I am currently playing a bugbear melee Hexblade (level 3); thematically, I want to keep Hexblade as my primary class but I am interested in taking a little dip to even out some abilities and (possibly) get more spell slots. Reading online forums, all seem to point to only dipping into Hexblade for a few levels and then going full-on in other Cha classes (Bard, Pal, Sor), but I don't want to change the character so dramatically.
I've been looking at doing just a 3-level dip into Bard (College of Swords) or maybe even Fighter (BM) after I hit level 5 in Hexblade and get the second attack. Any thoughts on that progression and/or other advice?
If you know the level, then the best thing is to try and reverse engineer the character. Look at it in terms of not only what you gain from the multiclass, but what you miss out on. Say the campaign goes to 10 and you take 3 levels of bard, so look at the level 8, 9 and 10 warlock stuff you don't get. Then you can better decide if the tradeoff is worth it. For example, you won't get a second asi, unless the campaign goes to 11, or you take a 4th level of bard. But that closes you out of another level of warlock.
Also, don't just look at the end. Sometimes when you multiclass, you have to slog through a few levels where things don't work well until you hit that point where everything clicks. So, it can be helpful to also look at, not just what you character would look like as a warlock 7/bard 3, but will it be fun as a warlock 5/bard 1. And a warlock 5/bard2, etc.
I'm not really trying to argue for or against either side, its just the things I always try to think of when I consider a multiclass.
Currently 10/16/14/8/8/17. Plan to take fey touched at level 4 to round out Cha. we will go to at least 10, maybe more.
So based on this spread, the classes available for you to consider multiclassing into would be: Bard, Fighter, Rogue, and Sorcerer.
With those four choices, it's a matter of what you may want to get out of your character. Bard: More spell slots, bigger spell list with battlefield control options, Jack of All Trades at level 2, bardic inspiration, an additional skill proficiency Fighter: Fighting Style (if you're really leaning into the martial side of being a hexblade), Second Wind, Action Surge if you commit two levels in Rogue: Sneak Attack, Thieves' Tools proficiency, an extra skill proficiency, Cunning Action if you go up to level 2 to give more bonus action utility Sorcerer: ....we all know how this one works with a warlock
Of these, you get a bit less going into Fighter upfront only because you already have the armor and weapon proficients you would have gotten, a two level dip is sort of a necessary to justify it, and even going to third really doesn't give the biggest gains. If you're leaning toward the martial side of play, going Rogue would offer a bit more especially if you committed three levels and went Swashbuckler.
College of Swords Bard pairs well enough, and Bard in general gives you the ability to flex between martial and casting without feeling committed to just martial combat if the situation otherwise benefits from slinging a spell.
...Again, we all know of how the Sorcerer mix would work
Swords Bard would be a perfect multiclass, it synergizes well with the Hexblade, and you use the same Hit Dice for it. You get more spells, spell slots, and can use your Bardic Inspirations to add to your damage on top of your Eldritch Smites.
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I am currently playing a bugbear melee Hexblade (level 3); thematically, I want to keep Hexblade as my primary class but I am interested in taking a little dip to even out some abilities and (possibly) get more spell slots. Reading online forums, all seem to point to only dipping into Hexblade for a few levels and then going full-on in other Cha classes (Bard, Pal, Sor), but I don't want to change the character so dramatically.
I've been looking at doing just a 3-level dip into Bard (College of Swords) or maybe even Fighter (BM) after I hit level 5 in Hexblade and get the second attack. Any thoughts on that progression and/or other advice?
What’s your ability score spread?
Do you know what level the campaign is going to?
I think a few levels of Bard CoS would be cool.
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Currently 10/16/14/8/8/17. Plan to take fey touched at level 4 to round out Cha. we will go to at least 10, maybe more.
If you know the level, then the best thing is to try and reverse engineer the character. Look at it in terms of not only what you gain from the multiclass, but what you miss out on. Say the campaign goes to 10 and you take 3 levels of bard, so look at the level 8, 9 and 10 warlock stuff you don't get. Then you can better decide if the tradeoff is worth it. For example, you won't get a second asi, unless the campaign goes to 11, or you take a 4th level of bard. But that closes you out of another level of warlock.
Also, don't just look at the end. Sometimes when you multiclass, you have to slog through a few levels where things don't work well until you hit that point where everything clicks. So, it can be helpful to also look at, not just what you character would look like as a warlock 7/bard 3, but will it be fun as a warlock 5/bard 1. And a warlock 5/bard2, etc.
I'm not really trying to argue for or against either side, its just the things I always try to think of when I consider a multiclass.
So based on this spread, the classes available for you to consider multiclassing into would be:
Bard, Fighter, Rogue, and Sorcerer.
With those four choices, it's a matter of what you may want to get out of your character.
Bard: More spell slots, bigger spell list with battlefield control options, Jack of All Trades at level 2, bardic inspiration, an additional skill proficiency
Fighter: Fighting Style (if you're really leaning into the martial side of being a hexblade), Second Wind, Action Surge if you commit two levels in
Rogue: Sneak Attack, Thieves' Tools proficiency, an extra skill proficiency, Cunning Action if you go up to level 2 to give more bonus action utility
Sorcerer: ....we all know how this one works with a warlock
Of these, you get a bit less going into Fighter upfront only because you already have the armor and weapon proficients you would have gotten, a two level dip is sort of a necessary to justify it, and even going to third really doesn't give the biggest gains. If you're leaning toward the martial side of play, going Rogue would offer a bit more especially if you committed three levels and went Swashbuckler.
College of Swords Bard pairs well enough, and Bard in general gives you the ability to flex between martial and casting without feeling committed to just martial combat if the situation otherwise benefits from slinging a spell.
...Again, we all know of how the Sorcerer mix would work
Sorcerer would be good, if you’re willing to absolutely break your poor dm’s campaign.
Swords Bard would be a perfect multiclass, it synergizes well with the Hexblade, and you use the same Hit Dice for it. You get more spells, spell slots, and can use your Bardic Inspirations to add to your damage on top of your Eldritch Smites.