The Houndmaster is a extremely flexible and well-rounded support hero in Darkest Dungeon. 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.
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.
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.
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.
"I must rest now, girl. Your nose must guard us tonight."
Therapy Dog
Time Cost
Target
Description
3
All Companions
-10 Stress -10% Stress (4 Battles)
Bark
"An affectionate nuzzle should put your hearts right."
Man's Best Friend
Time Cost
Target
Description
2
Self
-20 Stress
Bark
"Whatever tomorrow brings, six legs are better than two!"
Release the Hound
Time Cost
Target
Description
4
Self
+30% Scouting Chance (4 Battles)
Bark
"Off with you, girl! See what miscreants await us ahead!"
Encourage
Time Cost
Target
Description
2
One Companion
-15 Stress
Bark
"Keep your minds clear and watch each other's back. We're partners, after all." "Give her a pet - always brightens the spirit." "We are the hunters, and the law is on our side."
Wound Care
Time Cost
Target
Description
2
One Companion
Heal 15% HP Removes Bleeding Removes Blight
Bark
"The hound's tongue will clean your wounds." "Have a nip of this, always worked for me if some lout cut me on patrol." "Standard constabulatory issue for that sort of ailment."
Pep Talk
Time Cost
Target
Description
2
One Companion
-15% Stress (4 Battles)
Bark
"The hound has the trail. We are certain to succeed." "Every brigand, every miscreant is terrified of those who serve law and order." "We work together, stay focused. We'll get out of this mess."
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!
Unlike other games, equipment upgrades in Darkest Dungeon are linear, 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.
Trinket Image
Trinket Name
Rarity
Class Restriction
Origin Dungeon
Effect
Additional 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
The Crimson Court DLC added special Trinket Sets, two for each hero. They confer powerful bonuses to the hero equipped with them, and having both equipped at once yields an additional bonus, which is shown greyed out at the bottom. The origin dungeon for all Trinket Sets is the Courtyard and they all have the rarity Crimson Court. The Shieldbreaker Trinket Set, however, is only obtainable through her final 6th and 7th nightmare encounters and won't be dropped or given as a reward in the Courtyard. Trinkets you already have will stop dropping, so there's value in not selling the ones you don't like until you get the ones you want.
Trinket Image
Trinket Name
Class Restriction
Effect
Set Effect
Quote
Additional Notes
Evidence 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."
Battered Lawman's Badge
+15 ACC Ranged Skills
+50% Stress Skills while Camping
+25% Healing Skills
-20% Stun Resist
-20% Debuff Resist
The Color of Madness DLC added trinkets with a new rarity, Crystalline. Each hero has their own unique crystalline trinket which can be bought from Jeweler inside the Nomad Wagon with Crystal Shards found within the Farmstead.
Trinket Image
Trinket Name
Rarity
Class Restriction
Shard Cost
Effect
Additional Notes
Huskfang Whistle
Crystalline
Houndmaster
70 Shards
+50% Bleed Skill Chance if Dog Treats in inventory
The table below lists all of the currently available buildings that can be constructed within Hamlet's Districts, the cost of doing so, and the benefits of each individual project.
The gold cost of most Districts in Radiant mode is significantly reduced. The price in Radiant mode is shown in parentheses.
The Houndmaster was released in the Corpse and Hound update on July 15th, 2015.
The Battered Lawman's Badge and Evidence of Corruption trinkets reference the Houndmaster's lore comic which depicts other lawmen killing a missing woman that the Houndmaster was searching for.
This is further evidenced with the quote that is attached to the trinkets.
The current predetermined name for the Houndmaster is Willam, and his hound is named Fergus.
The Dog Treats are a reference to the Scooby Snacks from Scooby Doo.
This is further reinforced by the previous predetermined name for the Houndmaster, Shag and Scoob.
The meaning of Gendarme in the Houndmaster's last armor upgrade, Gendarme's Pride is a French word referring to "a soldier who is employed on police duties." This makes sense as the Houndmaster was previously a lawman and it may also hint that he is French in origin.
In the Houndmaster's artwork, he is shown with a bloodhound, but in the game, he has an Irish Wolfhound.
One of the lines uttered upon turning Irrational references Laika, the female dog that was loaded on the Sputnik 2 satellite, becoming the first animal to be put on an orbiting space vessel.
The skill Cry Havoc was named after Mark Anthony's line: "... Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war..." in Act 3, Scene 1, line 273 of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
The "I am the Law!" bark when the Houndmaster becomes courageous is a direct quote from Judge Dredd.
The Hopeless dialogue line "Ah! The old familiar sting" is likely a reference to the song "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails.
There is a small inconsistency of the dog's gender. The blacksmith says "when he's been fed an invigorating snack" implying the dog is male. However, many barks from the Houndmaster himself refer to the dog as "girl", "princess" and other related terms, implying that it is actually female. However in English a masculine neutral is common, such as saying "you guys" to a group of males and females. So, the Blacksmith not knowing the dog's gender would refer to it as such while the owner would appropriately call them female.
Stun
Move
Blight
Bleed
Disease
Debuff
Death Blow
Trap
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.
, however, is only obtainable through her final 6th and 7th nightmare encounters and won't be dropped or given as a reward in the Courtyard. Trinkets you already have will stop dropping, so there's value in not selling the ones you don't like until you get the ones you want.
