Hit Point Press reveals a criminal underworld for 5e in Most Wanted

Hit Point Press has revealed the cover art for its upcoming 5e-compatible supplement, Big Bads: Most Wanted, signalling a shift in focus from solitary monsters to coordinated criminal syndicates. The new book, which follows the success of the original Big Bads anthology, aims to provide Dungeon Masters with a gallery of sophisticated antagonists designed to challenge high-level adventuring parties.

The cover, illustrated by Phoebe Low, features a lineup of the book’s primary antagonists. Unlike the previous volume’s focus on world-ending threats, Most Wanted leans into the tropes of heist films and organised crime, presenting villains who rely on cunning, loyalty, and resources rather than just raw destructive power.

Criminal masterminds and lethal syndicates

According to Hit Point Press, the book will include detailed profiles for several “Most Wanted” individuals and their respective organisations. These aren’t just stat blocks; they are fully fleshed-out entities with motivations, regional influences, and tactical nuances.

One of the highlighted groups is the Ironbound Syndicate, a paramilitary group led by a disgraced knight-commander. Another featured villain is The Gilded Whisper, a master of information brokerage who operates from the shadows of a metropolitan trade hub. By providing these backstories, the supplement allows DMs to weave these villains into long-term campaigns rather than using them as one-off encounters.

Emily Hancock, Lead Designer at Hit Point Press, said in a statement, “With Big Bads: Most Wanted, we wanted to explore the idea of villains who have a support system. It’s one thing to fight a dragon in its lair; it’s another thing entirely to dismantle a criminal empire that has the local guards on its payroll.”

Expanded mechanics for 5e

Beyond the lore, the supplement introduces new mechanics designed to simulate the feeling of being hunted – or doing the hunting. This includes:

• Infamy Tracks: A system for tracking the party’s reputation with various syndicates.
• Lair Actions for Organisations: Mechanics that allow a villain to influence the battlefield even when they aren’t physically present.
• Bounty Hunter Subclasses: New options for players who want to specialise in bringing these “Most Wanted” targets to justice.

For collectors and DMs looking to stock their digital or physical shelves, Big Bads: Most Wanted is expected to follow the standard Hit Point Press release cycle, with digital PDFs likely appearing on DriveThruRPG alongside physical copies.

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