Meet the Witch: A Closer Look at Earwig's Relationship with the Ensemble

Earwig and the Witch is a novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It was published in 2011 and was later adapted into a film by Studio Ghibli in 2020. The story revolves around Earwig, a young orphan girl who is adopted by a witch and her cat. The witch, Bella Yaga, is known for being a bit grumpy and has a reputation for not being very nice. Despite this, Earwig manages to manipulate her way into getting what she wants and even becomes somewhat of a partner to Bella Yaga in her adventures. The ensemble of characters in Earwig and the Witch is diverse and vibrant.

Is anyone else hoping that Clinging Ice will get errata to make it work the same way?

The difference is that Buzzing Bites makes it clear that the save is only rolled once and that result is used for the duration of the spell and that the damage that the spell does is repeated once each round when the spell is sustained. Maybe based on spell level, but more likely on either spellcasting proficiency of the Witch, or the training proficiency of the target s boosted skill.

The ensemble of characters in Earwig and the Witch is diverse and vibrant. Earwig, the main protagonist, is a clever and resourceful young girl who uses her intelligence to navigate the magical world she finds herself in. Bella Yaga, on the other hand, is a complex character who is both strict and caring towards Earwig.

Mosquito Witch - hope of good things to come?

So I just saw the Mosquito Witch Patron from Monsters of Myth. And I can't help but notice how similar the cantrip hex Buzzing Bites is to the Winter Witch hex Clinging Ice. Both do 1d4 damage per level with a saving throw. Same range, same target, same duration.

The difference is that Buzzing Bites makes it clear that the save is only rolled once and that result is used for the duration of the spell and that the damage that the spell does is repeated once each round when the spell is sustained.

Is anyone else hoping that Clinging Ice will get errata to make it work the same way?

Similarly, I hope needle of vengeance is also clarified if its save is rolled once or for each instance.

I noticed this, too. Buzzing bites is definitely much better than Clinging Ice at this point. A one action d4/level "DoT" is something I'd consider a pretty good Hex cantrip. It might even be worth the loss of the fourth spell slot from the playtest.

If they change Clinging Ice to also deal damage every turn, I'm not sure which of the two would be better. Ice targets Reflex, which I think is usually lower than fort on average. It also debuffs on a fail, not only on a crit fail, but Bite's debuff is obviously a lot stronger. I think it balances out. It would also give Primal witches two somewhat similar (yet useful) choices with vastly different flavor.

If they do in fact bring Clinging Ice up to the same power level, I just hope they do the same with the other Hex cantrips. Except Fervor. That one's fine.

If they do in fact bring Clinging Ice up to the same power level, I just hope they do the same with the other Hex cantrips. Except Fervor. That one's fine.

That’s a concern I had too. It would noticeably leave much of the other hex cantrips behind.

It's funny because my PFS Alchemist, who played Moskito Witch, has a Moskito Witch doll as a Familiar and was supposed to take the Witch Dedication with the Moskito Witch as a Patron (Fate or Curse Witch, but now I can actually take the Moskito Witch Patron!).

Sometimes, I have visions of the future. I must be an Oracle!

If they do in fact bring Clinging Ice up to the same power level, I just hope they do the same with the other Hex cantrips. Except Fervor. That one's fine.

And some of the other non-cantrip Hexes too. Looking at you Personal Blizzard.

Ooooooooh boy I'm excited to see that apg errata!

It's funny because my PFS Alchemist, who played Moskito Witch, has a Moskito Witch doll as a Familiar and was supposed to take the Witch Dedication with the Moskito Witch as a Patron (Fate or Curse Witch, but now I can actually take the Moskito Witch Patron!).

Sometimes, I have visions of the future. I must be an Oracle!

Unfortunately, nothing from Monsters of Myth can currently be taken in PFS.

All options are of standard availability unless specifically noted otherwise. As all items in this book are Rare or Unique, access is not granted without a boon indicating otherwise.

But maybe a boon will show up at some point.

If they do in fact bring Clinging Ice up to the same power level, I just hope they do the same with the other Hex cantrips. Except Fervor. That one's fine.

Discern Secrets is reasonably good too. The only improvement I could see for it is having the bonus scale a bit. Maybe based on spell level, but more likely on either spellcasting proficiency of the Witch, or the training proficiency of the target's boosted skill.

So either +1 for trained spellcasting, +2 for expert spellcasting, and so on. Or +1 for trained in the skill, +2 for expert in the skill, and so forth.

It's funny because my PFS Alchemist, who played Moskito Witch, has a Moskito Witch doll as a Familiar and was supposed to take the Witch Dedication with the Moskito Witch as a Patron (Fate or Curse Witch, but now I can actually take the Moskito Witch Patron!).

Sometimes, I have visions of the future. I must be an Oracle!

Unfortunately, nothing from Monsters of Myth can currently be taken in PFS.

All options are of standard availability unless specifically noted otherwise. As all items in this book are Rare or Unique, access is not granted without a boon indicating otherwise.

I was planning to only take the Dedication. And the only thing it gives is common to all Primal Patron. So I don't think anyone will bother me if I say that my character is a Witch of the Moskito Witch. Just, now, it is a thing.

To me, although as written Clinging Ice appears to be not every time, I think it can be read either way and my guess on RAI was that it does (especially after seeing Mosquito).

I too am hopeful for the APG errata (please for the love of god remove the 2 action and non-cantrip hex restrictions from Eldritch Nails!!)

please for the love of god remove the 2 action and non-cantrip hex restrictions from Eldritch Nails!!

That alone wouldn't help. I don't like being in melee range to begin with; my spell attack bonus is better than my melee attack bonus (even with the finesse trait, which the nails don't have); and giving up the partial effect on a successful save seems like a bad idea. And I think that the target would still get the save against the Hex even if I do manage to hit them with the nails.

But 1d6 damage on an unarmed attack isn't too bad. And there is the interesting ability to have handwraps with one set of runes and the nails etched with a different set of runes. If you have a second unarmed attack - such as Living Hair or even just punching - then you can choose which set of runes to attack with based on the unarmed attack used. But while that is interesting, I can't think of any Witches that would use melee attacks as anything except a last resort.

please for the love of god remove the 2 action and non-cantrip hex restrictions from Eldritch Nails!!

That alone wouldn't help. I don't like being in melee range to begin with; my spell attack bonus is better than my melee attack bonus (even with the finesse trait, which the nails don't have); and giving up the partial effect on a successful save seems like a bad idea. And I think that the target would still get the save against the Hex even if I do manage to hit them with the nails.

But 1d6 damage on an unarmed attack isn't too bad. And there is the interesting ability to have handwraps with one set of runes and the nails etched with a different set of runes. If you have a second unarmed attack - such as Living Hair or even just punching - then you can choose which set of runes to attack with based on the unarmed attack used. But while that is interesting, I can't think of any Witches that would use melee attacks as anything except a last resort.

It actually would make a huge difference IMO because the biggest problem with the Feat is you can't even use it with a Hex until you get to Curse of Death.

While most Witches can't tread into melee, it at least makes it possible to try to build a melee witch and certainly with Elemental Betrayal on the table Martial MCD Witches would be able to finally pull of something close to a Hexblade. I know my Dhampir Swashbuckler Witch MCD would have been able to pull off the hexblade "bloody scourge of the seas" vibes with it.

Melee Witches could actually be an attempted build maybe, which I think would be interesting (Sentinel would help).

Would it be the most optimal feat? Maybe not, but it would at least not be a total trap!

It actually would make a huge difference IMO because the biggest problem with the Feat is you can't even use it with a Hex until you get to Curse of Death.

Would it be the most optimal feat? Maybe not, but it would at least not be a total trap!

That might be the biggest problem, but it isn't the only one that makes it be a trap option. It still needs finesse instead of agile in order to have any meaningful accuracy on the attack roll. It also has the problem of double rolls - attack roll and saving throw - which quarters your chance of success.

The nails themselves are mostly fine as a weapon. Probably the best errata for Eldritch Nails would be to give it finesse instead of (or in addition to) agile and delete that entire second paragraph.

Maybe add a separate upgrade feat to allow delivering Hexes through the nails that works more like spellstrike. Use the result of the attack roll as the result of the saving throw as well as for the result of the spell attack depending on which the Hex uses.

It actually would make a huge difference IMO because the biggest problem with the Feat is you can't even use it with a Hex until you get to Curse of Death.

Would it be the most optimal feat? Maybe not, but it would at least not be a total trap!

That might be the biggest problem, but it isn't the only one that makes it be a trap option. It still needs finesse instead of agile in order to have any meaningful accuracy on the attack roll. It also has the problem of double rolls - attack roll and saving throw - which quarters your chance of success.

The nails themselves are mostly fine as a weapon. Probably the best errata for Eldritch Nails would be to give it finesse instead of (or in addition to) agile and delete that entire second paragraph.

Maybe add a separate upgrade feat to allow delivering Hexes through the nails that works more like spellstrike. Use the result of the attack roll as the result of the saving throw as well as for the result of the spell attack depending on which the Hex uses.

I don't know that it needs finesse, because I think STR Sentinel Witch would be the best way to take advantage of it anyways (and for MCD it matters even less). Agile at least allows swashbuckler/rogue use.

The upgrade feat would indeed be nice, but considering most hexes are save based, to me that'd be pretty strong (the Magus equivalent feat for save spells would mean this one would be in the 8/10 range).

She is portrayed as a powerful and mysterious witch, but the story also shows her vulnerabilities and insecurities. Another important character in the ensemble is Thomas, Bella Yaga's cat familiar. He can transform into a human and serves as a loyal companion to both Earwig and Bella Yaga. Thomas is depicted as a calm and level-headed character who often provides guidance and support to the other characters. The ensemble is completed by other magical creatures and characters who play smaller roles in the story. These include Mandrake, a shape-shifting creature, and Custard, a talking blackbird. The main idea of the Earwig and the Witch ensemble is the exploration of relationships and the power dynamics between characters. The story delves into the complexities of human nature, showcasing characters with both positive and negative traits. It also highlights the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the ability to adapt and change in order to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth..

Reviews for "The Importance of Diversity in the Earwig and the Witch Ensemble"

1. Sarah - 2/5

I was really excited to watch "Earwig and the witch ensemble" after hearing so many great things about other Ghibli productions. However, I was left disappointed. The animation style was so different from what I am used to seeing in Ghibli films, and it just didn't resonate with me. Additionally, I found the story to be quite weak and lacking the emotional depth that I have come to expect from Ghibli. Overall, "Earwig and the witch ensemble" just didn't live up to the hype for me.

2. Mark - 1/5

I have been a fan of Studio Ghibli for years, but "Earwig and the witch ensemble" was a huge disappointment. The animation style was underwhelming and lacked the attention to detail that I love in Ghibli films. The characters were also quite unlikable, and I couldn't connect with them at all. The plot felt rushed and disjointed, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend "Earwig and the witch ensemble" to any Ghibli fan or anyone looking for a meaningful and engaging animated film.

3. Emily - 2/5

I was really looking forward to watching "Earwig and the witch ensemble" as a fan of Ghibli films, but it fell short of my expectations. The story felt unoriginal, and the characters were not as engaging as I had hoped. The animation style was decent, but it lacked the magic and beauty that I have come to associate with Ghibli films. Overall, "Earwig and the witch ensemble" was forgettable and failed to leave a lasting impression on me.

4. David - 2.5/5

I have been a fan of Studio Ghibli since I was a kid, but "Earwig and the witch ensemble" left me feeling underwhelmed. The animation style was unique, but it didn't quite capture the beauty and charm of other Ghibli films. The story had potential, but it lacked depth and complexity. The pacing also felt off, and I found myself losing interest at times. While "Earwig and the witch ensemble" had its moments, it ultimately failed to deliver a truly memorable and enjoyable viewing experience.

The Ensemble's Impact on the Storyline of Earwig and the Witch