# Vermin Lord *[ranger](ranger.md): Ranger Archetype* *Source: Grim Hollow: The Player's Guide* > [!tldr] Class and Feature Progression > > <table class="class-progression"> > <thead> > <tr><th colspan='3'></th></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><th class"level">Level</th><th class"pb">PB</th><th class"feature">Features</th></tr> > </thead><tbody> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">1st</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">2nd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">3rd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Vermin Lord (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Vermin Lord</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">4th</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">5th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">6th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">7th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Filth and Fortitude (Level 7)' class='internal-link'>Filth and Fortitude</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">8th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">9th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">10th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">11th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Infectious Spread (Level 11)' class='internal-link'>Infectious Spread</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">12th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">13th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">14th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">15th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Strength of the Swarm (Level 15)' class='internal-link'>Strength of the Swarm</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">16th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">17th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">18th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">19th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">20th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > </tbody></table> ^class-progression ## Class Features ### Vermin Lord (Level 3) Vermin Lords cultivate loyal hordes of disease-bearing rodents to help them in their efforts to stem a greater evil. For many of these rangers, that greater evil is some kind of societal ill, but a rare few see their fellow humanoids as an infestation that threatens the natural world. Regardless of their goal, they make their homes in sewers, slums, and other forgotten places, where they are free to plot against their enemies and tend to their vermin kin. ### Vermin Lord Magic (Level 3) Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Vermin Lord Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of ranger spells you know. **Vermin Lord Spells** | Ranger Level | Spell | |--------------|-------| | 3rd | [consumption](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/consumption-ghpg.md) | | 5th | [animal messenger](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/animal-messenger-xphb.md) | | 9th | [flash fever](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/flash-fever-ghpg.md) | | 13th | [freedom of movement](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/freedom-of-movement-xphb.md) | | 17th | [contagion](/3-Content/Compendiums/spells/contagion-xphb.md) | ^vermin-lord-spells ### Verminkin (Level 3) At 3rd level, you can comprehend and verbally communicate with vermin (mice, rats, and other rodents determined by your DM). Additionally, you can use an action and expend a spell slot to summon rodent hordes. When you do, you summon a number of swarms of vermin equal to the level of spell slot expended. Each swarm is summoned to a space you can see within 30 feet. This feature recharges after a short or long rest. Swarms summoned in this way go on your initiative, starting on your next turn. These swarms obey your verbal commands (no action required by you), defending themselves by taking the [Dodge](/3-Content/Rules/actions.md#Dodge) action if you do not give them a command. Your vermin swarms flee the area and disperse after 1 minute. ### Septic Strikes (Level 3) At 3rd level, you leave a septic filth behind to fester in the wounds caused by your and your verminkin's attacks. As a bonus action, you can choose any number of creatures within 60 feet of you that took damage from a weapon attack made by you or your swarm of vermin this turn. Chosen creatures take `d4` necrotic damage. ### Filth and Fortitude (Level 7) By 7th level, the time you've spent with plaguebearing rodents has rendered you immune to disease. Additionally, you gain proficiency with Constitution saving throws. ### Infectious Spread (Level 11) At 11th level, when you use your bonus action to deal the damage granted by your Septic Strikes feature, each creature that takes damage must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to your ranger spell save DC. On a failure, the creature becomes [poisoned](/3-Content/Rules/conditions.md#Poisoned) until the start of your next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum once). You regain all expended uses of this feature when you finish a long rest. ### Strength of the Swarm (Level 15) At 15th level, while you have a swarm of vermin summoned with your Verminkin feature, you can call on your rodent minions for defense. When you take damage while one or more of your swarms of rats are within 5 feet, you can use your reaction and choose one of those swarms to take the damage instead.