Hero Class

Houndmaster

The Houndmaster is one of the playable Heroes in Darkest Dungeon. Extremely well-rounded and flexible, he can hit any rank from almost any rank, has strong {{Mark|-}} synergies, can {{Guard|-}} allies, DODGE tank, stun enemies, heal party stress, heal his own health, and prevent Night-Time Ambush. And with overall decent stats (including very high {{Trap|-}} disarm chance), there are very few things the Houndmaster ''can't'' do. Provided that he is equipped with the right trinkets and skills, the Houndmaster can have great synergy with almost any party composition.

SupportStunner

Featured in comps

A Mark Comp A Houndmaster Anchor A Shrieker Hunt A Flesh Bleeder

Recommended for

Best trinkets All trinkets →

Scouting Whistle A

scouting +20 (torchb: 51) · +20% Trap Resist

Ancestor's Map S

+25% Trap Resist · scouting +25

Sun Ring S

+10% DMG (torcha: 75) · +5% ACC (torcha: 75)

Ancestor's Lantern S

-20% Party Surprise · +20% Monster Surprise

Class-locked

Battered Lawman's Badge CR

Evidence of Corruption CR

Huskfang Whistle CO

Combat Skills

A tough and uncommonly compassionate ex-lawman, the Houndmaster and his faithful Wolfhound work in tandem to bring down their enemies and protect the innocent. Together they stalk the back ranks, bursting forth in a flurry of harrying bleeds, gnashing teeth, and stunning blows. Should the tide of battle turn, the pair can support an ailing party by protecting the weak, and rallying the stressed.

— Guild

Note: New Houndmasters will always come with the Hound's Rush skill.

(All buffs and debuffs last for 3 rounds unless otherwise specified.)

Hound's Rush#

Range: Ranged
Rank
Target
Damage: +0%
Accuracy: 85
Crit: 5%

EffectBleed (100% base)
1 pts/rd for 3 rds
+15% DMG vs Beast
+60% DMG vs Marked

Hound's Harry#

Range: Ranged
Rank
Target
Damage: -75%
Accuracy: 85
Crit: -5%

EffectBleed (110% base)
1 pts/rd for 3 rds

Target Whistle#

Range: Ranged
Rank
Target
Damage: -100%
Accuracy: 100
Crit

EffectMark Target (3 rds)
-20% PROT (130% base, 4 rds)

Cry Havoc#

Rank
Target

EffectStress -2 (66% base)

Guard Dog#

Rank
Target

EffectGuard Ally (2 rds)

Self+10 DODGE (3 rds)

Lick Wounds#

Rank
Target: Self
Heal: 4

Blackjack#

Range: Melee
Rank
Target
Damage: -65%
Accuracy: 95
Crit: 5%

EffectStun (110% base)

Camping Skills

A clever lawman knows the value of preparedness and information. To this end, the Houndmaster can send his Wolfhound to scout ahead, or put him on watch to ensure a good night's rest. If spirits are low, the dog's affectionate companionship can soften the heart, and ease the mind.

— Survivalist

Camping skills are special skills heroes can use while they are camping. They take a certain number of "respite" points to use, and can only be used once per camp (unless the skill says otherwise). Most heroes have three shared camping skills and all heroes have 4 unique camping skills (with the Flagellant being the exception, having only unique camping skills). Only 4 of these can be equipped at one time. Any Buffs or lasting effects given from a camping skill lasts for 4 battles.

The Houndmaster focuses on using his hound to keep the party safe and set their minds at ease. His hound can also scout ahead or keep watch during the night.

Equipment

Still clad in his worn Gendarme's uniform, the Houndmaster's focus is on evasion over mitigation. His cudgel is an effective stunning tool, but it is the Hound who delivers the pair's most crippling blows, especially when he's been fed an invigorating snack!

— Blacksmith

Equipment upgrades are all bought at the Blacksmith:

Cudgel & Collar
Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 4			Level 5
	Crude Cudgel, Frayed Collar			Sturdy Cudgel, Rope Collar			Fine Cudgel, Leather Collar			Studded Cudgel & Collar			Lawbringer
	DMG base:	4-7		DMG base:	5-8		DMG base:	6-10		DMG base:	6-11		DMG base:	7-13
	CRT base:	4.0%		CRT base:	5.0%		CRT base:	6.0%		CRT base:	7.0%		CRT base:	8.0%
	SPD base:	5		SPD base:	5		SPD base:	6		SPD base:	6		SPD base:	7
Leather Vest
Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 4			Level 5
	Ragged Leather Vest			Stitched Leather Vest			Resilient Leather Vest			Splinted Leather Vest			Gendarme's Pride
	DODGE base:	10		DODGE base:	15		DODGE base:	20		DODGE base:	25		DODGE base:	30
	HP base:	21		HP base:	25		HP base:	29		HP base:	33		HP base:	37

Each Hero has Trinkets unique to them that only they can equip. The Houndmaster has seven; 2 common, 2 Crimson Court and 1 uncommon, rare and very rare. In the base game, his common trinkets are whistles, his uncommon trinket is a weight for his club and his high level trinkets are dog collars. The Color of Madness DLC adds another whistle, though one covered in crystal, while The Crimson Court DLC adds incriminating evidence and his old badge from when he was a lawman.

Name	Rarity	Class	Dungeon	Effect	Notes
Agility Whistle	Common	Houndmaster		+4 DODGE +1 SPD -20% Debuff Resist
Scouting Whistle	Common	Houndmaster		+20% Scouting Chance if Torch below 51 +20% Trap Disarm Chance	With above 75 light, the Scouting bonus is +15%, while below 51 has no bonus (thus the scouting bonus is a net +5% compared to high light).
Cudgel Weight	Uncommon	Houndmaster		+25% Stun Skill Chance -1 SPD
Protective Collar	Rare	Houndmaster		+12 DODGE -15% DMG
Spiked Collar	Very Rare	Houndmaster	Warrens	+20% DMG +30% Bleed Skill Chance -50% Healing Skills -20% Healing Received

Each hero has a unique trinket set consisting of two hero-exclusive trinkets, and a hero who equips both will gain an additional set bonus. Most heroes' set trinkets can only be found in the Crimson CourtCourtyard and have the rarity Crimson Court. Each set trinket is unique and limited to one copy in the inventory. The Shieldbreaker Shieldbreaker's set trinkets can only be obtained by completing her nightmare encounters and do not interact with Crimson Court The Crimson Court in any way.

Image	Name	Class	Effect	Set Effect	Quote	Notes
	Crimson CourtEvidence of Corruption	Houndmaster	+25% Scouting Chance -15% Chance Party Surprised +10% Stress	+25% DMG vs Bleeding +5% CRIT vs Bleeding	"Even the Chief was in on it."
	Crimson CourtBattered Lawman's Badge	Houndmaster	+15 ACC Ranged Skills +50% Stress Skills while Camping +25% Healing Skills -20% Stun Resist -20% Debuff Resist	+25% DMG vs Bleeding +5% CRIT vs Bleeding	"Even the Chief was in on it."

Color of Madness The Color of Madness DLC introduces trinkets with a new rarity, Crystalline, which must be purchased by spending Crystal Shards at the Jeweler in the Nomad Wagon. There are both generic crystalline trinkets as well as one exclusive crystalline trinket for each hero.

Image	Name	Rarity	Class	Shard Cost	Effect	Notes
	Color of MadnessHuskfang Whistle	Crystalline	Houndmaster	70 Shards	+50% Bleed Skill Chance if Dog Treats in inventory +40% Stress Skills while Guarding -10 DODGE +66% Guard Duration

District

Crimson Court The Crimson Court DLC adds Districts to the Hamlet, some of which confer passive benefits to heroes.

Districts
Name and Image	Effects	Costs
Crimson CourtTraining Ring	Arbalest, Houndmaster, Man-at-Arms, Shieldbreaker, and Musketeer receive: +4 ACC +10% MAX HP	5000 (1000)
		300
		1