Neither one will perform as well in the role of primary martial combatant as a dedicated martial character will... but they both still work well. However, one of the things that makes for a good martial character is the fact that most of them don't rely on a resource just to function. Many of them have resources... a barbarian's rage, a monk's ki, etc., but even when they're out of resources they're still a viable front-line fighter. Bladesinger doesn't do so well at that because, if they run out of uses of Bladesong, they're simply not a Martial Fighter anymore. Granted, they're still a Wizard, so it's not like they're defenseless, but they lose a lot more when they're out of Bladesong uses than, say... a Hexblade loses when they're out of spell slots.
The big problem with Hexblade as a main class is that you will pretty much always be better off using Eldritch Blast than playing a magically inclined melee character - Eldritch Blast scales with levels, while you do not get those extra attacks in Hexblade which are necessary for higher level melee users. Hexblade really excels as a splash for something like mainlining Paladin - you can maximise Cha for your paladin abilities and your primary melee attacks—not to mention smite recharges on short rests—making a fairly formidable melee combatant.
One thing Hexblade does have going for it is allowing elven accuracy based great weapon attack, but that take little while to get fully functional (especially if polearm master is added into the build).
The big problem with Hexblade as a main class is that you will pretty much always be better off using Eldritch Blast than playing a magically inclined melee character - Eldritch Blast scales with levels, while you do not get those extra attacks in Hexblade which are necessary for higher level melee users. Hexblade really excels as a splash for something like mainlining Paladin - you can maximise Cha for your paladin abilities and your primary melee attacks—not to mention smite recharges on short rests—making a fairly formidable melee combatant.
I could be wrong, but I think there's a pact of the blade invocation that allows you to attack twice with your pact weapon. So you do at least get a second attack, but yeah probably still not keeping up with eldritch blast in the long term since it continues to scale up and you can add your charisma modifier to each of the attacks with agonizing blast.
The tricky thing about being a melee-focused Hexblade is that it requires a pretty hefty Invocation-investment. Aside from needing the Thirsting Blade pact just to get Extra Attack, you also probably need to take the Lifedrinker invocation to add +CHA in Necrotic Damage to your attacks. So that's two invocations to put about as much extra damage as you would eventually get from just Eldritch Blast with the single Agonizing Blast invocation. You're also required to take the Pact of the Blade to get that particular combo, while going for a different pact allows more variety in your character build, especially if you multiclass to get Extra Attack from another class.
They are very powerful in the long run, but they don't start as powerful as fighters or barbarians in the first few levels. If you multiclass them - which I strongly recommend - you should consider getting some levels in the other class (battlesmith artificer for the bladesinger or any paladin for the hexblade) first. The Tough feat and a high Constitution are also good choices, especially for bladesinger who have rather low HP for melee warriors.
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At least as far as Hexblade is concerned, they are fine for a melee character.
You aren't as tanky (lower hit die) but can be just as hard to hit (medium armor and shield proficiency)
You don't hit quite as hard or as often compared to Fighter / Barbarian / Paladin but you make up for it with a bigger bag of tricks in your spell selections and invocations, which gives you better non-combat options.
Or you can go full cheese
Elf or Half Elf
Elven Accuracy Feat
Devil Sight invocation
Darkness spell
I found they work best if there is at least one other "frontline" character to share duties with.
A hexblade in a six person game that I played for several levels:
Or rather they are between melee and utility/blaster/support etc.
Neither one will perform as well in the role of primary martial combatant as a dedicated martial character will... but they both still work well. However, one of the things that makes for a good martial character is the fact that most of them don't rely on a resource just to function. Many of them have resources... a barbarian's rage, a monk's ki, etc., but even when they're out of resources they're still a viable front-line fighter. Bladesinger doesn't do so well at that because, if they run out of uses of Bladesong, they're simply not a Martial Fighter anymore. Granted, they're still a Wizard, so it's not like they're defenseless, but they lose a lot more when they're out of Bladesong uses than, say... a Hexblade loses when they're out of spell slots.
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The big problem with Hexblade as a main class is that you will pretty much always be better off using Eldritch Blast than playing a magically inclined melee character - Eldritch Blast scales with levels, while you do not get those extra attacks in Hexblade which are necessary for higher level melee users. Hexblade really excels as a splash for something like mainlining Paladin - you can maximise Cha for your paladin abilities and your primary melee attacks—not to mention smite recharges on short rests—making a fairly formidable melee combatant.
One thing Hexblade does have going for it is allowing elven accuracy based great weapon attack, but that take little while to get fully functional (especially if polearm master is added into the build).
I could be wrong, but I think there's a pact of the blade invocation that allows you to attack twice with your pact weapon. So you do at least get a second attack, but yeah probably still not keeping up with eldritch blast in the long term since it continues to scale up and you can add your charisma modifier to each of the attacks with agonizing blast.
The tricky thing about being a melee-focused Hexblade is that it requires a pretty hefty Invocation-investment. Aside from needing the Thirsting Blade pact just to get Extra Attack, you also probably need to take the Lifedrinker invocation to add +CHA in Necrotic Damage to your attacks. So that's two invocations to put about as much extra damage as you would eventually get from just Eldritch Blast with the single Agonizing Blast invocation. You're also required to take the Pact of the Blade to get that particular combo, while going for a different pact allows more variety in your character build, especially if you multiclass to get Extra Attack from another class.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
The biggest issue about those being the main frontliner is their low hit points compared to a fighter, barbarian, or paladin.
They are good for an all ranged party :P
They are very powerful in the long run, but they don't start as powerful as fighters or barbarians in the first few levels. If you multiclass them - which I strongly recommend - you should consider getting some levels in the other class (battlesmith artificer for the bladesinger or any paladin for the hexblade) first. The Tough feat and a high Constitution are also good choices, especially for bladesinger who have rather low HP for melee warriors.
+ Instaboot to murderhobos + I don't watch Critical Role, and no, I really shouldn't either +
At least as far as Hexblade is concerned, they are fine for a melee character.
You aren't as tanky (lower hit die) but can be just as hard to hit (medium armor and shield proficiency)
You don't hit quite as hard or as often compared to Fighter / Barbarian / Paladin but you make up for it with a bigger bag of tricks in your spell selections and invocations, which gives you better non-combat options.
Or you can go full cheese
I found they work best if there is at least one other "frontline" character to share duties with.
A hexblade in a six person game that I played for several levels:
ddb.ac/characters/2967334/Yyjo9R
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