their own methods over time.
Ordinary people often find Hedge Mages reassuringly practical, if a little strange.
Rural communities may seek them out for small curses, stubborn ailments, and warding rites; formal mages may dismiss them as unschooled, while those who have seen their work know better.
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