D&D: Hexblade Warlock Building Guide
D&D: Hexblade Warlock Building Guide
Warlock Guide: Hexblade Mastery
It’s difficult to say for sure why the Warlock is one of the most popular classes in Dungeons & Dragons, but one likely explanation is the class’s flavorful ties to a patron, whether they’re good or evil. Among the patrons and subclasses available, the Hexblade stands out as a favorite due to its reputation as one of the few gish playstyles available in the game.
But what is a gish, you ask? Well, it’s an old-school tabletop term used to refer to character builds that use both sword and sorcery. And the Hexblade Warlock, alongside the Bladesinger Wizard, is one of your best options for living this fantasy in a mechanically satisfying way. So let’s dive into the guide and learn how to make it all sing!
Species Options for the Hexblade
The most optimized builds often choose either variant human or custom lineage from Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything to access a feat at first level. However, if your table allows all species a free feat at first level, you’ve got quite a few other great options to consider.
Species from the Player’s Handbook that receive a boost to Charisma, such as Half-Elf, Tiefling, or Dragonborn, are solid choices. The Aasimar and Yuan-ti Pureblood from Volo’s Guide to Monsters also provide Charisma bonuses.
If you’re looking for something more exotic, consider the Astral Elf, Eladrin, or Shadar-Kai from Monsters of the Multiverse. These species offer built-in bonus action teleports, which can be extremely helpful for closing the gap between you and your foes or escaping from less than ideal situations. And let’s not forget the added resilience of Orcs with their Relentless Endurance or Goliaths with their Stone’s Endurance.
- Dave The Diver: Unlocking Momo’s Secret Achievement Guide
- How to find and rob Armored Trucks in GTA Online
- No single player mode in Exoprimal, despite the solo story vibe.
Boosting Your Ability Scores
As a Hexblade Warlock, your number one concern is increasing your Charisma score. It’s not only your spellcasting ability modifier but also the key to using Charisma for your weapon attacks instead of Strength or Dexterity.
After Charisma, your next highest ability score priority should be Constitution. With a middling AC, you’ll need higher hit points to survive melee combat, and a high Constitution score also helps with maintaining concentration on your spells.
While Wisdom doesn’t directly influence your key abilities as a Warlock, having a decent Wisdom score is important for perception, the most important skill in the game. Plus, Warlocks have proficiency in Wisdom saving throws, so it’s always good to protect yourself from harmful spells and abilities.
The Power of Feats
Feats can greatly enhance your Hexblade Warlock’s capabilities. Your level one feat should be War Caster or Resilient (Constitution) to boost your concentration checks.
Maximizing your Charisma score is important, but if you want to lean into melee attacks, consider taking Great Weapon Master at the fourth level to unlock “power attacks”. And don’t forget to use your eighth level ability score improvement to maximize your Charisma.
As you progress, other feats like Heavily Armored, Eldritch Adept, Inspiring Leader, Mobile, Fey Touched, Shadow Touched, and Sentinel can further enhance your Hexblade’s versatility.
Mastering the Art of Spellcasting
Spell selection is crucial for maximizing your Hexblade’s potential. Since you only have a limited number of spell slots, make sure to choose concentration spells that provide ongoing benefits. Spells like Hex, Wrathful Smite, Protection from Evil and Good, Hold Person, and Spider Climb can give you a mechanical advantage both on the turn you cast them and in subsequent turns.
As you level up, consider spells like Fly, Hypnotic Pattern, Summon Lesser Demons, Banishment, Banishing Smite, Sickening Radiance, and Hold Monster for even greater effects. But don’t forget defensive spells like Armor of Agathys and Mirror Image, as well as movement-oriented spells like Misty Step, Thunder Step, and Dimension Door. And having Counterspell and Dispel Magic in your arsenal is always a wise choice.
The Power of Invocations
Lastly, your choice of invocations is what sets the Hexblade Warlock apart. Starting with Improved Pact Weapon, which increases the effectiveness of your Hexblade, you have options like Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast to make your eldritch blast more fearsome from range.
As you level up, take Thirsting Blade at fifth level for an extra attack and Lifedrinker at 12th level to boost your melee damage with your pact weapon. And don’t forget about invocations like Eldritch Smite, Relentless Hex, Tomb of Levistus, and Trickster’s Escape for combat versatility and survival.
Unleash Your Hexblade’s Potential
The Hexblade Warlock is not only beloved for its roleplaying opportunities, but it also offers a powerful and fun gaming experience. So, don’t forget to advocate for your Dungeon Master to make the very weapon you summon your patron. Magic items with personalities add an extra layer of interest and excitement. Let the likes of Blackrazor inspire you as you embark on your Hexblade journey. Enjoy the power and may the Hexblade’s mastery be with you!
NEXT: Dungeons & Dragons: The Most Useful First Level Spells, Ranked
