I agree with most everything you wrote, but I have to disagree with this: "Most of the Hexblade abilities are centered around using weapons.". That's not quite correct. There's only exactly one Hexblade ability centered around using weapons and that's the one that allows you to use them with CHA. Literally everything else works just as fine without having ever touched a weapon in your life.
Also while we're at it, the Hexblade has an ability that uses your Reaction already to negate an attack 50% of the time, so that speaks against the use of shield at higher levels as well. Haven't seen that mentioned yet lol
You are right. When I posted that I was thinking specifically about martial weapon proficiency, but that and Charisma attacks does not account for most of their abilities.
The hexblade is the most versatile, when it comes to combining armed combat and spellcasting and especially by multiclassing any charisma-based class into a powerful melee class. If you just want to dip into warlock, hexblade is almost always the best option.
However, if you want to go full warlock, hexblade is still good, but not necessarily better than all other classes. Personally I think the genie's ability to take their housing with them and short-rest anywhere makes them at least as good as hexblades.
I find it curious that some people consider the hexblade more versatile than other warlocks. I guess you say that because he can stay behind by shooting his EB, or hitting melee.
I'm not going to get into the discussion of whether it's really optimal to spend an eldritch invocation on agonizing blast (for a hexblade). What I would like to note is that other classes of warlocks can play more roles outside of combat. For example, the Genie is one of the best, if not the best infiltrator in the game. Obviously with the pact of the chain. Also other warlocks, with the pact of the tome, have higher utility outside of combat than the hexblade. Also other builds with the talisman, or other subclasses like Archifey (being face), etc... And yes, it is true that the hexblade can have other pacts beyond the blade pact, but really how it works better, and how it is logically usually play, is with the blade pact.
In my opinion the hexblade is just one of the least versatile warlocks. It's a class that's almost exclusively dedicated to combat (except for Accursed Specter which, with a bit of work, could be used for scouting). There are other subclasses that, in addition to being good as a blaster, can also fill other roles. The genie as an infiltrator, the Celestial as a healer, the Archfey as a trickster face, etc...
The hexblade is the most versatile, when it comes to combining armed combat and spellcasting and especially by multiclassing any charisma-based class into a powerful melee class. If you just want to dip into warlock, hexblade is almost always the best option.
However, if you want to go full warlock, hexblade is still good, but not necessarily better than all other classes. Personally I think the genie's ability to take their housing with them and short-rest anywhere makes them at least as good as hexblades.
I find it curious that some people consider the hexblade more versatile than other warlocks. I guess you say that because he can stay behind by shooting his EB, or hitting melee.
I'm not going to get into the discussion of whether it's really optimal to spend an eldritch invocation on agonizing blast (for a hexblade). What I would like to note is that other classes of warlocks can play more roles outside of combat. For example, the Genie is one of the best, if not the best infiltrator in the game. Obviously with the pact of the chain. Also other warlocks, with the pact of the tome, have higher utility outside of combat than the hexblade. Also other builds with the talisman, or other subclasses like Archifey (being face), etc... And yes, it is true that the hexblade can have other pacts beyond the blade pact, but really how it works better, and how it is logically usually play, is with the blade pact.
In my opinion the hexblade is just one of the least versatile warlocks. It's a class that's almost exclusively dedicated to combat (except for Accursed Specter which, with a bit of work, could be used for scouting). There are other subclasses that, in addition to being good as a blaster, can also fill other roles. The genie as an infiltrator, the Celestial as a healer, the Archfey as a trickster face, etc...
I meant versatile regarding multiclass combination, NOT when comparing singleclass characters. A few levels of hexblade make every charisma based class a better melee warrior, that way the subclass has many functions besides it's core abilities. If I were to play a singleclass warlock, I would choose genie for utilty, maybe undying for support and defense or celestial for healing. But when it comes to combining classes, the abiltiy to attack with charisma is often the best option. In many ways, the hexblade is not the warlock's best subclass, but the paladin's.
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The hexblade is the most versatile, when it comes to combining armed combat and spellcasting and especially by multiclassing any charisma-based class into a powerful melee class. If you just want to dip into warlock, hexblade is almost always the best option.
However, if you want to go full warlock, hexblade is still good, but not necessarily better than all other classes. Personally I think the genie's ability to take their housing with them and short-rest anywhere makes them at least as good as hexblades.
I find it curious that some people consider the hexblade more versatile than other warlocks. I guess you say that because he can stay behind by shooting his EB, or hitting melee.
I'm not going to get into the discussion of whether it's really optimal to spend an eldritch invocation on agonizing blast (for a hexblade). What I would like to note is that other classes of warlocks can play more roles outside of combat. For example, the Genie is one of the best, if not the best infiltrator in the game. Obviously with the pact of the chain. Also other warlocks, with the pact of the tome, have higher utility outside of combat than the hexblade. Also other builds with the talisman, or other subclasses like Archifey (being face), etc... And yes, it is true that the hexblade can have other pacts beyond the blade pact, but really how it works better, and how it is logically usually play, is with the blade pact.
In my opinion the hexblade is just one of the least versatile warlocks. It's a class that's almost exclusively dedicated to combat (except for Accursed Specter which, with a bit of work, could be used for scouting). There are other subclasses that, in addition to being good as a blaster, can also fill other roles. The genie as an infiltrator, the Celestial as a healer, the Archfey as a trickster face, etc...
Warlock in general is a great multiclass because they give subclass abilities at 1st level and access to Hex, which is a great spell. The reason I say Hexblade is more versatile than others is the shield spell and the charisma bonus to weapon attacks. That makes a great option for a lot of multiclass builds.
A. Charisma for weapon attacks:
1. Gish Sorcerers or Bards benefit from this obviously, but Paladins also since they can max Charisma while not sacrificing weapon damage. If you are a Dwarf you can Dump strength all the way to 13 and still wear heavy armor. Other races can go with lighter armor or 15 strength and heavy armor. this usually means little at low levels, but takes away the need for a Paldin to spend ASIs on Strength
2. Any melee build except Barbarian that you want to be great at social skills. Clerics, Fighters, Swashbucklers that you want to play as talkers can benefit from using Charisma with a Weapon instead of Strength (or in the Rogues case dexterity. This makes Fighters and Clerics a viable face and Swashbucklers can invest expertise in two social skills, while also getting the most from their swashbuckler bonus to initiative and can run a lower dexterity with half plate without sacrificing hit or damage ability.
B. Shield Spell
I spent most of this post saying how awful the Shield spell is for single-class hexblades, but it is a great off-class spell for Clerics, Rangers, Paladins, Druids and Arcane Tricksters. I know technically it is on the AT list, but they are very limited in the number of non-illusions/non-enchantmentsthey can take and will rarely have room for Shield.
So, I've noticed lately that almost all warlocks I've seen have the hexblade subclass. I know that the Hexblade is brokenly powerful when multiclassed with other charisma-based classes, but it seems like the overwhelming majority of warlocks who aren't multiclassed also follow that specific pact.
This has left me wondering: Is the hexblade so brokenly overpowered that it overshadows all the other warlocks? I know that it is a popular choice among minmaxers who call their characters "builds" and like to use overused combinations of features to deal absurd amounts of damage. But is it the only viable option even for people who don't emphasize their stats above all else? I'd like to know.
The most powerful Warlock subclass is Genie starting at level 17 (potentially level 14, if your DM newbsauces fixing WOTC's word salad in the L14 ability). A Hexblade can't even begin to compare. The reason Hexblade is so popular is the L1 benefits, not the rest of its ability set. In fact, Genielock 17/Sorcerer 3 amounts to the most powerful build in the game unless your DM stops you.
Wut?
A wizard without a subclass is better than that imo, a lot of clerics and bards as well. I love genie locks but that isn't the best build ever.
The hexblade is unique in that it is the best dip choice in the game and its very solid it you play it through to the end, almost none of its sub class features are bad. I think its popularity is more due to how well it does the gish concept. It can actually be a powerhouse in melee without gimmicks while keeping its spellcasting solid. Bladesinger is the other solid gish choice but its 80% wizard with some sword swinging mechanically. You obviously can focus on it with shadowblade or something, but its really a wizard who can look okay in melee. A hexblade is bad ass in melee who can look okay with spells but is closer to being a spell caster than a blade singer is to being a melee fighter.
That being said if I'm playing a lock straight through there are 5 or so sub classes I prefer, genie being on top, then fathomless, undead, celestial and fiend.
So, I've noticed lately that almost all warlocks I've seen have the hexblade subclass. I know that the Hexblade is brokenly powerful when multiclassed with other charisma-based classes, but it seems like the overwhelming majority of warlocks who aren't multiclassed also follow that specific pact.
This has left me wondering: Is the hexblade so brokenly overpowered that it overshadows all the other warlocks? I know that it is a popular choice among minmaxers who call their characters "builds" and like to use overused combinations of features to deal absurd amounts of damage. But is it the only viable option even for people who don't emphasize their stats above all else? I'd like to know.
The most powerful Warlock subclass is Genie starting at level 17 (potentially level 14, if your DM newbsauces fixing WOTC's word salad in the L14 ability). A Hexblade can't even begin to compare. The reason Hexblade is so popular is the L1 benefits, not the rest of its ability set. In fact, Genielock 17/Sorcerer 3 amounts to the most powerful build in the game unless your DM stops you.
Wut?
A wizard without a subclass is better than that imo, a lot of clerics and bards as well. I love genie locks but that isn't the best build ever.
No. Just, no.
I don't know about calling the aforementioned build the most powerful thing, but it definitely has its merits to compete with a wizard.
The hexblade is unique in that it is the best dip choice in the game and its very solid it you play it through to the end, almost none of its sub class features are bad. I think its popularity is more due to how well it does the gish concept. It can actually be a powerhouse in melee without gimmicks while keeping its spellcasting solid. Bladesinger is the other solid gish choice but its 80% wizard with some sword swinging mechanically. You obviously can focus on it with shadowblade or something, but its really a wizard who can look okay in melee. A hexblade is bad ass in melee who can look okay with spells but is closer to being a spell caster than a blade singer is to being a melee fighter.
IME a melee optimized bladesinger will mop the floor with a Hexblade in melee (or most other builds) as long as you use the right spells. Shadowblade is not one of those spells though and using it will make the bladesinger a lot weaker in melee than a better concentration spell. False Life, haste, blur, protection from evil and good, greater invisibility, Contingency along with BOTH blade cantrips are what the Bladesinger needs to dominate melee. Built with different spells a Bladesinger can alternatively be played as a "Wizard who can look ok in melee" which is a pretty darn powerful character to start with, but make no mistake a Bladesinger can dominate melee if you choose and use the right spells.
The problem the Warlock has is he is a LOT squishier than a bladesinger and a lot squishier than most martials. He can mitigate that with Armor of Agathys some but runs into problems because he only has 2 pact slots. In comparison, a Bladesinger has a ton of upcast slots to use on false life as well as song of defense and at high level adds both intelligence and dexterity to damage while having the best extra attack in the game. Due to spells, she can capitalize on the extra attack and land secondary cantrip damage virtually every time she hits with it.
Warlocks are a good class, but Wizards and Clerics are probably the tippy-top of the power curve in D&D.
Paladins and Bards would be my pick for the tier below them.
Druids, Rogues, Sorcerers, and Warlocks after them.
Then Fighter and Ranger.
Then Barbarian and Monk.
Note big caveat to what I am about to say - I play few Druids and Paladins, so I may be biased against them.
IMO considering subclasses. playing with feats and talking only about single class characters:
1. Wizards are the top tier (and would be without a subclass).
2. Sorcerers. Shadow, Aberrant Mind, Divine Soul and Clockwork vie for the second place spot IMO. 2nd best spell selection and metamagic. They are a step down from wizards but not a big step.
3. I put Rangers next. The Tashas boosted Rangers a lot and they are darn powerful if you play them right and can dominate in all 3 pillars. Fey Wanderer, Swarmkeeper and Gloomstalker are particularly powerful in combat with the right feat selections. The Fey Wanderer ability to spam Mirthful Fey without concentration gives them an exponential power increase round over round that no other class can equal at the level it comes online. 4 rounds into a fight and every single round after that you are throwing what is essentially 4 charm monster spells every turn (and can twist one when someone saves), your Fey are making 4+ attacks and you are getting your action on top of all that.
4. Clerics. Clerics are solid. The problem is the subclass seems to lack that one thing you need to put it in a class with those above. If we are consider multiclassed builds with core Cleric they are probably #2 class. Twilight, Light, Tempest, Order and Peace are the best I think.
5. Fighters would be next in my opinion. Rune Knight, Battlemaster, Echo Knight and Eldritch Knight all are really powerful.
6. Rogues, Arcane Trickster specifically would be next. This class is not as good in combat as some of the others on this list, but mage hand legerdemain is awesome and is better in the other 2 pillars than virtually every other class IME.
7. Everyone else would be in a mash in here for me.
I think the deal with the Hexblade is that you will use a majority of your invocations to get it online. It might be one of the more optimal choices for warlock, but it also is the least versatile when you consider the buy-in cost.
Honestly, I think a lot of warlock builds are top tier. And I really don't think there's much point in comparing the classes to each other when it comes to stacking one on top of the other. What matters is the subclass.
That said, in wizards class matters a little less. What the base class gives you (here, obviously, I'm including its spell list) is already good enough to put most of its subclasses in the higher echelons of power. But that's not to say that there aren't warlock builds, and also clerics, bards, etc. that are on par with the best wizard builds.
Druids are a curious case. They are not the best at anything, but they are very good at many things. They also have some top tier builds, but most of them stay in a second tier in my opinion.
And finally, the worst subclasses are the monks. And not only that, the core of the monks has many mechanical holes and it is tricky to make one that is on par with the best builds of other classes.
I think the deal with the Hexblade is that you will use a majority of your invocations to get it online. It might be one of the more optimal choices for warlock, but it also is the least versatile when you consider the buy-in cost.
Only if you actually go for a bladelock build, but that applies to any other patron as well since it's the nature of baldelocks, not of Hexblades. Hexblades can be played perfectly fine as Tomelocks and Chainlocks as well.
And this is why imo, hexblade is the best all around patron. You can play it in any style without actually sacrificing anything. It's just as good of an eldritch blast spammer as it is a weaponlock. The features are always nice to have. For example, even if I am not in melee, I'd rather have martial weapon proficiency than not have it. I'd rather have shield proficiency than not. I'd rather have medium armor as an option than not. Being able to stand in the backline, with 18 AC and a wand/shield in my hand, with extra points /not/ put into dex to buff my AC is great.
The argument so far against hexblade has been so far, it's only good in combat...which is not true. Hexblade is just as capable outside combat as other patrons. it can do plenty of other jobs just fine, and in combat imo, it's no question that the hexblade is hands down the best pick.
Now, is hexblade my favorite? No, no it is not. I prefer fiends, celestials and genies. Pound for pound though, I think hexblade is /generally/. a more powerful pick. The game would have been better served by making hexblade features blade pact features.
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I think the deal with the Hexblade is that you will use a majority of your invocations to get it online. It might be one of the more optimal choices for warlock, but it also is the least versatile when you consider the buy-in cost.
Only if you actually go for a bladelock build, but that applies to any other patron as well since it's the nature of baldelocks, not of Hexblades. Hexblades can be played perfectly fine as Tomelocks and Chainlocks as well.
And this is why imo, hexblade is the best all around patron. You can play it in any style without actually sacrificing anything. It's just as good of an eldritch blast spammer as it is a weaponlock. The features are always nice to have. For example, even if I am not in melee, I'd rather have martial weapon proficiency than not have it. I'd rather have shield proficiency than not. I'd rather have medium armor as an option than not. Being able to stand in the backline, with 18 AC and a wand/shield in my hand, with extra points /not/ put into dex to buff my AC is great.
The argument so far against hexblade has been so far, it's only good in combat...which is not true. Hexblade is just as capable outside combat as other patrons. it can do plenty of other jobs just fine, and in combat imo, it's no question that the hexblade is hands down the best pick.
Now, is hexblade my favorite? No, no it is not. I prefer fiends, celestials and genies. Pound for pound though, I think hexblade is /generally/. a more powerful pick. The game would have been better served by making hexblade features blade pact features.
Certainly, you can play it. I don't think that Hexblade is more powerful than Genie in combat and IME it is definitely not better than undead in combat. I am not even sure Hexblade can hold up to undead as a Bladelock.
I think the deal with the Hexblade is that you will use a majority of your invocations to get it online. It might be one of the more optimal choices for warlock, but it also is the least versatile when you consider the buy-in cost.
Only if you actually go for a bladelock build, but that applies to any other patron as well since it's the nature of baldelocks, not of Hexblades. Hexblades can be played perfectly fine as Tomelocks and Chainlocks as well.
And this is why imo, hexblade is the best all around patron. You can play it in any style without actually sacrificing anything. It's just as good of an eldritch blast spammer as it is a weaponlock. The features are always nice to have. For example, even if I am not in melee, I'd rather have martial weapon proficiency than not have it. I'd rather have shield proficiency than not. I'd rather have medium armor as an option than not. Being able to stand in the backline, with 18 AC and a wand/shield in my hand, with extra points /not/ put into dex to buff my AC is great.
The argument so far against hexblade has been so far, it's only good in combat...which is not true. Hexblade is just as capable outside combat as other patrons. it can do plenty of other jobs just fine, and in combat imo, it's no question that the hexblade is hands down the best pick.
Now, is hexblade my favorite? No, no it is not. I prefer fiends, celestials and genies. Pound for pound though, I think hexblade is /generally/. a more powerful pick. The game would have been better served by making hexblade features blade pact features.
Certainly, you can play it. I don't think that Hexblade is more powerful than Genie in combat and IME it is definitely not better than undead in combat. I am not even sure Hexblade can hold up to undead as a Bladelock.
The key feature that people love about Hexblades is usually for multiclassing or taking a few level dip. Hexblade is perfect for MC, particularly paladins. Just a 1, 2 or 3 level dip into hexblade is great for a paladin, since there is sooo much frontloaded in the class! Hexblade itself is good, as a number have pointed out, but certainly not OP. The main attraction of so many to it, is the MC possibilities and getting things like Hex Warrior, removing the MAD problem for a paladin. CHA then becomes a "one stop shopping" for a paladin, with only enough STR for heavy armor most times.
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You are right. When I posted that I was thinking specifically about martial weapon proficiency, but that and Charisma attacks does not account for most of their abilities.
I find it curious that some people consider the hexblade more versatile than other warlocks. I guess you say that because he can stay behind by shooting his EB, or hitting melee.
I'm not going to get into the discussion of whether it's really optimal to spend an eldritch invocation on agonizing blast (for a hexblade). What I would like to note is that other classes of warlocks can play more roles outside of combat. For example, the Genie is one of the best, if not the best infiltrator in the game. Obviously with the pact of the chain. Also other warlocks, with the pact of the tome, have higher utility outside of combat than the hexblade. Also other builds with the talisman, or other subclasses like Archifey (being face), etc... And yes, it is true that the hexblade can have other pacts beyond the blade pact, but really how it works better, and how it is logically usually play, is with the blade pact.
In my opinion the hexblade is just one of the least versatile warlocks. It's a class that's almost exclusively dedicated to combat (except for Accursed Specter which, with a bit of work, could be used for scouting). There are other subclasses that, in addition to being good as a blaster, can also fill other roles. The genie as an infiltrator, the Celestial as a healer, the Archfey as a trickster face, etc...
I meant versatile regarding multiclass combination, NOT when comparing singleclass characters. A few levels of hexblade make every charisma based class a better melee warrior, that way the subclass has many functions besides it's core abilities. If I were to play a singleclass warlock, I would choose genie for utilty, maybe undying for support and defense or celestial for healing. But when it comes to combining classes, the abiltiy to attack with charisma is often the best option. In many ways, the hexblade is not the warlock's best subclass, but the paladin's.
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Ah yes, of course. The hexblade is the king of multiclassing.
Warlock in general is a great multiclass because they give subclass abilities at 1st level and access to Hex, which is a great spell. The reason I say Hexblade is more versatile than others is the shield spell and the charisma bonus to weapon attacks. That makes a great option for a lot of multiclass builds.
A. Charisma for weapon attacks:
1. Gish Sorcerers or Bards benefit from this obviously, but Paladins also since they can max Charisma while not sacrificing weapon damage. If you are a Dwarf you can Dump strength all the way to 13 and still wear heavy armor. Other races can go with lighter armor or 15 strength and heavy armor. this usually means little at low levels, but takes away the need for a Paldin to spend ASIs on Strength
2. Any melee build except Barbarian that you want to be great at social skills. Clerics, Fighters, Swashbucklers that you want to play as talkers can benefit from using Charisma with a Weapon instead of Strength (or in the Rogues case dexterity. This makes Fighters and Clerics a viable face and Swashbucklers can invest expertise in two social skills, while also getting the most from their swashbuckler bonus to initiative and can run a lower dexterity with half plate without sacrificing hit or damage ability.
B. Shield Spell
I spent most of this post saying how awful the Shield spell is for single-class hexblades, but it is a great off-class spell for Clerics, Rangers, Paladins, Druids and Arcane Tricksters. I know technically it is on the AT list, but they are very limited in the number of non-illusions/non-enchantmentsthey can take and will rarely have room for Shield.
Wut?
A wizard without a subclass is better than that imo, a lot of clerics and bards as well. I love genie locks but that isn't the best build ever.
The hexblade is unique in that it is the best dip choice in the game and its very solid it you play it through to the end, almost none of its sub class features are bad. I think its popularity is more due to how well it does the gish concept. It can actually be a powerhouse in melee without gimmicks while keeping its spellcasting solid. Bladesinger is the other solid gish choice but its 80% wizard with some sword swinging mechanically. You obviously can focus on it with shadowblade or something, but its really a wizard who can look okay in melee. A hexblade is bad ass in melee who can look okay with spells but is closer to being a spell caster than a blade singer is to being a melee fighter.
That being said if I'm playing a lock straight through there are 5 or so sub classes I prefer, genie being on top, then fathomless, undead, celestial and fiend.
Generic Wizards are the best class in the game.
Warlocks are a good class, but Wizards and Clerics are probably the tippy-top of the power curve in D&D.
Paladins and Bards would be my pick for the tier below them.
Druids, Rogues, Sorcerers, and Warlocks after them.
Then Fighter and Ranger.
Then Barbarian and Monk.
Pretty close to how I'd rank them.
No. Just, no.
I don't know about calling the aforementioned build the most powerful thing, but it definitely has its merits to compete with a wizard.
IME a melee optimized bladesinger will mop the floor with a Hexblade in melee (or most other builds) as long as you use the right spells. Shadowblade is not one of those spells though and using it will make the bladesinger a lot weaker in melee than a better concentration spell. False Life, haste, blur, protection from evil and good, greater invisibility, Contingency along with BOTH blade cantrips are what the Bladesinger needs to dominate melee. Built with different spells a Bladesinger can alternatively be played as a "Wizard who can look ok in melee" which is a pretty darn powerful character to start with, but make no mistake a Bladesinger can dominate melee if you choose and use the right spells.
The problem the Warlock has is he is a LOT squishier than a bladesinger and a lot squishier than most martials. He can mitigate that with Armor of Agathys some but runs into problems because he only has 2 pact slots. In comparison, a Bladesinger has a ton of upcast slots to use on false life as well as song of defense and at high level adds both intelligence and dexterity to damage while having the best extra attack in the game. Due to spells, she can capitalize on the extra attack and land secondary cantrip damage virtually every time she hits with it.
Note big caveat to what I am about to say - I play few Druids and Paladins, so I may be biased against them.
IMO considering subclasses. playing with feats and talking only about single class characters:
1. Wizards are the top tier (and would be without a subclass).
2. Sorcerers. Shadow, Aberrant Mind, Divine Soul and Clockwork vie for the second place spot IMO. 2nd best spell selection and metamagic. They are a step down from wizards but not a big step.
3. I put Rangers next. The Tashas boosted Rangers a lot and they are darn powerful if you play them right and can dominate in all 3 pillars. Fey Wanderer, Swarmkeeper and Gloomstalker are particularly powerful in combat with the right feat selections. The Fey Wanderer ability to spam Mirthful Fey without concentration gives them an exponential power increase round over round that no other class can equal at the level it comes online. 4 rounds into a fight and every single round after that you are throwing what is essentially 4 charm monster spells every turn (and can twist one when someone saves), your Fey are making 4+ attacks and you are getting your action on top of all that.
4. Clerics. Clerics are solid. The problem is the subclass seems to lack that one thing you need to put it in a class with those above. If we are consider multiclassed builds with core Cleric they are probably #2 class. Twilight, Light, Tempest, Order and Peace are the best I think.
5. Fighters would be next in my opinion. Rune Knight, Battlemaster, Echo Knight and Eldritch Knight all are really powerful.
6. Rogues, Arcane Trickster specifically would be next. This class is not as good in combat as some of the others on this list, but mage hand legerdemain is awesome and is better in the other 2 pillars than virtually every other class IME.
7. Everyone else would be in a mash in here for me.
8. Monks
I think the deal with the Hexblade is that you will use a majority of your invocations to get it online. It might be one of the more optimal choices for warlock, but it also is the least versatile when you consider the buy-in cost.
Honestly, I think a lot of warlock builds are top tier. And I really don't think there's much point in comparing the classes to each other when it comes to stacking one on top of the other. What matters is the subclass.
That said, in wizards class matters a little less. What the base class gives you (here, obviously, I'm including its spell list) is already good enough to put most of its subclasses in the higher echelons of power. But that's not to say that there aren't warlock builds, and also clerics, bards, etc. that are on par with the best wizard builds.
Druids are a curious case. They are not the best at anything, but they are very good at many things. They also have some top tier builds, but most of them stay in a second tier in my opinion.
And finally, the worst subclasses are the monks. And not only that, the core of the monks has many mechanical holes and it is tricky to make one that is on par with the best builds of other classes.
And this is why imo, hexblade is the best all around patron. You can play it in any style without actually sacrificing anything. It's just as good of an eldritch blast spammer as it is a weaponlock. The features are always nice to have. For example, even if I am not in melee, I'd rather have martial weapon proficiency than not have it. I'd rather have shield proficiency than not. I'd rather have medium armor as an option than not. Being able to stand in the backline, with 18 AC and a wand/shield in my hand, with extra points /not/ put into dex to buff my AC is great.
The argument so far against hexblade has been so far, it's only good in combat...which is not true. Hexblade is just as capable outside combat as other patrons. it can do plenty of other jobs just fine, and in combat imo, it's no question that the hexblade is hands down the best pick.
Now, is hexblade my favorite? No, no it is not. I prefer fiends, celestials and genies. Pound for pound though, I think hexblade is /generally/. a more powerful pick. The game would have been better served by making hexblade features blade pact features.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Certainly, you can play it. I don't think that Hexblade is more powerful than Genie in combat and IME it is definitely not better than undead in combat. I am not even sure Hexblade can hold up to undead as a Bladelock.
The key feature that people love about Hexblades is usually for multiclassing or taking a few level dip. Hexblade is perfect for MC, particularly paladins. Just a 1, 2 or 3 level dip into hexblade is great for a paladin, since there is sooo much frontloaded in the class! Hexblade itself is good, as a number have pointed out, but certainly not OP. The main attraction of so many to it, is the MC possibilities and getting things like Hex Warrior, removing the MAD problem for a paladin. CHA then becomes a "one stop shopping" for a paladin, with only enough STR for heavy armor most times.