After toying a lot with the Hex blade I've realized just how strong it is. While any Warlock class can use the same invocations, which take these builds to the next level, Hex blade seems to be the best since you can focus on upping Charisma and getting feats after its at 20. Most builds I've run with use a level split of 12 Hex Blade / 8 whatever else.
The class pairs incredibly well with Oath breaker Paladin thanks to their Aura of Hate (Pair with Life Drinker, triple Charisma modifier damage on a hit). With Swashbuckler Rouges (ghost pirate) unique way of using sneak attack damage you can really pump out the DPS against single targets then slip away out of reach (or behind the beef cake Barbarian meat wall). Champion Fighter is always a good choice for any melee class and this is no exception.
What crazy builds have you guys come up with for this or any Warlock class?
You can mix the Armor of Shadows invocation with the Abjuration Wizard's Arcane Ward as a way to restore the ward in less than 2 minutes without expending any spell slots. As a hexblade you could make a mage tank. As a celestial warlock, you could create a support caster using the Project Ward ability alongside your healing.
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My build? Well, it's far from optimized but I multiclassed my celestial warlock with life cleric. I rolled low stats (My highest starting stat was +2) and decided on focusing on support and healing, something readily needed in our survival-focused Out of the Abyss campaign. My fellow PCs got knocked out A LOT so the extra healing anew spell slots have saved us more than once.
I took 3 levels of warlock, pact of the tome, then took 1 level in cleric. I can't hit things hard, but with 12 cantrips (between class, subclass, and drow cantrips) I have a lot of utility. Having short rest slots to create water and heal also keeps the whole party healthy and alive. The ritual casting invocation lets me fill in the gaps of my skill set with any ritual spells we come across. Proficiency in medium/heavy armor/shields is also life-saving for a low stat character. Currently I'm Warlock 4/Cleric 1 and I'm enjoying it so far. I'll probably take one more level in warlock before going back into cleric for a bit.
Powerful in combat? No, not really. Optimized? Not even close. But it's fun and makes me want to make future characters with unusual class combos.
In my case a tome Lock, with the Undying pact...for reasons and with a single level as a Cleric with the Death Domain. For Several Reasons;
I like options for Cantrips for utility reasons just like AK30 and I too currently have 12 (Variant Aasimar, sub and class)
This combination basically allows for cleaving both Chill Touch and Toll the Dead with the Reaper feature as part of Death Domain. Since my DM likes packs of mobs, this combination is currently more effective than a standard EB blast lock because a Level 4t warlock/1 cleric, you can hit two for 2d8 or 2d12. I can usually out do our rogue in shear through put as well.
Medium armor, and Martial weapons, plus 2 slots for a quick anti-dirt nap for a friend to self pot, or a throw away hex. I use the armor...I have yet a reason draw my rapier.
Because of the armor, I tend to use Darkness a lot and just stand among the confused dying mobs, not really worried that they would randomly hit me, and
So..power is the leverage you can apply to your circumstances.
Currently about to run a hex12/fighter8 or hex14/fighter6. both would be battlemasters with dex being high along with charisma. You can use eldritch smite and a maneuver all in one turn. Also you can be a little bit of a support with the rally maneuver.
I'm waiting to test it in trial, but omg the ambush potential!!! Those without Darkvision can't see and Gloomstalkers are invisible to those relying on Darkvision to see in low-light, he has 5' extra reach plus a dmg bonus for ambush rounds, Improved Pact of the Blade, Darkness+Devil Sight means he can see and forces disadvantage on others, Ranger Extra Attack, then stack Cloak of Flies (proximity dmg), Fiendish Vigor (hp bump), or One With Shadows (stationary invisibility).
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Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The problem with the Darkness+DS combo is that it hinders the rest of the group if they cant see through magical darkness. Usually more annoying than helpful.
This is true so tactics are needed. For example, we were being chased into a cave. There at a choke point cast darkness. I stayed inside and using message relayed when the pact of hobgoblins were about to leave it.
Meanwhile on the back end, light was cast so humans fould see and they readied attack actions on emerging opponents and dragons' breath on tigh pacts, while i sniped from the rear and kept them ftom escaping.
I have alao used it to recover fallen comrades from hostile drow. They had paralyzed one person, and i used darkness to cover myself, clear his poison, negotiate, and escape.
It does require finesse. Because you are right, it can hamper if not used wisely.
I've got a Tiefling Hexblade 5 that I'm planning to do a Rogue Swashbuckler 3 level dip. Fits her style pretty well. Very melee based, 2-handed sword type of thing.
Also, just rolled a Fighter 2 / Celestial Warlock 2+, who is DEX/CHA dependent. Wanted to get some of that healer influence into our party, and she's more about light, healing and goodness, that the Tiefling above lacks. Went with the DEX shortsword path, for better INIT and AC, and she's sort of a young thing. So, needed to start with a class that gave me martial weapons and armor/shield, since I didn't want to go the Hexblade route.Nice to get the action surge and second wind.
I assume Warlock 3 will be PotB, because Tomelock doesn't excite me. I'd rather have the flexibility to do swordfighting, or casting when needed.
The problem with the Darkness+DS combo is that it hinders the rest of the group if they cant see through magical darkness. Usually more annoying than helpful.
For a Pact of the Blade fighting in melee yes... but if your Pact of the blade using improved pact weapon as a heavy crossbow or an Eldritch blast build you get around this by casting darkness on yourself instead of the target and saying 40+ ft away from enemies. This also makes it better defensively than casting on the enemy since it means your not targeted by "a creature you see in range" spells and counter spell if your spell does not have a verbal component (sageadvice has established you must be aware the target is casting, so if you can't see them and they are making no verbal casting sounds....). I would also point out that the Hexblade's curse had no requirement for melee weapon and works with ranged damage from a pact weapon crossbow or eldritch blast.
...The biggest issue with this plan is that when you hit level 9 and can pick up Shadow of Moil it becomes obsolete. Radiant damage resistance, Obscured (which is all your really getting from darkness), retaliation damage, and you can use it in melee range letting your allies with normal dark vision and/or a bright light source fight as usual even if they are within 10ft of you.
As far as multi-classing, gloomranger lvl5/Hexblade warlock 2+ just get better as it goes, if you want to be an archer why not do it with an Improved pact weapon heavy crossbow while completely invisible to dark vision enemies attacking with advantage who can't use the same trick on you since you have devil's site and it can't be done to you... is pretty sweet as far as I am concerned.
The lack of inflection in text means that a reader of any post adds their own inflection as they "verbalize" it in their head. I write long and repetitive in an effort to be clear and avoid my intent from being skewed or inverted. I am also bad at examples. It is common for people to skim my posts pull out the idea they think I mean or want to argue against or focus on my bad example instead of the point I am actually trying to make. I apologies for the confusion my failure to be clear and concise creates.
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After toying a lot with the Hex blade I've realized just how strong it is. While any Warlock class can use the same invocations, which take these builds to the next level, Hex blade seems to be the best since you can focus on upping Charisma and getting feats after its at 20. Most builds I've run with use a level split of 12 Hex Blade / 8 whatever else.
The class pairs incredibly well with Oath breaker Paladin thanks to their Aura of Hate (Pair with Life Drinker, triple Charisma modifier damage on a hit). With Swashbuckler Rouges (ghost pirate) unique way of using sneak attack damage you can really pump out the DPS against single targets then slip away out of reach (or behind the beef cake Barbarian meat wall). Champion Fighter is always a good choice for any melee class and this is no exception.
What crazy builds have you guys come up with for this or any Warlock class?
You can mix the Armor of Shadows invocation with the Abjuration Wizard's Arcane Ward as a way to restore the ward in less than 2 minutes without expending any spell slots. As a hexblade you could make a mage tank. As a celestial warlock, you could create a support caster using the Project Ward ability alongside your healing.
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My build? Well, it's far from optimized but I multiclassed my celestial warlock with life cleric. I rolled low stats (My highest starting stat was +2) and decided on focusing on support and healing, something readily needed in our survival-focused Out of the Abyss campaign. My fellow PCs got knocked out A LOT so the extra healing anew spell slots have saved us more than once.
I took 3 levels of warlock, pact of the tome, then took 1 level in cleric. I can't hit things hard, but with 12 cantrips (between class, subclass, and drow cantrips) I have a lot of utility. Having short rest slots to create water and heal also keeps the whole party healthy and alive. The ritual casting invocation lets me fill in the gaps of my skill set with any ritual spells we come across. Proficiency in medium/heavy armor/shields is also life-saving for a low stat character. Currently I'm Warlock 4/Cleric 1 and I'm enjoying it so far. I'll probably take one more level in warlock before going back into cleric for a bit.
Powerful in combat? No, not really. Optimized? Not even close. But it's fun and makes me want to make future characters with unusual class combos.
In my case a tome Lock, with the Undying pact...for reasons and with a single level as a Cleric with the Death Domain. For Several Reasons;
So..power is the leverage you can apply to your circumstances.
I'm currently playing a Hexblade 4 / Swashbuckler Rogue 3 Tabaxi:
I never actually played this combo but a Celestial Warlock / Divine Soul Sorcerer Scourge Aasimar would make an pretty awesome heavenly avenger!
Currently about to run a hex12/fighter8 or hex14/fighter6. both would be battlemasters with dex being high along with charisma. You can use eldritch smite and a maneuver all in one turn. Also you can be a little bit of a support with the rally maneuver.
Bugbear Hexblade/Gloomstalker
I'm waiting to test it in trial, but omg the ambush potential!!! Those without Darkvision can't see and Gloomstalkers are invisible to those relying on Darkvision to see in low-light, he has 5' extra reach plus a dmg bonus for ambush rounds, Improved Pact of the Blade, Darkness+Devil Sight means he can see and forces disadvantage on others, Ranger Extra Attack, then stack Cloak of Flies (proximity dmg), Fiendish Vigor (hp bump), or One With Shadows (stationary invisibility).
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The problem with the Darkness+DS combo is that it hinders the rest of the group if they cant see through magical darkness. Usually more annoying than helpful.
This is true so tactics are needed. For example, we were being chased into a cave. There at a choke point cast darkness. I stayed inside and using message relayed when the pact of hobgoblins were about to leave it.
Meanwhile on the back end, light was cast so humans fould see and they readied attack actions on emerging opponents and dragons' breath on tigh pacts, while i sniped from the rear and kept them ftom escaping.
I have alao used it to recover fallen comrades from hostile drow. They had paralyzed one person, and i used darkness to cover myself, clear his poison, negotiate, and escape.
It does require finesse. Because you are right, it can hamper if not used wisely.
I've got a Tiefling Hexblade 5 that I'm planning to do a Rogue Swashbuckler 3 level dip. Fits her style pretty well. Very melee based, 2-handed sword type of thing.
Also, just rolled a Fighter 2 / Celestial Warlock 2+, who is DEX/CHA dependent. Wanted to get some of that healer influence into our party, and she's more about light, healing and goodness, that the Tiefling above lacks. Went with the DEX shortsword path, for better INIT and AC, and she's sort of a young thing. So, needed to start with a class that gave me martial weapons and armor/shield, since I didn't want to go the Hexblade route.Nice to get the action surge and second wind.
I assume Warlock 3 will be PotB, because Tomelock doesn't excite me. I'd rather have the flexibility to do swordfighting, or casting when needed.
Such a versatile class...
For a Pact of the Blade fighting in melee yes... but if your Pact of the blade using improved pact weapon as a heavy crossbow or an Eldritch blast build you get around this by casting darkness on yourself instead of the target and saying 40+ ft away from enemies. This also makes it better defensively than casting on the enemy since it means your not targeted by "a creature you see in range" spells and counter spell if your spell does not have a verbal component (sageadvice has established you must be aware the target is casting, so if you can't see them and they are making no verbal casting sounds....). I would also point out that the Hexblade's curse had no requirement for melee weapon and works with ranged damage from a pact weapon crossbow or eldritch blast.
...The biggest issue with this plan is that when you hit level 9 and can pick up Shadow of Moil it becomes obsolete. Radiant damage resistance, Obscured (which is all your really getting from darkness), retaliation damage, and you can use it in melee range letting your allies with normal dark vision and/or a bright light source fight as usual even if they are within 10ft of you.
As far as multi-classing, gloomranger lvl5/Hexblade warlock 2+ just get better as it goes, if you want to be an archer why not do it with an Improved pact weapon heavy crossbow while completely invisible to dark vision enemies attacking with advantage who can't use the same trick on you since you have devil's site and it can't be done to you... is pretty sweet as far as I am concerned.
The lack of inflection in text means that a reader of any post adds their own inflection as they "verbalize" it in their head. I write long and repetitive in an effort to be clear and avoid my intent from being skewed or inverted. I am also bad at examples. It is common for people to skim my posts pull out the idea they think I mean or want to argue against or focus on my bad example instead of the point I am actually trying to make. I apologies for the confusion my failure to be clear and concise creates.